Danish premier expects no breakthrough as EU budget talks resume
(dpa)
Brussels (dpa) - Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed little hope of striking a Friday deal on the European Union's next long-term spending plan, as EU leaders gathered to resume summit negotiations following all-night talks
Denmark and three other EU member states are insisting that the bloc's 2021-27 budget must not exceed 1 per cent of gross national income. Germany is also intent on curbing expenditures. However, other member states argue that the EU needs enough money to fund its ambitions.
"I don't think we are going to reach an agreement," Frederiksen said on her way into Friday's talks.
On Thursday, following an exchange among all 27 EU leaders, European Council President Charles Michel sought to broker compromise in an overnight marathon of one-on-one talks. However, he emerged without a new plan to resolve the dispute, according to council sources.
EU budget negotiations are always fractious affairs, pitting the richer net contributors against poorer member states which stand to benefit from grants and subsidy payouts.
This time around, the stakes are even higher, as the departure of Britain, a net contributor, from the EU has blown an estimated hole of 60-75 billion euros (65-81 billion dollars) into the seven-year budget, while the bloc faces new priorities such as climate change and migration.
Formal talks were set to resume at 11 am (1000 CET) on Friday. Ahead of that, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron met on the sidelines, according to Elysee sources.
Last week, Michel unveiled a budget proposal worth just more than 1 trillion euros, or 1.074 per cent of EU gross national income, but it has come under fire from all sides.
"I don't think we are going to reach an agreement," Frederiksen said on her way into Friday's talks.
On Thursday, following an exchange among all 27 EU leaders, European Council President Charles Michel sought to broker compromise in an overnight marathon of one-on-one talks. However, he emerged without a new plan to resolve the dispute, according to council sources.
EU budget negotiations are always fractious affairs, pitting the richer net contributors against poorer member states which stand to benefit from grants and subsidy payouts.
This time around, the stakes are even higher, as the departure of Britain, a net contributor, from the EU has blown an estimated hole of 60-75 billion euros (65-81 billion dollars) into the seven-year budget, while the bloc faces new priorities such as climate change and migration.
Formal talks were set to resume at 11 am (1000 CET) on Friday. Ahead of that, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron met on the sidelines, according to Elysee sources.
Last week, Michel unveiled a budget proposal worth just more than 1 trillion euros, or 1.074 per cent of EU gross national income, but it has come under fire from all sides.