Answer given by Mr Serafin on behalf of the European Commission
23.4.2025
In the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020, the European Parliament, the Council[1] and the Commission agreed on a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources.
The Commission has fulfilled its commitments: a comprehensive package on the next generation of own resources was presented in 2021 and adjusted in 2023[2], ahead of schedule.
In February 2025 the Commission called on the Council to resume work on the issue of new own resources as a matter of urgency[3].
The proposal for the next multiannual financial framework will build on a broad consultation, with input at political, institutional and stakeholder level, alongside with active citizens’ involvement.
Given that the EU has to adequately finance EU priorities and respond to unexpected challenges while many Member States are facing fiscal constraint, and the reimbursements of the NextGenerationEU loans is due to start soon, the status quo is not an option.
Strengthened and modernised revenues, notably via new own resources, are required to ensure sufficient and sustainable financing for the common priorities. The Commission stands ready to facilitate Council discussions.
- [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32020Q1222(01)
- [2] https://commission.europa.eu/publications/own-resources-legal-texts_en
- [3] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/6d47acb4-9206-4d0f-8f9b-3b10cad7b1ed_en?filename=Communication%20on%20the%20road%20to%20the%20next%20MFF_en.pdf