52003AE1168

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the "Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing a Cohesion Fund (Codified version)"

(COM(2003) 352 final - 2003/0129 (AVC))

(2004/C 10/09)

On 30 June 2003 the Council decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Section for Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 11 September 2003. The rapporteur was Mr Silva.

At its 402nd plenary session of 24 and 25 September 2003 (meeting of 24 September), the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 123 votes to 1 with 3 abstentions.

1. The Committee approves the Commission's initiative to undertake the codification of Council Regulation (EC) No 1164/94 establishing a Cohesion Fund.

2. This exercise will help to simplify and improve understanding of Community legislation in an area that is of particular significance at the current stage of European integration.

Brussels, 24 September 2003.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Roger Briesch