Multiannual Financial Framework: Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore commits to working with EP for agreement in first half of 2013, in the interests of jobs and growth

13-3-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Following today’s resolution by the European Parliament on the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework, the Irish Presidency acknowledged the Parliament’s views and committed to step up negotiations in the weeks ahead.

Tánaiste – Another step has now been taken towards an EU Budget for the next seven years, which should involve almost €1 trillion in EU funds being invested in jobs and growth.

Eamon Gilmore TD, Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, said:

“Another step has now been taken towards an EU Budget for the next seven years, which should involve almost €1 trillion in EU funds being invested in jobs and growth. The Parliament, with whom I and my Presidency colleagues have had extensive contacts over the last month, has now formally set out its position and its concerns.”

“I look forward to engaging without delay on the next phase of negotiations, with a view to agreeing the MFF before the end of the Irish Presidency. As far as I am concerned, it is full steam ahead.”

Minister Gilmore, who chaired a meeting of the General Affairs Council earlier this week attended by President Van Rompuy, will shortly resume discussions with the Parliament and in particular its lead negotiator Alain Lamassoure MEP.
Minister Gilmore indicated that his focus will be on facilitating early agreement so that the new budget, along with its many important spending programmes, can be in a position on time in January 2014 to contribute to economic growth and jobs. These include the Horizon 2020 research programme, the Common Agriculture and Fisheries Policies (CAP/CFP), Cohesion, Erasmus and others. He added that it was the Presidency’s intention to secure agreement (by co-decision with the Parliament) on all or most of those programmes by June.

In terms of other high-level engagement, at the European Council tomorrow the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), Enda Kenny, will meet with President Schulz and President Barroso. They had together visited Dublin in recent weeks, where the MFF was the main item on their agenda. Minister of State for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton, is also in Strasbourg this week and continues her engagements with the Parliament there.

ENDS

Contacts

Andrea Pappin, Spokesperson for the EU Presidency
T: +353 1 619 4390
M: +353 87 798 7769
E: andrea.pappin@taoiseach.gov.ie

Gerald Angley , Policy Communications Director
T: +353 1 619 4227
M: +353 86 414 1613
E: gerald.angley@taoiseach.gov.ie