European Cross-border Cooperation Programme to be upgraded

published on 9/9/20 11:34 AM

Vivian Loonela

Photo: European Commission

The Interreg (European Territorial Co-operation) programme was founded in 1990. Four successful periods of the programme have already passed. The purpose of the programme is to encourage balanced economic, social and territorial development of the EU. It covers three fields of cooperation: cross-border cooperation (Interreg A), transnational cooperation (Interreg B) and interregional cooperation (Interreg C). The budget of the programme in the 2014-2020 period exceeded EUR 12 billion. This year the programme marks its 30^th anniversary since its foundation. The countries are to discuss ways to improve the programme’s achievements. The emphasis will be laid on good neighbor relations, environment and youth.

The fifth programming period (INTERREG V 2014-2020) is about to end soon. In the beginning of this period, no one could imagine that the world would have to deal with the Covid-19 challenge.

How the programme will develop from now on?

Vivian Loonela talks to Radio Bulgaria

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“This year we have been facing exceptional circumstances which require exceptional measures- European Commission coordinating spokesperson Vivian Loonela told Radio Bulgaria. – In March this year the Commission wanted to provide immediate financial support to the member states and enable them to use the funds that have been already allocated under the programme, in order to deal with the problems in their healthcare systems, the small and medium-sized enterprises, etc. Secondly, we came up with the proposal that the EU member states keep the money they could not absorb, which otherwise go back to the Commission. Thirdly, we came up with the proposal that the member states receive 100% funding from the Cohesion Fund. We are trying to be flexible and innovative, in order to overcome the crisis”, Vivian Loonela says.

Ms loonela voiced confidence that there will be a sixth programming period of Interreg programme and that Bulgaria would continue cooperating with all its neighbors.

Removing cross-border obstacles and supporting interregional innovation projects (i.e. development of joint services by the member states) are among the priorities of the Interreg programme after 2020.

For the purpose, the European Commission is proposing a new instrument for the border regions, the so-called European Cross-Border Mechanism. It introduces common rules to tackle problems (for instance infrastructure problems) during the fulfillment of cross-border projects.

The Commission also supports interregional investments in innovations and the establishment of pan-European clusters in priority sectors- circle economy, cyber security, improvements in production technologies, etc.

“The aim is to achieve high living standard and economic prosperity in the member states”, Vivian Loonela says. “However, innovations are the necessary precondition for achieving sustainable development. “Digitalization” is the key word for the next programming period. However, we are to focus on the healthcare and tourism sectors as well. We have offered an additional EUR 500 million for interregional investments in innovations for the 2021-2027 period so that even the least developed European regions are able to integrate and develop their economies”.

English version: Kostadin Atanasov

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