Decision on the Baltic Assembly Budget for 2008 (Lithuania)

Decision on the Baltic Assembly Budget for 2008

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DECISION

On the Baltic Assembly Budget for 2008

The Baltic Assembly approves its budget for the year 2008 in the amount of EUR 330 288 in accordance with the attached Baltic Assembly budget appropriations. The BA Budget for the year 2008 includes membership fees of all three Baltic countries in amount of EUR 110 096 for Estonia, EUR 110 096 for Latvia, EUR 110 096 for Lithuania.

According to Article 44, paragraph 4, of the Baltic Assembly Statutes, the expenses necessary for ensuring the activities of the Baltic Assembly shall be shared equally by the parliaments of the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania.

President of

the Baltic Assembly

Ērika ZOMMERE

Republic of Latvia

Vice President of

the Baltic Assembly

Trivimi VELLISTE

Republic of Estonia

Vice President of

the Baltic Assembly

Valerijus SIMULIK

Republic of Lithuania

Baltic Assembly

Budget for 2008

EXPLANATION

The budget of the Baltic Assembly for 2008 is planned in accordance with the preliminary working plan of the Baltic Assembly for 2008 and on the assumption that the income from membership fees of each national parliament will be EUR 110,096. The total budget of the Baltic Assembly for the year 2008 is EUR 330,288.

The budget of the Baltic Assembly for 2008 consists of the following parts:

1. Session of the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council

2. Meetings of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly

3. Meetings of the committees of the Baltic Assembly

4. International cooperation:

Annual summit of the Baltic Assembly and the Nordic Council;

Trilateral conference of the Baltic Assembly, the Nordic Council and the Benelux Interparliamentary Consultative Council;

Standing Committee of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference and cooperation with the Baltic Sea organisations;

Cooperation with the Nordic Council;

Cooperation with the Benelux Interparliamentary Consultative Council;

Cooperation with the GUAM.

5. Informative activities and other events:

Baltic Assembly medals;

Homepage of the Baltic Assembly;

Information booklets, fact sheets and newsletters of the Baltic Assembly;

BA basketball tournament.

6. Baltic Assembly Prizes for Literature, the Arts and Science

7. Secretariat of the Baltic Assembly

8. Unplanned expenses

9. Reserve funds

Estimates of the budget of the Baltic Assembly for the above activities are broken down into the following categories:

1. Salaries, contract work, premiums and taxes;

2. Transportation and hotel expenses;

3. Information-related expenses;

4. Catering expenses;

5. Rent and leasing;

6. Organizational, representation and related expenses;

7. Office equipment and related expenses.

BUDGET SUMMARY

Expenses	EUR
Session	45,637
Presidium	14,590
Committees	65,090
International cooperation	53,540
Informative activities and other events	11,650
Prizes	45,882
Secretariat	85,895
Unplanned expenses	3,004
Reserve funds	5,000
Total	330,288
Revenues: membership fees
Estonian parliament	110,096
Latvian parliament	110,096
Lithuanian parliament	110,096
Total	330,288

1.SESSION OF THE BALTIC ASSEMBLY AND THE BALTIC COUNCIL

The 27^th Session of the Baltic Assembly and the 14^th Baltic Council will be held on 4 - 6 December 2008 in Viljandi, Estonia.

***

During the Session of the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council, the following meetings will be held:

· Meeting of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly;

· Meetings of the committees of the Baltic Assembly;

· Meeting with the representatives of the Baltic Council of Ministers;

· Meeting of the Baltic Assembly Presidium with the chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of the Baltic Assembly committees;

· Meetings with the representatives of the Nordic Council and the Benelux Interparliamentary Consultative Council;

· Meetings with other international partners of the Baltic Assembly;

· Meetings of the party groups of the Baltic Assembly.

***

Total planned expenses for the Session of the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council amount to EUR 45,637. The following expense categories are budgeted for the Session of the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council:

1. Salaries, contract work, premiums (including taxes) include premiums for the staff and contract work. Total: EUR 9,450;

2. Transportation and hotel expenses include transportation and accommodation costs of invited guests and experts. Total: EUR 2,900;

3. Information-related expenses include copying of materials, purchase of folders and pens for participants, information materials. Total: EUR 737;

4. Catering expenses include coffee breaks, lunches, dinners, and receptions. Total: EUR 20,650;

5. Rent and leasing include rental of premises and leasing of equipment necessary for the work of the Session. Total: EUR 4,500;

6. Organizational, representation and related expenses include purchase of souvenirs, decorating the premises, preparation and organization of meetings, excursions for guests, as well as unplanned expenses. Total: EUR 7,400.

2. MEETINGS OF THE PRESIDIUM OF THE BALTIC ASSEMBLY

It is expected that six regular meetings and one unplanned meeting of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly will take place in 2008:

· Meeting of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly

Time and venue: 14 – 15 February, Tallinn (Estonia);

· Meeting of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly (in connection with the BICC Session)

Time and venue: 7 – 8 March, Luxemburg (Luxemburg);

· Meeting of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly (in connection with the BICC Session)

Time and venue: 13 - 14 June, Luxemburg (Luxemburg);

· Meeting of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly (in connection with the 17^th BSPC)

Time and venue: 1 – 2 September, Gotland (Sweden);

· Meeting of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly (in connection with the 60^th NC Session)

Time and venue: 27 – 29 October, Helsinki (Finland);

· Meeting of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly (in connection with the BICC Session)

Time and venue: 12 - 13 December, Luxemburg (Luxemburg);

· One unplanned meeting of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly.

***

Total expenses planned for the meetings of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly (including expenses for one unplanned meeting) amount to EUR 14,590. The following expense categories are budgeted for the meetings of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly:

1. Salaries, contract work, premiums include contract work and tax payments for interpreters and editors. Total: EUR 1,200;

2. Information-related expenses include copying and binding of materials, purchase of folders and pens for participants, information materials. Total: EUR 1,080;

3. Catering expenses include coffee breaks, lunches, dinners. Total: EUR 7,060;

4. Rent and leasing include rental of premises and leasing of equipment necessary for the work of the Presidium meetings. Total: EUR 1,750;

5. Organizational, representation and related expenses include purchase of souvenirs, preparation and organization of meetings, as well as unplanned expenses. Total: EUR 3,500.

***

3. MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEES OF THE BALTIC ASSEMBLY

Ten joint meetings of the standing committees with participation of representatives from the NC and the BICC, two meetings of the Budget and Audit Committee, as well as unplanned committee meetings and ad hoc committee meetings are planned for 2008.

***

· Meetings of the BA Budget and Audit Committee

Time and venue:

14 - 15 February, Tallinn (Estonia);

11 - 12 September, place – tbc (Lithuania).

Expense categories: contract work; catering expenses; information-related expenses; rental of premises and equipment; organizational, representation and related expenses. Total for both meetings: EUR 5,500.

· Meetings of the BA Environmental Protection and Energy Committee

Time and venue:

March/April, place – tbc (Denmark), study trip and joint meeting of the BA Environmental Protection and Energy Committee and the NC Environment and Natural Resources Committee;

15 – 16 April, Stavanger (Norway), joint meeting of the BA Environmental Protection and Energy Committee and the NC Environment and Natural Resources Committee;

22 – 23 May, place – tbc (Estonia), meeting of the committee with participation of representatives from the NC and the BICC;

26 – 27 June, place – tbc, joint meeting of the BA Environmental Protection and Energy Committee and the NC Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Expense categories: contract work; rental of premises and technical equipment; transportation and hotel expenses for experts; catering expenses; information-related expenses; organizational, representation and related expenses. Total for all meetings: EUR 12,500.

· Meeting of the BA Social Affairs Committee

Time and venue:

5 – 6 June, place – tbc., meeting of the committee with participation of representatives from the NC and the BICC.

· Meeting of the BA Education, Science and Culture Committee

Time and venue:

Time and venue – tbc.; study trip and joint meeting of the BA Education, Science and Culture Committee and the NC Culture, Training and Education Committee.

· Meeting of the BA Legal Affairs and Security Committee

Time and venue:

15 – 16 April, Stavanger (Norway), participation of the BA Legal Affairs and Security Committee in the meeting of the NC Citizens’ and Consumer Rights Committee;

Expense categories: contract work; transportation and hotel expenses for experts; catering expenses; information-related expenses; organizational, representation and related expenses. Total for the meeting: EUR 1,790.

· Joint meeting of the BA Legal Affairs and Security Committee and the BA Economic Affairs, Communications and Informatics Committee

Time and venue:

28 - 29 February, place – tbc, joint meeting with participation of representatives from the NC and the BICC.

