Madeira's PSD deputy to the Assembly of the Republic, Paulo Neves, has appealed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, to oppose changes to the management of EU funds for the Outermost Regions (ORs).
Neves described the European Commission's proposal as "unfair" and a "serious setback," which he raised during a hearing at the Assembly's Committee on European Affairs.
The deputy believes that the Commission's intention to negotiate directly with central governments, bypassing regional governments, disrespects the legitimacy of the ORs and represents a "regrettable centralist temptation." He urged Rangel to advocate for maintaining the current negotiation model, which involves direct participation from regional governments.
