Prime Minister Janez Janša: I am confident that leaders will demonstrate enough wisdom, knowledge and energy to reach an agreement on the EU budget and secure sufficient funds for the Recovery and Resilience Facility

18. 7. 2020

Former Prime Minister Janez Janša (2020 - 2022)

The leaders of the EU Member States met yesterday at an extraordinary meeting of the European Council in Brussels, where they held a 14-hour discussion on the EU coronavirus recovery package in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. European Council President Charles Michel adjourned the meeting just before midnight and leaders resumed talks today.

Prime Minister at an extraordinary meeting of the European Council in Brussels | Author Svet EU

1 / 5

Arriving at today's meeting, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša emphasised, "Some tactical steps forward have been made in the negotiations so far, however, no strategic breakthrough has been achieved yet. Time is running out, so there is no choice but to continue."

"Tomorrow is another day and after next week, another week. I am confident that leaders will demonstrate enough wisdom, knowledge and energy to persevere to the end and agree on a successful EU budget and secure sufficient funds, including grants and loans, for the Recovery and Resilience Facility," highlighted the Prime Minister.

According to the Prime Minister, negotiations on the European budget have never been in such a time crunch. "This time the epidemic can be used as an excuse, but at the same time it is an additional incentive to reach an agreement on both frameworks," added Prime Minister Janez Janša.