Corrigendum to Commission Opinion 84/389/EEC of 19 June 1984 on the regional development programmes

(Official Journal of the European Communities No L 211 of 8 August 1984)

Page 18, the text should read as follows:

COMMISSION OPINION

of 19 June 1984

on the regional development programmes

(84/389/EEC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 155 thereof,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 724/75 of 18 March 1975 establishing a European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (1), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3325/80 (2) and in particular Article 6 thereof,

Whereas the new - second generation - regional development programmes were notified by the Member States pursuant to the aforesaid Article 6;

Whereas these programmes have been established taking account of Commission recommendation 79/535/EEC of 23 May 1979 (3);

Whereas, on 11 February, 13 May and 1 and 2 July 1982, 24 and 25 March and 27 May, 7 and 8 July and 10 November 1983, the Regional Policy Committee gave favourable opinions on those programmes;

Whereas, the common outline drawn up by the Regional Policy Committee (4) specifies what information those programmes must contain under the five chapters 'Economic and social analysis', 'Development objectives', 'Measures for development', 'Financial resources' and 'Implementation';

Whereas, as a resualt of the examination of the regional development programmes carried out in close association with the national authorities and within the Regional Policy Committee, a number of Member States have, at the Commission's request, either completed their programmes or provided additional information,

HEREBY DELIVERS THE FOLLOWING OPINION:

In conformity with recommendation 79/535/EEC of 23 May 1979 the second generation regional development programmes were, with one exception, established for the single period 1981 to 1985, which coincides with that of the Community's medium-term economic programme.

The geographical units examined correspond to the regions eligible for ERDF assistance, but information on measures applied in other regions was also provided.

1. Economic and social analysis

The main aspects of past economic and social development as well as the principal imbalances besetting the regions and their causes are revealed in all the regional development programmes. However, the effects of past corrective actions - regional aid and infrastructure investment - on regional development, are examined only in a general manner.

Development potential and conditions are dealt with in all programmes, but in some, in a rather brief manner.

The implications of national or Community policies - other than regional policy - have not yet been taken sufficiently into account in the analyses.

2. Development objectives

The programmes generally contain either objectives for future job creation or estimates relating to employment deficits at the end of the programme period.

The other objectives for regional development are set out in qualitative terms. As far as objectives for infrastructure are concerned, the programmes indicate links between

the development of the regions and planned infrastructure investment in a purely general manner, as an essential precondition to regional development.

Most programmes give information on national infrastructure of regional importance.

3. Development measures

The programmes give information on regional policy measures in force, and in particular on regional aid schemes.

As far as the timing of infrastructure investment is concerned most programmes give precise information.

However, the programmes do not indicate clearly the priority rating of the many measures mentioned.

4. Financial resources

The programmes generally contain information as to the total financial resources available for regional development during the programme period, as well as information on an annual basis as to financial resources for infrastructure investment. However, this information is not always given in an individual format to the ERDF regions.

Some programmes contain information on financial transfers between different levels of government, notably on finance from regional or subregional sources.

5. Implementation

The programmes give detailed information on agencies or institutions responsible for the management of the programmes.

By the way of conclusion, the second generation programmes taken as a whole represent a substantial improvement on those for the preceding period. They enable investment projects submitted by the Member States for ERDF assistance to be assessed under more favourable conditions.

However, the Commission considers that a more precise definition of priorities would facilitate coordination of the pattern and priorities of Community and national regional policies and the management of the ERDF in relation to the choice of measures to be financed in common.

The Commission intends to undertake with each Member State an annual examination of projects and programmes which are eligible for cofinancing by the Community within the framework of priorities defined on the basis of the regional development programmes.

Done in Brussels, 19 June 1984.

For the Commission

Antonio GIOLITTI

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ No L 73, 21. 3. 1975, p. 1.

(2) OJ No L 349, 23. 12. 1980, p. 10.

(3) OJ No L 143, 12. 6. 1979, p. 9.

(4) OJ No C 69, 24. 3. 1976, p. 2.