Multi-annual financial framework (MFF) post-2020 proposals - BusinessEurope views

Key messages

• The next long-term EU budget post-2020 should have a greater emphasis on competitiveness, growth and support member states in implementing reforms. Whilst we welcome that the Commission’s proposal clearly reflects new priorities such as migration, security and defence, and proposes increased spending on developing essential energy and digital capabilities, we would like to see even more ambition regarding spending on research, development and innovation, and cross-border transport capabilities. The overall budget needs to be of a size adequate to address such common challenges.
• National contributions based on the size of member states’ economies will remain the main way to fund the budget. Additional budgetary space can be developed through further efficiency gains and costs savings, and a greater use of financial instruments. We do not believe that the newly proposed own resources offer a helpful way forward in resolving the funding discussion. Furthermore, some of these proposals would place a disproportionate burden on companies and risk damaging competitiveness and job creation.
• Failing to agree on the proposal before the European elections would imply serious delays in the start of programmes in 2021, and a lost year of investment from the EU budget. To avoid delays in powerful investment incentives, we strongly urge all relevant decision-makers to make swift progress in adopting the post-2020 MFF.