The European Parliament has adopted simplified 2021-2027 common rules for investing in all EU regions and opposed suspension of EU regional funding dependent on national economic targets. Parliament approved a resolution requesting the European Commission to continue to finance up to 85% of support projects approved by the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund for less developed regions, and up to 65% in so-called transition regions.

Maltese MEP Alfred Sant, voting in favour of this Resolution, criticised the European Commission which in contrast had proposed much lower targets.

“The Commission proposal is unfair. More than that, it puts in peril the reputation for surety of finalisation and payment that approved projects by EU Funds have acquired.”

Sant said that on the Commission’s basis, many projects would not be getting EU funding.

“Equally important: this Parliament has rejected the macroeconomic conditionalities set by the Commission. On their basis, countries with governments which are found to be at fault under eurozone rules would face cancellation of their funds for approved projects. Thus, beneficiaries of projects including regional authorities would be punished for decisions taken by national governments.”

"The Maltese MEP, whilst voting in favour of this Resolution, voted against amendments including the European Investment Bank in the programming aspects of the projects which will increase administrative costs and further financial burdens on the programming of funds.   

The resolution was adopted with 460 votes in favour, 170 against and 47 abstentions.