Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Annual Policy Strategy for 2010
Date: 2009-02-18
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Community budget, EU action, EU policy, European citizenship, climate change, economic policy, environmental protection, legislation, social policy, staff

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 18.2.2009 
COM(2009) 73 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

Annual Policy Strategy for 2010 

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COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

Annual Policy Strategy for 2010 

1. 

INTRODUCTION 

This  Annual  Policy  Strategy  paves  the  way  for  establishing  a  policy  agenda  for  2010  and 
launches  the  interinstitutional  dialogue  on  the  priorities  for  next  year.  While  it  is  the 
responsibility of the current Commission to ensure the continuity of the institution’s strategic 
planning  and  programming  system,  it  must  also  take  account  of  the  fact  that  a  new 
Commission will be in office in 2010. It will be for the next Commission to review the policy 
priorities  in  the  light  of  its  strategic  objectives,  and  to  turn  them  into  an  operational 
programme when it draws up its Work Programme for 2010. 

Depending on the completion of national ratification processes, 2010 may see the Treaty of 
Lisbon bring about major changes to the EU's institutional framework. Entry into force of the 
Treaty would require the Commission to submit a number of proposals to give full force to its 
provisions.  

Europe is currently facing an economic crisis that is affecting citizens and businesses in every 
part of the continent. The impact of the crisis is likely to be significant both in 2009 and in 
2010. The EU must therefore continue to act rapidly, decisively and in a coordinated manner, 
and  play  its  full  part  in  shaping  international  solutions.  The  European  Economic  Recovery 
Plan  provides  a  solid  basis  for  building  the  conditions  for  recovery  –  its  implementation 
during the rest of 2009 and into 2010 will be a matter of high priority. To make sure that the 
EU comes out of the crisis stronger and better able to take advantage of the upturn we need to 
continue with the structural reforms under the Lisbon Growth and Jobs Strategy, in a spirit of 
partnership between the European institutions and Member States. 

The presentation of the Budget Review in 2009 will launch an important debate between the 
Commission, the European Parliament and the Council on the future of EU finances. During 
2010, the Commission will seek to build a consensus on the main strands of the next multi-
annual financial framework, so as to prepare the ground for legislative proposals. Part of this 
preparation  during  2010  will  include  the  mid-term  review  of  the  current  EU  spending 
programmes.  Protection  of  the  Communities’  financial  interests  will  continue  to  be  a  high 
priority for the Commission, as an integral part of sound and rigorous financial management 
of EU policies.  

Communicating EU issues will be crucial in a year marked by several institutional changes. 
The  Commission,  the  Council  and  the  European  Parliament  will  establish  interinstitutional 
communication priorities in line with the Political Declaration on Communicating Europe in 
Partnership. Issues of direct interest to citizens, such as economic recovery, the environment, 
climate and energy will be covered, together with improved governance in Europe for internal 
and external security that the new Treaty would entail.  

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2. 

PART I – POLICY PRIORITIES FOR 2010 

2.1. 

Economic and Social Recovery 

Following on from the action taken in 2009, one of the Commission’s main tasks will be to 
ensure  effective  follow-up  of  the  European  Economic  Recovery  Plan  and  to  monitor  its 
impact  at  both  Member  State  and  Community  level.  The  Commission  will  make  sure  that 
Member States meet their commitment to pursue and coordinate their national efforts under 
the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs and under the Stability and Growth Pact. With the 
second  phase  of  the  Lisbon  Strategy  coming  to  an  end,  it  will  be  time  to  decide  on  how  to 
reinforce this Strategy beyond 2010. 

