Simon Wade
THE PRESIDENT of Murcia region, López Miras, has called for a “fair and transparent” distribution criteria for European funds “to avoid a Spain at two speeds”
He spoke at the 22nd Conference of Presidents, demanding EU’s funding criteria has “a guarantee of equality and non-discrimination.”
He proposed an independent body to guarantee any project selection process, “to avoid any bias of partiality,” especially regarding the essential recovery of the Mar Menor region.
He implied, “a Spain at two speeds would be atrocious for our recovery after the economic tsunami that the coronavirus has brought.”
He continued, “Europe today is the guarantor of rights, freedoms and respect for the legal framework, [and] these criteria should also govern access to funds in Spain for all autonomous communities.”
Whilst recognising the various projects already in various stages of implementation, Miras mooted that by the end of 2020, “an attractive and rigorous proposal for transforming projects in the Murcia Region,” will be announced.
He stressed that, “it is not the time to show differences, but to pitch in, to show unity, to act with loyalty.”
In conclusion, Miras admitted, “Any proposal that does not contemplate the real needs of the one and a half million people who live in the Region of Murcia will show that the pandemic has not taught us anything, nor will it make us stronger.”
