A draft minutes document from the Council of the European Union, published on 1 July 2026, records the proceedings of the General Affairs meeting held on 16 June 2026, which focused on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034 and related regulations. The meeting addressed the EU's long-term budget planning, setting the stage for negotiations among member states and with the European Parliament.
The document outlines the Council's discussions on the MFF proposal, which aims to align the EU's spending priorities with its strategic goals for the 2028-2034 period. Key topics included the allocation of funds for cohesion policy, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and new priorities such as digital transition, climate action, and security. The meeting also considered the proposed regulations for the next generation of EU programmes, including Horizon Europe, InvestEU, and the European Defence Fund.
Member states expressed differing views on the overall size of the budget and the distribution of funds. Some advocated for maintaining or increasing spending on traditional policies like agriculture and cohesion, while others pushed for greater investment in innovation, defence, and climate-related initiatives. The discussions highlighted the tension between fiscal restraint and the need for ambitious EU action, a recurring theme in MFF negotiations.
The Council's deliberations on 16 June 2026 are part of a broader process that will involve further technical work and political negotiations. The European Commission is expected to present a formal proposal for the MFF regulation later this year, followed by discussions in the European Parliament and the Council. The outcome will determine the EU's financial framework for seven years, impacting all member states and sectors that receive EU funding.
Stakeholders affected by the MFF include national governments, which will negotiate their net contributions and receipts; farmers and rural communities reliant on CAP subsidies; researchers and innovators benefiting from Horizon Europe; and businesses in sectors such as defence, digital, and green technologies that may gain from new funding streams. The budget also affects EU taxpayers, as it determines the overall level of EU spending and the resources needed to finance it.
The meeting did not produce a final agreement but set the stage for further negotiations. The Council is expected to continue discussions in the coming months, with a view to reaching a political agreement by the end of 2026 or early 2027, ahead of the start of the next MFF period in 2028.