Seventeen EU member states form coalition for future multi-annual budget

On October 3, 2026, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and leaders from 16 other European Union member states submitted a joint letter to the Irish Presidency regarding the upcoming negotiations for the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034. This coalition seeks to ensure that the European Union maintains robust funding for Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) while simultaneously allocating sufficient resources to address new European priorities.

The participating nations emphasize that the overall scale of the MFF, as outlined in the negotiating framework established during the Cypriot Presidency, serves as the essential basis for future discussions. For Cyprus, maintaining strong funding in these sectors is critical for balanced regional development, supporting the primary sector and rural areas, and enhancing overall competitiveness. The collective goal is to achieve an ambitious and balanced budget that reflects the needs of the union's regions and agricultural sectors.

This initiative marks a coordinated effort by these 17 states to influence the bloc's financial planning. The signatories view the existing framework from the Cypriot Presidency as a cornerstone for the next phases of negotiation, aiming to secure long-term financial stability for regional and agricultural investments.