The document discusses preparations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2014-2020 and perspectives on cohesion policy post-2020. It notes the possibility of reassessing priorities in the current MFF to address new challenges like the refugee crisis, security issues, unemployment and low investment. Improving synergies between funds and simplifying implementation are also discussed. The document outlines views on continuing to support territorial cooperation and ensuring adequate funding levels for cohesion policy after 2020.

1. Preparation for MFF 2014-2020 ,Preparation for MFF 2014-2020 ,
Cohesion policy post 2020 - perspectivesCohesion policy post 2020 - perspectives
17.05.2016, Sofia

2. MFF 2014-2020 review – possibility forMFF 2014-2020 review – possibility for
re-assessment of prioritiesre-assessment of priorities (1)
22482017.1522482017.15
Responsible EP Committee for the strategic report – BUDG, REGI prepares an
Opinion
art.2 from MFF Regulation – EC should present a review on the functioning of the
current MFF up to end-2016, which could be accompanied by a legislative proposal
for revision (this revision will not lead to reduction of the pre-allocated national
envelopes)
 Allows re-assessment and upgrading the priorities
EC indicates the following elements, appropriate for review:
 First evaluation of Youth Employment Initiative
 First recommendations from the EC High Level Group on Simplification
 First results from the Budget focused on Results Strategy
17.05.2016, Sofia

3. 17.05.2016, Sofia
MFF 2014-2020 reviewMFF 2014-2020 review (2)
Assessment of MFF – new challenges (refugees’ crisis, internal
security and fight against terrorism, persisting high unemployment, low
investment level, payments backlog) an at the same time to achieve the
goals of Europe 2020 Strategy
Is the revision of MFF necessary? – to take into account the new
political challenges
Better synergy and complimentarity between ESI Funds, EFSI
(Yuncker plan) and the other Community Funds (horizontal
programmes)
Simplification – EC to present concrete proposals for improving the
implementation of Cohesion Policy (CP) during the current
programming period – EP resolution ‘Acceleration of CP
Implementation”
Financial instruments – complementing grants, after ex-ante
assessment
Using the possibilities to provide additional support and flexibility within
ESI Funds – for instance, addressing the challenges related to
migration

4. Durability, improved flexibility in the next MFF – programming
period of 5, 7 years or 5+5 years with possibility for mid-term
revision
Budget focused on results, ESI Funds better focused on
performance and results
It is important to keep the role of CP post 2020 as a main
investment policy with the respective level of financing
Need to improve the financial management and administrative
capacity on national, regional and local level
EC should allocate the performance reserve to programmes, which
fulfill their milestones as to 2018
MFF post 2020 should be presented by the EC up to 01.01.2018, at
the latest
MFF 2014-2020 reviewMFF 2014-2020 review (3)
17.05.2016, Sofia

5. European Territorial Cooperation (ЕТС)European Territorial Cooperation (ЕТС)
– perspectives– perspectives (1)
17.05.2016, Sofia
Own Initiative Report, which includes :
European Added Valued of ЕТС, best practices and contribution
to the goals of Europe 2020 Strategy
Contribution to the territorial cohesion
Support for research and innovations
Governance and coordination of the policy
Simplification
Future recommendations
Increasing the awareness-raising and visibility
Notes with concern the late adoption of
the ETC programmes and calls on EC
and Member States to mobilize their
efforts for their successful implementation

6. 17.05.2016, Sofia
European Territorial Cooperation (ЕТС)European Territorial Cooperation (ЕТС)
– perspectives– perspectives (2)
 Calls for better consistency and synergies between ESIF, EFSI, Horizon 2020 and
other national programmes and strategies;
 Underlines that financial instruments should form an integral part from the ETC
Programmes
 Notes the EGTC role to support and promote the ETC;
 Welcomes the initiative of the Luxembourg Presidency of the EU Council –
specific legislative tool for cross-border regions, the member States can reach
agreement on concrete legislative provisions
 ETC programmes can, in addition to other appropriate financing, address the
challenges related to migration
 Considers that ETC has proved its effectiveness, but its potential has not been
entirely deployed due to the insufficient financial resources
 It is necessary to have a allocation of the funds on programmes not only on the
basis of the population size, but also on the basis of a set of harmonized criteria,
taking into account the territorial specificities

7.  Perspectives for the Euroepan Territorial Cooperation
 Policy as to – Lagging regions? Urban development?
 EU Urban Agenda and its relation and coordination with the
World Urban Agenda - UN Habitat
 Encouraging the innovations and growth potention in
developed regions
 Innovative financial instruments, complemeting grants,
Yuncker plan post 2020?
Cohesion Policy post-2020
17.05.2016, Sofia
 Enhancing the links of Cohesion Policy with the economic governance and European
Semester – proposal for a Regulation for Structural Reforms Support Programme
 Programmes on shared management or more centralized programmes, further simplification
and seeking the balance between simplification and control;
 Focus on results and bettew flexibility in addressing newly emerging challenges;
 What should be the design and thematic orientation, as well as the performance framewotk
post 2020;
 Forthcoming meeting-discussion at the EP on 15.06.2016

8. ОБЩИНА ТЪРГОВИЩЕ
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!
ISKRA MIHAYLOVA
Chair of the Committee on Regional Development,
EP
17.05.2016, Sofia