2006 budget: other sections

PURPOSE: The presentation of the Preliminary Draft Budget for the EU institutions 2006 (Budget: Other Sections)

CONTENT: In presenting a preliminary draft budget for 2006, the Commission is taking into account the expenditure of all of the EU institutions.

In terms of its own spending the Commission draft proposes EUR 3 009 million, equalling an increase of 6.16% on 2005 figures. The proposed raise is due to the continuing enlargement process. For the other institutions an increase of 6.27% on 2005 figures is being proposed equivalent to a total budget of EUR 2 482 million. Adding the two together results in a total administrative expenditure for all of the EU institutions equivalent to EUR 6 683 million, in other words a rise of EUR 390 million compared to 2005. Proportionally speaking, Heading 5 is divided as follows:

- 45% for the Commission (not including communal expenses) -  EUR 3 009 million;

- 37.2 % for the other institutions -  EUR 2 482 million (including the European Parliament, Council, Court of Justice,  Court of Auditors, Committee of the Regions, Economic and Social Affairs Committee, European Ombudsman and the European Data Protection Supervisor).

- 17% for common expenses -  EUR 1 197 million sub-divided as follows:

pensions: EUR 904 82 million;

European Schools: EUR  130 million;

OPOCE: EUR 80 86 million;

OLAF: EUR 50 16 million;

All together this then adds up to EUR 6 683 million for the total of heading 5.

A new system is being introduced whereby administrative expenditure will, in future, be budgeted in line with its relevant policy field. More specific expenditure, such as Official Journal publications or Commission representations abroad, will be budgeted separately. It is noteworthy that the Commission is seeking to create 700 new posts to be established within the framework of EU enlargement – on top of the 700 created in 2005. One new, non-negotiable, expense is expenditure on increasing the security of Commission buildings.