EPP-CoR members have welcomed the deal reached on the EU Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) and urged funds to be released so that cities and regions find fresh resources to drive the recovery process across Europe, overcome the various impacts of the pandemic whilst delivering on EU ambitions including the European Green Deal.
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) Rapporteur on the EU MFF and Prefect of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Nikola Dobroslavić (EPP/HR), said: "We welcome the deal reached by the Council and the Parliament on the new MFF and the recovery package. The swift adoption of these instruments for the new financial period 2021-2027 is of the utmost importance for cities and regions to be able to implement concrete projects. Europe cannot recover without the active role of cities and regions. Cohesion Policy remains essential for regions and cities and their recovery. This is why we need to establish cohesion as a fundamental value and a key objective for all policies and investments".
Reacting on Twitter Emil Boc (EPP/RO), Mayor of Cluj Napoca and COTER coordinator emphasised the need to help cities and regions sail through the green and digital transitions. He said “The MFF agreement is an essential step forward for cities and regions to implement concrete projects on the ground. Europe can now concretely build on its values. Green, digital and resilience are not just words, but actions!”
Commenting on the inter-institutional negotiations on the MFF 2021-2027 and Recovery Plan the President of the CoR and Governor of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikostas (EPP/EL), said “The agreement is a sign of hope for local communities coping with the pandemic's second wave. The final adoption must follow soon to ensure funds reach them in the first half of 2021. In case of delays, vital investment carried out in 2021 – even before the entry into force of new budget - must be retrospectively eligible. Otherwise it will be too late for the EU to help protect local communities and preserve our economies.”