Regional Government welcomes European Parliament's vote in favour of maintaining co-financing rate of 85% for Outermost Regions
The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations expressed the Regional Government's satisfaction with the European Parliament's approval of the maintenance of the 85% co-financing rate for Outermost Regions.
"The Government of the Azores welcomes the European Parliament's approval of the General Regulations on the next European Framework, especially because the European Parliament voted in favour of maintaining the co-financing rate at 85%," Rui Bettencourt said, highlighting the "vast majority" of votes: 460 votes in favour and 170 against.
The Secretary for External Relations stated the cuts proposed by the European Commission for the Cohesion Policy in the 2021-2027 period provided for a reduction from 85% to 70%. According to him, this "would require the doubling of Outermost Regions' own funds, namely of the Azores, to access Community funds," stressed the government official.
"Our strategy has been quite clear from the very first hour. The Azores were against the change from 85% to 70% in the co-financing rate and we were also quite clear in our strategic choice of alliances," Rui Bettencourt said, pointing out the awareness-raising efforts among MEPs and the lobbying with the Committee of the Regions.
"We have defined our whole strategy with the necessary anticipation and in a very clear manner because, as soon as the Commission proposal was presented, we have taken a very clear position on this issue," restated the Regional Secretary.
Rui Bettencourt also stressed that the Azores have been "the first to firmly warn of the need to change co-financing rates." Even though this is not the final approval, he considered that "things will now run smoother as the European Parliament is in line with the position taken by the Azores towards the resumption of the 85% co-financing rate."