The EU budget – an Instrument for Shaping and Delivering Key EU policy Priorities

The role of Europe 2020 as a major reference for future EU action has been highlighted by the European institutions, spearheaded by the Commission and the Parliament. Fabian Zuleeg and Elisa Molino argue that several drawbacks would be associated with a ‘strict’ use of Europe 2020 as policy reference, given that there are many items of budgetary expenditure which only very indirectly contribute to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. However, the question of how to implement the long term goals of Europe 2020 is enriching the inter-institutional discussion on the priorities of the next MFF. In this respect, there is an added value in maintaining the strategic priorities of Europe 2020 as a general reference point for the future direction of EU spending.

This paper has been written as part of a Framework Contract with the Committee of the Regions.

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