Negotiations on the European Union’s next multiannual financial framework have reached a critical juncture.
The Irish Presidency’s proposal for cuts totaling 141 billion compared to the Commission’s proposal has met with opposition from the Parliament, which is calling for more resources to address ever-increasing needs and challenges.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
-Do you believe that, given the direction the negotiations are taking and the proposed cuts, this new framework can address the challenges the EU will face in the coming years, and its goals and aspirations?
“Absolutely not. These cuts are reflected in both the agricultural sector and the education sector—particularly with the Erasmus program, where we’ll see very significant cuts. I should note that the budget calls for around 40-something billion, while our proposal is for 47 billion euros. The European Parliament will do what it must, to the extent possible. It will press the Council for more funding—for larger amounts and fewer cuts—wherever possible.”
Loukas Fourlas – MEP, DISY/EPP
“Every country contributes a certain amount to the EU budget. The countries that are objecting contribute more money than they receive. Our country receives more money than it contributes. We believe that by having an additional 140 billion euros, we will provide greater support to farmers, provide greater support to small and medium-sized enterprises, and benefit many people in our country, Cyprus.”
Michalis Hatzipantelas – MEP, DISY/EPP
In a constantly changing geopolitical and economic environment, the key issue is how European funds will be allocated and which policies will be prioritized.
“As the European Parliament, we are responding to what we previously stated in our findings by providing the necessary funding for the initiatives we hope will lead to better-quality housing, lower fuel costs, and the green transition. My assessment is that, as on other occasions, we will reach a compromise, because we do not have the capacity or the authority to exert the same kind of pressure that other institutions have.”
Kostas Mavrides – MEP, DIKO/S&D
“It is certainly energy security and autonomy. We need to see how we can support families, and although this does not pertain to social policy, it is important for tying everything else together; Europe must also invest in defense, because to have a strong negotiating position, Europe must have a strong defense; and a Europe without defense, without a unified defense framework, cannot be a strong international player.”
Geadis Geadis – MEP, ELAM/ECR
“The European Union and Ms. von der Leyen are telling us—and they admit it—that the ‘period of fat cows’ is over, and by that they mean the period when we were handing out benefits and bolstering thewelfare state must come to an end because we have other priorities right now. In other words, we’re supposed to spend 800 billion that we don’t have right now, which we’ll borrow from our children and grandchildren to pay the big arms manufacturers?
” George Georgiou – AKEL MEP / Left Group
The goal remains to reach an agreement by the end of the year.
Watch the report by Rafaella Stavrinou:
