ABSTRACT
The two preceding sections of this volume have examined the coherence of the Structural Funds mainly from the perspective of researchers analysing the implementation of EU Structural Policies across a range of UK regions as well as the experiences of other EU Member States, focusing in particular on Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Finland. This final part of the book turns to the viewpoints of policymakers, with a series of four contributions from current or former government officials from the European Commission, Department of Trade and Industry (UK), Federal Ministry of Economics (Germany) and DATAR – Delegation for Spatial Management and Territorial Action (France). In each case the chapter authors draw on their experience of working with the preparation, negotiation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of EU structural programmes.
