EU programmes focus on growth

Growth and economic progress will be prioritised in EU programmes implemented during the 2007-13 financial framework.

The European commission unveiled its revised package of programmes on Wednesday - setting out details on funding for each.

“The adoption of this package is a significant achievement that lays the foundations for the implementation of the new programmes from the beginning of 2007,” the EU executive said in a statement.

“We are now looking forward to the speedy finalisation of the process by the European parliament and the council.”

The package comes one week after the inter-institutional agreement on the new financial framework was signed on May 17.

Last week adjustments to the financial framework for 2007-13 were agreed by member states and the European parliament and the revised proposals reflect those changes.

The current legislative package includes 26 revised and five new proposals, covering a large number of EU programmes and policy areas.

€54,582m will be spent on a research framework programme for increasing Europe’s growth and competitiveness.

The commission says the proposals are consistent with the annual expenditure ceilings agreed in the new financial framework.

“Our challenge was to secure the modernisation and development of an enlarged Europe, within the funds available under the financial framework,” EU budget Dalia Grybauskaite said. 

“For today’s package, the commission prepared or revised over thirty proposals necessary for the programmes to come into action.”

These programmes will now be put to member states and the European parliament for adoption.

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