Declaration opens way for MEP vote on 2011 budget

The European Parliament is set to vote next week on the EU's 2011 budget after months of protracted negotiations with EU member states. Approval would avoid the need to roll over this year's budget on a month-by-month basis, a step policymakers had warned would hinder the EU's ability to operate smoothly.

The decision to push ahead with the parliamentary vote was taken by political group leaders during a meeting with parliamentary president Jerzy Buzek on Thursday (9 December) after th...