28/02/2019 (Agence Europe) – Many members of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) expressed their opposition to the 10% reduction in the EU cohesion policy budget proposed by the European Commission for the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework at a public hearing held on 22 February. They thus agree with the position of the Committee of the Regions expressed at the beginning of December (see EUROPE 12154). For most of the participants at this hearing, cohesion policy would need, at a minimum, to maintain its current level of funding in order to "continue having tangible effects on the everyday lives of EU citizens, the economies of the Member States, and the overall convergence process at EU level, reducing inequalities between regions and between individuals." Participants also called for improving the effectiveness of the financing of this policy. (DG - intern)