natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The rapporteur notes that the Council's first reading, again, aims exclusively at reducing the PDB.
The rapporteur notes that the Council's first reading, again, aims exclusively at reducing the PDB.
He firmly rejects the Council's view that this draft budget reflects real needs.
He firmly rejects the Council's view that this draft budget reflects real needs.
On the reduction of payment appropriations , not only the EP but also the Commission were very critical to the Council's indiscriminate attitude.
On the reduction of payment appropriations , not only the EP but also the Commission were very critical to the Council's indiscriminate attitude.
This was especially serious for heading 3 (-516 million) but also as regards the other headings.
This was especially serious for heading 3 (-516 million) but also as regards the other headings.
The EP delegation took note of the Council's approach and emphasised the need for further analysis before the first reading and in view of the November Conciliation.
The EP delegation took note of the Council's approach and emphasised the need for further analysis before the first reading and in view of the November Conciliation.
It considered the Council's approach as unacceptable.
It considered the Council's approach as unacceptable.
The resulting margins under the present financial perspective, in commitments, are as follows:
The resulting margins under the present financial perspective, in commitments, are as follows:
Council 1st reading DB
Council 1st reading DB
1 205.7
1 205.7
1 355.7
1 355.7
Heading 7
Heading 7
1 085.4
1 085.4
Heading 8
Heading 8
2 421.6
2 421.6
2 885.4
2 885.4
Outcome of the Conciliation Procedure and details of the Council's Draft Budget 2006
Outcome of the Conciliation Procedure and details of the Council's Draft Budget 2006
The Conciliation between EP and Council (as foreseen by annex III of the IIA of 6 May 1999) took place on 15 July.
The Conciliation between EP and Council (as foreseen by annex III of the IIA of 6 May 1999) took place on 15 July.
It did not lead to any early agreement with the Council on budget 2006.
It did not lead to any early agreement with the Council on budget 2006.
After this meeting, as is practice, the Council, later in the evening, adopted its Draft Budget.
After this meeting, as is practice, the Council, later in the evening, adopted its Draft Budget.
Traditional ad-hoc procedure (Agriculture, CFSP and International Fisheries Agreements)
Traditional ad-hoc procedure (Agriculture, CFSP and International Fisheries Agreements)
Agriculture: The EP and the Council confirmed their agreement on a revision of the financial perspective for 2006 concerning agricultural modulation.
Agriculture: The EP and the Council confirmed their agreement on a revision of the financial perspective for 2006 concerning agricultural modulation.
The final act would be signed in connection with the EP's formal vote of its report at the September plenary.
The final act would be signed in connection with the EP's formal vote of its report at the September plenary.
As concerns agricultural expenditure for 2006, the EP and Council would await the Commission's amending letter in the autumn before continuing the discussions.
As concerns agricultural expenditure for 2006, the EP and Council would await the Commission's amending letter in the autumn before continuing the discussions.
In its DB the Council:
In its DB the Council:
- adopted an across-the-board reduction in commitment and payment appropriations
- adopted an across-the-board reduction in commitment and payment appropriations
requested in the PDB by an amount of EUR 150 million under budget lines of
requested in the PDB by an amount of EUR 150 million under budget lines of
sub-Heading 1a, on lines greater than EUR 50 million, apart from three lines
sub-Heading 1a, on lines greater than EUR 50 million, apart from three lines
related to the CAP reform.
related to the CAP reform.
- accepted the Commission's PDB as regards appropriations for rural development
- accepted the Commission's PDB as regards appropriations for rural development
(sub-Heading 1b);
(sub-Heading 1b);
- agreed the revision of the Financial Perspective transferring in 2006 an amount of
- agreed the revision of the Financial Perspective transferring in 2006 an amount of
EUR 655 million from sub-Heading 1a to sub-Heading 1b for agricultural
EUR 655 million from sub-Heading 1a to sub-Heading 1b for agricultural
CFSP: the EP delegation took note of the Council's acceptance of the PDB figures in this area and stressed that this privileged approach was contrary to its policy of reductions in all other areas in heading 4.
