Does EU Regional Policy have a future and will Latvia be able to benefit from it?

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Abstract
• Zusammenfassung

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis delves into the future of EU Regional Policy, specifically examining its impact on Latvia. The author investigates the ongoing debates regarding EU Regional Policy, particularly in light of the EU budget for the 2007-2013 planning period. The thesis argues that the future of the EU, its acceptance within the community, and its legitimacy are directly linked to the outcomes of these debates.

• The role and future of EU Regional Policy in the context of the EU budget.
• The impact of the eastern enlargement on EU Regional Policy and its implications for financial transfers.
• The effectiveness of EU Regional Policy in Latvia, focusing on its influence on post-Soviet structures.
• The influence of different political, social, and moral perspectives on the perception and implementation of EU Regional Policy.
• The importance of establishing and strengthening national institutions to effectively manage and distribute EU funds in new member states.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The thesis begins by outlining the importance of EU Regional Policy as a key policy area within the EU. It highlights the current debates surrounding its future, particularly in relation to the EU budget. The author emphasizes the critical role of EU Regional Policy in ensuring the EU's acceptance and legitimacy among its citizens.

The author explores the implications of the eastern enlargement for EU Regional Policy, noting the significant financial shift from west to east. The thesis focuses on Latvia as a case study to examine how EU Regional Policy shapes and influences the post-Soviet structures of the country.

Through a six-month stay in Riga, the capital of Latvia, the author gains firsthand insights into the local perspective on EU Regional Policy. This includes observations on the political, social, and moral values that influence the assessment and implementation of EU policies.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

EU Regional Policy, EU budget, eastern enlargement, Latvia, post-Soviet structures, political, social, and moral perspectives, national institutions, financial transfers, effectiveness of EU Regional Policy.