The contribution of the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council to reaching a compromise for the future budget of the European Union

Minister for European Affairs George Ciamba chaired today, June 18, 2019, the proceedings of the last meeting of the General Affairs Council (GAC) organised during the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council.

One of the key topics on the agenda was the political debate regarding the future Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-2027, a priority file for the duration of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which could be found on the agendas of all General Affairs Council meetings in the past six months.

During the meeting in Luxemburg, Minister George Ciamba and his counterparts debated the future Multiannual Financial Framework based on the revised version of the negotiation document (Negotiating Box), drafted by the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council, as a result of their constant efforts during the first semester of 2019.

Ever since taking over the mandate for minister of European affairs, George Ciamba established as a key objective of the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council the advancement of this highly important file for the future of the Union. Romania’s Presidency obtained agreements for 10 sectoral proposals of the MFF (Multiannual Financial Framework), providing a construction of the future budget based on the Strategic Agenda of the Union, while also considering new technologies.

”The discussions during today’s meeting reflected on the progress achieved this semester and thus constitutes a consistent basis for the future Finnish Presidency of the EU Council, in view of carrying on these efforts to facilitate an operative agreement, at the time deemed fit by the heads of state and government,” stated Minister Delegate for European Affairs George Ciamba after the discussions on this topic.

The revised version of the negotiation document drafted by the Presidency aimed at reflecting, in a balanced and fair way, the main policy-related aspects which will sustain the architecture of the future multiannual budget of the European Union.

The ministers who were present in Luxemburg appreciated the efforts undertaken by the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council in the management of negotiations during this semester, efforts that led to drafting this negotiation document, whose revision was based on the elements of interest outlined by member states during discussions. The heads of delegations from the net contributing member states, as well as from the net beneficiaries, highlighted the many positive elements of the negotiation document presented by the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council, and also referred to elements which require further discussions, based on the options reflected in the revised document.

Today’s exchange of opinions constitutes a positive signal regarding the common interest of all member states to advance negotiations on this file of strategic importance, in view of providing for timely enforcement and adequate implementation of the future 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework.