The EU ambassadors agreed the Council's position on the 2018 EU draft budget, ahead of the negotiations with the European Parliament starting in October.
The Council's position for 2018 amounts to €158.9 billion in commitments and €144.4 billion in payments, up by 0.6% and 7.4% respectively compared to the 2017 EU budget. Payments increase significantly because the implementation of the 2014-2020 programmes is expected to reach cruising speed following the initial start-up period. The Council's position strongly focuses on measures to stimulate jobs and growth, strengthen security and tackle migration. It also keeps sufficient margins under the EU's multi-annual financial framework 2014-2020 in case unexpected needs arise.
"I believe the Council's position provides a solid basis on which to achieve a 2018 EU budget that would take the EU forward. The Council proposes, in line with its generally frugal approach to the budget, to focus resources on those areas with the highest added value. The Council's position also helps the EU to act swiftly in case new challenges arise", said Märt Kivine, the Estonian Deputy Finance Minister and the Presidency's Special Representative for the EU budget. "Timely agreement on the 2018 budget is a test of the EU's credibility and a presidency priority", he added. [...]
Draft EU budget for 2018
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