On Tuesday 15 October, European Ministers for European Affairs will debate in Luxembourg a 'working document' from the Finnish Presidency of the EU Council setting out, in particular, ranges of figures on the total amount of the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027 (see EUROPE 12345/7), a very explosive subject between countries.
EU leaders will debate this politically sensitive issue next week. The General Affairs Council will hold discussions on Tuesday 15 October in Luxembourg on the preparation of the European Council on 17 and 18 October in Brussels.
Preparatory discussions at EU ambassadorial level on Wednesday 9 October confirmed the strong differences between countries on the total amount of the next MFF. A document submitted to the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Member States (Coreper) would have suggested a range of figures (a figure around 1.055% leaked in the press, but was not confirmed) halfway between 1% of the EU Twenty-Seven's Gross National Income (GNI) and the European Commission's draft, namely 1.114% of the EU's GNI.
Some delegations from countries known as 'net contributors' to the EU budget (Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden) do not want more than 1% of the EU's GNI. On the other hand, some so-called 'cohesion' countries considered the compromise figure suggested by the Finnish Presidency for financing traditional (common agricultural policy and cohesion) and new EU policies insufficient.
The creation of new own resources is another area of friction between countries. On Wednesday, according to sources, the Finnish document only mentioned the possibility of a new own resource based on the quantity of non-recycled plastic packaging waste. However, several delegations requested other new own resources.
A new working document will be presented to the General Affairs Council on 15 October, according to sources, to prepare for next week's European Council debate. EU leaders are called upon to provide guidance, in particular on the total level of the MFF, including amounts under the different headings of the MFF and "conditionalities", a diplomatic source pointed out. But it is up to the President of the European Council to decide how the debates will be organised.
Following the European Council's debate on the 2021-2027 MFF, the Finnish Presidency will prepare a revised version of the negotiating box containing figures, in order to facilitating negotiations for an agreement between EU Heads of State or Government, to be reached by the end of 2019. But the debates are likely to be difficult, experts note. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)