SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC COHESION AMONG THE REGIONS OF EUROPE IN THE 1990S

Although trying to reduce disparities among the regions, particularly in the sense of assisting those with the greatest problems, has been an objective of European Community (EC) policy since its foundation, it was not until 1975 that the European Regional Development Fund was established to give a clearer focus on it. Some economic principles that the EC should follow to advance cohesion include: 1. The focus of policy should be on the achievement of cohesion, not on how much money is spent where. 2. The resulting strategy should have plausible targets to be met within sensible time frames and should be sufficiently flexible to adapt where necessary. 3. The Structural Funds should be empowered to intervene in improving social position and in building up infrastructure and human resources. 4. Procedures for effective monitoring and evaluation should be introduced as quickly as possible. 5. A new instrument operating through the social security system should be established to target aid directly at the disadvantaged.