During the EP plenary session (2-3 May 2018) in Brussels, MEPs debate on the MFF post 2020 package.

Brussels

debate

plenary session

Multiannual financial framework 2021-2027 (T)

Commission decision adopted on the MFF post 2020 package: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (French), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, Our proposal for a multiannual financial framework for 2021 to 2027 leads to an overall amount of 1.279 trillion Euros, including European Development Fund, which previously was intergovernmental and which will now be an EU agreement complying with the EU method. By combining additional contributions on a limited, but necessary basis to fund new priorities and with a number of targeted services, the Commission is proposing a framework amounting to about 1.11 percent of GNI.

SOUNDBITE (French), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, That is why we are proposing a new mechanism, which will allow for the protection of the budget, linked to risks arising from deficiencies in the rule of law. This is a genuinely applicable mechanism and does not target particular member states and it is an important part of the new EU budget architecture.

SOUNDBITE (German), G&#252;nther OETTINGER, Member of the EC in charge of Budget and Human Resources, In preparing this multiannual financial framework for seven years, there are two basic problems that were faced with. First of all, the gap being left by the departure of the United Kingdom and new tasks that we recognised as being ones that should be resolved at the European level. Tasks, which at the start of this MFF were not ones that we could really see on the horizon in this extent. Combating terrorism, border control, border defence, research, the defence industry, new social challenges as well.

SOUNDBITE (German), G&uuml;nther OETTINGER, Member of the EC in charge of Budget and Human Resources, If you have to cut, then we are looking at the two biggest programmes, they cannot be spared. Cohesion, we are talking about -7 percent, more or less, and agriculture with -5 percent, more or less. Direct payments will be cut by about 4 percent.

SOUNDBITE (German), G&uuml;nther OETTINGER, Member of the EC in charge of Budget and Human Resources, We want to double the Erasmus + programme. We want to finance the Interrail from that.

SOUNDBITE (German), G&uuml;nther OETTINGER, Member of the EC in charge of Budget and Human Resources, We need to increase money going into research, innovation, Horizon, Europe, digital as well. We want to see 60% going into our competiveness, for our research, for jobs and investment in Europe

SOUNDBITE (German), G&uuml;nther OETTINGER, Member of the EC in charge of Budget and Human Resources, On the basis of PESCO and the defence programme, we do not just want to propose that the European Union sets aside 500 million for defence research, we want a billion invested in those industries. We want that increased so that by the end of this MFF we have two billion going to the defence industry, in conjunction with our member states, so that we can see double digits being invested there.

SOUNDBITE (German), G&uuml;nther OETTINGER, Member of the EC in charge of Budget and Human Resources, Now, you have before you the various proposals and we want to try and make sure that about 10 percent of the revenue will come from new resources, about 24 billion Euros of new money. The proven Emission Trade System is one, the corporate tax, but also a number of new measures, alongside the current, non-recyclable plastic waist that are being extra tax imposed.