Big achievement: Slovak Presidency strikes crucial deal on 2017 EU budget

Brussels (17 November) - After 18 hours of negotiations the Council, led by State Secretary for Finance Ivan Lesay, and the European Parliament i reached agreement on the 2017 EU budget.

"It took some 18 intensive hours of negotiations - a demanding marathon, if you wish, but a successful one," said Ivan Lesay, Presidency chief negotiator for the annual budget, adding that the final deal strongly reflects the EU's main policy priorities.

"The strength of the 2017 EU budget lies in its focus on priority measures such as addressing migration, including by tackling its root causes, and encouraging investment as a way to help stimulate growth and create jobs."

Ivan Lesay

"The strength of the 2017 EU budget lies in its focus on priority measures such as addressing migration, including by tackling its root causes, and encouraging investment as a way to help stimulate growth and create jobs. This maximises the budget's impact to the benefit of EU taxpayers, European citizens and companies. And it respects member states' continued efforts to consolidate their public finance," he underlined.

Total commitments are set at €157.88 billion and payments at €134.49 billion.

"It seems that the Slovak Presidency has broken the long-existing spell of failing on the EU budget conciliation every other year," said I. Lesay as for the first time in recent history, we have two successful conciliation committees in a row - Luxembourg in 2015 and Slovakia now.

More money for migration and security

Agreed commitments of €5.91 billion mean that around 11.3% more money will be available for tackling the migration crisis and reinforcing security than in 2016. The money will be used to help member states in the resettlement of refugees, the creation of reception centres, the support for integration measures and the returns of those who have no right to stay. It will also help to enhance border protection, crime prevention, counter terrorism activities and protect critical infrastructure.

Investing in growth and jobs

Commitments of €21.3 billion were agreed to boost economic growth and create new jobs under sub-heading 1a (competitiveness for growth and jobs). This is an increase of around 12% compared to 2016. This part of the budget covers instruments such as Erasmus + which increases by 19% to €2.1 billion and the European fund for strategic investments which raises by 25% to €2.7 billion. The 2017 EU budget also includes €500.00 million in commitments for the youth employment initiative to help young people to find a job. Further €500.00 million were agreed for supporting milk and other livestock farmers with additional support measures announced in July.

With a view to matching member states' consolidation efforts at national level the Council and the Parliament reminded all EU institutions to complete the 5% staff reduction by 2017 as agreed in 2013.

Next steps

The 2017 EU budget is expected to be formally adopted by the Council on 29 November and the Parliament on 1 December.

Background brief

EU annual budget