2001 ECSC operating budget

The committee adopted a report by Heide RÜHLE (Greens/EFA, D) on the draft ECSC operating budget for 2001 in which it proposed that the overall figure of EUR 190m proposed by the Commission be accepted but that the funds be allocated differently. The committee argued that the figure for redeployment aid should be EUR 70m (compared to the Commission's proposal of 80m). It wanted more funds for research in the coal and steel industries (85m as compared to the Commission's figure of 76m) as well as increased support for social measures (31m as against the Commission's 29m). Looking ahead to the expiry of the ECSC Treaty in 2002, the committee called on the Commission to submit a financial estimate of the new activities to be included under the general budget, as these could have an impact on Category 3 (Internal policies) of the financial perspective. �