MEPs launched a clear message in favour of maintaining the European Social Fund (ESF) within the post-2020 cohesion policy. This support was proffered during the adoption by a very large majority (35 votes in favour, 4 votes against, with 1 abstention) of the own initiative report on the 7th cohesion report submitted by Marc Joulaud (EPP, France) during the regional development committee (REGI) on Tuesday 27 March.
In a compromise amendment, MEPs appealed for the ESF to remain an “integral” component of European regional policy “by virtue of its essential cohesion dimension”. In an opinion, the employment and social affairs committee (EMPL) has also supported the same approach.
This is therefore a clear response to the projects put forward by the Commissioner for Social Affairs, Marianne Thyssen, who is seeking to integrate the ESF in an “umbrella” fund dedicated to investment in human resources (see EUROPE 11954).
In relation to the 7th report on cohesion policy (see EUROPE 11879), MEPs referred to the “middle-income trap”. They point out that these regions are mainly not catching up with more developed high income regions because of the difficulties involved in the manufacturing transition and resistance to the “shocks” of globalisation.
Other crucial points the MEPs highlighted included infra-regional disparities, particularly in urban areas where pockets of poverty cohabit in the same prosperous cities. In another compromise amendment, MEPs highlighted the importance of promoting “harmonious and balanced” regional development in the Union between the regions, within the regions and between member states.
At a more general level, they are calling for a cohesion policy that covers all regions to be maintained and that has a budget that is adapted to the basic goals of cohesion policy. They consider that focusing on cohesion policy in the least developed regions would constitute a brake on being able to achieve the EU’s political priorities.
On the question of the conditions applicable, the MEPs carefully avoided any political controversy and did not mention respect for the rule of law and solidarity between member states in migration policy. Nonetheless, they do mention the link between structural and investment funds and sound economic governance in the context of the recently adopted own initiative report by Michela Giuffrida (S&D, Italy) (see EUROPE 11980).
The plenary vote is planned for the April session. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)