EUROPEAN COMMISSION

PRESS

RELEASE

Brussels, 22 May 2014

European Commission adopts Partnership Agreement

with Germany on using EU Structural and Investment
Funds for growth and jobs in 2014-2020
The European Commission has adopted a "Partnership Agreement" with Germany setting
down the strategy for the optimal use of European Structural and Investment Funds in the
country's regions and cities. Todays agreement paves the way for 19.2 billion (current
prices including European Territorial Cooperation funding) in total Cohesion Policy funding
and 8.3 billion for rural development to be invested in the countrys real economy. The
allocation under Fisheries and Maritime Policy will be finalised and published this summer.
The EU investments will boost competitiveness, tackle unemployment and growth through
support to innovation, the low carbon economy and training and education. They will also
promote entrepreneurship, fight social exclusion and strive for an environmentally friendly
and a resource-efficient economy.
The European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) are:
The European Regional Development Fund
The European Social Fund
The Cohesion Fund
The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
Commenting on the adoption, Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn said:
"Today we have adopted a vital, strategic investment plan that sets Germany on the path
to jobs and growth for the next 10 years. This plan will help Germany strengthen its
innovation capacities, respond to its regional, environmental and energy needs and help
promote its entrepreneurial potential in order to compete in a globalised world. It will also
contribute to Germany's continuous effort in reducing regional disparities within the
country. This Partnership Agreement reflects the European Commission and Germany's
joint determination to make sure that our investments are strategic, according to the new
Cohesion Policy focusing on the real economy, on sustainable growth and investing in
people. But quality not speed is the paramount aim and in the coming months we are fully
dedicated to negotiating the best possible outcome for investments from the European
Structural and Investment Funds in 2014-2020. Commitment is needed from both sides to
ensure good quality programmes are put in place.
On Germany, Commissioner Hahn added: "This investment strategy builds on the
important contribution Germany is already making to help the EU meet its goals of green
growth for all. Germany now has a firm base in this Partnership Agreement that covers all
Structural and Investment Funds and gives strategic direction to future programmes that
will enhance innovation, transform German SMEs into models of sustainable and smart
growth, and secure Germany's competitiveness in the world. The ESI Funds are helping
German regions and cities live up to these challenges."

IP/14/594

Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Lzl Andor said:
"I congratulate Germany for finalising its Partnership Agreement so quickly as a result of
its very close collaboration with the Commission and I urge other Member States to follow
Germany's good example. I am very pleased that Germany has decided to dedicate 41%
of the Cohesion Policy funding under the growth and jobs objective to the European Social
Fund (ESF), so as to ensure ESF-funded actions can have a significant impact on meeting
the EU2020 employment and poverty targets. The ESF will help to prepare German
society for the future by ensuring that untapped human resources are made available to
the labour market and can contribute to economic growth."
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dacian Ciolo said:
I am delighted that we are adopting the German Partnership Agreement today. With this
framework now defined, each of the Lnder will have more clarity to draft their Rural
Development Programmes in the coming months and submit them to the Commission for
approval. Rural Development is a vital pillar of our Common Agricultural Policy, addressing
elements relating to economic, environmental and social issues in rural areas, but in a
way which allows Member States or regions to design programmes suitable for their own
specific situations and priorities. The concept of Partnership Agreements is very important
to ensure that national or regional authorities, when drafting their Rural Development
programmes, have an approach which is coherent with plans that they are drafting for
other EU structural measures in order to complement and be coordinated with such
schemes where possible and thereby obtain a greater efficiency in the use of EU
taxpayers money.
Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki said:
"Together with the other funds, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund it will help
unlock the sort of growth and jobs which we need in Europe and which we are committed
to making a reality. It will finance projects in Germany to help fishermen and coastal
communities adapt to the new Common Fisheries Policy. We will not prescribe how every
single cent should be spent; it is about letting those who know their craft, industry, and
local regions best to work towards a sustainable future for their own communities."
All Partnership Agreements have now been received by the Commission. Their adoption
should follow, after a process of consultation.

More information:
Part 1 (chapter 1-2) of the Partnership Agreement with Germany
Part 2 (chapter 3-4) of the Partnership Agreement with Germany
ESIF website
MEMO on Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes
Cohesion Policy and Germany
Common Agricultural Policy and Germany

Contacts : Shirin Wheeler (+32 2 296 65 65)

Roger Waite

(+32 4989 61404)

Jonathan Todd (+32 4989 94107)

Helene Banner (+32 4607 52407)