Commissioner Samecki encourages Croatia to use EU investment as a launch-pad for growth

Published: 22 January 2010 y., Friday

Eurai
Regional Policy Commissioner Paweł Samecki will meet Croatia's Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and members of her government in Zagreb on 25-26 January to discuss the country's preparations for accession in the context of the EU cohesion policy. If, as expected, Croatia joins the EU in 2012, it will be entitled to an investment boost from the policy of up to
€2.2 billion over 2012 and 2013 – a 20-fold increase on the level of support it currently receives through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA).

Ahead of his visit, Commissioner Samecki said: "Croatia faces big challenges ahead which necessitate a strong commitment to ensuring that the right administrative structures are in place to reap the full potential of future EU investment. It is crucial that all levels of government prepare the ground well so that this investment delivers an impetus to the whole economy."

Commissioner Samecki will meet Prime Minister Kosor on 25 January and then hold talks with Ministers responsible for implementation of pre-accession funding including: Minister of Finance Ivan Šuker, Minister of Transport Bo židar Kalmeta, Minister of Environment Marina Matulovi ć Dropulić, Minister of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship Đuro Popijač, and Minister of Regional Development and Deputy Prime Minister Božidar Pankretić.

On 26 January, the Commissioner will meet members of Croatia's Parliament. The visit will provide an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges facing Croatia, in particular to ensure that it generates good quality projects and uses EU funding efficiently.

The country received € 438.5 million in EU investment under the IPA in 2007-2009. Three specific programmes target regional development: environment ( €53.5 million), transport ( €53.5 million) and regional competitiveness ( €34.9 million). The Commissioner will underline the need to accelerate implementation of these programmes.

The main priorities of the EU co-funded programmes are:

transport infrastructure in rail, inland waterways, ports, with a focus on extending pan-European transport corridors;

environment infrastructure for waste water and waste management;

investment to boost competitiveness and employment, particularly in small and medium enterprises;

Support for skills and training.

Croatia is already drawing up its future cohesion policy objectives and programmes, in close cooperation with the Commission.

This funding will be targeted at helping Croatia to modernise its economy, create new jobs and improve living standards, as well as enhancing the performance of its national and local administrations.

 

Šaltinis: europa.eu
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.

Facebook Comments

New comment


Captcha

Associated articles

The most popular articles

HP Reports First Quarter 2009 Results

HP (NYSE:HPQ) today announced financial results for its first fiscal quarter ended Jan. 31, 2009, with net revenue of $28.8 billion, up 1% from a year earlier and up 4% when adjusted for the effects of currency. more »

California's golden dream turns gray

Saddled with an ongoing housing crisis, rising unemployment and an arguably flawed system of balancing the budget, California's "Golden dream" has turned a dismal shade of gray. more »

ATM security is top concern for U.S. consumers

ATM software provider Level Four Americas LLC found in a recent survey that 67 percent of U.S. adults who use financial institution with ATMs would be likely to switch FIs after an instance of ATM fraud or a data breach. more »

Recession affects Fashion Week

As designers put the finishing touches to their collections ahead of this year New York fashion week, the recession is on everyone's minds. more »

AB Bank SNORAS distributes the 11 per cent fixed-interest bond emission

On February 17 - March 13 this year, AB Bank SNORAS distributes one-year bonds with the fixed 11 per cent annual return, which can be regained after keeping the bonds for at least 28 days. more »

Looking upstream to fisheries reform

Europe's controversial fishing policy was under scrutiny Tuesday at a public hearing in Parliament about its future shape. more »

State aid: Commission approves Swedish scheme to recapitalise banks

The European Commission has approved, under EC Treaty state aid rules, a Swedish aid scheme intended to bolster the financing of the real economy by providing capital to banks. more »

Another Five Winners of the Danske Bankas Monthly Scholarship Award have been Announced

During the draw another five winners of the Danske Bankas monthly Scholarship award were announced. more »

Bank SNORAS gave 12 monetary prizes to the depositors who participated in the special action

In the special action of Bank SNORAS the participating depositors were presented 12 monetary prizes whose value reaches from 1 up to 50 thousand Litas. more »

Year-end Report 2008

Solid performance despite rapid economic slowdown. more »