Today the commissioner-designate for regional policy, Corina Creţu, undertook to work with the European Parliament on finding a solution regarding the outstanding cohesion payments of €23.4 billion and to improve the system in order to prevent payment delays in the future.

Ms Creţu addressed the main challenges of regional policy during the parliamentary hearing and got the full support of the Socialists and Democrats for the strategy she outlined for the next five years. 

S&D spokesperson on this hearing, MEP Andrea Cozzolino, said:

"We share Corina Creţu's view that regional policy is one of the most important instruments of solidarity within the EU to fight inequality and provide opportunities for all regardless of where they live. 

"Structural and investment funds are key to implementing Juncker's plan to promote growth, job creation and competitiveness through smart investment. The capacity of public investments leveraging private funds will be a priority, as will the involvement of local authorities in all projects and macro-regional strategy.

"She has promised to work closely with the Parliament to persuade the Commission of the necessity to pay on time and stop the snowball effect of late payment of EU funds. She can depend on our support to amend the 2014 budget in order to meet the EU's commitments and in all efforts to find a longer-term solution. 

"We also welcome her commitment to pay more attention to cities given that 75% of EU citizens live in towns or cities. She acknowledged the need for high-quality partnership programmes and will promote them as commissioner."