President,

I welcome the discussions on EU humanitarian aid and trade relationships that took place at the council. I would like to touch on the second point.

This is a crucial time when the European Union needs to show its leadership and importance globally but also, of course, in terms of governance internally. To ensure that we maintain the momentum that President Barroso talked about, we must improve multi-level governance to address the "governance deficit" in the Lisbon Treaty. That means an integrated EU wide approach that recognises the importance of all the regions and sub-state governments. It also means restating the aim of reducing regional disparities.

Three quarters of my constituency in Wales currently receives structural funding to combat some of the highest poverty levels in Europe. I will be welcoming President Barroso to Wales next week, and I am looking forward to showing him what a difference the structural funds have made to our economy and communities. To continue this progress regional development funding must not be nationalised to the member states.

I urge the Council and the Commission not to put short term concerns on the budget before the need for assistance for long term sustainable development and fighting regional disparities.

Jill Evans MEP
Plaid Cymru