Spain and 15 other Member States reject cuts to cohesion policy, the CAP, and the CFP in the next multiannual financial framework

Ane Barcos The coalition of 16 Member States called “Friends of Cohesion” issued a joint statement advocating for a multiannual financial framework for the 2028-2034 period with increased resources for cohesion policy, the common agricultural policy, and the common fisheries policy, as well as financing mechanisms based on new own resources and joint debt, while also preserving Member States' ability to decide on the allocation and management of funds. According to the State Secretary for the European Union, Fernando Sampedro, this is “a very ambitious declaration” that reflects the approach advocated by the Spanish Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding a “truly ambitious” multiannual financial framework. This framework is designed to finance European public goods, including security and defense, as well as the green, digital, and social transitions, while ensuring the preservation of cohesion policy and the common agricultural policy. The text, adopted during the General Affairs Council meeting, indicates that, in the European Commission's proposal, cohesion policy, the CAP, and the CFP “are the only policies facing cuts in real terms, despite the overall increase in the volume of the new MFF.” These policies, the declaration emphasizes, “contribute significantly to the EU's key objectives, and its Treaty-based goals remain fully relevant.” It adds that “cohesion policy and the CAP are the EU policies with the greatest visibility for its citizens.” The signatories—Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, and Slovakia—also point out that “the programming of allocations, especially at the beginning of the programming period and in the mid-term review, must remain the sole responsibility of the Member States.” The text adds that “realistic and favorable implementation conditions are essential to support long-term investments,” and links this requirement to maintaining elements such as the commitment release rule and adequate levels of pre-financing and co-financing. It also sets limits on the use of cohesion policy as a crisis response tool, stating that “the proposal to reserve 10% for crises should be reduced” and that “the reprogramming of ongoing measures under the Plan should remain a voluntary option for Member States.” The statement also indicates that “the Friends of Cohesion are open to discussing proposals for new own resources,” and that “a more gradual repayment scheme for Next Generation EU and new joint debt to support loans should be considered viable options for financing European investments and public goods.”

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