Brussels, 20 June 2023 (dpa/MIA) - The European Commission is asking member states to contribute an additional €66 billion ($72.1 billion) to the EU's common budget from 2024 until 2027 to cover extra costs.

The world has changed significantly since the European Union's current multi-year budget was decided in 2020, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday in Brussels.

The different crises of the past three years, including the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia's war in Ukraine and higher interest rates, are affecting the bloc's budget, von der Leyen said, prompting the call for extra contributions.

Next to covering the higher rates and additional costs due to inflation, the extra money is to flow into areas such as migration, competitiveness and support for Ukraine.

To help member states manage the EU's external borders and to enhance international partnerships, Brussels needs an additional €15 billion from member states, von der Leyen said.

"We need to work more intensively with our neighbourhood to foster their economic development, to stabilize those countries," she added.

An additional €10 billion should help improve the competitiveness of the bloc's economy, particularly in the sectors of green technologies and biotechnologies.

"It is crucial for Europe to have a technological edge for the world of tomorrow," von der Leyen said.

Additional money was also needed to fund long-term assistance to Ukraine, including a €50 billion package of loans and grants announced on Tuesday.

The commission hopes that capitals and the European Parliament will back the plans by the end of the year, but budget negotiations are usually a very lengthy process.

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner generally rejects additional payments to Brussels.

He previously said there was no scope for extra contributions, as Germany's national budget and that of other member states were tight.

Tuesday's proposals reflect what member states request of the commission, EU Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn said, calling on capitals to take accountability.

Photo: MIA archive