EU Commissioner Oettinger met with the members of the European Affairs Committee and the Finance and Central Budget Committee

Zagreb - European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources Günther Oettinger met on March 8 with the members of the European Affairs Committee and the Finance and Central Budget Committee to present the priorities of the European Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) post- 2020.

Since the EU accession, Croatia has been participating for the first time in negotiations for the drafting of a seven-year MFF, and during the meeting with the European Commission, MPs had the opportunity to expose their views on priorities for the Union and Croatia, while also commenting on the Communication from the Commission, dated February 14, presenting options for the future European budget.

Oettinger stressed that the focus of the new European budget would remain on the Common Agricultural Policy and Cohesion Policy, with a special emphasis on migration and refugee issues and Brexit. He urged the deputies to actively engage in MFF negotiations, taking into account the development of Croatian cities and regions.

With regard to the EU's own funds system, parliamentarians have stressed that it is necessary to avoid creating additional tax burdens for EU citizens and to consider the possibility of taxing the digital platforms. They also believe that investment in the overall security of the Union is required, both internally and externally.

Commissioner Oettinger announced that the Commission will announce on May 2 a comprehensive proposal for a future MFF that should include proposals for a new generation of programs and new own resources.