Brussels, 07/05/2004 (Agence Europe) - Before adopting sectorial legislative proposals in July, the European Commission will present communication on each of the new budgetary headings proposed for the forthcoming financial framework (2007-2013), with a view to explaining in greater detail the added value of the actions planned, whilst stressing the simplification of the instruments (yesterday's EUROPE, p.7). The Commission confirmed the timetable and budgetary ambitions presented in the February communication on the forthcoming financial perspectives. These are the main results of an explanatory debate in the College in Brussels on Friday, during the first meeting with the ten new Commissioners, who stressed the need for arguments to persuade the Member States to spend more and differently, at EU budget level.
The Commission spokesperson, Reijo Kemppinen, said only that the various communications expected would contain more detailed estimations (although these are indicative sums, without prejudice on decisions to be taken subsequently by the Member States). He confirmed that the Irish Presidency hoped to draw up a report on this dossier within the Committee of Permanent Representatives to the EU (Coreper), ahead of the June European Council.
On Wednesday, Coreper failed to agree on the draft text presented by the Presidency, and will therefore continue its work on 19 May.
The main objections raised by the Member States on the Commission's proposal on the next financial framework were as follows: -lack of in-depth analysis of the added value of actions planned under the heading "competitiveness for growth and employment" (research and development, trans-European networks, education and training, competitiveness and social policy); -an excessive reduction in the number of headings compared to the current budget; -the lack of visibility in actions to be paid for under each of the headings; -the excessive budgetary flexibility proposed (according to many delegations, the current system works perfectly well); -the planned increased in commitments remaining to be liquidated (225 billion EUR in 2013 and 118 billion in 2006, compared to 104.5 EUR at the end of the financial year 2003, according to the Commission's figures). The Member States remain divided on the proposed ceilings of expenditure (the six reiterating their will to set a ceiling on the budget at 1% of gross national income) and on the future of regional policy (especially on the phased reduction of aid for 18 regions of the old Member States, which several States feel is too generous).