07/09/2004 (Agence Europe) - Christopher Leitl, president of Eurochambres, the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry, criticised the European Commission for making plans in its 2005 budget to cut the budget for information tools for citizens. This would cut these commitments by a quarter to EUR 7.3 million, whilst the administrative expenditure of the press and communication policy shows an increase of 10% to EUR 113.30 million. In a press statement, Mr Leitl, affirmed that the priority future president of the Commission José Manuel Barroso intends to give to the "communication on Europe", notably by conferring this responsibility to vice president Margot Wallström, "must be followed by actions". Highlighting the high level of abstentionism from the last European elections, Leitl insists that "Chambers call upon European leaders to increase their dialogue with the people - supported by a solid and reasonable funding". (The Council will be presenting the 2005 draft budget at the plenary on 14 September in Strasbourg).