21/09/2016 (Agence Europe) – Following a visit to Athens and Salonika on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 September, the delegation of MEPs from the European Parliament's regional policy committee (REGI) drew up a positive assessment of the effects of cohesion policy at a local level, irrespective of the political party they represented. The committee chairperson, Iskra Mihaylova (ALDE, Bulgaria), said that the different projects visited were good examples that demonstrated the opportunities provided by the combination of Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds and financial instruments. She particularly highlighted the public/private partnerships. This position is in line with the guidelines of the European Commission, which seeks to enhance the synergies between the ESI Funds and financial instruments (see EUROPE 11615), despite the many objections raised by regional organisations (see EUROPE 11584). (PH)