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AMENDMENTS

The Committee on ~~Civil Liberties,~~Industry, ~~Justice~~Research and ~~Home Affairs~~Energy presents to the Committee on Budgets, as the committee responsible, the following:

Amendment 1

Motion for a resolution

~~Citation~~Recital 17H a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

~~– having regard to the European Council Conclusions of 9 February 2023, 30 June 2023 and 19 December 2024,~~

Ha. whereas, the Budapest Declaration on the new European competitiveness deal committed the Union and its Member States to achieving the objective to spend at least 3 % of the Union’s GDP on research and development by 2030, an objective first set for 2010 under the Lisbon Strategy;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

~~Recital G~~

Paragraph 11

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

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;

11. Emphasises that funding for research and innovation should be significantly increased, should be focused on the Union’s strategic priorities and should continue to be determined by the principle of excellence; considers that there should be sufficient resources across the MFF and at national level to fund all high-quality projects;

G. whereas the context in which the Commission will prepare its proposals for the post-2027 MFF is every bit as challenging, from our security at home to the war in Ukraine, with the established global and geopolitical order changing quickly and radically particularly at the external borders of the Union and in the Southern neighbourhood and the Union budget needing to change accordingly;

11. Emphasises that in order to put research and innovation at the heart of our economy, the Union needs to significantly increase investment in research and innovation across the Union, in particular by fostering public research and development spending including at national level, and leveraging private research and development spending, including via a more attractive internal market for startups, scale-ups and venture capital, with a particular focus on strategic sectors; emphasises the importance of efficient funding processes, guaranteeing predictability and efficient use of public resources, to attract private investment in cutting-edge research and innovation; notes that in order to achieve its policy objectives, the Union and its Member States need to fund the best possible science (including basic science), research and innovation and complete the European Research Area, by most notably introducing the Fifth Freedom1a and by continuing research cooperation through Euratom; considers that under the next MFF the 10th Framework Programme should receive an overall budget in line with the 3 % of GDP spending target and sufficient to fund at least 75 % of the high-quality proposals, which would be a budget of at least EUR 220 billion; underlines that the 10th Framework Programme has to be an independent funding programme encompassing all Union funding and financing for excellent research, technology development and innovation activities across the Union; emphasises that in order to ensure budgetary stability, the budget for this Framework Programme should be ring-fenced in the MFF and any decommitments stemming from this Programme or its predecessors should automatically return to the Programme or its successors;

_________________

1a Letta, Enrico, ‘Much more than a market – Speed, Security, Solidarity – Empowering the Single Market to deliver a sustainable future and prosperity for all EU Citizens’, April 2024.

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

~~Paragraph 1~~

Paragraph 11 a (new)

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;

11a. Believes that the continued presence of nuclear technology in the Union and the continued interest in the use of nuclear power as part of the national energy mix in some Member States, which currently means that about 24 % of electricity production in the Union stems from nuclear production, requires that the Union be a world leader with regard to knowledge of, research and development into and expertise on these technologies, including on their safety, through the Euratom Research and Training Programme and the continued involvement of the Union in the ITER project; stresses that the budgets for these programmes should reflect the new realities of the significant development towards the commercialisation of fusion technology; underlines, against the backdrop of the project’s delays and unspent appropriations in the current MFF, that the funding structure for the Union’s contribution to the ITER project should reflect the inherent uncertainty in the long-term financial planning of such a high-tech, ambitious project, in order to ensure that the Union’s budget can be used optimally in each financial year as well as over the full MFF period; expresses deep concern regarding Russia’s continued membership of the ITER project, considering Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine and the ongoing threat which Russia poses to a free and democratic European continent;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 412

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

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

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;

4. Underlines that a simpler, more flexible MFF must fully respect Parliament’s role as co-legislator for the duration of the next programming period, including through mid-term revisions of the MFF-related basic acts and more robust parliamentary scrutiny and accountability;

