Minister Manninen at the Committee on Regional Development (REGI)

First of all, let me say how pleased I am to attend this meeting here in Brussels. I would like to stress that you, honourable members of the European Parliament Committee on Regional Development, have a crucial role to play in identifying and considering the needs of citizens and regional partners when carrying out legislative work. You have done an excellent job in this, and whilst I have the opportunity, I would like to thank you for it. I am looking forward to engaging in a meaningful dialogue with you over the coming months.

At the plenary session held last Tuesday in Strasbourg, the European Parliament approved the new cohesion policy Regulations, which will come into force before the end of this month. This gives me the chance to consider things from a wider perspective.

With enlargement, the disparities within the Union increased, and as a result, the need for a European cohesion policy is now greater than ever. At the same time, the global economy is growing at an extremely rapid pace. Economy is not, however, growing steadily throughout the world, but growth is taking place mainly in emerging economies on other continents. Therefore, we must be able to both increase cohesion and strengthen regional competitiveness across the Union in order to respond to the challenges arising from globalisation.

A key priority for Finland’s Presidency is to achieve greater transparency and effectiveness in the Union. To increase the trust and confidence of citizens in the EU’s work, we should prove to citizens that the EU deals with issues that are relevant to them and that it carries out its tasks in a transparent and effective manner,

We need to demonstrate more clearly that the Union pursues cohesion policy for the benefit of its citizens. What makes this possible is that the implementation of various programmes brings the Union close to citizens. As a result of a well-implemented cohesion policy, people have jobs and better conditions for a good life in their home regions. It is worth bearing in mind that cohesion policy has enabled us to build many of the main roads, railways and airports in Europe, and the structures required by the information society. They help to bring people living across the EU closer to each other.

I would also like to emphasise the importance of improving the circumstances and living conditions in the least developed regions. I myself was born and raised in a small village in northern Finland from where I travelled to school. In those days, the village, situated by water, had no road connections, so I had to row or, in wintertime, ski across a frozen lake to school. I know what kind of problems areas with natural handicaps have, and that is why this subject is close to my heart.

Distinguished Members,

Finland’s EU Presidency will place particular emphasis on relations with Russia and, in connection with them, the Northern Dimension, which is a central part of EU-Russia cooperation. The Second Northern Dimension Action Plan will, however, expire at the end of this year. As holder of the Presidency, Finland seeks to ensure that the future of the Northern Dimension will be safeguarded. Our aim is for the EU and Russia to adopt a joint Northern Dimension policy. As regards the Northern Dimension, Structural Fund programmes have their role to play in implementing this policy.

EU external relations instruments are currently under reform. Finland wants to ensure that cooperation across the EU’s external borders – which is important for the development of border regions – continues seamlessly when the new European neighbourhood and partnership instrument will be introduced. Implementing concrete cooperation projects across the external borders is fundamental to the credibility of this policy, and it is also essential for EU-Russia cooperation.

Honourable Members,

Europe’s ability to succeed in global competition is a core priority for Finland’s Presidency. Thus, the Presidency will strive to explore ways of enhancing the Union’s competitiveness. In particular, Finland will promote the development of the internal market, innovations and their utilisation, increases in labour productivity, and the quality of working life.

During its Presidency, Finland seeks to promote EU innovation policy, drawing on the recommendations put forward by an expert group whose mandate was to draw up future guidelines for European innovation policy and who was led by former Finnish Prime Minister Esko Aho. I would like to stress that regions play a significant role in implementing innovation policy, because local factors, such as partnerships, are elements of competition which others find hard to copy.

It is now important to discuss how the EU’s cohesion policy programmes can be best used to support the implementation of the Lisbon strategy. Finland wants to strongly emphasise that regional development work is essential to the strengthening of European competitiveness. The Lisbon strategy objectives should, thus, be turned into concrete measures in regions. With regard to the effectiveness of programmes and a new business culture, private enterprises play an important role in planning, financing and implementing these concrete measures.

The ways and means that have proved effective in implementing these measures should be better exploited when deciding on national strategies. With this in mind, we will hold an informal meeting of the ministers responsible for regional policy in Brussels in November. This meeting will particularly discuss working practises which have been effective in promoting regional innovation policy and how to set the framework for a political debate on the regional dimension of the Lisbon strategy. I will invite the European Parliament to attend this meeting.

In this context, I would still like to refer to the debate held at Parliament’s plenary session on the relation between the Lisbon strategy objectives and cohesion policy objectives. In my view, the Union’s objectives of growth, competitiveness and employment should not be seen as being incompatible with the objectives of social, economic and territorial cohesion. On the contrary, when the objectives are implemented correctly and due account is taken of regional characteristics, measures aimed at supporting growth, competitiveness and employment pave the way for the most vulnerable regions to prosper and benefit from the Union’s success in global competition.

Honourable Members of the REGI Committee,

The legal basis for cohesion policy programmes also includes the strategic guidelines for the Community’s cohesion policy. You finished your report on the matter in May, which made it possible for the Commission to take due account of Parliament’s views when preparing the final proposal. Our aim is for the Council to finalise its position in July as to enable the European Parliament to discuss the document at the beginning of its autumn session. Discussion held at the Council’s working group about the strategic guidelines has been both constructive and stimulating. I believe that we can adopt the guidelines in October.

Finally, I would like to thank the members of the REGI Committee and particularly the rapporteurs for their valuable input in reforming the legal basis for cohesion policy. Although the timetable was tight, you managed to do an excellent job. I also wish to extend my thanks to previous Presidencies and the Commission for their outstanding work.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Wisely and well targeted contributions to the Community’s regional and structural policy are crucial to the internal cohesion of the Union and to global competitiveness. Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development is a key actor in this work and an important partner to Finland during its EU Presidency. I hope that the good cooperation between the three institutions continues. I very much look forward to working with you over the next six months.

Thank you for your attention.