EU funding chief: Wales still paying price of 1980s decline despite years of European cash

Parts of Wales are still paying the price for industries shut in the 1980s despite more than a decade of European aid flowing in, according to European Commission officials Guy Flament, the man who oversees Wales’ EU structural funding speaking in October 2011.

The warning came after it emerged West Wales and the Valleys was almost certain to receive a third round of European aid after 2014 – making it the only part of Western Europe to retain 'less developed region' status.

• Primary Source

Western Mail, 13.10.11: EU chief defends Welsh Govenment regional investment policy http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/10/13/eu-chief-defends-welsh-govenment-regional-investment-policy-91466-29586945/

ESO: Background information: Commission lays foundations to boost impact of cohesion http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-commission-lays-foundations-to-boost-impact-of-cohesion-investments-after-2013/

ESO: Background information: Would qualifying for more EU funds be a national disgrace? http://www.europeansources.info/record/would-qualifying-for-more-eu-funds-be-a-national-disgrace/

Western Mail, 10.10.11: MEP claims Wales' poorest are getting poorer http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/10/10/mep-claims-wales-poorest-are-getting-poorer-91466-29567234/

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