19/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - Moderate increase in envelope for 2012. This Wednesday 20 April, the European Commission will propose a moderate increase in funds for the general 2012 budget of the EU. The increase proposed by the European budget commissioner will be above the level of inflation (2%) and greater than the 2.9% increase for the 2011 budget. The Commission cites the obligations incumbent upon it. The credits under the multi-annual programmes (research, structural fund and cohesion fund) need to be paid. In addition to the invoices put forward by the states, there is the support for the common agricultural policy. “All of these obligatory expenses represent 80% of the EU budget”, stated a source close to Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski. (L.C./transl.fl)