Plaid MEP comments on EU cohesion policy report
EFA press release by MEP Jill Evans (Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales)
Plaid MEP Jill Evans is calling on everyone in Wales to respond to the European Commission's latest report on Cohesion Policy and the future of European funding.
The report was published today and sets out the options for regional funding after 2013. Handing back responsibility for regional funding to the member states, as proposed by successive UK governments and successfully opposed by Plaid Cymru, is not one of the options included.
Jill Evans MEP said,
"Plaid has campaigned hard to make sure that Wales will still be eligible for European funding after 2013. Now I am calling on everyone in Wales to join the campaign - local authorities, businesses, voluntary groups and anyone and everyone with an interest in making Wales a more prosperous nation.
"The Commission is asking for comments on the report by the end of January. As well as the new categories of "more" and "less" developed regions - of which Wales would be one based on the latest GDP figures - there is a proposed new framework bringing all the funds together. In the past the complexity of the application process has been criticised. This report promises a better, more effective and simpler way of applying, and it is important that organisations and businesses in Wales respond to this too. All of these issues are crucial to Wales.
"European funding is vital in helping to transform our economy, and I will continue to campaign in the European Parliament for the best deal for Wales. This time everyone can make their voice heard too."
