Brussels, 04/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - High-ranking officials responsible for Euro-Mediterranean policy, meeting in Vilnius on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 October, agreed a budget of €6.3 million for the Secretariat General of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) for the 2014 financial year. This, however, does not fully resolve the budget problems. The member countries are slow in making their contributions. As in previous years, the EU will provide €3 million, with the remainder coming from the 43 member countries.
The risk of spending outstripping income remains present. While some of the member states have, indeed, come forward with their contributions, including in kind (Spain, for example, provides and maintains the buildings), most appear to be dragging their feet - a situation which will do nothing to help the proper functioning of the Secretariat General.
At the last meeting of the high-ranking officials, in Malaga in June, the joint Presidencies highlighted the “continuing critical situation” affecting the Secretariat General and preventing it from fulfilling its role. The secretary general warned of a budget imbalance which could compromise the work programme agreed at the end of 2012. Member countries were urged to pay their shares. Some called for a “sustainable mechanism” to determine the responsibilities and level of contribution of each. The debate continued in Vilnius. Already in Malaga, a revised budget was proposed, seeking to maintain the overall sum (€6,328 million) but containing a number of adjustments (drastic reduction in staff and operational spending and net increase in expenditure on payment of the salary supplement for seconded nationals, rising from €324,000 to €2.7 million). (FB/transl.fl)