EU leaders agree budget cuts, MEPs brace for strife / EU budget hawks succeed in €960-billion cap

The European Council on 8 February 2013 reached agreement on the next multiannual financial framework (MFF), which defines the budgetary priorities of the EU for the years 2014-2020.

In line with the consolidation efforts in the Member States, EU leaders agreed to cut, compared to the current MFF 2007-2013, the financial resources which the EU may mobilise. However, in order to enhance growth and jobs, funds for research, innovation and education have been increased. Leaders also agreed on a new initiative dedicated to tackling the pressing challenge of youth unemployment.

For the new MFF to enter into force in January 2014 a final agreement with the European Parliament had yet to be reached.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: EU diplomats: ‘It’s now or never’ to agree the EU budget http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-diplomats-its-now-or-never-to-agree-the-eu-budget/

EUObserver, 08.02.13: Breakthrough at EU budget summit http://euobserver.com/news/118998

EUObserver, 08.02.13: EU leaders urge MEPs to back skeletal budget http://euobserver.com/institutional/119009

BBC News, 08.02.13: EU leaders agree budget cut deal in Brussels http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21386818

European Council: Press Release: PRES/13/48: Remarks by President Herman Van Rompuy following the European Council http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/135339.pdf

Council of the European Union: Policies: Multiannual Financial Framework http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/multiannual-financial-framework/

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

Deutsche Welle, 08.02.13: Opinion: EU budget sets the wrong priorities http://www.dw.de/opinion-eu-budget-sets-the-wrong-priorities/a-16587678

El País, 08.02.13: Spain to remain net recipient in new European budget http://elpais.com/elpais/2013/02/08/inenglish/1360348872_014683.html

France24, 08.02.13: EU budget deal faces hostile European Parliament http://www.france24.com/en/20130208-eu-leaders-agree-2014-2020-budget-deal

Trouw / Le Monde / El País / Die Welt, 08.02.13: A convoluted compromise (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/press-review/3383841-convoluted-compromise

Kathimerini, 08.02.13: PM’s EU budget relief http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_08/02/2013_482586

Polskie Radio, 08.02.13: EU reaches budget deal after marathon talks http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/126753,EU-reaches-budget-deal-after-marathon-talks

Spiegel Online International, 08.02.13: Austerity Summit: EU Budget Compromise Faces Major Hurdles http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-summit-in-brussels-faces-hurdles-in-finding-budget-compromise-a-881958.html

Politiken, 08.02.13: Thorning: Oui! http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/ECE1893525/thorning-oui/

The Huffington Post, 08.02.13: European Union Leaders Agree Historic Budget Cut, But MEPs May Veto Deal http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/02/08/european-union-budget-cut_n_2646201.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

EurActiv, 08.02.13: EU budget hawks succeed in €960-billion cap http://www.euractiv.com/specialreport-budget/eu-budget-hawks-succeed-cap-960-news-517677

Blog: Europe's Cafe, 10.02.13: The EP’s rebellion against the European Council’s budget deal http://europecafe.wordpress.com/2013/02/10/the-eps-rebellion-against-the-european-councils-budget-deal/

Blog: Bruegel, 08.02.13: How to read the EU budget deal? http://www.bruegel.org/nc/blog/detail/article/1010-how-to-read-the-eu-budget-deal/

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/13/85: EU Budget Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski on the outcome of the European Summit http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-85_en.htm

EESC: Press Release: CES/13/10: EESC President's Statement on the EU Budget Deal http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_CES-13-10_en.htm

Les Echos, 11.02.13: The European Union has been paralysed (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/3393891-european-union-has-been-paralysed

Blog: EU Hemicycle, 10.02.13: The European Parliament Has the Final Word for the EU Budget (2014-2020) – Legal Analysis in the Light of the Lisbon Treaty http://zmk.blogactiv.eu/2013/02/10/56-the-european-parliament-has-the-final-word-for-the-eu-budget-2014-2020-%E2%80%93-legal-analysis-in-the-light-of-the-lisbon-treaty/

EurActiv, 15.02.13: EU budget summit aftermath: ‘Everyone’s a winner’ http://www.euractiv.com/priorities/budget-summit-winner-news-517825

UK: 10 Downing Street: Statement, 08.02.13: Prime Minister David Cameron statement on EU budget http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/prime-minister-david-cameron-statement-on-the-eu-budget/

---