Many MEPs said on Tuesday 10 March in Brussels that the various crises (migration, coronavirus epidemic) made it more necessary than ever to adopt the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027. But they highlighted that they would not adopt a bad agreement on the next MFF (see EUROPE 12432/6).
"We need to continue political efforts and consultations with Member States to see how we can organise another summit where we can reach agreement" on the next MFF, said Charles Michel, President of the European Council.
He noted the failure to reach agreement on the MFF 2021-2027 during the negotiations between EU leaders on 20 and 21 February (see EUROPE 12431/1).
Differences of opinion remain, Mr Michel acknowledged, referring to those countries that want to cap the MFF at 1% of EU GNI and those that consider this amount insufficient. Some countries consider the cohesion and Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budgets essential, while new policies and priorities must also be taken into account, President Michel summarised. He stressed that unanimity was needed in the EU Council and that the European Parliament "has to air its views on the subject, both on the figures and on the legislative programmes".
Maroš Šefčovič, on behalf of the European Commission, raised the matter of the EUR 75 billion shortfall as a result of Brexit. National contributions will increase, he summarised.
He defended an "ambitious" budget for Europe, "with substantial envelopes". Otherwise, he says, national budgets may end up "paying the price". Maroš Šefčovič recalled that it often took two summits to reach an agreement. "Let's make sure the second one is a success and that it is held quickly", he declared hopefully.
José Manuel Fernandes (EPP, Portugal) again pointed out that the European Parliament would have rejected the agreement as it had been unsuccessfully presented to EU heads of state or government. He castigated the cuts in appropriations for cohesion, the CAP, Erasmus and Frontex. "How can we have an EU that performs well under these conditions?" The research budget is also essential in the fight against the coronavirus. “If the agreement is not good, we will reject it", Fernandes said.
Iratxe García (S&D, Spain) prefers no agreement to a bad agreement. "If the EU Council delays any further on concluding an agreement, we must put in place a safety net to protect all beneficiaries of EU programmes from 1 January 2021", requested Margarida Marques (S&D, Portugal).
"There will only be an MFF when it lives up to our political ambitions", said Dacian Cioloş (Renew Europe, Romania).
Joachim Kuhs (ID, Germany) felt that the plan for 1.3% of GNI championed by the European Parliament should not be followed. According to him, "the frugal club is going to get the upper hand and establish its position".
Rasmus Andresen (Greens/EFA, Germany) also protested against the reduction in funding for refugees. He also wondered how the European Green Deal would be financed.
According to Roberts Zīle (ECR, Latvia), if there are cuts to the CAP and cohesion, some states will lose out.
"The leaders are not up to the task", said Dimítrios Papadimoúlis (GUE/NGL, Greece), referring to the migration crisis and regretting the deadlock in the EU Council on the asylum package. "We are not going to adopt the MFF with a gun to our head", he warned, while calling on all political groups in the European Parliament to reject the current proposal on the EU Council table (1.07%). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)