Plaid Cymru's leader in the European parliament, Jill Evans MEP has welcomed the European parliament's rejection of calls to hand back control of vital European Union structural funds to the member state level. These funds are worth billions annually to many regions of Europe and many parts of Wales stand to benefit as a result, particularly in respect of Objective One. The rejection was welcomed by Ms Evans who described the move as a good result for Wales.
Speaking after the debate in the Strasbourg parliament, Jill Evans MEP said:
"We in Plaid Cymru welcome Parliament's rejection of calls for the wholesale re-nationalisation of structural funds. It is ludicrous to suggest that a London government is best placed to make key decisions about vital funding for Wales. It is surely for our National Assembly, working in partnership with local government, to decide the priorities for important Euro funding schemes like Objective One."
"Unfortunately, the UK government has been leading the charge for a radical renationalisation of regional funding. I am delighted that the Parliament has flatly rejected Gordon Brown on this. I note that this was achieved with the support of UK Labour Members, who seem to take a different view from the Government in London."
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