Brussels, 20/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - Regarding the budgetary guidelines for 2013 that it will adopt this Tuesday 21 February, the Council of Ministers is “aware that an equilibrium between austerity and necessary investments has to be found: restrictive measures should not hamper the respective commitments already made and the implementation of Union actions contributing to the fight against the negative effects of the crisis, notably by boosting growth and employment at Union level”. This balance can be achieved, amongst other things, by prioritising objectives and allocating the available resources to programmes and actions contributing best to achieve these objectives, the European finance ministers add.
The budgetary procedure for 2013 will take place against the backdrop of the current economic crisis, the negative effects of which will continue to make themselves felt by the member states and their citizens. More than ever, consolidation efforts are requested of the member states, notably by the Union, to tackle deficit and debt. “Therefore, when establishing the budget for 2013, it will be essential to take into account the economic and budgetary constraints at national level and the need to maintain budgetary discipline at all levels”, said the Council.
The Council stresses the need for a realistic budget respecting the principle of sound financial management. Particularly in the current economic context, commitment and payment appropriations “have to be kept under strict control and correspond to real needs”. All actors involved should continue their efforts in order to establish an accurate level of payment appropriations for structural measures and pursue an efficient and effective implementation of the 2007-2013 programmes.
Administrative expenditure. The Council welcomes the Commission's initiative to reduce by 1% the number of posts for 2013 in its establishment plans. The Council calls on all institutions and agencies to follow a similar approach, without prejudice to its position in the context of the revision of the staff regulation and the negotiations for the next multi-annual financial framework.
Like last year (for the 2012 budget), the Council notes with great concern the volume of outstanding commitments (€207 billion at the end of 2011). This issue has to be examined thoroughly and the Council urges the Commission to take all appropriate remedial measures in each annual budgetary procedure. The Commission should carefully monitor the amounts of outstanding commitments and settle or de-commit them as quickly as possible.
Lastly, the Council regrets the “recurrent over-budgeting” of some agencies, leading to unjustified carry-overs.