EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/538

(2004/C 84 E/0615)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0127/04

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(19 January 2004)

Subject: Community budget and the financial perspective

Given the major debate surrounding the post-2006 financial perspective, and also around cohesion policy in the wake of the submission of the Commission's proposals in these areas, will the Commission state:

1. The value in euros of the total budget, of the total budget actually implemented, of the total budget written into the financial perspective and the maximum limits of the financial perspective from 1998 to 2004 in commitment spending and payments; and the same data, broken up according to the totals of the budgetary categories as entered in the financial perspective,

2. the same data at constant prices, if possible, from 2000 or 2004,

3. the relative weight of the budget (payment spending) in percentage of GDP and the maximum limit of own-resources from 1988 to 2004; and, if possible, the same data, stated in terms of gross national revenue?

Answer given by Ms Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(25 February 2004)

The figures requested by the Honourable Member are contained in the tables which have been sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat. They relate to the period 1988-2004.

Table 1: Economic and budgetary data

The time series set out in this table concern:

1. Gross national product (GNP) of the Union in euro billion at current prices (EU-12 from 1988 to 1994 then EU-15 from 1995 to 2004). From 2003 the concept of gross national income (GNI) replaces that of GNP (the own resources ceiling was adjusted accordingly from 1,27 % to 1,24 %).

2. The own resources ceiling resulting from application of the percentage set each year in terms of GNP/GNI, at current prices and 2004 prices.

3. The annual deflators used to convert GNP/GNI figures at current prices to figures at constant 2004 prices, using the most recent data and forecasts available.

4. The annual ceilings set in the successive financial perspectives. These are the ceilings after the technical adjustments and revisions. To these are added any amounts for any given year resulting from the adjustments made during the period in connection with implementation. These amounts are shown separately.

5. Any mobilisation from 2000 onwards, within the limits set for each mechanism of: — the flexibility instrument; — the Solidarity Fund.

6. The budget figures for: — the appropriations entered in the budget each year (initial budget and supplementary and amending budgets, including any appropriations corresponding to transfers resulting from adjustments in connection with implementation and mobilisation of the flexibility instrument or the Solidarity Fund) as voted by the budgetary authority; — actual implementation of these appropriations for each budget year.

The figures under points 4, 5 and 6 are shown:

(a) in appropriations for commitments and appropriations for payments (except for point 5, as the appropriations for payments were financed under the financial perspective ceiling);

(b) at current prices and constant 2004 prices.

Table 2: Budget figures as % of GNP/GNI

(a) Financial perspective ceilings, including adjustments in connection with implementation (total commitments and payments);

(b) Total appropriations entered in the budget (total commitments and payments);

(c) Total appropriations used (total commitments and payments);

(d) Own resources ceiling.

Table 3: Budget figures by financial perspective heading: Appropriations for commitments (ceilings, budget, implementation)

(a) Financial perspective 1988-1992 (implementation by heading not available);

(b) Financial perspective 1993-1999;