The coordinators of the Committee on Regional Development (REGI), the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) and the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) all gave a favourable opinion to the Commissioner-designate for Cohesion Policy, the Portuguese Elisa Ferreira, on Thursday morning, 3 October.
According to our information, MEPs agreed on Ms Ferreira's mastery of the dossiers she has demonstrated in the field of cohesion policy, although she is clearly on the European Commission's line, both on the budget, cofinancing rates and the link between the ‘European Semester’ and cohesion policy (see EUROPE 12340/3). On the other hand, her knowledge of the ‘European Semester’ budget process in relation to structural reforms was reportedly considered a little less thorough.
Regarding her commitments to avoid potential conflicts of interest with her husband, who is responsible for EU spending in a Portuguese region, the coordinators have taken due note of her statements (see EUROPE 12340/3) and MEPs will follow up on the issue during her term of office.
The question of the division between the two themes of its portfolio – Cohesion Policy and Structural Reforms – were also debated, with some wanting a clear division between the two Directorates-General.
Calendar. The coordinators should quickly draft an evaluation letter, which should be discussed by the Conference of Committee Chairs during the week of 14 October and then by the Conference of Group Chairs on Thursday 17 October. The vote on the entire College of Commissioners is scheduled for 23 October.
Reaction by local and regional authorities. The Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions (CPMR) welcomed the Commissioner-designate's desire to obtain the “highest possible” budget for the next budget cycle and hoped that she would do everything possible to avoid further cuts, in particular for the Cohesion Fund.
The organisation also recalls the need to strengthen the principle of partnership – undermined by the Member States (see EUROPE 12199/9) – and to establish safeguards between cohesion and the ‘European Semester’. However, the CPMR regrets that the island territories were not mentioned by the Commissioner.
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), for its part, welcomed Ms Ferreira's position on partnerships, which are timely, according to the organisation, while interinstitutional negotiations on the various legislative texts are resuming (see other news). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)