How does the SAAP fit in with the review of the regional aid guidelines?
The process of reforming the Regional Aid Guidelines already began in 2003 and is due to be finished this year. This reform will respect the general principles set out in the State Aid Action Plan that are valid in all areas of state aid policy, including regional aid. The SAAP clarifies that cohesion policy is a positive contribution of the Union and can unleash a tremendous growth potential. It also reasserts the importance of targeting the aid to the regions most in need, in order to achieve cohesion, while granting Member States a certain degree of flexibility in defining these regions and ensuring a smooth transition to the new framework, taking into account in particular of the need to ensure some continuity in the present regional development efforts. The Commission will continue its consultation on regional aid more specifically in the coming months.
