MFA: EU Needs Crisis-ready Budget Prepared for Further Expansion

Nicosia, 11 May (TASR) - The future European budget and the enlargement of the European Union were high on the agenda at the informal meeting of the EU General Affairs Council (GAC) in Nicosia, held under the Cypriot Presidency, the Foreign Affairs Ministry's press department told TASR on Monday, adding that Slovakia was represented at the meeting by Foreign Ministry State Secretary Marek Estok. The key topic of the meeting was the preparation of the EU's future Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034. Slovakia once again emphasised the need to maintain a strong cohesion policy and a common agricultural policy, which it considers to be key instruments for regional development and for supporting the competitiveness of the European Union. "We need a predictable and fair European budget that will be able to respond to new challenges and crisis situations without undermining the long-term priorities and policies defined in the EU treaties, such as cohesion and support for agriculture. It is equally important to reach an agreement on the new budget in a timely manner to avoid delays in launching programmes and drawing down European funds," noted State Secretary Estok. The discussion then focused on the enlargement of the European Union, with the participation of representatives from the candidate countries of the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership. Ministers and state secretaries addressed the geopolitical significance of enlargement, the continuation of reforms, and the possibilities for the gradual integration of candidate countries into selected EU policies. "Enlargement is a strategic investment in the security, stability, and prosperity of entire Europe. However, this process must remain credible, based on the fulfilment of conditions and equal treatment of all candidate countries," confirmed Marek Estok. am