EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: MEPS SET OUT PRIORITIES FOR 2006 BUDGET

摘要

MEPs have outlined their concerns about the proposed EU general budget for 2006 ahead of negotiations with member states next week. They include doubts that the 112 billion euro budget is adequate to cover the Union's financial needs, especially for farm spending and for measures relating to the EU's Lisbon Strategy to boost innovation, competitiveness and job creation. There are also calls for extra resources for external relations policies to reflect additional needs for Afghanistan, Iraq and dealing with the Asian tsunami disaster. The Parliament will hold a meeting with the European Commission and the UK Presidency on July 11 in preparation for a meeting of EU Finance Ministers on July 15 for a first round of negotiations.