Brussels, 04/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - The conciliation procedure between the EU Council of Ministers and the European Parliament (EP) on the 2011 budget is, for the moment at least, going rather well. After the second trialogue on Thursday 4 November, it would seem that agreement on the draft budget for 2011 has not been ruled out. The Belgian Presidency of the Council of Ministers told the EP delegation that a rise in payment appropriations of more than 2.91% was out of the question, given the budgetary constraints which EU countries are facing at the moment. The Presidency did, however, show some flexibility on allocation of spending according to priorities. In addition, the updating of expenditure estimates for 2011 could allow further flexibility and at the same time limit the increase in payment appropriations to 2.91%. The next trialogue meeting will be on Monday 8 November. The conciliation committee will meet for the last time on Thursday 11 November. (L.C./transl.rt)