The budget of the European Council and Council
Section II of the General Budget of EU provides the budget for the European Council and Council (EC/C) within one common budget structure.
The EC/C budget for 2013 is EUR 535,5 million, which corresponds to an increase of EUR 1,5 million or 0,3 % compared to 2012.
- The EC/C budget 2013 foresees appropriations for around 3150 officials corresponding to 60 % of the budget.
- The Council organises more than 4500 official meetings a year. The direct cost of these meetings (e.g. travel cost of the delegations and interpreting costs) amounts to 22 % of the total budget.
- Expenditure relating to the buildings and infrastructure amounts to 8 %, while computer systems, equipment and furniture another 8 %.
In 2013 the Section II makes up around 0,4 % of the EU budget. This amounts to approximately 6 % of the total administrative expenditure of all EU institutions.
The establishment of the EC/C budget begins in January by setting up the objectives and proposals for the required resources for the following year. On this basis, the "estimate of revenue and expenditure" of the European Council and Council is established and submitted to the Council after which it is incorporated into the Commission's proposal for the Draft Budget.
The Council and the European Parliament are expected to conclude a common position on the following year's EU budget in the Conciliation Committee by mid-November. After the common position the European Parliament and the Council will formalise the outcome as soon as possible, according to their internal procedures.