Iosif Matula, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group. – (RO) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, first of all, I would like to welcome Mrs García Pérez’s report.

As part of cohesion policy, the reforms are very important and are aimed at alleviating the adverse effects caused by the financial crisis. The flexibility allowed in distributing Community funds will provide national economies with immediate cash flow, which will enable them to invest in the real economy. This will have an immediate effect and we will definitely see the initial results in the following months.

The European Commission is supporting Member States’ economies based on four major priorities, the most important of these being increasing the pre-financing from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Social Fund and increasing the support from the European Investment Bank and European Investment Fund. In fact, in 2009 the pre-financing which the new Member States in particular receive may help to overcome the crisis, as well as establish social and territorial cohesion.

Great importance must also be attached to the report on the eligibility of investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy for housing. The renovation of residential heating systems must feature on the European Union’s agenda of priorities, bearing in mind the added value generated by this measure.

At a time when heating costs are constantly on the rise, Member States must also include in their programmes to combat the financial crisis projects which take into account energy efficiency. They offer the following important benefits to the economy and population: a cash flow injection into the economy, along with job creation, a reduction in heating costs, protection of the environment through cutting greenhouse gas emissions, the provision of social cohesion and support for low-income families.

In Romania 1.4 million flats urgently require investment for renovation.