EU rejected Sorensen's budget increase!

The European Union did not approve a budget increase for the EU Special Representative in BiH, Peter Sorensen, in an election year, the BiH news agency Patria (NAP) has learned. Sorensen's office requested an increase in allocations for the work of the European representation in BiH by two percent, but several member states opposed it, so the same budget as in previous years was adopted.

The Special Representative will thus have 5.25 million euros, or slightly more than 10 million marks, available from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015. Sorensen requested an increase to 5.4 million euros, considering that this is an election year and higher travel expenses and public relations allocations are expected.

However, some EU member states, which object to the Brussels administration due to high costs, opposed it. According to our information, Great Britain was at the forefront.

They took the position that there would be no budget increase and demanded that the allowances for employees and diplomats be reduced.

- There will be no increase in costs. British taxpayers want value for this amount being allocated – was the official position of London during the discussion of the EUSR budget.

Therefore, the Council of the EU made a decision on the budget for Sorensen's office for the next year on June 17 this year. The decision states that Sorensen's mandate expires next year, and Sonsen must submit a report on his work by March next year.

- The EUSR will implement its mandate in the context of a situation that could worsen and threaten the objectives established by the EU External Action Service – the Council of the EU decision states, NAP reports.

Facsimile of the Council of the EU decision: EUSR received 5.25 million euros for one year