About the Financial Perspective of the European Union for the years 2007–2013

Abstract

The development of the budget policy of the European Union have been characterised by recurrent fierce debates and disagreements in the past few decades. The rows about the distribution of powers between the Council and the Parliament were accompanied by the often deep dissention about the equitable distribution of the burden among the member states. Based on the experience gained from these debates, the players developed rules and procedures that could not prevent the debates, however maintained the financial capacity of the EU. At the same time, however, the system has become incomprehensibly complex for outsiders. The enlargement carried out in May 2004 and the further, already decided enlargement of the EU pose new challenges for the community budget. The additional costs incurred due to the integration of less developed countries accentuate the distribution related debates among the member states and interest groups of the European Union. The situation is aggravated by the fact that keeping indebtedness under control has become more difficult even for wealthier member states due to the sluggish economic growth and the ageing population, wherefore the increase of community contributions seems to be an unbearable load. An agreement on Agenda 2007, i.e. the financial perspective for the period 2007–2013 must be reached amongst such conditions.