The future of the post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the expansion of funding opportunities for EU spending policies were among the topics debated during the meeting of the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) at the Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the European Union.
The conference was structured around three discussion panels that were co-chaired by representatives of the respective committees of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria with participation of MEPs from the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), and Committee on Budgets (BUDG).
“The Future of EU Tax Policy: Taxation of the Digital Economy”, was also among the topics discussed by parliamentarians at the meeting of the Committee on Budgets (BUDG). Evgeniya Angelova, Deputy Chair of the Committee on Budget and Finance of the National Assembly pointed out during the debate that “Bulgaria's first Presidency of the Council of the EU has the task to conduct a broad discussion on the future of the next Multiannual Financial Framework with representatives of all Member States”. Ms Angelova argued that even the best innovative solutions wouldn’t be successful if no common understanding and agreement has been reached.
Managing the balance between risk sharing and risk reduction in relation to the Banking Union was also one of the main topics of the debate. Questions regarding the framework of the European Budget, the introduction of new forms of own resources etc., were raised during the discussion.
“Digitalisation and the future of work” and “Inequalities in Member States” were subjects of conversation among the parliamentarians on the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) meeting. The Chair of the Committee on Labour, Social and Demographic Policy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, Hasan Ademov said that the discussion was focused on new requirements for workers in the digital age, regulatory changes necessary to protect the rights of so-called digital workers, as well as on issues related to existing social inequalities and the need for measures to overcome them. “The Cohesion policy as one of the most important and successful tools in overcoming inequalities must be preserved” he added. The parliamentarians focused also on questions related to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights.
“The post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) - addressing emerging challenges and new priorities, and their financing” was the topic that sparked profound debates at the meeting organized by the Committee on Budgets (BUDG). It was attended by the Chairs of specialised committees of the European Parliament. The issues raised at the meeting were related to the banking sector and the opportunities to counter tax evasion as well as for fair taxation of digital businesses where activities are not currently taxed. “One of the biggest challenges for us is to guarantee transparency and ensure a sound management of the EU budget expenditure” stated the Chair of the Committee on Economic Policy and Tourism of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, Petar Kanev.
