In its communication dated 15 February 1987 entitled Making a success of the Single Act: a new frontier for Europe, commonly known as the ‘Delors I Package’, the Commission proposes the introduction of new rules governing budgetary discipline. Among other things, it recommends the establishment of multiannual financial forecasts to ensure the observance of budgetary discipline.

On 19 February 1987, the French daily newspaper Le Monde analyses the proposals set out in the Delors I package on the reform of the Community budget.

On 28 February 1987, the Commission submits to the Council and to Parliament a report on the financing of the Community budget in which it notes the growing disparity between resources and Community requirements and the need to establish a system of medium-term expenditure planning with the aim of strengthening management efficiency.

On 12 March 1987, Emanuele Gazzo, Director of Agence Europe, defends the proposals set out in the Delors Plan to increase the revenue of the Twelve and reform the Community budget.

The European Council held in Brussels from 29 to 30 June 1987 gives its opinion on the Commission Communication entitled Making a success of the Single Act: a new frontier for Europe.

On 29 June 1987, as the European Council opens in Brussels, French President François Mitterrand expresses his optimism at the planned reform of Community funding put forward by the European Commission.

The European Council, meeting in Brussels from 11 to 13 February 1988, decides to revise the financing system of the Community budget and lays down the principles of budgetary discipline.

Group photo taken at the European Council held in Brussels from 11 to 13 February 1988.

Interinstitutional Agreement of 29 June 1988 on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure.

Table showing the evolution of the financial perspectives since their establishment in 1988.

Interactive diagram showing the development of the financial perspectives since their establishment in 1988.

In its Communication of 11 February 1992 entitled From the Single Act to Maastricht and beyond: the means to match our ambitions, also known as the ‘Delors II Package’, the Commission proposes a new Financial Perspective for the period 1993–1999.

On 26 May 1992, the conservative daily newspaper La Libre Belgique analyses the national and Community aspects of the Delors II package on the financial measures required to enable the Maastricht Treaty to enter into force.

On 12 December 1992, in its conclusions, the Edinburgh European Council adopts the Financial Perspective for the period 1993–1999.

Group photo of the Edinburgh European Council held on 11 and 12 December 1992.

On 14 December 1992, commenting on the conclusions adopted two days earlier by the Twelve at the close of the Edinburgh European Council, the French daily newspaper Le Monde gives an account of the difficulties involved in reaching a compromise on the financing of the Community budget over the next seven years.

In April 1993, in an article in the monthly publication Revue du Marché commun et de l’Union européenne, Philippe Jouret, administrator at the Commission of the European Communities in the Directorate General for Budget, analyses the question of the financing of the Community budget and the proposals contained in the ‘Delors II Package’.

Interinstitutional Agreement of 29 October 1993 on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure.

Bar chart of the financial perspective for the period 1993–1999.

European Parliament resolution, dated 13 December 1994, on the communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament concerning the adjustment of the financial perspective with a view to the fourth enlargement of the European Union.

Volume I of the European Commission Communication of 16 July 1997 entitled Agenda 2000 for a stronger and wider Union. Amongst other things, this first volume deals with the financial framework for the period 2000–2006.

In 2000, the Commission publishes an information brochure setting out the broad lines of the Agenda 2000 Communication.

On 25 March 1999, in its conclusions, the Berlin European Council adopts the Financial Perspective for the period 2000–2006.

At the end of the extraordinary meeting of the European Council held on 24 and 25 March 1999 in Berlin, the Heads of State or Government of the fifteen Member States of the European Union endorse the implementation of the new common agricultural policy (CAP) and the financial perspective relating to Agenda 2000.

On 24 March 1999, at the height of the crisis in the European Commission, the French daily newspaper Libération considers the key issue at stake at the Berlin European Council, namely the adoption of Agenda 2000.

On 27 March 1999, with reference to the Berlin Summit, the French daily newspaper Le Monde welcomes the Fifteen's adoption of the proposals put forward by the European Commission for the implementation of Agenda 2000, which lays down the EU's financial framework for 2000–2006.

Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure.

Bar chart of the financial perspective for the period 2000–2006.

Comparative table of expenditure and revenue ceilings for the period 2000-2006.

During the Brussels European Council held on 15 and 16 December 2005, the Heads of State or Government reach agreement on the 2007–2013 financial perspective.

Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2003 on the revision of the financial perspective 2000-2006.

Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2003 on the adjustment of the financial perspective 2000-2006 for enlargement.

On 14 July 2004, the Commission submits to the Council and to Parliament a series of detailed policy proposals regarding the implementation of the 2007–2013 Financial Perspective.

