Brussels, 29/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - According to several sources close to the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020 talks, inter-institutional negotiations for a new agreement took a new direction on Tuesday 28 May and shifted from a power struggle to more constructive dialogue (see EUROPE 10849). It is now hoped that an agreement can be reached by the end of June.
Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore explained that “there was new momentum in our talks. We made real progress”. Chairing this round of negotiations on the behalf of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU, Gilmore also noted that “differences of views remain between our two sides, but I can also see the scope for agreement. I remain convinced that we can reach an agreement over the coming weeks”.
The three hours of discussions in this second trialogue allowed for a more technical exchange of views to be held on the four requests made by the European Parliament: budgetary unity, budget review, flexibility and own resources. Nonetheless, no common position was reached. The question of flexibility created the most debate, whilst the question of resources was only briefly mentioned and postponed until the next trialogue.
The European Commission is expected to propose a new version of the appropriate texts in an effort to bring the positions of the European Parliament and Council closer together. A source close to Budget Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski suggested that greater proximity of the different positions was “manageable”.
An agreement with regard to the €960 billion of the next EU budget could possibly be envisaged. In an effort to achieve this goal, negotiators also worked out a tight timetable for preparatory meetings and trialogues. The next trialogue meetings will be held on 4 and 11 June (in Strasbourg), with the General Affairs Council of 27 June the major event for member states. (MD/transl.fl)