#CPMR calls for an ambitious EU budget proposal to end division in Europe

A common threat like the coronavirus calls for co-ordinated European action and solidarity among member states. Although the European Commission has been quick to adopt extraordinary measures, the European Union needs to do much more to show its citizens leadership in difficult times. The upcoming review of the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework proposal, provides the European Commission with the opportunity to stop the zero-sum EU budget game.

Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) President Vasco Cordeiro, also president of the government of Azores, calls for a bold EU budget proposal to finance EU action in a democratic, transparent and sustainable way. “The revised proposal of the post-2020 MFF is about much more than addressing the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the European social, economic and territorial fabric: it will show whether the EU means business when it comes to solidarity,” said President Cordeiro.

The new MFF needs fresh financial resources going beyond the proposal issued by the European Commission in May 2018, as an essential part of the “stimulus package” President Von der Leyen referred to last week, implying an increase of Member States contributions to the EU Budget to anticipate the expected economic downturn caused by the health crisis. The increase of funding to the most affected regions should not come at the expense of resources originally planned for others: an extensive analysis needs to be carried by the European Commission on the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis at territorial level and provide additional targeted support for regions particularly affected by the crisis in the framework of Cohesion policy. “The European budget is about standing by the regions most affected by the crisis, and in particular those two-fold exposed, as their economies are already suffering from deep structural difficulties,” added Cordeiro.

Additionally, the current Multiannual Financial Framework for 2014-2020 should be extended by a year, in order to avoid disruptions on the implementation of post-2020 EU programmes and policies. Earlier this week, the CPMR published an in-depth analysis on the consequences of late adoption of the MFF and its impact on Cohesion Policy, arguing in favour of  a prolongation of current cohesion policy programmes under an extended MFF 2014-2020  in order to avoid a disruption of funding.

@CPMR_Europe

The Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) represents more than 150 regional authorities from 24 countries across Europe and beyond. Organized in six geographical commissions, the CPMR works to ensure that a balanced territorial development is at the heart of the European Union and its policies.

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