- sustainable development: growth, cohesion and employment (the Lisbon agenda and sustainable growth);
- the interest of the citizens: freedom, security and justice;
- strenghtening the Union's voice as a global partner.
In order to have the financial means to reach these political goals, the Commission is calling for an average spending level of 1.14 per cent over the seven-year period. Although the expenditure levels will increase in the first phase (due to enlargement), by the end of the period, in 2013, the budget needed would reach 143.1 billion euros. Over the whole period, the amounts needed will stay below the current financial ceiling of 1.24 per cent of GNI (gross national income).
Furthermore, the Commission has proposed re-arranging the structure of the current financial perspective into five budgetary headings:
- Heading 1: sustainable growth - including two sub-headings: 1a) competition for growth and employment; and 1b) cohesion for growth and employment;
- Heading 2: conservation and management of natural resources (including agriculture, fisheries and environment;
- Heading 3: citizenship, freedom, security and justice;
- Heading 4: the EU as a global partner;
- Heading 5: administration
In order to give "fair treatment for all Member States", the Commission proposes a generalised correction mechanism, which should "correct a budgetary burden deemed excessive in relation to a country's relative prosperity".
By summer 2004, the Commission will produce a report on the issue of "own resources" to determine whether a direct European tax is necessary or not.
