Strasbourg, 23/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the European Parliament approved the European Commission's proposals for post-2006 cohesion policy as outlined in the third cohesion report (EUROPE 22 April p 13 for the debate). The report by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (EPP-ED, Greece) supports the granting of most aid to the poorest regions and for continued aid to other regions. MEPs would have sought a more generous proposal and judge that the Commission's proposal to grant 0.41% of Community GDP (or 0.46%, taking into account rural development transfers) is an "acceptable compromise". They also support the allocation of special aid to regions in the Fifteen which are losing eligibility to development aid under Objective 1, directed to the poorest under enlargement. They are insisting that these regions receive sufficient aid. Parliament is strongly supporting the continuation of aid to other regions with the merger of Objectives 2 (reconversion) and 3 (social). It also welcomed the proposals to pursue and develop aid for cooperation between the regions (Interreg). Parliament is concerned about Objective 2, for which the European Commission has identified employment measures but not a "more general social insertion approach". The EP wants the Urban programme to continue aid to deprived neighbourhoods and is requesting that the Leader rural development programme is also renewed. The EP is insisting that environmental concerns are taken into account. Parliament shares the Commission's point of view that EU intervention does not only bring added value but also allows for the genuine evaluation of funds from the Union and Member States, as well as strengthening the feeling of belonging to this Union.