EU Financial Framework: Merz Hosts Leaders of Net Contributor States at Chancellery

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is convening leaders from several European Union net-contributor states at the Chancellery in Berlin. The meeting aims to coordinate positions on the EU's financial framework for the years 2028 to 2034, a crucial budget that is still under negotiation.

Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius indicated that the participation of Denmark, Austria, Finland, and the Netherlands is being finalized. The invited countries share the objective of concluding the financial framework negotiations within the current year. These nations are characterized as net contributors, meaning they pay more into the EU budget than they receive back through programs and subsidies.

While French President Emmanuel Macron will not attend the meeting, Kornelius emphasized that Merz maintains very close coordination with him on this matter. Chancellor Merz's stance is that the current budget proposal, which stands at two trillion euros, needs to be reduced by several hundred billion euros across all areas. The German government is advocating for a reduction to 1.6 trillion euros for the seven-year period.

Discussions will also address how to utilize new EU own resources, which are the EU's own sources of income. Furthermore, the financial framework must reflect the bloc's new political priorities. Germany and France are particularly keen on reaching a conclusion this year, anticipating that important elections in France, Poland, and Italy next year could complicate final negotiations.