Brussels, 11/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - The Committee of the Regions (CoR) gave its full support for a 2014-2020 budget of 1.14 % of EU member states GDP. On Tuesday 9 October, the advisory committee adopted its opinion on the next multiannual framework during its plenary session at the Open Days event. The report responds to the review of the Commission's proposals made last July and also includes an evaluation of the most recent negotiating box unveiled by the Cyprus Presidency on 18 September. Rapporteur, Mercedes Bresso (PES, Italy), former president of the CoR, declared that the recent developments in the negotiations have led to a worrying situation, not only for the regions and local authorities but also for member states whose investments depend on European funding. She summarised her position by explaining that “regions and cities reiterate their full support for the position expressed by the European Parliament and call for a budget 2014-2020 worth 1.14 % of EU Member States' GDP”.
In the opinion adopted, the CoR reaffirmed its opposition to the macro-economic conditions and gives its support to the new category of transition regions. (MD/trans.fl)