European Commission opposes cuts to crisis funding ahead of EU budget summit

Yesterday 12:30

By: Azzat Manal

European Commission opposes cuts to crisis funding ahead of EU budget summit

The European Commission has opposed proposed reductions to the European Union’s crisis-response funding, warning that the changes could weaken the bloc’s ability to support farmers and regions facing future emergencies. The disagreement comes ahead of a key EU summit in Brussels, where member states are expected to debate the bloc’s long-term budget for 2028–2034.

According to Politico, Stephanie Rizzo, a senior European Commission official responsible for budget matters, raised concerns during a meeting of EU ambassadors on Sunday. She reportedly warned that cutting crisis reserves by more than €22 billion could significantly limit the EU’s capacity to respond to unexpected events, including climate-related disasters and geopolitical tensions.

The Commission also believes that the proposed revisions would make the next multiannual financial framework less flexible than the current budget. According to the report, this could force Brussels to reconsider the financial plan midway through its implementation if new crises emerge and additional resources become necessary.

Ireland, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union until the end of December, has defended the proposed changes. European Affairs Minister Thomas Byrne rejected the Commission’s concerns at a press conference on Saturday, arguing that the negotiating document was designed to strengthen flexibility across the overall budget framework.

On October 10, Ireland presented a revised proposal for the EU’s 2028–2034 budget, calling for spending to be reduced by €159 billion in current prices, or approximately 8%, compared with the European Commission’s initial proposal. The revision has not satisfied Germany and several other member states, which are pushing for more substantial spending reductions and stricter budgetary discipline.

According to Politico, these countries sent a letter to the team of European Council President António Costa on Sunday, outlining their objections to Ireland’s latest proposal. The dispute reflects broader divisions among EU governments over the bloc’s financial priorities, the overall size of its budget and the distribution of funding among different programmes.

The budget disagreement is expected to feature prominently at the European Council summit scheduled for October 15–16 in Brussels. European leaders hope to agree on the main parameters of the next long-term budget by the end of the year, although significant differences remain over spending levels, financial contributions and the resources needed to address future crises.

The negotiations will determine how the EU balances demands for tighter spending controls with the need to maintain sufficient financial reserves for unforeseen emergencies. Reaching an agreement will require member states to reconcile competing priorities, including fiscal restraint, support for agriculture and regional development, and the capacity to respond to climate risks and international instability.