Brussels, 05/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - Trialogue discussions (Council, European Parliament and Commission) will continue on Tuesday 11 June in Strasbourg on the multi-annual financial framework of the EU for 2014-2020 (see EUROPE 10855). The trialogue of Tuesday 4 June went into details on four issues (flexibility, revision clause, budget unity and own resources).
After Tuesday's trialogue, which lasted for six hours, the Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore, speaking on behalf of the Irish Presidency of the Council of Ministers, said: “We made good progress today, further narrowing down the issues outstanding between us”. He believes that it is still possible to reach agreement by the end of June, “if there is sufficient will on all sides”. In the negotiations on the framework 2014-2020, the European Parlilament has also asked to discuss additional payment appropriations for 2013 (the €11.2 billion). Readers may recall that the Ecofin Council reached an agreement on the draft rectifying budget no. 2 for 2013: an initial tranche of €7.3 billion to balance the outstanding payments for 2012, followed by a commitment to return to the subject this autumn for additional payment appropriations (see EUROPE 10849 on the most recent debate at the General Affairs Council). (LC/transl.fl)