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Follow-up to the European Parliament non-legislative resolution on the financial activities of the European Investment Bank – annual report
AMENDMENTS
Rapporteur: Francisco ASSIS (S&D / PT)
The Committee on Budgets submits the following to the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, as the committee responsible:
References: 2024/2053(INI) / A10-0112/2025 / P10_TA(2025)0145
Amendment 1
Date of adoption of the resolution: 8 July 2025
Motion for a resolution
Competent Parliamentary Committee: Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON)
Citation 39 a (new)
Brief analysis/ assessment of the resolution and requests made in it:
Motion for a resolution
The European Parliament (EP) resolution highlights the EIB's crucial role in addressing Europe's investment gap, supporting EU policies and promoting sustainable growth. It emphasizes the need for increased transparency, accountability, and oversight, while encouraging the EIB to leverage its potential to support EU priorities. The resolution also stresses the importance of the EIB Group's role in climate action, social infrastructure and cohesion policy, and calls for a more balanced geographical distribution of investments to promote inclusive growth across the EU.
Amendment
In particular, the resolution welcomes the Commission’s proposal of 26 February 2025 to provide additional funding to InvestEU, avoiding the risk that envelopes for many financial products run out by the end of 2025 without budgetary reinforcements. The EP also welcomes the joint initiative of the Commission and the EIB Group to set up the Defence Equity Facility, with a budget of EUR 175 million between 2024 and 2027, to support private investment in European SMEs developing innovative dual-use defence technologies.
– having regard to its resolution of 12 March 2025 on the white paper on the future of European defence1a,
Response to requests and overview of actions taken, or intended to be taken, by the Commission:
_________________
Specific calls to the Commission are mentioned in the resolution, as follows:
1a Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0034.
Para 2: [..] calls on the Commission and the EIB to fully leverage the EIB’s potential to provide financial support for the EU’s common priorities and to fulfil its crucial role in driving the necessary investment for fair and inclusive sustainable growth, while maximising innovation gains in key EU policy areas.
Amendment 2
Commission reply:
Motion for a resolution
The Commission will continue to work closely with the EIB Group to ensure a coordinated approach to financing innovation, climate action and competitiveness, as well as reducing inequalities and foster inclusive growth, in line with EU’s long-term climate targets and policy priorities. The Commission fully recognizes the EIB Group’s critical role in supporting various EU objectives, with key achievements that include leveraging public and private financing to catalyze green and digital investment, investment in security and defence, and responding swiftly to crises.
Citation 43 a (new)
Para 7: [..] calls on the Commission and the EIB to further assess how to speed up the EIB’s time-to-market (e.g. time to disburse) as well as to simplify financing mandates without compromising auditing standards or transparency
Motion for a resolution
Commission reply:
Amendment
The Commission welcomes the EIB Group’s efforts already taken to reduce time-to-market and in particular its recent commitment under the new Tech-EU programme to make EIB support faster, simpler and more impactful. The Commission has already made legislative proposals to streamline and optimise mandates (both for the mandates under the InvestEU and the NDICI regulation). The Commission welcomes the recent political agreement on the Investment Omnibus and looks forward to its swift formalisation for the benefit of businesses and citizens across the EU. The Commission expects that the proposals put forward for the next MFF will also contribute to simplification and ultimately reduce the time to market. In parallel, the Commission is working with the EIB Group to further simplify EU mandates, including those for advisory services, where no legislative proposals are needed with the aim of streamlining procedures and simplifying reporting. Lastly, the Commission will closely monitor and support the EIB Group to accelerate and ensure full disbursements to final recipients and boost the EU competitiveness while promoting finance with impact and value added in partner countries.
– having regard to the Council decision amending the first subparagraph of Article 16, paragraph 5 of the Statute of the European Investment Bank,
Para 11: [..] calls on the Commission and the EIB Group to enhance efforts to deliver on the agenda for the Competitiveness Compass and the savings and investments union by mobilising private capital for productive investments, supporting innovation throughout companies’ life cycles, venture capital financing and more high-risk equity financing for start-ups and scale-ups
Amendment 3
Commission reply:
Motion for a resolution
The Commission is committed to promoting competitiveness and investment in the EU. It will continue to support innovative companies throughout their life cycles, facilitating access to venture capital and equity financing. For instance, the InvestEU programme – through risk-sharing between the Commission and the EIB Group – supports objectives of the Competitiveness Compass and Savings and Investments Union. In addition, the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy adopted in May 2025 is aligned with the Single Market Strategy and the Savings and Investments Union, aiming at making the EU the premier destination for innovation, empowering start-ups and scale-ups to grow and succeed in Europe and attracting them from abroad. Together with the EIB Group, it will create opportunities for start-ups and scale-ups to access also high-risk equity financing, driving innovation and job creation.
