Vienna,15.12.2005 Dear Chancellor Dr.Wolfgang Schüssel, Euricam – The European Research Initiative for Complementary and Alterative Medicine is a network of European medical researchers and has as its goal the promotion of public funding on all – national and europesan levels – of non conventional medical interventions. The Budget for the years 2007-2013 of the European Union will be discussed in the next two days by the Heads of Sate and Government of the EU-25 in Brussels. Health organizations across Europe are profoundly disappointed to see the Budget proposal made by the UK presidency for the financial perspectives. Budget heading 3 of the Financial Perspectives for 2007-2013 is entitled 'Citizenship, freedom, security and justice' and it is the thematic heading with the least amount of funds (2.3% of the whole EU budget). The Health and Consumer Programme figures under budget 3b, together with the programmes on youth and culture. The Commission original proposal allocated 560 million EUR to budget 3b, therefore the UK Presidency proposal of a flat 520 million EUR per year can only be interpreted as a significant step backwards. Good health for all people living in Europe is a fundamental right. Public health means working towards societies that are equitable, inclusive and responsive to the needs of all individuals. In Europe today, there are significant health inequalities. Ill health and premature death causes suffering and undermines Europe's competitiveness. Health is also a critically economic and social sector for Europe, representing 10 % of all employment and 8-10 % of GDP. Most EU policies have a direct or indirect impact on the health of citizens, yet this is rarely addressed in policy-making and the financial resources allocated to public health at EU level are inadequate. Despite the pressures for implementation of a timely budget we urge you to reject the proposal of the UK presidency and restore financial balance in Heading 3 in favour of the policy areas that are closest to citizens. Bettina Reiter, MD for the network of EURICAM C/0 Akademie für Ganzheitsmedizin – Gamed Sanatoriumstraße 2 1140 Wien Tel +43 1 688 75 07 Fax +43 1 688 75 07 15 reiter@gamed.or.at www.euricam.net http://www.euricam.net/images/euricam_brussels151205.pdf