As the crisis develops, it has become particularly important that the EU uses the levers at its 
disposal  to  assist  the  work  of  the  Member  States  in  tackling  unemployment  and  sustaining 
social cohesion. The EU dimension of employment, education and training policies must be 
used creatively to help Member States develop strategies for building new skills, enhancing 
job quality, and helping those who have lost their jobs, including through greater use of the 
European  Social  Fund  and  the  European  Globalisation  Adjustment  Fund.  2010  will  see  the 
fruits of adaptations made to the 2007-2013 cohesion and rural development programmes and 
their accelerated implementation to aid full recovery from the crisis. This will entail enhanced 
cooperation  with  national  and  regional  public  authorities  on  the  preparation  of  projects  to 
make  for  more  investment  in  energy  efficiency,  low-carbon  and  renewable  energy 
technologies, infrastructure projects and measures to combat climate change. 

2010 will also be a key year for completing and implementing ongoing work to overhaul the 
regulation  and  supervision  of  financial  markets.  The  crisis  has  exposed  inadequacies  and 
weaknesses in the current framework. The Commission has committed itself to ensuring that 
all  systemically-important  institutions  are  appropriately  regulated.  The  Commission  will 
shortly be presenting proposals for financial services reform, building on the work of the De 
Larosière group and in parallel with ongoing international developments, in particular in the 
G20.  Proper  and  timely  adoption  and  implementation  of  the  reform  measures  will  remain  a 
top priority throughout 2009 and 2010.  

A  well-functioning  and  open  single  market  is  one  of  the  EU’s  most  valuable  tools  when  it 
comes  to  sustaining  growth  and  driving  prosperity.  The  Commission  will  continue  to  work 
with the Member States to make the single market work for the direct benefit of EU citizens 
and businesses alike. It will pursue the reforms launched under the Single Market Review to 
improve  business  environment  opportunities  and  drive  consumer  confidence  and  demand. 
Fully implementing the 2008 Small Business Act and improving market access for SMEs in 
third  countries  will  be  part  of  the  recovery  work  in  2010,  and  will  help  SMEs  to  stay  in 
business in a period of crisis. 

The Commission will ensure that the single market remains open to private enterprise to help 
markets return to competitiveness in the years beyond 2010. Implementation and operation of 
the Services Directive should  provide a solid backdrop to this effort. Implementation of the 
Postal Services Directive will be in its final phase, opening postal markets to full competition. 
A  new  framework  for  standardisation  in  Europe  may  be  developed  to  make  the  existing 
system more effective and efficient.  

One  of  the  priorities  in  2010  will  be  to  manage  the  impact  of  crisis-related  changes  in 
Europe’s economy through state aid and merger control activity. Stepping up the fight against 

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cartels and the enforcement of competition rules in network industries (energy, ICT, transport, 
post  and  financial  services)  will  also  aid  economic  recovery.  Further  competition  sector 
inquiries  will  be  conducted  and  new  in-depth  market  monitoring  exercises  will  help  to 
identify  inefficient  markets  and  sectors  where  adjustments  can  deliver  gains  in  terms  of 
growth, job creation and consumer welfare. At the same time, consistency needs to be ensured 
at  European  level  when  dealing  with  the  rescue  and  restructuring  of  companies  which  have 
been hit hard by the crisis.  

Implementation  of  the  legislation  expected  to  be  agreed  in  2009  concerning  the  network 
industries will make the telecoms, electricity and gas markets more competitive. In 2010, the 
time  will  be  ripe  to  establish  an  integrated  policy  approach  to  the  digital  services  economy 
and recast the current ICT policy framework (i2010). In particular, work will be pursued on 
the  contribution  of  ICT  to  energy  efficiency.  Network  and  information  security  will  require 
specific attention. 2010 will also see the follow-up to the renewed broadband strategy to be 
rolled out by the Commission in 2009, including the likely extension of broadband access to 
rural areas. 

In the current economic climate, extra energy is needed to combat counterfeiting and piracy, 
including  by  customs  and  through  international  cooperation.  Efforts  to  create  a  Community 
patent  and  patent  litigation  system  will  continue.  Similarly,  both  the  copyright  and  the 
trademark  systems  should  be  modernised  to  make  them  responsive  to  the  needs  of  business 
and consumers. 

