During the plenary session (11-14 February 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs vote on EU 2021-2027 funding rules to keep investing in all regions to boost economic and social cohesion. They are likely to oppose cuts to finances dedicated to regions and approve new goals such as support to innovation, digitisation, energy transition, education and access to healthcare.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

CREȚU, Corina (S&D, RO)

MUREŞAN, Siegfried (EPP, RO)

cohesion policy 2014-2020 (T)

HOFFMANN, Iris (S&D, DE)

JONGERIUS, Agnes (S&D, NL)

Multiannual financial framework 2021-2027 (T)

European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund Plus, Cohesion Fund, and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and financial rules: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Corina CRE&#354;U, Member of the EC in charge of Regional Policy, For the first time just one regulation to cover all shared seven management funds. You know very well is that everywhere I went since I am Commissioner I had the same complaints and I really was very sad to see young people who have given up to use our funds because of the bureaucracy.

SOUNDBITE (English), Corina CRE&#354;U, Member of the EC in charge of Regional Policy, The 3rd key element is a meaningful mid-term review. Here of course I know that is not the only an unaminous approach but I would ask you to keep an open mind.

SOUNDBITE (English), Siegfried MURE&#536;AN (EPP, RO), BUDG committee opinion, Our position the vote in the Parliament will define how money is spent, to whom it goes and under which circumstances. From the Committee of the budgets point of view my mission was to make sure that the Parliament's position on the MFF is also part of this regulation.

SOUNDBITE (German), Iris HOFFMANN (S&amp;D, DE), CONT committee opinion, European cohesion policy In times of populism and euro scepticism is more important than ever and it can be important on of how we can build bridges to ensure territorial and social cohesion in all regions.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Agnes JONGERIUS (S&amp;D, NL), EMPL committee opinion, The red tape and bureaucracy is being reduced for regions there is simplification which leads to benefits for all Europeans in particular in those regions that are suffering.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Agnes JONGERIUS (S&amp;D, NL), EMPL committee opinion , I also give support to the European Parliaments initiative for a higher rate of co-financing and the to scratch off the macro economical conditionality, thanks to this the social Europe is coming close by.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Kosma ZLOWTOWKSI (ECR, PL), LIBE committee opinion, Effective use of the cohesion money should be the major criteria when dividing European money for cohesion. Then I regret that this report has failed to maintain adequate proportions here.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Lambert van NISTELROOIJ (EPP, NL), We need good rules to allow management of these Cohesion funding moneys because they are a fundamental part, actually 1/3 of the European Union's budget. The two rapporteurs have made a comprise to give content to the macro conditionality. Not to reduce the payment, but to avoid new commitments.

SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian), Iskra MIHAYLOVA (ALDE, BG), Flexibility and synergy between the funds. This is an innovative approach which allows for flexibility depending on the specific conditions in all countries but it also takes into account the challenges.