Malta has aligned itself against a number of large EU member states that are insisting the next EU budget should remain unchanged.
Although still awaiting the Commission's official proposal on the 2014-2020 EU financial perspectives, expected later this month, Malta has signalled that the budget should increase so that it can cater for added responsibilities and obligations.
As the lobbying between the so-called contributors – like the UK, Germany and France – and the beneficiaries – almost all the new EU member states, including Malta – is now out i n the open, 12 net beneficiary member states have sent a joint letter to the Commission asking for a proposal with an increased budget.
In their joint letter , the 12 member states (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain) called for "an ambitious cohesion policy" with a share in the EU budget " of at least its present level".
The call follows another joint letter, coordinated by UK Prime Minister David Cameron last December, in which the main contributors called for a freeze on the EU budget in view of the austerity measures being undertaken by member states to correct their ballooning deficits and public debts. Malta declined to sign this letter when offered.
Asked why Malta did not add its signature to the latest "beneficiaries" appeal, a government spokesman admitted the island was not approached to sign. However, he added the island still " agrees with its contents in principle" but "reserves the right to wait for the Commission to table its formal proposal prior to taking a final position".
Maltese MEPs from both sides of the political divide were less diplomatic and t his week supported an EP resolution calling for a five per cent increase in the next financial framework.
Spanish MEP Salvador Garriga Polledo, whose resolution was approved with an overwhelming majority, said the EU needed to put an end to the bad habit of entering into political commitments without having enough funds to back them.
"Reducing t he EU budget is not a viable option for those of us who believe in a competitive Europe," he said.
Following t he publication of the Commission's proposal, member states and the EP will have until the end of 2012 or even further to find a compromise on the 2014-2020 financial perspectives. The bickering is expected to take long with a prolonged give and take exercise, which normally leads to a final agreement.
Under the present financial perspectives, 2007-2013, Malta managed to get over €1 billion in EU funds to spend in its economy.