Budget problems worry poorer EU members
Central and eastern European EU member states are increasingly worried that they will receive less structural funds than initially expected. The EU still has not agreed on a budget for the 2007-2013 period.With the UK not willing to give up it’s rebate, and some countries, like France, not willing to modify the common agricultural policy, it seems that the victims of all this are the countries receiving structural funds.
“UK media have backed up reports that London aims to squeeze structural funds for new member states in its new offer, while placing an overall limit of 1.03 percent of EU gross income on spending, instead of the previous 1.06 percent proposal. With the UK sticking to its rebate and lack of widespread support for an early overhaul of the common agricultral policy, structural funds seem the most likely to suffer under any new deal. Poland, which stands to lose up to €6 billion form the slated €60 billion EU package for 2007-2013 if the structural fund cuts take hold, has already signalled its oppsition to such a move. ”
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Administrator @ November 28, 2005