The European Budget: Consolidation or Modernisation?

Abstract

This chapter first focuses on the unique character of the European budget [section 2]. We then look back on the Dutch position during the negotiations on the Financial Perspectives 2007-2013 [section 3]2. The subsequent sections respectively address the opening position of the European Commission [section 4] and the Dutch position [section 5] in the negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020. The Netherlands aims for modernisation of the budget in which case the current rebate on the Dutch contribution to the European Union could be dropped. The chapter ends with some concluding observations cumulating in a plea for compensation on the expenditure side instead of on the revenue side of the budget.