The Council of the European Union, under the Cypriot Presidency, agreed on Friday to its partial negotiating position on the new regulation that will govern the monitoring, evaluation, and assessment of the performance of the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2028–2034, with Finance Minister Makis Keravnos noting that the goal is to ensure that the budget delivers tangible results. 

The so-called Performance Framework Regulation, which is the subject of the agreement, aims to create a more unified, transparent, and simple system for monitoring European spending, with the goal of reducing bureaucracy, better evaluation of the results of European programs, and easier access for citizens and beneficiaries to information on EU funding.

The Council’s agreement is partial, as it does not include certain horizontal issues that remain the subject of overall negotiations on the new Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2028–2034.

“Every budget requires appropriate oversight and evaluation. The MFF is no exception, as the new Performance Regulation is designed to ensure the greatest possible transparency, accountability, and visibility of the European Union’s budget,” noted Finance Minister Makis Keravnos in a statement.

“In short, the goal is to ensure that the budget delivers tangible results for Member States, regions, beneficiaries, and citizens,” added Mr. Keravnos.

The Council’s position retains the key objectives of the European Commission’s proposal to harmonize the way European spending is monitored and program results are measured, while introducing amendments that, in the Council’s view, enhance legal clarity, offer greater flexibility to national authorities, and reduce the administrative burden on Member States and beneficiaries.

Among other things, the agreement provides for enhanced monitoring of the application of the “do no significant harm” principle to the environment, with the European Commission taking on the task of developing a common methodology for assessing compliance.

At the same time, the “once-only” principle so that Member States and beneficiaries are not required to submit the same information repeatedly, while reporting obligations are simplified.

Furthermore, the regulation provides for the creation of a single online information portal on EU funding opportunities and establishes common provisions for the evaluation of programs, as well as for the communication and dissemination of their results.

The agreement constitutes the Council’s negotiating mandate for the start of negotiations with the European Parliament. The final form of the regulation will depend on reaching an overall agreement on the EU’s new Multiannual Financial Framework by the end of 2026.

Source: CNA