The EP's budget committee today adopted its interim report on the EU's multiannual financial framework for 2014-20, which prepares the way for the EU budget process proper. The Greens welcomed the vote, with Green budgetary spokesperson Helga Trüpel stating:

"MEPs have today set out their stall for the forthcoming negotiations on the future EU budget for 2014-20. The priorities outlined in the report adopted today represent red lines for the EP and EU governments must take note.

"In the context of the crisis, the EU budget should be a key instrument for stimulating economic recovery in Europe. To this end, we should be investing more in research, education, green technologies and the sustainable transformation of our energy sector, and capitalising on the greater added-value of a European approach. In this context, the calls by some net contributing member states like the UK to drastically cut the budget would be the totally wrong approach to take. The Commission's proposals fail to reflect the necessary ambition and MEPs have today called for them to be increased.

"It is high time to introduce a meaningful system of own resources for financing the EU budget. This would end the self-defeating annual horse-trading on the budget and allow for clearer budgetary planning for national governments and the EU. There is also a need to end the outdated rebate system. With a vanguard of EU member states set to forge ahead with a financial transaction tax, part of the revenues from this tax should be directed towards an EU own resources system.

"The idea to create a separate Eurozone budget, which has recently been gaining ground, would be the wrong approach to take, not least because it could jeopardise the European Parliament's co-deciding role in the budget. It is crucial that any initiatives introduced in response to the crisis do not weaken democratic controls in the EU."