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European demand over match funding
Plaid president Dafydd Wigley met with Mr Barnier
A senior European official said the Government must give assurances that match funding will be available for Objective One projects in Wales.
Regional policy commissioner Michael Barnier said it was important to have "the necessary assurances" that there will be enough match funding before programmes are agreed.
He spoke after a meeting in Brussels on Friday with Plaid Cymru president Dafydd Wigley, MEP Jill Evans and Scottish National Party MSP Andrew Wilson.
He was reiterating the EC's response to Wales's Objective One blueprint, which was released last month.
Mr Barnier said he was anxious that all European programmes were able to start without undue delay because it could be extremely difficult to make up for lost time later on.
Assembly First Secretary Rhodri Morgan has previously pledged that Objective One match funding would be met in full.
"Europe, the UK government and the Assembly are all absolutely determined that this programme is going to go ahead, that it will be properly resourced and we will have an opportunity to transform the Welsh economy," he said.
Previously, a spokesman for the Wales Office had made it clear that "no separate decisions on funding in Wales can be made in advance of the comprehensive spending review, expected in June or July."
Regional policy commissioner Michael Barnier said it was important to have "the necessary assurances" that there will be enough match funding before programmes are agreed.
 Michael Barnier wants "necessary assurances" |
He was reiterating the EC's response to Wales's Objective One blueprint, which was released last month.
Mr Barnier said he was anxious that all European programmes were able to start without undue delay because it could be extremely difficult to make up for lost time later on.
Assembly First Secretary Rhodri Morgan has previously pledged that Objective One match funding would be met in full.
"Europe, the UK government and the Assembly are all absolutely determined that this programme is going to go ahead, that it will be properly resourced and we will have an opportunity to transform the Welsh economy," he said.
Previously, a spokesman for the Wales Office had made it clear that "no separate decisions on funding in Wales can be made in advance of the comprehensive spending review, expected in June or July."
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