Michel Urges EU Unity for 'Distinctly Built' Budget to Boost Strategic Autonomy

European Council President Charles Michel urged European Union member states to unite behind a "distinctly built" budget for the 2028-2034 period. He stressed the need for greater "strategic autonomy" for the bloc in response to evolving geopolitical challenges.

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Europe must accelerate its path towards greater strategic autonomy

Speaking in Bratislava, Michel highlighted that the proposed financial framework requires a "totally different construction" compared to previous ones. The goal is to bolster funding for "competitiveness, industrial transformation, defense, security, and strategic resilience." He assured that traditional policies like Cohesion and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), vital for European prosperity and balanced development, would not be abandoned.

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The main condition for greater autonomy is our unity

"The main condition for greater autonomy is our unity," Michel stated during a press conference with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Fico, in turn, called for a strong cohesion policy to reduce regional disparities and demanded additional funding for nations bordering Ukraine. He also expressed a different view on China, advocating for friendly competition rather than imposing new tariffs or barriers.

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a strong cohesion to reduce regional differences

Michel's visit to Bratislava is the first stop on a diplomatic tour that includes Tallinn, Vilnius, Riga, and Prague, aimed at building consensus among the 27 member states on the multiannual financial framework.

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I am among the prime ministers who do not understand competitiveness by imposing new tariffs or creating new barriers