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Parliamentary question - E-003610/2020Parliamentary question
E-003610/2020

Pact for ‘low density’ regions in the EU

Question for written answer E-003610/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Álvaro Amaro (PPE), José Manuel Fernandes (PPE), Maria da Graça Carvalho (PPE), Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar (PPE)

A a time when we are discussing the Recovery Plan and the NextGenerationEU instrument which constitutes a real intergenerational pact (along with the the Green Deal), we consider it appropriate to also create a pact for the least developed regions in the EU (lagging regions) or ‘low density’ regions.

We even consider that it is crucial for our territorial future as a Union of peoples and States to act now and in a proactive manner.

The diagnosis is known and exacerbated by the pandemic, be it in low growth regions, be it in low income regions. If we do not act quickly, we risk having large parts of the Union simply abandoned, demographically depressed and economically loss-making, particularly as regards proximity services.

The new Recovery Plan places a great deal of emphasis on cohesion policy (e.g. REACT-EU and increased flexibility, lack of co-financing). The Commission President stated that the ‘the Recovery Plan turns the immense challenge we face into an opportunity’.

We propose that this Plan also be turned into an opportunity for these territories, involving local, regional and local authorities in this endeavour. We should therefore like to ask the Commission the following:

Does it not consider it necessary, at this time, to create a new European Pact acknowledging the specific nature of low density regions, with a financial envelope of its own?

Last updated: 3 July 2020
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