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07/11/2012
EU Budget Rise 'Ludicrous' - Cameron
David Cameron has described as "ludicrous" a proposed rise in the EU budget ahead of talks with Angela Merkel.
The PM was speaking in Abu Dhabi on a three day visit to the Middle East. He said he wanted a freeze on the budget instead.
Cameron faces criticism from some in his party who are asking for a reduction. Germany has said some rise is necessary.
The talks between Merkel and Cameron are due to come before an EU summit in less than three weeks.
At the summit, EU member states will attempt to lay out the next set of spending plans for Brussels.
Cameron said he would make a "very robust and strong argument" to force the European Commission to limit its budget.
He said: "They are proposing a completely ludicrous 100bn euro increase in the European budget.
"I'll be arguing for a very tough outcome. I never had very high hopes for a November agreement because you have got 27 different people round the table with 27 different opinions."
Cameron is under increasing pressure from the Commons following a Labour backed rebellion by 53 Conservative MPs on the EU budget.
An amendment has been passed calling for a real-terms cut in spending between 2014 and 2020.
It was seen as a major blow to Cameron's authority on Europe ahead of the EU budget summit and has been likened to similar problems experienced by John Major in the 90s.
"I feel I am in there fighting for Europe's taxpayers, particularly British taxpayers," Cameron said.
"We have a rebate, we are keeping that rebate. But over and above that rebate I also want to see a good budget outcome for the UK."
(IT/GK)
The PM was speaking in Abu Dhabi on a three day visit to the Middle East. He said he wanted a freeze on the budget instead.
Cameron faces criticism from some in his party who are asking for a reduction. Germany has said some rise is necessary.
The talks between Merkel and Cameron are due to come before an EU summit in less than three weeks.
At the summit, EU member states will attempt to lay out the next set of spending plans for Brussels.
Cameron said he would make a "very robust and strong argument" to force the European Commission to limit its budget.
He said: "They are proposing a completely ludicrous 100bn euro increase in the European budget.
"I'll be arguing for a very tough outcome. I never had very high hopes for a November agreement because you have got 27 different people round the table with 27 different opinions."
Cameron is under increasing pressure from the Commons following a Labour backed rebellion by 53 Conservative MPs on the EU budget.
An amendment has been passed calling for a real-terms cut in spending between 2014 and 2020.
It was seen as a major blow to Cameron's authority on Europe ahead of the EU budget summit and has been likened to similar problems experienced by John Major in the 90s.
"I feel I am in there fighting for Europe's taxpayers, particularly British taxpayers," Cameron said.
"We have a rebate, we are keeping that rebate. But over and above that rebate I also want to see a good budget outcome for the UK."
(IT/GK)
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