Funding the EU after 2007: the next Financial Perspective

If the European Union wishes to become a political and economic heavyweight in the world arena, it must have the resources to match its ambitions. This is the crux of the current debate on Europe's multiannual budget for 2007-2013.

On Wednesday 8 June 2005 in Strasbourg, the European Parliament voted on the report drafted by Reimer Böge on the next Financial Perspective. The report as adopted in plenary will form the basis of Parliament's position for its negotiations with the Council of Ministers, when MEPs will be seeking to ensure that enough funding is provided for the EU's future priorities.

This background note explains the key issues.

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