To  make  Europe's  research  efforts  less  fragmented,  the  Commission  will  continue  to  work 
with the Member States towards the free circulation of knowledge in the European Research 
Area  (ERA).  The  7th  Research  Framework  Programme  will  remain  a  cornerstone  of  the 
construction  of  the  ERA.  Effective  implementation  of  the  broad-based  innovation  strategy 
will help to convert research into commercial success. 

The  Commission  will  continue  to  assist  the  development  of  the  European  Institute  of 
Innovation  and  Technology  (EIT).  Its  potential  to  stimulate  innovation  will  be  unlocked  by 
the start of the first Knowledge and Innovation Communities. 

In  the  transport  sector,  2010  should  see  the  conclusion  of  the  consultation  exercise  on  the 
future of EU transport policy. This will enable the Commission to review its transport policy, 
taking into account the demand for a low-carbon economy and the recently developed funding 
mechanisms.  The  guidelines  for  Trans-European  Transport  Networks  (TEN-T)  will  also  be 
updated  in  the  light  of  scientific  and  technological  progress.  Furthermore,  the  Commission 
will make proposals on the future governance of the Galileo programme (after 2013).  

2.2. 

Climate Change and Sustainable Europe 

Assuming  that  the  EU  achieves  its  ambition  of  a  new  international  agreement  on  climate 
change in Copenhagen in 2009, the new agreement will be transposed and followed up within 
the  EU  and  in  other  parts  of  the  world,  including  the  most  vulnerable  countries  affected  by 
climate change. Moreover, the EU has taken on ambitious unilateral commitments to reduce 
its  own  greenhouse  gas  emissions,  to  develop  renewable  energies  and  to  improve  energy 
efficiency. Implementation of the recently adopted Climate and Energy package, including the 
revised  EU  Emissions  Trading  Scheme,  will  be  a  priority  for  2010.  Investments  under  the 
Structural Funds – 13 billion euro in 2010 – will help to improve the environment and combat 

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climate  change.  The  Global  Monitoring  for  Environment  and  Security  (GMES)  operational 
services will be further developed to monitor the effects of climate change. 

Acting on Commission proposals, the 2010 Spring European Council should adopt an Energy 
Action Plan  for 2010-2014. Energy efficiency will remain an important theme,  in  particular 
through  the  update  of  the  Energy  Efficiency  Action  Plan.  The  Trans-European  Energy 
Networks (TEN-E) guidelines should also be reworked to create an effective instrument for 
energy security. Efforts will also be required to implement the new legislation on renewables 
and the single market for electricity and gas. 

During  2010,  the  Commission  will  continue  to  protect  the  EU's  biodiversity  through  the 
implementation of existing EU nature legislation, the completion of the Natura 2000 network 
and  the  delivery  of  the  2006  Biodiversity  Action  Plan.  2010  will  be  the  first  year  of  full 
implementation  of  the  Health  Check  of  the  Common  Agricultural  Policy.  The  Commission 
will also follow up on initiatives planned in its Work Programme for 2009 on the demarcation 
of less favoured areas and agricultural product quality.  

The  Commission  will  continue  to  promote  and  implement  its  integrated  maritime  policy 
during  2010,  including  its  long-term  projects  on  sea  surveillance,  maritime  spatial  planning 
and  European  Marine  Observation  and  Data  Network  (EMODNET)  .  2010  will  be  an 
important year for the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), with the expected submission of the 
Commission’s reform proposals following a public consultation. 2010 will also see the entry 
into  force  of  the  reform  of  the  control  and  enforcement  of  the  CFP,  once  the  proposal 
currently under discussion is adopted. 

The  Commission  will  provide  operational  support  for  the  implementation  of  the  Baltic  Sea 
Strategy  and  its  action  plan,  covering  areas  like  energy,  the  environment,  transport,  ICT, 
research, innovation and enhanced cooperation with third countries.  

2.3. 