On 5 April 2005, in the run-up to the European Council of June 2005, the French daily newspaper Le Monde reports on the difficulties encountered by Member States in reaching a compromise on the financial perspective 2007–2013.

On 12 April 2005, with a view to the European Council due to take place in June, the Commission submits a working document on the technical adjustments to be made to its initial proposal on the 2007–2013 Financial Perspective.

On 15 June 2005, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union submits a revised version of the ‘negotiating box’ on the Financial Perspective 2007–2013 to the European Council, with a view to the meeting to be held on 16 and 17 June 2005.

‘Blair must have put off presenting the budget of the European Union several times. We can't even rely on British punctuality any more …' In 2005, Portuguese cartoonists Aníbal and Reimão take an ironic look at the British Prime Minister's stubborn insistence on rejecting any budget agreements.

In the run-up to the December 2005 European Council, decisive in terms of the negotiations on the financial perspective 2007–2013, the Europe Daily Bulletin describes the impatience and the concern of the Member States waiting for a compromise proposal from the British Presidency.

At the Brussels European Council, held on 15 and 16 December 2005, the Heads of State or Government reach an agreement on the Financial Perspective 2007–2013.

At the end of the Brussels European Council held on 15 and 16 December 2005, the Heads of State or Government of the 25 Member States of the European Union secure agreement on the 2007–2013 financial perspective.

In an article published on 16 December 2005 against the background of the difficult negotiations on the adoption of the budget for the period 2007–2013, the French daily newspaper Le Monde outlines the revised form of the new financial perspective.

In his statement made on 17 December 2005, José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, expresses his satisfaction at the securing of an agreement between the Heads of State or Government on the financial perspective 2007–2013, even if this agreement does not include all that was hoped for by the Commission.

On 17 December 2005, the daily newspaper La Libre Belgique gives an account of the difficult negotiations on the financial perspective 2007–2013 at the European Council held on 15 and 16 December 2005.

On the basis of this final proposal from the UK Presidency (document 15915/05), the Heads of State or Government, meeting at the Brussels European Council on 15 and 16 December 2005, reach an agreement on the Financial Perspective 2007–2013.

In its 13 January 2006 issue, on the eve of the European Parliament vote on the Financial Perspective 2007–2013, the Europe Daily Bulletin expects the agreement concluded at the European Council of 15 and 16 December 2005 to be rejected.

On 18 January 2006, the European Parliament rejects the agreement on the Financial Perspective reached by the Heads of State or Government at the Brussels European Council held on 15 and 16 December 2005. The MEPs call for negotiations to be held concerning both the provisions for the period 2007–2013 and the spending plan.

In his editorial published on 20 January 2006, Ferdinando Riccardi, leader writer for the Europe Daily Bulletin, refers to the difficulties encountered by Europe in securing the financial perspective for the period 2007–2013.

On 1 February 2006, the Commission submits a revised proposal for the renewal of the Interinstitutional Agreement on budgetary discipline and the improvement of the budgetary procedure for the period 2007–2013.

On 1 February 2006, the European Commission submits a revised proposal for a renewed Interinstitutional Agreement on budgetary discipline and the improvement of the budgetary procedure for the period 2007–2013. The Commission’s Press Service outlines the key points of such an Agreement.

In an article published on 23 March 2006, the Europe Daily Bulletin outlines the encouraging results concerning the adoption of an agreement on the financial perspective 2007–2013 following the trialogue meeting held on 21 March between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.

Following the agreement reached on the financial perspective 2007–2013 at the trialogue meeting held on 4 April 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, the various protagonists and, in particular, MEPs give their reactions.

Dans un article du 6 avril 2006, le quotidien français Libération constate que bien qu’un accord ait pu être obtenu suite au trilogue du 4 avril 2006, entre le Parlement européen, le Conseil et la Commission, les députés européens sont pourtant déçus.

On 17 May 2006, in Strasbourg, the European Parliament approves the interinstitutional agreement on budgetary discipline and sound financial management which sets out the terms for the implementation of the financial perspective 2007–2013.

Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management.

On 17 May 2006, in Strasbourg, the representatives of the three institutions — Josep Borrell Fontelles of the European Parliament, Wolfgang Schüssel of the Council of the European Union and Dalia Grybauskaite, Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget — sign the Interinstitutional Agreement on budgetary discipline and sound financial management. This Agreement concerns, in particular, the financial programming framework for 2007–2013.

On 17 May 2006, in Strasbourg, Josep Borrell Fontelles, President of the European Parliament, signs the Interinstitutional Agreement on budgetary discipline and sound financial management. This Agreement concerns, in particular, the financial programming framework for 2007–2013.

