Council’s MFF proposal “disappointing”, says Chair of EP’s Budget Committee
The EU budget summit should “not conclude any agreement on the basis of such a proposal that fully disregards Parliament’s position and prevents the EU from achieving its objectives”.
Johan Van Overtveldt (ECR, BE), Chair of the Committee on Budgets and Head of the EP’s MFF negotiating team, comments on European Council President Charles Michel’s proposal for an agreement on the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) - the EU’s long-term budget - between member states at a special EU summit starting on 20 February:
“The European Commission and the Council showed themselves very ambitious recently: on climate, on the digital revolution, on the EU geopolitical role, and more. That is to be applauded. It is important that citizens see a new and re-energized EU.
Against this background, the proposal on the MFF just released is disappointing.
If we do not decide to invest together now, we will pay a higher price later. While the current consensus provided an opportunity to shape the right budget for the coming decade, today’s proposal seriously undermines the credibility of the new political agenda and of the EU institutions. We will surely analyse it carefully, including the idea to enhance the EIB's capacity.
Those who are excessively focused on ‘how much I give - and how much I get back’ are missing the point. The Union budget finances common goods and common policies. The benefits of belonging to the single market and to the European political project largely outweigh the cost of contributing to its budget. By weakening the budget, they weaken us all.
Parliament has been ready to negotiate since November 2018. We are in favour of a quick agreement on the MFF. But not at any cost.
Therefore, I call on the Heads of State and Government not to conclude any agreement on the basis of such a proposal that fully disregards Parliament’s position and prevents the Union from achieving its objectives. The Parliament would have to reject it.
I call instead on President Michel and the Leaders to think beyond narrow, short-term national interests, and substantially improve this proposal in the interest of Europe as a whole.”
The EP's negotiating team for the next MFF and Own Resources reform:
Johan Van Overtveldt (ECR, BE), Chair of the Committee on Budgets
Jan Olbrycht (EPP, PL), MFF co-rapporteur
Margarida Marques (S&D, PT), MFF co-rapporteur
José Manuel Fernandes (EPP, PT), Own Resources co-rapporteur
Valérie Hayer (RENEW, FR), Own Resources co-rapporteur
Rasmus Andresen (Greens/EFA, DE)
You can follow the MEPs on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EP_Budgets/lists/mff-negotiation-team