“Finland has noted the views of member states and made a balanced proposal that takes into account both the new priorities and traditional policy areas. Our Presidency's work on the MFF is now over, and the President of the European Council will now be in charge of the negotiations,” says Finland's Minister for European Affairs Tytti Tuppurainen.
Additional funding for the EU's new priorities
As the current holder of the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Finland proposes that the EU allocate the following in its financial framework:
- €323 billion for cohesion policy (regional development)
- €334 billion for agricultural support and development
- €356 billion for other programmes, including the new priorities
The Presidency's proposal is presented in 2018 prices and takes account of the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU.
The funding for the EU's other programmes, including the new priorities, forms the largest share of the Presidency's proposal and is 37% greater than in the current financial framework. The proposal would allow the EU to increase spending on, for example, research and innovation, climate action, migration management and comprehensive security.
The cuts in cohesion and agricultural funding in the Presidency's proposal have been rebalanced, as compared with the cuts proposed by the European Commission.
“Investing in the new priorities is important so that we can address the challenges of climate change, create sustainable growth in Europe and protect the security of our citizens comprehensively. At the same time we must recognise the special needs of regions and support agricultural development,” explains Minister Tuppurainen.
“It is also worth noting that funding for agriculture, and especially for rural development, also provides strong support for climate action. In all, 40% of the funding allocated to agriculture would have to be spent on climate work,” Minister Tuppurainen adds.
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Full press release available via the link below.
