Annex to the 18th annual report on the implementation of the structural funds (2006). Commission staff working document.

Abstract

In 2006 the legislative framework for the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund for the 2007–2013 programming period was finalised. After the new financial perspectives were agreed on 17 December 2005, the new cohesion policy package was adopted by the Council on 11 July 2006, followed by adoption of the Community strategic guidelines on 6 October 2006 and, finally, of the Commission implementing regulation on 8 December 2006. The financial agreement setting the EU-27’s financial perspectives for the new programming period included an allocation to the Cohesion and Structural Funds of EUR 308.041 billion (2004 prices) in commitment appropriations, of which EUR 251.162 billion (81.5%) is for the “Convergence” objective (least developed regions, including those for which aid is being phased out), EUR 49.127 billion (16%) for “Regional competitiveness and employment” and EUR 7.75 billion (2.5%) for “Territorial cooperation”.