The European Commission’s publication of a draft budget proposal for 2016 represents a step toward ECR key priorities of seeking to do more with less, reprioritising the budget towards areas that deliver economic development, and reduce the EU’s payments gap.

The European Commission’s publication of a draft budget proposal for 2016 represents a step toward ECR key priorities of seeking to do more with less, reprioritising the budget towards areas that deliver economic development, and reduce the EU’s payments gap.

European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group budgets spokesman Bernd Kölmel MEP said that there is much more work to do, but the commission’s proposal – the first under Commissioner Georgieva – represents a significant step in the right direction. On the headline figures, Commitments will be reduced by 5.3 percent, and payments increased by 1.6 percent. Increases are planned in areas such as economic infrastructure, training, research and innovation.

Mr Kölmel will next week host a hearing on the EU budget with Commissioner Georgieva as the guest speaker (2nd June, 11h30-13h00, room PHS 1 A-2).

Speaking after the Commissioner presented the proposals in the Budgets committee this morning, Mr Kölmel said:

“This budget represents the first time the EU’s spending commitments have been reduced, and the payments on hand have only been increased in line with inflation. Of course, there is a lot more work needed to make the EU budget fit for the 21st century, but this is a positive start and hopefully signals the end of ever-increasing EU budgets.

“The EU budget is also slowly being driven towards priorities that focus on economic development. As well as a leaner budget, we support a better prioritised budget and whilst there is much more to do, we are at least beginning to steer the ship towards a better course.

“This proposal is also just the start of the process and MEPs must now reach agreement with national governments. The ECR will continue to push for greater budgetary transparency and discipline, and the right priorities for spending.”