Cohesion policy 2007-13 : commentaries and official textsEuropean Regional Development Fund

The European Union's cohesion policy, built into the Treaties since 1986, has been given the objective of reducing the gap in the different regions' levels of development, in order to strengthen economic and social cohesion. With the integration of 10 new countries in 2004, then of Bulgaria and Romania in 2007, this attempt at harmonisation had to be reinforced. The main beneficiaries of the funds have been asked to contribute to the economic development of their new partners. To organise the 2007-13 cohesion policy, new legislative provisions have proved necessary. This guide covers the texts of the main regulations in force (General Regulation, ERDF, ESF, Cohesion Fund, European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation and the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance) and it presents a commentary on each one.