Outgoing Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn hails the adoption of 27 Partnership Agreements for growth and jobs in Europe

European Commission

Statement

Brussels, 31 October 2014

Outgoing Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn hails the adoption of 27 Partnership Agreements for growth and jobs in Europe

Speaking as he hands over the reins of EU Regional Policy and takes up his position in President Juncker's new Commission, EU Regional Policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn said:

"The fact that we have been able to adopt 27 Partnership Agreements as I end my mandate is evidence of the hard work and commitment of my services and the Member States. Backed by our reforms I am happy to say I leave a Cohesion policy that is better equipped to deal with the challenges facing Europe today - from energy dependence to unemployment and lack of competiveness. It is a policy that also is better suited to support each Member State and every region's own development plan including the structural reforms. The 27 Partnership agreements, to be followed in the next few weeks by Ireland's, reflect this. I pay tribute to the great efforts of those involved. Now we should focus all our energy in making sure we approve high quality operational programs. This is from where the individual projects will come and they should reflect these wider strategies and spell out clearly the results that should be achieved for the benefits of Europe's citizens in cities and the countryside."

Contacts :

Shirin Wheeler (+32 2 296 65 65) - (mobile: +32 460766565)

Annemarie Huber (+32 2 299 33 10) - (mobile: +32 460 793 310)