MEPs debate October EU summit and need for an ambitious 2028-2034 budget 

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament.

On Wednesday, plenary assessed the October EU summit results, focusing on a strong EU long-term budget and competitiveness in a debate with Presidents Costa and von der Leyen.

Reporting a fruitful meeting by heads of state or government, European Council President António Costa said that “Europe is reinforcing its competitiveness, and it is united in defending its interests and values”. To strengthen the EU’s competitiveness he called for action to accelerate the EU Inc. business regime, reduce energy costs, boost affordable energy production and modernise electricity grids.

On the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework (MFF), Costa said “we are now in a decisive phase, and we are determined to reach an agreement by end of the year. We need an ambitious budget that matches our responsibilities while keeping national contributions at a reasonable level”. The next MFF is not only about numbers, he added, “it is a political choice about the Europe we want to build”. He also stressed the need to make progress on an “ambitious package on own resources”.

On Ukraine, Costa reaffirmed that EU support is stronger than ever, with the Union providing 80% of the external assistance received by Ukraine. He stressed that “Ukraine’s security and Europe’s security are inseparable”.

On migration, he noted that migration flows have decreased and that the Pact on Migration and Asylum is now being fully implemented. Nevertheless, he called for stronger border controls, more effective returns and greater preparedness to address the instrumentalisation of migration.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it is crucial for Europe to complete the single market. She pointed to the EU Inc business regime, the public procurement act and simplification efforts to ease the administrative burden on companies. She reminded member states that “a rule that has been agreed on European level cannot become more complex and fragmented when transposed or implemented nationally”.

On Europe’s high energy costs she stressed that the EU is too dependent on foreign fossil fuels and gas and that we are losing opportunities by not having a true European energy union. Speaking about Russia, she stressed that EU sanctions “will stay until Russia stops the war”. She reminded MEPs that it was Russia who cut off Europe’s gas supply and who is weaponising energy.

On migration she stressed that illegal border crossings have fallen by 56% over the last two years. She also highlighted how migration is being weaponised, and announced a new framework to give member states the tools they need to respond quickly to threats at external borders.

On China, Ursula von der Leyen pointed out that Chinese companies receive up to eight times more subsidies than comparable firms in OECD countries and that European industries are paying the price. She said that the Commission will work to reduce economic dependencies by addressing vulnerabilities, diversifying supply chains and limiting access to the single market when needed.

MEPs’ responses

Speaking about the next EU long-term budget, MEPs warned that in Europe, more cannot be done with less money. They called for a budget tailored to the challenges we face.

Mentioning recent protests in several EU countries, MEPs requested sufficient financing to fight the cost of living crisis and high energy prices, and measures to preserve jobs in European companies. Others mentioned Russia’s war, competitiveness, and support for farmers and regions as priorities for the 2028-2034 financial period. Some concluded by saying that the question is not whether we can afford to build this Europe but how much it will cost us to not to build this Europe.

Several MEPs expressed the need for continued support for Ukraine, stressing that the war will not be decided on the frontline but thanks to political will. By protecting Ukraine, we are protecting ourselves, some stressed, and warned that if Ukraine falls, we will have a migratory crisis of a scale we have never seen before. Migration was mentioned by several speakers as an ongoing priority for the EU. But while some called for asylum rights to be guaranteed for those who are entitled to them, others focused on defending European borders and protecting citizens’ safety.