1. New perspectives for the EGTC
Partnerships, co-operations for a sustainable joint cross-border development after 2014
István Pálfi Day 2013
Brussels, 8 October 2013
Alfonso Alcolea
Committee of the Regions of the EU

2. The CoR and the future regional policy
The European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation
General perspectives 2

3. The CoR and the future regional policy3

4. The CoR and the future regional policy
Cohesion Package proposed by the Commission in 2011
Common provisions
5 funds + Territorial Cohesion + Common Strategic Framework + EGTC
CoR positioning
1st wave of opinions (2012)
CSF opinion (2012)
Resolution about the cohesion package (2013)
The Council and the Parliament
EP  REGI voted a mandate of negotiation in July 2012
General Affairs Council adpted a ’general agreement’ on the different blocks (CAG)
Trilogues: Agreements between January and June 2013 4 4

5. The CoR and the future regional policy
Issues under debate
Final budget of cohesion policy
Objectives: Investing in growth and jobs + territorial cooperation
Intermediate regions
Capping and increase of co-funding rate
Common strategic framework for the ERDF, ESF, EARDF, EFF
Regional approach in the ESF
Macroeconomic conditionality 5 5

6. The CoR and the future regional policy
Implementation phase
The Member States are already programming
Partnership agreements
Operational programmes
How to involve local and regional authorities?
CERM-CCRE study
Questionnaire of the CoR
Cor-AEBR workshop on 19 November
To which extent local and regional authorities participate?
ITI, CLLD, Operational programme, multi fund
Which impact of the final agreements? 6 6

7. EGTC - European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation7

8. EGTC – European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation
What is an EGTC?
EGTC – European Grouping
of Territorial Cooperation
At the beginning, an idea of the Committee of the Regions
Created by Regulation (EC) 1082/2006
Public entities from different Member States can get together under an entity with European legal personality.
The EGTC has its own organisation, budget and staff.
It may implement programmes and projects of territorial cooperation, with or without EU funding.
Entered into force on 1 August 2007, the Member States adopt national provisions. 8 8

9. The EGTC trends and developments9

10. EGTC trends and developments
Figures
39 EGTC set up, according to the Register of the CoR +3 pending registration
More than 650 LRA involved
A reality in 19 Member States
Impact on the life of 30 Mo Europeans 10 10

11. EGTC trends and developments
National implementation varies
Only one EGTC implements programmes: ‘Greater Region’
The use of structural funds is not the main object of activity
Although ‘laboratory for multi-level governance’, most of the EGTC group entities of the same level
Main focus on cross-border cooperation
Main areas: Axis Benelux-FR-DE, around HU and Mediterranean
Precedent cooperation started in the 90s.
Need of awareness among LRA, public and EC services 11 11

12. Examples of EGTC Grande Région
First EGTC to become management authority of a programme
Involves FR, DE, LU, NL, BE 12 12

13. Examples of EGTC Eurometropolis Lille-Kortrijk-Tournai
Conurbation between Belgium and France, 3 regions, 2 languages, 1.7 Mo inhabitants
Touristic site: 13 13

14. Galicia-Norte de Portugal
Examples of EGTC
Galicia-Norte de Portugal
Big euroregion with more than 20 years
of co-operation History
Projects:
Working plan fostering competitivness and promoting employment.
Transport: Guide, study on interoperativity
Cooperation between technology centres and campuses
Many sectors: Sea, automotive, creative and cultural industries, tourism 14 14

15. Examples of EGTC Cerdanya cross-border hospital
Service to 60,000 inhabitants in the Pyrenees 15 15

16. a choice has made The CoR
The EGTC as “preferential instrument for cooperation” Own-initiative opinion Núñez Feijóo 16

17. Leadership of the CoR
CoR Opinions of Bresso (2008), Núñez Feijóo (2011), Delebarre (2012), and two consultations (2010 and 2012)
Remove bureaucratic obstacles
Harmonize national implementation
Use the EGTC beyond regional policy  Strategy Europe 2020, mainstream all EU policies
Awareness needed at all levels
Participation of non-EU countries 17 17

18. Influence on the new legislation
Ambitious proposal of the EC (Oct 2011)
Inter-institutional conference 29/03/2012  Fast-track the EGTC
The EP-REGI assumed the amendments proposed by the CoR on 11/07/2012
Debate about the EGTC in the future cohesion policy  OPEN DAYS 2012
Political agreement of the Council on 20/02/2013
Inter-institutional trilogue  March-May 2013, CoR invited 18 18

19. New aspects of the Regulation
Approved tacitly after 6 months.
Main document to be approved will be the convention.
Clarification on the legal situation of the staff of the EGTC
CoR wanted to create groupings in the fields of health, education and vocational training (even if entities are private)
3rd countries will be able to get involved in EGTCs, including neighbors of outermost regions and territories
The CoR will maintain its role of register of the EGTCs 19 19

20. Perspectives 20

21. Short and medium term issues
How will the Member States implement the new Regulation?
How will the new generation of EGTCs look like?
Governance of the EGTCs  Participation of the civil society
Participation in the Operational Programmes
EGTCs implementing new instruments  ITI, CLLD, JAP...
EGTCs and macro-regions
Mainstreaming the EGTC in other EU policies
 Events with DG Move and DG Enterprise
 Next event with DG Markt on 9 October
Visibility  EGTC award 21 21

22. The EGTC Platform
The Platform groups all players in EGTC and cross-border
Coordinator: Mr Herwig Van Staa (AT/EPP)
Monitoring  Study ‘EGTC Monitoring Report’
Assistance and support, political input
Face-to-face communication:
Open Days  9/10/ B07 and networking event
Save the date!  19 November 2013 AEBR meeting
Portal social networks 22 22

23. … Latest news The CoR launches an EGTC award
The CoR launches an EGTC award
Adopted by the Bureau of 7 October 2013
Bi-annual edition
Focus on implemented actions related to growth and jobs

24. Thank you! Köszönöm! Committee of the Regions www.cor.europa.eu/egtc
Direction of horizontal policies and networks – Unit E.2
Alfonso Alcolea Martínez
Administrator EGTC & territorial cooperation
@EGTCPlatform
EGTC
Pálfi István ( )
In memoriam 24 24