MEPs: STEP should also support EU cohesion
Regional Development Committee (REGI) approved its opinion on Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP).
Opinion was approved by 24 votes against 5 and 4 abstentions. MEPs want cohesion priorities to be reflected in STEP allocations: they want to maintain investment focus on small and medium-sized enterprises and mid-caps, support cross-border participation and invest in providing employment opportunities for young people especially in the less developed and transition regions. Therefore allocations to STEP priorities should not be more than 20%.
Regarding the closure of the 2014-2020 programming period, the Regional Development MEPs have granted the regions and national authorities more flexibility and time to avoid possible loss of remaining resources. To this end, they enabled a 100% co-financing in the final year for programmes supported by Cohesion Fund, European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund. They also voted to enable 10% of national funds for all regions and 15% for outermost regions to benefit from a one-year delay in applying for payments.
Next steps
Committee on Budgets and Committee on Industry, Research and Energy responsible for the STEP file will vote on the report on 9 October.
Background
Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) is an initiative aimed at boosting investments in critical technologies in Europe. STEP seeks to support investments in digital, clean and bio technologies in the EU, and in people who can implement them and introduces the Sovereignty seal – the EU quality label for sovereignty projects.
Contacts:
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Martina VASS
Press Officer