This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
EU reform talks in Rome
20/10/2003
European funding for nations and
regions must be reformed in a way that generates higher
economic growth in every part of Scotland and across
Europe, EU Ministers will be told at a meeting in Rome
today.
First Minister Jack McConnell says
that w
ith the anticipated enlargement of the EU to 27
countries by 2007, hewants to see closer co-operation between
Europe
's nations and regions and a public debate in
Scotlandon the future of funding.
Mr McConnell will say:
"The new Europe aims to be the most
competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the
world. Scotland must be ready to meet this challenge. And
the EU must support us and other nations and regions,
including the Accession Countries, in achieving higher
growth and greater prosperity.
"In an enlarging Europe, co-operation
becomes even more beneficial. Scotland has distinctive
regions with particular challenges, such as mountainous or
island communities, or the pockets of severe deprivation in
some of our cities and small, former industrial towns. By
sharing ideas and solutions with partners across Europe who
are facing similar issues, we can build a better
Europe."
Scotlandhas benefited from Structural Funds for over 25 years
and will receive some £1 billion over the 2000-06
programming period. This is being invested in promoting
economic development through projects such as the
regeneration of Kinlochleven and Ravenscraig, the
development of visitor attractions in New Lanark and the
construction of the Falkirk Wheel.
The First Minister will lead in the discussions for
theUKdelegation in the afternoon session on regional
co-operation. He will highlightScotland's strategy for economic growth - a Smart, Successful
Scotland - as an example of what can be achieved by a
devolved nation or region.
He will also talk about the leading roleScotlandis taking to develop Twinning Links, such as with
theCzechRepublic.
Current Structural Fund programmes
cease at the end of 2006. The EC will publish its 3
rd Cohesion Report in December setting out
thinking about the future of the Funds.
Decisions will be taken by the Council
of Ministers in 2005/6. Ten new Member States will join the
EU in May 2004. The UK Government issued a consultation
paper on the subject on March 6 this year. T
Department of Trade and Industry Minister Jacqui
Smith will lead in the discussion in the morning
session on regional competitiveness.
The UK Government sees the priority as being
targeting the poorest of the enlargement countries, in
order to create more trade opportunities for all Member
States.