The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and organisations representing local and regional authorities paid tribute to the European Parliament following the vote on the Regulation on common provisions (see EUROPE 12193) on Wednesday 13 February, in particular because of the deletion of Article 15 on macroeconomic conditions.
This provision, which links structural and investment fund financing to compliance with European budgetary rules, is indeed an ineptitude for local and regional authorities, who have been calling for its abolition since 2013 (see EUROPE 10956). "By changing its approach to this issue and increasing the flexibility of the Stability and Growth Pact to boost cohesion policy investment, the European Parliament proves to be closer to the European people and their hope to have more solidarity within the EU", said Committee of the Regions President Karl-Heinz Lambertz.
"What a fantastic result!" Welcomed Thomas Wobben, Director of Legislative Work at the CoR, on his Twitter account, congratulating the European Parliament's adoption of many proposals by the Cohesion Alliance and the CoR, including an upward revision of co-financing rates, the reintroduction of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), the alignment of the overall budget with the current budget envelope and the maintenance of the N+3 rule (see EUROPE 12154).
The Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) also welcomed the European Parliament's vote and in particular, like the CoR, the removal of macroeconomic conditions and the increase in co-financing rates. "The onus is now on Member States to support this position for the benefit of citizens across Europe", said CPMR Secretary General Eleni Marianou.
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) also welcomed the Parliament's vote, in particular with regard to aligning cohesion policy with the UN's sustainable development objectives, strengthening territorial development, in particular with a 5% allocation from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for non-urban areas and strengthening the consideration of regions with a demographic handicap. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)