Brussels, 09/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - At their meeting on Tuesday 9 December, EU ministers adopted a joint statement on transition measures for the EU's budget procedures to adjust to the Lisbon Treaty coming into force. Initial agreement was reached on 30 November, and at talks on 18 November the Council of Ministers, European Commission and European Parliament pledged to reach agreement on the transition measures by 1 December 2009.
The statement lays down transition measures to ensure the EU can function efficiently while it adjusts to the new rules for the budget procedure under the Lisbon Treaty. The transition measures will apply until the new rules have been formally introduced and the necessary adjustments have been made.
The statement covers: - timing (organising meetings between the Commission, EP and Council of Ministers, timetable for the 2010 budget procedures to decide on the EU's 2011 budget, and details of how the three EU institutions will cooperate on budget issues, including details of organising conciliation committee meetings); - amending budgets (to ensure amendments can be decided upon smoothly without requiring meetings of the conciliation committee); and - the release of funding (operational procedures to ease the issuing of payments. (L.C./transl.fl)