Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/1999-12-16-Speech-4-077"
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"en.19991216.2.4-077"2
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"For the second time this year, the EU’s credibility is at stake in the Balkans. The budget for the reconstruction of Kosovo has emerged as the main difficulty at second reading.
The conflict has been extensively discussed in recent weeks by Parliament and the Council but there are certain essential aspects which we must not forget. With regard to the aid granted to Kosovo, it is surprising that this is not conditional on the definitive restoration of peace which has unfortunately not yet been achieved, as indicated by a recent OSCE report. As for the sums allocated, the members of the Committee on Budgets have participated through the committees in some real bargaining. The institutions have juggled with millions of euros without anyone really taking the trouble to assess the region’s needs, yet everyone agrees that Kosovo could not actually absorb such sums which are equivalent to half its GNP.
In this respect, we must deplore the lack of rigour shown by the Commissioner responsible for the budget. When questioned by the Committee on Budgets, he was incapable of estimating the amounts needed in euros and could only give these in dollars.
This is not particularly serious and would even raise a smile if, at the same time, the EU’s budget policy and the risk of a review of the financial perspective did not seem to be so contrary to national interests. The same is true of the rigorous budgetary discipline imposed on the Member States even though the EU is not so strict on itself. This budget 2000 will cost the Member States very dear and the agricultural line is once again the main reason for the increase in external actions.
You can understand the anxiety of European farmers faced with the new priorities set by all the institutions. Who can they turn to? Certainly not the Commission, as it clearly showed in Seattle, nor the Council, which at second reading trimmed EUR 450 million off compulsory expenditure. Yet, unfortunately, nor can they rely on Parliament which, through its rapporteur, intends to challenge the existence of compulsory expenditure.
The budget is a fundamental act which makes political choices. We reject these choices and so will vote against the 2000 budget."@en1
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