Long-term budget, Constitution, work plan for the Austrian chairmanship, energy provisions. This is the tight schedule of the EU Parliament that is due to meet in Strasbourg next week, from Monday 16th to Thursday 19th January, for the plenary meeting. The floor has to review the proposed resolution put forward by the Budget Commission, which acknowledges that "the EU Council at last has found a common position" among the member States "so that negotiations can start with the European Parliament on the next Financial prospects". After all, the resolution drawn up by the German MP Reimer Böge highlights the fact that "the conclusions of the summit hinge on traditional policies" rather than drawing attention "to policies that may enable the EU to face up to new challenges and develop the European added value for its population". Basically, the European Parliament challenges the poor financial resources invested in research, innovation and training, while the budget remains largely based on agricultural policies. The report "laments that the Member States fight to defend their national interests rather than create a European dimension". The resolution rejects, "in its current wording", the position that emerged in December on the part of the Heads of state and government of the 25 member states. The Parliament and the Council will have to work in agreement between February and March at some inter-institutional negotiation, so as to get to finally launch the Financial Prospects for 2007/2013. (to be continued)
