Victor Negrescu MEP, S&D group rapporteur on the European budget, warned during the plenary session of the European Parliament that the current budget makes the European Union irrelevant and fragile in front of its competitors in the context of the war in Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East. Aligning his position on the 2024 budget with the Parliament’s position on the proposed mid-term review of the EU’s long-term budget (MFF, Multiannual Financial Framework), which would inject up to €75.8 billion into the EU budget for the period 2024-2027, Victor Negrescu called for negotiations to be fast-tracked so that additional EU funds could be allocated from next year onwards to respond to the new economic and political realities and demands.
“The long-term European budget no longer meets our current needs. We do not have enough funds for our common objectives. The EU budget must be an engine for economic growth that generates better living standards and leads to sustainable development in all European regions. It is unacceptable that we are currently spending more on bank interests than we allocate to our flagship Erasmus programme”, says Victor Negrescu.
Negrescu also warns that there are anti-European voices that want “a smaller Europe, fragile in the face of our external competitors and unable to face the Russian Federation” “If these voices gain ground, the existing EU-funded projects in all our communities will disappear”, warns the Romanian representative in the European Parliament.
The MEP also points out that the European Parliament’s proposal on the EU budget includes several proposals made by the Social Democrats, among which are the allocation of funds for border protection and enlargement of the Schengen area, the development of the Civil Protection Mechanism, essential in disaster management, support for young farmers and vulnerable groups, support for the Republic of Moldova and assistance for funding programmes related to transport on the Danube or in border regions with Ukraine.
He also says that, despite what populists would argue, “the Parliament is not asking for more money, but for adequate funds for what the Member States and the Commission have already promised, without even consulting us”. “Member states have already received a 22% cut in their contribution to the EU budget thanks to the success of the so-called European own resources”.
The Parliament also reversed the cuts made by the Council in its negotiating position (€772 million) to the level of the original draft budget proposed by the Commission. They also increased funding for programmes and policies, which they consider vital to deal with the consequences of the war in Ukraine and high energy prices. This will further contribute to post-pandemic recovery and strengthen the green transition, as well as supporting young people by increasing the Erasmus+ programme to take account of inflation and higher living costs and make the programme accessible to all.
Thus, the European Parliament and the Social Democrat Group support a budget for 2023 ” that brings hope to Europe and convinces our citizens that European elections can give them the opportunity to build a united and better European Union!”.
“Let’s convince European governments to accept a long-term budget review, which effectively delivers on the EU’s priorities and responds to new challenges”, urges the Social Democrat MEP.
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