The Embassy EU/Economic team maintains a regular dialogue with Polish Ministries and civil society on EU budgetary issues, to secure the best outcome for the EU. An effective EU must be equipped with a budget that enables it to respond to globalisation – and for this the EU budget needs reform.

For example, in 2007, 40% of total expenditure was allocated to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and 60% of Structural and Cohesion Funds (SCF) spending went to richer Member States. The commitment of the European Commission and Member States to a fundamental review of the current budget in 2008-9 is a welcome and necessary.