As the European Commission prepares its proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034), European Parliament’s Vice President Victor Negrescu is actively advocating for a balanced approach that secures both new and traditional priorities within the EU budget.

The European Commission is expected to present in the upcoming weeks the official budget proposal, and the ongoing debates are already shaping an ambitious agenda: investments in defence, security, digitalisation, green transition, as well as the payment of interests related to the NextGenerationEU fund.

A member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets, Negrescu emphasizes the importance of maintaining robust funding for cohesion policy and agriculture—two areas vital for Romania’s development—while responding to new challenges such as defence, digitalisation, and the green transition.

“The next EU budget must not create winners and losers. We need a smart balance between Europe’s strategic ambitions and the needs of other countries, which continue to rely on EU support for infrastructure, healthcare, education, and regional development, to be more competitive to bolster those EU wide ambitions as a global economic player”, said Negrescu.

Shaping the Parliament’s vision for the EU’s long-term budget

As the European Parliament adopted its report on the future EU Multiannual Financial Framework, MEP Victor Negrescu has achieved to include key priorities in the Parliament’s position. His proposals reflect a call for more ambitious funding across strategic sectors while reinforcing transparency and efficiency in how EU money is spent.

Negrescu is calling for a significant boost to the Erasmus+ programme, with an emphasis on civic education to reinforce democratic engagement and social cohesion. He also advocates for increased funding for public health, including disease prevention, access to essential medicines, mental health, and modernised healthcare infrastructure.

Tackling social inequality, Negrescu proposes the creation of a dedicated budget line under the European Social Fund to support the EU Child Guarantee, positioning it as a central pillar in the fight against poverty. In parallel, he calls for higher investment in research, digitalisation, and AI, combined with efforts to ensure the European workforce acquires the necessary digital skills.

Recognising ongoing geopolitical pressures, the Romanian MEP stresses the need to stimulate defence investment and maintain strong support for rural communities, with fair conditions for farmers, generational renewal, and sustainable agriculture. He also reaffirms the importance of the EU’s cohesion policy, which he sees as vital to reducing regional disparities and supporting lagging areas.

To ensure funds are used effectively, Negrescu advocates for simplified access and reporting procedures and a more transparent system for tracking EU spending — including a public, interoperable monitoring tool aimed at strengthening accountability and combating fraud.

These priorities, already integrated into the Parliament’s position, will inform the EU’s upcoming negotiations on the next long-term budget, as the Union faces a pivotal moment in its social, economic, and security trajectory.

Focusing on security in Eastern Europe

He is also pushing for increased EU investment in defence, particularly in supporting local defence industries across Europe, emphasising the role of the EU countries on the Eastern flank that have borders with Ukraine and play a central role for the European security.

Negrescu also advocates for:

– Dedicated support for the Republic of Moldova, to help with its European integration and resilience;

– Continued access to funding under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), with fair and flexible rules;

– Investment in youth, education, digital skills, and public health as drivers of long-term competitiveness and social equity.

“Europe cannot be strong externally if it is divided internally. We need a budget that reflects our shared values of solidarity, social justice, and economic resilience”, he added.

Victor Negrescu’s ongoing efforts aim to ensure that principles such as cohesion and solidarity remain a priority in the future financial architecture of the EU – while helping to shape a budget that equips Europe for a complex geopolitical and economic future.