Sweden is one of the EU’s major net contributors, paying in more than it receives. Ulf Kristersson is highly critical of an Irish budget proposal presented ahead of the meeting, under which Sweden’s contribution to the EU would increase “by several billion”, he says.
Sweden is not an ATM for the EU, he says.
Should be ready by the end of the year
The EU presidency aims to reach a final budget agreement before the end of the year, so implementation decisions can be made in 2027 - in good time for the budget to take effect in 2028.
It will not be a lack of time that makes Sweden give up on this point. We must now be strict, he says.
A budget that takes effect in 2028 should have been decided before 2028. But Sweden cannot be in a hurry to reach a compromise if we don't think it's good. Of course not, he adds.
The fact that a number of large EU countries - including France - face elections in 2027, with Eurosceptic parties doing well in the polls, does not make completing the budget process quickly particularly important.
"There are elections in Europe all the time. We (Sweden) have just had elections. There will be a large number of elections in 2027 and then 2028. I don't think those arguments hold up," says Kristersson.
This is also a way for those who want to expand the budget and take more money from us, who are already net contributors, to argue that we should hurry, the prime minister adds.
High energy prices on the agenda
EU leaders will also discuss measures to strengthen competitiveness, how to deal with high energy prices and the large trade imbalances with China during the morning.
On Friday, the focus shifts to Ukraine, defense, security and the situation in the Middle East.