Keep the Door Open

The V4 and its politicians continue to make waves at the European level, whether in extracting additional spending commitments or obtaining high-level positions. As the recent debate over enlargement shows, Central Europe will push for an EU that remains open to new entrants.

The first hurdle passed

The EU institutions and member states have agreed provisionally upon the Union’s budget for 2020, which presages a more protracted negotiation over the 2021-2017 Multiannual Financial Framework. Despite disagreements between negotiators of the European Parliament and the Council over the size of next year’s budget as well as some spending priorities, a compromise was found that will see a modest increase. The 2020 EU budget is set at €168.69 billion in commitments (money that can be agreed in contracts in a given year) and €153.57 billion in payment credits (money that will be paid out).

A larger slice of the 2020 budget is destined to go to investments for the protection of the environment and address climate change (21 per cent of the budget), while other measures are aimed at boosting growth, job creation and fostering convergence via the European Structural and Investment Funds. Almost half of the funds, 83.93 billion euros, are destined to make the EU economy more competitive.