During a debate with European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, in charge of Budget and Administration, on the future Multi-Financial Framework, in view of the COVID-19 crisis recovery, EPP members called on the Commission to provide direct funding and strengthen villages, cities and regions to ensure a speedy recovery.
Adam Struzik, President of the Mazovia Region said "We need to allocate funds in agreement with local and regional authorities. Funds should not be allocated solely by Brussels or Member States. We need to mobilise the right investment, take care of industries and protect jobs." He added that the EU budget must be used to strengthen health systems, create jobs, tackle poverty and have a quick recovery.
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Günther Platter, Member of the Government of Tyrol, emphasised the need to move swiftly on the budget. "We need a quick consensus on EU budget. We need a strong Europe, but Europe needs strong cities and regions for a fast recovery." He stressed that villages, cities and regions needed financial instruments to be able to take decisions for our citizens’ needs.
“I thank Commissioner Hahn for the balanced budget, which is a good basis for a European compromise. The existing different positions of states arise from the different priorities towards their households. There are no good or bad Member States. It is a question about the Corona crisis not exacerbating existing inequalities between European regions” underlined Franz Schausberger, State Parliament of Salzburg.
Mariusz Frankowski, Councillor of the capital city of Warsaw called on the European Commission to provide the European Committee of the Regions with additional finances to be able to strengthen its representation of cities and regions.