Responding to the deal on the EU budget struck in Brussels early this morning, Plaid Cymru Euro-MP and Europe Spokesperson Jill Evans MEP gave the following first reaction:

"Getting agreement on the EU budget has been achieved in spite of rather than because of the UK Government which has played a dangerous game of Russian roulette with the negotiations and seriously damaged Wales' interests.

We will have to look in detail at the exact implications for Wales in terms of regional funding but it now seems clear that whatever will be available will be substantially less than what could have been on offer had the UK Government not blocked an agreement earlier this year.

Any money that comes to Wales will be thanks to the hard fought campaign of Plaid Cymru and the new EU member states who refused to give in to Tony Blair.

Having failed to boost wealth levels in Wales first time round, New Labour then wanted to do away with structural funds altogether. They failed in part but now we need to see the government come good on its vague pledges that Wales wouldn't lose out.

If agreement had been reached earlier, we'd have been entitled to up to three billion pounds in funding for our neediest areas. The UK Government must make up any shortfall - we are entitled to this money and we deserve it."

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