Sittings · Document

OPINION (2024/2051(INI)) 2025-03-20

On a revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Hilde Vautmans

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AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Foreign Affairs submits the following to the Committee on Budgets, as the committee responsible :

Amendment 1

Motion for a resolution

Citation 1 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– having regard to the Preamble and Articles 24(1) and 42(2) of the Treaty on European Union and Article 2(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU),

Amendment 2

Motion for a resolution

Citation 13 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– having regard to the Versailles Declaration of 11 March 2022,

Amendment 3

Motion for a resolution

Citation 13 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– having regard to the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 5 March 2024 entitled ‘A new European Defence Industrial Strategy: Achieving EU readiness through a responsive and resilient European Defence Industry’ (JOIN(2024)0010),

Amendment 4

Motion for a resolution

Recital A

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

A. whereas, under Article 311 TFEU, the Union is required to provide itself with the means necessary to attain its objectives and carry through its policies;

A. whereas the Union aims to promote peace, its values and the well-being of its citizens; whereas, under Article 311 TFEU, the Union is required to provide itself with the means necessary to attain its objectives and carry through its policies;

Amendment 5

Motion for a resolution

Recital C

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

C. whereas spending through the Union budget, if effectively targeted, aligned with the Union’s political priorities and coordinated with spending at national level, helps to avoid fragmentation in the single market and to boost the overall impact of public investment; whereas public investment is essential to incentivise private investment;

C. whereas spending through the Union budget, if effectively targeted inside and outside the Union, aligned with the Union’s political priorities and coordinated with spending at national level, helps to avoid fragmentation in the single market, to boost the overall impact of public investment and to promote peace, security and progress in the world; whereas public investment is essential to incentivise private investment;

Amendment 6

Motion for a resolution

Recital G

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; whereas the EU must adopt a holistic approach in which all external action financing programmes should comprise a security dimension; whereas the territorial integrity of the Union could be challenged on its eastern flank before the end of the post-2027 MFF;

Amendment 7

Motion for a resolution

Recital G a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

G a. whereas given the new geopolitical reality marked by the return of high-intensity warfare in Europe and the likelihood of worst-case military scenarios materialising on the European continent, the post-2027 MFF must enable the EU to prepare itself for potential military aggression on its soil before the end of this decade;

Amendment 8

Motion for a resolution

Recital G b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

G b. whereas, in the Versailles Declaration of March 2022, the Member States collectively committed to significantly increasing defence expenditure and investing in defence capabilities developed in a collaborative way, as well as in joint projects and joint procurement;

Amendment 9

Motion for a resolution

Recital H

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

H. whereas, in order to compensate for the budget’s shortcomings, there have been numerous workaround solutions that make the budget more opaque, undercutting Parliament’s role as a legislator and budgetary and discharge authority and in holding the executive to account; whereas, in the area of the foreign, security and defence policies, the institutional balance between the budgetary functions of the Council and Parliament needs to be respected;

Amendment 10

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1

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;

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, be resilient, tackle the growing challenges it faces, manage and repay its debt sustainably, prepare for and respond to shocks and crises and adjust to evolving spending needs;

Amendment 11

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 6

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;

6. Is convinced that achieving EU defence sovereignty, 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 security, sustainable and inclusive growth and a more resilient economy and society;

Amendment 12

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 10

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

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;

Amendment 13

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12

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;

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

Amendment 14

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 16

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

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;

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, such as the energy and defence sectors, and critical technologies to reduce dependence on third countries;

Amendment 15

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 17 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

17 a. Points out that energy independence is of critical importance for EU security; calls for investment in financial incentives for Member States investing in the development of strategic energy infrastructure, particularly in renewable energy projects that reduce dependence on Russia and other suppliers posing strategic risks;

Amendment 16

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 20

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;

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, Belarus and Ukraine; insists that the next MFF provide support to these regions;

Amendment 17

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 25

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;

25. Recalls that peace and security are the foundation for the Union’s stability and prosperity, global standing and social model and that the next MFF, as the Draghi report clearly states, must invest significantly more in safeguarding the Union against the existential external threats it faces;

Amendment 18

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 26

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;

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

Amendment 19

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 27

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

27. Points out that the Union has played a vital role in achieving lasting peace on its territory and must continue to do so by adjusting to the reality of war on its doorstep and the need to vastly boost defence capabilities and readiness, far beyond the current allocation;

27. Points out that the Union has played a vital role in achieving lasting peace on its territory and must continue to do so by adjusting to the new reality of war on its doorstep and the need to vastly boost defence capabilities and readiness, far beyond the current allocation; recalls the need to deploy the means fostering a common strategic culture in security and defence that promotes cohesion among the Member States and that ensures intelligence sharing and assessment from the Member States to the EU level and a coordinated response to the threats the Union faces; urges, therefore, the European Council to support the establishment of the Defence Union without any further delay;

