EU’S POST-2020 BUDGET: FURTHER INCREASE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FUNDING AND REACH SWIFT AGREEMENT

Today, the European Commission released its proposal on a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EU’s budget for 2021-2027.

BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer made the following comments:

“Businesses believe that the EU’s post-2020 budget must concentrate efforts on improving the EU’s competitiveness. We acknowledge the Commission’s efforts to increase spending on research and innovation activities but would have liked to see even more ambition. We now urge all political decision-makers to prioritise and build on the Commission’s increased emphasis on EU competitiveness, especially research and innovation, in the forthcoming negotiations.” 

In the coming weeks, the Commission will release sectoral proposals with detailed clarifications on spending priorities of different programmes. The Commission’s proposals will be discussed and negotiated in the Council and European Parliament. 

“It is essential that all parties reach a swift agreement on the MFF post-2020 before the European Parliament’s elections in May 2019. We cannot afford delays in powerful investment incentives at a time when the US are moving on with a major tax reform and China implements the Belt and Road Initiative,” said Beyrer.

ENDS

European Commission press release with links to documents