BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union (EU) will hold an extraordinary summit on February 1 to try to find an agreement on its multiannual budget, which notably includes financing aid to Ukraine, the president of the European Council, Charles Michel.
Last week, the bloc’s leaders decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, but failed to agree on a 50 billion euro financial aid package for Kyiv, in due to Hungary’s opposition.
“We understood on Thursday and Friday that we need a little more time with Hungary to reach a unanimous decision, which is necessary for an agreement on the revision of the MFF (multiannual financial framework),” Charles said Michel during a joint press conference with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.
In addition to funding for Ukraine, Charles Michel indicated that EU member states had also offered to provide greater financial support to deal with immigration, natural disasters and security. and defense.
Belgium will succeed Spain as the rotating presidency of the EU for six months from January 1.
(Report by Geert De Clercq; Dagmarah Mackos, edited by Blandine Hénault)
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