European Budget Commissioner Günther Oettinger sees a “50-50” chance and “100 percent good arguments” for the EU to reach a budget deal before the 2019 European Parliament election, he told reporters Tuesday.
The commissioner added that he hopes the December European Council summit will address major Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) topics and open up the way for intensive negotiations up to Easter.
Asked about Italy’s threats to veto the next long-term EU budget over migration demands, Oettinger said his view is that a deal is in everyone’s best interest.
If the MFF is blocked, new challenges won’t be addressed, the commissioner said, noting that his budget plans will make it possible to strengthen the border agency Frontex, boost defense spending, and invest more in research and development.
Blocking the long-term budget “is in the interest of no member state,” Oettinger said.