Czech PM says latest draft of EU 2014–2020 budget unacceptable

Speaking in Brussels, the Czech prime minister, Petr Nečas, has said he will reject the latest draft European Union budget for the 2014 to 2020 period. He says he cannot accept a reduction in the bloc’s cohesion fund that would see the amount available to the Czech Republic fall from EUR 26.7 billion in the current seven-year budget period to EUR 19.5 billion in the next one. The funds are available to all regions except Prague. Mr. Nečas has said that the Czech Republic, unlike a number of states, is not threatening a veto, but, he added, neither would it approve any plan whatsoever. EU leaders are set to return to the negotiating table at noon on Friday, though there are fears that no agreement will be reached.

Author: Jan Richter