Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, has hosted a meeting of Europe ministers from all 27 member states in Dublin today to discuss money.
The EU is currently negotiating its future long term budget which will run from 2028 to 2034, the so-called Multiannual financial framework (MFF).
Under initial proposals from the European Commission, the MFF will be allocated nearly €2 trillion over the seven years.
The European Parliament wants to see even more money. Most EU governments want the budget to be cut.
The EU is pushing for a deal to be reached by the end of the year but the European Commissioner for Budget, Piotr Serafin, admitted at today’s talks in Dublin there were “tensions” in the room amongst ministers.
But he insisted that “we are getting closer” to an agreement.
“We need to have an agreement on the long-term EU budget by the end of the year if we want the EU budget to be fully operational as of 2028,” he said.
Minister Byrne said:
“Agreement on the next MFF is a key priority for the Irish EU Presidency. Amid ongoing global instability, I welcome the views of my colleagues and the European Parliament on the roles for competitiveness and security, which will be essential elements in the next long-term EU budget.”
Thomas Byrne said there were “diverse views among Member States on the MFF” and he urged governments to find consensus.
“Recognising my responsibility in advancing the budget discussions during Ireland’s EU Presidency, I encouraged colleagues in my one-to-one meetings and in chairing the General Affairs Council [the meeting of EU Europe ministers] to find compromise where needed and to build consensus as we work towards an agreement on the next MFF.”