Setting down the strategy for the use of EU Structural and Investment Funds
The Partnership Agreements adopted by the European Commission with Greece and Poland pave the way to growth and competitiveness for both countries. EU investments will tackle unemployment, create good lasting jobs through support to innovation, the low carbon economy and training and education. They will also promote entrepreneurship, fight against social exclusion and make an important contribution to an environmentally friendly and a resource-efficient economy.
For Greece the Partnership Agreement lays the groundwork for the country's transformation into a productive economy with €15.52 billion in total Cohesion Policy funding and €4.2 billion for rural development. These strategic EU investments will boost Greece's efforts to exit the crisis by targeting where the most jobs can be created with maximum impact for the funds.
Commissioner Damanaki commented on the Agreement adopted with reference to Greece:
"The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund is about investing in local coastal communities to help them unlock the development and jobs needed to face the crisis. The great change we have introduced was to increase European funding to small scale fisheries and to the local economy in order to secure a better future of our fishermen and coastal communities. For Greece in particular, the greatest challenge but also the most promising opportunity is to boost the country's Blue Growth potential, taking advantage of its longstanding tradition and experience in marine and maritime sectors: maritime tourism, marine energy, bottom sea exploitation and aquaculture in addition to maritime transport and port development. We will not prescribe how every single cent should be spent. There is flexibility to let the Greek authorities and those who know their craft best - industry and local regions - to work towards a sustainable future for their own communities."
Structural and Investment Funds include the Regional and Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the Maritime and Fisheries Fund and the Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Fisheries and Maritime allocations will be finalised this summer.
Partnership Agreements have been adopted until now with Germany and Denmark as well.
