On 21 September 2026, on the eve of the General Affairs Council in Brussels, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Tasos Chatzivasileiou, hosted a meeting of the Friends of Cohesion to exchange views on the ongoing negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034 (MFF) and further coordinate their positions ahead of the next stages of the negotiations.
Against the backdrop of the State of the Union address, participants reaffirmed their shared position on an MFF 2028–2034 capable of delivering on the Union’s strategic priorities and ambitions. They reiterated that a more competitive, prosperous, stronger and safer Europe requires sufficient financing to match its political ambition, adapted to the new geopolitical reality.
The Friends of Cohesion thanked the Cyprus Presidency for its work and agreed that the current Negotiating Box provides a good basis for the next stage of discussions. They look forward to working with the current Irish Presidency.
Participants also reaffirmed their commitment to the Joint Declaration of the Friends of Cohesion adopted in May, stressing that the objective is not to defend spending for its own sake, but to ensure that the Union has the resources and instruments necessary to address its current and future challenges.
In this context, they underlined the importance of Cohesion Policy, the Common Agricultural Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy as Treaty-based policies that remain essential to supporting convergence, competitiveness, resilience and the capacity of all regions to contribute to European objectives.
At the same time, they stressed the importance of ensuring adequate financing of the Union’s new priorities, including its capacity to respond to crises. Participants thanked Greece for its timely initiative, aimed at advancing the MFF negotiations in a constructive manner towards achieving a budget that is both modern and responsive to the varying needs of the Member States and regions.
September 22, 2026