Wegner: Berlin needs EU funding beyond 2027
Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner is calling for financial support from the EU for the capital beyond the funding period that runs until 2027. "I am committed to ensuring that Berlin continues to benefit from successful EU programs such as ERDF and ESF+ in the future," said the CDU politician on Wednesday after a special conference of the East German heads of government in Brussels. "The positive effects must be consolidated in all regions, new challenges must be added in all regions and the transformation must succeed in all regions. Only in this way can a united Europe continue to bear fruit."
The eastern German states receive billions from the so-called EU structural funds in order to catch up on their development and compensate for disadvantages. According to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, around eleven billion euros will flow to Germany from the largest structural fund alone, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), in the 2021-2027 funding period, but not only to eastern regions. In Berlin, the funding from the structural funds in the current funding period amounts to more than 800 million euros, according to the Senate Chancellery.
Wegner emphasized the importance of securing economic policy support from the EU beyond 2027, as Berlin continues to benefit significantly from EU finances through programs like ERDF and ESF+. These funds are instrumental in addressing regional challenges and ensuring Europe's continued growth and unity.
Source: www.dpa.com
