UK PM attacks proposed rise in EU budget as 'ludicrous'

PanARMENIAN.Net - UK Prime Minister David Cameron has attacked a 'ludicrous' proposed rise in the EU budget in advance of talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The leaders are due to discuss the issue at Downing Street later.

Speaking in Abu Dhabi, during his three-day visit to the Middle East, Cameron said he would make a "very robust and strong argument" for an arrangement that forced the European Commission to limit its budget.

He said: "They are proposing a completely ludicrous 100 billion euro increase in the European budget. I'll be arguing for a very tough outcome. I never had very high hopes for a November agreement because you have got 27 different people round the table with 27 different opinions."

Last week the government was defeated in a Commons vote on the EU budget after 53 Conservative MPs defied their party over the issue. Tory rebels joined with Labor to pass an amendment calling for a real-terms cut in spending between 2014 and 2020. The amendment was not binding on ministers, but was seen as a blow to Cameron's authority on Europe ahead of the EU budget summit.

Cameron said: "I feel I am in there fighting for Europe's taxpayers, particularly British taxpayers. We have a rebate, we are keeping that rebate. But over and above that rebate I also want to see a good budget outcome for the UK."

Cameron has said he would be prepared to veto any unacceptable proposal - which would mean that a deal would not go ahead.

If no agreement is reached by the end of next year the 2013 budget will be rolled into 2014 with a 2% rise to account for inflation.