"The European Union will need more than creative accounting to finance the objectives and commitments we have agreed," said EPP Group MEP Salvador Garriga, after a first glance at the European Commission's proposal on the multiannual financial framework for the EU after 2013.

Salvador Garriga, who drafted Parliament's proposal on the budget - backed in plenary by an overwhelming majority with 468 votes in favour, 134 against and 54 abstentions - pointed out that, although the solutions proposed by the Commission needed a more detail analysis, it is looking like "rob Peter to pay Paul".

"We will examine the details, but the will of the Parliament is that freezing resources is not a viable option, that we need to 'at least' maintain cohesion and agricultural spending and that we also need a substantial increase in fields such as R&D, innovation, energy and transport," he pointed out.

In his view, to retrieve money from the Common Agricultural Policy to finance R&D and innovation, or to deduct money from the regional cohesion funds to finance the European energy and transport infrastructure networks "continues the bad habit of accepting political commitments at European level and then denying their financing". "This way of doing things will only lead to more disappointment and more Euro scepticism," he added.

Salvador Garriga called on the Commission and the Member States to start negotiations with a long-term vision, as it will be very difficult for the Parliament to accept a result based on "creative accounting more than on a truly European political vision".

For further information:
Salvador GARRIGA POLLEDO MEP, Tel: +32-2-2845303
Pedro Lopez de Pablo, EPP Group Press and Communications Service, Tel: +32-2-2842786 / +32-475493352

Notes to Editors:
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 264 Members.