European and External Affairs Committee
Inquiry into the EU Budget Review
Terms of reference and key issues to be addressed:
To understand and evaluate the European Commission’s thinking on the shape of the future EU Budget, and assess the potential implications that the EU Budget Review could have on future EU funding opportunities for Wales, including impact on the EU Structural Funds and Common Agricultural Policy
To understand and evaluate the UK Government line for future negotiations on the EU Budget Review, in comparison to the emerging views of the other Member States, and make an assessment as to whether or not the UK position maximises Welsh interests
To understand and evaluate how the Welsh Government is engaging with the debate on the shape of the future EU Budget and how it is influencing the UK Government’s position
To make recommendations to the Welsh Government with a view to informing the negotiating position on the future EU budget.
The Committee will focus in particular on the following questions/issues:
What impact will the financial and economic crisis have on (i) the overall budget settlement, and (ii) the priorities for the future EU strategy?
What will be the specific implications of changes to EU Cohesion Policy and CAP allocations to Wales? Does the Welsh Government have a strategy to pursue alternative sources of funding, in these two areas and in terms of looking at other EU funding programmes?
What will be the "red lines” in the UK Government position in negotiations in Brussels during 2010-2012 period?
What other views are emerging in Brussels? From other Member States, European Parliament, EU networks, regions? How do these views compare to those of the Welsh Assembly Government and the UK Government? Are there any aspects to these emerging views that would look interesting from a Welsh perspective?
