Brussels, 27/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - During the evening of Wednesday 26 June, the Council of Ministers of the EU reached agreement on ways to cover the additional funds needed in 2013 to meet the needs for Croatia's accession to the European Union, on 1 July. The Council approved the draft amending budget No 1 for 2013.
The Council agreed to increase the EU budget for 2013 by a total of €655.1 million in commitments (including €299.6 from structural funds and €149.8 million under the cohesion fund) and €374 million in payments (€89.9 million in structural funds and €59.9 under the cohesion fund).
The Council also agreed on a revision of the current multiannual financial framework covering the period 2007-2013, on the basis of a compromise proposal of the Irish Presidency providing for an increase of the payment ceiling by €374 million. As regards commitments, the overall ceiling is unchanged but there are transfers between headings to find the €603 million needed (out of €655 million): - credits under heading 5 (administration) will be reduced by €603 million, and those of other headings increased: +€47 million for competitiveness, +€450 million for cohesion, +€31 million for citizenship, and +€75 million for compensation. (LC/transl.jl)