Recital A
Para 16: welcomes, in this regard, the Commission’s proposal of 26 February 2025 to provide additional funding to InvestEU; calls for a balanced geographical distribution of financing under InvestEU, particularly with respect to smaller Member States.
Motion for a resolution
Commission reply:
Amendment
The Commission recalls that the InvestEU Programme is implemented through indirect management, via a network of implementing partners, including the EIB Group as well as other International Financial Institutions and National Promotional Banks. This in particular contributes to ensuring a wide geographical reach. The proposal of the Commission in the Omnibus II package includes measures to simplify administrative requirements for financial intermediaries and final recipients, particularly SMEs for easier access to InvestEU support across different regions.
A. whereas the EIB Group has a balance sheet of close to EUR 600 billion;
Para 18: Welcomes the continued expansion of the EIB’s network of European promotional banks and other international financial institutions to help to further leverage public and private investment, and to ensure broad geographical and sectoral coverage; recalls that InvestEU is 75 % implemented by the EIB; calls for the financial instrument component of the Competitiveness Fund to make use of the expertise of national promotional banks and institutions (NPBIs), particularly their knowledge of local and regional actors; in that context, calls for the blending of instruments between the EIB and NPBIs to be explored further, ensuring that such instruments do not compromise the funds already dedicated to NPBIs;
A. whereas the EIB Group has a balance sheet of close to EUR 600 billion and issues around EUR 60 billion in debt every year with very good financing conditions owing to its AAA rating;
Commission reply:
Amendment 4
The Commission has proposed that, in the next MFF 2028-2034, the European Competitiveness Fund will provide a comprehensive range of funding options for crowding in public and private investment, which will enable projects to access the most suitable form of support, including financial instruments, grants, budgetary guarantees, and blending mechanism. This approach aligns with the objective of leveraging public and private investment towards EU priority sectors using the EU budget strategically. Building on the success of programmes such as InvestEU, the Commission proposes to retain the open architecture and will continue to work closely with relevant implementing partners, including the EIB Group, International Financial Institutions and National Promotional Banks and Institutions (NPBIs), particularly those willing to contribute to the EU's policy objectives. This collaboration is essential to effectively address the challenges within EU and to foster sustainable economic growth and strive for a broader geographical reach. By combining the strengths of each partner, based inter alia on their unique regional expertise, the Commission aims to enhance the impact of its initiatives, promote innovation, and support infrastructure and environmental sustainability.
Motion for a resolution
Para 27: [..] call on the Commission and the EIB to maintain the EU’s leadership in green and digital bonds.
Recital B
Commission reply:
Motion for a resolution
The EU has been one of the largest green bond issuers in the world, with EUR 68.2 billion issued in the form of NGEU Green Bonds by end 2024 (EUR 75.1 billion as of end of July 2025). NGEU Green Bonds are expected to support the implementation of green investments in total value of up to EUR 264.6 billion in the nine expenditure categories set out in the NGEU Green Bond Framework, including clean transport, clean energy and energy efficiency, confirming the EU's leading role in sustainable finance.
Amendment
The Commission has also been actively involved in promoting and supporting the development of digital finance. In 2024, the Commission established a Digital Finance platform aimed at supporting innovation in finance and building a true single market for digital financial services. In the next MFF, the Commission aims to maintain the same level of ambition and proposed a European Competitiveness Fund worth EUR 409 billion which would pool capacity at EU level for investment in strategic technology sectors, across four vertically integrated sectoral windows, which include digital leadership.