Putting the Citizen First 

2010  will  be  the  first  year  of  implementation  of  the  Stockholm  Programme  in  the  area  of 
freedom,  security  and  justice.  Drawing  on  initiatives  to  be  presented  in  2009,  work  will 
advance  on  combating  terrorist  threats  and  organised  crime  in  a  bid  to  improve  citizens' 
security.  Another  field  of  work  will  be  the  development  of  the  European  area  of  justice, 
notably through the e-Justice portal, the improvement of mutual recognition in criminal and 
civil matters and the granting of further procedural rights. 

The protection of  fundamental rights will remain at the core of EU activity, in particular as 
regards vulnerable groups such as children. Action will be pursued to promote citizenship and 
to  simplify  the  life  of  citizens  when  travelling  to  countries  outside  the  EU.  New  initiatives 
may be required to meet the privacy challenge in a globalised world.  

The European Pact on Immigration and Asylum provides the framework for EU immigration 
and  asylum  policies  in  the  coming  years.  Taking  its  lead  from  a  Commission  report,  the 
European  Council  will  hold  its  first  annual  debate  on  implementation  of  the  Pact  in  June 
2010. On integration, the initiatives identified in the 2008 Vichy Ministerial Conference will 
have to be implemented.  

In the area of borders, the new Schengen evaluation mechanism should be put into practice. 
Early  in  2010,  the  Commission  may  table  proposals  for  the  establishment  of  an  entry/exit 

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system,  a  registered  traveller  programme  and  amendments  to  the  mandate  of  the  Frontex 
Agency.  2010  should  also  see  progress  towards  the  establishment  of  a  European  border 
surveillance  system  (Eurosur).  The  European  Common  Visa  policy  will  be  strengthened, 
namely through the application of the principle of reciprocity of visa waivers.  

Employment, education and training policies will be at the centre of efforts to deal with the 
consequences  of  the  crisis.  As  a  follow-up  to  the  renewed  Social  Agenda,  the  next 
Commission will continue to work in the fields of employment, social affairs, gender equality 
and  youth  to  help  meet  key  policy  challenges  such  as  globalisation,  technological 
development  and  demographic  change.  The  Commission  should  also  present  a  follow-up 
strategy to the Roadmap on gender equality, which will end in 2010, and pursue its work to 
make  equal  opportunities  for  disabled  people  a  reality.  The  2010  European  Year  for 
Combating  Poverty  and  Social  Exclusion  will  help  to  underline  the  EU’s  political 
commitment  to  eradicating  poverty  and  fighting  social  exclusion.  The  Commission  will 
prepare,  along  with  the  Member  States,  stakeholders  and  other  EU  institutions,  to  hold  a 
European Year of Volunteering in 2011. 

Further  steps  will  be  taken  to  improve  public  health  and  ensure  consumer  safety.  This  will 
entail implementing the EU Health Strategy, operating the Second Programme of Community 
action in the field of health, finishing the co-decision procedures on patients' rights in cross-
border healthcare and on organ donation and transplantation, as well as updating the work on 
pandemic flu and on public health threats. Passing the 2008 Pharmaceuticals package into law 
will help to ensure safe medicines for patients while safeguarding the competitiveness of the 
sector. Animal health and welfare may be a further field in which the Commission makes new 
proposals, in line with the Animal Health Strategy and the Animal Welfare Action Plan.  

The Commission will pursue its joint action with the US and Chinese authorities on product 
safety and extend it to other countries. The impending entry into force of the directive on toys 
safety will see these efforts intensify. The Commission will continue to monitor markets and 
outcomes  for  consumers  and  reflection  will  continue  on  how  the  consumer  acquis  can  be 
better  enforced,  building  on  the  communication  to  be  submitted  in  2009.  The  Commission 
will  also  follow  up  on  the  2008  Green  Paper  on  consumer  redress  in  relation  to  collective 
claims.  

2.4. 

