Regional leaders come to Brussels to make their voices heard. Will Europe’s ‘solidarity policy’ survive economic hardship?

Less money for regions?

143 regions are worried about the future  of the post-2013 cohesion policy,

a policy which is crucial  in times of economic crisis.

It allows regions  to safeguard their growth

through building  projects and job training.

Waving their flags local representatives  addressed their grievances

to José Manuel Barroso,  the European Commission President.

the authorities in Brussels  have guaranteed the financial means.

We want it to continue because  it’s the everyday face of Europe

vis-a-vis our citizens, businesses,  laboratories, researchers

and those who are suffering and  want to obtain qualifications and jobs.

MEPs hammered home their message  at the plenary session vote.

They reiterated their will  to follow an ambitious regional policy.

This MEP supports the actions  of the regional leaders.

It’s a real political act  to say that

we have given our full backing to  this European policy.

We want to maintain it  and to continue to promote Europe

Cohesion policy represents 45%  of the EU budget,

a larger sum than  the Common Agricultural Policy.

In 2010, 49 billion euros were set aside

to bring the poorest regions  up to speed with the richest.

The less developed regions will be  the main target of the cohesion policy

because the very meaning  of the cohesion policy is solidarity.

Now the 27 Member States must be  convinced of the merits of this policy.