2023-06-16 06:41:08
Before the meeting of EU finance ministers in Luxembourg, the finance minister referred to Germany’s strained budget – and called for clear priorities to be set within the EU.
Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner sees no scope for additional German payments to the EU budget. The budget situation in Germany is tense, the FDP politician told the German Press Agency and other members of the European Newsroom in Brussels in an interview. “Given the necessary cuts in our national budget, we are currently unable to make any additional contributions to the European Union budget.” Other member states are doing the same.
Due to the high costs of supporting Ukraine, among other things, the EU’s long-term budget for the years 2021 to 2027 is “exhausted to the maximum”, according to the Commission. It is currently being checked. On June 20, the Commission intends to present the results of the revision.
It is to be expected that the EU Commission will demand further funds in the course of the revision, said Lindner. He warned that, before potential increases in contributions for the EU countries, the additional financial requirements should be covered by reallocations or by using the existing leeway in the EU budget for unforeseen events. There must be a clear prioritization “focusing on the unavoidable need for additional financing, which results, for example, from the legal obligations of the EU”.
Today the EU finance ministers are meeting in Luxembourg. Above all, the discussion on reform plans for the EU debt rules is on the agenda. (dpa)
#Lindner #additional #payments #budget #free #press