Brussels, 09/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 8 October, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the effects of budgetary constraints on local and regional authorities with regard to spending EU Structural Funds in the member states. The MEPs deplore the increasing trend of regional inequalities - with the poorest regions indeed being situated in the new member states and the south of Europe while the majority of rich regions are to be found in the centre and north of Europe. In the Parliament's resolution, rapporteur Erminia Mazzoni (EPP, Italy) calls for flexibility to be better able to use the European funding available - as the cohesion policy was able to do in re-allocating the funds. However, the flexibility must also take place within the Stability and Growth Pact - which is why the programmes co-financed as part of the cohesion policy and rural development policy should be excluded. (MD/transl.fl)