This evening I accompanied EESC Vice-President Jacek Krawczyk, who is Chairman of the Committee’s Budget Group, to the Berlaymont headquarters of the European Commission for a meeting with Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski. On the agenda were the Multi-Annual Financial Framework, where the Committee’s May plenary session adopted an opinion that is very supportive of the Commission’s position) and the 2013 budget process (where the Committee has proposed a draft budget that follows the Commission’s guidelines). Public opinion is understandably sensitive both on the general issue of the Union’s finances and the more specific issues of the institutions and personnel but the member state governments are also, and just as understandably, sensitive about the continuation of ongoing investment programmes (which tend to be back-loaded and need management). Jacek Krawczyk, who was co-rapporteur of the EESC’s opinion on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework, reminded the Commissioner of the Committee’s political support as the Commission navigates these complicated waters.