Amendment 20

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 28

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

28. Notes that, according to the Commission President, the defence spending gap currently stands at EUR 500 billion for the next decade; underlines that the Union budget alone cannot fill the gap, but has an important role to play;

28. Stresses that the targets for national and collective defence require substantial investment efforts at national level, which the Commission estimates at several percent of GDP; stresses the need for long-term investments in defence capabilities to improve strategic autonomy, cohesion among Member States and the defence readiness of the Union; stresses the importance of establishing a clear and transparent governance structure for security investments to avoid fragmentation and the duplication of efforts at the EU level;

Amendment 21

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 29

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

29. Underscores the importance of a competitive and resilient European defence technological and industrial base and considers that joint EU-level investment in defence can generate economies of scale, and thus significant savings for Member States, and help ensure the interoperability of equipment and systems; points to the need to direct support towards the defence industry within the Union, thus creating quality high-skilled jobs;

29. Underscores the importance of a competitive and resilient European defence technological and industrial base that is autonomous and independent from non-European actors and considers that EU-level investment in defence should generate economies of scale and scope, and thus significant savings for Member States, and help ensure the interoperability and effectiveness of their armed forces;

Amendment 22

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 29 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

29 a. Points to the need to direct support towards the defence industry within the Union, ranging from SMEs to prime contractors, and towards defence training and education, thus creating quality high-skilled jobs and unleashing the full potential of a balanced and strategic European defence ecosystem, in particular to avoid competition between the Member States and to tackle duplication and fragmentation; emphasises the importance of ensuring that joint EU defence procurement initiatives benefit not only major defence industry players but also other companies, including SMEs, mid-caps and those companies that do not fall within these categories but are considerably smaller in comparison with the multinational companies that can act as prime contractors in joint capabilities development initiatives, thus reinforcing the whole supply chain, as well as fostering innovation and competitiveness in the defence sector; calls for alignment with the recommendations of the Draghi and Niinistö reports to create a balanced and strategic European defence ecosystem;

Amendment 23

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 30

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;

30. Points to the importance of increasing allocations in the MFF for military mobility, transport, energy and data infrastructure, their upgrading and maintenance, civil protection, collaborative research and development and innovation for military and civilian purposes, in order to strengthen the Union’s defence capabilities;

Amendment 24

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 30 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

30 a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase funding for defence by possibly increasing national contributions to the Union budget, introducing new own resources, reusing unspent appropriations and considering issuing common debt and adapting the fiscal stability rules for Member States; insists that procurement should primarily focus on suppliers from the Member States to foster technological sovereignty and contribute to the Union’s strategic autonomy;

Amendment 25

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, it has become easier for malicious and opportunistic foreign actors to spread disinformation, interfere in elections and mount cyberattacks against the Union’s interests; recognises that cybersecurity and technological innovation are critical components of the EU’s global competitiveness and security; calls for further investment in emerging technologies, such as AI and quantum computing, to ensure EU leadership in these strategic sectors and in order to address constantly evolving threats; insists that the next MFF must invest in enhanced cybersecurity in order to fight disinformation with swift, efficient and coordinated mitigation actions; points out the importance of strengthening the Union’s strategic communication capabilities;

Amendment 26

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 33 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

33 a. Underscores the importance of building new European capacities in the context of hybrid warfare and ever increasing cases of foreign information manipulation and interference; stresses the urgent need to have the necessary funds to effectively build up resilience, both for EU institutions’ headquarters and EU delegations in third countries; stresses that free and independent media should be considered a fundamental component of Europe’s resilience, safeguarding not only the free flow of information but also the democratic mindset, critical thinking and informed decision-making of European citizens; points to the importance of increased investment in independent journalism, fact-checking initiatives, digital and media literacy and critical thinking as a shield against disinformation and foreign information manipulation and electoral interference;

Amendment 27

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;

34. Underscores the importance of continued funding, in the next MFF, for effective protection of the EU’s external borders, such as constructing the East Shield; underlines the need to counter trafficking networks; calls for a comprehensive approach to security that brings together diplomacy, development, efforts to tackle inequality, and security cooperation ensuring that EU foreign policy reinforces stability – as well as the protection of human rights and the promotion of inclusive governance; stresses the importance of addressing hybrid attacks and the instrumentalisation of migrants, in particular by a third country or a hostile non-state actor;

Amendment 28

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 35

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

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, human rights, democracy and sustainable development globally, in line with its values and its international commitments; stresses the need to ensure that the next MFF provides robust and dedicated funding for democracy support and human rights, particularly in light of the growing global trend toward authoritarianism;

