WIREDGOV

The European Union 2014 Draft Budget will be discussed in the Conciliation Committee. The EU Council represented by the Lithuanian Presidency has informed the European Parliament that it cannot approve all its amendments for the 2014 EU draft budget adopted on October 23 and expressed hope to reconcile the differences.

“The Council and the European Parliament share the same key priorities – we seek to promote growth and jobs, youth employment. On the other hand, in the Council’s view, we must strive to ensure that the budget allocations are sufficient, but realistic. It is important to comply with the limitations of the Multiannual Financial Framework. This is why we are concerned about the proposal by the Parliament to use the Flexibility Instrument and leave no leeway to cope with the unforeseen situations. However, I strongly believe that we will be able to bridge the gap between our positions in the Conciliation Committee,” said Deputy Minister of Finance Algimantas Rimkūnas, responsible for the EU budget in the Lithuanian Presidency.

The EU budget for the financial year 2014 will be the first annual budget under the new Multiannual Financial Framework. The Council’s position proposes that commitment appropriations make up some EUR 142 billion, and payment appropriations amount to EUR 135 billion. As compared to the position of the EU Council, the European Parliament proposes to increase the commitment appropriations almost by EUR 855 million, and the payment appropriations almost by EUR 1.3 billion, accordingly. The first meeting of the Conciliation Committee is foreseen for November 4.