Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Second simplification scoreboard for the MFF 2014-2020

The political agreement reached at the European Council on 8 February 2013 paves the way for the adoption of the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020. Little time is left for the adoption of the legislative instruments for the different programmes under the MFF. Only prompt conclusion of the inter-institutional negotiations could enable the budget to be implemented from the start of the next MFF on 1 January 2014. The pending regulatory decisions should take full account of and guarantee the most efficient delivery of the resources programmed under the MFF to the European Union (EU) citizens and businesses.

In line with the Commission's commitment to monitor and support progress on simplification through negotiations with the European Parliament and the Council, this Communication follows the First Scoreboard presented in September 2012: it acknowledges main developments since then, stresses critical issues, and indicates a way forward to simple and efficient EU funding for the period 2014-2020.

This Communication also aims to be a reference point and a support for the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which has started its work with high ambitions and a strong focus on stability, jobs and growth. In its programme, the Irish Presidency expresses its commitment to "work intensively with partners, particularly the European Parliament, on the inter-institutional agreement of various instruments which will allow funding to be rolled out promptly to stimulate jobs and growth. These instruments will boost the EU’s research and innovation capabilities, promote cohesion and boost smart investment in our natural resources on land and sea".

• Primary Source

EUR-Lex: COM(2013)98: Follow the progress of this communication through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2013:098:FIN

ESO: Background information: Website: Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 http://www.europeansources.info/record/multiannual-financial-framework-2014-2020/

---