· Joint meeting of the BA Social Affairs Committee and the BA Education, Science and Culture Committee

Time and venue:

13 – 14 March, tbc (Latvia), joint meeting with participation of representatives from the NC and the BICC.

· Joint meeting of the BA Education, Science and Culture Committee and the BA Economic Affairs, Communications and Informatics Committee

Time and venue:

8 - 9 May, place – tbc, joint meeting with participation of representatives from the NC and the BICC.

***

Ad hoc committeemeetings and unplanned committee meetings

Total expenses planned for organising ad hoc committee meetings and unplanned committee meetings amount to EUR 6,200, which includes the following expense categories: contract work; information-related expenses; catering expenses; rent and leasing; transportation and hotel expenses for experts; organizational, representation and related expenses.

***

Total expenses planned for the Baltic Assembly committee meetings amount to EUR 65,090. The following expense categories are budgeted for the BA committee meetings:

1. Salaries, contract work, premiums (including taxes) include expenses for translation of materials, interpreting at meetings, editorial services and other necessary services. Total: EUR 10,600.

2. Transportation and hotel expenses include transportation and hotel costs of invited guests and experts. Total: EUR 4,600.

3. Information-related expenses include copying of materials, purchase of folders and pens for participants, information materials. Total: EUR 520.

4. Catering expenses include coffee breaks, lunches, dinners, and receptions. Total: EUR 28,130.

5. Rent and leasing include rental of premises and leasing of technical equipment. Total: EUR 7,700.

***

4. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

4.1. Annual summit of the Baltic Assembly and the Nordic Council

Time and venue: January 2009, Estonia

Expense categories: contract work and tax payments; rental of premises and leasing of technical equipment; transportation and hotel expenses for experts; catering expenses; information-related expenses; organizational, representation and related expenses. Total expenses planned for the BA-NC Annual Summit amount to EUR 15,000.

4.2. Trilateral conference

of the Baltic Assembly, the Nordic Council and the Benelux Interparliamentary Consultative Council

The BA – BICC – NC trilateral conference will be held on 24 – 25 April in Latvia.

The following expense categories are budgeted for the trilateral conference:

1. Salaries, contract work, premiums (including taxes) include expenses for the translation of materials, interpreting at meetings, editorial services and other necessary services. Total: EUR 7,400.

2. Transportation and hotel expenses include transportation and hotel costs for invited guests and experts. Total: EUR 1,400.

3. Information-related expenses include copying of materials, purchase of folders and pens for participants, information materials. Total: EUR 1,100.

4. Catering expenses include coffee breaks, lunches, dinners, and receptions. Total: EUR 9,000.

5. Rent and leasing include rental of premises and leasing of technical equipment. Total: EUR 2,100.

6. Organizational, representation and related expenses include purchase of souvenirs, decorating the premises, preparation and organization of meetings, excursions for guests, as well as unplanned expenses. Total: EUR 1,100.

Total expenses planned for the trilateral conference amount to EUR 22,100.

4.3. Standing Committee of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference

and cooperation with the Baltic Sea organisations

Total expenses planned for the activities related to the work of the BSPC Standing Committee, participation in the 9^th Baltic Sea Day, as well as cooperation with the Baltic Sea and Baltic Islands Network (B 7) organisations amount to EUR 6,500.

4.4. Cooperation with the Nordic Council

Expenses for three unplanned meetings of the BA – NC committees and one unplanned meeting of the BA – NC Presidiums have been planned and amount to EUR 3,680.

4.5. Cooperation with the Benelux Interparliamentary Consultative Council

It is planned to hold two joint meetings of the BA – BICC committees in 2008. Total expenses planned for both meetings amount to EUR 3,280:

· BICC Follow-up Conference on Cooperation of Small Countries in an Enlarged Europe

Time and venue:

22 – 23 February, Luxembourg (Luxembourg)

Expense categories include organizational, representation and related expenses. Total for the Follow-up Conference: EUR 1,640.

· BICC seminar regarding the Bologna Process

Time and venue:

4 – 5 October, Moselle (Luxembourg)

Expense categories include organizational, representation and related expenses. Total for the seminar: EUR 1,640.

4.6. Cooperation with the GUAM

Expenses for two meetings of the representatives of the BA and the GUAM PA have been planned and amount to EUR 2,980.

