Although the agricultural issue is not officially on the agenda, it is considered certain that it will be discussed
Tractors from several European member states are now on the streets of Brussels, at the time when the European leaders are expected to meet at 11:00 (Cyprus time) in the extraordinary European Council.
In particular, European leaders are asked to agree on the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2021-2027, which includes the vital macroeconomic financial assistance for Ukraine, amounting to 50 billion euros.
The Commission's proposal
At a time when farmers' mobilizations are intensifying in many European countries, the Commission has proposed measures to limit imports of agricultural products from Ukraine, but also to allow farmers to deviate for a year from some EU rules.
Furthermore, the European Commission proposed to extend for one year the exemptions to tariffs concerning agricultural Ukrainian products, such as fruits and vegetables, while at the same time putting a kind of brake in case of reckless importation of poultry, eggs and sugar. However, this was a measure that did not particularly please a number of member states – France among them.
However, the issue of rural mobilizations has been added to the agenda of the Summit as hundreds of tractors are expected to flood Brussels and paralyze the European capital on the day of the EU Summit, according to Belgian media reports.
Brussels tonight, where dozens of tractors – some predict up to 1000 – are rolling into the capital as part of recent European farmer protests pic.twitter.com/kbwlm8UM98
— Sophie Garratt (@SophGarratt) January 31, 2024
The first tractors arrived
The first convoys of tractors started arriving in Brussels last night, while the majority of the tractors are expected to head around 10:00 am (local time) near Schuman Square where the Commission and European Council buildings are located, as well as towards the Luxembourg Square (Place du Luxembourg) outside the European Parliament, where symbolic actions and speeches will take place.
Among other things, farmers complain about "the inconsistency of European policies", the accumulation of complex environmental rules, unfair competition from abroad and their low incomes. In the large-scale demonstration in Brussels, agricultural unions from Spain, Italy and Portugal have joined to join their voices with those of Belgian farmers.
The "general blockade" of Brussels, as announced by the president of the FJA, is expected to last at least until 5:00 pm. However, the presidents of the FJA and the farming federation Fugea warn that if the farmers do not win what they are asking for during Thursday, their actions will continue the next day in the European capital.
Meanwhile, the police authorities of the capital of Brussels warn of serious traffic problems both in the center and on the outskirts of the city, and recommend that residents avoid traveling by car and prefer the metro as a means of public transport.
Support for Ukraine is also on the agenda
According to the draft conclusions text, they are expected to reiterate the determination of the EU and its member states to continue to provide "timely, predictable and sustainable" military support to Ukraine, in particular through the "European Peace Mechanism" (EPM) and the EU educational mission, but also through direct bilateral support.
The 27 will discuss progress on EMU reform, which should move from a "logic of reserves" to a "logic of common supplies." If it is accepted by all member states, the conclusions could refer to the increase of the total fiscal ceiling of the EME by 5 billion euros. Heads of state and government are expected to call on the Council to reach a fast-track agreement on EMU reform by March.
European leaders are also expected to reiterate the urgent need to speed up the delivery of ammunition and missiles to Ukraine, particularly in the face of a pledge to deliver one million artillery shells to Kiev by March 2024 – a target that will not be met, defense ministers admitted yesterday of the EU, which met in Brussels.
Source: in.gr