Leaders Magazine No 2/2009

In connection with the forthcoming European Summit of Regions and Cities the policy of cohesion is being talked about more and more What is it what can we imagine under this term The policy of economic social and regional cohesion is a long title that is why the term cohesion policy is used more often it has been adopted recently even in the Czech language It is true that this term is taken from English but it is shorter and it has sort of all by itself naturally became part of our language Cohesion policy is a financial means of the EU that supports the minimization of social and economic differences mainly among European regions According to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and to the so far not ratifie d Lisbon Treaty the general aim of cohesion policy is the minimization of differences between the levels of development of various regions reduction of provincialism of the most handicapped regions and the strengthening of economic social and regional cohesion with the aim to develop the EU harmonically In the programme period 2007 2013 cohesion policy of the EU stresses predominantly employment and the increase of the competition strength of regions that have to face structural changes Since the 1980 s the amount of funds aimed at cohesion policy from the general budget of the EU has been increasing constantly and now it represents about 36 of the total budget of the EU It is therefore the most important policy of the EU In the Czech Republic the financial help from European Funds together with domestic and private capital should strengthen the economic efficiency of our country and of the regions at the same time enhance the competitive strength of our economy through the modernization of its structure and heighten the level of education among the citizens The given financial investments are aimed predominantly at transport accessibility at the infrastructure in the sphere of environment modernization of public administration and self administration at the support of entrepreneurship and scientific research development of human resources education of citizens and at the development of tourist trade In my opinion the term cohesion applies to people and to the quality of their lives not to the characteristic features of their region settlements or buildings As Thucydides of Athens said in the 5th century BC It is people who create municipality not walls As the basic long term and strategic aim of cohesion policy I therefore consider the support of the cohesion of people crossing boundaries of cities or regions It does not mean that people in various cities and various parts of Europe should live in the same way they should have the same An interview with Cyril Svoboda Minister for Regional Development The policy of cohesion is applicable to people not to an area says the Minister for Regional Development Cyril Svoboda in his interview for the EurActiv cz portal which was founded in cooperation with the Lord Mayor’s Offi ce of Prague on the occasion of the European Summit of Regions and Cities which was held in Prague on 5th 6th March 14 Leaders Magazine II 2009 PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE IN THE SAME WAY BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE THE SAME CHANCES From left Jan Kohout Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Cyril Svoboda Minister for Regional Development and Ziv Nevo Kulman Deputy Head of Mission of the State of Israel

