On 28 August 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, participated in a conference, “EU Multi-Annual Budget 2028–2034: Is the Offer in Latvia’s Interests?”, organized by the Providus think-tank. In her introductory remarks to the discussion, the Minister presented to the participants a perspective of key elements in the European Commission’s (EC) proposal published on 16 July. The Minister emphasized that the most important priorities for Latvia in the forthcoming negotiations on the EU’s multi-annual financial framework have been approved as early as at the beginning of this year. Accordingly, Latvia will pay particular attention to security and defence issues and will advocate funding to be provided for traditional policies, such as Cohesion and the Common Agricultural Policy, as well as sufficient EU funding for the Rail Baltica project.
Baiba Braže welcomed the overall budget amount of almost EUR 2 trillion for a seven-year term proposed by the EC and allocations for defence and security; however, she pointed at uncertainty over the distribution of funding, including for both the Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy. The EC proposal envisages increased spending on various competitiveness projects; therefore, Latvia will also have an important homework to do to attract EU funds. “EU budget funding has so far accounted for a significant part of Latvia’s total budget expenditure and overall public investment. In order to continue exploiting the opportunities offered by EU funds, we will also need to be able to demonstrate a high degree of preparedness to attract funding in competition with other EU Member States.”
The discussion on the new EU Multiannual Financial Framework and its compliance with Latvia’s long-term development interests and the needs of society brought together members of public administration, civil society organisations and experts. Cooperation between ministries and the non-governmental sector was also highlighted by the Foreign Minister, who pointed out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to lead an inclusive process of formulating Latvia’s position on the EU’s long-term budget.
About the EU Multiannual Financial Framework
- The long-term EU budget – the Multiannual Financial Framework – sets out the total amount and expenditure of the EU budget for a seven-year period.
- The current EU Multiannual Financial Framework is in place from 2021 to 2027.
- On 16 July 2025, the European Commission published its proposals for the next g-term budget period of 2028-2034. Negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework are scheduled to be concluded in 2027.
- The EU’s long-term budget is approved by EU legislators – the Council of the EU and the European Parliament. In particular, the budget should be unanimously adopted by the EU Member States and subject to consent from the European Parliament.
- More about Latvia’s priorities in the upcoming negotiations (in Latvian)
