Prime Minister Babiš in Brussels Discusses the European Budget with Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen

Brussels, 6 February 2020, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš discussed the future multi-annual European budget with the President of the European Council Charles Michel. He briefly met the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on the same subject.

Before a bilateral meeting with Charles Michel, Prime Minister Babiš visited President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to discuss how to reach an agreement on the budget for 2021–2027 as soon as possible. Andrej Babiš also appreciated good cooperation with the new European Commission.

“I informed the President about our position. There is great expectation that we will reach an agreement at the extraordinary European Council on 20 February. I think it will be very difficult“ said Andrej Babiš. “However, I am really happy that the new Commission is listening to all Member States. Together we may find some acceptable solution. Nobody has spoken to us in advance about the original proposal, which I fundamentally disagree with,” he added.

The EU budget for the next seven years is currently one of the most important European topics. Before the summit, the President of the European Council meets bilaterally with all prime ministers and discusses in detail what this proposal should look like to match the priorities of most of them.

“I also explained our position to the President of the European Council. For us, it is essential that there is no substantial decline in traditional EU policies, because it is the money that goes to promote convergence, for investments, especially for missing infrastructure. I am convinced that there is no reason to reduce this volume of money in favour of centrally managed EU programmes,” explained Prime Minister Babiš. “I know that some states have a different opinion on this, but I believe that traditional EU policies are very important for all EU countries, not just for net beneficiaries, because they strengthen the internal market and all may benefit from the prosperous EU,” concluded Andrej Babiš.

The Czech Prime Minister yet before the meeting in Brussels sent a letter to the President of the European Council, which outlines six points which he considers essential to the success of the negotiations on the multi-annual financial framework.