Ierse premier en vicepremier willen doorbaak forceren in onderhandelingen financieel kader 2014-2020 (en)

Talks being held with President Barroso of the European Commission and President Schulz of the European Parliament.

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste are to travel to Brussels on Monday 6 May for a special high-level meeting on the EU’s Multi-Annual Financial Framework 2014-2020 (known as the MFF). The summit will take place in the Commission’s Berlaymont building in Brussels at 18.30 hours (Brussels time) on Monday 6 May.

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste, representing the Presidency of the Council of the EU, will hold talks with President Barroso of the European Commission and President Schulz of the European Parliament.

The objective is to press for early agreement on the MFF - an essential programme of investment in European growth, jobs and recovery.

The MFF, which governs the expenditure of some €960 billion in EU funds over the years 2014 to 2020, was agreed between the EU’s Heads of State and Government last February. The next step is to secure the agreement of the Parliament to the MFF, which will allow this money to be spent.

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste will also be discussing the amending budget for 2013 and will be looking to reach agreement on how both the MFF and the amending budget can be advanced in parallel.

It is hoped that Monday's summit will help to secure early agreement on these issues.