Cohesion Policy: better, not less spending in the future cohesion policy.

EPP Group MEPs from Central European Member States stand united for maintaining the financing of cohesion policy at the current level. In a joint statement issued before the European Council meeting this Thursday which is due to hold the first substantial discussion on the Multiannual Financial Framework (2014-2020), they said:

"Cohesion policy is the most effective tool of the European Union to increase strategic investments with European added value and with regard to fulfilling the aims of the EU 2020 Strategy. It has consistently proved its efficiency in enhancing growth and creating jobs. In the last 10 years, it has created 2.4 million jobs in Europe. Thus, any attempts to hinder future allocations of the Cohesion Funds is against the interests of the European citizens and questions the mission of a Europe based on the principle of solidarity and unity in diversity."

The Central European EPP Group MEPs of the EP's Committees on Regional Development and Budgets jointly expressed their concern regarding the way the negotiations are heading concerning the multiannual financial framework 2014-2020 and the possible cuts in the future cohesion envelope. "The EU 2020 Strategy will remain nothing but an empty promise, despite the approval of 27 Member States, if there is no adequate financing from the European budget. The priority objective of the cohesion policy to reduce the development gaps between European regions is of the utmost importance for our future. The current crisis has clearly taught us a lesson: boosting growth, employment and competitiveness across EU regions go hand-in-hand with the necessity of fiscal discipline."

The MEPs concluded: "We believe that further improvements in the implementation of EU funds and of quality spending are important. A more enhanced budgetary flexibility within the MFF should therefore be adequately aligned with evolving circumstances and priorities in order to respond to the specific and particular needs of Member States and European regions."

The statement was signed by the following MEPs:
 

• László Surján (Hungary)
• Jan Olbrycht, Danuta Hübner, Sidonia Elzbieta Jedrzejewska, Lena Kolarska Bobínska (Poland)
• Iosif Matula, Iuliu Winkler, Theodor Dumitru Stolojan (Romania)
• Peter Šťastný, Miroslav Mikolásik (Slovakia)
• Andrey Kovatchev (Bulgaria)
• Jan Březina (Czech Republic).