07/03/2019 (Agence Europe) – The co-legislators met again on Wednesday 6 March to discuss the regulation laying down common provisions, without making any real progress on programming to implement funds (Block 1, Articles 16 to 20). They are also reported to be hitting a dead end over the issue of technical assistance to help implement the Regulation (Block 1, Articles 29 to 31). The co-legislators have still not opened negotiations on Block 5 on management and control. It was not clear at the time of writing whether a new meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, 12 March. According to one source, in view of the very slow progress of the negotiations, the European Parliament is reportedly considering adopting its initial position (see EUROPE 12193/2) at first reading before the European elections. (PH)