Adaptation of the financial framework to the conditions of implementation and technical adjustment for 2009 in line with movements in GNI

The Committee on Budgets unanimously adopted the report drafted by Reimer BÖGE (EPP-ED, DE), and approved the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 on budgetary discipline and sound financial management as regard adjustment of the multiannual financial framework. 

It recalled that, as a result of delays in the adoption of certain operational programmes of Headings 1b and 2, EUR 2 034 million in current prices of the allocation provided for the Structural Funds, the Cohesion Fund, Rural Development and the European Fund for Fisheries could not be committed in 2007 nor carried over to 2008. Accordingly, the Commission proposed that this amount be transferred to subsequent financial years by increasing the corresponding expenditure ceilings for commitment appropriations, under point 48 of the Interinstitutional Agreement. Whilst the proposal was approved, Members felt that the level of payments needed to be clarified.

The Committee also recalled that the amendment could not take effect before 1 May 2008.