CFSP: the EP delegation took note of the Council's acceptance of the PDB figures in this area and stressed that this privileged approach was contrary to its policy of reductions in all other areas in heading 4.
The EP delegation also flagged a question mark over the suggested increases for EU Special Representatives as well as for some other specific lines.
The EP delegation also flagged a question mark over the suggested increases for EU Special Representatives as well as for some other specific lines.
It also stressed the need for improvement in the flow of information and political discussion as regards CFSP actions and, in particular, the level of representation of the Council.
It also stressed the need for improvement in the flow of information and political discussion as regards CFSP actions and, in particular, the level of representation of the Council.
The Council stressed its will to continue to work with the Parliament and took note of EP's concerns.
The Council stressed its will to continue to work with the Parliament and took note of EP's concerns.
In its DB, the Council accepted the Commission's PDB proposal for CFSP at 62.6 million, which is also the figure for 2005 budget.
In its DB, the Council accepted the Commission's PDB proposal for CFSP at 62.6 million, which is also the figure for 2005 budget.
Fisheries , the EP delegation questioned the Council's reduction to International Fisheries Agreements (-7.8 m) and asked for clarifications.
Fisheries , the EP delegation questioned the Council's reduction to International Fisheries Agreements (-7.8 m) and asked for clarifications.
The Commission stood by the PDB figures but stated that more up-to-date information on the status of expected new or modified agreements would be included in the autumn amending letter.
The Commission stood by the PDB figures but stated that more up-to-date information on the status of expected new or modified agreements would be included in the autumn amending letter.
Other points Budget 2006
Other points Budget 2006
Concerning Structural Funds, the Council accepted the PDB as regards commitment appropriations.
Concerning Structural Funds, the Council accepted the PDB as regards commitment appropriations.
In payments, it made an across-the-board reduction of EUR 150 million compared to the PDB under the budget Headings concerning Structural Funds (EUR 72 million) and Community initiatives (EUR 78 million)
In payments, it made an across-the-board reduction of EUR 150 million compared to the PDB under the budget Headings concerning Structural Funds (EUR 72 million) and Community initiatives (EUR 78 million)
The rapporteur rejects the Council's attitude, especially given the positive indications previously given by Commission services that, indeed, implementation so far this year would suggest a capacity to implement at least the levels of the PDB, if not higher.
The rapporteur rejects the Council's attitude, especially given the positive indications previously given by Commission services that, indeed, implementation so far this year would suggest a capacity to implement at least the levels of the PDB, if not higher.
He urges the Commission to make available an analysis based on Member States applications in July, as agreed in the Joint Declaration in the 2005 budget.
He urges the Commission to make available an analysis based on Member States applications in July, as agreed in the Joint Declaration in the 2005 budget.
The rapporteur reiterates the EP's view that the structural actions must not be deliberately under-budgeted to suit the Council's short-term priorities at the expense of sound management and sound budgeting.
The rapporteur reiterates the EP's view that the structural actions must not be deliberately under-budgeted to suit the Council's short-term priorities at the expense of sound management and sound budgeting.
As concerns the internal policies, heading 3 , the Council reiterated its belief that the priorities could be met even if reductions were made.
As concerns the internal policies, heading 3 , the Council reiterated its belief that the priorities could be met even if reductions were made.
The EP delegation pointed out the inconsistency between the Presidencie's statements in favour of growth, employment and actions for young people, on the one hand, and the its readiness to reduce budget lines which are central to these objectives.
The EP delegation pointed out the inconsistency between the Presidencie's statements in favour of growth, employment and actions for young people, on the one hand, and the its readiness to reduce budget lines which are central to these objectives.
It was very disappointing to see the Council DB reduce 43,4 million in commitments and a massive 516 million in payments.
It was very disappointing to see the Council DB reduce 43,4 million in commitments and a massive 516 million in payments.
The EP delegation stressed that, when even the Commission's PDB failed to give a satisfactory reply to the Parliament's concerns, the Council's DB really made things unsupportable.
