Index 
 Full text 
Verbatim report of proceedings
Tuesday, 23 November 2010 - Strasbourg OJ edition

2011 budget (debate)
MPphoto
 

  Ivars Godmanis (ALDE). – Mr President, I would like to stress three things. First, if the times are tough for everyone, we need to work together. I think the lowest point in our reconciliation was when the Council refused to start discussions, and the second lowest was when it refused to start discussions on the basis of documents proposed by the Commission regarding the political part of our discussions. But discussions are in the treaty, and they are in at least two parts. First: regarding the multiannual financial framework, in Article 312, it is quite clear that if we do not have discussions before we agree on the new MFF, it will not be successful.

Regarding own resources – which is perhaps very sensible for the Council – there is no big threat. We are not starting with new taxes but we are starting discussions, which is in Article 311. I believe that we need a budget, one hundred percent. There is no other solution. But if we really want one thing – to work together and to start discussions (we do not know what the outcome of discussions will be) – we ask the Council to take part in this joint task. I think that we will then make it a success. Otherwise, I really hope that you will not go alone, according to Article 315. You can do it, but I believe that a joint task will be much better than a separate one.

 
Legal notice - Privacy policy