In a statement, DUFF said:

"The Lisbon treaty means that the European Parliament has to be included in a political dialogue with the Council on the reform of the financial system of the EU ‑ including a new own resources system and the multi-annual financial framework from 2013.

"Of course, the Council could seek to go it alone and make unilateral proposals for the Parliament to accept or reject. But in such circumstances the chances of rejection would be very high, and the attendant poisoning of the atmosphere between the two arms of the budgetary authority would be likely to make difficulties for the annual budget round for some time to come.

"Parliament's participation in the discussions would serve to help the Council reach agreement. MEPs put great emphasis on the value of EU spending and not just, or mainly, its level. If we get the revision of the own resources system right, genuinely autonomous streams of revenue can replace direct contributions by national treasuries. This will add to the democratic flavour of EU budgeting, as well as to its buoyancy and transparency."

DUFF, who is also President of the Union of European Federalists and a British Liberal MEP, added:

"It is a pity that certain members of the European Council seek to reject the logic of the Lisbon treaty and at the same time deprive the Union of the resources it needs to promote Europe's economic recovery.

"It is up to the European Council now at their meeting in December to settle the 2011 budget on the basis of the compromise figures agreed by Parliament and Commission, and to set out a working method and timetable which will allow the much-needed radical reform of the EU's finances."

Editors' Note

Andrew Duff (ALDE/UK) represented the European Parliament in the Intergovernmental Conference which drafted the Treaty of Lisbon

The UEF, founded in 1947 is a supranational political movement dedicated to uniting Europe along federal lines.

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