Leaders Magazine II 2009 15 es where and how they want he Czech Republic stresses urope Europe Without barof movement How do you view the cooperation of cities and countryside and their situation in the Czech Republic Regional Development conen the city and countryside s of regional development of n reason for this is the spees in the Czech Republic and velopment which is imposoned cooperation k responsibility for the fulfilthe First Action Programme e regional agenda of the EU tween the city and countryhese relationships are set at s and what difficulties they ationships in the perception and their closest surround Their relationship can be of lot to offer one to another nsure larger interconnection ntions directed at cities and d them in order to avoid the en them egies always necessarily rity because some groups of the sense that they too shall their basic freedoms It is social and individual wealth becomes greater and therethe support of the groups in developed regions I do not hing cohesion only to a one sting just of the support d regions and groups of citiredominantly the formation tworks which is also fully icy of cohesion e g in the f cities and countryside What are the priorities of the Czech EU Presidency at the Council of Europe from the point of view of regions ech Presidency in the sphere oderation of the debate on branch of European policy follows the preceding presise of input prepared by the med a platform for intensive cussions on basic principles policy should develop e fact that there should be g in this discussion repree of the Regions should be se debates Representatibe there and we miniecialists will listen to them ews of the future character What are the aims of the Czech Republic as the Presidency country in view of the issue of cities promotion of the integrated ent of the city from the point mmation the support of the prived zones of cities and of the sustainable development supporting the increase of the quality of life Czech Republic would like to contribute predominantly by the exchange of experience and good examples to the state when the principles defined in the so called Leipzig Charter on the sustainable cities are with the use of integrated approaches a standard part of the view of the development of cities At present there are first pieces of experience with the integrated plans of cities that are the condition of the effective use of European funds in larger Czech cities with more than 20 thousand inhabitants There are 63 such cities in our country and the integrated plans are covered by the Regional European Programmes and by the Integrated Operational Programme administered by the Ministry of Regional Development There are also first pieces of experience with the support of housing in parts of larger cities endangered by social deprivation Even from the point of view of demographical changes ageing of the EU citizens it is necessary in my opinion to start serious discussions on the support of housing of the socially endangered groups of households within the framework of the future wider cohesion politics In October the so called Green Book on Territorial Cohesion was published Could you specify the contents and importance of the document On 6th October 2008 the European Commission published within the programme of the opening day of the week of regions OPEN DAYS a Statement containing the Green Book on Territorial Cohesion The Green Book was created in reaction to the demand of the European Parliament member countries and also other bodies in connection with the opening of the debate on the theme of regional cohesion and the issues resulting from this aspect for the EU politicians The aim of this document is to start the debate on territorial cohesion with the aim to enhance the understanding of this term and its importance for politics and cohesion This debate does not touch the results of the simultaneously running contemplations of the Commission of the review of the budget The Green Book does not cover financial aspects of the policy of cohesion within the existing financial framework In the Green Book the Commission asserts that a number of issues that have to be faced by the regions touch more areas and efficient solutions are necessary together with an integrated approach and cooperation of the bodies and participating parties The Green Book contains a muse over various approaches to regional cohesion from the geographic view across the EU and it identifies the four main spheres where it is necessary to seek political answers concentration overcoming of differences in density interconnection overcoming of distances cooperation overcoming of divisions and the circle of regions with specific geographic features mountainous island and rarely inhabited The concept of regional cohesion is thus discussed on many expert and political levels I do not consider this concept as another new aim of cohesion policy because in my opinion the basic goal of cohesion policy stays still the same and it refers to the inhabitants of the EU The regional cohesion is just one of the principles of cohesion policy as its principles are also diversity and diversification or cultural identity The geographic character of the region is undoubtedly important but it is just one of the factors of the EU citizens lives In my opinion those activities that are aimed at people not at regions are therefore those that can help fulfilling the cohesion as a goal You are talking about the importance of the cooperation of the EU countries in the sphere of regional development What shall such cooperation look like What are its concrete shapes or outcome It seems that continuous cooperation of delegated representatives of single member countries in various work groups and workshops proves to be the most effective platform Various impulses and different ways of approaches of the member states in view of their specific conditions offer an interesting and inspiring discussion exchange of experience and sharing of good practice that can lead to mutual concrete outcome and results A good example are also the activities covering international cooperation and European programmes that help spread the level of knowledge among member states such activities are e g the URBACT the European Knowledge Network on Cities and others What do you expect from the forthcoming European Summit of Regions and Cities which will be held on 5th 6th March in Prague Firstly I would like to express how proud I am that Prague organizes such an extraordinary and important event in the beautiful area of the island and palace Žofín and with an outstanding presence of participants It will be one place where the President of the European Commission and the Commissioner for Regional Development will meet with the elected representatives from a number of European regions and cities It will be a unique opportunity mainly to listen to one another I am really very glad to take part in such event and to share my experience and visions I am sure that during the times of economic stagnation and certain difficulties that work irrespective of boundaries such meetings and listening to the needs and proposals of all partners are extremely important on all levels To rule means to be inquisitive said the French statesman Adolphe Thiers in the 19th century and I totally agree with him Thus as a member of government I am inquisitive as I can if we take into account my duties and therefore from the European Summit of Regions and Cities I expect to get a number of inspiring ideas and a load of wise experience And I am really looking forward to seeing them all together with all guests By EurActiv cz in cooperation with Prague City Hall českou verzi naleznete na www leadersmagazine cz Photo Archive chances to choose themselve to live and work Therefore th so much the idea of open Eu riers and the basic freedom o coop tryside At present the Ministry for siders the cooperation betwe to be one of the key priorities the Czech Republic The main cific structure of municipalitie the need of a polycentric de sible without the upper menti That is why the ministry too ment of the activity 1.1 a of for the implementation of the which covers the relations be side The aim is to learn how th the level of the EU countries have to face We see the basis of the rela of the development of cities ings as a complex process T mutual help and they have a Therefore it is necessary to en between them by the interven at the countryside area around increase of imbalance betwee Long term goals and strate contain the features of solidar citizens have to be helped in t have the opportunity to fulfil obvious that with the growing also the possibility of choice b fore the solidarity is aimed at most need and of the least d limit the solidarity when reach direction movement consi aimed at the least developed zens A part of solidarity is p of relationships and their net valid in the terms of the pol support of the relationships of f The main priority of the Cze of cohesion policy is the mo the future character of this b The Czech Republic therefore dency states and with the us European Commission it form professional and political disc on which the future cohesion p Since I stress strongly the also the regions participating sentatives of the Committee invited to participate in the ves of European regions will sters together with our spe and share with them our vie of cohesion policy th The priority is significant p approaches in the developme of view of control and program approaches towards the dep the promotion of principles o

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