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Council advocates a disciplined budget for the EU

Ministry of Finance
Publication date 14.11.2019 10.02
News item

The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament will seek agreement on the EU’s budget for 2020 on Friday 15 November. As the country holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Finland will strive for a balanced solution.

The EU member states will discuss the EU’s budget in the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Budget) in Brussels. On the same day, the Council and the European Parliament will seek agreement on the budget in a meeting of the Conciliation Committee.

State Secretary Kimmo Tiilikainen will chair the Council meeting. He will represent the Council in the negotiations with the European Parliament.

Shared priorities, different views on size

The Council and the European Parliament have a number of shared priorities for next year’s budget. These include:

  • climate change mitigation
  • job creation
  • security and migration.

The Council and the Parliament are further apart on the size of the budget than they have been in recent years. The Council insists on budgetary prudence and discipline.

There must be sufficient leeway in the budget to allow the EU to react to unforeseen needs next year.
– State Secretary Kimmo Tiilikainen

Presidency seeks a balanced compromise

The Council and the European Parliament will seek agreement in the conciliation procedure, which will end on 18 November.

As the country holding the Council Presidency, Finland aims to reach agreement primarily within the conciliation period but no later than the end of the year. If no deal is found by the end of the conciliation period, the European Commission has to present a new draft budget.

Follow the negotiations on Twitter

You can find the most up-to-date information on the progress of the negotiations on Twitter @EU2019FI and @EUCouncilPress.

Inquiries

Anna Hyvärinen, Ministerial Adviser, Finland’s Ministry of Finance, tel. +358 2955 30405, anna.hyvarinen(at)vm.fi

 
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