Europe as a World Partner 

A  strong  EU  stance  on  the  global  stage  is  essential  to  meet  the  diverse  challenges  of 
globalisation,  from  energy  security,  climate  change,  food  security  and  migration  to  helping 
the world’s poorest countries recover from the downturn. 2010 will mark a new phase in EU 
external policy if the Lisbon Treaty enters into force. One of the early and visible outcomes of 
such an institutional change would be the setting-up of the European External Action Service 
(EEAS).  

2010 should see economic recovery alongside a reformed international financial architecture. 
The  Commission  will  participate  actively  in  the  various  international  forums  that  will  be 
shaping new global structures. Major initiatives to improve financial supervision and enhance 
macro-financial surveillance and crisis management will also be put into practice.  

Accession  negotiations  with  Croatia  and  Turkey  will  continue.  The  Commission  will  take 
action  to  implement  the  European  Council’s  request  to  accelerate  the  stabilisation  and 
association  process  in  the  Western  Balkans.  The  Commission  will  also  prepare  measures  to 

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support Kosovo’s political and socio-economic development and to help it progress, as part of 
the region, towards the EU.  

The EU will continue to support the settlement of the reunification process in Cyprus. 

In  the  European  Neighbourhood  Policy  (ENP),  special  emphasis  will  be  put  on  deepening 
bilateral relations, in particular with Israel, the Republic of Moldova, Morocco and Ukraine. 
The  ENP  will  see  further  intensification,  for  example,  through  the  Eastern  Partnership,  the 
launch  of  the  first  flagship  projects  under  the  Union  for  the  Mediterranean,  and  improved 
cooperation  through  the  Black  Sea  Synergy.  Negotiations  on  a  new  agreement  with  Russia 
will be pursued during 2010. Implementation of the Central Asia strategy will intensify. The 
Commission  will  work  together  with  all  these  partners  and  give  particular  emphasis  to 
developing mutual energy security. 

The  Commission  will  cooperate  closely  with  the  new  US  administration  to  develop  the 
transatlantic partnership. Opportunities should be sought to promote common interests and a 
positive common agenda in the global context.  

The Commission will also pursue cooperation with ASEAN countries, China and India. The 
EU-Latin  America Summit  in May 2010 will further develop the EU’s strategic partnership 
with  Latin  America.  Following  the  Council's  decision  of  June  2008  to  reopen  the  political 
dialogue with Cuba, cooperation is being resumed and will be enhanced in 2010. 

In  2010,  the  Commission  is  likely  to  be  actively  engaged  in  the  conclusion  and/or  practical 
implementation of the Doha Development Round and in ongoing bilateral trade negotiations. 
Regulatory  dialogue  will  continue  with  our  main  economic  partners  in  an  effort  to  increase 
access  to  third-country  markets  for  European  industry.  The  Commission  will  also  pay 
particular  attention  to  preventing  and  addressing  unfair  trade-distorting  actions  and 
protectionism in third countries.  

The EU’s contribution to international security and stability will continue to be necessary, in 
particular  in  Kosovo,  the  Middle-East,  Afghanistan,  and  Georgia.  The  EU  will  need  to  be 
actively engaged in the Middle East Peace Process where progress will depend on the internal 
political situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, further engagement of the 
new US Administration and Quartet efforts and developments on the ground. 

Implementation  of  the  Food  Facility  will  continue.  In  2010,  as  in  previous  years,  the 
Commission will seek to be active in crisis management and respond efficiently and rapidly to 
humanitarian  crises,  in  line  with  the  Action  Plan  for  the  implementation  of  the  European 
Consensus on Humanitarian Aid adopted in 2008. 

The  September  2010  UN  Summit  will  review  progress  on  the  Millennium  Development 
Goals. In the delivery of the EU’s ambitious commitments on aid volume, 2010 has been set 
as  the  intermediate  target  on  the  way  to  achieving  0.7%  by  2015.  2010  will  also  see  the 
conclusion of the second revision of the Cotonou Agreement with ACP countries and the mid-
term  review  of  the  10th  European  Development  Fund.  The  third  Africa-EU  Summit  will 
review the Joint Africa-EU Strategy adopted in December 2007 and decide on a new action 
plan for 2011-2013.  

