Brussels, 05/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - A reduction of €9.4 billion in the contributions of the member states of the EU (surplus in the 2015 budget) should be used to help to tackle the refugee crisis, the rapporteurs of the European Parliament on the EU 2015 and 2016 budget said on Thursday 5 November.
The co-rapporteurs on the 2016 budget, José Manuel Fernandes (EPP, Portugal) and Gérard Deprez (ALDE, Belgium), and Eider Gardiazábal Rubial (S&D, Spain) for the 2015 budget, call upon the member states to use this surplus (laid down in the draft amending budget no. 8 for 2015) to keep their promises and provide the money required to manage the refugee crisis.
Member states are lagging behind in the payment of €2.3 billion in financing to the trust funds and United Nations agencies to help refugees on the ground, the European Commission announced on Wednesday 4 November. The member states have not delivered the promised money to the Africa Trust Fund (see EUROPE 11414), the Syria Trust Fund and to the various international organisations, including the World Food Programme, UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) and UNICEF.
Discussing the draft amending budget no. 8 for 2015 (surplus of €9.4 billion), the MEPs argue that the higher amount than anticipated in additional revenue from fines and customs duty alone would cover the most pressing needs. The total amount of €9.4 billion could, the rapporteurs add, help the member states to better manage the challenges created by the arrival of an unprecedented number of refugees in the cities and regions of Europe.
On 19 October, the Commission adopted a draft amending budget for 2015 providing for a surplus of €9.4 billion. This total includes €2.3 billion of additional revenue.
Negotiations on the 2016 budget resume on Monday 9 November (budgetary trialogue in the framework of conciliation). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)