Today, the European Commission published a Communication on ‘The Road to the next Multiannual Financial Framework'. It outlines the key policy and budgetary challenges that will shape the design of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). This lays the groundwork for reflections on how to adapt the EU's long-term budget to evolving needs and priorities. With this Communication, the Commission also launches in parallel a Europe-wide campaign with a range of stakeholders, including Member States governments, regional entities, and citizens.

The European budget supports citizens, farmers, researchers, businesses and regions across Europe and beyond. It has proven essential for improving the lives of Europeans. Together with NextGenerationEU, it helped overcome a pandemic and energy crisis, while saving millions of jobs during lockdowns and investing in our clean and digital future. The EU budget also provided unprecedented support to Ukraine and the security of Europe, in the face of Russia's war of aggression.

The next long-term budget, which will start in 2028, needs to square the circle: the expectations from the EU to act are steadily increasing. For the EU budget to be fit for our ambitions, ensure the repayment of the borrowing for NextGenerationEU and, at the same time, provide stable national financial contributions from Member States, we need to introduce new own resources. The status quo is not an option. Choices need to be made. The EU must maximise the impact of every euro it spends, focusing on EU priorities and objectives where EU action is most needed.