Crisis sharpens divisions over EU budget

Even in the best of times, giving birth to the EU’s seven-year budget plan is an excruciating process. But against the backdrop of a historic economic crisis that is threatening to tear the 27-member bloc asunder, that labour is proving more difficult than ever in 2012 to agree the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2014 - 2020.

Features report on an informal meeting of European Affairs ministers and EU lawmakers in Nicosia on the 30 August 2012 to discuss the current state of negotiations. It emerged that an extraordinary European Council would be held in November 2012 to try and secure agreement on the MFF.

Further features discuss subsequent developments in September 2012.

ESO: Background information: Website: Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 http://www.europeansources.info/record/multiannual-financial-framework-2014-2020/

Blog: CAP Reform.eu, 31.8.12: Cyprus Presidency proposes CAP budget cut in next MFF http://capreform.eu/cyprus-presidency-proposes-cap-budget-cut-in-next-mff/

Cyprus: EU Presidency: Presidency Issues Paper: Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020. Informal Meeting of Ministers and Secretaries of State for European Affairs Nicosia, 30 August 2012 http://www.cy2012.eu/index.php/en/file/t4OXQzwQKPz2nxXo9+AUZw==

EurActiv, 31.8.12: Special November summit to focus on long-term EU budget http://www.euractiv.com/specialreport-budget/november-summit-focus-long-term-news-514540

Deutsche Welle, 3.9.12: EU confirms extraordinary summit on bloc's budget http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,16216662,00.html

EurActiv, 21.9.12: Eurozone debates special budget to counter 'asymmetric shocks' http://www.euractiv.com/euro-finance/special-budget-eurozone-counter-news-514942

EUObserver, 20.09.12: EU budget hurdles mount http://euobserver.com/political/117606

EurActiv, 20.9.12: Ministers given three minutes to square the circle on EU budget http://www.euractiv.com/priorities/ministers-given-minutes-square-c-news-514905

Council of the European Union: Cyprus EU Presidency: Multiannual Financial Framework (2014-2020) - Negotiating box, September 2012 http://www.cy2012.eu/index.php/en/file/JroUgc2DnYL2nxXo9+AUZw==/

BBC News, 24.9.12: EU struggles to reach budget agreement http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19697641

EUObserver, 25.9.12: Member states continue budget bickering http://euobserver.com/institutional/117648

Cyprus: EU Presidency: Press Release, 24.9.12: Preparing the ground for a consensual agreement for the MFF at the November European Council http://www.cy2012.eu/index.php/en/news-categories/areas/general-affairs/press-release-preparing-the-ground-for-a-consensual-agreement-for-the-mff-at-the-november-european-c

EurActiv, 26.9.12: Where does France stand on the next EU budget? http://www.euractiv.com/specialreport-budget/france-stand-eu-budget-news-515028

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