The  Commission  will  work  with  developed  and  developing  countries  towards  rapid 
implementation of the climate change agreement if this is achieved in Copenhagen. 

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Following  the  2009  mid-term  review  of  external  relations  financial  instruments,  any 
amendments agreed would enter into force in 2010. 

2.5 

Better Regulation and Transparency 

Better regulation will remain the hallmark of the Commission's work. For existing legislation, 
an integrated simplification approach will examine the overall effectiveness of the regulatory 
framework by policy area. In parallel, the Commission will address those areas identified in 
the  2009  better  regulation  package  as  having  simplification  potential.  The  Commission  will 
also continue to vigorously pursue the reduction of administrative burdens in order to reach 
the agreed reduction target of 25% by 2012. To ensure that new legislation is of the highest 
possible  quality,  it  will  continue  to  apply  the  recently  reinforced  impact  assessment  system 
and improve the use of evaluation results. 

Work under the European Transparency Initiative will be taken forward. Following the 2009 
review  of  the  Register  for  Interest  Representatives  ("lobbyists  register"),  a  "one-stop-shop" 
register  agreed  with  the  European  Parliament  could  be  implemented.  The  Commission  will 
also continue to improve transparency regarding the end beneficiaries of EU funds.  

3. 

PART  II  –  GENERAL  FRAMEWORK  FOR  HUMAN  AND  FINANCIAL  RESOURCES  FOR 
2010 

3.1. 

Human Resources 

In  the  'screening'  of  human  resources  exercise1  carried  out  in  early  2007,  the  Commission 
committed itself to  meeting  all  staffing needs up to 2013 under constant resources once the 
last  enlargement  posts  for  Bulgaria  and  Romania  were  phased  in.  To  help  meet  the  policy 
priorities for 2010, the Commission has instructed its departments to identify efficiency gains, 
notably  in  support  and  coordination  functions.  This  effort  is  expected  to  lead  to  the 
redeployment  of  some  600  posts,  most  of  which  within  individual  DGs  to  strengthen 
operational activities, namely policy-making and law-making, monitoring and enforcement of 
Community policies. These will include activities aimed at tackling the consequences of the 
current  financial  and  economic  crisis,  consolidating  research  programmes  in  the  field  of 
transport  and  energy,  enhancing  political  and  trade  functions  in  EU  delegations  in  third 
countries,  reinforcing  representation  offices  in  the  Member  States  and  developing  corporate 
communication tools. 

3.2. 

Changes in the Allocation of Financial Resources 

To help prepare the 2010 Preliminary Draft Budget, which the Commission will be presenting 
in  late  April,  the  Annual  Policy  Strategy  sets  out  proposed  changes  to  the  financial 
programming  under  each  heading  of  the  2007-2013  Multiannual  Financial  Framework.  All 
the  proposed  changes  are  compatible  with  the  expenditure  ceilings  of  the  2007-2013 
Multiannual  Financial  Framework  and  the  reference  amounts  specified  in  the  different 
financial programmes. 

1 

"Planning  &  optimising  Commission  human  resources  to  serve  EU  priorities"  -  SEC(2007)  530, 
24.4.2007. 

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3.2.1.  Competitiveness for growth and employment (Heading 1a) 

An  increase  in  appropriations  of  9%  is  earmarked  for  Heading  1a  (“Competitiveness  for 
growth  and  employment”)  compared  to  the  2009  budget,  in  line  with  the  Commission’s 
financial  programming.  This  entails  increases  in  the  financial  allocations  to  key  initiatives 
contributing  to  the  European  Economic  Recovery  Plan  under  Heading  1a  and  the  Lisbon 
Strategy, namely:  

•  7th Framework Programme for research and technological development (EC and 

Euratom): + EUR 803 million 

•  Lifelong Learning Programme: + EUR 39 million  

•  Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP): + EUR 25 million 

•  Trans-European Networks (TENs): + EUR 128 million  

•  Galileo: + EUR 66 million  

•  European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT): + EUR 24 million for the 

first year of operation. 

