Brussels, 02/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - In an opinion adopted on 29 March, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) called for an in-depth reform of the system of own resources to the EU budget, stating that a system whereby around 75% of the Union's resources is taken directly from the national budgets “is a departure from the letter and spirit of the Treaty of Rome”. The EESC supports the proposals of the Commission on the system of own resources of the European Union for the post-2013 period.
The current situation, supported mainly on the basis of a “GNI contribution” (gross national income) from the countries of the EU, “has fuelled budget-related debates focused on the concept of fair return and compensation mechanisms that do not take into account the benefits offered by the EU not least in the areas of peace, freedom, prosperity, growth and security”, says the EESC. It welcomes the legislative proposals presented by the Commission, describing these as a step in the right direction, particularly in that they halve the GNI contribution, instead bringing in two new own resources, one based on VAT and the other on a financial transaction tax. This proportionate increase of real own resources “will bring the running of the EU budget more closely into line with the spirit and letter of the Treaty of Rome” while “also helping to increase the financial autonomy of the EU and support the member states in the mammoth efforts they are making with regard to their budgets”, the EESC stresses.
It also supports plans to bring in a new system of lump-sum payments designed to replace all existing correction mechanisms, “although it considers that this does not go far enough”.
The EESC draws attention to the fact that intra-Community VAT is a major area of tax evasion. It therefore considers it necessary to accompany this new own resource with measures aimed at reducing, if not eliminating, fraud. Lastly, the EESC considers that an increase in the European budget is not only desirable, but also necessary, in order to face up to the full extent of the new challenges requiring a common response. (LC/transl.fl)