"The 2026 budget is not just figures and priorities – it is proof of our institution's unity, despite political differences. Europeans expect protection, they expect to be heard. We are here to deliver that. Our institution's credibility is at stake, particularly in such turbulent times," said Member of the European Parliament Andrzej Halicki, who took part in the negotiations on next year's EU budget, following the vote in the plenary sitting.

"Most of the EPP Group's priorities were adopted, such as increasing the allocation for the Horizon Europe programme by 60 million euros, funding for young farmers by 23 million euros, or additional resources for the EU's southern and eastern neighbours to help countries still significantly affected by Russia's war in Ukraine."

"We now have a firm mandate to state clearly and unequivocally: cutting the EU's 2026 budget by around 1.3 billion euros, as some Member States are proposing, is not acceptable. The European Union cannot be expected to do more if it is given less. The budget is not an instrument for political bargaining or for short-term compromises. We will not allow cuts to the most important programmes, such as the Civil Protection Mechanism, EU4Health or Erasmus. On the contrary, we will strive to achieve more in the fields of defence, competitiveness, agriculture and employment. This budget is designed to deliver real benefits for all Europeans. The EPP Group will guarantee that this happens," Andrzej Halicki concluded.