According to the Austrian chancellor, more attention can be paid to saving and cost-effectiveness during use.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said in an interview with Austrian broadcaster Ö1 on Friday morning that Austria rejects the European Commission’s request and refuses to send more money to the EU.
The chancellor emphasized that before increasing the amounts to be paid, the use of existing funds should be a priority for the committee. He cited the Cohesion and Reconstruction Funds as examples and mentioned that
More attention can be paid to saving and cost efficiency during use.
At the same time, it was reported on the Ö1 Morgenjournal radio program that the European Commission justified the request by saying that most of the current funds – according to Nehammer, around 480 billion euros – are already reserved and can be called upon. The committee also stated that the use of existing funds is subject to regulation, so they cannot be used for anything.
They cannot accept an increase in EU funds
“It would be nice if the European Commission provided how it plans to transfer the funds – then we will see if this benefits member states in practice.” Nehammer told the radio.
On Tuesday, the European Commission asked the 27 EU member states to draw up a framework for the budget period until 2027. It will be increased by 66 billion euros. The sum – which, according to the commission, would facilitate management with regard to Ukraine, immigration and economic competition – means an additional expenditure of 1.6 billion euros for Austria. Austrian Finance Minister Magnus Brunner actually rejected the committee’s proposal when it was proposed, saying: As a net contributing member state, Austria cannot accept an increase in EU funds.
(MTI)
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Opening photo: Stefanie Loos/Pool/AFP
