European Liberals and Democrats have reacted positively to courageous and innovative proposals presented last night by the European Commission for the next multi-annual financial framework and the system of own resources.

Guy Verhofstadt, ALDE group leader, stated in a preliminary analysis that "these proposals are worthy of serious consideration as a bold and coherent contribution to the discussions on the future of the EU budget. I am particularly pleased at the Commission's acceptance of our idea to launch an inter-parliamentary conference, modeled on the Convention, allowing national parliaments and governments to take part in the debate with the EU institutions. Parliament and Commission will bring a joint initiative before the Council's Polish presidency asking that it organise and start this inter-parliamentary conference in the coming months. I have spoken with Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Secretary of State Mikolaj Dowgielewicz and there is a positive attitude surrounding this initiative."

"I am also satisfied with the proposals concerning a new system of own resources, something I have long pleaded for. The attitude of European citizens toward the EU will change greatly if it is the taxpayers who directly fund the European Budget and no longer the member states who secretly negotiate for each to have their "fair" return. This new approach which is fiscally neutral, will also permit the abolition of 43 dispensations, exceptions, rebates and other returns which make the current system incomprehensible and curb the financing for policies."

Anne JENSEN (Venstre, Denmark), ALDE coordinator for the Parliamentary Budget Committee, added: "Europe really needs improved networks in the field of energy and transport, and I salute the Commission suggestion to increase investments in this area more than 400%. This is completely coherent with the orientations of the EU 2020 Economic Strategy which European Liberals and Democrats support."
 
Carl Haglund (Svenska Folkpartiet, Finland), ALDE coordinator on the SURE committee added his appreciation of the new emphasis in the budget:
"The proposal by the Commission is a good starting point for the negotiations. I am especially pleased that there is considerably more emphasis on research and development than in the current budget framework."

The European Parliament meeting for its Strasbourg plenary session will hold a debate on the Commission's proposal on July 5th at 3:00pm.