Brussels, 20/03/2013 (Agence Europe) -Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn will not tolerate European governments undermining cohesion policy goals to help people with disabilities. Following a meeting with Miguel Carbelleda Piniero, the chairman of a leading organisation in this area, the Spanish charity, ONCE, on Tuesday 19 March, the commissioner pointed out that he had proposed concrete measures for tackling this issue in cohesion policy reform. These policies are currently being negotiated and have already received backing from the European Parliament. The Commissioner said that “we do need, however, support from European governments as well. I am urging them to put the principles they adhere to into practice. European governments and the EU have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. We are asking for its implementation to be a prerequisite for receiving European funding”. In its review, the Commission makes more explicit reference to the non-discrimination principle. Accessibility should be taken into account in planning, implementation and monitoring. The code of conduct lays stress on cooperation with bodies promoting equality and non-discrimination. (MD/transl.fl)