An  important  part  of  the  European  Economic  Recovery  Plan  endorsed  by  the  European 
Council in December 20082 is a new financing instrument, the European Energy Programme 
for Recovery. This is designed to develop projects in the field of energy in the Community. It 
is for a duration of two years (2009 – 2010) and has a budget of EUR 3 500 million, allocated 
as follows: 

•  Gas and electricity interconnection projects: EUR 1 750 million 

•  Offshore wind energy projects: EUR 500 million 

•  Projects for carbon capture and storage: EUR 1 250 million. 

The Commission has proposed to revise the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2007-2013 
to make additional funds available under Heading 1a whilst keeping within the total amounts 
agreed  in  the  Interinstitutional  Agreement  on  budgetary  discipline  and  sound  financial 
management of 17 May 20063. In the light of the discussions with the budgetary authority, the 
Commission  proposes  the  transfer  of  resources  not  required  under  Heading  2  for  2008  to 
Heading 1a to fund the EUR 3 500 million proposed for energy projects (EUR 1 500 million 
in 2009 and EUR 2 000 million in 2010). 

The Commission will work together with the European Chemicals Agency to look at how to 
solve the agency’s expected cash-flow shortage in 2010 due to payment of fees only later in 
the year. There will be a need to foresee a subsidy from the EU budget. 

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3 

Conclusions of the Presidency of the European Council meeting in Brussels on 11-12 December 2008, 
17271/08, point 9. 
COM(2008) 859, 10.12.2008. 

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The proposed Community programme in support of specific activities in the field of financial 
services, financial reporting and auditing4 will enable the Community to fund bodies5 active 
in the areas of supervisory convergence and cooperation and financial reporting and auditing. 
The proposed financial allocation is EUR 36.2 million over the period 2010-2013, as already 
provided for in the updated financial programming of January 2009. 

3.2.2.  Cohesion for growth and employment (Heading 1b) 

to  Cohesion 

In  line  with  the  existing  programming  of  the  structural  and  cohesion  funds,  the  financial 
resources  allocated 
increase  by 
EUR 980 million,  or  2%,  compared  to  2009.  Following  establishment  of  the  conditions  for 
efficient  management  and  control  and  adoption  of  the  measures  proposed  in  late  2008  to 
streamline  implementation,  the  Commission  will  concentrate  on  maximising  the  impact  of 
these  measures  in  terms  of  cohesion,  growth  and  efficiency  to  fight  the  economic  and 
financial crisis. 

for  Growth  and  Employment  will 

3.2.3.  Preservation and management of natural resources (Heading 2) 

The  Health  Check  on  agricultural  policy  will  involve  a  transfer  of  EUR 479 million  from 
direct aid to rural development. This will add to the transfer linked to voluntary modulation 
for  Portugal  and  the  reform  of  the  wine  sector,  leading  to  an  increase  of  4.3%  in  2010  of 
appropriations for rural development compared to 2009.  

This comparison is made without taking account of the specific measures scheduled in 2009 
in the context of the European Economic Recovery Plan. Under Heading 2, the Commission 
proposes to anticipate – in 2009 already – the measures provided for in the Health Check for 
the  new  challenge  (EUR 500 million)  and  to  have  better  broadband  infrastructure  in  rural 
communities (EUR 1 000 million). These measures in the European Economic Recovery Plan 
are in addition to the measures provided for under Heading 1a. 

The resources allocated to LIFE+ will increase by 6.9% in 2010, as scheduled in the financial 
programming.  

