During the 136th plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions on 8 October 2019 one of the key topics for debate with Günther H. Oettinger, Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources, was the EU budget for the years 2021-2027. ECR Vice-President Oldřich Vlasák (Councillor of Hradec Králové in the Czech Republic), welcomed the Commissioner on behalf of the ECR Group and called for the adoption of a “responsible budget that is fit for purpose." 

The ECR Vice-President highlighted five priority areas, which provide significant added value at the European level. Firstly, due to the EU's agricultural policy, Europe is one of the leading producers and exporters of agri-food products in the world. Mr Vlasák therefore expressed his hopes that “in the next MFF the level of funding is maintained and that payments for farmers are finally equalised across the EU."

Secondly, he underlined the key role of cohesion policy. This policy reduces disparities between regions and enables “countries like the Czech Republic to catch up economically with the West." It should therefore be continued with no discriminatory conditionality clauses attached to it.

Thirdly, Mr Vlasák stressed the importance of joint investments in research, which increase EU competitiveness vis-à-vis China and the United States. He also highlighted the importance of investment in cross-border energy projects and in securing the EU's borders.

In his speech, the ECR Vice-President also highlighted the areas in which savings can be made. “We do not want to see an EU Defence Policy that duplicates the policy pursued by NATO. Climate action is important to us, but we think that spending 25% of the budget on achieving climate objectives is excessive." ​

In conclusion, Mr Vlasák urged Commissioner Oettinger to adopt a focused and responsible budget and to treat all governments equally in the ongoing negotiations.