The future of cohesion policy and reporting requirements Matthew Brooke DG REGIONAL POLICY

Draft Regulations Adopted in July – what reports? Currently before Council  changes are possible!

The reform of the policy Strategic approach Ownership + Transparency Higher profile on political agenda

Reports in draft Regulations Strategic guidelines for cohesion policy National strategic reference framework Operational programmes Annual follow-up reports / Cohesion report

Strategic guidelines for cohesion policy Commission proposal – Council adopts 3 months after adoption of Regulations Strategic outline of policy Coherence with other community policies Member State sections Priority setting

National strategic reference framework Based upon strategic guidelines Member State presents – Commission "decides" Strategy for Structural Funds Framework for operational programmes Priorities + objectives

Operational programmes Member State submits proposal Commission appraises Formally part of national reference document

Annual follow-up – Member State Start 2008 – annual report Progress in implementation and goals "…taking particular account of the indicators set"

Annual follow-up – Commission Start 2009 – annual report Addresses implementation and progress Summarises Member State reports Cohesion report remains every three years  replaces annual report

Annual follow-up – Spring Council Commission annual report sent to Spring Council Part of package: BEPG, JER + Internal Market Strategy implementation report Discussion in Spring Council  conclusions

The timing? Only strategic guidelines have fixed timetable  within 3 months of regulations adopted Others: as soon as possible after this