The EP delegation stressed that, when even the Commission's PDB failed to give a satisfactory reply to the Parliament's concerns, the Council's DB really made things unsupportable.
The EP delegation drew special attention to the inadequate provisions for the Lisbon strategy and for actions benefiting young people.
The EP delegation drew special attention to the inadequate provisions for the Lisbon strategy and for actions benefiting young people.
The Council also operated a linear reduction concerning some agencies (limit growth to +3.6%, compared to 2005, for established agencies and to +12% for newer ones).
The Council also operated a linear reduction concerning some agencies (limit growth to +3.6%, compared to 2005, for established agencies and to +12% for newer ones).
The EP delegation noted this for the time being and questioned the purely mathematical approach.
The EP delegation noted this for the time being and questioned the purely mathematical approach.
As concerns the situation for external actions, heading 4 , the Council stated its rejection of the flexibility instrument and, in consequence, adopted an extremely restricted approach consisting of across-the-board cuts of some 3.87% for most lines.
As concerns the situation for external actions, heading 4 , the Council stated its rejection of the flexibility instrument and, in consequence, adopted an extremely restricted approach consisting of across-the-board cuts of some 3.87% for most lines.
The few exceptions were CFSP, Iraq, tsunami and co-decided programmes.
The few exceptions were CFSP, Iraq, tsunami and co-decided programmes.
The EP stressed that it could not accept such reductions in established programmes to finance new needs, especially not in the light of commitments made internationally to strengthen the efforts towards the Millennium Development Goals.
The EP stressed that it could not accept such reductions in established programmes to finance new needs, especially not in the light of commitments made internationally to strengthen the efforts towards the Millennium Development Goals.
Some of the Council's reductions on the PDB in specific programmes are presented below:
Some of the Council's reductions on the PDB in specific programmes are presented below:
TACIS - 19 million
TACIS - 19 million
MEDA - 32 million
MEDA - 32 million
Latin America - 11 million
Latin America - 11 million
Asia - 19 million
Asia - 19 million
Development cooperation - 27 million
Development cooperation - 27 million
In addition, it should be remembered that, for example, the Human Rights programme was severely reduced already in the PDB.
In addition, it should be remembered that, for example, the Human Rights programme was severely reduced already in the PDB.
In light of the above, the rapporteur insisted that changes need to be made.
In light of the above, the rapporteur insisted that changes need to be made.
The EP delegation also made this clear and pointed out the necessity to:
The EP delegation also made this clear and pointed out the necessity to:
- Strike a better balance between the need to finance the tsunami, Iraq, Afghanistan, and also other actions such as potential new support for ACP sugar producers, and the long-standing commitment and responsibility towards traditional policies in both external relations and development.
- Strike a better balance between the need to finance the tsunami, Iraq, Afghanistan, and also other actions such as potential new support for ACP sugar producers, and the long-standing commitment and responsibility towards traditional policies in both external relations and development.
This could clearly not be achieved through the Council's DB or, indeed, through the Commission's PDB.
This could clearly not be achieved through the Council's DB or, indeed, through the Commission's PDB.
- A substantial revision would therefore need to be introduced both as concerns the amounts for geographical programmes and for some thematic lines.
- A substantial revision would therefore need to be introduced both as concerns the amounts for geographical programmes and for some thematic lines.
In line with its mandate given by the plenary, the delegation thus stressed that there is currently no room under the ceiling to finance heading 4 globally and that the EU is facing a serious shortfall for 2006 external actions.
In line with its mandate given by the plenary, the delegation thus stressed that there is currently no room under the ceiling to finance heading 4 globally and that the EU is facing a serious shortfall for 2006 external actions.
As new actions are added, the shortfall for existing actions would worsen.
As new actions are added, the shortfall for existing actions would worsen.
On administration, heading 5 , the Council made a horizontal cut of 119.9 million compared to the PDB which, in the rapporteur's view, seems to contradict the need to improve the recruitment of staff, especially for new Member States.
