# European Council policy and budget negotiations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-council-policy-and-budget-negotiations
> Updated: 2026-08-25T05:29:30.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 4.

European Council President António Costa has launched a diplomatic tour of EU member state capitals, running from August 25 to September 17, to gather a “360-degree view” of national priorities. The tour begins in Bratislava with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and continues through Tallinn, Vilnius, Riga, and Prague.

A central objective of this initiative is to consult with heads of state and government on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034. Costa has reiterated his warning that member states must reach an agreement on this long-term budget by the end of the year to avoid a funding gap that could impact farmers, businesses, students, researchers, and innovators.

Beyond the budget, the discussions aim to address a broad range of critical challenges, including defense and security, competitiveness, EU enlargement, migration, and support for Ukraine. The proposed budget seeks to reallocate resources toward defense and security while maintaining support for traditional sectors such as agriculture, regional development, and green and digital transitions. Costa noted that once a political agreement is secured, approximately one year will be required to establish the necessary legislative and administrative frameworks.

## Claims

- EU member states must reach an agreement on the 2028–2034 long-term budget by the end of this year. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Failure to reach an agreement could lead to a funding gap for farmers, businesses, students, researchers, and innovators. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Approximately one year will be required to establish the legislative and administrative framework following a political agreement. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The new budget aims to increase funding for defense, security, and competitiveness. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The budget will continue to support agriculture, regional development, research, and green and digital transformation. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- António Costa is starting a tour of EU member states, beginning with a visit to Slovakia. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Costa will meet with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to discuss the EU budget. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-25: António Costa warns of EU budget funding risks during Slovakia visit

European Council President António Costa warns that an EU budget agreement for 2028–2034 must be reached by year-end to avoid funding disruptions for farmers, businesses, and researchers.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/antnio-costa-warns-of-eu-budget-funding-risks-during-slovakia-visit

### 2026-08-24: António Costa begins EU capital tour to discuss budget and migration

European Council President António Costa begins a tour of EU capitals to discuss the long-term budget, defense, migration, and support for Ukraine with member state leaders.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/antnio-costa-begins-eu-capital-tour-to-discuss-budget-and-migration

### 2026-08-23: António Costa outlines EU priorities for defense and enlargement

European Council President António Costa prioritizes defense, competitiveness, and EU enlargement, including support for Ukraine, during his upcoming meetings with member state leaders.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/antnio-costa-outlines-eu-priorities-for-defense-and-enlargement

### 2026-08-12: António Costa to begin EU budget negotiations in Slovakia

European Council President António Costa will start a tour of EU member states on August 25 to negotiate the 2028–2034 budget, a two-trillion-euro framework facing divides between fiscal hawks and cohesionists.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/antnio-costa-to-begin-eu-budget-negotiations-in-slovakia

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Cite as: European Council policy and budget negotiations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-council-policy-and-budget-negotiations