PROPOSAL TO REACH AGREEMENT ON FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE BY DECEMBER WAS SUPPORTED IN BRUSSELS
In the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting in Brussels EU foreign ministers discussed EU Financial perspective for 2007-2013.
The ministers supported the European Commission’s and the UK Presidency’s proposal to reach agreement on EU Financial perspective during the European Council meeting on 15-16 December.
During the GAERC meeting Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antanas Valionis stressed the EU’s need for financial certainty.
“Though this is not easy the EU countries should agree the EU budgetary framework in December, as it was also stated in the Baltic Prime Ministers’ letter to their UK counterpart Tony Blair,” the Head of Lithuanian diplomacy said.
Talking about special attention to scientific research Antanas Valionis underlined that finances should be allocated equally among all EU members.
According to the Minister cohesion funds should be allocated to the least prosperous EU countries without tightening the current expenditure rules and preserving the threshold of structural funds assistance (4 % of GDP).
The EU countries failed to agree the scope and agenda of Common Agricultural Policy reform. The Commission also reminded about the unresolved EU own resources issue.
EU Council also discussed situation in Belarus. The ministers confirmed the determination to intensify the EU’s support for democracy and human rights in Belarus. They underlined the willingness of Member States and the institutions of the EU to promote shared democratic values by intensifying people-to-people contacts.
EU Council welcomed the Commission’s significant allocation for support for independent media in Belarus and its commitment to designate Belarus a priority country for the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights and Decentralized Cooperation Instruments in 2005-2006.
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