Multiannual Financial Perspectives 2007-2013

The multiannual financial perspectives were established for the first time in 1988 to avoid tension between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers during the budgetary procedure.

The European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission come to an inter-institutional agreement that includes the major budgetary priorities over a given period.

To date there have been 4 multiannual financial frameworks:
- 1988-1992, or "the Delors Package I";
- 1993-1999, or "the Delors Package II";
- 1999-2006, or "Agenda 2000";
- 2007-2013.

Negotiations with regard to the last financial framework 2007-2013 were difficult as usual but finally an institutional agreement was found and signed on 19th May 2006.

It includes commitment appropriations to a total of 864.316 billion € over 2007-2013, i.e. 1.048% of Community GNI and payment appropriations to a total of 820.78 billion €, i.e. 1% of the Community GNI.
Since the ceiling of community expenditure is set at 1.24% of the GNR there remains a 0.24% margin.

Commitment appropriations are loans planned for a project; payment appropriations are loans that are effectively spent. Commitment appropriations are not necessarily the same as payment appropriations because they can be spread over several years.

Source: European Commission
Data assembled and put together by the Robert Schuman Foundation, © FRS