12/09/2016 (Agence Europe) – As reported (see EUROPE 11598), on Monday 12 September the Council of the EU formally adopted its negotiating position for the EU’s budget for 2017, based on a draft compromise drawn up by the Slovak Presidency. As the European Parliament prepares to decide on a more ambitious negotiating position in terms of appropriations to be mobilised in 2017 (see EUROPE 11613, 11614), the Council plans for a total of €156.4 billion in commitments and €133.8 in payments, €1.3 bn less in commitments and €1.1 bn less in payments than proposed by the European Commission at the end of June (see EUROPE 11584). (LC)