EU budget: extraordinary summit 20/2

(ANSA) - BRUSSELS, JAN 25 - The President of the European Council Charles Michel has convened an extraordinary meeting of European leaders for February 20, which will have at the center idifficili negotiations on the EU budget 2021-2027. "The time has come to find an agreement," writes the president in the letter to the heads of state and government. Michel, who is in charge of carrying forward the budget negotiations, says he has taken the decision of the extraordinary summit "after the meetings held at the Sherpa level" with the member countries. "Any postponement would create practical and political problems and would jeopardize the continuation of current programs and policies, as well as the launch of new ones," writes the president. "I am fully aware that these negotiations are among the most difficult we have to face but I am also convinced that with common sense and determination we can find an agreement that will benefit all Europeans. To do this, all parties will need to show a spirit of compromise.