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Next EU budget should be a “revitalisation programme” – German Foreign Minister

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Germany will assume the Council of the European Union’s rotating presidency in July, but no doubt, its priorities will change from those that would have been identified earlier this year.

Writing on Die Welt, one of the major newspapers in Germany, the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Heiko Mass, argued that the next budget of the EU should be a “revitalisation programme” which helps Europe recover from the coronavirus pandemic but should also link financial assistance to respect for the rule of law, with the latter a clear dig to the controversial actions taken in Hungary by its Prime Minister, Victor Orban.

Insisting on this point, Maas argued that Europe must challenge the restrictions on democracy and rule of law under the excuse of fighting the corona – such things are unacceptable in the continent.

“Our aim is for Europe to emerge from this crisis stronger, more united and more sovereign than it entered it,” wrote Maas. For this to happen, important financial resources had to be allocated.

The Minister insisted that the next EU budget should give the Union the necessary financial leverage to take such steps and deliver on them. However, respect for democracy would remain the principle basis for support: “Anyone who undermines the European Union’s foundation of values should not expect to benefit fully from the union’s financial advantages.”

Politico

Die Welt

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