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EU budget/UK proposals
Interview given by Mme Catherine Colonna, Minister Delegate for European Affairs, to "Europe 1"
Paris, December 6, 2005
Q. – (on the European budget for 2007-2013: the United Kingdom is proposing a cut in the funds for the East European countries and agreeing to give up €8 billion of her rebate) THE MINISTER – My comment will be very simple: the British proposals for the future budget are very disappointing. It's a "cut-price Europe" which is proposed and one in which the bulk of the effort is mostly borne by the less rich countries, which in no way reflects our conception of the European Union. In reality, the difference between this draft budget and the preceding one is that the poorest countries receive less and the United Kingdom receives more. That isn't the right choice. Q. – It isn't the right choice, so it's a categorical rejection? THE MINISTER – It’s in any case a bad proposal and it isn't the right basis for a possible agreement. Q. – So are you expecting some new proposals? THE MINISTER – We'll certainly have to have another look at things because an agreement won't be found on this basis./. Embassy of France in the United States - December 6, 2005
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