Brussels, 13/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - In addition to the plethora of votes on the cohesion package (general regulation, Cohesion Fund, European Regional Development Fund, see EUROPE 10654), the European Parliament (EP) regional development committee (REGI) also adopted its position on the European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) and the European Territorial Cooperation Objective. The rapporteur on this latter fund, Riikka Manner (ALDE, Finland), was happy that a large majority of MEPs recognised the importance of territorial cooperation, proposing that it be allocated 7% of cohesion funding, rather than the 2.5% as at present. “Regional development does not stop at borders”, she added. Her colleague Joachim Zeller (EPP, Germany) rapporteur on the EGTC, was pleased that the REGI committee had decided to strengthen the EGTC, a move which “will contribute decisively to boosting territorial cooperation across European borders and beyond”. He said that the way was being opened for cooperation with other countries and for the legal instrument to play its full role. (MD/transl.rt)