On Tuesday 10 June, the Committee of Member States’ Representatives to the EU (Coreper) failed to reach agreement on a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on the proposals for a mid-term review of cohesion policy.
On 1 April, the European Commission adopted proposals to modify the current programmes financed by cohesion policy in order to better support EU countries’ efforts in the areas of competitiveness and defence, and to provide greater assistance to eastern border regions (see EUROPE 13612/12).
At Tuesday’s Coreper meeting, a handful of Member States reportedly expressed concerns about the compromise texts submitted by the Polish Presidency of the EU Council.
Several delegations reportedly discussed the different parameters (percentages) of pre-financing proposed.
Some delegations are said to have called for stronger provisions on the importance of respect for the Rule of law and conditionality. Some Member States are also said to have advocated support for regions on the external borders of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Some delegations were critical of the reference to affordable housing, while several Member States called for stronger language on defence.
Coreper is due to return to the issue of the mid-term review of cohesion policy next week. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)