2010 budget: other sections

The Council took note of the presentation by the Commission of its preliminary draft for the EU's general budget for 2010. It asked the Permanent Representatives Committee to examine the draft with a view to enabling the Council, at its meeting on 10 July, to establish a draft budget at first reading.

On 10 March, the Council set out principles for preparation of the 2010 budget (see Council doc. 6767/09).

In its preliminary draft budget, the Commission proposes a total of EUR 138.6 billion in commitment appropriations (+1.5% compared with 2009) and EUR 122.3 billion in payment appropriations (+5.3% compared with 2009).

Commitment appropriations represent 1.18% of EU gross national income, and payment appropriations amount to 1.04%.

The Commission places economic recovery at the heart of spending in 2010, channelling the biggest share of funds (45%) into growth and employment measures to help restore competitiveness throughout the EU. It also proposes to increase fundings for major programmes linked to research and energy policy by more than 12%, and to increase amounts allocated to economic and social cohesion.