B. whereas the EIB, entirely owned by the Member States, is tasked with contributing to the achievement of the EU’s objectives;
Para 60: [..]Expresses concern over reports that some EU-funded projects outside the EU, including under the Global Gateway, are being built by Chinese companies, with Chinese firms at times winning more EIB-funded contracts than EU firms; urges the Commission to ensure a level playing field by working with the EIB to boost European company participation; recommends procurement practices that prioritise best price/quality ratio over lowest price to promote fair competition and align with EU values;
B. whereas under Article 309 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the EIB, entirely owned by the Member States, is tasked with contributing to the achievement of the EU’s objectives, including to the balanced and steady development of the internal market in the interests of the Union; whereas the EIB has branded itself the EU’s climate bank, in view of the additional investments needed to deliver the green transition; whereas the EIB Group consists of the EIB and the European Investment Fund (EIF);
Commission reply:
Amendment 5
The Commission is committed to ensuring a level playing field for European companies in the context of projects supported by the EIB. To this end, the Commission is already working closely with the EIB Group to increase the participation of European companies in projects financed outside EU and to promote fair competition, while maintaining consistency with international best practices for open international tenders. In particular, EIB Global will support EU companies when participating in tenders outside the EU by facilitating access to bid and to its budgetary guarantees. The EU delegations will also play an increasing role in ensuring matchmaking. Moreover, the EIB Group will develop a pan-European Trade and Investment Initiative, with the aim of channelling EU guarantees and funding to EU entities participating in international bids and projects through the network of national export credit agencies.
Motion for a resolution
The Commission welcomes the EIB's efforts to develop its strategic procurement approach, including for projects financed outside the EU. Achieving EU’s strategic goals will require increased outreach to EU private sector actors to ensure a better level playing field for EU companies. Coordination between the Commission, EU Delegations, the EIB, Multilateral Development Banks, and European development finance institutions will also be crucial.
Recital C
The European Commission will continue playing a crucial role in protecting the financial interests of the European Union to ensure that EU funds are used correctly and efficiently. This will include among other things, specific rules regarding the eligibility of individuals and entities to participate in procurement, grant, and prize award procedures under a specific programme.
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
C. whereas the EIB states that its total investment reached a record level of EUR 88.8 billion in 2024, of which EUR 50.7 billion related to climate and environment; whereas the EIB’s total investment is expected to increase to EUR 95 billion in 2025;
C. whereas the EIB states that its total investment reached a record level of EUR 88.8 billion in 2024, of which EUR 50.7 billion related to climate and environment and EUR 14.4 billion related to digitalisation and technological innovation; whereas the EIB’s total investment is expected to increase to EUR 95 billion in 2025;
Amendment 6
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
Ca. whereas approximately 90 % of the lending activities of the EIB Group are targeted on the EU and 10 % outside the EU;
Amendment 7
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
Cb. whereas the EU has given a number of mandates to the EIB in the form of guarantees to mobilise investment in higher-risk activities, including under the InvestEU programme, the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) and the Ukraine Facility;
Amendment 8
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
Cc. whereas, since June 2024, InvestEU is estimated to have mobilised around EUR 280 billion of additional investments, of which EUR 201 billion was from the private sector; whereas InvestEU funding is almost depleted;
Amendment 9
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
1. Welcomes the EIB’s strategic priorities for 2024 to 2027, which reflect the EU’s political priorities, including competitiveness, the green and digital transitions, regional cohesion, social infrastructure such as housing, education and health, as well as security and defence;
1. Welcomes the EIB’s strategic priorities for 2024 to 2027, which reflect the EU’s political priorities, particularly its focus on enhancing EU competitiveness, the green and digital transitions, security and defence, social and territorial cohesion, quality education and skills, health and housing; underlines that the EIB has closely aligned with EU priorities over the years, adapting its mandate and investment guidelines when necessary, while remaining committed to its long-term objectives;
Amendment 10
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
2. Highlights the strong call for the EIB to play an even greater role in closing Europe’s investment gap; calls on the Commission and the EIB to fully leverage the EIB’s potential; urges Member States to provide sufficient funding for this purpose; recalls that the new Commission has set itself the goal of being an ‘investment Commission’;
2. Highlights the need for the EIB to help close Europe’s investment gap, estimated in the Draghi report to be EUR 800 billion annually, by supporting the private sector, fostering competition, attracting private investment and catalysing public investment; calls on the EIB to strategically harness its potential and to unlock the financing needed for the green, digital and social transition; calls for the EIB Group’s contribution to be further strengthened in the next multiannual financial framework, particularly through financial instruments and budgetary guarantees, which have proven highly effective in advancing key EU policy objectives; urges Member States to provide sufficient funding for this purpose; reiterates its call for a capital increase to enable the EIB to provide financial support for the EU’s common priorities; recalls that the new Commission has set itself the goal of being an ‘investment Commission’; stresses that the EIB should calibrate its intervention to ensure that it does not crowd out private investment; calls on the EIB and the Member States to strengthen the network of European promotional banks and other international financial institutions to help to further leverage investment;
Amendment 11
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
3. Stresses that the EIB’s ‘triple A’ rating is an important asset; underlines that the rating stems, among other reasons, from the fact that the EIB has been responsive to EU policy objectives, notably by becoming a ‘climate bank’8 9 ;
3. Stresses that the EIB’s ‘triple A’ rating is a cornerstone of its financial credibility and lending capacity and a key factor in its credibility among local and global investors and stakeholders, enabling the EIB to ensure favourable financing conditions; emphasises that maintaining the AAA rating is essential to retaining investor confidence and containing borrowing costs; underlines that the Bank’s alignment with EU policy objectives, including its role as a ‘climate bank’, must be pursued in a way that safeguards its risk profile and long-term financial sustainability;
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8 https://www.eib.org/en/investor-relations/index.
