Rasa Budbergytė, Chair of the Committee on European Affairs, at the LXXIII COSAC: ‘It is time for important decisions in the EU on financing new priorities in the face of new challenges’

Press release, 9 June 2025 (News ● Photos ● Broadcasts and videos)

During the LXXIII Plenary meeting of COSAC, held on 8-10 June, Rasa Budbergytė, Head of the Seimas Delegation and Chair of the Committee on European Affairs, congratulated the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union on its Presidency achievements, in particular the progress made in the area of security and defence. Ms Budbergytė welcomed the adoption of the 16th and 17th sanction packages. She stressed the need to continue negotiations on further sanctions and underscored the urgency of rallying political will for using immobilised Russian assets for reparations to Ukraine. Ms Budbergytė expressed her hope that the Polish Presidency would succeed in achieving a breakthrough in enlargement and opening of the first cluster of the negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. 

‘The EU is facing a wide range of complex and interrelated challenges, both internal and external. Therefore, next to the traditional Treaty based goals, such as cohesion and common agricultural policy, as well as other key objectives, including fighting climate change, the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) should also address the new challenges. Among these, is ensuring funding for the protection of the EU’s external borders with Belarus and Russia, which is crucial as these borders are increasingly targeted by hybrid attacks and migration flows. In addition, increased funding is needed for cross-border infrastructural projects. At the same time, in response to the new challenges, we need to finance new priorities, such as support to Ukraine, EU security and defence, and military mobility,’ Ms Budbergytė stressed.

The plenary sessions on 9 June discussed the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the future of the new EU MFF, and the work programme of the European Commission and the European Parliament at the start of the new institutional cycle.

The Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC) brings together the European Union affairs committees of the national Parliaments and the European Parliament. The Conference, which is held regularly, facilitates the exchange of information and best practices among the national Parliaments and the European Parliament. The Conference may submit any proposal to the European Parliament, the Council, or the Commission. 

Poland holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU from 1 January to 30 June 2025.

Aistė Pikiotienė, Adviser, Office of the Committee on European Affairs of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6864