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THAT BUDGET REVIEW. Iain Begg European Institute, London School of Economics. OVERALL IMPRESSIONS. Raises most relevant points Principles for funding Worthwhile discussion of added value Filling gaps; economies of scale; critical mass etc Mentions leverage; weaker on fiscal shortfall
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THAT BUDGET REVIEW Iain Begg European Institute, London School of Economics
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS • Raises most relevant points • Principles for funding • Worthwhile discussion of added value • Filling gaps; economies of scale; critical mass etc • Mentions leverage; weaker on fiscal shortfall • Financing side may be … over-ambitious • But lacks decisive orientations for change • So many spending areas deemed valid • Difficult to ascertain priorities • Hence does it avoid hard choices?
Cohesion policy should become a standard bearer for the objectives of smart, inclusive and sustainable growth of the Europe 2020 strategy in all regions. EU Budget Review Oct. 2010
SIGNALS FROM THE REVIEW • Greater concentration • In terms of Europe 2020 priorities, not regions • Top-down approach • Menu of thematic priorities • Linked to 2020 ‘flagship initiatives’ • Fewer to be addressed in richer regions • Innovation as cross-cutting theme • Strong link to National Reform Programmes • Possibly some competition for funding?
TERRITORIAL BALANCE RTD & I focused on excellence Likely winning policy domains = Probable losing policy areas EU ‘2020’ cohesion policy Rural develop-ment Traditional cohesion policy PROMOTING CONVERGENCE RISKING DIVERGENCE Cohesion in richer regions Selectively, the CAP
“Solidarity is one of the foundation stones of the European Union, a core principle and source of strength”
IN THE NAME OF PRINCIPLES.. • Solidarity: risk of multiple interpretations • Implies spatial concentration • But susceptible to other factors • Environmental; natural disasters • Results-driven: move away from input • Probably desirable… • …but introduces possible new concerns • Especially around the nature of conditionality • Implications for predictability of funding
SOME DIFFICULT ISSUES • Is cohesion best equated with the ‘inclusive growth’ component of Europe 2020? • May pay too little attention to regions & feedback • Concerns about too much ‘top-down’ • How will priority-setting on other policies impinge on territorial issues? • Effects from full range of policies • And possibly even from revenue side of budget • The risk of over-loading Cohesion policy • Expected to contribute to too many EU priorities • Optimising cohesion’s governance role
If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change [tutto deve cambiare perché tutto resti uguale] Giuseppe de Lampedusa, “il Gattopardo”