9 https://www.eib.org/files/fi/external/2025-02-10_Ratings_EIB.pdf, p.3.
Amendment 12
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
3a. Emphasises the need for the EIB to maintain a balanced portfolio across its core mandates, including security and defence, climate, cohesion, innovation and development;
Amendment 13
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
4. Stresses the need to simplify, optimise and consolidate current and future EIB processes and mandates to enhance synergies, effectiveness and efficiency;
4. Stresses the need to simplify, optimise and consolidate current and future EIB processes and mandates to enhance synergies, effectiveness, efficiency and access to finance, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); welcomes, in this regard, the establishment of one-stop shops, including for security and defence, to offer coordinated financial support and technical guidance; underlines the need to uphold strong accountability, cost-effectiveness and sound financial management; underlines that simplification will also require harmonising rules and reporting requirements, including for smaller beneficiaries and, where relevant, ensuring consistency between the applicable rules at EU, national and regional levels and making them proportionate to the size of the beneficiaries, without compromising financial standards or the quality of the projects; calls, in this regard, for the introduction a unified framework across multiple programmes for simplified implementation for partners, such as the EIB, allowing them to focus on varying objectives rather than diverging definitions, without undermining project goals and relevant standards;
Amendment 14
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
5. Emphasises the important role of the EIB Group as a pan-European investment body in mobilising both public and private financing for EU priorities and supporting Member States in financing essential and strategic investments;
5. Emphasises the important role of the EIB Group as a pan-European investment body in mobilising both public and private financing for EU priorities; underlines that EIB support should be focused on projects with a clear economic rationale and EU added value, particularly in the light of a challenging economic outlook and increased global competition; recalls that the EIB must contribute to attracting private investment in Europe;
Amendment 15
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
5a. Welcomes the decision of the EIB’s Board of Governors to raise the EIB gearing ratio from 250 % to 290 %, which allows for increased investment capacity, thereby boosting the EIB’s potential to address the EU’s investment gap, improving the leveraging of EU guarantees and enabling a greater scale of equity investments; underlines that this flexibility must be strictly matched with strong capital safeguards and adherence to the EIB’s financial sustainability model, which underpins its AAA credit rating; recalls that, since it issues around EUR 60 billion annually, any deterioration in its credit rating would significantly increase funding costs and reduce the EIB’s effectiveness;
Amendment 16
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
6a. Underlines that, by improving access to financing for SMEs, mid-caps and start-ups, the EIF plays a crucial role in supporting growth, innovation, research and development, and employment in the internal market; supports the simplification of the procedures and eligibility for SMEs and start-ups to access funding under InvestEU and EIF support, particularly in less-developed and rural regions, to unlock their innovation and growth potential; takes note, in this regard, of the Commission’s proposal of 26 February 2025 also to provide additional funding to InvestEU;
Amendment 17
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
7. Calls on the Commission and the EIB Group to enhance efforts to mobilise savings for productive investments, supporting innovation throughout companies’ life cycles, including more scale-ups with higher-risk equity and venture debt, and strengthening the EU’s leadership in green and digital bonds;
7. Calls on the Commission and the EIB Group to enhance efforts to mobilise long-term savings for productive investments, including support for innovation over the course of corporate life cycles, and strengthening the EU’s leadership in green and digital bonds; underlines that higher-risk instruments such as equity and venture debt, while having a significant policy impact, must be used with clear risk frameworks, strong private co-financing and measurable performance indicators;
Amendment 18
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
8. Stresses that de-risking financial instruments and budgetary guarantees have proven to be powerful tools; is concerned that, according to the interim evaluation of the InvestEU programme, envelopes for many financial products may run out by the end of 2025 without budgetary reinforcements;
