2012 budget: general guidelines for the preparation

2011/2042(BUD)

The Council adopted conclusions setting out its priorities for the EU's general budget for 2012. The conclusions will serve as the basis for negotiations with the European Parliament and the Commission later this year (please refer to the summary dated 03/02/2011).

The conclusions emphasise that the consequences of the economic crisis and fiscal consolidation efforts will continue to impact the budget in 2012. They underscore the need to take into account economic and budgetary constraints at the national level whilst continuing implementation of EU programmes and actions, including the financing of measures aimed at tackling the effects of the crisis and promoting growth.