The funds of Brussels

The multiannual budget brings almost all the representatives in Strasbourg to agree. During the plenary meeting of June 11-14 the European Parliament addressed economic and financial ones issues with the approval of the "two-pack". However the document on the so-called "multiannual financial framework", namely, the budget proposal for the period 2014-2020, has caused a broad debate, collecting the support of the main parties.Multiannual budget. The resolution on the multiannual financial framework was adopted with 541 yes-votes, 100 MEPs were against, 36 abstained. Within the EU’s institutional framework, debate on the issue has been ongoing over the past year (proposed by the Commission and adopted with a consent of the Parliament in June 2011). Now the theme is on the agenda of the European Council of the end of June. There’s time until next year to define accounts, but talks are proceeding apace given the overall consistence of the budget at a time when many Member States wish to decrease funding to Brussels. The debate is important also for other reasons. Parliament and Commission jointly agree that the EU disposes of its "own resources’ to depend less and less on public transfers that today represent the almost totality of community budget. The importance of the theme is understandable since it’s also a question of defining how much funding will be concretely available in the coming seven years in Europe, for example for agriculture and environmental protection, for infrastructural and energy policies, for the development of backward regions, for culture and Erasmus, for consumers protection, for research (Horizon 2020 program) and much more. MEPs are thus calling for a budget that is adjusted to EU policies, that is more "flexible", in order to respond to emergencies and to the new challenges that might arise. Parliament envisages that Member States’ contribution to the budget (proportionate to GDP) could drop from 75 to 40% via the so-called "own resources", namely, new forms of funding that would replace and not add up to national ones, like taxes on financial transaction or a new European VAT regime. Human rights. Following a broad debate with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, the Commission decided on the appointment of the human rights representative, due to be officialized during the Foreign Affairs Council of June 25. MEP José Ignacio Salafranca (SP) submitted a proposal for a "recommendation" to the Council adopted by a large majority of MEPs, calling for the appointment of a Special Representative for Human Rights (EUSR for HR) "that should have the necessary professional qualifications as well as personal and professional integrity and an international reputation", acting under the authority of the High Representative. The proposal underlines the importance to assign sufficient staff and adequate financial resources. The EUSR "should be granted a strong, independent and flexible mandate not defined by narrow and specific thematic responsibilities but rather allowing the EUSR to act swiftly and effectively", whose mandate "should be fully in line with the principles of universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms", and whose scope should cover the strengthening of democracy, the rule of law and institution building, international justice and international humanitarian law". The mandate – due to address global scenario – should include, inter alia, abolition of the death penalty, human rights defenders, the fight against impunity, the fight against torture, freedom of expression (including on the internet), of association, of assembly, of religion and of belief, minority rights, child protection, women’s rights, peace and security. Ashton said the EUSR will hold office for a two-year period "to ensure continuity and coherence".Peace in Sudan, volunteer work. The themes addressed by the EP include: the request of establishing minimum wages in Member States, European labelling regulations for children’s milk and for foods for people with special needs (health and consumer protection); proposals for a peace agreement between Sudan and South Sudan in the framework of the UN’s agenda, addressing humanitarian emergencies and solving economic contentions (oil exploitation) whilst avoiding recourse to arms; approval of a resolution requesting the increase of funds for volunteering and the creation of a "skills passport" to facilitate the "formal recognition of professional experiences acquired during the volunteer work" in all of Europe.