8. Stresses that de-risking financial instruments and budgetary guarantees provided by the EU have significantly enhanced the lending capacity of the EIB, including for higher-risk projects; stresses the importance of the EIB’s adopting a more flexible risk assessment framework to also better support smaller-scale projects and enterprises, which are essential for enhancing competitiveness and fostering inclusive economic development across all Member States; recalls that the EIB Group has served as the main implementing partner of the InvestEU programme, an investment mechanism that has played a crucial role in closing investment gaps in strategic EU priorities and supporting the broader EU economy; notes that, according to the interim evaluation of InvestEU, envelopes for many financial products may run out by the end of 2025 without budgetary reinforcements; calls for the continuation and significant enhancement of this programme; calls, in this respect, for a reinforced investment partnership with the EIB Group to ensure that every euro spent at EU level is used in the most effective manner; calls also for keeping the open architecture of InvestEU and for leveraging the knowledge of local and regional actors by deepening cooperation with national and regional promotional banks to maximise the territorial impact of EU funding, with a particular focus on reducing regional investment disparities and supporting convergence objectives under cohesion policy;
Amendment 19
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
8a. Recalls that EU budgetary guarantees are underpinned by taxpayer funds and that defaults on EIB-backed projects could directly impact the EU budget; calls on the EIB to apply the highest standards of due diligence, financial appraisal and risk assessment when approving projects backed by EU guarantees, ensuring full transparency and accountability to the budgetary authority;
Amendment 20
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
9. Calls on the EIB to strengthen financing for the EU’s open strategic autonomy in the digital field and to promote European digital infrastructure, new and disruptive technologies, and research;
9. Underlines the importance of bridging digital divides, both within the EU and globally, to ensure inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services; reiterates its call on the EIB to support the EU’s open strategic autonomy in the digital domain through targeted investment in research and development and in digital and artificial intelligence infrastructure, especially in underserved regions, to ensure digital inclusion; calls on the EIB to increase economically sound investment in European technologies and sectors critical to long-term resilience, including semiconductors, battery value chains, digital sovereignty and clean tech manufacturing and to contribute, in coordination with the Member States, to education and skills development;
Amendment 21
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
9a. Welcomes the new strategic initiative on critical raw materials (CRM), which aims to enhance the EIB’s role in securing access to materials that are essential for Europe’s industrial base, including in defence, digital and green technologies; recalls the role played by the EIB in the EU Raw Material Alliance and the EU’s aim of becoming more autonomous as regards CRM supply; underlines the importance of ensuring that EIB investment in the CRM sector is guided by economic viability, environmental sustainability and strategic relevance, and is used to crowd in private capital while avoiding long-term dependence on public financing;
Amendment 22
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
10. Supports the EIB’s expansion of the European Tech Champions Initiative to attract private capital for scaling innovative start-ups into successful global leaders;
10. Supports the EIB’s expansion of the European Tech Champions Initiative to attract private capital for scaling innovative start-ups into successful global leaders so that companies and technologies created in Europe remain in Europe into the late growth stage; highlights the need to accelerate the deployment of the initiative in order to be in sync with the pace of innovation and start-ups; calls on the EIB to preserve users’ freedom of choice when investing in scaling up to avoid any dependency on specific companies and technologies;
Amendment 23
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
10a. Underlines that institutional investors in Europe could play a bigger role in supporting venture capital, especially for scale-ups; calls on the EIB to offer opportunities for such investors to build their expertise and opt in to co-investment schemes between the EIF and institutional investors, on transparent and pre-agreed terms;
Amendment 24
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
11. Welcomes the EIB’s role as a climate bank and its alignment with the EU sustainable finance framework, including the integration of taxonomy criteria; recalls that all of the EIB’s financial flows must be fully consistent with the EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050 and climate objectives for 2030;
11. Acknowledges the EIB’s role as a climate bank and its alignment with the EU sustainable finance framework, including the integration of taxonomy criteria; recalls that all of the EIB’s financial flows must be fully consistent with the EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050 and climate objectives for 2030;
Amendment 25
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
12. Welcomes the EIB’s climate and environmental investments, which totalled EUR 50.7 billion in 2024, exceeding the target of channelling at least 50 % of total financing to climate action and environmental sustainability;
12. Welcomes the EIB’s climate and environmental investments, which reached EUR 50.7 billion in 2024, exceeding the 50 % climate target; underlines that, to ensure the effective use of EIB capital, this target should not be met at the expense of rigorous project appraisal, value-for money assessments and transparency in impact measurement;
Amendment 26
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
13. Welcomes the EIB’s investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electricity grids and storage, including its support for REPowerEU;
