Some of the speakers of the Article 17 TFEU dialogue meeting on the MFF proposal held at the European Parliament. (Photo: CEC)
The General Secretary of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences in the European Union (COMECE), Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, participated in the Article 17 dialogue meeting entitled “Beyond the numbers: the contribution of Article 17 TFEU to an EU Multiannual Financial Framework grounded in ethics, solidarity and inclusion”, held at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday 2 December 2025. Read the COMECE contribution [EN]
Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto contributed to the panel “Measuring what matters – ethics as a compass for EU budget priorities”, presenting COMECE’s technical proposals on the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
In his intervention, he underlined that “the Commission’s proposal for the MFF 2028–2034 is ambitious in structure, yet insufficient in volume and risky in several of its implications.” He warned that “without new revenues, social and ecological priorities risk becoming the first casualties”, stressing the need for adequate own resources to ensure that solidarity and long-term commitments are not weakened.
Fr. Barrios Prieto also recalled that “Europe’s budget is not merely a financial instrument; it is a moral statement. It expresses what we value, whom we prioritise, and how we understand human dignity and solidarity.”
Among others, the event featured contributions by Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament; Antonella Sberna, Vice-President of the European Parliament responsible for the Parliament’s implementation of Article 17 TFEU; Magnus Brunner, EU Commissioner responsible for Article 17 TFEU; and Nathalia Feinberg, Danish Ambassador and Special Representative for Freedom of Religion or Belief.
Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto’s full speech can be found here.