1. European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation
Filomena Carvalho Directorate-General Regional Policy
Deputy Head of Unit Cross-Border Cooperation

2. Legal Basis Article 175 of the Treaty
Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 on a EGTC
New perspective in the domain of cooperation
New European instrument

3. Why the EGTC Instrument?
Significant difficulties in ETC programmes implementation
differing national laws and procedures
the increase in the number of land and maritime borders after enlargements

4. Why the EGTC Instrument?
EGTC - legal instrument which contributes to territorial cooperation across national borders
It is OPTIONAL
Developed to make territorial cooperation more strategic but – at the same time – more flexible and simple
All Member States implement the EGTC Regulation in full…but some with considerable delay

5. Number and Scope of EGTCs
(Creation of EGTCs 31 March 2011)
Year EGTCs created Cumulative total
2008
2009
2010
In preparation 4 10 6 4 10 16 21

6. Number and Scope of EGTCs
Proposed to overcome the obstacles hindering territorial cooperation in the European Commission.
Already used for:
Managing ETC Programmes
Managing specific projects, (with/without EU funds)
Planning development strategies for CB & multi-national zones
Operating facilities of common interest
Providing a locus for multi-faceted, multi-level communication and cooperation
Ensuring the visibility and durability of cooperation going beyond ETC programmes

7. EGTCs in Practice Why create and further develop an EGTC?
An EGTC offers a more coherent cooperation context available to local, regional and national authorities and other public bodies
The EGTC Regulation provides a formal framework to existing cooperation
An EGTC contributes to a better dialogue between the Member States and other public authorities

8. Practical Difficulties
Delay in adopting national provisions
The novelty of the EGTC deterred Member States and Managing Authorities from relying on it for a formal role in implementing ETC programmes
Time-consuming and complex procedures - the most important negative drivers when establishing an EGTC

9. Practical Difficulties
Creation of an EGTC:
Legal difficulties
Questions of limited or unlimited liability
Participation of a Third country

10. Practical Difficulties
Operation of an EGTC
Different Member States may give a differing interpretation to a given legal provision and create different practices
Staff contracts - which law applies?
Public procurement for works & services
Heavy approach to modify current status of an existing EGTC

11. And the FUTURE? Proposals and Improvements
A large consultation had been launched
The message was clear: The instrument is useful but the procedures are more complex and uncertain than they should be

12. And the FUTURE? Proposals and Improvements
The philosophy behind the changes proposed by the Commission can be expressed in three keywords:
Continuity
Clarity
Flexibility

13. Amendments to the EGTC Regulation
Two kinds of amendements
to adapt the language to the Treaty on the functioning of the EU
to simplify and accelerate the setting up process and implementation

14. Amendments to the EGTC Regulation
The changes now proposed concern mainly
the membership
the content of the convention and statutes of an EGTC
its purpose
the process of approval by national authorities
the applicable law for employment and for procurement
the approach for EGTCs whose members have different liability for their actions
more transparent procedures for communication.

15. THANK YOU