12. Stresses that the deepening of the Energy Union will be crucial in order to deliver affordable, clean and secure energy to European citizens and businesses, in particular through the ramp-up of renewables in line with the Renewable Energy Directive; notes that this will require European investment in critical and cross-border energy infrastructures and in improving energy efficiency and further decarbonising the energy system; underlines that the investments should be directed at ensuring open strategic autonomy of the Union with regard to its energy supply to increase energy security and provide affordable energy, as well as achieve the Union’s climate-neutrality target; calls for the funding for energy infrastructure provided by CEF Energy to be significantly increased under the next MFF in order to support the transition of the EU energy system to a more resilient, cheaper, cleaner and smarter future and to meet the growing demands for transformative investments in critical projects; underlines that the investments should reflect the national choices made for the energy mix and should improve flexibility and efficiency, mitigate price volatility and enhance the security of energy supply; notes that for cross-border infrastructure projects, the investments should continue to follow the priorities set out in the TEN-E Regulation and focus on supporting Projects of Common Interest in order to ensure further deployment and integration of clean energy to deliver affordable and secure energy to consumers and businesses; recommends that funding to facilitate cross-border cooperation in renewable energy be continued in addition to funding for promoting energy system integration and system efficiency through support for the modernisation and development of electricity grid interconnections and increased investments in hydrogen transport infrastructures, in CO2 transport infrastructure, off-shore grids and Projects of Mutual Interest with third countries, particularly with Ukraine and the neighbourhood; underlines, furthermore, the importance of the Modernisation Fund for accelerating the transition to climate-neutrality in the 13 beneficiary Member States by providing funding for the ramping up of renewables and energy storage, promoting energy efficiency and modernising energy networks;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

~~Paragraph 19~~

Paragraph 13 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

19. Stresses that cohesion policy funding must tackle the key challenges the Union faces, such as demographic change and depopulation, and target the regions and people most in need; highlights, in particular, the importance of enhanced support to address the EU-wide housing crisis affecting millions of families and young people;

13a. Stresses that, in order to compete with other major global players, the European economy must also become more competitive and resilient on the supply side by investing more in the Union’s open strategic autonomy through enhanced industrial policy with a focus on strategic sectors and critical technologies to reduce dependence on third countries; recalls that European industrial policy has to complete the green and digital twin transition of European industry; recalls the last term’s debates on a European Sovereignty Fund; in that regard considers that a new Competitiveness Fund should deliver on investments to ensure the strategic autonomy of the Union by fostering the sustainable industrial competitiveness and resilience of the Union, in particular through investments in strategic industrial sectors and projects, and that its priorities should be based on the Union’s industrial policy; underscores that the Fund needs to provide new and targeted funding to fill a funding gap in the current MFF, rather than an umbrella for existing funding programmes; underlines that its primary aim should be to facilitate private investments in industrial capacity in the Union by levelling the playing field with conditions for industrial investments in other parts of the world; notes that, in this regard, the Fund might be built on the experience of InvestEU and the Innovation Fund, for example through the use of the ‘auction as a service’ approach.

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

~~Paragraph 20~~

Paragraph 13 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

20. Points out that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has had substantial economic and social consequences, in particular in Member States bordering Russia; insists that the next MFF provide support to these regions;

13b. Insists that in order to ensure open strategic autonomy and competitiveness in the space sector and reduce dependence on non-EU actors in space activities, the EU needs increased investments to deliver its space policy; underlines that the Union’s space policy has become increasingly important due to the changing geopolitical climate and fundamental changes to the global space industry, including through the emergence of NewSpace Europe and increased commercialisation; highlights, in this context, the need to invest in space-based technologies, particularly communication technologies and earth observation, and in technologies related to access to space; believes that Member States will not be able to efficiently meet these investment challenges alone, and that European intervention and cooperation is therefore increasingly important in this field and must be strengthened, including through ESA; believes that the investments, as currently provided by the European Union space programme, InvestEU, the European Defence Fund and Horizon Europe, in space system development and deployment should be increased significantly as compared with the current MFF in order to strengthen European open strategic autonomy in space; underlines, in this regard, the need for continued investments to ensure the leading role of the Copernicus and Galileo satellite systems, while significantly ramping up investments in European space-based, secure communication systems such as IRIS2 and space civil security-related systems, including space situational awareness systems; highlights the important work of the EU Agency for the Space Programme to ensure the proper and strategic implementation of these investments; notes that further investments in access to space should also be included, including investments in launch infrastructure and in advanced launch technology development, and that investments should as far as possible promote the reform of the European space market into a more competition-driven market with due support for new European space players; underlines that investments in space systems under the next MFF must prioritise integrating cybersecurity by design, ensuring resilience across the entire life cycle of space infrastructure from development to decommissioning;

20. Points out that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has had substantial economic, security and social consequences, in particular in Member States bordering Russia; insists that the next MFF provide support to these regions;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 2416

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;

16. Stresses that, in order to compete with other major global players, the European economy must also become more competitive and resilient on the supply side by investing more in the Union’s open strategic autonomy through enhanced industrial policy and a focus on strategic sectors and critical technologies to reduce dependence on third countries;

24. Points to the profound technological shift under way, with new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) 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 significantly boost the development and innovation in this sector, ensure the safe application of secure AI technologies with a human-centric approach, and help people to hone the knowledge and skills they need to work with and use them, while ensuring a high level of protection of fundamental rights, including democracy and the rule of law; highlights that investing in reskilling and upskilling tools is essential to facilitate the transition;

deleted

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 2523

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;

23. Underlines that industry will be central in the transition to net zero and that support will be needed in helping some industrial sectors and their workers to adapt; stresses that the transition must leave no one behind, requiring investment in regions that are heavily fossil-fuel dependent and increased support for households, in particular through the Social Climate Fund;

23. Underlines that industry will be central in the transition to net zero and that support will be needed in helping some industrial sectors and their workers to adapt; stresses that this transition will take place in the context of global competition characterised by the relatively high costs of doing business in Europe and unfair anti-competition efforts by the Union’s global competitors; considers that innovation, and in particular clean tech innovation, is the only way to keep European industry competitive, securing economic growth and quality jobs, while at the same time decarbonising; underlines in this regard the importance of a strengthened Innovation Fund as part of the MFF; believes the Innovation Fund should continue to serve the clear objective of decarbonising European industry and should form, together with the anticipated Competitiveness Fund and the investments in the digital and space sectors, a coherent and easy-to-access suite of funding programmes to support the competitiveness of European industry; believes that the transition must leave no one behind, requiring investment in regions that are heavily fossil-fuel dependent and increased support for households, in particular through the Social Climate Fund;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

~~Paragraph 26~~

Paragraph 23 a (new)

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;

23a. Underlines that for the Union to fully benefit from the digital transition it needs to invest in its technology leadership and sovereignty, including through standardisation and the development of a European technology stack to support the EU’s digital autonomy and influence in international standards; notes that the full deployment of scalable and user-centered digital technologies will make our EU public sector and administration more efficient, improve the quality of life of EU citizens and increase the competitiveness of EU companies; highlights that the rapid evolution of digital infrastructure shows the need for reliable, future-ready connectivity that combines terrestrial, satellite and next-generation mobile networks (i.e. 5G and 6G) into a seamless, secure system capable of supporting large-scale, high-speed communication networks; strongly believes that in order to achieve this, the Union should prioritise the development of innovative, trusted and adaptable networks; furthermore emphasises that the continued acceleration of the digital transition underlines the importance of ongoing Union spending on the deployment, use (digital skills) and innovation with digital technologies, as well as on the data infrastructure as the backbone of an internal market for digital products and services; notes that, given the speed of technological development, the next MFF needs to have enough flexibility to include new priorities as they arise, while ensuring streamlined access to funding for stakeholders; calls for an increased budget for digital infrastructure investments; considers that the objectives of both the Digital Europe Programme and CEF Digital remain relevant, but that rationalising the programming landscape for digital investments could be considered, in particular to foster the development of a European technology stack; highlights the need to ensure robust cybersecurity for all digital technologies and infrastructures, and the need for this to remain a horizontal priority in Union spending in order to safeguard critical investments and foster trust in digital and technological advancements;

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 international organised crime, hostile actors such as Russia, growing tensions globally, hybrid threats and attacks, which include cyberattacks, foreign information manipulation, physical sabotage of critical infrastructure, disinformation and interference in political processes, and the instrumentalisation and weaponisation of migration, as well as health threats are combining to heighten instability and increase the Union’s vulnerability; points out that hybrid threats and attacks may lead to full-scale, cross-sectoral crises with detrimental effects on safety and security, the well-being of citizens and the functioning of society and the economy as a whole, constituting a key challenge to the Union’s internal affairs; further points out that this new reality requires a more robust approach to EU crisis management and civilian and defence preparedness, building strategic foresight and anticipation and strengthening early warning, detection, analysis and operational coordination capabilities; stresses that the Union should be equipped with flexible instruments, including financial capabilities, to respond to emerging new security challenges effectively and in a timely manner;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

~~Paragraph 28 a (new)~~

Paragraph 24

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

28 a. Emphasises the need to prioritise dual-use and critical technologies to enhance operational effectiveness and security, strengthening a competitive and resilient European defence industry; stresses the need to ensure the interoperability of equipment and systems through coordinated investments in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud-based systems, and advanced connectivity, driving innovation and strengthening Europe’s long-term civilian and defence capabilities;

24. Points to the profound technological shift under way, with new technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum 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 increase support for research and development related to these technologies and the safe application of such technologies; notes the importance of further investments to help people to hone the skills they need to work with and use these technologies;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

~~Paragraph 31~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

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 civilian and military preparedness and readiness across the board, in particular to foster civil-military cooperation, civil protection capabilities, as well as public-private partnerships;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 12~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 31 a (new)~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

31 a. Stresses the need to strengthen the budget for EU cross-border police and inter-agency cooperation to enhance coordinated responses to transnational crime and security threats; considers, in particular, that adequate funds should be allocated to fostering joint prevention measures, information sharing, joint investigations and operations as well as effective prosecution;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 13~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 32~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

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, including through strategic stockpiles of medical items; considers that the next MFF must build on the work done in the current programming period;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 14~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 33~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

33. Underlines that, with technological change, it has become easier for malicious and opportunistic foreign actors to spread disinformation, interfere in elections and mount cyberattacks against the Union’s interests; insists that the next MFF must invest in enhanced cybersecurity; points to the importance of digital and media literacy and critical thinking in this regard, and to the need for continued Union budget support for initiatives in these areas;

33. Underlines that, with technological change and digitalisation it has become easier for malicious and opportunistic foreign actors such as Russia to spread disinformation, interfere in elections and mount cyberattacks against the Union’s interests, with negative impacts both in the online and offline world; insists that the next MFF must invest in enhanced and robust cybersecurity, and overall democratic and societal resilience; points to the importance of digital and media literacy and critical thinking in this regard, and to the need for continued Union budget support for initiatives in these areas;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 15~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 33 a (new)~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

33 a. Stresses that in light of the rapid development of information technology and associated risks, the next MFF should support flexible and effective responses to the evolving security and crime environment; emphasises that attention should be paid to fostering cross-border measures aimed at prevention and fight against on-line crime, in particular affecting children, such as child sexual abuse;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 16~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 34~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

34. Underscores the importance of continued funding, in the next MFF, for effective protection of the EU’s external borders; underlines the need to counter trafficking networks and address hybrid attacks and the instrumentalisation of migrants, in particular by a third country or a hostile non-state actor;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 17~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 34 a (new)~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

34 a. Highlights the necessity of providing adequate financial support to frontline Member States, which bear the brunt of migration pressures, to ensure that they have the resources needed to manage migration flows effectively while upholding EU values, in particular by providing European funding for physical infrastructure, electronic border security enhancements and other innovative tools for border surveillance;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 18~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 34 b (new)~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

34 b. 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;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 19~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 34 c (new)~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

34 c. Stresses the need to empower the development of critical and dual-use technologies within the EU, minimise external interference, and reduce reliance on imports to secure the EU’s autonomy and infrastructure;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 20~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Subheading 5~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

~~External action and enlargement~~

~~Migration, external action and enlargement~~

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 21~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 38~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

38. Underlines that the budget must uphold the Union’s role as the world’s leading provider of development aid and climate finance in line with the Union’s global obligations and commitments; insists that the budget must continue to support the Union in its efforts to defend the rules-based international order, democracy, multilateralism, human rights and fundamental values;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 22~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 40~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

40. Emphasises that, in a context in which global actors are increasingly using trade interdependence as a means of economic coercion, the Union must bolster its capacity to protect and advance its own strategic interests, develop more robust tools to counter coercion and ensure genuine reciprocity in its partnerships; likewise, the Union must be able to use all available instruments – diplomatic, economic, and development cooperation – to build stronger, more effective and mutually beneficial partnerships;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 23~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 43~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

43. Stresses that financial support must be conditional on the implementation of reforms and adherence to Union values; emphasises, in this regard, the need for a strong governance model that ensures parliamentary accountability, oversight and control;

43. Stresses that financial support must be conditional on respect for the rule of law and adherence to Union values, the respect of obligations stemming from International Law as well as on the implementation of reforms; emphasises, in this regard, the need for a strong governance model that ensures parliamentary accountability, oversight and control;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 24~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 46~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

46. Emphasises the importance of the Union budget in promoting and protecting democracy and the Union’s values, fostering the Union’s common cultural heritage and European integration, enhancing citizen engagement and youth participation and promoting fundamental rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the rule of law; points to the importance of independence of justice, the sound functioning of national institutions, support for civil society and de-oligarchisation;

46. Emphasises the importance of the Union budget in promoting and protecting democracy and the Union’s values, enshrined in Article 2 TEU, fostering the Union’s common cultural heritage and European integration, enhancing citizen engagement and youth participation and promoting fundamental rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the rule of law; points to the importance of independence of the judiciary, the sound functioning of democratic institutions, independence and pluralism of the media, the transparency and anti-corruption framework, good governance, checks and balances, and support for civil society;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 25~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 47~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

47. Stresses that instability in neighbouring regions, poverty, underlying trends in economic development and demographic changes continue to generate migration flows towards the Union, placing significant pressure on asylum and migration systems; underlines that the post-2027 MFF must support the full implementation of the Union’s Asylum and Migration Pact, in line with fundamental rights and EU values; underlines, moreover, that, in line with the Pact, cooperation with third countries on migration must abide by EU law and respect international standards;

47. Stresses that instability in neighbouring regions, poverty, underlying trends in economic development and demographic changes and the criminal business of migrant smuggling and human trafficking continue to generate irregular migration flows towards the Union, placing significant pressure on asylum and migration systems; underlines that the post-2027 MFF must support the full implementation of the Union’s Asylum and Migration Pact, the protection of our external borders and effective return policies; underlines the need for enhanced and more comprehensive cooperation with third countries on migration, pursuing stronger, more effective and mutually beneficial partnerships that respect international standards;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 26~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 47 a (new)~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

47 a. Calls for support to be provided under the new MFF in the form of compensation for EU citizens after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, which caused significant displacement and resulted in a long-term socio-economic gap in support for affected communities;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 27~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 48~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

48. Highlights the importance of strong links between respect for the rule of law and access to EU funds under the current MFF; believes that the protection of the Union’s financial interests depends on respect for the rule of law at national level; welcomes, in particular, the positive impact of the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation in protecting the Union’s financial interests in cases of systemic and persistent breaches of the rule of law; calls on the Commission and the Council to apply the regulation strictly, consistently and without undue delay wherever necessary; emphasises that decisions to suspend or reduce Union funding over breaches of the rule of law must be based on objective criteria and not be guided by other considerations, nor be the outcome of negotiations;

48. Highlights the importance of strong links between respect for the rule of law and access to EU funds under the current MFF; believes that the protection of the Union’s financial interests depends on respect for the rule of law at national level, as it affects the sound management of EU funds, mutual recognition of judgments, mutual trust and the functioning of the single market; welcomes, in particular, the positive impact of the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation in protecting the Union’s financial interests in cases of systemic and persistent breaches of the rule of law; calls on the Commission and the Council to apply the regulation strictly, consistently and without undue delay wherever necessary; emphasises that decisions regarding the suspension or reduction of Union funding over breaches of the rule of law must be based on objective criteria and not be guided by other considerations, nor be the outcome of negotiations;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 28~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 49~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

49. Points to the need for a strong link between the rule of law and the Union budget post-2027 and welcomes the Commission’s intention to bolster links between the recommendations in the annual rule of law report and access to funds through the budget; calls on the Commission to outline, in the annual rule of law report from 2025 onwards, the extent to which identified weaknesses in rule of law regimes potentially pose a risk to the Union budget; welcomes, furthermore, the link between respect for Union values and the implementation of the budget and calls on the Commission to actively monitor Member States’ compliance with this principle;

49. Points to the need for a strong link between the rule of law and the Union budget post-2027 and welcomes the Commission’s intention to bolster links between the recommendations in the annual rule of law report and access to funds through the budget; calls on the Commission to outline, in the annual rule of law report from 2025 onwards, the extent to which identified weaknesses in rule of law regimes potentially pose a risk to the Union budget and proper functioning of the single market; welcomes, furthermore, the link between respect for Union values and the implementation of the budget and calls on the Commission to actively monitor Member States’ compliance with this principle;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 29~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 50~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

