15.6.2012   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 169/198

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having regard to the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council (COM(2010)0760 – C7-0398/2010),

—

having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (1) (IIA of 17 May 2006), and in particular point 27 thereof,

—

having regard to its first reading of 20 October 2010 on the 2011 draft general budget (2),

—

having regard to the results of the conciliation of 15 November 2010,

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having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A7-0367/2010),

A.

whereas the ceilings of the Multiannual Financial Framework, especially for subheading 1a and heading 4, do not allow the financing of EU priorities without jeopardising the existing instruments and policies,

B.

whereas the two arms of the budgetary authority agreed in conciliation, provided that an overall agreement could be reached on all outstanding issues, to mobilise the Flexibility Instrument to offset the reinforcements for identified priorities under these two headings,

1.

Notes that, despite contained reinforcements in commitments on a limited number of budget items, the ceilings of subheading 1a and heading 4 do not allow for an adequate financing of selected priorities carried by Parliament and the Council;

2.

Welcomes, therefore, the agreement reached during conciliation concerning the use of the Flexibility Instrument for the financing of the Lifelong Learning Programme and Competitiveness and Innovation Programme under subheading 1a, and the financing of financial assistance to Palestine, the peace process and UNRWA under heading 4 for a total amount of EUR 105 million;

3.

Recalls that these programmes are crucial for the future of the Union as they provide a clear impetus for economic activity, and for the Union's role as a global player;

4.

Reiterates that the mobilisation of this instrument, as foreseen in point 27 of the IIA of 17 May 2006, highlights, once more, the crucial need for the EU budget to be increasingly flexible;

5.

Approves the decision annexed to this resolution;

6.

Instructs its President to sign the decision with the President of the Council and to arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union;

7.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution, including its annex, to the Council and the Commission.