EU Budget talks for 2014-2020

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The EU Budget for 2014-2020 is set to shrink compared to the current multi annual Financial Framework (2007-2013). On Friday 8th February, EU leaders agreed to a total EU budget of €960 billion in commitments (the amount available to be pledged for future spending) and €908.4bn in payments for the next seven years, which is smaller than the current €1 trillion budget.

 

The heading 4 for external policies (development and humanitarian aid) presented by Herman Van Rompuy was €58.8bn (instead of €60.6bn proposed in November 2012).
The figures show that 12 billion less than the November proposal and 33 billion less than original proposal (Commission’s MFF proposal). It is just the beginning of a process, then come intensive negotiation with the European Parliament.

 

According to Concord, the European confederation of Relief and Development NGOs, EU leaders have agreed on a budget deal that makes a substantial 14.7% cut to European external spending, compared to original proposals from the European Commission, at the EU leaders summit on 8th February 2013 in Brussels. It calls on EU decision-makers not to make any further aid cuts, and agree to spend at least 90% of the Global Europe budget heading on development, as promised in the latest conclusions of the European Council.

European Commission proposals (2012):
Heading 4: €70bn, and
European Development Fund (EDF): €30.319bn 

 

Council Conclusions proposals (February 2013):
Heading 4: €58.704bn
European Development Fund (EDF): €26.984bn

 

For the first time since the Lisbon Treaty, the Council agreement will need to find approval by the Parliament. EP President already signalled that they would veto the current proposal.

Read the letter from the European Parliament to Mr Van Rompuy, to express their concerns about the cuts in the development and humanitarian budget

 

Council Conclusions, 7-8 February 2013