The European Parliament increased the budget for territorial cooperation (Interreg) in the next multiannual financial framework 2021-2027 from €8 billion in constant 2018 prices to €11.17 billion in constant 2018 prices, when the vote on the report brought by Pascal Arimont (EPP, Belgium) was adopted by a solid majority (570 against 80, 25 abstentions) on Wednesday, 16 January in Strasbourg.
The day before the vote, the rapporteur stressed the importance of cross-border cooperation, which he considered to be a mirror of Brexit, and stressed the importance of increasing Interreg’s budget also for a proper functioning of the internal market. He also underlined the Parliament’s commitment to reducing bureaucracy and the demands that have increased from one budget cycle to the next.
MEPs endorsed the position adopted by the Committee on Regional Development (see REGI, EUROPE 12152). They have strengthened the “cross-border territorial cooperation” component, reduced the one dedicated to transnational cooperation and the part dedicated to interregional innovation.
On the contrary, they increased the co-financing rate by up to 80% (the Commission wanted 70%), raised the pre-financing rate to 3% and demanded the restoration of the n+3 rule, which is the principle that the funds allocated in each programme should be spent no later than three years after the end of the budget cycle. They also demand an exemption from the application of the State aid rules.
It should be noted that the amendment of the EFDD requiring that investments made under Interreg not be included in deficit and debt calculations was rejected. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)