3.2.4.  Freedom, security and justice (Heading 3a) 

Expenditure under this heading will increase by approximately 14% in 2010 compared with 
2009, thus demonstrating the high priority of Community action in this field. 

The Commission will make proposals designed to implement the common European asylum 
system, including for the setting up of a support agency, as provided for in the European Pact 
on Immigration and Asylum adopted by the European Council on 15-16 October 2008. This 
agency would be a key component of a common European policy on immigration and asylum. 

4 
5 

COM (2009) 14, 23.1.2009. 
The  International  Accounting  Standards  Committee  Foundation;  the  European  Financial  Reporting 
Advisory  Group;  the  Public  Interest  Oversight  Board;  Committee  of  European  Securities  Regulators; 
Committee of European Banking Supervisors and Committee of European Insurance and Occupational 
Pensions Supervisors. 

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The  Commission  also  proposes  to  maintain  the  same  sustained  level  of  funding  for 
FRONTEX  (EUR 78 million)  in  2010  as  in  2009,  which  is  EUR 8 million  more  than  was 
originally planned in the financial programming. 

A decrease of EUR 30 million is proposed, given the lack of legal instruments, which would 
still  allow  developments  in  the  field  of  border  controls  such  as  the  Entry-Exit  or  the 
Registered traveller systems to start in 2010 as initially planned.  

3.2.5.  Citizenship (Heading 3b) 

Given  the  flat  profile  of  this  expenditure  heading,  the  total  amount  proposed  for  2010 
represents a slight increase of 0.6% compared to 2009, allowing the same level of funding to 
be  maintained  for  key  measures  concerning  EU  citizens,  such  as  public  health,  consumer 
protection, civil protection, cultural programmes and communication. 

3.2.6.  EU as a global partner (Heading 4) 

The successful conclusion of the United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen in 
December  2009  is  a  key  priority  for  the  EU.  The  follow-up  to  this  conference  will  have  an 
impact  on  both  the  internal  and  the  external  policies  of  the  EU.  Implementation  of  the  new 
international  climate  change  regime  to  be  approved  in  Copenhagen  is  likely  to  comprise 
measures for adaptation, mitigation, finance and technology transfer alike, including through 
the  Global  Climate  Change  Alliance  to  assist  the  most  vulnerable  countries  to  prepare  their 
adaptation programmes.  

The Commission intends to allocate EUR 600 million for the progressive implementation of 
the Eastern Partnership, over the period 2010-2013. EUR 250 million has been earmarked by 
reprogramming ENPI funds. The remaining EUR 350 million will come from the unallocated 
margin under Heading 4, scheduled as follows: 2010: EUR 25 million; 2011: EUR 53 million; 
2012: EUR 113 million; 2013: EUR 159 million.  

As regards the Palestinian territories, continued delivery of aid will be required to Gaza and 
the West Bank in order to mitigate the consequences of the protracted crisis. 

The  Commission  will  continue  to  deliver  on  its  commitment  to  respond  to  needs  stemming 
from the 2008 crisis in Georgia. Assistance for internally displaced people will complement 
and  reinforce  support  for  policy  priorities  identified  in  the  Georgia  ENPI  Indicative 
Programme for 2007-2010: support for democratic development, rule of law and governance, 
support  for  economic  development,  poverty  reduction  and  social  reforms,  and  support  for  a 
peaceful settlement of Georgia’s internal conflicts. 

The  Commission  will  also  further  enhance  the  Stabilisation  and  Association  Process  (SAP) 
with  Kosovo.  In  2010,  the  Commission  will  implement  measures  to  promote  Kosovo’s 
political and socio-economic development and EU approximation as part of the study it plans 
to deliver in autumn 2009.  

The requirements for the Middle East Peace Process, Cuba, Georgia, Kosovo, support to the 
reunification  process  in  Cyprus  and  climate  change  will  depend  on  developments  in  the 
coming  months.  The  Commission  will  complement  its  requests  during  the  budgetary 
procedure.  

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