EU financial perspective 2007–2013 and the directions of development of the community policies

The progressive process of European integration has shaped and developed the policy of the European Community. The structural policy meant the Commu­nity intervention in the economic structures of the Member States. This policy, however, did not include the Community interventions in a social structure. The concept of the regional policy appeared in the 30's of the twentieth century and it was used only at the state level. The cohesion policy for 2007–2013 has aimed at the increase of economic growth and employment in all regions and cities of the European Union. It has been implemented mainly by two structural funds, namely: the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund (ESF) and the Cohesion Fund (CF).

In the perspective of 2007–2013 the differences between the legal bases for the operations of the European Regional Development Fund and the Europe­an Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund have been blurred. In November 2013, the European Parliament adopted a budget for 2014–2020. For the first time the multiannual financial framework for the EU will actually lower than the previous ones.