Brussels, 19/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 19 November, the Council formally approved the agreement with the European Parliament on the EU budget for 2014 and on the amending budget of €400.5 million under the solidarity fund of the EU (see EUROPE 10961).
The total level of payments has been set at €135.50 billion for 2014, which represents a cut of 6.2% compared to 2013 budget (including all additional funds approved by the Council and the European Parliament over the year) and leaves a margin of €711.4 million under the ceiling of the MFF (multi-annual financial framework). The total level of commitments stands at €142.64 billion, which is down 6.2% on the EU budget for 2013, leaving a margin of €445.4 million.
This Wednesday 20 November, the European Parliament will adopt the EU's budget for 2014 along with amending budget no. 9/2013 regarding aid of €400.5 million under the Solidarity Fund. On Tuesday, the EP adopted a number of draft amending budgets: no. 7/2013 on an increase of €150 million under the European Social Fund for France, Italy and Spain and no. 8/2013 for an increase in payment appropriations of €3.9 billion. (LC/transl.fl)