Germany contributed the most to the European Union budget in 2008, while Greece was the largest recipient, the European Commission said. Germany paid out the largest sum, a record $13 billion, followed by Italy and France, which paid about $6 billion each, the EUobserver reported Wednesday. The largest recipient, Greece, was allocated $9.3 billion.

The budget deal that the European Union cobbled together over the weekend may not have justified the theatrics, like wrapping it up at 3 a.m. on Saturday.

Britain has agreed to a larger European Union budget in order to support the needs of new member states in a last-minute compromise. The deal Saturday came at the end of a two-day session of the EU that looked hopeless after Germany and France rejected outright a British proposal days before.