Theme of the day of 14 December 2006

"Parliament's approach to the 2007 budget is innovative, focussed on key priorities, and prudent overall," James Elles (UK) and rapporteur on the general budget said, after its adoption by the European Parliament, in a second and final reading.

Innovative

Throughout the 2007 budget procedure, Parliament has consistently highlighted the need for the EU to respond more effectively to the challenges and opportunities of globalisation. A more strategic and forward-looking approach is needed both in terms of internal and external policies.

On the external front, innovative initiatives have been proposed to boost business and scientific exchanges with China and India. The preparatory actions also include assisting transatlantic partners in developing their cooperation on handling global challenges. Within the EU, Parliament has proposed a pilot project for co-operation between European Institutes of Technology.

Focussed on key priorities

These innovative approaches exemplify Parliament's political priorities, towards which some additional payments voted by Parliament have been directed. Parliament agreed an overall total payments budget of € 115.5 billion, equivalent to 0.99% of EU gross national income (GNI), well under the ceiling permitted in the new Financial Perspective of 1.06% of EU GNI.

Prudent overall

For the first time since 2000, no request was made for the use of the so-called flexibility instrument that allows additional commitments to be mobilised beyond planned levels. Furthermore, Parliament has secured greater accountability over the operation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). On staff, the Commission has agreed to carry out a full screening exercise of its personnel needs by 30 April 2007 to ensure that any future staff requests must be fully justified.

Thanks to the joint statement by Parliament and the Commission on proper budget implementation, new mechanisms are now being developed to ensure this "value for money" approach is applied on a permanent basis to evaluate and assess the qualitative and quantitative aspects of each EU programme.

Archive Theme of the day