Brussels, 10/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - Figures on the draft EU budget for 2012 reveal that the European Parliament (EP) budgets committee is looking to totals of €147.7 billion in commitment appropriations and €133.1 billion in payment appropriations. This represents increases on the 2011 budget of 3.95% in commitments and 5.23% in payments (see EUROPE 10467).
Negotiations with the Council are likely to prove difficult as the member states have undertaken to adopt a very tight budget for 2012, with a 2% rise in payment appropriations. The figures agreed in the budgets committee, which will be voted on in the Parliament plenary session on 26 October, are close to the European Commission's initial proposal.
The categories that, under the EP budgets committee figures, see the biggest increases in payments are research and development (10.35%) and cohesion and structural funds (8.38%). Another category that sees a significant increase is freedom, security and justice (6.84%), due to the growing need to manage refugee and migration flows and step up maritime surveillance in the Mediterranean.
Here are the appropriations called for by the budgets committee by heading.
Competitiveness (heading 1A). A total of €14.7 billion in commitments and €12.5 billion in payments (one billion more than what the Council decided in July) has been allocated. The committee decided to add approximately €30 million more than what was proposed by the Commission to budget lines directly related to EUROPE 2020 strategy. Committee members disagreed with a proposal by the Commission and Council to take the funding needed for ITER, the nuclear fusion project, from the funds planned for the EU's 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development. MEPs feel it should be financed with fresh money.
Cohesion (heading 1B). MEPs restored the Commission's draft budget proposal: €52.7 billion in commitments (an increase of 3.48% on 2011) and €45.1 billion in payments (8.38% higher than in 2011).
Natural resources (heading 2). The budgets committee allocated €60.4 billion in commitment appropriations (up 3.07% in 2011) and €58.2 billion in payments (an increase of 3.31%). At the request of the agriculture committee, the budgets committee agreed to add €250 million to funds for fruit and vegetable producers. This money will be earmarked for the prevention of future crises and for compensating farmers for the financial consequences of further crises. The committee also strongly defended the EU's food for the needy scheme, which provides food to food banks.
Freedom, security, justice and citizenship (3a and 3b). MEPs disagreed with cuts proposed by the Council on the EU Refugee Fund, Return Fund and External Border Fund. The budget for the EU border agency Frontex should, they say, be increased by a reserve of €25 million because this money might be needed for maritime border controls in the Mediterranean and for stepping up surveillance at the Greek-Turkish border. The committee also proposed €5 million extra for youth projects in the EU's southern and eastern neighbourhood.
Foreign affairs (heading 4). MEPs agreed to approve an increase of €100 million in aid to Palestine and €27 million for the development co-operation instrument for Asia and Latin America. They also added €3 million for election observation missions and €3 million for the Turkish Cypriot Community. To fund this, MEPs cut other lines such as the EU Police Mission in Afghanistan.
Administration (heading 5). The budgets committee opted for an increase of around 1.44% in the EP's operating expenditure (to €1.7 billion). This includes appropriations for the 18 extra MEPs (as a result of the Lisbon Treaty) and the preparations for the accession of Croatia. MEPs voted for a 5% cut in their travel expenses and those of EP staff. They also intend to save money on translation and interpretation. For heading 5 as a whole, the budgets committee has proposed €8.2 billion, a 1% increase on 2011, as called for by the budget commissioner. The Council is planning a 5.45% reduction in its operating expenses, to €532.5 million. Commission operating expenditure will be €4.8 billion, a 1.2% increase. (LC/transl.rt)