On 17 May 2006, the European Parliament approves the Interinstitutional Agreement on budgetary discipline and sound financial management which sets out the arrangements for the implementation of the 2007–2013 financial perspective. Europe Daily Bulletin provides a statistical assessment of the 2007–2013 financial framework and publishes the comments of some Members of the European Parliament and some European Commissioners.

On 17 May 2006, the European Parliament approves the Interinstitutional Agreement on budgetary discipline and sound financial management and, in so doing, adopts the financial framework for the period from 2007 to 2013. Reactions among MEPs to this agreement are somewhat varied.

At a conciliation meeting, the European Parliament and the Council agree to provide part of the financing required for the Galileo satellite radio navigation system by means of a revision of the multiannual financial framework 2007–2013. As a result, on 18 December 2007, the two arms of the budgetary authority decide to amend the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 on budgetary discipline and sound financial management with regard to the multiannual financial framework.

Table showing the trends in Community expenditure from 1958 to 2004 in millions of euros.

Table showing the Community expenditure from 1958 to 2004 in percentages.

Table showing the allocation of European Union expenditure by Member State since 1995

Table showing the amount granted by the 'Guidance' Section of the EAGGF between 1964 and 1976 and the expenditure of the 'Guarantee' Section in 1971, 1973 and 1976.

Table showing the four European Union Structural Funds and their objectives.

In 1986, reacting to the difficulties facing the European agricultural market, the German cartoonist Hanel portrays the need to reform the common agricultural policy (CAP).

In its communication dated 15 February 1987 entitled Making a success of the Single Act: a new frontier for Europe, commonly known as the ‘Delors I Package', the Commission submits proposals for reform with a view to the completion of the internal market and the strengthening of economic and social cohesion.

Following the Brussels European Council, held on 29 and 30 June 1987, in its summer edition the federalist journal L'Europe en formation, analyses the disagreements between Margaret Thatcher, British Prime Minister, and her European counterparts over the Delors plan guidelines.

In 1991, the European Commission submits to the Council and to the Parliament a discussion paper, a follow-up to the documents COM(91) 100 and COM(91)258, on the development and the future of the common agricultural policy (CAP).

In its Communication of 11 February 1992 entitled From the Single Act to Maastricht and beyond: the means to match our ambitions, also known as the ‘Delors II Package’, the Commission recommends an adjustment of common policies, the strengthening of economic and social cohesion and increased Community external action.

On 11 February 1992, Jacques Delors, President of the Commission of the European Communities, sets out to the European Parliament the issues surrounding the ‘Delors II Package’ on the financial measures required for the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty.

On 23 May 1992, the French newspaper Le Monde examines the measures set out under the agreement on the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP), concluded by the Twelve two days earlier in Brussels, and talks of a shake-up of European agriculture.

In June 1992, in the monthly journal Crocodile, Joan Colom i Naval, MEP and member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets, criticises the restrictive attitude adopted at the Lisbon European Council towards the financing of the objectives agreed in Maastricht.

On 14 December 1992, the French daily newspaper Le Monde comments on the thorny issue of the financing of the European Community and analyses the precise financing plan proposed by Jacques Delors, President of the European Commission, during the Edinburgh European Council.

Example of aid granted as a matter of necessity by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the restoration of breakwaters west of the Port of Sines in Portugal. The ERDF is one of the four European Union Structural Funds established to reduce disparities in prosperity and living standards and to help European regions facing difficulties.

Example of aid granted by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the restoration of breakwaters west of the Port of Sines in Portugal in 1993. The ERDF is one of the four European Union Structural Funds established to reduce differences in prosperity and living standards and to help European regions facing difficulties.

Example of aid granted by the Phare programme to an Estonian company. Through the Phare programme, the European Union contributes to various development projects, in particular in the Baltic States.

Distribution graph showing the evolution of Union European expenditure between 1995 and 2005.

Example of aid granted by the Cohesion Fund for the construction of an aqueduct to supply Athens with drinking water in 1996. Since 1994, the Cohesion Fund has provided financial assistance for major projects relating to the environment and trans-European transport networks.

Volume I of the European Commission Communication of 16 July 1997 entitled Agenda 2000 for a stronger and wider Union. Amongst other things, the Commission proposes a reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and regional policy and recommends that further efforts be made towards economic and social cohesion.

Volume II of the Communication Agenda 2000, presented on 16 July 1997 by the European Commission, relating to the reinforcement of the pre-accession strategy.

