Brussels, 04/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - The 160 regions of the Conference of Peripheral maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR) are on the whole satisfied with the draft financial perspectives 2014-2020, which succeed in “maintaining a budget that is both reasonable and ambitious for the EU”, the creation of a Joint Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Fund, and the link announced between this fund and the joint strategic cohesion policy framework. The CPMR is pleased that, despite a slight fall in its budget, regional policy continues to benefit all European regions. In particular, the CPMR welcomes the “creation of a category of intermediate regions within regional policy”.
Vigilance, however, is needed regarding the Commission's proposals concerning the creation of funds intended for infrastructures within cohesion policy. The CPMR points out in a press release that such an instrument must take full consideration of the provisions of Article 170 of the treaty on TEN aiming to develop connections between the peripheral, island and landlocked regions, and the central regions of the EU. Furthermore, as CPMR President Jean-Yves Le Drian pointed out: “such a measure should not be used to justify a reversal from the integrated and partnership-based approach with the regions”. (G.B./transl.jl)