Amendment 29

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 36

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

36. Regrets the fact that external action in the current MFF has been underfunded, leading to significant recourse to special instruments and substantial reinforcements in the mid-term revision; notes, in particular, that humanitarian aid funding has been woefully inadequate, prompting routine use of the Emergency Aid Reserve;

36. Notes that geopolitical crises, such as Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine or the situation in Gaza, have been putting considerable pressure on the current Heading 6; regrets the fact that external action in the current MFF has been underfunded, leading to significant recourse to special instruments and substantial reinforcements in the mid-term revision that fell short of the needs identified by Parliament; reiterates the urgent need to increase funding and strengthen the geopolitical position of the EU, particularly in crisis-affected regions where the needs are greatest, such as the Middle East and Ukraine; considers that external action financing instruments should not be subject to redeployment or to the use of special instruments and that emergency reserves should be used in case of urgent need; notes, in particular, that humanitarian aid funding has been woefully inadequate, prompting routine use of the Emergency Aid Reserve; underlines the utmost importance of transparency, traceability and accountability within the above-mentioned instruments, as well as effective oversight by the European Parliament;

Amendment 30

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 37

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

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, including humanitarian crises, climate change and food security, while defending human rights and democracy, improving healthcare systems, reducing poverty and inequality and contributing to global supply chain stability; emphasises, in particular, the need for support for the Union’s Southern and Eastern Neighbourhoods; supports targeted funding to strengthen regional security, capacity building for institutional development and cooperation in the field of migration that is strictly conditional on the full respect of EU and international law and EU values; calls for secure, sufficient and predictable support for actors providing aid and relief to achieve long-term stability and security in the Middle East region; calls for the development of an instrument similar to the Ukraine Facility, dedicated to the reconstruction of Gaza, once a political agreement for its reconstruction has been established; calls for an increase in funding for democracy support, particularly for electoral observation missions and for the European Endowment for Democracy;

Amendment 31

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;

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 commitments taken linked to the implementation of the Paris Agreement and 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, gender equality and women’s empowerment, non-discrimination and fundamental values; calls for a streamlined foreign policy instrument supporting women’s organisations and gender equality; stresses that in the face of the United States’ withdrawal of funds, the EU must take responsibility for providing appropriate funding for civil society and democratisation efforts worldwide;

Amendment 32

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 39

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

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 ever-increasing scale of humanitarian crises and mounting global challenges, humanitarian aid funding must be significantly enhanced, correspond to growing needs and be made more predictable in the next MFF, and that its use must remain solely needs-based; underlines the need to maintain specific EU humanitarian aid instruments and avoid any possible merging; notes the uncertainty of future commitments by the United States, which would need to be compensated;

Amendment 33

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;

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, diversify its political and trade alliances with third countries and its supply chains, effectively address its overdependence on certain third countries, develop more robust tools to counter coercion and ensure genuine reciprocity in its partnerships;

Amendment 34

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 40 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

40 a. Calls for the enhancement of the Global Gateway offer through integrated country packages that combine infrastructure investment, trade and macroeconomic support while delivering on development results, including poverty reduction; stresses that the next funding instrument should provide predictability to develop long-term and mutually beneficial partnerships; calls for the establishment of a European-African infrastructure fund;

Amendment 35

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 41

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

41. Considers that the next MFF is pivotal for preparing the Union for enlargement and the candidate countries for accession; recalls that the stability, security and democratic resilience of the candidate countries are inextricably linked to those of the EU and require sustained strategic investment to support their convergence with Union standards;

41. Considers that the next MFF is pivotal for preparing the Union for enlargement and ensuring that EU candidate countries receive structured financial support for institutional and economic transformation; recalls that the stability, security and democratic resilience of the candidate countries are inextricably linked to those of the EU and require sustained strategic investment to support their convergence with Union standards; emphasises the importance of integrating the EU candidate countries into the EU internal market and EU political structures and of providing sufficient resources in support of civil society and independent media; emphasises that the EU’s presence in candidate countries is essential not only because these countries are key partners for the EU but also because any void left could encourage Russia and China to reinforce their influence;

Amendment 36

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 42

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

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);

42. Calls on the Commission to present a proposal for an instrument for pre-accession assistance for the next MFF that incorporates the new facilities to avoid overlap, covers all 10 enlargement countries and should ensure strong institutional and economic preparedness for EU membership; stresses that sufficient budgetary resources need to be allocated to enable meaningful gradual integration of the candidate countries into the EU; 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), as a strong political signal of the EU’s commitment to integrating the candidate countries;

