Piotr Serafin, Poland's candidate for the EU budget commissioner, held a several-hour talk at the European Parliament. He said that the future budget of the European Union involves a combination of reforms with investments in each member state. – We want to develop these plans in dialogue with the capitals and regions of Europe, – he added.
Serafin's hearing lasted for about three hours. Earlier, journalists asked how long he had been preparing for it. “All my life,” he answered.
Serafin: the budget should be united, not divided
During the discussion, he stated that his most important task in his new position will be to prepare the next budget of the European Union, which “must unite, not divide”.
He emphasized that economy and climate are not the only challenges facing the EU. In this context, he mentioned, among other things, the threat of Russia's aggression against Ukraine to the security of Europe. He announced that if he is elected, he will work on a budget that will be the answer to all these problems.
Piotr Serafin before the committees of the European Parliament PAP/EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET
“We have to squeeze as much as possible out of every euro in our budget.”
Serafin also presented the concept of the new budget of the European Union. According to him, it will involve combining reforms with investments in each member state. – We want to make these plans in negotiations with European capitals and regions, – he said. The next element of the budget is the new competitiveness fund of the European Union. Additionally, according to Serafin, the budget should be more flexible to help respond to crises.
– We need a budget that is simpler, especially for the beneficiaries. (…) Access to European funds should not be a bureaucratic nightmare. (…) We must squeeze as much as possible out of every euro in our budget. Investment in Europe should increase significantly. We also know that the public finances cannot carry this heavy burden by itself. Therefore, we need to mobilize private capital, said Serafin.
In this context, he assessed that the Union should also work from its own resources to finance the budget, because “the progress of the member states in this regard is very small”.
Questions for the future commissioner
The candidate also assured that he intends to strengthen cooperation with anti-fraud agencies, including the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO). – Value added fraud alone cost the European Union 11 billion euros, Serafin said.
During the discussion, a question was asked whether the future budget of the EU will also be allocated for the protection of the Union's external borders.
PiS MP Bohdan Rzonka asked the question, noting that Poland is struggling with problems on the border with Belarus. – As political groups, we disagree on many issues, but we agree that we all want to live in a safe Europe. The budget portfolio is very strong in terms of position among commissioners. Will you decide to allocate a certain part of the EU budget to finance the security of the borders of the EU, including the support of Frontex and the construction of barriers at the border? he asked.
Serafin answered that he believes that there is a consensus in the European Union on the need to protect its external borders. – Without effectively protected external borders of the European Union, Schengen will not exist and this will be a great loss for the whole society, – he said.
He also said that the current European budget has been strengthened with additional funds for migration policy, including Frontex activities, integrated border protection systems and cooperation with third countries. He stressed that this budgetary policy will continue. – We can also count on the fact that the protection of the external borders will be better supported from the budget, Serafin assured. He noted that this is much cheaper than paying for border protection.
Serafin: Defense spending will increase throughout Europe
Member of the European Parliament, former budget commissioner Janusz Lewandowski asked the EU Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius about the creation of the first “war budget” and possible “pressure” in this matter.
– I will definitely work very closely with Commissioner Kubilyus, and I think it is very important that we have a defense commissioner, – answered Serafin. He added that his role will be to show the member states that it is acceptable to spend money on defense at the level of the European Union.
– Whether we like it or not, whether there is financial consolidation at the national level or not, defense costs will increase throughout Europe – because at the moment this is a historical requirement. We have witnessed this in recent years and this trend will not stop, said Serafin.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET
