Finns strike budget deal with MEPs

The Finnish presidency of the EU reached a deal with the European Parliament on next year’s budget on 28 November after only one hour of talks.

The Finns, on behalf of the Council of Ministers, got agreement for a budget of €115.5 billion for 2007, €1.2bn higher than the Council wanted and €3.5bn more than for 2006.

In return for agreeing to a budget of €159.2 million for Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) projects, the Council accepted MEPs’ requests for more transparency over CFSP spending, especially on appointments of special representatives, and including regular meetings with EU foreign policy chief, Javier Solana. The Council has also agreed to give more information about the planned security mission in Kosovo.

MEPs also dropped plans to withhold from the Commission €50m for hiring new staff unless the administration produced a report on its personnel needs. The Commission had warned that withholding the funds would prevent it hiring new officials next year.

All three institutions will draw up reports on progress in filling staff vacancies next year following concern that many posts are unfilled.

The Finnish presidency of the EU reached a deal with the European Parliament on next year’s budget on 28 November after only one hour of talks.

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