***

5. INFORMATIVE ACTIVITIES AND OTHER EVENTS

5.1. Baltic Assembly medals

It is planned to award Baltic Assembly medals for upholding the unity and cooperation of the Baltic States. Total: EUR 1,850.

5.2. Homepage of the Baltic Assembly

It is planned to maintain and update the homepage of the Baltic Assembly. Expenses for maintaining the BA homepage include the following categories: ensuring its functionality and updating its information. Total expenses planned for the homepage of the Baltic Assembly amount to EUR 550.

5.3. Information booklets, fact sheets and newsletters of the Baltic Assembly

It is planned to prepare information booklets and fact sheets about activities of the Baltic Assembly. Expenses for these information materials include the following categories: translating and editing of texts, preparing layouts and printing. Total expenses planned for BA information booklets and fact sheets amount to EUR 6,750.

5.4. Baltic Assembly basketball tournament

It is planned to organize the Baltic Assembly basketball tournament in 2008. Total expenses planned for the BA basketball championship amount to EUR 2,500.

***

6. BALTIC ASSEMBLY PRIZES FOR LITERATURE, THE ARTS AND SCIENCE

The Baltic Assembly awards its prizes annually. It is planned to hold the following meetings of the judging committees:

· meetings of the national judging committees (6 one-day meetings);

· meeting of the Joint Judging Committee on 13 – 14 November in Riga (Latvia).

***

Total expenses planned for the Baltic Assembly Prizes for Literature, the Arts and Science amount to EUR 45,882. The following expense categories are budgeted for the Baltic Assembly Prizes for Literature, the Arts and Science:

1. Salaries and contract work (tax included) include expenses for contract work for jury members, translators, as well as a concert director and invited artists. Total: EUR 8,600.

2. Transportation expenses include transportation and hotel costs for members of the Joint Judging Committee and Baltic Assembly Prize winners. Total: EUR 3,000.

3. Information-related expenses include printing costs of necessary materials, as well as advertising. Total: EUR 2,500.

4. Catering expenses include expenses for coffee breaks and meals for Joint Judging Committee members and reception costs. Total: EUR 6,500.

5. Rent and leasing include rental of premises and leasing of equipment for the BA Prize Awards Ceremony. Total: EUR 2,300.

6. Organizational, representation and related expenses include purchase of souvenirs, decorating the premises, preparation and organization of meetings, as well as unplanned expenses. Total: EUR 1,982.

7. BA Prizes. The sum allocated for prize-winners is EUR 15,000. This category also includes the cost of statuettes and certificates. Total: EUR 21,000.

* * *

7. SECRETARIAT OF THE BALTIC ASSEMBLY

The total amount of the expenses for the Secretariat of the Baltic Assembly is EUR 85,895. The following expense categories are budgeted for the Secretariat of the Baltic Assembly:

1. Salaries and taxes for the staff of the BA Secretariat

It is planned to allocate EUR 55,735 for salaries of the BA Secretariat staff.

1.1. The amount EUR 44,915 includes staff salaries after taxes, as well as employees’ 9% state social insurance payments and 25% personal income tax payments.

1.2. The remaining amount of EUR 10,820 includes the employer’s state social insurance payments.

2. Office equipment and office expenses

The total sum planned for office equipment and office expenses is EUR 25,500. The following expense categories are included:

2.1. Office rent and utilities: EUR 11,800;

2.2. Electricity and heating: EUR 2,200;

2.3. Communication expenses (Internet, telephone, fax): EUR 6,000;

2.4. Stationery: EUR 2,800;

2.5. Information resources (BNS, Bilance, Diena, etc.): EUR 1,500;

2.6. Services used (sanitation and repairs): EUR 1,200.

3. Organisational, representation and related expenses

This category includes representation expenses; reception of guests; meetings of the Secretariats of the Baltic Assembly, the Baltic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Council and the Benelux Interparliamentary Consultative Council; souvenirs; as well as miscellaneous expenses.

The total amount planned for this category is EUR 4,660.

* * *

8. Unplanned expenses

The total amount of unplanned expenses (changes in the currency rate, etc.) is EUR 3,004, i.e., 0.9% of the Baltic Assembly budget for 2008.

* * *

9. RESERVE FUNDS

The total amount of reserve funds is EUR 5000.