The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Enzo Moavero Milanesi, met with the European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources, Gunther Oettinger today at the Farnesina. The talks focused on the EU Multiyear Financial Framework 2021-2027.
The Commission’s present draft – said Minister Moavero – appears to be inadequate because it does not sufficiently address the concerns and expectations of the citizens. Minister Moavero and Commissioner Oettinger agreed to proceed with the work while intensifying consultations on the policy objectives and the related priority budget targets.
The Minister deems it advisable for the Commission to show greater courage in singling out additional sources to cover the financial resources of the EU budget. It is no longer justifiable that they mainly depend on the single contributions of each Member State as this takes resources away from national budgets. Instead, it would be opportune to develop new EU-originated “own resources”. For example, it could launch the systematic issue of especially designed EU financial instruments to be used to implement tangible investment projects to foster competitiveness. Another option could be to pass measures promoting a fair fiscal system on the basis of which those subjects that now skilfully dodge it by “dribbling” between the Member States’ different tax systems could contribute to the EU budget.
With respect to the expenditure for EU policies, Italy deems it essential to focus more attention on migration, primarily through the allocation of much larger resources for the socio-economic development of the Countries of origin and transit of migrants. In this respect, Minister Moavero pointed out that it is necessary to reverse the deplorable trend recorded in the last 30 years to reduce the flow of European funds to African countries. Also in respect of the EU’s important public policies in favour of European regions and agriculture, the Commission’s proposal does not adequately reflect Italy’s needs, especially in its attempt to quickly make up for the divide that grew during the global economic crisis, especially in the South of Italy and in several agricultural sectors.