(05 November 2019) – The youngest member of the European Union intends to campaign for the cohesion policy budget to be maintained during its presidency of the EU Council.
At a conference in Zagreb, Plenković (EPP) said that Croatia’s presidency stint will focus on a “Europe that develops, Europe that connects, Europe that protects and Europe that is influential”. He added that the best solution to the challenges facing the world is a “stronger Union” and that the presidency is a historic moment for the country.
Plenković said the EU’s long-term budget, the multiannual financial framework (MFF), is one of the specific policy areas Croatia will focus on, once the presidency starts on 1 January.
The country is part of the “Friends of Cohesion” group, which aims to preserve the percentage of the budget allocated for cohesion. It also aims to maintain member state participation in projects financed by cohesion funds. The minimum co-financing rate is currently 15% but some member states want to increase it to 30%. (EurActiv)