Failure to do so could mean that the EU will have to work with the same budget in 2011 as in 2010, on a month-by-month basis.
The differences between the Council position, on the one side, and the Commission and Parliament position, on the other, are relatively small. Comparing commitment levels, Council wants an increase of 0.2%, the Commission suggested an increase of 0.8%, and the Parliament opts for an increase of 1.1%. The difference between Council and Parliament in absolute figures is €1.29bn.
EP President Jerzy Buzek will lead Parliament’s delegation at the first meeting with the Council delegation, led by Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme. Parliament’s delegation includes Budgets Committee Chair Alain Lamassoure, Commission expenditure rapporteur Sidonia Jedrzejewska and administrative expenditure rapporteur Helga Trüpel.
Lamassoure expects the Council to be open to discussion, not only on the 2011 budget, but also on the medium-term financing of the EU. “Member states cannot ask the EU to do more, while paying less and leaving the revenue system unchanged. We need a genuine discussion, also about a new system of resources. We should not leave this important discussion to our successors”, he said.
Trüpel hopes that “the animosity between some member states and Parliament will come to an end. We have seen some harsh statements being made about us proposing a higher budget in times of crisis. Let’s not forget that we have all agreed to the same objectives. We should be honest and work together to achieve our objectives”, she said.
Jedrzejewska said “we are basically restoring the budget as it was proposed by the Commission. The Commission, being the executive arm of the EU, is best positioned to estimate the level of expenditure necessary for 2011. Unlike previous years, Parliament is sticking to the ceilings of the framework we decided in 2006 and let’s not forget, the EU takes tasks on board because there is value to be gained. Our moderate approach – we propose less increase than inflation – should be taken as a sign of willingness to reach a realistic outcome.”
The final conciliation committee meeting takes place on 11 November.