On administration, heading 5 , the Council made a horizontal cut of 119.9 million compared to the PDB which, in the rapporteur's view, seems to contradict the need to improve the recruitment of staff, especially for new Member States.
The Council also went on to reduce the actual number of posts allowed.
The Council also went on to reduce the actual number of posts allowed.
The Commissioner raised serious warnings at this position and stated that "all recruitment would be frozen".
The Commissioner raised serious warnings at this position and stated that "all recruitment would be frozen".
The Council believed that there were "enough vacant posts" to be filled in order to reach satisfactory recruitment levels but the Commission stated that it would simply not be possible to fill them with this level of expenditure.
The Council believed that there were "enough vacant posts" to be filled in order to reach satisfactory recruitment levels but the Commission stated that it would simply not be possible to fill them with this level of expenditure.
There were clearly different views as to whether the appropriations to fill vacant posts had actually been made available in past years and both the EP and Council would receive additional, clarifying information from the Commission.
There were clearly different views as to whether the appropriations to fill vacant posts had actually been made available in past years and both the EP and Council would receive additional, clarifying information from the Commission.
The rapporteur notes that the Council's general approach of horizontal reductions is doubtful and believes that a more analytical approach would be necessary.
The rapporteur notes that the Council's general approach of horizontal reductions is doubtful and believes that a more analytical approach would be necessary.
The EP delegation also expressed disappointment at the state of recruitment of staff from the new Member States in 2004 and 2005.
The EP delegation also expressed disappointment at the state of recruitment of staff from the new Member States in 2004 and 2005.
There was a sense that the Council had made a correct diagnosis (disappointing recruitment) but was prescribing an inappropriate medicine (reductions).
There was a sense that the Council had made a correct diagnosis (disappointing recruitment) but was prescribing an inappropriate medicine (reductions).
In technical terms, the Council DB:
In technical terms, the Council DB:
- applied an across-the-board reduction of 2 %.
- applied an across-the-board reduction of 2 %.
- out of the total reduction of 119.9 million in this heading, 94.4 million is taken from the Commission's budget
- out of the total reduction of 119.9 million in this heading, 94.4 million is taken from the Commission's budget
- reduced 40 B and C posts for the Commission
- reduced 40 B and C posts for the Commission
- reduced some 45 B and C posts for the other institutions
- reduced some 45 B and C posts for the other institutions
In heading 7, pre-accession strategy , the Council has accepted the PDB for commitment appropriations.
In heading 7, pre-accession strategy , the Council has accepted the PDB for commitment appropriations.
It decreased payment appropriations by 127.5 million across this heading, for example -44 m for Turkey and -26 and -28 million respectively for SAPARD and ISPA.
It decreased payment appropriations by 127.5 million across this heading, for example -44 m for Turkey and -26 and -28 million respectively for SAPARD and ISPA.
Overall, this leaves total commitments for the heading at 2.48 billion (+ 19 % compared to 2005) with a margin of EUR 1.08 billion.
Overall, this leaves total commitments for the heading at 2.48 billion (+ 19 % compared to 2005) with a margin of EUR 1.08 billion.
Overall payments stand at 3.02 billion in the DB.
Overall payments stand at 3.02 billion in the DB.
For heading 8, compensations, the Council accepted the PDB proposal of 1.073 billion and set the margin available under this Heading at EUR 499.668.
For heading 8, compensations, the Council accepted the PDB proposal of 1.073 billion and set the margin available under this Heading at EUR 499.668.
On Amending Budget 3 / 2005 (tsunami) the EP and Council reached agreement to mobilise 70 million from the Emergency Aid reserve, to proceed to internal changes (redeployment) within the Asia envelope for 72 million, and to mobilise the flexibility instrument for an amount of 15 million.
On Amending Budget 3 / 2005 (tsunami) the EP and Council reached agreement to mobilise 70 million from the Emergency Aid reserve, to proceed to internal changes (redeployment) within the Asia envelope for 72 million, and to mobilise the flexibility instrument for an amount of 15 million.
In total, financing worth EUR 157 million was thus agreed.
In total, financing worth EUR 157 million was thus agreed.
