Press Release: Key findings of 2005 budget: record execution of payments, benefits for all Member States

The European Union budget increased only narrowly in 2005, by 0.01% of EU Gross National Income (GNI), while benefits were shared by all 25 Member States. The biggest Member States got nearly 2/3 of total allocated expenditure, similarly to last year. The 10 new Member States are still gradually catching up; the relative impact of financial transfers, however, is becoming more and more important, reaching 9.5% of the EU total in 2005, compared to 6.6% in 2004. Presenting the main findings of the ”Report on the allocation of 2005 EU expenditure by Member State” Commissioner Dalia Grybauskaité commented: “It was a positive year for the EU budget: execution was higher than in recent years due to better advance planning and enhanced monitoring throughout the year; we managed to focus more resources on EU competitiveness, research, growth and jobs”. Nevertheless, according to Grybauskaité, “amounts for economic progress should be further increased. A profound revision of European finances in 2008/2009 remains a vital necessity”.