Suchergebnisse

The growing competition between different regions, thus their activities performed under both within and outside the European Union represents a fact of the "globalized" world in which we are living. For many years, the regional disparities in terms of development level and life quality were subject to national policies of the Member States. Many improvements have been observed since the European Union initiated the policy of reducing them. The Cohesion Policy of the European Union has an unique irreplaceable role in the coagulation of integrated development strategies, comprising interventions in different areas, such as infrastructure, research and innovation, employment, education, business, environment protection, climate changes and energy efficiency within a package of coherent policies addressing to regional or even local context, being one of the most visible policies, especially in what regards the relationship with citizens. Thus, the Cohesion Policy target is represented by supporting the process of reducing the disparities between the regions and Member States more developed of the European Union and the ones that are less developed.

At pan-European level, the focus is on the ongoing negotiations on establishing a legally binding agreement on forests, with the EU as a key actor. Through this agreement, the EU aims to improve sustainable forest management across the region. The new strategy forms a suitable vehicle for the implementation of the agreement. At global level, the EU is at the frontline of work on combating deforestation and forest degradation. It promotes sustainable forest management as a way of protecting biodiversity, fighting desertification and responding to climate change, whilst ensuring that forest ecosystems deliver goods and services. In this way it contributes to sustainable development and to eradicating poverty. REDD+, FLEGT and the EU Timber Regulation aim towards these goals. Mapping and assessing the state of forest ecosystems and their services requires better EU forest information. Relevant variables and parameters will be harmonised at EU level, based on cooperation between international, pan-European and national data acquisition systems, and on a detailed analysis of EU challenges.

One of the European Union's priorities for the programming period of 2014-2020 consists of inclusive favourable growth. This means promoting an economy with a high rate of employment, to ensure economic, social and territorial cohesion such that the benefits of economic growth and jobs to be distributed fairly, and people experiencing poverty and social exclusion to be given the opportunity to have a decent life and to play an active role in the society. The achievement of stated strategic objective requires a special attention on rural areas, both at EU level, as at each Member State level. In Romania, 45.0% of the country population is concentrated in rural areas, where there are living almost three quarters (71.3%) of the country's poor population. The percentage of persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion at national level in 2012 was 41.7% of the total population, Romania being surpassed only by Bulgaria, with 49.3%, while the EU average stood at 24.8%. Poverty in rural areas is due mainly to the low agricultural productivity and low employment opportunities in other areas outside the agricultural sector. Rural areas development and reduction of the high level of poverty in these areas can be achieved through stimulating and supporting programs of development for rural social economy, human capital development and increasing the social protection level in rural areas.

The socio-economic importance of forests is high, but often underestimated. Forests contribute to rural development and provide around three million jobs. Wood is still the main source of financial revenue from forests. So the strategy also looks at the EU forest-based industries, subject to EU industrial policy. Wood is also considered an important source of raw material for emerging bio-based industries. Forest biomass is currently the most important source of renewable energy and now accounts for around half of the EU's total renewable energy consumption. The strategy 2015-2020 and the implementation should build on existing legislation and international initiatives and consider the special situation of small forest owners, and address market-based private-sector tools such as certification. To deliver on common objectives and improve coherence and synergies, coordination with and between Member States is important. Member States are asked to consider the principles and goals of this strategy when setting up and implementing their action plans and national forest programmes.