The Member States insist on their positions and do not show readiness for compromise, but not reaching an agreement on the Multiannual Framework (MFF) at the upcoming EU summit could not be an option because that would be disadvantageous for all countries, this was Foreign Minister János Martonyi’s evaluation of the working dinner for EU foreign ministers hosted by Herman Van Rompuy on 19 November.

„The situation is quite difficult and it will take an illusionist to solve it, but that cannot be precluded” – this how the Hungarian Foreign Minister assessed the chances for reaching an agreement at the upcoming EU summit.

Herman Van Rompuy made it clear for the Member States that the proposal for the MFF (2014-2020) cuts back the budget in comparison to the current financial framework. János Martonyi stated not reaching an agreement at the summit could not be an option because that would be disadvantageous for all Member States. Although some countries suggested that the approval of the MFF (2014-2020) can wait until December or next spring, the situation will not be any different then, so it does not make sense to delay the decision.  

As regards the general mood at the dinner in Brussels, Minister Martonyi said that „None of the foreign ministers made any allusion to the possibility of a compromise since it will be the job of their prime ministers to make any concessions if they want to.” János Martonyi claimed that it was an evening of each explicating their own position without mentioning the possibility of a compromise. He warned that we should not draw too far reaching conclusions on the basis of that working dinner alone.

In connection with the Cohesion Fund, for which the financial resources have been decreased by each proposal, the Hungarian Foreign Minister declared that Hungary has to improve „its current standing” „at all costs”. The proposals submitted so far have indicated a 20-30 percent reduction in cohesion fund payments for Hungary. 

Minister Martonyi pointed out that there was an inconsistency in proposing a reduction in the EU budget in real value on the one hand while speaking about great plans on banking union, fiscal union, and on deepening EU integration on the other hand.  He recalled that the proposal recommend cutting back the Cohesion Fund, a part of the MFF, which was designed to promote growth and competitiveness,  He stressed that reducing the financial resources for the cohesion policy by 9-10 percent would imply an average reduction of 23% for the less developed regions, and would be even more negative for Hungary.

„This was unacceptable for Hungary” – János Martonyi said – „because it contradicts economic rationality as well as the EU treaty, and it cannot be supported politically.”

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)