Member states ‘extremely hesitant’ to increase Horizon Europe budget

Member states are “extremely hesitant” to agree to increase the budget for Horizon Europe, Erasmus+ and other future-oriented programmes, German ambassador to the EU Michael Clauss has told MEPs. “Nevertheless, I am willing to try to convince the council to go the extra mile,” Clauss said in a letter to MEPs on Wednesday. The statement comes ahead of another round of budget negotiations between the European Parliament, European Commission and the German presidency of the Council of the EU on Thursday.