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The European Parliament announced late Thursday that it has suspended negotiations with member states on the next multi-annual EU budget for 2021-2027, risking delaying the € 750 billion economic recovery plan attributed to it. , reports AFP, quoted by Agerpres.
“MEPs will return to the negotiating table when the Council (on behalf of the member states) shows a real desire to reach an agreement,” the statement said.
A spokesman for the German EU presidency lamented a “missed opportunity”.
The heads of state and government of the EU member states agreed in July on a budget of 1,074 million euros over a period of seven years. However, Parliament is asking for more money, especially for the Union’s “15 flagship programs.”
MEPs on Thursday rejected a compromise letter from the German presidency that promised an increase of some nine billion euros.
“I am disappointed,” wrote parliamentary negotiator Jan Van Overtveldt, who said the compromise proposal contained “nothing new.”
Since the agreement between the Member States on this budget is extremely difficult to conclude, the German Presidency of the EU has so far refused to increase the total volume.
The so-called frugal countries (the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Austria and Finland), in particular, are categorically opposed to any further budget increases.
Another controversial issue in the negotiations between Parliament and the Council refers to the establishment of stricter rules to reduce or suspend the payment of European funds in the event of non-compliance with the rule of law. Last week, Member States agreed to such a device, the first in the EU, despite opposition from several countries. A large majority of MEPs want a stricter mechanism for Member States in a situation like that, like Poland or Hungary.
Publisher: Liviu Cojan
