The Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) called for a stronger territorial vision for the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), in a position adopted on Thursday 19 February (see EUROPE 13767/9).
“The proposed increase in the CEF budget is a strong and welcome signal. However, Europe must ensure that its transport investment strategy delivers balanced connectivity and fully reflects the needs of all regions, including peripheral and maritime territories”, said Georges Alexakis, Vice-Governor of Crete Region and CPMR Vice-President in charge of transport policy.
The CPMR regrets the removal of ‘territorial accessibility’ as an explicit award criterion, as well as the reduction of co-funding rates for projects located in cohesion fund countries and outermost regions.
It welcomed the reinforced support for military mobility, but nevertheless stated that most of the budget should be allocated to the civilian component.
To read the position: https://aeur.eu/f/ku5 (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)