Merkel Predicts 'very Tough' EU Budget Summit
Faizan Hashmi Published February 19, 2020 | 09:21 PM
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that talks to set the European Union's budget for the coming seven years will be "very difficult" at an extraordinary summit beginning Thursday
Berlin, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Feb, 2020 ) :German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that talks to set the European Union's budget for the coming seven years will be "very difficult" at an extraordinary summit beginning Thursday.
"We think our concerns are not sufficiently addressed on many points, and I therefore see very tough and difficult negotiations ahead," Merkel told reporters at a Berlin press conference with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin.
Germany and Finland belong to the circle of mainly northern European EU members that pay more into the EU budget than they get out, known as "net contributors".
Such countries are keen to cap spending at around one percent of the bloc's total GDP, while the European parliament has demanded 1.3 percent.
Brussels is keen to set new priorities in climate change and other areas, even as Brexit has punched a multi-billion-hole in EU finances.
"Even if we remain at the same level (of contributions), namely one percent of GDP, that would mean Germany would pay 10 billion Euros more per year because of inflation and Brexit," Merkel said.
"If further burdens are loaded on top, you can see it's significant, then we'll have to see whether it's divided fairly among the net contributors." France and around 15 other member states are keen to end a system of rebates for five countries -- Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria and Sweden -- that has been weakened by Britain's withdrawal.
Among the net contributors, a so-called "frugal four", not including Germany, is keenest to limit the EU budget.
Less well-off southern, central and eastern countries fear this will mean cuts to traditional redistribution via policies like agricultural support.
As the bloc's largest economy, Germany's contributions account for around one-fifth of the EU budget, set to rise to 25 percent under plans for the coming seven years.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Bugti assures transporters for addressing their problems
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar meets foreign min ..
3 drug peddlers arrested, hashish recovered
1496,990 children given polio drops in five days: DC
Six terrorists killed, hideout busted in N Waziristan IBO: ISPR
Pakistan, Qatar agree to further expand trade, investment ties
Sindh cabinet approves Rs177.5m to strengthen, mobilize various wings of police
Faisal Karim Kundi takes oath as new KP Governor
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Chaudhry seeks more vibrant ..
Tahaffuz Manzil Foster Home providing care & support to homeless children
PCB proposes April 7 -May 20 window; tweaks in rules for HBL PSL 2025
Field hospitals now operational across Punjab: Azma Bukhari
More Stories From World
-
Football: French Ligue 1 results - collated
7 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A results - collated
7 hours ago -
European Champions Cup semi-final result
7 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A table
7 hours ago -
Tennis: WTA Madrid Open results
7 hours ago -
Formula One: Miami Grand Prix sprint race results
7 hours ago
-
Barca have 'huge amount' to change next season: coach Xavi
7 hours ago -
Haaland 'back to business' with four-goal haul in Man City rout of Wolves
8 hours ago -
Newcomer Bellingham Madrid's driving force in La Liga conquest
8 hours ago -
Girona players have made history, says coach after reaching Champions League
8 hours ago -
Reus begins farewell tour while Bayern stumble in Stuttgart
8 hours ago -
Real Madrid La Liga title win in numbers
8 hours ago