EU budget meeting fails to produce agreement

European Commission warns of potential delays to research and education programmes

Leaders of EU member states failed to reach an agreement on the size and shape of the bloc’s 2021-27 budget at a much-anticipated meeting, prompting calls for a renewed push to avoid delaying EU programmes.

National leaders came together at a European Council meeting in Brussels across 20-21 February, but those in two opposing groups held fast to their as yet irreconcilable positions.