Slovak MEP Lucia Yar demands stronger EU budget to face global challenges
- Lucia Yar stated that the European Parliament will negotiate the long-term budget proposal for 2028-2034, with a strong focus on funding for defense and education.
- She highlighted the significance of regional policy funding, which accounts for a large portion of public investments in Slovakia.
- The discussions come in light of geopolitical pressures and the need for a stronger budget to ensure Europe's security and competitiveness.
In Brussels, discussions regarding the long-term European budget have commenced, emphasizing a proposal from the European Commission that is set to address financial planning from 2028 to 2034. MEP Lucia Yar, a Slovak from the Renew Europe group and vice-chair of the budget committee, remarked on the critical importance of maintaining and increasing funding for key areas such as regional policy, defense, and education. The proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework aims to cater to heightened geopolitical tensions stemming from challenges posed by Russia, China, and the United States, highlighting the necessity for a more robust EU budget. Yar indicated that almost 80 percent of public infrastructure investments in Slovakia depend on regional policy funding, underscoring the urgency of safeguarding these financial resources. Concurrently, Danish Minister Marie Bjerre acknowledged the need for a stronger Europe but indicated her government's previous opposition to increasing the EU budget. Despite this, she stated that all options remain open as preliminary discussions began, aiming toward a productive negotiation phase during Denmarkâs EU presidency.