Commissioner's remarks at General Affairs Council on the MFF
EU Commissioner Serafin delivered opening remarks at the General Affairs Council in Brussels, noting this is his fourth MFF negotiation. He cited four differences: Council calls to cut an already modernised budget proposal focused more on competitiveness, defence and security; stabilisation of national contributions based on 2027 figures; the need for a serious package of new own resources, with the October European Council set to clarify an updated basket; and the exceptional times in which EU sovereignty is at stake.
Impact and considerations
The MFF sets the EU's medium-term spending direction and scale, covering competitiveness, defence, security and own resources, and may affect EU budget funding flows and member-state contributions, relevant to businesses tracking EU policy and fiscal conditions.
Key points
- Commissioner Serafin said this is his fourth MFF negotiation, with some discussions carrying a strong sense of déjà-vu.
- There are Council calls to cut the Commission proposal, but this time it concerns a greatly modernised budget focused more on competitiveness, defence and security.
- The Commission took into account strained fiscal situations in many member states and proposed stabilising national contributions based on 2027 numbers.
- Serafin stressed that only a serious package of new own resources can deliver a modern budget and stable national contributions; the October European Council is set to bring clarity on an updated basket.
- Serafin said this MFF round is different because EU sovereignty is at stake, including capacity to feed, fuel and defend itself and to compete in the AI and chips race.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- European Commission
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 22 Sept 2026, 16:57
- Page published
- 22 Sept 2026, 18:26
- Last updated
- 22 Sept 2026, 16:57
- Original links
- European Commission Press Corner：Opening remarks by Commissioner Serafin at the General Affairs Council in Brussels (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 22 Sept 2026, 16:57