Brussels, 23/03/2011 (Agence Europe) -Salvador Garrriga's (EPP, Spain) draft report on the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) does not propose a revolution but a number of innovations. The report was discussed on 17 March at the special committee on the policy challenges and budgetary resources for the Union after 2013. It suggests bringing together all the different policies in the EUROPE 2020 strategy into a single section and creating a new “financial governance” section for covering a possible EU budget contribution to the post-2013 European Stability Mechanism.
The rapporteur suggests that within this new EUROPE 2020 chapter there are also three subsections: knowledge for growth and jobs (research and innovation, education and training, internal market and social policy); sustainable development (agriculture, fisheries, environment, climate change, energy and transport); and cohesion (structural funds…). The other suggested chapters are: citizenship, Europe as a world player (external action, developments), financial governance and administration. The rapporteur is also appealing for: - greater flexibility within the different sections and between them; - a compulsory mid term review; - a seven-year financial framework (2014-2020). The European Commission is expected to adopt its proposals on the next financial framework on 29 June. (L.C./transl.fl)