"The next MFF must apply a place-based approach that reflects the socioeconomic diversity of regions. It must be equipped with sufficient financial means such as new own resources and more incentives to attract private capital or develop public-private partnerships." Sari Rautio, President of the EPP-CoR group made these remarks when meeting MEPs from the EPP group in the European Parliament during a meeting of the Working Group for Budget and Structural Policies.
Rautio stated that the anticipated national and regional plans must be based on strong/binding provisions to ensure dialogue and partnership between all tires of government. Stressing the need of multi-level governance Rautio said "To ensure fair access to financing, to bring everyone along, to safeguard any temptation that Brussels decides it all, strengthened multi-level governance and partnership principles, mechanism to foster cross-border and territorial cooperation, and reducing administrative burdens in the management of funds are fundamentals."
Rautio who serves as member of the European Commission's high-level expert group on the future of Cohesion Policy stressed that Cohesion and competitiveness are not conflicting objectives but mutually reinforcing pillars of the EU growth model. "A renewed and improved Cohesion policy should be consolidated as a driver of competitiveness, promoting innovation, investment in infrastructure, human capital, and sustainable practices in all regions, including those in transition."
In her concluding remarks, Rautio called for more transparency in decision-making and dialogue. "I sincerely hope that this time around the European Council and the various Council formations will engage in discussions ahead of the next MFF negotiations in a structured dialogue with the European Parliament as well as with the local and regional governments."
MEPs from the EPP Group spoke on the need of modernising the budget. They also outlined that the strength of the programme lies in the fact that regions can decide to use funds depending on what is needed for them which is vital for efficiency in uptake of funds. They argued that centralisation in decision on use of funds will be a major step-back and expressed their commitment to work with the EPP-CoR Group to find solutions to common challenges. The MEPs have also argued in favour of a strong component dedicated to cross-border cooperation in the next MFF. They concluded that the multi-level government principle should be applied throughout the EU long-term budget.