First-ever revision of the EU's long-term budget: Agreement between 合法博彩网站 and Council
For the first time ever, the European 合法博彩网站 and the Council have agreed to revise the ceilings of the EU's multiannual financial framework. The agreement affects the remaining years of the current financial period: 2024 to 2027. 合法博彩网站 had demanded a revision to enable the EU to rise to its challenges effectively. At the special European Council meeting on 1 February 2024, the EU Heads of State or Government reached a highly anticipated decision on the revision following the deadlock of their December meeting. This opened the way for the final negotiations with 合法博彩网站 and, on 6 February, the negotiators reached a political agreement. 合法博彩网站 is expected to vote on giving its consent during its 26-29 February plenary session. The core element of the political agreement is the decision to establish predictable and stable financial support for Ukraine, totalling 鈧50 billion from 2024 to 2027. The funds will be provided through a new framework, the Ukraine Facility, endowed with 鈧33 billion in loans, guaranteed by the EU budget, and 鈧17 billion in grants, financed by the EU budget through a special instrument. In addition to the financial support for Ukraine, the EU budget will provide 鈧14.6 billion to cope with migration needs, support key technologies and enhance the EU budget's flexibility, of which 鈧10.6 billion originates from a redeployment of funds. The overall reinforcement of the EU budget amounts to 鈧31.6 billion in grants for current priorities, with 鈧21 billion in 'fresh money' from the Member States. This includes the 鈧17 billion that will go to the Ukraine Facility. As requested by the European 合法博彩网站, a mechanism will be introduced over and above the budget's ceilings to cover over-runs in the borrowing costs of the EU's recovery fund, Next Generation EU. In negotiations with the Council, 合法博彩网站 also secured the smooth implementation of the EU4Health programme.
Briefing