Committee of the Regions approves Vasco Cordeiro's proposals to guarantee Community funding rate under CAP
Seven amendments proposed by the President of the Government to the Committee of the Regions' opinion on the proposal of the EU Commission for the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) were approved in Brussels. They include, among other things, the maintenance of Community funding rates at 85 percent.
Following a difficult and complex negotiation, given that more than three hundred amendments were put to the vote, amendments proposed by Vasco Cordeiro were approved at the 132nd plenary session of the Committee of the Regions. This advisory body to European institutions brings together about 350 regional and local leaders from all Member States of the European Union.
One of these proposed amendments to the Committee of the Regions' opinion advocates the maintenance of Community co-financing rates at 85 percent for the 2021-2027 period instead of the Juncker Commission's proposed cut to 70 percent for the next European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
According to the President of the Government, a reduction in Community co-financing rates over the current Community Support Framework would jeopardise the implementation of rural development programmes in regions such as the Azores.
In addition, Vasco Cordeiro presented another amendment proposing that the European Commission should maintain the same level of funding for POSEI in the next Multiannual Financial Framework: nearly 106 million Euros for the Azores and Madeira. This is a specific scheme to support Outermost Regions so that they may better cope with their insularity and distance from markets.
Regarding the next CAP, another amendment proposed by the President of the Regional Government defends the importance of a regional approach in the definition and management of rural development programmes. It is in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity that underpins the exercise of the European Union's powers and is laid down in the Treaty on European Union.
The opinions now approved at this plenary session will be submitted to European institutions, namely the European Commission, the European Council, which brings together the Heads of State and Government of Member States, and the European Parliament.
It should be noted that these three institutions must consult the Committee of the Regions when drafting legislative texts on matters in which regional and local authorities have a say, such as employment, social policy, economic and social cohesion, transport, energy and climate change.
The Autonomous Region of the Azores has a seat at the Committee of the Regions - a body that comprises more than 350 members from all Member States - since its inception. Currently, the Region is represented by the President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro.