What changed

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer ProtectionDevelopment submits the following to the Committee on Budgets, as the committee responsible:

Amendment 1

Motion for a resolution

Citation 1912 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– having regard to the Commission communication of 29 January 2025 entitled ‘A Competitiveness Compass for the EU’ (COM(2025)0030),

– having regard to the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals and the ‘EU Voluntary Review on progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda’ of May 2023 and Parliament resolution of 15 June 2023 on the implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals resolution,

Or. en

Amendment 2

Motion for a resolution

Citation 1912 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– having regard to the Commission communication of 5 February 2025 entitled ‘A comprehensive EU toolbox for safe and sustainable e-commerce’ (COM(2025)0037),

– having regard to the Paris Agreement of 12 December 2015, adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,

Or. en

Amendment 3

Motion for a resolution

Citation 1912 c (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– having regard to the announcement of Ursula von der Leyen on 11 February 2025 of an InvestAI initiative, including a new European fund of EUR 20 billion for AI gigafactories1a,

– having regard to the joint statement by the Council and the representatives of the governments of the Member States meeting within the Council, Parliament and the Commission of 30 June 2017 on the New European Consensus on Development – ‘Our world, our dignity, our future’,

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Or. en

1a https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_467

Amendment 4

Motion for a resolution

Citation 1912 d (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– having regard to the discharge procedureAddis andAbaba theAction findingsAgenda of the European Court of Auditors in theirThird annualInternational reportsConference on theFinancing implementationfor ofDevelopment theheld EUin budgetAddis ofAbaba thefrom European13 Courtto of16 Auditors,July 2015,

Or. en

Amendment 5

Motion for a resolution

Recital D

Citation 12 e (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

D. whereas the NextGenerationEU recovery instrument (NGEU) established in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic enabled significant additional investment capacity of EUR 750 billion in 2018 prices, prompting a swift recovery and return to growth and supporting the green and digital transitions; whereas NGEU will not be in place post-2027;

– having regard to the EU’s collective commitments to provide 0.7 % of gross national income (GNI) as official development assistance (ODA), and 0.2 % as ODA to LDCs by 2030, reaffirmed in the Council Conclusion of 24 June 2024, in the European Consensus on Development and in Council Conclusions of 26 May 2015,

D. whereas the NextGenerationEU recovery instrument (NGEU) established in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic enabled additional investment capacity of EUR 750 billion in 2018 prices; whereas NGEU will not be in place post-2027;

Or. en

Amendment 6

Motion for a resolution

Recital F

Citation 12 f (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

F. whereas, since the adoption of the current multiannual financial framework (MFF), the political, economic and social context has changed beyond recognition, compounding underlying structural challenges for the Union and leading to a substantial revision of the MFF in 2024;

– having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 14 March 2023 on Policy Coherence for Development,

F. whereas, since the adoption of the current multiannual financial framework (MFF), multiple crises such as the pandemic and the Russian war in Ukraine have highlighted the need for flexibility to address serious economic challenges; whereas the political, economic and social context has changed beyond recognition, compounding underlying structural challenges for the Union and leading to a substantial revision of the MFF in 2024;

Or. en

Amendment 7

Motion for a resolution

Recital H a (new)

Citation 12 g (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Ha. whereas it is important that the new MFF for 2028-2034 efficiently supports competition and the functioning of the single market, protecting consumers and delivering measurable results to citizens and businesses through transparent performance indicators and regular impact assessments; whereas effective support must go hand in hand with a decarbonisation plan, as laid out in the Draghi report1a; whereas a failure to coordinate both policies would jeopardise the EU’s competitiveness;

– having regard to Article 208 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which establishes poverty reduction and eradication as the primary objective of EU development cooperation, and to the EU’s commitment to upholding human rights, the rule of law, and good governance in its development policy,

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Or. en

1a https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/draghi-report_en#paragraph_47059

Amendment 8

Motion for a resolution

RecitalCitation H12 bh (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Hb. whereas remaining barriers in the single market, as well as unfair competition practices, need to be addressed and illegal content and societal risks, such as online disinformation, effectively tackled;

– having regard to the Cotonou Partnership Agreement (2000), with African, Caribbean and Pacific states, which strengthened relations with ACP countries, emphasizing political, economic and social dimensions,

Or. en

Amendment 9

Motion for a resolution

Recital H c (new)

Citation 12 i (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Hc. whereas the European Court of Auditors, in its 2023 report1a, concluded that the error rate in EU spending has risen to 5.6 % of the overall budget and warned that increasing European debt is placing growing pressure on the EU budget;

– having regard to the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI-GE), the main financial tool for international development, with a budget of EUR 79.5 billion for 2021-2027,

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Or. en

1a https://www.eca.europa.eu/ECAPublications/AR-2023/AR-2023_EN.pdf

Amendment 10

Motion for a resolution

Recital H d (new)

Citation 12 j (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Hd. whereas the EU cohesion policy has been a cornerstone of development and growth, playing a key role in reducing disparities and promoting convergence among Member States;

– having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 24 November 2022 on the future European Financial Architecture for Development, which emphasises a coherent and inclusive architecture underpinned by the ‘policy first’ principle and aligned with SDG goals and EU values,

Or. en

Amendment 11

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1

Recital G

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

1. Underlines that the post-2027 long-term budget must be designed and resourced so as to enable the Union to deliver on its policy objectives, tackle the growing challenges it faces, manage and repay its debt sustainably, respond to shocks and crises and adjust to evolving spending needs;

G. whereas the context in which the Commission will prepare its proposals for the post-2027 MFF is every bit as challenging, with the established global and geopolitical order changing quickly and radically and the Union budget needing to change accordingly;

1. Underlines that the post-2027 long-term budget must be designed and resourced so as to enable the Union to adequately invest and deliver on its policy objectives, tackle the growing challenges it faces, manage and repay its debt sustainably and timely, respond to shocks and crises and adjust to evolving spending needs;

G. whereas the context in which the Commission will prepare its proposals for the post-2027 MFF is every bit as challenging, with the established global and geopolitical order changing quickly and radically and the Union budget needing to change accordingly while respecting the Treaty provisions and ensuring Parliament’s role in view of democratic legitimacy, in setting budgetary priorities, exercising oversight and enhancing transparency, including in EU external action;

Or. en

Amendment 12

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 3

Recital G a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

3. Emphasises that the post-2027 MFF must also become simpler and more transparent and be protected against misuse, fraud and breaches of the principles of the rule of law and the Union’s values;

Ga. whereas in the face of rising global competition and challenges to multilateral order, the EU must underpin its influence by investing in international partnerships that are both strategic and respect EU values and partners’ interests, and are anchored in the long-term vision for a more stable, sustainable, and equitable world;

3. Emphasises that the post-2027 MFF must also become simpler and more transparent and be protected against misuse, fraud and breaches of the principles of the rule of law and the Union’s values; underlines that simplified and streamlined procedures, administration and reporting will improve efficiency and accountability; emphasises that simplification should not negatively affect transparency and effectiveness; notes that reducing the unjustified administrative burden should primarily benefit final beneficiaries and make application procedures more accessible; calls for simplification and acceleration of important projects of common European interest (IPCEIs) with significant EU-wide spill-overs beyond the participating countries and that they should also be topped up by EU funding;

Or. en

Amendment 13

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Recital G b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

4. Underlines that a simpler, more flexible MFF requires more robust parliamentary accountability;

Gb. whereas the EU’s development cooperation should prioritise strengthening the resilience and autonomy of partner countries in strategic regions, especially in Africa, by refocusing on key priorities like infrastructure for healthcare, education, and renewable energy;

4. Underlines that a simpler, more flexible MFF requires more robust parliamentary accountability; recalls that EU citizens must be able to rely on being informed by those implementing the EU budget of how the funds have been spent and the objectives achieved; recalls that transparency is essential to retain citizens’ trust, and that fraud and misuse of funds are extremely detrimental to that trust; calls on the Commission to put in place solid anti-fraud mechanisms in all funding instruments for the post-2027 MFF that ensure the protection of the EU budget;

Or. en

Amendment 14

Motion for a resolution

Subheading 2

Recital G c (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Competitiveness, strategic autonomy, social, economic and territorial cohesion and resilience

Gc. whereas ensuring rapid and effective responses to crises requires streamlining procedures across budgetary instruments and establishing dedicated, adequately-funded flexible budget reserves specifically for humanitarian aid and development needs, without undermining the overall allocations for these crucial policy areas;

Competitiveness and single market, consumer protection, strategic autonomy, social, economic and territorial cohesion and resilience

Or. en

Amendment 15

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 6

Recital G d (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

6. Is convinced that boosting competitiveness, decarbonising the economy and enhancing the Union’s innovation capacity are central priorities for the post-2027 MFF and are vital to ensure long-term, sustainable and inclusive growth and a more resilient economy and society;

Gd. whereas the EU, as the world’s leading contributor to official development assistance, must remain a trustworthy partner and a reference point for effective and impactful aid, tailored to contemporary challenges while respecting its values and building strategic partnerships;

6. Is convinced that boosting competitiveness, advancing the completion of the single market, decarbonising and digitalising the economy, and enhancing the Union’s innovation capacity are central priorities for the post-2027 MFF; underlines that meeting these objectives is vital to ensure long-term, sustainable and inclusive growth and a more resilient economy and society;

Or. en

Amendment 16

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 9

Recital G e (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

9. Stresses that the Union budget must be carefully coordinated with national spending and designed such that it can de-risk, mobilise and leverage private investment effectively, enabling start-ups and SMEs to access funds more readily; calls, therefore, for programmes such as InvestEU, which ensures additionality and follows a market-based, demand-driven approach, to be significantly reinforced in the next MFF; considers that budgetary guarantees are an effective use of resources and calls for them to be simplified;

Ge. whereas the EU’s development cooperation policy requires a reinforced geostrategic approach to counter the growing influence of actors such as China and Russia in developing countries, while remaining faithful to core European values; whereas the Global Gateway initiative requires a more strategic and coordinated approach, incorporating strict criteria with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement goals at the core of all its funded projects;

9. Stresses that the Union budget must be carefully coordinated with national spending and designed such that it can de-risk, mobilise and leverage private investment effectively; stresses the importance for enabling start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs to be able to access available funds more easily and readily; calls, therefore, for programmes such as InvestEU, which ensures additionality and follows a market-based, demand-driven approach, to be significantly reinforced in the next MFF and to be allowed to maintain a less risk averse approach to truly stimulate innovation; considers that budgetary guarantees are an effective use of resources and calls for them to be simplified;

Or. en

Amendment 17

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 9 a (new)

Recital G f (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

9a. Urges the Commission and the Member States to make SMEs’ access to funding easier and more simplified, especially in light of their limited access to external equity and risk capital and calls for the roll-out of alternative forms of finance, tailored to their needs;

Gf. whereas the European Investment Bank (EIB) plays a central role in implementing the Global Gateway initiative and financing sustainable development and should intensify its collaboration with other international financial institutions and national development banks to maximise the impact of its interventions, while ensuring its activities fully align with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

Or. en

Amendment 18

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 9 b (new)

Paragraph 1

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

9b. Underlines the great potential in the free movement of services, which is still underdeveloped in the single market, and calls for initiatives to boost cross-border trade in services and to reduce the administrative burden for companies;

1. Underlines that the post-2027 long-term budget must be designed and resourced so as to enable the Union to deliver on its policy objectives, tackle the growing challenges it faces, manage and repay its debt sustainably, respond to shocks and crises and adjust to evolving spending needs;

1. Underlines that the post-2027 long-term budget must be designed and resourced so as to enable the Union to deliver on its policy objectives, tackle the growing challenges it faces, manage and repay its debt sustainably, respond to shocks and crises and adjust to evolving spending needs and assert the EU’s role as a global leader in sustainable development and humanitarian action, embodying its core values in the face of current geopolitical challenges;

Or. en

Amendment 19

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 9 c (new)

Paragraph 2

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

9c. Stresses that the EU has created a robust regulatory framework for the variety of sectors that led to the increased compliance cost; calls for a regulatory simplification increasing European companies’ competitiveness and innovation potential on a global scale, without undermining the objective of European legislation;

2. Stresses that all spending in the post-2027 MFF must be strategically aligned with the EU’s political aims, adding tangible value for the people of the Union, with discernible net benefits compared to spending at national or sub-national level and leading to real and lasting results;

2. Stresses that all spending in the post-2027 MFF must be strategically aligned with the EU’s political aims, adding tangible value for the people of the Union, with discernible net benefits compared to spending at national or sub-national level and leading to real and lasting results, while respecting institutional prerogatives of Parliament in the annual budgetary procedure as well as Treaty provisions;

Or. en

Amendment 20

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 11 a (new)

Paragraph 3

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

11a. Points out that the lack of affordable and social housing is a pressing issue in some Member States, which must be addressed; calls therefore on the Commission for a set of measures and initiatives at European level within the limits of EU competences;

3. Emphasises that the post-2027 MFF must also become simpler and more transparent and be protected against misuse, fraud and breaches of the principles of the rule of law and the Union’s values;

3. Emphasises that the post-2027 MFF must make it easier to monitor and track Union expenditure, enhance transparency and provide better safeguards against misuse, fraud and breaches of the principles of the rule of law and the Union’s values;

Or. en

Amendment 21

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1210

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

12. Stresses that the next MFF should include much greater funding for energy, transport and digital infrastructure, with priority given to cross-border connections and national links with European added value; considers that such infrastructure goes hand in hand with a deepening of the single market;

10. Insists that, in the next MFF, more must be done to maximise the potential of the role of the European Investment Bank Group – together with other international and national financial institutions – in lending in strategic policy areas, such as climate and, latterly, dual-use defence projects;

12. Stresses that the next MFF should better allocate funding for energy, transport and digital infrastructure, with priority given to cross-border connections and national links with European added value; considers that such infrastructure goes hand in hand with a strengthening of the single market; in this regard, calls for the scaling up of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) given its contribution to the deepening of the single market;

10. Insists that, in the next MFF, more must be done to maximise the potential of the role of the European Investment Bank Group – together with other international and national financial institutions – in lending in strategic policy areas, such as climate and, latterly, dual-use defence projects while ensuring that the EIB’s activities fully align with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and intensifying its collaboration with other international financial institutions and national development banks;

Or. en

Amendment 22

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12 a (new)

Paragraph 31

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

12a. Urges the Commission to ensure that the new MFF programmes increase the available resources to support the proper enforcement of single market rules and consumer rights, including product safety regulations, while ensuring the transparency and traceability of funds; emphasises that enforcement of single market rules is crucial to ensuring fair competition, fostering trust among businesses and consumers, and preventing market distortions; underscores the importance of enhancing the enforcement of consumer rights at EU and national level and improving consumers’ awareness of their rights;

31. Emphasises that the Union needs to ramp up funding for preparedness across the board; underlines that, in addition to efforts to mitigate climate change through the green transition, significant investment is required to adapt to climate change, in particular to protect against and reduce the impact of natural disasters and severe weather events; considers that support for this purpose must be significantly increased in the next MFF;

31. Emphasises that the Union needs to ramp up funding for preparedness across the board; underlines that, in addition to efforts to mitigate climate change through the green transition, significant investment is required to adapt to climate change both in the EU and in partner countries, in particular to protect against and reduce the impact of natural disasters and severe weather events; considers that support for this purpose must be significantly increased in the next MFF; reiterates that averting and alleviating crises in third countries is an investment in Europe’s own security and stability;

Or. en

Amendment 23

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12 b (new)

Paragraph 32

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

12b. Underlines that the new MFF should increase the available resources to support the proper enforcement of our single market rules such as the DSA, DMA, AI Act and product safety regulations; is concerned by the lack of adequate resources to properly implement these key regulations in due time;

32. Recalls that the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked economic and social havoc globally and that a key lesson from the experience is that there is a need to invest in preparedness for health threats, in medical research and in the resilience of public health systems in the Union; considers that the next MFF must build on the work done in the current programming period;

32. Recalls that the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked economic and social havoc globally and that a key lesson from the experience is that there is a need to invest in preparedness for health threats, in medical research and in the resilience of public health systems in the Union as well as in partner countries given the cross-border nature of health threats; considers that the next MFF must build on the work done in the current programming period;

Or. en

Amendment 24

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12 c (new)

Paragraph 35

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

12c. Insists that additional funds are needed to ensure the proper enforcement of the AI Act1a by providing the European AI Office with the required staff resources, including subject experts from outside the institutions, while simultaneously supporting research and development in AI-driven solutions and innovative approaches that increase the EU’s technological sovereignty;

35. Insists that, in a context of heightened global instability, the Union must continue to engage constructively with third countries and support peace, stability, prosperity, security, democracy and sustainable development globally, in line with its values;

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35. Insists that, in a context of heightened global instability, the Union must pursue a reinforced geostrategic approach to development cooperation, engaging constructively with third countries and supporting human development, peace and stability, prosperity that reduces inequalities, security and democracy, civil society and all dimensions of sustainable development globally, in line with its own values, international commitments, and the principle of Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development;

1a Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence and amending Regulations (EC) No 300/2008, (EU) No 167/2013, (EU) No 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2018/1139 and (EU) 2019/2144 and Directives 2014/90/EU, (EU) 2016/797 and (EU) 2020/1828 (Artificial Intelligence Act) (Text with EEA relevance) (OJ L, 2024/1689, 12.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1689/oj).

Or. en

Amendment 25

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12 d (new)

Paragraph 37

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

12d. Highlights the fact that adequate funding and resources will be required to strengthen the Customs Union and make customs and market surveillance authorities more resilient and effective, in particular through an advanced implementation of the Customs Union reform, aiming to develop and maintain an EU customs data hub and tackle challenges related to unsafe and illegal products imported via e-commerce platforms from non-EU countries; stresses the need to remove duty relief for low value consignments and enhance control capacities; calls for more resources to develop digital tools in order to improve customs efficiency among national authorities; highlights the role of a robust customs system in safeguarding the EU’s economic resilience and competitiveness by streamlining cross-border trade and addressing illicit market activities;

37. Stresses that the next MFF must continue to tackle the most pressing global challenges, from fighting climate change, to providing relief in the event of natural disasters, ensuring global food security, improving healthcare systems, reducing poverty and inequality and boosting competitiveness and the security of global supply chains; emphasises, in particular, the need for support for the Union’s Southern and Eastern Neighbourhoods;

37. Stresses that the next MFF must continue to tackle the most pressing global challenges, from mitigating climate change and supporting adaptation internally and externally, to providing relief in the event of natural disasters, ensuring global food security, improving healthcare systems, reducing poverty and inequality and boosting competitiveness and the security of global supply chains; emphasises, in particular, the need for support for the Union’s Southern and Eastern Neighbourhoods and Sub-Saharan Africa; underlines the need to uphold in the next MFF the balance between the financial envelopes for the Neighbourhoods and Sub-Saharan Africa as established by the current Global Europe - NDICI, given the particular priority the Union gives to these regions;

Or. en

Amendment 26

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13

Paragraph 37 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

13. Considers that the Union must develop a competitiveness framework in line with its own values and political aims and that competitiveness must therefore be understood as encompassing not only economic growth, but also social, economic and territorial cohesion and environmental sustainability;

37a. Is of the view that simplification in the post-2027 MFF should respect and reflect the distinct nature of instruments under external action, especially NDICI-GE, HUMA and IPA, safeguarding their specific political objectives and programming modalities;

13. Considers that the Union must develop a competitiveness framework in line with its own values and political aims and that competitiveness must therefore be understood as encompassing not only economic growth, but also social, economic and territorial cohesion and environmental sustainability; stresses that the Competitiveness Fund should further contribute to strengthening the single market and strengthening its resilience while ensuring simplification and flexibility;

Or. en

Amendment 27

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1338 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

13a. Underlines the need for a modernised budget to bolster the future of Europe’s strategic autonomy; calls for a genuine Competitiveness Fund channelled to key sectors to match the investment needs and prime the pump for private support; highlights the urgent need to ensure digital sovereignty in the EU, in line with the Draghi report recommendations on driving technological leadership in Europe;

38a. Expresses concern that funding for EU Delegations has increasingly proven insufficient, both in relation to the EU’s diplomatic needs and ambitions and with regard to the implementation of development cooperation; highlights in this regard that it is essential not to reduce EU Delegations’ presence in partner countries, because such a cut would be a misstep that would have a long-lasting adverse impact on the EU’s development cooperation, foreign policy and partnerships, and would diminish the EU’s global role, potentially allowing China and Russia to fill the resulting vacuum, which would be counterproductive to the aims of the Global Gateway initiative;

Or. en

Amendment 28

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13 b (new)

Paragraph 39

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

13b. Emphasises that a new framework for a single market instrument should eliminate complexities, such as multiple entry points and delays in access to funding; calls for the creation of synergies between the current Single Market Programme and the announced Competitiveness Fund with the objectives of increasing the competitiveness of the EU, further strengthening the single market for goods and services, and ensuring simplification and flexibility, with the possibility of reallocation of funding while ensuring a high level of consumer protection;

39. Insists that, given the scale of humanitarian crises and mounting global challenges, humanitarian aid funding must be significantly enhanced and made more predictable in the next MFF, and that its use must remain solely needs-based;

39. Insists that, given the scale of humanitarian crises and mounting global challenges, humanitarian aid funding must be significantly enhanced and made more predictable through a solid annual baseline in the next MFF, and that its use must remain solely needs-based, respecting the principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality as enshrined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid; reminds in this regard that annual top-ups of humanitarian aid in the current MFF amounted to an average 53 % of the baseline annual amounts and that a strengthened budget and a substantial reserve are essential to enable efficient responses to the growing number of crises;

Or. en

Amendment 29

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1340 ca (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

13c. Emphasises the importance of integrating digital tools to streamline funding access and ensure real-time monitoring of resource allocation, thereby enhancing the flexibility and efficiency of the new framework for the single market;

40a. Emphasises the need to carefully examine the effectiveness and development outcomes of using budgetary guarantees to leverage private investments, and stresses the continued pivotal role of grants in many sectors and contexts, particularly in fragile countries and LDCs; recalls that the European Court of Auditors has criticised the EFSD+ for over-emphasising its capacity to leverage private sector investment; insists that that Global Gateway initiative provides clear and reliable evidence of impact at an early stage, given the size of investments involved;

Or. en

Amendment 30

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1340 db (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

13d. Emphasises the need for the single market to be resilient and ready to face internal market emergencies;

40b. Reminds that the EU and its Member States must live up to their commitments to allocate 0.7 % of gross national income (GNI) to Official Development Assistance, with and intermediate target of 0.33 % of GNI for newer Member States; reiterates that policy coherence is a prerequisite to maintain trust and ensure that ODA investments are not undermined by incoherent policies in other areas;

Or. en

Amendment 31

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1440 ac (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

14a. Welcomes the work done so far on the circular and digital economy, focusing on removing market barriers and ensuring consumers rights and promoting sustainable business models;

40c. Reiterates that the EU’s development cooperation policy should prioritise establishing equitable partnerships with partner countries, recognising their ownership and priorities while ensuring mutual benefit and accountability, with special attention given to strategic partnerships with regions like Africa; stresses the need for increased transparency and parliamentary oversight in the implementation of these partnerships;

Or. en

Amendment 32

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 17

Paragraph 40 d (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

17. Emphasises that food security is a vital component of strategic autonomy and that the next MFF must continue to support the Union’s farming and fisheries sectors, including small and young farmers and fishers, and help the sectors to better protect the climate and biodiversity; highlights the crucial role of the common agricultural policy in increasing productivity through technical progress, ensuring a fair standard of living for farmers and guaranteeing food security; calls for adequate funding for the common agricultural policy in the next MFF;

40d. Recognises the potential of the Global Gateway initiative to strengthen partnerships with developing countries by investing in sustainable infrastructure and promoting connectivity; insists that the Global Gateway always adheres to fundamental EU values, including respect for human rights, good governance, democracy and transparency, and environmental sustainability;

17. Emphasises that food security is a vital component of strategic autonomy and that the next MFF must continue to support the Union’s farming and fisheries sectors, including small and young farmers and fishers, and help the sectors to better protect the climate and biodiversity; highlights the crucial role of the common agricultural policy in increasing productivity through technical progress, ensuring a fair standard of living for farmers and guaranteeing food security; calls for adequate funding for the common agricultural policy in the next MFF, which is essential for the integrity of the single market and ensuring the Union’s competitiveness;

Or. en

Amendment 33

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 18

Paragraph 40 e (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

18. Recalls that social, economic and territorial cohesion is a cornerstone of European integration and is vital in binding the Union together and deepening the single market; underlines that a modernised cohesion policy must follow a decentralised, place-based, multilevel governance approach and be built around the shared management and partnership principle, fully involving local and regional authorities;

40e. Emphasises the crucial role of the European Investment Bank (EIB) in implementing the Global Gateway initiative and financing sustainable development; stresses that the EIB should intensify its collaboration with other international financial institutions and national development banks to maximise the impact of its interventions, while ensuring its activities fully align with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

18. Recalls that economic and territorial cohesion is a cornerstone of European integration and is vital in binding the Union together and deepening the single market; underlines that a modernised cohesion policy must follow a decentralised, place-based, multilevel governance approach and be built around the shared management and partnership principle, fully involving local and regional authorities;

Or. en

Amendment 34

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 2142

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

21. Highlights that the green and digital transitions are inextricably linked to competitiveness, the modernisation of the economy and the resilience of society and that, therefore, the post-2027 MFF must continue to support the twin transitions;

42. Points to the need for strategically targeted support for pre-accession and for growth and investment; is of the view that post-2027 assistance should be provided in the form of both grants and loans; believes, in that context, that the future framework should allow for innovative financing mechanisms, including lending to candidate countries backed by the ‘headroom’ (the difference between the own resources and the MFF ceilings);

21. Highlights that the green and digital transitions are inextricably linked to competitiveness, the modernisation of the economy and the resilience of society and that, therefore, the post-2027 MFF must continue to support the twin transitions to ensure the EU’s leadership in sustainable and digital innovation;

42. Points to the need for strategically targeted support for pre-accession and for growth and investment; is of the view that post-2027 assistance should be provided in the form of both grants and loans; believes, in that context, that the future framework should allow for innovative financing mechanisms, including lending to candidate countries backed by the ‘headroom’ (the difference between the own resources and the MFF ceilings), which should guarantee that this lending, as well as costs and guarantees related with it, will not drain the resources for other priorities under external action;

Or. en

Amendment 35

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 2444

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

24. Points to the profound technological shift under way, with new technologies such as artificial intelligence both creating opportunities, in terms of economic potential and improvements to the citizens’ lives, and posing reliability and ethical challenges; stresses that the next MFF must support the development and safe application of such technologies and help people to hone the skills they need to work with and use them;

44. Underlines that pre-accession support to Ukraine has to be distinct from financial assistance for reconstruction and post-war recovery, where needs are far more substantial and require a concerted international effort, of which support through the Union budget should be an important part;

24. Points to the profound technological shift under way, with new technologies such as artificial intelligence both creating opportunities, in terms of economic potential and improvements to the citizens’ lives, and posing reliability and ethical challenges; stresses that the next MFF must support the development and safe application of such technologies and help people to hone the skills they need to work with and use them; welcomes the announcement of InvestAI1a, an initiative to mobilise EUR 200 billion for investment in AI, including a new European fund of EUR 20 billion for AI gigafactories; underlines that these investments are needed to make Europe an AI continent;

44. Underlines that pre-accession support to Ukraine has to be distinct from financial assistance for reconstruction and post-war recovery, where needs are far more substantial and require a concerted international effort, of which support through the Union budget should be an important part, while being construed in a way not to compete for the same scarce resources as other external action objectives of the Union;

__________________

Or. en

1a https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_467

Amendment 36

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 24 a (new)

Paragraph 45

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

24a. Calls for the integration of green and digital transition goals into new MFF programmes to ensure the EU´s leadership in sustainable innovation;

45. Is convinced that the existing mandatory revision clause in the event of enlargement should be maintained in the next framework; stresses that national envelopes should not be affected in the event of enlargement; underlines that the next MFF will also have to reform key spending areas, such as cohesion and agriculture, and plan for appropriate transitional and phasing-in measures;

45. Is convinced that the existing mandatory revision clause in the event of enlargement should be maintained in the next framework; stresses that national envelopes should not be affected in the event of enlargement; underlines that the next MFF will also have to reform key spending areas, such as cohesion and agriculture, and plan for appropriate transitional and phasing-in measures, including thorough scrutiny of the allocation and use of funds for development cooperation and humanitarian aid, ensuring alignment with the principles of Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development and the EU’s international commitments;

Or. en

Amendment 37

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 25

Paragraph 61 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

25. Recalls that security is the foundation for the Union’s prosperity and social model and that the next MFF must invest significantly more in safeguarding the Union against the myriad threats it faces;

61a. Points out that simplification should not be done at the detriment of predictable and strategic programming, which is important especially in development cooperation, as it underpins partner countries’ ability to plan effectively, maintain ownership and achieve long-term progress; recalls the important role of benchmarks and targets in steering funding towards EU development priorities and reiterates that simplification should not do away with targets that provide a clear trajectory to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals;

25. Recalls that security is the foundation for the Union’s prosperity and social model and that the next MFF must invest significantly more in safeguarding the Union against the myriad threats it faces and adopt a comprehensive security approach; stresses the need to clarify and broaden the mandate of EIB to invest in EU defence as well as the need to create an internal market for defence by standardising ammunitions and interoperability of weapon systems; stresses the need to further cut red tape; highlights the importance of supporting the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in the defence industry and of introducing a European purchasing preference;

Or. en

Amendment 38

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 2662

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

26. Underlines that, as the Niinistö report makes clear, the fragmenting global order, increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events, the security threat posed by Russia, growing tensions globally, hybrid campaigns, which include cyberattacks, foreign information manipulation, disinformation and interference and the instrumentalisation of migration, and health threats are combining to heighten instability and increase the Union’s vulnerability;

62. Insists that a simpler budget must also be a more transparent budget, enabling better control of spending and reducing the risks of double funding; underlines that any reduction in programmes must be offset by a far more detailed breakdown of the budget by budget line, in contrast to some programme mergers in the current MFF, such as the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI – Global Europe), which is an example not to follow; calls, therefore, for a sufficiently detailed breakdown by budget line to enable proper accountability and ensure that decision-making in the annual budgetary procedure is meaningful;

26. Underlines that, as the Niinistö report makes clear, the fragmenting global order, increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events, the security threat posed by Russia, growing tensions globally, hybrid campaigns, which include cyberattacks, foreign information manipulation, disinformation and interference and the instrumentalisation of migration, and health threats are combining to heighten instability and increase the Union’s vulnerability; in this regard, welcomes the creation of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield, which marks a decisive step in the fight against foreign interference threatening democratic processes;

62. Insists that a simpler budget must also be a more transparent budget, enabling better control of spending and reducing the risks of double funding; underlines that any reduction in programmes must be offset by a far more detailed breakdown of the budget by budget line, in contrast to some programme mergers in the current MFF, such as the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI – Global Europe), which on the one hand successfully provided a more coherent framework but at the same time limited Parliament’s ability to exercise oversight; calls, therefore, for a sufficiently detailed breakdown by budget line to enable proper accountability and ensure that decision-making in the annual budgetary procedure is meaningful;

Or. en

Amendment 39

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 29 a (new)

Paragraph 66

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

29a. Stresses the importance of increased investments in defence, which will feed into improved competitiveness and increase innovation in the Union to the benefit of the entire single market; highlights that investments in defence often have spill-over benefits to the civilian economy; underlines the positive effects on employment opportunities and economic growth through integrated supply chains and increased opportunities for companies to operate across borders;

66. Believes that, while allocating a significant portion of funding to objectives up-front, spending programmes should retain a substantial in-built flexibility reserve, with allocation to specific policy objectives to be decided by the budgetary authority; notes that the NDICI – Global Europe’s emerging challenges and priorities cushion provides a model for such a flexibility reserve, but that the decision-making process for its mobilisation must not be replicated in the future MFF; points to the need for a detailed budgetary breakdown to ensure decisions by the budgetary authority are meaningful;

66. Believes that, while allocating a significant portion of funding to objectives up-front, spending programmes should retain a substantial in-built flexibility reserve, with allocation to specific policy objectives to be decided by the budgetary authority; notes that the NDICI – Global Europe’s emerging challenges and priorities cushion provides a model for such a flexibility reserve, but that the decision-making process for its mobilisation must not be replicated in the future MFF but a process should be established that allows Parliament meaningful strategic steer and scrutiny; points to the need for a detailed budgetary breakdown to ensure decisions by the budgetary authority are meaningful;

Or. en

Amendment 40

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 30

Paragraph 69 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

30. Points to the importance of support in the budget for military mobility, which upgrades infrastructure for dual-use military and civilian purposes and thus contributes to the Union’s defence capabilities;

69a. Calls for safeguarding the capacity of the EU to step up humanitarian support when required by unexpected crises and to design the corresponding reserves in a way that does not put internal and external needs in competition, because it would risk politicising EU humanitarian action, undermining its neutrality and as a consequence damaging the EU’s credibility and reputation as a principled actor in emergencies;

30. Points to the importance of support in the budget for military mobility, which upgrades or builds infrastructure for dual-use military and civilian purposes and thus contributes to the Union’s defence capabilities;

Or. en

Amendment 41

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4169 ab (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

41a. Stresses the need for the new MFF to make available sufficient funding for the integration of EU candidate countries into the single market, in line with the growth plans for the Western Balkans and the Republic of Moldova, and the Ukraine Plan;

69b. Understands the need for greater flexibility within the MFF to respond to unforeseen circumstances, including a substantial increase in the emergency aid reserve to respond effectively to global humanitarian crises; recalls that the EU must ensure that humanitarian aid is delivered in accordance with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence;

Or. en

Amendment 42

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 48 a (new)

Paragraph 70

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

48a. Underlines the fact that compliance with EU law, including with single market rules, constitutes a core pillar of the rule of law principle; calls on the Commission to include an assessment of the status of compliance with single market rules in the evaluation of the rule of law in each Member State and to trigger the conditionality mechanism in the event of structural and persistent breaches at national level that have a negative impact on the protection of the EU’s interests;

Amendment 43

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 52 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

52a. Stresses that the next MFF must fully reflect the importance of an excellence-based approach to EU funding, ensuring that resources are allocated to projects and initiatives that demonstrate the highest potential for innovation, inclusive economic growth and global competitiveness; welcomes the recently proposed Competitiveness Compass for the EU in order to safeguard the EU’s future as an economic powerhouse, an investment destination and a manufacturing centre; highlights, in this context, the importance of aligning the budget with the objectives set out in the Competitiveness Compass, particularly with a view to strengthening the internal market, and of directing sufficient funding towards policies and instruments that enhance productivity, support industrial leadership and foster technological advancement, thereby supporting the EU’s objective of becoming a global economic and innovation leader and regain Europe’s competitiveness and secure its prosperity;

Amendment 44

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 56 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

56a. Calls on the Commission to establish a framework for monitoring and evaluating horizontal EU priorities; stresses the importance of robust performance monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track the contribution of investments to meeting horizontal targets; calls on the Commission to strengthen its commitment to Better Regulation principles to ensure that future funding instruments deliver measurable results;

Amendment 45

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 61

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

61. Calls for genuine simplification where there are overlapping objectives, diverging eligibility criteria and different rules governing aspects that should be uniform across programmes; considers that an assessment of which spending programmes should be included in the next MFF must be based on the above aspects, on the need to focus spending on clearly identified policy objectives and on the policy intervention logic of each programme;

