Member States' ambassadors to the European Union on Friday April 3 welcomed the European Commission's new proposals for flexibility in structural and investment funds in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, questions remain about the proposals for the next multiannual financial framework.
National delegations seemed satisfied with the new provisions introduced in the second package of measures under the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative (CRII+), presented on Thursday 2 April (see EUROPE 12460/3). At a working party meeting in the Council on Monday 6 April, the national delegations were said to have unanimously agreed to an accelerated procedure to be confirmed at the meeting of the Permanent Representatives Committee II on Wednesday 8 April.
Some concerns have reportedly been expressed by net contributor States (notably Scandinavian) about 100% co-financing, given that co-financing is also intended to make Member States responsible for the management of funds. In addition, some would have discussed the budgetary impact on the year 2020 of 100% co-financing.
Some national delegations have reportedly requested that the flexibilities should also benefit medium-sized and large companies. The Commission would have confirmed this, although it would have stated its preference for SMEs to be the first beneficiaries. Others would have questioned the modalities of performance indicators or the situation of construction projects, particularly in some countries of the South.
Proposals end of April? Questions have reportedly been raised about the next multiannual financial framework, as the President of the European Commission has announced a reworking of the proposals on the table for the next European budget (see EUROPE 12460/15). Some delegations are waiting for transitional measures. The delegations - the Italian and Spanish, among others - have reportedly asked for a review of the regulation on common provisions currently under negotiation, as some provisions are now "outdated" with the pandemic, we are told. The European Commission is reported to have mentioned the deadline of the end of April for submitting its amendments, a source told us. The information has not been confirmed.
Green light for the urgent procedure at European Parliament. The coordinators of the Parliamentary Committee on Regional Development (REGI) gave the go-ahead to activate the urgency procedure under Rule 163 of the Parliament's Rules of Procedure, as was the case for the first package of measures (see EUROPE 12455/4). The Chairman of the REGI Committee, Younous Omarjee (GUE/NGL, France), will be the rapporteur. If the urgency procedure were to be activated, the package would have to be put to the vote at the dematerialised plenary session on Thursday 16 April. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)