Brussels, 04/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Council of the European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), through the voice of secretary general Jeremy Smith has launched an appeal for the adoption of the Hatzidakis (provisions on structural funds, ERDF, ESF, and cohesion funds) and Fava (European Regional Development Fund) on Tuesday 5 July. “The two reports reflect the interests of Europe's local and regional government”, says CEMR secretary general Jeremy Smith, adding “We particularly welcome the Parliament's Regional Development committee's commitment to cohesion policy, and its insistence to earmark 0.41% of the Community GDP for the structural and cohesion funds”.
In the context of the Hatzidakis report, the CEMR particularly supports the strengthening of the partnership principle as expressed in the report. Structural Funds. It is also pleased to see that the committee has not overlooked the urban dimension of Structural Funds and the report's view that expenses related to the renovation of social housing with a view to saving energy and protecting the environment should be eligible to funding by the EU programmes. It finally welcomes the proposal to allow funding for maritime cross-border cooperation beyond 150 km.
CEMR supports the Fava report, and particularly the emphasis put on both the partnership principle and the role of local and regional government in the preparation and implementation of the fund. It also welcomes the call for stronger measures to protect the environment and to support sustainable development. CEMR asks MEPs to “support only one amendment, related to access outside major urban centres. The report calls for a need to improve rail transport; why just the train? Access outside Europe's big cities is not limited to trains, but often relies exclusively on bus systems. There is no reason why bus systems should be excluded from ERDF funding”, concludes Mr Smith.