Von der Leyen warns in the EP against the consequences of delays in adopting the new EU budget

During the debate in the European Parliament, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, warned about the costs of delays in adopting the new EU budget for 2028-2034. – The costs of any delays will be borne by regions waiting for investments, scientists postponing projects, farmers left in uncertainty – she said.

Von der Leyen took part in a debate on the draft new EU budget authored by the European Commission. As she emphasized, the costs of delays in its adoption will be borne by all Europeans.

“A quarter of the funds from the current EU budget may not reach the beneficiaries”

In this context, she informed that, according to Commission forecasts, by the end of 2027, approximately one quarter of the funds from the current EU budget – EUR 340 billion – may not reach beneficiaries. – We cannot afford for billions of euros to remain unused at a time when we need investments in defense, energy and industry – she emphasized.

Therefore, she called on MEPs and EU governments to cooperate in the upcoming “long and difficult” negotiations.

This week, von der Leyen announced improvements to the project. They assume, among others: increasing the role of regions in spending funds and strengthening the Common Agricultural Policy. Earlier, the European Parliament threatened to block it if the EC did not make changes to it.

“The biggest budget in history”

On Wednesday in the European Parliament, the head of the European Commission assessed that proposed EU budget worth nearly EUR 2 trillionwill be “the largest and most ambitious in the history of the Union. She emphasized that the EU must finally move away from crisis management and act strategically.

– We cannot face this dangerous world with one hand tied behind our back. We need a budget that will give Europe agency in a rapidly changing world, she said, pointing to global geopolitical and economic competition and security threats.

Three pillars of the budget

The new multiannual EU financial perspective is to be based on three pillars: National and Regional Partnership Plans, the Competitiveness Fund and the Global Europe initiative.

The first pillar, National and Regional Partnership Plans, will combine – as she explained – existing funds, including funds for cohesion, agriculture, rural development, fisheries, social policy and migration. It includes, among others: EUR 218 billion for less developed regions, EUR 294 billion to support farmers' incomes and EUR 2 billion for the fisheries sector. 43 percent funds are to be allocated for climate and environmental purposes, and 14 percent for social investments. Von der Leyen assured that despite the change in the financing structure, “the values ​​and priorities of the Union remain unchanged. In response to MEPs' earlier concerns, she announced that the regions will maintain the key role in managing the funds.

The second pillar is to be the Competitiveness Fund, intended to invest in strategic technologies and support modern industry. It is intended to combine scientific research and innovation with job creation, and its rules are to be uniform and simple for enterprises from across the Union.

Under the third pillar of Global Europe, funds are to be allocated to energy security, access to raw materials, humanitarian aid and supporting partnerships with third countries. Von der Leyen emphasized that a key element will be support for Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans on their path to EU membership.

From Brussels Łukasz Osiński (PAP)

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