Tuesday, 15 November 2011 - Strasbourg

Explanations of vote:

Relazione: Kerstin Westphal (A7-0350/2011 )

Pino Arlacchi (S&D ), in writing . − I voted in favour of this report because demographic change is creating new possibilities for some regions in the world and, instead of being viewed purely as a threat, it should also be seen as an opportunity. The support provided by the cohesion policy instruments should be carefully examined and exploited in an appropriate manner. The impact of demographic change varies substantially from region to region, depending on whether it is rapid or slow and whether the region concerned is a region of net immigration or of shrinking population.

For this reason, this text calls on the Member States and regions to consider the divergent development levels of the regions and take into account demographic indicators when allocating and distributing EU structural funds and defining impact indicators. Furthermore, demographic developments in the regions should be made comparable, and exchanges of best practices between Member States, regions and local communities should be encouraged.

[source:www.europarl.europa.eu]