Brussels, 22/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR), which represents 150 European regions, has expressed “total opposition” to the proposals outlined in the Sapir report on renationalising the EU's Cohesion Policy. The CPMR Political Bureau, meeting in Naples on 21 July, published a statement made to the College of Commissioners, criticising the contents of a report by a group of experts commissioned by President Prodi (see EUROPE of 18 July, p.9). The statement notes that if accepted, the Sapir options would mean a step backwards over a large section of the EU “acquis”, even before it is transmitted to the new Member States. "Indeed, the emphasis placed on research and development, education and training and transport infrastructure - the main factors of competitiveness - ties in with the priorities for regional development upheld by the CPMR. It is the exclusion of the regional sphere in policy making and delivery on the one hand, and the absence of the territorial cohesion dimension on the other that are “unthinkable',” comments the CPMR on the Sapir report, adding: “one of its main consequences would be to widen regional disparities in Europe to a lasting degree (to give an example, at present in EU15, 28 out of 211 regions account for 50% of European R&D expenditure) and would go against any prospect of sustainable development."