The Friends of Cohesion reaffirm common priorities for the next EU multiannual budget

On 13 July 2026, on the margins of the General Affairs Council in Brussels, Artjoms Uršuļskis, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, hosted a meeting of 17 EU member states of the Friends of Cohesion to further coordinate positions in the negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034 (MFF).

Members of the Group reaffirmed their commitment to the Joint Declaration of the Friends of Cohesion adopted in May. In particular, the Member States underlined the importance of ensuring adequate funding for the EU's Treaty-based policies, namely Cohesion Policy, the Common Agricultural Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy. They also stressed the need to ensure effective and inclusive access to competitiveness programs, including the European Competitiveness Fund, so that excellence can be explored across the EU.

Participants thanked Cyprus for its efforts in advancing the MFF negotiations, particularly in reaching a partial general approach on a number of key legislative files. Member States also welcomed Cyprus rejoining the Group.

The Group congratulated Ireland on assuming the Presidency of the Council of the EU and invited the Presidency to give due consideration to the Joint Declaration of the Friends of Cohesion in the ongoing negotiations on MFF 2028-2034.

The Friends of Cohesion include 17 Member States: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. The Group meets on a regular basis to coordinate positions in the negotiations on the MFF 2028-2034.