13. Highlights the EIB’s investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electricity infrastructure such as grids and storage, including through its support for REPowerEU; underlines the importance of focusing on projects with a high economic impact and measurable climate benefits; notes that support for emerging technologies for industrial electrification and decarbonisation should be guided by clear market failure criteria, strong private co-investment and sound financial appraisal; recalls that cleantech strengthens EU sovereignty and is essential for competitiveness; urges the EIB to uphold its role as the climate bank and to continue supporting investments in cleantech;
Amendment 27
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
14. Stresses the need for increased investment in climate adaptation and resilience; encourages further research and development, including of innovative technologies, for climate preparedness;
14. Stresses the importance of targeted investment in climate adaptation and resilience, with a focus on vulnerable regions and sectors where public intervention delivers clear added value; supports further research into and development of innovative climate technologies with economic potential; welcomes the EIB’s increased focus on the water sector and the new programme to expand SME energy efficiency investments; underlines the need for clear monitoring, performance indicators and cost effectiveness in implementation;
Amendment 28
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
15. Welcomes the EIB’s core strategic priorities to reinforce Europe’s social infrastructure and a modern cohesion policy for inclusive and sustainable growth across Europe;
15. Calls on the EIB to support projects that deliver on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights; welcomes, in this context, the EIB’s strategic priorities to strengthen Europe’s social infrastructure and contribute to a modern cohesion policy fostering inclusive, sustainable and local growth; reiterates its call on the EIB to address structural barriers that limit access to its financial tools in certain regions, Member States or for smaller beneficiaries, while respecting the demand-driven nature and bottom–up approach of its operations and ensuring that interventions complement national responsibilities; emphasises that such initiatives should aim to stimulate innovation, support sustainable economic growth, and reduce disparities in investment across the EU, thereby contributing to the overall cohesion and resilience of the EU economy; calls for the expanded use of blended finance to target underserved and cohesion regions by combining EU structural and investment funds with other instruments; notes that, despite progress being made, major investment gaps persist and stronger deployment of tools such as InvestEU and the Just Transition Fund is needed, especially where national co-financing capacity is limited;
Amendment 29
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
16. Calls on the EIB to step up investments in education, training, upskilling and reskilling, and health, in line with the Draghi report;
16. Notes with satisfaction the EIB’s intention to increase investments in quality education, upskilling and reskilling to support labour market needs linked to technological and economic transitions, and in modern health infrastructure and innovation to strengthen competitiveness in strategic health sectors; underlines that such investments must complement national efforts, be guided by clear economic need and be subject to performance-based evaluation;
Amendment 30
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
17. Welcomes the EIB’s commitment to addressing the double market failure in the housing sector, including the insufficient provision of decent, safe, and energy-efficient housing, as well as the market failure to close the energy efficiency gap;
17. Welcomes the EIB’s commitment to addressing persistent market failures in the housing sector, particularly the insufficient provision of decent affordable and energy-efficient housing, by planning to invest EUR 4.3 billion in housing in 2025; calls on the EIB to support a strong EU housing policy through an inclusive investment strategy prioritising social and affordable housing for low-income vulnerable groups, younger generations and the middle class; underlines that this support should be based on close public-private cooperation, including with municipalities, and should focus on projects with a demonstrated need and a clear economic added value, and on alignment with long-term financial sustainability, avoiding high-risk financing schemes;
Amendment 31
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
18. Welcomes the EIB’s ‘Action Plan for Affordable and Sustainable Housing’ with planned investments of EUR 10 billion over the next two years; draws attention to the outcome of the EIB Group analysis and stakeholder meeting, which highlighted an estimated annual investment gap of EUR 300 to 400 billion needed to build 1.5 million new housing units and to renovate 5 million additional units annually;
18. Welcomes the EIB’s recognition of the structural challenges in the housing sector, particularly the underinvestment in deep renovation and the shortage of affordable housing; supports the planned investments of EUR 10 billion; draws attention to the outcome of the EIB Group analysis and stakeholder meeting, which highlighted an estimated annual investment gap of EUR 275 billion needed to build 1.5 million new housing units and to renovate 5 million additional units annually through investment under the ‘Action Plan for Affordable and Sustainable Housing’ over the next two years; underlines that such financing must be clearly targeted, based on sound project selection and cost effectiveness, and must demonstrate measurable results;
