2001 Budget: other sections

The committee adopted the report by Markus FERBER (EPP/ED, D) on the on the section of the 2001 budget guidelines that covered the budgets for the EU's own administration. The committee said that, with tight budgetary constraints set to continue in 2001, the institutions had to decide on their priorities. They had to start preparing now for the administrative, budgetary and financial impact of enlargement. This meant making plans, for example, for staff numbers, offices and language services. The committee believed the other institutions needed to modernise their administrations. To do this, they needed to draw up a medium-term plan for making the necessary reforms and to decide on their staff requirements. Regarding Parliament itself, the committee stressed that the system of Members' allowances should be "fully accountable". In view of the sharp increase in MEPs' workloads since the Amsterdam Treaty came into force, funding arrangements should take account of the possible entry into force of a statute for Members' assistants. In addition, all staff of the institution should be deployed efficiently. The report argued for closer interinstitutional cooperation, especially on information policy. It also called on the Commission to submit before 1 September 2000 a legislative proposal on a statute for European political parties.