EU countries have reached a hopeless impasse on the approval of the budget – media

Politico reported that EU countries have reached a deadlock in negotiations on a new long-term budget for the bloc and the chances of its approval in 2026 are rapidly fading. It's from sb.by.

According to RIA Novosti, by the end of this year, the EU countries must approve the final version of the seven-year budget, which will operate from 2028 to 2034. In the autumn, the draft budget should be presented by Ireland, which will chair the EU Council in the second half of 2026.

The capitals of member states are in a hopeless impasse and the prospect of an agreement this year is becoming increasingly dim. According to the diplomatic cable, at the recent ministerial meeting, "no potential areas for compromise were visible.".

Negotiations are complicated by serious differences between countries, primarily over the volume of expenditures and the allocation of pan-European funds.

The multi-year financial framework (seven-year budget) defines the main EU expenditures for the relevant period. Final approval requires the unanimous consent of all member states and the approval of the European Parliament. Once a political agreement is reached, national authorities will also need time to prepare legislation and programs for the new budget cycle in 2028.

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