Brussels, 01/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - The ten French “transition” regions welcome the fact that the Commission has taken them into account in its post-2013 financial proposals. These regions see it as a real victory, the result of their joint action over the past few months. Other European regions - including Wallonia (Belgium) and several British regions - also joined the campaign, backed by the Association des Régions de France (ARF). The Commission's proposals will allow these regions to benefit from increased financial support for the period 2014-2020, without the European budget being increased and without the current intervention capacity in other regions being reduced. It will also be without detriment to the common agricultural policy.
Additional funds are essential in regions where the economy is frail in order to ensure the development of channels with potential, the reconversion of industries in difficulty, and support for youth training. All these areas will make the regions in question full players in the EU's 2020 strategy, the regions write in a press release, while saying that one should not forget to provide rail infrastructure and broadband availability, which are necessary for economic activity and for the quality of life of those living in the regions concerned.
The ten French regions are Auvergne, Lower Normandy, Corsica, Franche-Compté, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Nord Pas-de-Calais, Picardy and Poitou-Charentes. These regions are determined to continue their campaign in member states with a view to talks in Council. Their action over recent months has taken them to Brussels to meet senior European officials including Commissioners Johannes Hahn (Regional), Michel Barnier (Internal Market) and Janusz Lewandovski (Budget). See EUROPE 10391/10387. (G.B./transl.jl)