The European Parliament adopted at second-reading the 2009 general EU budget, whose level of payments is set at €116.096 billion, representing almos 0.9% of the European Union's Gross National Income (GNI). The level of commitments has been set at €133.845 billion, which is 1.03 % EU GNI. EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering signed off the official 2009 EU budget in Strasbourg.

In October 2008, the European Parliament voted at first reading on the proposed EU budget for 2009. The Parliament proposed placing the level of payments around 0.959% of Gross National Income (GNI) of the EU (124,500 M€), compared to 0.885% proposed by the Council and the commitments made at 136,000 M€ (1.048% of GNI).

However, last November, 21st, Parliament and the Council reached an agreement on the EU budget for 2009. The compromise establishes a sum of 116,096 M€ in payment appropriations. In addition, the level of payments will be nearly 0.894% of EU's GNI, between the 0.899% requested by Commission and the 0.885% asked by Council. Commitment appropriations amount to 133,777 M€ (1.03% of GNI). The 2008 Budget was 120,346 million in payments and 129,149 appropriations.

MEPs suggest earmark 10 M€ extra for the EU Agency Frontex, which in 2008 had a budget of 70 M€. In addition, the European Refugee Fund will receive 5 M€ to finance the additional burden-sharing operation.

Food facility for developing countries

MEPs approved the agreement with Council that will allow the payment of around €1 billion in farm aid to developing countries. Parliament successfully pressed for this instrument, known as the "food facility", to be financed mainly from 760 M€ of new money, with transfers from Heading 4 (external relations) being limited as far as possible.  It was on this condition that MEPs agreed to spread the programme, originally earmarked for 2008/2009, into 2010.
 
For 2009, the European Parliament created a special budget heading of 568 M€ in commitments and rectified the structure of the expenditure, to take account of the amounts needed to finance this aid.

EU economic recovery plan

Parliament expresses its strong willingness to enter into negotiations with the Council on the  basis of the Commission's proposal  for a  revision of the financial frameworks 2007-13  for €5 billion in the framework of the proposed European Economic recovery plan. MEPs takes note in this regard of the Conclusions of the December 2008 European Council in that respect.
 
The rapporteur for the 2009 general EU Budget, Jutta Haug expressed that in her opinion “it was particularly important to give strong financial support to the following: firstly, policies that tackle climate change, secondly, maintaining the social dimension in the context of growth for jobs, thirdly, in measures shaping globalisation, and finally in the support of small and medium-sized enterprises.  Generally, the European Parliament safeguarded its priorities. Additionally, it was important for the European Parliament to finance the €1 billion for the Food Facility."