Croatian Finance Minister Zdravko Marić admitted, on Wednesday 22 January in Brussels, that the role of the Croatian EU Council Presidency in the current negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027 was "a bit limited".
The Croatian Minister reminded the members of the European Parliament's Committee on Budgets that "as you know, it is the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, who is responsible" for leading the discussions (see EUROPE 12408/29).
Furthermore, Zdravko Marić indicated that the Croatian Presidency was "ready to continue negotiations" with the Parliament on sectoral proposals related to the next MFF, "in order to ensure a smooth transition between the two generations of programmes". However, the Parliament decided to freeze, for the time being, negotiations at political level with the EU Council on most of the sectoral proposals, particularly in the field of cohesion policy (EUROPE 12408/11, 12395/3).
Zdravko Marić said, presenting Croatian priorities related to the EU budget, that "on the MFF, we want to build a strong relationship with the European Parliament", in particular through meetings before and after the General Affairs EU Council when the item is on the agenda.
In response to questions, notably from José Manuel Fernandes (EPP, Portugal), Eider Gardiazabal Rubial (S&D, Spain), Dimítrios Papadimoúlis (GUE/NGL, Greece) and Valérie Hayer (Renew Europe, France) on when to conclude on the MFF or own resources, Mr Marić said that it was necessary to wait for the "political guidelines" from the European Council and that the EU Council would examine the own resources proposals in light of these "political guidelines".
Finally, the European Council will "take into account", he said, the shortfall for the EU budget resulting from the UK's exit from the EU. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)