The Brussels summit on Friday witnessed intense discussions among European Union leaders regarding the upcoming budget for 2028-2034. The debates focused on funding mechanisms and spending levels, revealing a clear divide among member states.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz firmly rejected any new borrowing to fund the budget, stating, “We must not do that.” This position directly contrasts with France’s proposal for a shared European borrowing initiative.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the necessity of borrowing to boost investments, particularly in technology and artificial intelligence. He argued that Europe requires a significantly larger budget to inject additional public funds.
Last year, the European Commission proposed a total budget of €2 trillion, marking a substantial increase from the current budget. In contrast, Cyprus, holding the presidency, presented a counter-proposal advocating for a modest 2% reduction.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen clarified that the initial draft is not ideal for any party but serves as a solid foundation for negotiations. This highlights the importance of reaching a consensus among all stakeholders.
Germany and Northern European countries are pushing for deeper cuts in expenditures. Meanwhile, 17 Southern and Eastern European nations, part of the “Friends of Cohesion” group, are advocating for a more generous budget to support agriculture, rural development, and social and regional cohesion.
Despite agreement on the overall structure of the budget, disagreements over spending levels and funding mechanisms complicate negotiations. Brussels hopes to reach an agreement before the end of the year to avoid the impact of upcoming elections in several European countries, particularly France.
For more details, visit the original article on Yemen TV.
To follow the news in Arabic
Internal Unity Emphasized by the Leadership of the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission The leadership of…
Governor Launches Distance Learning System in Taiz Governor Nabil Shamsan of Taiz launched a distance…
Yemeni Foreign Minister Calls for International Support in Berlin The Yemeni Foreign Minister, Dr. Afrah…
Protest Held in New York City Calling for Lifting the Siege on Taiz New York…
Local Authorities Condemn Attack on Al-Hadara Market in Al-Waziyah The local authorities in Taiz Governorate…
Weather Forecast: Mild Conditions and Possible Thunderstorms in Socotra and Eastern Coasts The Meteorological Forecast…