António Costa to begin EU budget negotiations in Slovakia

European Council President António Costa will begin a tour of European Union member states on August 25, starting in Slovakia. The primary objective of these meetings with heads of state and government is to lay the groundwork for an agreement on the EU’s future seven-year budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the years 2028 to 2034.

The proposed budget is estimated at approximately two trillion euros. Costa emphasized that finding a balance for the Union, its citizens, and its future is a shared responsibility. He intends to use the visits to better understand the priorities of national leaders and their constituents.

Significant divisions persist among member states regarding the budget's scale and priorities. A group of fiscally conservative nations, including Germany and the Netherlands, are advocating for spending limits and reductions in current proposals. Conversely, the ‘Friends of Cohesion’—a group of 16 countries including Slovakia, Italy, Poland, and Spain—is pushing for strong support for regions, agriculture, and strategic investments. An updated budget proposal is expected to be presented by Ireland before the October European Council meeting in Brussels.