The EU should narrow the scope of priorities funded by common money according to ministers

Prague – The European Union should narrow the scope of priorities it finances from its budget. Today, Czech ministers agreed on this before presenting the first proposal for the multiannual financial framework for the period after 2028. Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura (ODS) identified defense and competitiveness as the basic areas for the entire EU.

Stanjura admitted at a press conference after the government meeting that there will be less money available for the upcoming period than before. He pointed out that the EU will have to repay the money it borrowed after the pandemic to implement the recovery plans of individual countries. “About 20 percent of the usual EU expenditures will be used to repay these debts,” the minister stated.

Given the limited budgetary options, he believes it is appropriate to narrow the scope of priorities for which European money is allocated. “We would like resources to be focused on two areas: the defense capability and security of European states, including the Czech Republic, and the second area is the competitiveness of the European economy,” he said.

Before the cabinet meeting, the Minister of Culture Martin Baxa (ODS) and the Minister of Health Vlastimil Válek (TOP 09) also spoke about narrowing priorities. According to Baxa, it is already evident in culture that there will be less money available for the restoration of monuments. Válek stated that the EU should focus on supporting large long-term projects that have the potential to move European countries forward. He also suggested that it would be appropriate to focus on adapting health and social systems to an aging population. (July 16)