Source: European Parliament
1. As underlined in the recent Commission’s communication on ‘The road to the next multiannual financial framework’[1] (MFF), it is imperative that the next EU budget plays a central role in promoting the EU’s sustainable prosperity and bolstering economic, social and territorial cohesion.
2. In line with the political guidelines of the President of the Commission[2] and the above-mentioned communication, the future EU budget will include a strengthened cohesion and growth policy with regions at the centre. At the core of the modernised EU budget should be a plan for each country with key reforms and investments, and focusing on joint priorities, including promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion, which will be designed and implemented in partnership with national, regional and local authorities. Delivering on EU priorities must be done together — with Member States and their regions shaping many of the EU investments on the ground, and the EU budget supporting and incentivising their action. Cohesion policy will continue to support all regions, with particular attention to the less developed ones.
3. The Commission is currently engaging with the EU institutions, including the European Parliament, Member States and stakeholders to help prepare the proposal for the next MFF, which it intends to present in July 2025.