Minister of Finance G. Skaistė: “In the Axis of the Revised EU Multiannual Budget Should be Ongoing Aid to Ukraine, Incentives for Countries Hosting War Refugees and Issues of Financing Military Mobility”

Minister Gintarė Skaistė participating in the meetings of the European Union finance ministers for the past few days in Brussels had a meeting with Commissioner for Budget and Administration Johannes Hahn. The key focus of politicians was on upcoming review of the long-term EU budget, which, according to Minister G. Skaistė, should further sustain three axes: ongoing financial assistance to Ukraine, contribution by increased funding to countries hosting the Ukrainians and countries’ investment in military mobility projects, in particular, for the countries on the EU borders.

“The multi-annual EU budget, designed in response to the objectives of the coronavirus pandemic and the strengthening of EU economies, today is no longer reflecting the reality that Russia’s military aggression against peaceful Ukraine has changed almost a year ago. Therefore, when reviewing the EU budget, we need to regroup and focus on increasing financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and mitigating the consequences of the Russian war in the EU Member States by mobilising additional resources mainly for the countries hosting the Ukrainians such as Lithuania. It is equally important to allocate additional funds to countries’ investment in military mobility. This is especially important for us located on the EU border “, stressed Minister of Finance G. Skaistė.

According to the Minister, the revision of the EU multiannual budget should also provide additional flexibility to respond quickly to emerging challenges. The strengthening of the Special Instruments currently used in the event of natural disasters could serve for that. It was the Russian war that showed that additional flexibility could contribute to a faster EU response and help in the face of new challenges.

A draft review of the EU multiannual budget is expected to come out in July.

Last updated: 15-02-2023

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