On Tuesday 16 June, ahead of the European Council on 19 June, EU European Affairs Ministers will discuss the various proposals on the post-Covid-19 recovery plan and the EU's multi-annual financial framework (MFF) for 2021-2027.
The EU General Affairs Council will debate the whole package of proposals by videoconference. EU leaders will then discuss the issue on Friday 19 June.
The EU ambassadors continued their assessment of the proposals on Friday 12 June, referring in particular to the corporate Solvency Support Instrument and the revised proposal for the core MFF of €1.1 billion (see EUROPE 12504/2, 12494/1).
On the Solvency Support Instrument, the so-called "frugal" countries took a more cautious approach than the other delegations.
On the MFF, the positions have not moved. The 'frugal' countries reiterated their preference for loans to States as part of the recovery plan rather than grants. They reiterated their position in favour of a MFF capped at 1% of EU Gross National Income (GNI). Several delegations referred to the contribution key for the funds disbursed through the recovery instrument. The so-called 'cohesion' countries have asked for an increase in the cohesion policy envelope and the flexibility elements for this expenditure. France and Germany are on the whole satisfied with the Commission's proposal.
Finally, 'liberal' countries, including Germany and the Scandinavian countries, have criticised the proposal to revise the current MFF to mobilise €11.5 billion in 2020 to tackle the crisis. The most affected countries (Italy, Spain, Greece), on the contrary, requested the rapid mobilisation of this support.
View a summary of exploratory discussions prepared by the Croatian EU Council presidency in view of the General Affairs Council: https://bit.ly/3d67Z8n
Hard work. French President Emmanuel Macron said on 14 June that this reconstruction plan will be carried out with Europe, which, after a timid start, "has risen to the occasion".
The Franco-German agreement on a joint debt and investment plan to revive the continent's economy is a historic turning point, he said. By borrowing for the first time together with the Chancellor of Germany, we are proposing to the other European states that we should be saying "we" rather than an accumulation of "I"s.
"This is the result of hard work, initiated by France and which we have been carrying out for three years," he said. According to the French President, this could be "an unprecedented step in our European adventure and the consolidation of an independent Europe that is equipping itself with the means to assert its identity, its culture, its uniqueness faced with China, the United States and the global disorder that we are experiencing". A stronger, more united, more sovereign Europe. "This is the fight I will be fighting on your behalf from the July European Council and over the next two years", Mr Macron concluded. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)