50. Calls for the consolidation of a robust rule of law toolbox, building on the current conditionality provisions under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and the horizontal enabling conditions in the Common Provisions Regulation; underlines the need for far greater transparency and consistency with regard to the application of tools to protect the rule of law and for Parliament’s role to be strengthened in the application and scrutiny of such measures; insists, furthermore, on the need for consistency across instruments when assessing breaches of the rule of law in Member States;

50. Calls for the consolidation of a robust rule of law toolbox, building on the current conditionality provisions under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and the horizontal enabling conditions in the Common Provisions Regulation, which should be consistently applied across all EU funds under the new MFF; underlines the need for far greater transparency and consistency with regard to the application of tools to protect the rule of law and for Parliament’s role to be strengthened in the application and scrutiny of such measures; insists, furthermore, on the need for consistency across instruments when assessing breaches of the rule of law in Member States;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 30~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 51~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

51. Recalls that the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation provides that final recipients should not be deprived of the benefits of EU funds in the event of sanctions being applied to their government; believes that, to date, this provision has not been effective and stresses the importance of applying a smart conditionality approach so that beneficiaries are not penalised because of their government’s actions; calls on the Commission to explore additional ways of ensuring that local and regional authorities, civil society and other beneficiaries can continue to benefit from Union funding in cases of breaches of the rule of law by national governments without weakening the application of the regulation;

51. Recalls that the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation provides that final recipients should not be deprived of the benefits of EU funds in the event of measures being applied to their Member State or its government entities; believes that, to date, this provision has not been effective and stresses the importance of applying a smart conditionality approach so that beneficiaries are not penalised because of their government’s actions; calls on the Commission to explore additional ways of ensuring that local and regional authorities, civil society and other beneficiaries can continue to benefit from Union funding in cases of breaches of the rule of law by Member States without weakening the application of the regulation;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 31~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 51 a (new)~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

51 a. Stresses the importance of a well-funded, independent, and diverse media landscape in fostering democracy and addressing harmful threats to and attacks on the European Union, such as disinformation and foreign interference; calls for the highest standards of media freedom and editorial independence for journalists to be upheld through enhanced direct funding and support mechanisms; urges the strengthening of existing EU actions to protect media freedom, while encouraging the development of new initiatives to support independent journalism and media in both EU Member States and candidate countries;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 32~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Paragraph 53~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

~~Amendment~~

53. Underlines, therefore, that the next MFF must ensure that, across the board, spending programmes pursue climate and biodiversity objectives, promote and protect rights and equal opportunities for all, including gender equality, support competitiveness and bolster the Union’s preparedness against threats;

53. Underlines, therefore, that the next MFF must ensure that, across the board, spending programmes pursue the security of the Union and its citizens, climate and biodiversity objectives, promote and protect rights and equal opportunities for all, including gender equality, support competitiveness and bolster the Union’s preparedness and readiness against threats;

~~Or. en~~

~~Amendment 33~~

~~Motion for a resolution~~

Paragraph 59 a (new)

Amendment

59 a. Calls for adequate financing to support the revised mandates of EU institutions, agencies and bodies, ensuring they have the necessary resources to perform their tasks and effectively address evolving challenges;

59a. Believes that to ensure that the implementation of any potential horizontal policies or mainstreaming efforts set out for the MFF, for example related to competitiveness or the green and digital twin transition, is effective and does not create unnecessary administrative complexity for the final recipients of Union funds, their programme-specific implementation should be left to sectoral legislation;

Or. en

Amendment 3412

Motion for a resolution

~~Paragraph 66~~

Paragraph 91 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

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;

91a. Stresses the importance of parliamentary scrutiny over the implementation of the Union budget under the MFF and in compliance with sectoral legislation; in that context underlines that agreements allowing for the participation of the specific third countries1a in EU programmes should allow for full parliamentary scrutiny, through a consent procedure, on the participation of a specific partner country in a specific EU programme; underlines that this is of particular importance where the participation is not part of a single international agreement on the political relation between the EU and the third country;

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 co-legislators and the budgetary authority, as applicable; 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 stronger and effective scrutiny powers of the co-legislators over the setting of policy priorities and objectives and for a detailed budgetary breakdown to ensure decisions by the budgetary authority are meaningful;

_________________

1a These specific countries include members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA), acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidates, European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) countries, and like-minded third countries, including the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

Or. en

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

The rapporteur 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.