02:40Germany: 'Unfortunately we cannot vote yet' - Merkel on EU budget deal
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the passing of the European Union's budget and coronavirus recovery fund in a European parliamentary forum on Monday. The budget deal is at a stand-off due to Poland and Hungary's reservations.
"We stand today at a point where unfortunately we cannot vote yet, because Hungary and Poland still have reservations over the so-called conditional mechanism, in that it is also a question of compliance with the principles of the rule of law in the context of EU financial expenditures," said Merkel.
Poland and Hungary vetoed EU's 1.8 trillion euro ($2.2 trillion) spending package, which includes around 750 billion euros ($900 million) of jointly financed pandemic aid.
"What we are experiencing with the pandemic is in my opinion a once in a century event. And that's why we need to find new ways and means to react to it," added Merkel.
During the presser Germany's Chancellor and EU's rotating president also addressed the lack of progress on the EU-UK Brexit agreement saying that whilst a deal was desirable by all parties it shall not be pursued 'at all costs' and other necessary measures will be implemented if no deal is reached.
"By all means, an agreement will be in the interest of everyone," she concluded.
02:40Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the passing of the European Union's budget and coronavirus recovery fund in a European parliamentary forum on Monday. The budget deal is at a stand-off due to Poland and Hungary's reservations.
"We stand today at a point where unfortunately we cannot vote yet, because Hungary and Poland still have reservations over the so-called conditional mechanism, in that it is also a question of compliance with the principles of the rule of law in the context of EU financial expenditures," said Merkel.
Poland and Hungary vetoed EU's 1.8 trillion euro ($2.2 trillion) spending package, which includes around 750 billion euros ($900 million) of jointly financed pandemic aid.
"What we are experiencing with the pandemic is in my opinion a once in a century event. And that's why we need to find new ways and means to react to it," added Merkel.
During the presser Germany's Chancellor and EU's rotating president also addressed the lack of progress on the EU-UK Brexit agreement saying that whilst a deal was desirable by all parties it shall not be pursued 'at all costs' and other necessary measures will be implemented if no deal is reached.
"By all means, an agreement will be in the interest of everyone," she concluded.