03/05/2018 (Agence Europe) – During the plenary session on Thursday 3 May, the European Parliament approved, by a very comfortable majority (545 votes for, 94 votes against, 12 abstentions) European aid of €4.6 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to assist the 2,287 Caterpillar manufacturer workers at the Gosselies site. This amount accounts for 60% of the estimated €7.7 million aid. It should be recalled that Belgium submitted a request for aid in December 2017, following the closure of the site and the Commission concluded its evaluation in March 2018 (see EUROPE 11988). In this connection, MEPs point out in their report the need for the EU to provide a genuine long-term industrial strategy (see EUROPE 11984). (PH)