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January 25, 2020 President of the European Council Charles Michel has convened an extraordinary meeting of European leaders for February 20, which will focus on the difficult negotiations on the EU budget 2021-2027. Michel himself announced it in a note. "The time has come to find an agreement," writes the president in the letter sent to the heads of state and government.

Michel, commissioned by the EU governments to carry out the budget negotiations, says he made the decision to convene the extraordinary summit "after the meetings held at the Sherpa level" with the member countries. "Any postponement would create serious practical and political problems and jeopardize the continuation of current programs and policies, as well as the launch of new ones," writes the president.

"I am fully aware that these negotiations are among the most difficult we have to face - he continues - but I am also convinced that with common sense and determination we can find an agreement that will benefit all Europeans. To do this, all parties will need demonstrate a spirit of compromise. I am counting on your support in this regard, "says Michel addressing the European leaders, to whom he announces consultations" in the coming days, before making an overall proposal in view of the February meeting ".

The EU countries are still very far from finding a common position on the Union's multiannual budget (MFF) 2021-2027. The proposal made by Finland, holder of the rotating presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2019, has found more criticism than praise. Helsinki has proposed an overall budget equal to 1.07% of the EU's GNI, the Commission instead asks for 1.11%, while the European Parliament would like 1.3%.