Progress On EU Budget, But Still Blockage At Council Level

COREPER II spokesman Sebastian Fischer tweets: "#Breaking: @EUCouncil and @Europarl_EN reach common understanding on #EUBudget for 2021 in record time. Ambassador #Clauss: This is a good result based on the agreement reached on the next multiannual financial framework. I am glad that it has been achieved in record time due to excellent cooperation between the EU institutions. It shows: EU can pull together in times of crisis. However, the budget for 2021 can only enter into force once the blockage on the overall #EUBudget and recovery package is lifted. Without this, we are looking at a drastic cut in EU funding from the beginning of next year." - Ambassador Clauss"

• As such, the agreement hailed in Fischer's tweet may in fact prove to be short-lived. All depends on the actions of Hungarian and Polish leaders at the European Council summit on 10-11 Dec as if they veto, the budget and associated COVID-19 relief package does not go through.