Budget Council convenes for adoption of second reading of draft budget 2010 - Main contents

On Wednesday 18 November, the Budget Council will convene to adopt its second reading of the draft budget for the financial year 2010.

Before its second reading, the Council will hold a conciliation meeting with the European Parliament, with the aim of reaching an agreement on the main elements of the budget. The main point of negotiation is the financing of the European Economic Recovery plan, which requires additional funding of € 2.4 billion, in accordance with the declaration that was adopted by the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission on 2 April 2009. Other issues to be discussed include measures in the dairy sector, further measures for the reconstruction of Palestine and the decommissioning of the Kozloduy nuclear plant.

The Council and the European Parliament will also discuss a declaration on transitional measures regarding the budgetary procedure in view of the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty.

During the Budget Council, the Court of Auditors will also present the Annual Report for 2008 to the Council.

After the second reading by the Council, the European Parliament concludes the budgetary procedure in Strasbourg on 17 December by adopting its second reading of the budget, at which time the budget is adopted.