2003 budget: other sections

The European Parliament adopted a resolution, drafted by Per STENMARCK (EPP, Sweden), on the 2003 budget guidelines, and on the preliminary draft estimates for other sections. (Please refer to the document dated 26/02/02). The provisional figure for the technical adjustment of the financial perspective project a ceiling of EUR 5382 million for heading 5 in the 2003 budget. Parliament reiterated its concern that the additional needs related to enlargement will have a major impact on heading 5, and invited the Council to examine all the possibilities that interinstitutional cooperation can offer. The projected needs of all the institutions already exceed the ceiling of heading 5 by EUR 140 million. There needs to be an interinstitutional strategic approach to the future building needs of the institutions, to allow the budgetary authority to take stock of current and future buildings liabilities and develop a position on funding over the longer term. On the other sections of the budget: - Section 1: whilst the concept of "controlled multilingualism" is endorsed, a wider debate on the post-enlargement linguistic regime must take place. The secretariats of the political groups must be reinforced to prepare for enlargement. The assistance provided to Members by Parliament's administration and by the secretariats of the political groups for the fulfilment of their legislative and budgetary responsibilities must be enhanced, as these are the core activities. - Section II (Council): on the projected expansion of the Council's budget to cater for developments under the second and third pillars, this creates additional pressure under heading 5. Parliament will make amendments if this contributes to a global solution in heading 5. - Section IV (Court of Justice): The budgetary projections should be scaled down. The requirement of 112 extra posts is not realistic given the current constraints on heading 5. - Section V (Court of Auditors): in view of the difficulties under heading 5, the Court should refrain from requesting additional staff in its 2003 estimates. - Section VI (Economic and Social Committee): Increasing dependence on external expertise could compromise the legitimacy of the institution. A more focused work programme should be adopted so that the impact of its opinions can be increased.