Prime Minister Robert Abela is presently in Brussels for a European Council summit, with the aim of an agreement being reached on the European Union budget for the next seven years.
The Prime Minister arrived at the European Council building in the afternoon, together with other leaders of European Union member states.
The negotiations on this budget are expected to be difficult, as, besides different expectations among member states, the European Parliament is expressing disagreement with the budget proposal presented by European Council President Charles Michel.
European Parliament President David Sassoli, whilst recognising efforts linked to new income sources for the budget, stated that there is still a 230 billion euro gap, and the Parliament is not prepared to approve the budget as proposed.
Meanwhile, on her arrival for the summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told journalists she welcomes the budget proposed by Charles Michel, adding that the talks will not be easy. but all new resources will mitigate the pressure.
Following a meeting with David Sassoli, the European Council will meet in the hope of agreement being reached between leaders of member states on the budget, which agreement will be satisfactory both for them and for the European Parliament.
Charles Michel is appealing to all parties to go into the negotiations in a spirit of compromise.
Malta’s Prime Minister is accompanied by Parliamentary Secretary for EU funds, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi.
Ara l-Prim Ministru jispjega dwar in-negozjati tal-Budget tal-UE:
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