MEPs call for urgent action on EU’s long-term budget amid Council impasse

EP’s rapporteurs for the multiannual financial framework (MFF) voice regret over Council's inability to reach a common position on a revised long-term budget for the EU.

Statement by MFF co-rapporteurs Jan Olbrycht (EPP, PL) and Margarida Marques (S&D, PT):

“The European Parliament deeply regrets the European Council’s inability to reach a common position on a revised long-term budget for the EU. It means a period of worrying uncertainty and leaves the European Union unable to address the shortcomings in the EU budget, to finance the political priorities we have all agreed and to ensure people have the support they need.

The Parliament reiterates its unwavering support for Ukraine and its unequivocal commitment to finding a stable medium-term financing solution to enable continued assistance for the people of Ukraine and to help the country on its path to EU membership. Ukraine must not suffer because of delays in Council. We are committed to ensuring continued EU support for Ukraine.

We also must find additional financing for migration and for external policy challenges, including humanitarian aid, and ensure that we properly safeguard our spending programmes for the coming years.

Parliament has been ready to negotiate on the budget package since mid-October. There is no more time to lose. We therefore call for an extraordinary European Council in early January to enable negotiations with Parliament to begin and the right package to be agreed swiftly.”

Background

The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) sets the annual limits (expenditure ‘ceilings’) on EU commitments in different policy areas (broad categories of spending called 'headings') and on overall annual payments for a period of seven years. The current framework for 2021-2027 was adopted in 2020 and provides for a review of the functioning of the MFF, with, where appropriate, proposals for a revision, by 1 January 2024. The European Commission proposed a mid-term revision on 20 June 2023. Parliament’s position is here.