24/09/2018 (Agence Europe) – In his opinion on the regulation establishing the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund (CF) for the European Parliament's industry and research (ITRE) committee, João Ferreira MEP (GUE/NGL, Portugal) brings an unquestionable judgment on the cohesion policy, which "failed" to limit the widening of economic, social and territorial disparities in the EU. In his view, the ERDF and CF must be strengthened, but the choices of investment left to the member states must not be limited, he says, believing the principle of "thematic concentration" must be questioned given its "contradictory" efforts, which even "aggravate" the regional disparities. Generally, Ferreira proposes introducing criteria to support economic development, social justice and the environment, as well as support for public services. (PH)