In a climate of budgetary restraint, it is unsurprising that the European Council agreed earlier this year to reduce the EU budget by 3.4% relative to the 2007-2013 MFF. But, with austerity under fire and EU countries looking to encourage spending, the Council should also consider the budget’s shape, ensuring that the MFF does not impede future growth and investment.
在预算掣肘的环境下，毫不奇怪欧盟理事会会在今年早些时候将欧盟预算较2007—2013MFF削减了3.4%。但是，在紧缩遭到口诛笔伐、欧盟成员国着眼于鼓励支出时，欧盟理事会还应该考虑预算的构成，确保MFF不会进一步阻碍增长和投资。