Next EU Multiannual Financial Framework. Meeting of the ‘Friends of Cohesion Policy’ group

In the margins of the European Council meeting, the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, and the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, convened an informal meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the Member States making up the 'Friends of Cohesion Policy' group (Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain), to strengthen political coordination on the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework, at a crucial stage in the negotiations that will define the strategic priorities and the architecture of the future European budget.

During the meeting, the leaders reaffirmed the strong alignment that has characterised the joint work launched in December 2025, culminating in the declaration presented at the General Affairs Council on 26 May. The shared conviction was reiterated that the European Union's future budget must make it possible to address new strategic challenges without penalising the policies provided for by the Treaties, starting with Cohesion Policy, the Common Agricultural Policy, and the Common Fisheries Policy.
Participants stressed that these policies represent essential investments for Europe's future, capable of strengthening economic, social, and territorial cohesion, food security, competitiveness, and the resilience of European communities.

Lastly, the leaders confirmed their common determination to maintain a united front in the negotiations and to continue coordinated action, including at a political level, ensuring continuity, visibility, and effectiveness for the group's work throughout all stages of the negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework.