Brussels, 17/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - During the public hearing organised by the budgets committee of the EP on financial perspectives in 2007-2013, Commissioner Michel Barnier declared on Tuesday afternoon that the increase in funding for regional development for the 2007-13 period (an average of +20%) was justified by the need to reduce the "fracture" between current and accession countries of the EU. He pointed out that 78% of structural funds would go to late developing regions, mainly...