The leaders of the EPP, S&D, Renew Europe and Greens/EFA political groups in the European Parliament wrote on Thursday 13 February to the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, to inform him that the European Parliament will not accept "to be confronted with a 'fait accompli'" in the ongoing negotiations on the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027 (see EUROPE 12424/2).
The letter, signed by Manfred Weber (EPP), Iratxe García Pérez (S&D), Dacian Cioloș (Renew Europe) and Philippe Lamberts (Greens/EFA, Belgium), states that the Parliament will not accept a "bad agreement" that is guided by "time pressure".
The negotiating box is long overdue. "We request the immediate intensification of the inter-institutional negotiations on the MFF and own resources", reads the letter sent to Charles Michel, who is finalising the draft negotiating box on the next MFF in view of the European Council of 20 February (see EUROPE 12424/13).
If the timetable is respected, the draft MFF will be discussed on 14 February at EU ambassadorial level, then on Monday 17 February by the General Affairs Council, before negotiations at the highest level on 20 February.
The presidents of these European Parliament political groups defend a "strong and credible MFF" and demand the creation of new EU own resources. "We strongly urge you not to conclude any agreement on the MFF/own resources that disregards our position and prevents the Union from achieving its objectives, as we would be rejecting it. This will inevitably lead to further delays", the presidents of these European Parliament political groups hammered home.
MEPs also call for the abolition of rebates, new own resources, continued funding for agriculture and cohesion and the mobilisation of new funds for the new political agenda and the Union's major strategic ambitions, notably the 'European Green Deal'.
To consult the letter: http://bit.ly/2SmA5Fc (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)