61. Calls for genuine simplification where there are overlapping objectives, diverging eligibility criteria and different rules governing aspects that should be uniform across programmes; highlights, in this regard, the importance of further simplifying and reducing administrative burdenss particularly for SMEs; considers that an assessment of which spending programmes should be included in the next MFF must be based on the above aspects, on the need to focus spending on clearly identified policy objectives and on the policy intervention logic of each programme;

Amendment 46

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 61 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

61a. Calls for a reduction in bureaucracy for accessing EU funds and programmes, particularly for SMEs; emphasises the importance of digitising application and reporting processes for funding; calls for simplified procedures for businesses participating in the single market, in particular SMEs; stresses the need for a ‘one-stop-shop’ platform to centralise access to EU funds and provide dedicated support services tailored to SMEs’ needs; highlights the importance of removing obstacles to cross-border trade and services, particularly for SMEs;

Amendment 47

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 61 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

61b. Believes that, alongside strong control mechanisms, the next MFF should have a specific focus on a further simplification of the procedures for applicants and/or beneficiaries, in particular smaller beneficiaries; is of the opinion that the Commission’s priorities should also be felt by applicants for EU funding; reiterates that such simplification should not be to the detriment of sufficient controls, sound financial management and transparency;

Amendment 48

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 61 c (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

61c. Underlines the role the digitisation of procedures can play in facilitating compliance and reducing administrative burdens and calls for adequate relevant resources in the next multiannual financial framework;

Amendment 49

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 62 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

62a. Calls on the Commission to increase the transparency and citizens’ awareness of the MFF by gathering and setting up a real-time, publicly accessible digital dashboard detailing fund allocation, project purposes, outcomes and final beneficiaries;

Amendment 50

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 67 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

67a. Notes that different programmes and projects could have varying timelines for implementation; warns against excessively burdensome administrative obligations associated with changing such programmes or projects; underlines the need for flexibility of funding destinations to ensure that funding can be re-allocated if it is not spent on an envisaged project (‘use or lose’);

Amendment 51

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 72 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

72a. Calls on the Commission to focus more closely on results and outcomes in the post-2027 MFF, alongside outputs and costs, and to place greater emphasis on cross-border EU added-value; warns against embedding political objectives in a performance-based system, justifying the need to focus on results and outcomes;

Amendment 52

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 75 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

75a. Underlines the need for tailor-made approaches for Member States; considers it of the utmost importance that the Commission maintain a strong horizontal approach to prevent the ‘nationalisation’ of Union policies, resulting in 27 national approaches that together do not form a Union approach and where Member States are treated differently on similar issues; notes that it has not always been possible to quantify each Member State’s contribution to EU objectives in all national recovery and resilience plans due to a lack or incomparability of available data; considers that the European Parliament should be involved in defining such national approaches;

Amendment 53

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 83

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

83. Considers that all instruments and tools should be explored in order to provide the Union with those resources, in line with its priorities and identified needs;

70. Calls for the future Flexibility Instrument to be heavily front-loaded and subsequently to be fed through a number of additional sources of financing: unspent margins from previous years (as with the current Single Margin Instrument), the annual surplus from the previous year, a fines-based mechanism modelled on the existing Article 5 of the MFF Regulation, and decommitted appropriations;

83. Considers that all instruments and tools should be explored in order to provide the Union with those resources, in line with its priorities and identified needs; underlines the need to create a true Saving and Investment Union to mobilise private investments and promote strategic investments;

70. Calls for the future Flexibility Instrument to be heavily front-loaded and subsequently to be fed through a number of additional sources of financing: unspent margins from previous years (as with the current Single Margin Instrument), the annual surplus from the previous year, a fines-based mechanism modelled on the existing Article 5 of the MFF Regulation, and decommitted appropriations; reminds, however, that for development cooperation, the principle of decommitments returning to their budget lines of origin is important to maintain, as stipulated in Article 30 of the Global Europe - NDICI and taken over from the EDF principles;

ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT

Or. en

Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur for opinion declares that she received input from the following entities or persons in the preparation of the opinion, prior to the adoption thereof in committee:

Entity and/or person

CEPS

The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur for opinion.

INFORMATION ON ADOPTION BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

Date adopted

8.4.2025

Result of final vote

+:

–:

0:

35

10

1

Members present for the final vote

Peter Agius, Pablo Arias Echeverría, Jeannette Baljeu, Laura Ballarín Cereza, Biljana Borzan, Anna Cavazzini, David Cormand, Henrik Dahl, Adnan Dibrani, Elisabeth Dieringer, Klara Dostalova, Michał Dworczyk, Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz, Hanna Gedin, Sandro Gozi, Maria Grapini, Elisabeth Grossmann, Maria Guzenina, Svenja Hahn, Anna-Maja Henriksson, Pierre Jouvet, Arba Kokalari, Kateřina Konečná, Katrin Langensiepen, Pierfrancesco Maran, Nikola Minchev, Piotr Müller, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Reinis Pozņaks, Christel Schaldemose, Andreas Schwab, Tomislav Sokol, Filip Turek, Inese Vaidere, Adina Vălean, Marion Walsmann

Substitutes present for the final vote

Saskia Bricmont, Tomasz Buczek, Sebastião Bugalho, Delara Burkhardt, Dirk Gotink, Mary Khan

Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote

Fernand Kartheiser, Matjaž Nemec, Lídia Pereira, Diego Solier

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

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