The premises are not the best. Our responsibility, of course. But they offer an opportunity for those who don't have a great liking for Italy and the Italians (or perhaps even more for those who have some interest in reducing the amount of European funds sent to our country) to indulge in comments that are not exactly benevolent. Here we are talking about the partnership agreement with the EU Commission for the programming and use of European funds relating to the European cohesion policy. In other words, a substantial mass of resources (43 billion euros in total) which between 2015 and 2020 will be directed towards Italy. And who, however, risk being cut due to a – how to call it? – “distraction” of three Regions: Calabria, Campania and Sicily.
The signing of the agreement, then, came at the end of October, at the end of a tiring negotiation between Rome and Brussels which lasted for six months, i.e. from when the documents containing the first draft of the Regions in question, together with those of all the other Regions, have been sent to the Brussels Commission. Documents in which, among the Commission's observations, expressions such as "lack of administrative capacity" or, with reference to the proposals concerning the digital agenda, "no strategy" can be read. With the consequence that, in the final document of the agreement, a compromise clause was added where there is mention of a "strengthening" of the objectives and strategies.
Also in this phase of the negotiations, therefore, there was confirmation of how complex the decision-making process is in this part of Europe. And this despite the fact that those 43 billion mentioned above were at stake and a deadline that has now passed. Be that as it may, that sum, even if spread out until 2020, could be very useful in a season of austerity such as this one Italy is going through. Also because no one yet knows which path the new Commission will take in the dispute between penalty takers and anti-penalty takers.
Meanwhile, in the meantime, one cannot help but observe that the Commission, in defining the operating rules of the partnership agreements (and of the subsequent operational plans which will inspire the achievements), albeit in the context of appreciable objectives (the fight to unemployment, incentives for competitiveness, public administrations capable of effectively supporting investments, support for innovation, training and education) has not given up on the usual overabundance of procedural controls.
As for the distribution of resources that will be Italy's turn over the next six years, there is a novelty with respect to the previous multi-year programming, which was openly aimed at regions lagging behind in development (a criterion that had been subject to some corrections over time), this programming strengthens the social aspect, and therefore the weight of the European Social Fund. The fact remains, however, that 32,2 billion will go to cohesion policy. While another fairly substantial amount (10,4 billion) will be allocated to the rural development fund. And finally just under 500 million will be the dowry for maritime affairs and fishing.
Finally, the question concerning the "forgetfulness" of Calabria, Campania and Sicily remains suspended. “A paradox. Even three of the four Italian regions where the GDP per capita is lower and the unemployment rate higher, and which therefore have a greater need for financial support ”, comments Sicilian MEP Giovanni La Via bitterly with Firstonline, from the parliamentary group Ppe (Ncd in Italy), member of the Budget commission and chairman of the Environment commission.
“But there is an explanation,” continues La Via. “And it is that the Sicilian junta is going through one of the recurring phases of reshuffle, with President Crocetta who continues to hire technicians for his junta. However, he still hasn't realized that putting a technician to be a councilor can also be fine, but as long as he understands something about public administration and procedures… ”.
