Metsola: We cannot agree on Europe's ambitions and cut the means to achieve them

At the European Council, President Metsola called for a long-term EU budget that matches Europe's ambitions, faster progress on competitiveness, and continued momentum for enlargement.

Addressing EU leaders in Brussels, President Metsola warned that the Irish Presidency's revised proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) risks undermining the balance achieved by Parliament between traditional policies and new priorities. “We cannot agree on our ambitions, spend meeting after meeting discussing them, and reduce the means to achieve them,” she said. President Metsola said that new own resources offer “a bridge to agreement”, allowing Europe to finance its priorities while limiting pressure on national budgets. “This is the missing element that can bridge everybody’s position,” she said. She spoke on the need to engage with Parliament throughout the entire process and reaffirmed the Institution’s readiness to work constructively to find a way forward and deliver a budget that is fit for purpose.

Delivering on competitiveness

President Metsola updated leaders on Parliament's good progress on the “One Europe, One Market” roadmap, underlining that key legislative files are advancing on schedule. The European Parliament reaffirmed its commitment to delivering results for European citizens and businesses in a second review of the roadmap.

On energy, President Metsola said that “the strategy we have adopted is delivering” while calling for faster progress on cross-border connections. She highlighted that negotiations on the EU Grids Package were well under way with an agreement hopefully possible “before the end of the year”.

Global partnerships

President Metsola highlighted the importance of strengthening global partnerships, pointing to the upcoming EU-Canada and EU-UK Summits as opportunities to deepen cooperation on security, energy, technology and trade. On China, she welcomed diplomatic efforts while highlighting Europe's readiness to use existing trade instruments and develop new ones if necessary to counter unfair economic practices. "There is a limit to what our industries can absorb, and we are reaching it," she warned, underlining Europe's readiness to use existing trade instruments and develop new ones if necessary.

Ukraine and enlargement

President Metsola reaffirmed Parliament's strong support for Ukraine as the country faces another winter at war and a worsening humanitarian situation.

On enlargement, she welcomed the opening of two new EU accession negotiation clusters each with Ukraine and Moldova, alongside Montenegro closing three chapters and Albania one. “We need to do our part,” she said. The President noted that the recently proposed safeguards tied to reforms offer a basis for addressing outstanding concerns.