Brussels, 07/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - Ideas for reforming the EU's “own resources” funding system will be discussed by the European Parliament Conference of Presidents (EP president and political group leaders) with chair of the EU High Level Group on Own Resources Mario Monti on Thursday at around 11.00. The group, which includes Parliament, Commission and Council delegates, tabled its first assessment of the current own resources system and its reform ideas in Strasbourg on 17 December 2014.
Improving the way in which the EU is financed is a political priority for Parliament, European Parliament President Martin Schulz explained. The High Level Group was set up, as part of an overall deal between the Council and the European Parliament on the EU's 2014-2020 multi-annual financial framework (MFF). The progress of the Group's work in 2015 will be assessed at regular political level meetings, at least every six months. Its final recommendations will then be assessed by the Commission in parallel with the MFF mid-term revision, which should take place by the end of 2016 at the latest. (LC)