The Commission had stated ahead of the negotiations that it had five priorities: more money for the budget, more money for the new Member States, a change to the British rebate, more flexibility in the management of the budget and the inclusion of a review clause.
Viņš atgādināja par pārējām vidēja termiņa prioritātēm: cīņu pret nelegālo imigrāciju, terorisma apkarošanu, sarunām Pasaules Tirdzniecības organizācijā, klimata izmaiņām.