02/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - At a time when the European Commission has embarked on examining member states' National Strategic Reference Frameworks (NSRFs) and Operational Programmers for 2007-2013 (see related article, p.7), the European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) is calling on the Commission to 'make sure this new round enables the EU to make a decisive impact on poverty and social exclusion.' In a press release, EAPN Director Fintan Farrell explains: 'EAPN is a firm believer in the potential of the Structural Funds to be effective and powerful instruments in the combatting of poverty and social exclusion. However, EAPN is concerned that the regulations, Community Strategic Guidelines and the spirit of the new programming period are being observed unevenly across the EU. Even more worryingly, a major opportunity to make a decisive impact on poverty may be undermined and lost.' Info: http://www.eapn.org . (gb)