Press Release: Schreyer welcomes successful approval of budget 2000

The European Parliament has approved the European Union's budget for the year 2000. Budget Commissioner Michaele Schreyer welcomed the last minute agreement that lead to approval of the EU's 2000 budget by the Parliament at a satisfactory level. Schreyer commented that 'The European Parliament and the Council have succeeded in responding to the EU's political priorities, namely the reconstruction in Kosovo, while respecting budgetary rigour'. With €93.821 billion of commitment appropriations, the budget is 3.7% under the 1999 figures. The €89.388 billion of payment appropriations correspond to 1.11% of the GNP of the 15 Member States.