Next multiannual budget of EU beneficial for Baltic countries in several ways - Stakis

RIGA - The next multiannual budget proposed by the European Commission (EC) is beneficial for the Baltic countries in several ways, but preserving these benefits will take effort, European Parliament member Martins Stakis (Progressives) said in an interview with LETA.

According to the Commission's proposal, EUR 218 billion will be earmarked to support the European Union's border regions and less developed regions, said Stakis. This is particularly important for Latvia's border regions. The multiple meetings with European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius have been fruitful, as defense and support for Ukraine are also clear priorities in the next EU budget, said Stakis.

The politician pointed out that during the election debates, the EU was criticized the most in three areas: competitiveness, bureaucracy, and defense. In Stakis' opinion, the Commission's multiannual budget proposal covers all three, with increased investment in defense, the bloc's competitiveness and innovation. It also gives member countries more freedom in distribution of funds.

The final decision on the EU's next budget in two years will be very different from the Commission's initial proposal, and Latvian MEPs in their committees and the Latvian government will have to fight for our interests. But funding for military mobility, defense, support for Ukraine will not be the main stumbling blocks - agriculture and cohesion will be, said Stakis.

Asked whether direct payments could be equalized between EU farmers this time, Stakis called for realism and realization that this was unlikely to happen in the near future. Farmers' lobby is one of the strongest in Brussels, and there is no doubt that they will defend the Common Agricultural Policy with all their might, said Stakis.

As reported, in the budget proposed earlier in July, the EC plans to focus more on defense and competitiveness spending, as well as to find new sources of revenue and change the current criteria for allocating funds.

The defense budget is set to increase fivefold to EUR 131 billion.

The draft budget foresees the creation of a EUR 451 billion competitiveness fund to support EU investment in clean technologies, the digital economy, defense, food safety and innovation.

Up to EUR 100 billion are earmarked to support Ukraine.

The draft budget proposed by the EC will be discussed and amended by the European Parliament and agreed with Member States.

It is expected to be a long and difficult negotiation.