During the EP Committee on Budgets meeting, Michael ROTH, German Minister of State for Europe, presents the position of the German Presidency of the Council on the EU's next long-term budget for the period 2021-2027 and the Recovery plan. Statements by Jan OLBRYCHT (EPP, PL) and Margarida MARQUES (S&D, PT).

Brussels

exchange of views

OLBRYCHT, Jan (EPP, PL)

ROTH, Michael (DE)

Multiannual financial framework 2021-2027 (T)

MARQUES, Margarida (S&D, PT)

Recovery plan for Europe (T)

MFF and Recovery plan: extracts from the exchange of views with Michael ROTH, German Minister of State for Europe

SOUNDBITE (English), Jan OLBRYCHT (EPP, PL), The ratification will take time and we would like to see to have the information from from you, from the presidency. Are you sure that we've all the problems you have, the National parliaments, all of them, they have the political will to finalise before the end of the year, to have the possibility to have the headroom next to have the fund.

SOUNDBITE (French), Margarida MARQUES (S&amp;D, PT), <p>My question is as follows. If Hungary adopts a position whereby it exerts pressure on the rule of law by saying that the Hungarian Parliament will not ratify the own resources agreement and therefore will block the recovery fund instrument, then I would like to know what strategy has the Presidency.</p>

SOUNDBITE (German), Michael ROTH, German Federal Minister of State for Europe, I can say this very clearly, very open and openly. I can't see any room for manoeuvre when it comes to major changes, major changes in the amounts we have now. It is the biggest ever economic crisis since the Second World War and we have limited funds therefore., let me say one more thing. The council negotiations were very tough because of one aspect. We have lost a member state, the United Kingdom. The financial contributions coming from this country were essential, played an essential role. So without us changing anything, we all needed to pay just a little more.

SOUNDBITE (German), Michael ROTH, German Federal Minister of State for Europe, So if we want to repay loans, there are just two options. Option one, member states increase their contributions and option two, new taxes, new own resources are introduced. So this really will get a certain dynamic going.

SOUNDBITE (German), Michael ROTH, German Federal Minister of State for Europe, Proposal from commission with a qualified majority in council could lead to a cut in EU funding. That is a major step forward.

SOUNDBITE (German), Michael ROTH, German Federal Minister of State for Europe, I would be very critical when it comes to any discussion of contingency plans in the event of a delay. This would simply prolong the status quo. It would prevent us from modernising. We want to be able to modernise. We want to be well-placed. And we're looking to the future when it comes to the rule of law as well. Which is why we have the MFF, the next generation EU, rule of conditionality. For all three the prerequisite will be that in the member states move forward on the own resources decision.

SOUNDBITE (German), Michael ROTH, German Federal Minister of State for Europe, I urge you therefore to not split up the package.The political consequences would be enormous.