§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the EU enlargement negotiations on(a) the size of regional funds and (b) the role of (i) member states and (ii) the Commission in their distribution. [102261]
§ Mr. MacShaneAt the Copenhagen European Council in December 2002, the UK along with other EU member states finalised the terms of accession with 10 new members. This included an allocation of €25.5 billion (£17.4 billion) for structural and cohesion funds (SCF) in the new member states between 2004–06, distributed to the 10 countries in line with existing rules. These will be administered by regional authorities, Central Governments and the Commission on the basis of the current SCF regulations.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the enlargement negotiation in the EU on the(a) size and (b) method of distribution of EU regional funds will be concluded. [102263]
§ Mr. MacShaneEnlargement negotiations with 10 countries were concluded at the Copenhagen European Council in December 2002.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what negotiations are in progress on the regional funds of the EU. [102262]
§ Mr. MacShaneEU negotiations on the future of the Structural and Cohesion Funds after 2006 are unlikely to commence until the European Commission has issued its proposals. Those proposals are expected to issue in November 2003.