On 26 March 1999, at the Berlin European Council, the Fifteen adopt Agenda 2000, which establishes an action programme relating to the internal operation of the European Union, to the introduction of a new financial framework, to a reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and to the pre-accession process for the applicant countries before the enlargement of the EU.

On 18 July 1997, the French daily newspaper Le Monde criticises the lack of ambition in the European Commission’s work programme entitled ‘Agenda 2000’.

Example of aid granted by the European Social Fund (ESF) for a single-parent centre in Glasgow in 1997. The ESF is one of the four European Union Structural Funds established to reduce differences in prosperity and living standards and to help European regions facing difficulties.

In 1999, Hanel, German cartoonist, depicts Agenda 2000 as an obstacle to the continuation of the common agricultural policy (CAP).

On 24 March 1999, Peter Hartmann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in Paris, comments on the issue of the financing of the European Union and emphasises the implications of Agenda 2000.

On 25 March 1999, the Berlin European Council reaches an overall agreement on Agenda 2000 and establishes a new Financial Perspective for the European Union for the period 2000–2006.

On 26 March 1999, the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung comments on the efforts made by the Heads of State or Government of the Fifteen at the Berlin European Council, held on 24 and 25 March, to reach agreement on the agricultural, structural and financial reforms included in Agenda 2000.

On 15 June 1998, the European Commission draws up a report on the guidelines for the implementation of the Community Programme for Poland and Hungary: assistance for the restructuring of the economies (PHARE) of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs) which have applied for accession to the European Union.

On 27 February 1998, Hans van den Broek, Member of the Commission of the European Communities in charge of External Political Relations and Enlargement Negotiations, seals one of the lorries that, as a consequence of the PHARE programme, is getting ready to leave Brussels in order to take material aid to Estonia.

In an article published on 24 February 2000, the French daily newspaper Le Monde reports on the difficulties encountered by the European Union, given its ever increasing expenditure, in complying with the financial framework established for the period 2000–2006.

In an article published on 5 August 2000, following the reform of regional policy provided for by Agenda 2000, the daily newspaper Luxemburger Wort outlines the objectives and the total budget of the Structural Funds for the period 2000–2006.

On 21 June 2001, the daily newspaper La Libre Belgique calculates the number of civil servants working for the European institutions in Belgium and the operating expenditure required to support them.

Example of humanitarian action financed by the European Union. This photo shows a programme for rehabilitation through training in the Balkans.

Example of humanitarian action financed by the European Union. This photo shows the distribution of food.

On 14 November 2002, the French daily newspaper Le Monde describes the enthusiasm with which the conference on European research, held a few days earlier in Brussels, was received and, in so doing, highlights the growing importance of research in the expenditure of the European Union.

Example of European Union cooperation measures. This photo shows conflict prevention in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2003.

In its communication dated 10 February 2004 entitled Building our Common Future: Policy challenges and budget resources in the enlarged Union 2007–2013, the Commission considers the Union’s policy guidelines and priority objectives for the period 2007–2013 and the budget resources which need to be implemented to comply with them.

On 14 February 2004, the Luxembourg daily newspaper Tageblatt assesses the situation after four years of aid granted to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe through the Instrument for Structural Policy for Pre-Accession (ISPA).

Overview of the main operational policy areas of the European Union in 2004.

Table showing the number of staff working for the Community institutions from 1970 to 2004.

Example of humanitarian action financed by the European Union (EU). This photo shows health assistance provided by the EU in India following the Tsunami disaster in December 2004.

‘Sorry, Sir, but all those with the Cohesion Fund must sit up in the gallery.' Spanish cartoonists Ventura and El Burladero take an ironic look at Spain's status as a net beneficiary compared to that of Germany, France and the United Kingdom.

On 15 June 2005, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union submits a revised version of the ‘negotiating box' on the Financial Perspective 2007–2013 to the European Council, with a view to the meeting to be held on 16 and 17 June 2005.

In an article published on 18 June 2005 in the daily newspaper La Voix du Luxembourg, Douglas Alexander, then British Minister of State for Europe, considers that the time has come to review the spending policy of the Union.

In an article published on 16 December 2005 against the background of the difficult negotiations on the adoption of the budget for the period 2007–2013, the French daily newspaper Le Monde considers the evolution of the Union’s priorities and the scale of its expenditure.

On the basis of this final proposal from the UK Presidency (document 15915/05), the Heads of State or Government, meeting at the Brussels European Council on 15 and 16 December 2005, reach an agreement on the Financial Perspective 2007–2013.

Following the Brussels European Council of 15 and 16 December 2005 and after the difficult negotiations conducted between the Heads of State or Government, the French daily newspaper Le Monde considers the substance of the agreement secured on the financial perspective 2007–2013.

