The European Parliament adopted by 541 to 100 with 36 abstentions a resolution on the Multiannual Financial Framework and own resources.

The resolution was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ALDE, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL groups.

Members recall that the Council is required to adopt a regulation laying down the MFF, acting unanimously, after obtaining the consent of Parliament, and that the Danish Presidency-in-Office is aiming to submit to the June European Council a ‘negotiating box’ putting forward options for all aspects of the negotiations, including the revenue side but excluding any figures at this stage. Parliament previous resolution of 8 June 2011 established its political priorities for the next MFF, in both legislative terms and budgetary terms, providing a sound basis for negotiations. Members state that the contents of that resolution remain fully valid is to be seen as its negotiating position for the next MFF 2014-2020. Parliament reaffirms its position against any proposal that would not allow the Union to fulfil its role and meet the political commitments already made or to respond to new responsibilities.

Parliament insists that the EU budget should show an appropriate balance between revenue from genuine own resources and expenditure as required by the Treaty. It states that it is not prepared to give its consent to the next MFF regulation without political agreement on reform of the own-resources system , putting an end to existing rebates and other correction mechanisms and leading to more transparency, fairness and sustainability. Members welcome the legislative proposals made by the Commission on 29 June 2011 on the reform of the own-resources system , including the proposals on a financial transaction tax (FTT) and a new EU VAT as own resources, which are aimed at reducing the share of Member States‘ GNI-based contributions to the EU budget to 40 % by 2020.

In view of the macro-economic environment, Parliament insists that the MFF 2014-2020 must provide enhanced budgetary flexibility both within and across headings, as well as between financial years within the MFF, in order to ensure that budgetary resources can be appropriately aligned with evolving circumstances and priorities. All EU policies and programmes should be included within the MFF with appropriate funding, thus contributing to transparency, predictability and accountability.

The resolution strongly demands that political positions agreed by the European Council be negotiated between Parliament and the Council, before the Council formally submits its proposals with a view to obtaining Parliament's consent on the MFF regulation. The negotiations on the legislative proposals relating to the multiannual programmes will be pursued under the ordinary legislative procedure and will be finalised once an agreement on their financial envelopes is reached. Parliament is determined to make full use of its consent and ordinary legislative powers, as enshrined in the Treaty.

Members further stress that the goals and policies of the MFF should be agreed before figures are assigned to them, and that Parliament and the Council should hold fully fledged negotiations on all MFF-related aspects prior to assigning figures and making final adjustments to the entire MFF package. They adhere to the principle that ‘nothing is agreed until everything is agreed’ as an appropriate working method.