Press release
29 June 2011
Prime Minister's Office
Ohlsson: "A swelling EU budget without downscaling"
The European Commission today presented its proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the years 2014-2020. The proposal is meant to increase the budget by approximately 7 per cent compared to the present MFF.
The Commission has presented a budget level that is too high. It is a budget proposal based on the needs of the 1950s. This will lead to complicated negotiations," says Birgitta Ohlsson, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs.
It is positive that the Commission proposes increased spending on research and development, infrastructure, justice and home affairs, and external action. But these increases must be financed by corresponding reductions in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Cohesion Policy. Not through a swelling EU budget," says Mrs Ohlsson.
The Commission also proposes a substantial reduction of the Swedish rebate. This would result in a substantial increase of the Swedish contribution to the EU budget. Since the Commission does not propose any cuts in the CAP or the Cohesion Policy, we are opposed to an increased contribution," says Mrs Ohlsson.
When Europe is facing a crisis, the EU must be realistic. The Union should act as a role model for those Member States that are now implementing major austerity and reform packages," says Mrs Ohlsson.
Contact
Simon Hedlin LarssonPress secretary to Birgitta Ohlsson
+46 8 405 25 45
+46 76 149 87 30
email to Simon Hedlin Larsson
