CONCLUSION
Good governance and the quality of public administration
is a key aspect in ensuring a country’s long-term competi-
tiveness and well-being. Improving the quality of public
administration is an important funding objective of the
European Structural Investments in several Member States.
A key challenge will be to turn these investments into genu-
ine results for citizens and business in terms of better and
more cost-efective services. The path towards good gov-
ernance requires a long-term vision centred on a genuine
consideration of the needs of citizens and business. Building
trust should be a priority. Consensus building and a strate-
gic approach are the pre-conditions for successful reform.
The active engagement of all stakeholders is needed. The
European Commission is a partner in this process, providing
funding and guidance, as well as facilitating the exchange
of know-how and experience. Together, we will build high-
quality public services that meet the needs of citizens and
foster business and job creation.