The remaining 13 million, to reach the foreseen 170 million in 2005, would be examined in the autumn.
The remaining 13 million, to reach the foreseen 170 million in 2005, would be examined in the autumn.
On Amending Budget 5/2005 (Slovakia) agreement was reached to mobilise 5.6 million from the EU Solidarity Fund in accordance with the Commission's proposal.
On Amending Budget 5/2005 (Slovakia) agreement was reached to mobilise 5.6 million from the EU Solidarity Fund in accordance with the Commission's proposal.
On PDB 2006 - First analysis - Part I (General aspects and Headings 1 to 3)
On PDB 2006 - First analysis - Part I (General aspects and Headings 1 to 3)
Subtotal Structuring the European Research Area
Subtotal Structuring the European Research Area
Indirect actions operational expenditure EC
Indirect actions operational expenditure EC
Indirect actions administrative expenditure EC
Indirect actions administrative expenditure EC
Total Indirect actions EC
Total Indirect actions EC
Controlled thermonuclear fusion
Controlled thermonuclear fusion
Management of radioactive waste
Management of radioactive waste
Radiation protection
Radiation protection
Other activities in the field of nuclear technologies and safety
Other activities in the field of nuclear technologies and safety
Indirect actions operational expenditure Euratom
Indirect actions operational expenditure Euratom
Indirect actions administrative expenditure Euratom
Indirect actions administrative expenditure Euratom
Indirect actions Euratom
Indirect actions Euratom
TOTAL Indirect actions
TOTAL Indirect actions
source : "Expenditure by policy area" (annex), Commission Working document with the PDB.
source : "Expenditure by policy area" (annex), Commission Working document with the PDB.
It could be noted that there does not seem to be any margin of manoeuvre for DG Research who simply will get the funds remaining to make up the total of the financial envelope for FP6.
It could be noted that there does not seem to be any margin of manoeuvre for DG Research who simply will get the funds remaining to make up the total of the financial envelope for FP6.
The rapporteur would therefore like to analyse what extra effort, if any, could be provided to boost the Lisbon Strategy in addition to already fixed programmes.
The rapporteur would therefore like to analyse what extra effort, if any, could be provided to boost the Lisbon Strategy in addition to already fixed programmes.
He also notes that in the PDB a reduction is actually proposed for policy area 10, Direct Research, of - 9.9 % (-36 million).
He also notes that in the PDB a reduction is actually proposed for policy area 10, Direct Research, of - 9.9 % (-36 million).
The rapporteur considers that this needs to be further analysed.
The rapporteur considers that this needs to be further analysed.
Education and Culture - Policy Area 15
Education and Culture - Policy Area 15
The total amount allocated in the PDB amounts to EUR 793.2 million which constitutes in nominal terms a decrease of - EUR 8.3 million (-1% ).
The total amount allocated in the PDB amounts to EUR 793.2 million which constitutes in nominal terms a decrease of - EUR 8.3 million (-1% ).
On a more positive note, overall payments increase by 5.1% to a total of EUR 764.9 million.
On a more positive note, overall payments increase by 5.1% to a total of EUR 764.9 million.
The policy is characterised by some significant differences between the various programmes.
The policy is characterised by some significant differences between the various programmes.
The rapporteur notes that appropriations for SOCRATES (EUR 345.5 million) are maintained at practically the same level as in 2005, i.e. a reduction in real terms.
The rapporteur notes that appropriations for SOCRATES (EUR 345.5 million) are maintained at practically the same level as in 2005, i.e. a reduction in real terms.
SOCRATES comprises different actions including for example: Erasmus (higher education) and Comenius (school education) etc.
SOCRATES comprises different actions including for example: Erasmus (higher education) and Comenius (school education) etc.
The rapporteur will need to analyse also the component parts in greater detail but already now it can be said that the Erasmus programme is of high European importance and the rapporteur would consider it a priority for further action.
The rapporteur will need to analyse also the component parts in greater detail but already now it can be said that the Erasmus programme is of high European importance and the rapporteur would consider it a priority for further action.