Brussels, 14/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - The Committee of the Regions and the European Commission have concerns over the payment of the structural funds for 2014 from the EU budget. There is still more than €20 billion in outstanding invoices from 2013 to be honoured in 2014, which is likely to destabilise an already tight budget.
European Budget Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski held talks with the Committee over the implementation of the multi-annual financial framework (MFF) 2014-2020, at a meeting with the budgetary committee of the consultative body. The commissioner confirmed that many requests for reimbursement under the cohesion fund had been sent in late, at the end of December 2013 (a period which coincides with the end of the programning period 2007-2013). The total amount is believed to be in excess of €20 billion. However, Lewandowski pledged that “by June, the Commission will ensure the 2013 backlog is paid to beneficiaries of EU funds”. The situation could be problematic as the budget for 2014-2020 has been cut. The upper limit for 2014 leaves little leeway to pay this large bill. Lewandowski said that “we might go very close to the limit of the MFF ceiling and we don't exclude using additional flexibility if needed”, as provided for by the MFF, at the request mainly of the European Parliament. The problem could arise again in the future, as requests for payments for the 2007-2013 period may still come in over the next three years. This situation is a clear illustration of the “budget deficit” which the Committee of the Regions has always spoken out against, notably in a number of opinions. (MD/transl.fl)