Amendment 32
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
19. Welcomes the EIB’s proactive approach in the area of security and defence; highlights that investment in this sector doubled in 2024 to EUR 1 billion, with the EIB’s 2025 plan set to double it again to a record EUR 2 billion; stresses that European-level funding, based on solidarity, is essential to meet the significant funding needs of Member States;
19. Welcomes the EIB’s proactive approach in the area of security and defence; highlights that investment in this sector doubled in 2024 to EUR 1 billion, with the EIB’s 2025 plan set to double it again to a record EUR 2 billion; stresses that an ambitious allocation of European-level funding, based on needs and efficiency, is essential to meet the significant funding needs of Member States; acknowledges the EIB Group’s efforts to fully unlock its potential in the security and defence area, including ensuring favourable conditions and eliminating obstacles and barriers;
Amendment 33
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
19a. Welcomes the fact that the EIB’s current EUR 8 billion Strategic European Security Initiative will be integrated into a permanent public policy objective, without a fixed financing cap, complementing current public policy goals; highlights the fact that this will allow the EIB to have more leeway in supporting a broader range of defence-related projects while maintaining financial stability; welcomes the joint initiative of the Commission and the EIB Group to set up, via the EIF, an EIB Group subsidiary, a fund of funds called the ‘Defence Equity Facility’, with a budget of EUR 175 million between 2024 and 2027, to support private investment in European SMEs and start-ups developing innovative dual-use defence technologies;
Amendment 34
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
20. Welcomes the EIB’s plan to revise its operational framework, establishing a dedicated transversal public policy goal to enhance Europe’s peace and security, backed by ambitious financial and capital allocation10;
20. Welcomes the decision of the EIB’s Board of Governors to expand the eligibilities for EIB Group financing of Europe’s security and defence industry, including support for critical and military infrastructure, equipment and innovation; considers that this will enable the EIB to better respond to current financing needs and potentially to catalyse more investment from the private sector; expects, furthermore, that it will increase synergies with the activities of other stakeholders; underlines, however, that any activities in the field of defence must be subject to appropriate financial parameters, regular risk assessment and transparent oversight and must be accompanied by strong risk management procedures;
_________________
10 Letter by EIB President Nadia Calviño to the EU leaders of 4 March 2025.
Amendment 35
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
21. Warns that any adjustment to the EIB Group’s eligibility criteria or funding to align with new priorities must safeguard the Group’s financial position and ensure effective financing of other EU strategic priorities;
21. Stresses that the adjustment to the EIB Group’s eligibility criteria or funding allocations to reflect new priorities must safeguard the Group’s financial position, protect its AAA credit rating and ensure the continued effective and adequate financing of other EU strategic priorities;
Amendment 36
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
21a. Stresses that environmental, social and governance risk assessment is a key factor in the EIB’s credit profile and investor appeal; recalls that nearly EUR 15 billion in green and sustainability bonds was issued in 2023; underlines the importance of maintaining a balanced portfolio that safeguards both financial credibility and investor confidence;
Amendment 37
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
22. Welcomes the EIB’s vital support for Ukraine in the light of Russia’s full-scale and illegal war of aggression; calls for an increase in EU budget guarantees to allow the EIB to continue to deliver and strengthen public and private sector operations in Ukraine;
22. Welcomes the EIB’s vital support for Ukraine in response to Russia’s full-scale and illegal war of aggression, backed by guarantees from the EU budget; underlines the importance of strong coordination with the EU institutions and international partners, rigorous risk assessment and transparent reporting to ensure that EIB financing continues to strengthen both public and private sector resilience in Ukraine while safeguarding the EU’s financial interests; underlines, however, that EIB and EU support alone is not enough to address Ukraine’s financing needs;
Amendment 38
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
23. Welcomes the EIB’s role in the Global Gateway as crucial for Europe’s global position and for promoting the rules-based multilateral system, sustainable development, democracy, human rights and the rule of law;
23. Welcomes the EIB’s role in the Global Gateway as a key instrument to support Europe’s strategic interests, strengthen its global position and promote a rules-based multilateral order, sustainable development, democracy, human rights, the rule of law and good governance, including in the context of the development aid financing gap resulting from the US aid freeze; underlines that the EIB Global’s operations must deliver clear EU added value, demonstrate financial and development additionality, avoid crowding out private capital, create long–term positive impacts, in particular for recipient communities, and be implemented with robust performance monitoring, transparency, independent complaints mechanisms and fiscal safeguards where EU budget guarantees are involved; recalls the importance of predictable guarantees from the EU budget to enable the EIB to continue delivering operations outside the EU; commends the EIB for the impactful implementation of the EFSD+ under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument Global Europe, particularly Investment Window 1 for sovereign lending;