On 27 December 2005, the daily newspaper La Voix du Luxembourg assesses the scale and the allocation of the funds committed by the European Union to help the victims of the tsunami.

Example of humanitarian action financed by the European Union. DIPECHO is disaster-preparedness programme; it shows that simple, inexpensive preparatory measures — such as acting out a play, as seen here — are extremely effective in limiting damage and saving human lives during a catastrophe.

Example of humanitarian action financed by the European Union. This photo shows a hygiene training programme.

Example of humanitarian action financed by the European Union. This photo shows the distribution of food in Guinea.

In the light of the trialogue meeting held on 4 April 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, the Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir considers the difficulties involved in reaching an agreement on the financial perspective 2007–2013 and the unfortunate consequences for Community expenditure of a budget ‘on the cheap’.

This press release from the European Parliament, dated 21 May 2006, outlines the actions undertaken by the European Union for the defence and the promotion of human rights in the world.

On 4 July 2006, the European Parliament gives the green light for the Structural Funds package for the period from 2007 to 2013. The Structural Funds account for more than one third of the total budget of the Community.

On 31 August 2006, the daily newspaper Luxemburger Wort reports that, since the May 2004 enlargement, the Polish economy has grown substantially, thanks to financial assistance from the European Union.

In its edition dated 25 September 2007, the Bulletin Quotidien Europe publishes the conclusions of the financial report on the European Union’s 2006 budget. Among other things, this report gives information about the way in which EU expenditure has been allocated and the difficulties that the 10 new Member States have had in absorbing the appropriations from the Structural Funds that were allocated to them.

On 12 September 2007, the European Commission adopts a public consultation document entitled ‘Reforming the budget, changing Europe’ on the European Union budget review due to be undertaken in 2008–2009. This communication suggests avenues which might be explored concerning the changes to be made in terms of both expenditure and revenue.

Comparison between the objectives of the Structural Funds for the period 2000-2006.

Table showing the main beneficiaries of appropriations for structural measures during the period 2000-2006.

On 2 February 1952, the free trade unions in the six Member States of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) lay down precise guidelines with regard to the construction of workers' accommodation.

In November 1954, the High Authority publishes its second report on the activities of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in which it outlines its plans to build low-cost housing.

In March 1954, Paolo Emilio Taviani, Italian Defence Minister, summarises the first five years of operation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and emphasises its economic and social benefits for Italy.

On 13 May 1958, in Strasbourg, Paul Finet, President of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), gives the European Parliamentary Assembly (EPA) an overview of the measures taken by the High Authority to deal with the economic difficulties affecting the European coal and steel industries.

In March 1960, the monthly publication Communauté européenne announces the retraining of 110 000 workers as a result of aid provided by the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).

In the 1960s, the coal crisis led to factory closures and to widespread unemployment. In order to remedy the situation, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) embarks on a programme of social action aimed particularly at retraining mineworkers.

On 9 May 1970, while reporting on the 20th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the French daily newspaper Le Monde outlines the successes and failures of the activities of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).

Council Decision of 21 November 1977 adjusting the portion of administrative expenditure of the European Coal and Steel Community to be covered by levies on the production of coal and steel (77/729/ECSC).

Declaration No 24 on Article 2 of the Protocol on the financial consequences of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty and on the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, annexed to the Final Act of the Treaty of Nice of 26 February 2001.

Protocol (No 34) on the financial consequences of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty and on the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community by the Treaty of Nice of 26 February 2001.

The Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) expires on 23 July 2002. By Decision of 27 February 2002, the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, provide for temporary management of the ECSC funds by the European Commission in the context of their transfer to the European Community (EC).

On 27 June 2002, as the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) nears the date of expiry, the daily newspaper La Voix du Luxembourg welcomes the avant-garde role played by the ECSC in the field of research and the continuation of this work even after the organisation ceases to exist.

Council Decision of 1 February 2003 establishing the measures necessary for the implementation of the Protocol, annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the financial consequences of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty and on the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (2003/76/EC).

Council Decision of 1 February 2003 laying down multiannual financial guidelines for managing the assets of the ECSC in liquidation and, on completion of the liquidation, the Assets of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (2003/77/EC).

Council Decision of 1 February 2003 laying down the multiannual technical guidelines for the research programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (2003/78/EC).

In this memorandum Enrico Gibellieri, the last President of the Consultative Committee of the ECSC, from 10 October 2001 to 23 July 2002, examines the advances made in the fields of social policy that took place over fifty years in Europe thanks to the instruments provided by the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), particularly the instruments regarding sectoral dialogue and those improving living and working conditions.