How the new EU budget will shape a wider Union

On 16 July, the European Commission presented its proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034), which will define the EU budget and priorities for the next financial cycle. Intense and heated debate, heavy negotiations and uncomfortable trade-offs will mark the months, perhaps years, until the budget is finally adopted. 

Despite promising to be the largest ever EU budget, the current proposal only includes a modest real increase compared to the previous one. But, besides the figures, what counts are the approach that this new MFF is introducing (particularly the trend towards centralisation at the expense of cohesion) and the inherent tensions that allocation of funds will generate. In fact, the new budget proposes a significant increase in external action funding, which includes enlargement, but to be allocated between old and new priorities (such as defence). Risks of inadequate funding for reforms in the candidate countries may emerge, while, given the uncertainty surrounding new accessions, it is to be seen how the inclusion of potential new candidates will be managed. 

The Friends of the Western Balkans (FoWB) meeting again offered an opportunity for an exchange – between members of the European Parliament, members of European national parliaments from the Social Democratic family, and academics, activists and analysts – on the political, rather than technical, issues that the way the new EU budget is being shaped will raise. The meeting aimed to increase mutual understanding while discussing the future of the European Union and preparing the ground for accession. 

Part of the discussion was dedicated to the analysis of the current situation in Serbia, to the impact that developments in the country are having on the region – in particular, on Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo. We discussed the common steps that the FoWB can take in order to offer its support to the democratic path of the Western Balkans region.

The Friends of the Western Balkan’s meeting was preceded by a meeting of the S&D Group’s Willy Brandt Programme and followed by the European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity (EFDS) Annual Meeting.

For more information regarding this event, please do not hesitate to contact Julia Wild, Project Officer (julia.wild@feps-europe.eu) and Hedwig Giusto, Senior Research Fellow, (hedwig.giusto@feps-europe.eu).