31.7.2006 Official Journal of the European Union L 210/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) REGULATION (EC) No 1080/2006 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 5 July 2006 on the European Regional Development Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1783/1999 THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EURO- PEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, and in particular the first paragraph of Article 162 and the second subparagraph of Article 299(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (%), Whereas: (1)  Article 160 of the Treaty provides that the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is intended to help to redress the main regional imbalances in the Com- munity. The ERDF therefore contributes to reducing the gap between the levels of development of the various regions and the extent to which the least favoured regions, including rural and urban areas, declining indus- trial regions, areas with a geographical or natural handicap, such as islands, mountainous areas, sparsely populated areas and border regions, are lagging behind. (2)  The provisions common to the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund are set out in Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 of 11 July 2006 laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund (%). Specific provisions concerning the type of activ- ities which may be financed by the ERDF under the objectives defined in that Regulation should be laid down. () OJ C 255, 14.10.2005, p. 91. () O] C 231, 20.9.2005, p. 19. () Opinion of the European Parliament of 6 July 2005 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Council Common Position of 12 June 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Posi- tion of the European Parliament of 4 July 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () See page 25 of this Official Journal. G) The ERDF should provide assistance within the frame- work of an overall strategy for cohesion policy which ensures greater concentration of assistance on the priori- ties of the Community. Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 provides that rules on eligibility of expenditure are to be established at national level, with certain exceptions for which it is necessary to lay down specific provisions. Specific provisions should therefore be laid down for the exceptions related to the ERDF. Within the framework of an integrated urban develop- ment operation, it is considered necessary to support limited actions to renovate housing in areas experiencing or threatened by physical deterioration and social exclu- sion in the Member States that acceded to the European Union on or after 1 May 2004. It is necessary to establish that the contribution from the ERDF to housing expenditure should concern the provi- sion of good quality accommodation for lower income groups, including recently privatised housing stock, as well as accommodation for vulnerable social groups. Efficient and effective implementation of actions supported by the ERDF depends on good governance and partnership among all the relevant territorial and socio-economic partners, and in particular regional and local authorities, as well as any other appropriate body during the various stages of implementation of the operational programmes co-financed by the ERDF. The Member States and the Commission should ensure that there is no discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation during the various stages of implementation of the operational programmes co-financed by the ERDF.