EUA statement on EU budget discussions: “political rhetoric must be backed up by commitment and action”

Press release: 31 October 2014.
The European University Association (EUA) has today published a statement with regard to the ongoing negotiations on the draft EU budget for 2015 and the problems posed by payment shortages for the EU budget.
In September, the Council of the European Union (EU member states) formally approved its position on the EU draft budget for 2015, which has been proposed by the European Commission. The Council position recommends making considerable cuts to payment appropriations, notably in the areas of research and innovation. By contrast, the European Parliament, which negotiates the EU budget with the Council and approved its position on the 2015 draft budget last week, is proposing in its position to reverse these cuts and further invest in priority areas. From the 28 October, three weeks of “conciliation” talks are due to take place between both EU institutions with the aim of agreeing a Council/Parliament deal by mid-November. More...