26/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - Addressing a conference in Madrid, Spain, on Thursday, EU Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hubner stressed the driving force of EU Cohesion Policy in the development of the knowledge-based economy in Spain and making the Spanish regions more competitive. EU Cohesion Policy funding, she said, had led Spain to make important progress in establishing development-friendly infrastructure. From 2007 to 2013, EU Cohesion Policy funding in Spain will total EUR 35.217 bn at today's prices. Since 1986, the regions of Spain have received approximately EUR 136 bn in aid from the EU Cohesion Fund (at 2004 prices). Danuta Hubner travelled on Thursday to the autonomous province of Murcia, which was given Objective 1 status for the 2000-2006 budget. For the Cohesion Policy 2007-2013, the four Spanish regions of Murcia, Asturias, Ceuta and Melilla have the status of 'transition' regions. (hb)