28.07.2024. / 15:18
BRUSSELS – EU diplomats have been ordered to abandon travel plans, cancel parties and postpone work on insurance and renovation of residences, because they have largely exceeded the budget for this year, writes the British daily “Financial Times”.
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According to the paper, which refers to unnamed officials from Brussels, the European Diplomatic Service was notified to save 43 million euros, which is almost five percent of the planned budget, as they exceeded the agreed amounts.
The same officials warn that financial restrictions will be even greater next year.
The diplomatic service pointed out that for the proposed budget it will be necessary to introduce “serious austerity measures”, and that there is a possibility of closing certain missions and even selling some real estate.
The newspaper writes that cost reductions are already visible across Europe’s diplomatic network and that savings have been applied to all sectors, from limousine drivers to office supplies.
One example is the cancellation of the annual reception of the European Diplomatic Service at the UN General Assembly, which diplomats say is of key importance for convincing developing countries on various issues.
The European Diplomatic Service announced that they have reduced spending wherever possible, while the budgets of offices abroad have been cut in half. A doe
Source: www.capital.ba
