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Ursula Von Der Leyen, Charles Michel, David-Maria Sassoli
EU heads of state, meeting in Brussels on Thursday night, managed to agree on a compromise on the rule of law that would lift Hungary’s and Poland’s vetoes on the budget and the post-Covid relaunch plan.
This sounds like good news, but commentators deplore the concessions made to Hungary and Poland.
“What I am now imposing on Europeans, the Hungarian and Polish prime ministers make Margaret Thatcher look like a nice Europhile.” comments – not without humor – the British press.
Viktor Orban, Prime Minister of Hungary: “I had a good night. Even if you don’t have to open it now, you can put champagne in it now!”
The announcement of the overcoming of the deadlock was originally made on Twitter by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. Quickly, the head of government of Budapest wanted to score triumphantly.
Viktor Orban, Prime Minister of Hungary: “We can say in all modesty that we have saved the unity of the Union. Remember that this dispute was not only about the rule of law, regulations or financial issues, but about the future of the EU and the question of what is the vital force and central of the EU. European institutions or Member States? No one can circumvent or violate the intentions and will of the elected governments of each member country. “
The Union budget for 2021-2027 and the post-Covid relaunch plan were adopted with great difficulty in July, but were blocked by Budapest and Warsaw. The reason? A mechanism that conditioned the access of European funds to respect for the rule of law.
At the end of a nightmare for the Union, the budget stagnation convinced the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, of the absolute need to bring leaders to Brussels, despite the risk that SARS COV-2, although not welcome, would be and he present at the summit.
Details of the engagement, which the Netherlands is still resisting on Thursday, have not been released. However, according to diplomatic sources, the conditionality mechanism will be applied only after a decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union, a process that can take up to a year.
On the other hand, the president of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, warned that the legislator will “evaluate” the agreement after which Poland and Hungary renounced their veto.
For the EU multi-annual budget to enter into force, it must be voted on by both national parliaments and the European legislature.
Announcing Charles Michel
“Agreement on the MFF (Multiannual Financial Framework) and recovery package. We can now begin to implement and rebuild our economies. Our significant recovery package will boost our digital and green transactions.” The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, announced on Twitter.
Treat the #MFF and recovery package #NGEU
Now we can start implementation and rebuild our economies.
Our historic recovery package will drive our green and digital transitions. #EUCO
– Charles Michel (@eucopresident) December 10, 2020
The EU budget 2021-2027 (1,074 million euros) and the post-Covid recovery plan (750,000 million euros) were adopted in July, but were blocked by Budapest and Warsaw to oppose a mechanism that conditioned access to European funds for state compliance. law.
Iohannis: Romania is ready to use these funds
President Klaus Iohannis said Thursday night, on Twitter, regarding the unlocking of the future European Union budget and the economic recovery package after the COVID-19 pandemic, that “Romania is ready to use these funds to reforms and investments in key sectors “.
“Important agreement today that unlocks the future budget of the European Union and the economic recovery package. Romania is ready to use these funds for reforms and investments in key sectors, for the benefit of all Romanians”, the head of state wrote on Twitter.
President Klaus Iohannis will attend a meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.
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