05/04/2019 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 5 April, following the adoption at first reading of the European Social Fund plus (ESF+) (see EUROPE 12229/9), the Committee of the Regions and the Cohesion Alliance warmly welcomed the Parliament's positions on the various legislative acts on cohesion policy. Whether on the regulation laying down common provisions, the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund (see EUROPE 12224/8), or Interreg (see EUROPE 12222/20), MEPs reiterated the Alliance's main demands: aligning the future budget allocation to the current budget cycle, securing the partnership principle, regionalising the funds against attempts at centralisation, or rejecting the principle of macroconditionality. The focus is now on the Council of the EU, which is gradually making progress on the large legislative package (see other news). (PH)