French MEP Younous Omarjee (GUE/NGL), as Chair of the Committee on Regional Development (REGI), addressed a series of questions to the European Commission on Friday 8 May, with a view to clarifying the role of cohesion policy in the Covid-19 pandemic and the European recovery plan.
For example, the MEP asks whether the Commission intends to propose transitional arrangements for the structural and investment funds due to the delay in negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 (see EUROPE 12480/3). Furthermore, Mr Omarjee would like guarantees that future cohesion policy will not be repurposed for direct crisis-related investments.
The MEP also questions the place and contribution of cohesion policy in the new recovery plan and whether the institution is considering excluding expenditure related to future cohesion policy from the Stability and Growth Pact.
For full list of questions: https://bit.ly/2WnlrQ2 (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)