Brussels, 19/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - Proposals for operational programmes financed through structural funds between 2014-2020 can be sent to the European Commission up until 24 November, according to an announcement by the European Commissioner for Regional Development, Corina Cretu. The initial deadline was 17 November. So far, just under 40 of these operational programmes have been negotiated and approved by the European Commission. However, another 150 (out of 300) are expected to be approved by the end of the year, explained Cretu to member states during the General Affairs Council on Cohesion Policy on Wednesday 19 November. The ministers meeting in Brussels have effectively exerted pressure on the Commission, particularly in their conclusions (see other article), to ensure that the adoption process was speeded up and European funding is not held up any longer. Cretu made a commitment to ensure that all the programmes were adopted as early as possible in 2015 but she also suggested that the Council, “assume its share of responsibility”. On several occasions, she also guaranteed that the quality of the programmes would not be compromised in any way. (MD)