Long-term EU budget and Own Resources: statements by Parliament’s negotiators 

Sajtóközlemény 
 
 

Following today’s final trilateral talks on future EU financing, the members of the EP’s negotiating team have issued the following statements.

Statement by Johan Van Overtveldt (ECR, BE), Chair of the Committee on Budgets:


“The shift to more research and innovation, with a focus on entrepreneurship, initiated with the redesigned European budget of 2020, will now also be continued in the MFF. This shift is imperative for our growth, job creation and competitiveness.


With the conclusion of these negotiations, the European Recovery Plan can finally be put into action. This fund is very important to get us through the crisis, but it stands or falls with its use. The resources need to get to the people that actually need them. Here too the European Union must prove its credibility.


I would like to thank the various delegations for their efforts and constructive cooperation, and I call on the European Council to take responsibility for ratifying the agreement reached.”


Statement by Jan Olbrycht (EPP, PL), MFF co-rapporteur:


"Finally, the process of preparing and adopting the EU budget for the next seven years is over and final beneficiaries will be able to plan specific actions and investments in response to the crisis. It is very important that the European Parliament’s negotiating successes are used on the ground. I hope that national parliaments will quickly ratify in order to allow for the Recovery Fund to be created, which will strengthen the EU long-term budget in the economic recovery after the pandemic."


Statement by Margarida Marques (S&D, PT), MFF co-rapporteur:


"With this consent on MFF, the Parliament once again leads a European response to the crisis. We managed to improve the European Council July agreement by increasing the EU’s capacity to achieve its political goals in climate, digital and social cohesion. There are more resources to support those sectors most impacted by the crisis, namely health, culture and EU rights and values. We value the long-term policies of the European Union that will persist after the pandemic. Those are crucial for a sustainable, resilient and inclusive recovery!


Parliament has come out of these negotiations with a stronger role in the Next Generation EU, increasing transparency and democratic accountability. The EU will have an efficient mechanism that will make access to funds from the EU budget conditional on respecting the rule of law and EU fundamental values."


Statement by José Manuel Fernandes (EPP, PT), Own Resources co-rapporteur:


“Today we reached an historical agreement on the financing of the European policies in 2021-2027. This agreement paves the way for the next MFF, as well as to the Recovery Plan NGEU. We will create new sources of revenue without overcharging EU citizens. This is by all means remarkable!


Parliament, Council and Commission recognise that the basket of new own resources will be sufficient to cover the costs of the Next Generation EU. This basket will not reduce the EU programmes and funds and will not overcharge European citizens.


The new own resources will be aligned with the EU’s priorities such as the fight against climate change, circular economy and Europe fit for a digital era, while contributing to fair taxation and bolstering the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion.”


Statement by Valérie Hayer (RENEW, FR), Own Resources co-rapporteur:


"We just approved our reimbursement agreement for the recovery plan: this legally binding calendar for the introduction of new own resources will save taxpayers’ money and create fairer taxes in Europe. All the institutions are now on track for a paradigm shift."


Statement by Rasmus Andresen (Greens/EFA, DE):


“The Parliament has achieved a strong climate and biodiversity target. As of next year, 30% will go to climate expenditure with an improved methodology and the implementation of the do-no-harm principle. We will work closely with the Commission and the member states to ensure that this target will be achieved. I am pleased that there are no delays in the new MFF, so that we can start with a European climate budget as of January and work towards solving the climate crisis. The Parliament was also firm in its position regarding gender equality, human rights and the rule of law. We expect that those principles will be safeguarded from the moment the new MFF is in place.


The EU health programme has been tripled with now more than 5 billion Euro and the Rights and Values programme has doubled. The European Parliament fought for health and human rights to be prioritised. Now the EU Commission must ensure that money will be spent and that NGOs can access the programmes more easily."