Decisions on Cohesion Funds should not be rushed through

Today, MEPs voted on the position of the European Parliament on the urgency procedure put forward after the Commission proposal which proposed targeted amendments to Cohesion Policy regulations to address new geopolitical and economic challenges. These include major flexibilities and incentives for Member States to redirect funds toward  six emerging priorities: defence and security, affordable housing, water resilience, decarbonisation, Eastern border regions and support for cities.

MEP Cristina Guarda, member of the Committee on Regional Development, comments:

“We are deeply disappointed by the approval of the emergency procedure of the 'Fitto Plan”. We cannot leave such an important change to cohesion policy to be decided through a rushed procedure. Enough time needs to be allocated to look into the proposals properly and scrutinise these measures which will have a major impact across Europe. It is regrettable that the Commission seems to be increasingly relying on urgency procedures to bypass parliamentary scrutiny. 

“The EPP, together with the far right are selling out the regions for cheap political point scoring. This vote has shown who is truly ready to defend the economic, social and environmental interests of Europe’s regions. The diversion of funds will undermine prosperity and security in the long term. Cohesion funds are  designed to support development and prosperity in Europe’s regions, not to support large companies who already have access to financing  - especially in the defence sector. Diverting cohesion funds will not help reduce disparities amongst regions and will not make them safer. This is not the right way to provide support to the regions, including those on the eastern border, that need it.”