EU Heads of State or Government will discuss, by videoconference on Friday 19 June, the revised proposal for the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027 and the Covid-19 post-pandemic recovery plan (see EUROPE 12494/1).
The Commission proposed a modest MFF proposal for 2021-2027 on Wednesday 27 May, amounting to €1.1 trillion in 2018 prices, compared to €1.279 trillion in the Commission's May 2018 proposal. The new temporary recovery instrument will have a budget of €750 billion (see EUROPE 12494/2), giving an overall budget of €1.85 trillion.
After consultations, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, will convene a European Council by videoconference on 19 June, confirmed his spokesperson, via Twitter. “This will be a thorough preparation for a next summit at a later date, which should, if possible, be a physical meeting”, he said (EUROPE 12493/2).
On Wednesday, these proposals on the MFF and the Temporary Recovery Instrument were discussed at the level of Member States' ambassadors to the EU (Coreper).
Most national delegations insisted on the need to reach an agreement on these dossiers before the summer break. Some of the so-called 'friends of cohesion' countries have reiterated their opposition to a reduction in the appropriations devoted to this socio-economic convergence policy.
Within the group of the 'frugal four' countries, the Netherlands and Austria reiterated their preference for loans to states as part of the recovery plan, rather than grants. They repeated their position that they are in favour of a MFF of no more than 1% of EU Gross National Income (GNI).
Many delegations raised the issue of the distribution key for the funds distributed through the recovery instrument, including the beneficiary sectors and the repayment period. Germany wants a shorter period than that envisaged by the Commission (between 2028 and 2058).
The proposals, which will be discussed at a sustained pace in Coreper, will be on the agenda of the EU General Affairs Council on 16 June. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)