Brussels, 05/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - The first meeting of the conciliation committee on the EU budget for 2014 was held on Monday 4 November. The next meetings scheduled are a trialogue on Thursday 7 November, then a further meeting of the conciliation committee on 11 November, the same day as the Council of EU Finance Ministers (budget session).
The EU Council noted, according to a press release, that both arms of the budgetary authority attach high priority to programmes supporting jobs and growth. However, the Council also took note of the fact that the two institutions' positions diverge notably on the extent to which the member states' consolidation efforts at national level should be taken into account (see EUROPE 10949). Positions mainly diverge regarding the level of payments and the margins to be allowed under the financial framework ceiling to cover unforeseen expenditure. The Council hopes to limit total payments in 2014 to €135 billion and commitments to €142.23 billion. The EP would like the Council to accept an additional €1.4 billion in payments (and €855 million more in commitments).
The draft amending budgets for 2013 were also discussed. The EP has still to approve: - the draft amending budget No 7 (increasing the European Social Fund by €150 million in commitments for France, Spain and Italy); - the draft amending budget No 8 (delivering the second part of outstanding payment needs amounting to €3.9 billion); - and the draft amending budget No 9 (remediating the damages caused by natural disasters in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and Romania and amounting to €400.5 million in commitments and payments).
The conciliation committee has until 13 November to find a compromise. Failing this, the European Commission will have to make a new proposal. The Budget Council of 11 November is to give a mandate to the Lithuanian Presidency with a view to negotiations with the EP on the 2014 budget. (LC/transl.jl)