Brussels, 20/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - During its meeting in Strasbourg on Thursday 20 May, the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament political groups suggested forming a special committee for preparing the work for the EU's next multiannual financial framework (MFF) post 2013. The European Parliament is to vote during the June plenary session on the proposal by the Conference of Presidents to set up this special parliamentary committee which could begin work in July.
The proposed committee will have the task of determining “the policy challenges and budgetary resources for a sustainable European Union after 2013”, according to a press release diffused by the European Parliament. The committee will have six tasks: - define Parliament's priorities for the EU's next long-term budget framework, in both political and budgetary terms; - estimate how much money the EU will need to achieve its objectives; - define the duration of the next long-term budget framework (traditionally, this has been seven years, but MEPs want to adjust it to match the mandates of the Parliament and the Commission); - propose a structure for the future long-term budget frameworks; - draw up guidelines on how resources should be distributed within and between different parts (“headings”) of the EU budget; - and specify the link between a reform of the EU's financing system and a review of expenditure.
The Conference of Presidents proposes that the new committee should present the results of its work in a report to be approved by Parliament before July 2011, when the Commission is to present its proposal for the next MFF.
On a proposal from the Conference of Presidents, Parliament may at any time set up special committees, whose powers, composition and term of office shall be defined at the same time as the decision to set them up is taken. Their term of office may not exceed 12 months, except where Parliament extends that term on its expiry. (L.C./transl.jl)