Brussels, 28/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 28 June, the European heads of state discussed the EU budget for 2014-2020 and, according to a draft conclusions document, say they will reach agreement on this tricky issue by the end of the year (see EUROPE 10642 for the recent debate at the General Affairs Council on the same subject). The Danish Presidency's questionnaire contains two questions for heads of state: How can the different policies in the new multiannual financial framework best contribute to the creation of growth and jobs and enhance the quality of EU spending? How should we prioritise spending among the different policy areas and better align it with the EUROPE 2020 strategy?
In a draft conclusions document drawn up before the debates, the EU27 leaders say that they had an in-depth debate with the president of the European Parliament on the multiannual financial framework and welcome progress under the Danish Presidency, which has provided foundations for the final stage of the negotiations. In a draft conclusions document, the European summit calls for the negotiating box for the 2014-2020 budget to be worked upon in order for agreement to be reached by the end of the year. Work on legislation needs to be speeded up so that it can be adopted rapidly after following all the procedures laid down in the EU treaties. The competent institutions are asked to cooperate in this connection under the powers accorded to them by the treaties.
The Danish Presidency has submitted to the European summit a negotiating box that some countries, like Germany and the Netherlands, consider a good basis for the final round of talks. Other countries disagree. As usual, countries are divided over the size of the EU budget (net contributors say the Commission's initial proposals should be cut by €100 billion, but most countries in receipt of cohesion fund cash back the Commission's suggestions) and the priority spending areas (farming, cohesion, R&D and so on).