Amendment 39
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
23a. Expresses concern, however, about recent media reports indicating that some EU-funded projects abroad, including under the Global Gateway, are being constructed by Chinese companies, and that in some years, Chinese firms have secured a larger share of EIB-funded contract value than EU companies; calls on the Commission, in a context in which the EIB is bound to abide by EU procurement rules, to ensure a level playing field by actively engaging with the EIB and stepping up efforts to enhance the participation of EU companies in these initiatives; recommends the adoption of procurement practices that prioritise the best price/quality ratio over the lowest price as the award criterion, promoting fair competition and aligning with the EU’s strategic interests and values;
Amendment 40
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
24. Stresses that the EIB’s growing role should be accompanied by greater democratic accountability and transparency; reiterates its call for an interinstitutional agreement between Parliament and the EIB;
24. Stresses that the EIB’s growing role should be accompanied by greater democratic accountability and transparency; takes notes of the inquiries completed by the European Ombudsman and investigations conducted by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and the European Anti-Fraud Office; reiterates its call for an interinstitutional agreement between Parliament and the EIB to ensure structured oversight and strengthened accountability by formalising and enhancing their current cooperation;
Amendment 41
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
24a. Reiterates its call on the EIB to review the division of labour within its Management Committee and in particular to make sure that EIB Vice-Presidents never take the lead on projects emanating from their home countries, even if the Management Committee takes collective responsibility for its decisions, in view of the risk for conflicts of interest; emphasises numerous recommendations on this matter from EU institutions;
Amendment 42
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
24b. Takes note of the internal oversight role of the EIB Audit Committee; points out that no external prudential oversight in accordance with internationally accepted supervisory standards is carried out, except in the area of liquidity management; encourages its Board of Governors, given the size, complexity and specificities of the EIB business model, to establish appropriate arrangements to comply with the highest standards of external prudential oversight, while considering the necessary adaptations derived from the EIB’s unique business model;
Amendment 43
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
26. Welcomes the EIB’s principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, including the target of at least 40 % of management positions being held by women by the end of 2026;
26. Notes the EIB’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and its internal target of achieving at least 40 % representation of women in management positions by the end of 2026;
Amendment 44
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
27. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.
27. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the European Investment Bank.
Amendment 45
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
Promoting the digital transformation
Promoting the digital transformation and new technologies
ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR FOR THE OPINION HAS RECEIVED INPUT
The rapporteur for the opinion declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure
INFORMATION ON ADOPTION BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION
Date adopted
19.5.2025
Result of final vote
+ : 22
- : 8
0 : 2
Members present for the final vote
Georgios Aftias, Tomasz Buczek, Angéline Furet, Thomas Geisel, Jean-Marc Germain, Sandra Gómez López, Fabienne Keller, Giuseppe Lupo, Siegfried Mureşan, João Oliveira, Julien Sanchez, Carla Tavares, Johan Van Overtveldt, Lucia Yar
Substitutes present for the final vote
Dick Erixon, Michalis Hadjipantela, Niclas Herbst, Kinga Kollár, Rasmus Nordqvist, Jaroslava Pokorná Jermanová, Jacek Protas, Kai Tegethoff
Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote
René Aust, Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain, Tobias Cremer, Ton Diepeveen, Dirk Gotink, Fernand Kartheiser, Ştefan Muşoiu, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Birgit Sippel, Pekka Toveri
FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION
22
+
ECR
Kartheiser Fernand, Van Overtveldt Johan
PPE
Aftias Georgios, Gotink Dirk, Hadjipantela Michalis, Herbst Niclas, Kollár Kinga, Muresan Siegfried, Protas Jacek, Toveri Pekka
Renew
Keller Fabienne, Yar Lucia
S&D
Cremer Tobias, Germain Jean-Marc, Gómez López Sandra, Lupo Giuseppe, Musoiu Stefan, Ó Ríordáin Aodhán, Sippel Birgit, Tavares Carla
Verts/ALE
Nordqvist Rasmus, Tegethoff Kai
8
-
ESN
Aust René
NI
Geisel Thomas
PfE
Brasier-Clain Marie-Luce, Buczek Tomasz, Diepeveen Ton, Furet Angéline, Sanchez Julien
The Left
Oliveira João
2
0
ECR
Erixon Dick
PfE
Pokorná Jermanová Jaroslava
Key:
+ : in favour
- : against
0 : abstentions