ANALYSIS OF ALL THE AMENDMENTS

1. The Convention members have presented 69 amendments to draft Articles 38 to 40. The amendments presented cover a wide variety of subjects which makes it difficult to order them logically.

2. Nevertheless, two very clear conclusions may be drawn:
- There seems to be broad consensus on the idea of formally establishing the financial perspective in the Constitution as a binding framework for the annual budget.
- The budgetary principles proposed by the Praesidium in draft Article 39 have generally been well received by the Convention members.

3. Certain subjects caught the attention of the Convention members more than others. This was especially true of decision-making procedures for which there was a very large number of amendments relating to the system of own resources, the financial perspective and the annual budget.

4. As regards own resources, the procedural amendments frequently diverged widely. While some amendments support maintaining the procedure currently laid down in the EC Treaty, others advocated intervention by the Parliament by means of the legislative procedure or assent. Views also diverged on the proposals for majorities within both the Council and the Parliament.
Different positions were also expressed in the amendments on the requirement for national ratification.
It should be noted that in relation to own resources, a large number of amendments propose leaving open the possibility of creating European taxes.

To read the entire analyses, click: http://register.consilium.eu.int/pdf/en/03/cv00/cv00643en03.pdf.