European Union leaders have commenced discussions on the bloc’s next seven-year budget, covering the period from 2028 to 2034, at a summit in Brussels. The second day of the summit began with a one-hour delay, according to a spokesperson for the European Council President. Initial talks will focus on budgetary figures, with more substantial negotiations anticipated later in the year. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš indicated this initial session represents a first-stage debate. European Council President António Costa expressed a desire for leaders to reach a consensus on the new budget before the year’s end, signaling the importance and potential difficulty of the upcoming negotiations. The budget will shape EU priorities and funding allocations for the coming decade.