The European Commission proposes that the next seven-year EU budget (2028-2034) be 2 trillion euros, European Commissioner for Budget and Anti-Fraud Peter Serafin told MEPs from the European Parliament's Committee on Budgets, BTA reports.
The goal is for the budget to be more flexible to meet today's and future challenges, the European Commissioner explained. Access to every euro from the general budget must be easy, and the funds must be spent on the things that Europeans want most, he added. We need to be able to respond to unforeseen expenses, Serafin noted.
He pointed out that EU funds will not be received in cases of violations of the rule of law. According to him, a tenfold increase in spending on military mobility and a tripling of funds for border protection are envisaged.
The proposal provides for 300 billion euros for agriculture and 2 billion euros for fisheries. 14 percent of the total amount is planned for social purposes, and 218 billion euros are planned for the least developed regions.
The draft budget provides for a fivefold increase in funds for increasing competitiveness in defense and civil protection, and 81 billion euros for the construction of connecting infrastructure.
To be implemented, the EU budget will need so-called "own revenues" (new taxes, fees and excise duties), Serafin explained. He noted the possibilities for additional taxation of tobacco products, increased corporate taxation and charging for electronic waste.
At a press conference, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pointed out that the proposed draft budget is more strategic and transparent, ensuring more independence. Agricultural and cohesion policies remain key budget items, compliance with the rule of law is unconditional for any European funding, she said. We will ensure full accountability of spending, Von der Leyen promised.
According to her, an increase in funds under the "Erasmus" program by 50 percent, additional pre-accession assistance for countries applying for EU membership, and over 400 billion for unforeseen expenses are planned. Von der Leyen noted that budget expenditures in the coming years will depend on whether the EU will expand and which countries it will accept. Enlargement will require a review of the budget, she added.
The European Parliament has released a position paper by its budget committee, which describes the draft budget as "insufficient". According to MEPs from the parliamentary committee, cuts will be required to key budget programmes.
The proposed draft budget will be discussed in negotiations between the European Commission, MEPs and the Council of the EU, which are due to take place later this year.