Brussels, 10/05/2000 (Agence Europe) - In addition to having approved the EU's preliminary draft budget for the year 2001 (see following article), the European Commission approved the preliminary draft of a correcting budget for the current year. The aim is to give EUR 3,209 million back to the Member States. This amount was included in the 1999 budget but was not used. It will be deducted from the Member State contribution to the budget 2000.
The preliminary draft of the correcting budget also comprises certain technical changes in budgetary nomenclature, and above all the creation of a budgetary line for a "rapid reaction mechanism". These changes leave the total amount of spending for 2000 unchanged.
It is now up to the budgetary authority (European Parliament and Council) to give its stance.