While the aim of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU remains to present a first draft negotiating document before the December European Council, on Thursday 27 November, it has submitted possible new elements for this ‘negobox’ to the Member States, adding a few more options to its document of 20 November, which focused on pillar 1, National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP).
Following up on the essence of the responses given by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to the European Parliament’s concerns – elements of which it had already incorporated into its text of 20 November (see EUROPE 13758/16) – the Presidency has made some slight adjustments in this third note, which was discussed on Friday 28 November in Coreper. It continues to identify the most sensitive aspects, such as the question of loans requested under the NRPP or the role of the regions.
In particular, it is envisaged that the Member States will guarantee adequate investment in all types of regions and that the latter will play an important role in the management and implementation of the national and regional partnership plans, including the possibility that authorities may “interact directly” with the Commission (already proposed in the last text).
“The possibility of direct contact with the European Commission was always envisaged in the proposal, but as it differs considerably from the current system, many uncertainties and concerns remain with regard to its meaning”, said a source on 27 November, taking into account the concerns of the Member States.
An expenditure target for rural areas had also been introduced, as well as the possibility of transferring certain articles to the CAP regulation.
With regard to governance, the text of the 27th also clarified the role of the Commission, with “a new political steering mechanism (...) as an integral part of the annual budgetary procedure. Every autumn, the Commission will present an integrated strategy report on EU policy and funding priorities to guide a structured discussion as input to the Budgetary Authority prior to the annual budgetary procedure”.
In the event of a serious crisis, severe hardship or serious threat thereof affecting the Union or its Member States during the period 2028–2034, the Presidency introduces a role for the European Parliament: “the Council by qualified majority, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, may decide to authorise the Commission to extraordinarily borrow funds on the capital markets for loans to Member States for the sole purpose of addressing the consequences of such situations”.
Member States reportedly acknowledged on Friday that the revised version of Heading 1 – in particular concerning the CAP and the role of the regions – represented an important step forward. They also continue to support the objective of a first draft negotiating document at the European Council.
Pillar 1 is by far the most controversial since it contains the own resources component. This could become crucial at the very end of the negotiations when the final ‘horse-trading’ takes place. The Danish Presidency will convene a new Coreper meeting on 5 and 10 December, before a discussion at the ‘General Affairs’ Council on 16 December and the European Summit.
See links to the latest documents: https://aeur.eu/f/jrc ; https://aeur.eu/f/jra (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)