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PARLIAMENT/COMMISSION EU/SOUTH KOREA INTERVIEW Buzek: Majority of groups back Free trade talks MEP Christian Engström, 16 Sept vote on Barroso Page 5 still ongoing Page 5 Swedish Pirate Party Page 5 EUROPOLITICS The European affairs daily Monday 7 September 2009 N° 3811 37th year FOCUS COHESION POLICY Some states would like to relax Irish support for decommitment rules Lisbon drops By Isabelle Smets funds in 2009 under these decommitment By Célia Sampol rules. In any case, he said he was “more opti- Might decommitment rules for the Euro- mistic than at the start of the year,” when the pean Structural Funds be relaxed in the difficult economic and financial context led The Lisbon Treaty ‘yes’ camp is losing current context of the economic crisis? This to a fear of major difficulties in implement- ground in Ireland, according to the concerns the much talked-about ‘N+2’ rule ing Cohesion Policy on the ground. “We latest polls. Less than a month away (‘N+3’ for the EU12), which provides that are receiving many requests for payment,” from the second referendum, public a member state will lose the Community indicated the director-general, which proves support has dropped by eight points funds allocated to a project if they are not that the projects are being set up, despite the from May and now stands at 46%, used within two years (three for the EU12) crisis. Dirk Ahner thus considers that the risk according to an Irish Times-TNS following the year in which they were of decommitment “seems far less important mrbi survey made public on 3 Sep- approved. In the simplification package for than anticipated for 2009”. But, at the same tember. Some 29% of respondents time, he recognises that the issue is likely said they would vote against the treaty to come up again in 2010. And, as men- on 2 October, which is a one-point Can the N+2 et N+3 rules tioned by several member states, “it will be increase over the previous poll in May. continue to apply as if necessary to discuss the matter anew”. The undecided have risen from 18% “nothing had happened”? To recall, the Commission’s proposals to 25%, which treaty supporters see contain a series of measures intended to as a disturbing signal. facilitate the use of money and the man- The figures were released as the cam- agement of projects co-financed by the paign gets underway in Ireland. Prime the Structural Funds, presented on 22 July European Structural Funds. This “simplifi- Minister Brian Cowen (centre-right) 2009 (see Europolitics 3799), the European cation” has, in general, been well received will defend the ‘yes’ by highlighting the Commission does not propose amending by the states, except for one measure aimed protection Europe has provided in this these rules. But initial discussions in the at doing away - in 2009 and 2010 - with the period of recession, but many analysts Council of Ministers working group show obligation for states to co-finance projects fear a sanction vote. On 12 June 2008, that there could be a request from this side. funded by the European Social Fund (see over 53% of Irish voters rejected the “The issue was raised at the Council,” our previous edition on the presentation of Lisbon Treaty. The government won acknowledged Dirk Ahner, director-general the Swedish priorities). concessions on issues like neutral- of DG Regio at the Commission, during a Should we expect other simplification ity and taxation as a preliminary to visit to the European Parliament’s Commit- measures for the Structural Funds in the holding a second referendum. tee on Regional Development, on 3 Sep- coming months? A priori, no. According EP President Jerzy Buzek (EPP, tember. According to him, several states are to Ahner, the package of 22 July should Poland) will be in Dublin, on 8 Sep- questioning whether, in the context of the be the last one for the 2007-2013 period, tember, where he will meet Foreign crisis, “the N+2 and N+3 rules can continue bearing in mind the difficulties inherent Minister Micheál Martin. to apply as if nothing had happened”. in changing the rules of the game along Ahner does not, however, appear to be par- the way. “Except if we notice something ticularly concerned about the risk of loss of which is totally unacceptable.” n Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language www.europolitics.info EUROPOLITICSTHE EUROPEAN AFFAIRS DAILY The centrepiece of EU news www.europolitics.info ❏ Yes, I would like to subscribe to EUROPOLITICS daily: ❏ 6 MONTHS, 112 issues (paper version) + unlimited online access at the price of €890 (1). 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Rue d’Arlon 53 / B-1040 Brussels or by fax to: +32 (0)2 732 67 57 AP08 EUROPOLITICS N° 3811 Monday 7 September 2009 3 Contents N° 3811 Top Stories PARLIAMENT/COMMISSION EU/SOUTH KOREA INTERVIEW Buzek: Majority of groups back Free trade talks MEP Christian Engström, 16 Sept vote on Barroso Page 5 still ongoing Page 5 Swedish Pirate Party Page 5 Sectoral policies External relations New publications.............................10 Cohesion Policy: Some states would EU/Iran: Bildt: Europeans like to relax decommitment rules ...........1 willing to confront Tehran ......................6 EU Agenda ..........................................11 Agriculture Council: Milk