On Thursday, 20 February, several member regions in the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) and belonging to the so-called “frugal” Member States—i.e., those in favour of a reduced 2021–2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (contribution of 1% of the EU GNI)—strongly criticised the proposals on the negotiating table before the extraordinary summit on the future EU budget.
The German Land Bremen; the Dutch provinces Flevoland, Noord Nederland, Noord-Holland, and Zuid-Holland; and the Swedish regions Gotland, Jämtland Härjedalen, Norrbotten, and Västerbotten addressed a seven-point statement, in which they expressed their main concerns, to the European Council before the extraordinary summit on the MFF in Brussels.
In particular, they reject the proposal to reduce the budget allocated to the most developed regions by 20% compared to the European Commission’s initial proposals (see EUROPE 12428/12) as well as its capping. In the eyes of the signatories, no region should suffer from the overall budget cuts sought by the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Germany, reiterating that cohesion policy is the most effective level at which to implement the climate goals set by the Ursula von der Leyen Commission.
To consult the letter: http://bit.ly/3bW55DB (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)