Mr Millan, Commissioner for regional policies, today addressed Members of the European Parliament at a meeting of the Committee on Regional Policy and Regional Planning and gave a broad outline of the steps the Commission intends to take in preparing proposals for amendments to the rules governing the structural Funds. The points he made include the following: "I came here today with the intention of working closely together with you to revise the existing provisions as quickly as possible; it is absolutely essential that there be a smooth and swift transition from the current phase of Community structural policy to the next phase which promises to bring about significant progress in terms of economic and social cohesion. In order to speed up work on the planning and defining of the operational instruments and to ensure that the measures are implemented by the beginning of 1994, the regulations must be adopted under the Danish presidency. We cannot, therefore, wait for the Maastricht Treaty to be ratified but must proceed under the terms of the present Treaty. I am fully aware of the consequences of this insofar as the powers of the European Parliament are concerned. However, I am sure you understand the serious difficulties - such as budgetary constraints - that Member States would be faced with, particularly those affected by Objective 1, if we failed to ensure the continuity of the structural measures. I have already had the opportunity on several occasions to let you know the encouraging results obtained in the last four years, particularly insofar as economic growth and job creation are concerned, especially in the less prosperous countries. We agree that the basic principles are still valid but that some specific changes and improvements need to be made. As a result of the conclusions reached at the European Council meeting held in Edinburgh and of the new financial perspectives, we are now in a position to address the main problems currently facing Community structural policy and to adopt the guidelines necessary in order to overcome these problems." Mr Millan distributed an "aide-mémoire" to the Members outlining the main questions on which a decision must be reached. * * *
