MEPs reject the suspension of EU structural funds for Spain and Portugal

The European Parliament's regional development and economic affairs committees held a joint meeting on 8 November 2016 to hear the Portuguese and Spanish finance ministers on the suspension of structural funding as a result of their countries' excessive budget deficits.

MEPs at the meeting agreed that structural funding should not be suspended, as this would undermine investment, harm these countries' economies and alienate their citizens from the EU project.

The debate was part of the 'structured dialogue' preceding the European Commission's proposal on a possible suspension of these funds for Portugal and Spain. A previous hearing had already taken place in October. These committees were scheduled to work on a recommendation for presentation to the Parliament's Conference of Presidents.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Structured Dialogue with the Commission on Suspension of European Structural and Investment Funds to Spain and Portugal http://www.europeansources.info/record/structured-dialogue-with-the-commission-on-suspension-of-european-structural-and-investment-funds-to-spain-and-portugal/

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