Spain wants to keep the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Cohesion Policy at the heart of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) (post-2020) and puts a limit on new priorities in a document produced by the Spanish government that this newsletter saw on Wednesday 14 February.
In this document, entitled ‘A financial framework for a stronger Europe,’ Spain lists common broad trends, noting the emergence of new the priorities of migration and border management, security and defence issues, combating climate change and demographic issues. Madrid insists, however, on the importance of the CAP and Cohesion Policy in the proper functioning of the Single Market, stressing their respective contribution to economic growth in Europe.
The CAP at the heart of next European budget
For Spain, the Common Agricultural Policy should play a central role in the post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework. The document explains that the CAP is closely linked to the proper functioning of the Internal Market, providing undeniable European value-added. Madrid therefore rejects any idea of renationalisation or co-financing. The way it sees it, nationalising the agricultural policy would mean the end of fair competition among European farmers, leading to fissures in the Common Market. Madrid wants to update agricultural policy to better tackle climate change, flooding and desertification (found in parts of Spain).
Two-step funding for Cohesion Policy. Spain notes the importance of strengthening economic cohesion within the European Union with a view to boosting the functioning of the Internal Market. The document explains that economic divergence generates tension among member states, particularly in the social domain. Madrid therefore believes that the Cohesion Policy should remain a European investment instrument par excellence for ensuring convergence among different areas. The country wants the current system of granting funding, known as the ‘Berlin method’ to continue, but suggests the funding be divided into two batches.
Spain suggests the first batch could be released for all regions depending on their absorption capacity and be large enough to meet ‘key’ cohesion objectives. The second batch could be granted to countries and/or regions demonstrating a higher absorption capacity and pledging to establish specific convergence policies.
Increasing resources for research, education and training
Still with regard to boosting the functioning of the Single Market, growth and jobs, Spain wants the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to continue, along with an increase in resources devoted to the framework-programme for research and development (Horizon post-2020) and education for professional training and the Erasmus programme.
Bratislava priorities: yes, but…
Spain backs the priorities set in Bratislava (defence, external border management and migration policy) (see EUROPE 11625), recognising their European value-added. It states, however, that ‘European resources in these fields have to be commensurate with the absorption capacity of Member States and should also preserve national efficiency.’ The document goes on: ‘Insofar as these areas have a clear European value added, this commitment should be reflected in the European budget. However, national co-financing should be as low as possible.’ The document warns: ‘It cannot be a mere substitution of today’s nationally financed actions.’
In terms of migration, ‘European action is required to foster the integration of immigrants in European Member States’ which ‘could be considered as one of the allocation keys in cohesion policy.’ The document says little about foreign policy, simply noting: ‘External policy action also deserves adequate financing.’
A simplified MFF based on GNI and scrapping rebates
The document ends by noting the need to simplify the resources section of the MFF by eliminating rebates and introducing a ‘transparent’ system based on gross national income. Spain does not reject the idea of creating new own resources, but says that the various measures need to be ‘carefully assessed’ and respect the proper functioning of the Internal Market.
On 23 February, European heads of state will meet informally to discuss various issues, including the next MFF. The European Commission is preparing a ‘menu’ of proposals for their talks, a menu that will focus on new priorities (see EUROPE 11961). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)