Johannes Hahn, Commissioner-designate for Budget and Administration, told MEPs on Thursday 3 October that he would do his utmost to contribute to an agreement on the EU's multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021-2027 "before the end of the winter" (see EUROPE 12337/16).
At a hearing during which he was quite convincing on budgetary matters, the current Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations stressed that he would visit those EU Member States that support the "hard line" on the MFF (those that do not want to exceed 1% of the EU's gross national income), to try to convince them "of the need for more money, especially for the climate and border protection".
The negotiation and implementation of the next MFF will be the first priority of the next Budget Commissioner. Austrian Johannes Hahn, who is about to take up a third term as Commissioner, acknowledged that the negotiations were difficult, but he is optimistic, believing that a "rapid agreement" on this issue is possible.
In answering questions, in particular those of José Manuel Fernandes (EPP, Portugal) and Eider Gardiazabal (S&D, Spain) on the MFF 2021-2027, Mr Hahn said that the Commission's proposal on the MFF 2021-2027 (a MFF representing 1.114% of GNI of The Twenty-Seven) was "a solid basis". "Many Member States are on our side, but not all", Hahn noted. In his view, a budget lower than that proposed by the Commission "would be detrimental to our ambitions and the EU's ability to deliver results". Member States are very divided on the elements of the next MFF (see EUROPE 12328/3).
On the new programmes announced by the President-designate of the new Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, such as the 'Just Transition Fund' (see other news), Mr Hahn said he was convinced that with an adaptation of the next MFF, "most things will be financed, but only if they do not fall below the level proposed" by the Commission.
Emergency measures? In particular, Mr Hahn was questioned by Valérie Hayer (Renew Europe, France) on the need to present an 'emergency plan' to avoid a suspension of programmes in the event of a late agreement on the new MFF.
The contingency plan is a "last resort" measure, Hahn explained. Moreover, he does not want to start talking about "Plan B" yet "So as not to remove the pressure to reach an agreement" on the MFF 2021-2027. In his view, we must not "turn away from" the primary objective, which is to reach a compromise on the future MFF. In addition, he warned "a delay would not allow us to start funding the new priorities".
Optimism about new own resources. Mr Hahn agreed with the European Parliament's wish to introduce its new own resources to finance the EU budget.
He noted that agreement was possible in the EU Council on the 'tax' on the volume of non-recycled plastic packaging waste (only Poland was against it, in his view).
Mr Hahn also said that "discussions have progressed well" between Member States on the idea of a share of the revenue from the greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme. In addition, there are ideas to be considered that have been put forward by Ms von der Leyen, such as the introduction of a carbon tax at borders, or the extension of the emissions trading scheme to the maritime sector and the reduction of free allowances allocated to airlines.
According to Johannes Hahn, who was also Commissioner for Regional Policy, "the budget is a catalyst for political priorities and one of the most visible tools for showing citizens the principles of the EU".
However, he supported the 7% budget reduction proposed by the Commission over the period 2021-2027 for cohesion policy programmes. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)