After consulting the Committee pursuant to Article 147 of the Treaty, the Committee on Agricultural Structures and Rural Development and the Committee on Structures for Fisheries and Aquaculture,

(8) The Committee referred to in Article 147 of the Treaty, the Committee on Agricultural Structures and Rural Development and the Committee on Structures for Fisheries and Aquaculture have been consulted on this Regulation.

The content of each programme is adapted to suit to specific conditions in the areas concerned; the backbone is formed by a multisectoral rural development strategy based on exploiting local potential. The main features of the programmes are: - close cooperation between the three Funds to provide assistance for integrated operations; - active participation of a broad partnership (Commission, Member State, region(s), local authorities, social and trade organizations, federations) from initial programming to approval of the programmes ...[+++]; - concentration of financial resources on priorities which are preconditionsfor exploiting endogenous potential in the rural areas. After the Commission's approval in principle, the 16 programmes go to the relevant committees for their opinions (Committee on Agricultural Structures and Rural Development and ESF Committee) prior to final approval.

The total cost of measures provided for in the programme will be more than ECU 2,4 billion. 1 Consultative Committee for the Development and Conversion of Regions, Article 124 Committee, Management Committee for Agricultural Structure and Rural Development, Standing Management Committee for the Fishing Industry The regional deve ...[+++]lopment strategy for Hainault rests on four priority axes: 1. stimulating business recovery, a priority which will absorb almost 66% of Community resources and 78% of the total cost of the programme (ECU 1,9 bn); 2. environmental improvement and rural development (ECU 260 m, or 10% of total cost); 3. completion of transport infrastructure; 4. equal opportunities for all.

Final approval of these programmes by the Commission will come after the appropriate committees have been consulted (Committee on Agricultural Structures and Rural Development, and ESF Committee).

The breakdown by Fund of the Community contribution is the following: Million ECU Regional Fund (ERDF) 475 58.2% Social Fund (ESF) 338 41.4% Agricultural Fund (EAGGF Guidance) 3 O.4% The vision of the Objective 1 programme is to establish Merseyside as a prosperous European City Region with a diverse economic base, which provides access to employment, within the local community, which develops its people, their skills, talents and well-being and emphasises its role as a Gateway between Europe and the rest of the world. _________________ (1) Consultative Committee for the Development ...[+++] and Conversion of Regions, Article 124 Committee, Management Committee for Agricultural Structure and Rural Development, Standing Management Committee for the Fishing Industry (2) All amounts are at 1994 prices.