Improving understanding of the role of regional policy in driving innovation is one of the three major priorities of the Community Strategic Guidelines for Cohesion, which were adopted last week. These prescribe how regional policy can contribute most effectively to economic growth and job creation.
"The aim of this guide is to help regions to learn from each other – to share on as wide a basis as possible the positive impact of their experiences with European regional policy", said Hübner.
She highlighted the central importance of regional policy in the EU’s strategy to promote growth and jobs, saying, "I expect Member States and regions to increase the focus of their regional policy on innovation in the 2007-2013 period. Regions can now experiment with new approaches, new ideas and new partnerships.”
The guide is particularly intended for the 10 member states that joined in 2004, along with members-to-be Romania and Bulgaria, which have not yet had chance to benefit from regional initiatives.
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