Premier Babiš: In Brussels, we discussed crucial topics such as the budget, migration, Brexit and the funds

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš undertook a series of bilateral meetings with top representatives of the European Commission on Monday, 29 January 2018, in Brussels. Apart from his meeting with the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, and its Vice-President, Frans Timmermans, the premier met with the chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, and the Czech Commissioner, Věra Jourová. 

The premier arrived in Brussels to discuss mainly the issue of quotas, revision of the asylum system, budget and Brexit. To talk about the current situation in Brexit, he met with the EU chief negotiator for negotiating with the British government, Michel Barnier, as the UK exit from the European Union will have a substantial impact on the EU budget.

Another important item on the agenda was the issue of European funds absorption. According to Premier Babiš, it is important that the Czech Republic becomes more active and effective in the spending. With the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, Premier Babiš tackled the issue of migration crisis and redistribution of migrants. They also discussed the asylum system reform.

"I met with Mr Juncker, Mr Timmermans and Mr Barnier for the first time and I see those meetings as very beneficial. We spoke about essential issues such as the next budget and distribution of funds. We should have more influence on that than has been typical to date. Brexit is also important, as the European budget will lack roughly EUR 11 billion from 2021 on. Another major theme is migration where I presented the attitude of the Czech Republic. Quotas are not a solution and represent a problem that is dividing Europe. We are actively persuading the Commission and other Member States that we stand in solidarity and we will find another solution without having to accept migrants,“ said Prime Minister Andrej Babiš after the meetings.