At the second annual meeting of the Political Bureau of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) of the EU, held in The Hague on 4 July, the CPMR called for a “modernised and agile” 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), in which existing funds would be better coordinated and aligned with the needs of the territories.
The CPMR has thus joined the voices opposing the plan to re-centralise EU funds – notably cohesion policy – to the benefit of the Member States alone.
According to the organisation, territorial policies such as cohesion policy, the common fisheries policy, the sustainable blue economy, as well as transport, climate and energy policies, must remain at the heart of European priorities in order to meet current challenges.
The CPMR members warned of the major risks and challenges facing European territories if the principles of territorial cohesion and partnership were to be relegated to second place.
They also reaffirmed their willingness to contribute to the future Ocean Board and any emerging Blue Alliance initiatives. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)