EU Grants
8.12.2010
Question for written answer P-010779/2010
to the Commission
Rule 117
Nikolaos Salavrakos (EFD)
According to a recent article in the Financial Times, EU subsidies amounting to billions of euros, earmarked as development aid for less developed regions, have failed to materialize, as Member States have been increasingly unable to find the necessary resources to co-finance European projects and thus 'unlock' Community funding.
This article reports, for instance, that only 10 % of EUR 347 billion intended as EU subsidies for strengthening cohesion for 2007‑13 has been disbursed to Member States, even though we are already more than half way through the seven-year financial framework period.
Given the lack of liquidity currently facing many Member States due to the adverse financial circumstances, combined with the urgent need for financing for EU development and cohesion, will the Commission address this issue of the 'blocking' of EU development grants by reducing or, where appropriate, postponing the input of own funds by Member States?
OJ C 279 E, 23/09/2011