The European Parliament adopted the report by Mr Wilfried KUCKELKORN (PES, D) setting out Parliament's estimates for its revenue and expenditure in the year 2005. Parliament stressed the importance of meeting the needs of enlargement despite the financial constraints on administrative expenditure (heading 5) and of continuing to improve the services provided to MEPs. The Parliament notes the proposal to create 8 new non-enlargement related and 38 new enlargement-related temporary posts in the political groups. It approves these posts and the corresponding budgetary appropriations.

The House notes that the preliminary draft estimates have been set at 20% of heading 5, representing an increase of 3,3% over 2004 budget. It reserves its final decision on the global level of Section I until the first reading in the autumn. It is pointed out that out of the amount of EUR 1 272 million corresponding to 20% of heading 5, an amount of EUR 1 007.6 million is foreseen for standard operational expenditure and EUR 173.4 million for enlargement-related needs.

On the issue of the adoption of a Statute for Members' assistants, Parliament considers that the provisions provided by the new staff regulations regarding the option to define assistants as contract agents should be examined.

On a more general note, Parliament reiterates its request for the re-introduction of limitations to the entry into its canteens to ensure that Members and staff can use the premises without unnecessary loss of time and in an appropriate environment.

Lastly, Parliament is determined, as the driving force behind the movement to set up a WTO Parliamentary Assembly, to ensure that sufficient appropriations become available to provide for the adequate participation, with the necessary infrastructure, of its delegations in all meetings of or leading up to such an assembly.

The European Parliament adopted the report by Mr Wilfried KUCKELKORN (PES, D) setting out Parliament's estimates for its revenue and expenditure in the year 2005. Parliament stressed the importance of meeting the needs of enlargement despite the financial constraints on administrative expenditure (heading 5) and of continuing to improve the services provided to MEPs. The Parliament notes the proposal to create 8 new non-enlargement related and 38 new enlargement-related temporary posts in the political groups. It approves these posts and the corresponding budgetary appropriations.

The House notes that the preliminary draft estimates have been set at 20% of heading 5, representing an increase of 3,3% over 2004 budget. It reserves its final decision on the global level of Section I until the first reading in the autumn. It is pointed out that out of the amount of EUR 1 272 million corresponding to 20% of heading 5, an amount of EUR 1 007.6 million is foreseen for standard operational expenditure and EUR 173.4 million for enlargement-related needs.

On the issue of the adoption of a Statute for Members' assistants, Parliament considers that the provisions provided by the new staff regulations regarding the option to define assistants as contract agents should be examined.

On a more general note, Parliament reiterates its request for the re-introduction of limitations to the entry into its canteens to ensure that Members and staff can use the premises without unnecessary loss of time and in an appropriate environment.

Lastly, Parliament is determined, as the driving force behind the movement to set up a WTO Parliamentary Assembly, to ensure that sufficient appropriations become available to provide for the adequate participation, with the necessary infrastructure, of its delegations in all meetings of or leading up to such an assembly.