Brussels, 18/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament will, indeed, vote in Strasbourg on 19 November on the EU's multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2014-2020.
According to the president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, the three conditions set by the EP have been met: approval of additional payment appropriations for 2013 (€11.2 billion), adoption of reforms on the major policies and agreement on setting up a high-level group on own resources. The Greens Group has called for the amendments submitted for the MFF, including the one from the employment committee on European social funds to be put to the vote. (This committee does not agree with a compromise between the Council and Commission and the regional development committee).
Hannes Swoboda, the leader of the S&D Group, said that the letter from the Presidency on the high-level group on own resources could have been clearer but, on the basic point, “the letter clearly approves setting up a high-level group”. Guy Verhofstadt, the leader of the ALDE Group, regretted that the note from the Presidency on the high-level group on own resources used the word “could” too often. He said that the letter is a step in the right direction but is not enough. He is calling for the Presidency to intervene before the final vote at the EP to confirm the Council agreement on setting up a high-level group. He said that he wanted greater clarity. Alain Lamassoure, the chairman of the budgets committee insisted that “we vote tomorrow on the MFF”. On the subject of the high-level group, he added that “we have the guarantee that there is a complete unanimity views among the three institutions”. (LC/transl.fl)