Article Abstract:
There are a number of difficult decisions relating to the future of the European Union (EU) that have to be taken in 1999. The budget will be discussed in Mar 1999 and reform of the budget has to be undertaken if new members are to be admitted. There are different national interests involved with France, for example, in favor of farm spending because it is an important beneficiary, while Germany is seeking to reduce its net contribution. Constitutional change is also needed for EU enlargement.
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Article Abstract:
There are inefficiencies in the way that the European Union (EU) is run, which means that money is sometimes wasted. The Finnish commissioner, Erkki Liikanen, has responsibility for the budget portfolio and the personnel and administration of the European Commission. He aims to increase productivitiy and reduce costs, and also plans a new building to house the commission in Belgium. Labor unions oppose Liikanen's proposals, which is an encouraging sign of his virtue.
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Article Abstract:
There are problems in reaching an agreement on budegtary issues within the European Union (EU). There has been a weak attempt to reform spending on agriculture, and the feebleness of the proposals mean that the expansion of the European Union into eastern Europe becomes less likely. There are also divisions relating to the budget itself. These include the Spanish reluctance to lose subsidies, and the United Kingdom's reluctance to lose a budget rebate.
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