Amendment 37

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 and that ensures a strengthened conditionality mechanism, based on the improved rule of law reporting and clear criteria, in particular a strong and functional anti-fraud architecture; considers that support for civil society in enlargement countries should remain independent of government reform progress;

Amendment 38

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 44

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

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; calls for a dedicated reconstruction fund for Ukraine and for the use of immobilised Russian assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction;

Amendment 39

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 44 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

44 a. Underlines the need to strengthen the EU’s preventive diplomacy, including mediation and dialogue, as a proactive foreign policy instrument; calls for continued funding to be available in particular for peace mediation, dialogue and reconciliation efforts, particularly in high-risk regions, in response to increasing demand for EU-led conflict resolution initiatives;

Amendment 40

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 44 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

44 b. Underlines the constructive role that a vibrant civil society plays, especially in terms of the EU integration process and therefore for enlargement countries; stresses, in this regard, the need to increase meaningful engagement with and budget allocations for civil society, specifically where civic spaces are closing, and with a particular focus on the protection of human rights defenders and journalists; calls for increased funding to strengthen the capacities of EU delegations and key stakeholders in designing and implementing key public policies for the promotion and protection of a stronger civil society;

Amendment 41

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 44 c (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

44 c. Underlines the importance of the role that citizens and their organisations in candidate countries play in the enlargement process; believes in the importance of the role that citizen-to-citizen projects and interactions between the Member States and accession countries play in preparing societies for enlargement; stresses that organisations from accession countries should participate in the various EU programmes with a transnational dimension on an equal standing as those from the Member States;

Amendment 42

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 44 d (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

44 d. Underlines that the next MFF should contribute to strengthening the fight against transnational repression and support the victims of transnational repression inside the EU;

Amendment 43

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 45 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

45 a. Underlines the need for increased coherence between internal and external EU policies to better serve EU interests and competitiveness; advocates for external action funding that supports new solutions in green technology, digital innovation, health, education and migration, while aligning with EU investment and trade objectives; emphasises the importance of promoting a level playing field for private sector investments;

Amendment 44

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 45 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

45 b. Highlights the necessity for the EU to deepen its engagement with emerging economies and developing regions through sustainable investment programmes; calls for the next MFF to introduce targeted funding mechanisms that promote economic cooperation, technology transfer and regulatory harmonisation in key partner countries;

Amendment 45

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 45 c (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

45 c. Calls for greater flexibility in funding guidelines to ensure that organisations forced to leave a third country can continue receiving support, even if they relocate to the EU; believes that funding designated for projects in third countries should also be accessible to organisations operating from the EU while continuing their work on the situation in the affected country;

Amendment 46

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 45 d (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

45 d. Underlines that conflict prevention and peacebuilding should be included as objectives in all external financing instruments;

Amendment 47

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 45 e (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

45 e. Stresses that the budget allocations for the thematic programme on peace, stability and conflict prevention need to be increased;

Amendment 48

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 worldwide instability, persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations, poverty, underlying trends in economic development and demographic changes, as well as the direct and indirect impacts of climate change, continue to contribute to an increased number of people forcibly displaced globally; stresses that 71 % of all refugees and people in need of protection are hosted in low- and middle-income countries; underlines that the post-2027 MFF must include a sufficient budget to support protection and reception in third countries and support the full implementation of the Union’s Asylum and Migration Pact, governed by the principle of solidarity and the fair sharing of global responsibility while respecting fundamental rights, in line with Union values and international commitments; underlines, moreover, that, in line with the Pact, cooperation with third countries on migration must abide by EU law and respect international standards;

Amendment 49

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 49 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

49 a. Emphasises the importance of ensuring that future EU assistance for third countries in the next MFF aligns with human rights and peace objectives, with robust safeguards to prevent the funds from directly or indirectly supporting terrorist or violent activities;

Amendment 50

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 49 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

49 b. Stresses that there must be no disbursements from the European budget for countries where proven violations of the rule of law jeopardise the management of European funds;

Amendment 51

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; recognises that about 65 % of sustainable development goal targets require local and regional authority involvement; calls for the restoration of a dedicated budget for local and regional authorities in external action funding to enhance their role in EU development policies; recommends integrating local and regional authorities into EU funding tools, such as the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI-Global Europe) and the Global Gateway strategy, without decreasing support for and the funding opportunities of civil society organisations; supports a localisation marker to measure the impact of EU action at the local level for more effective development cooperation; calls for the next MFF to fund decentralised cooperation programmes, such as the partnership for sustainable cities, and improve financing access for local and regional authorities in partner countries; emphasises the need to boost economic security by strengthening supply chain resilience, securing critical materials and technologies, diversifying strategic partnerships and enhancing EU industrial capabilities for a stable and competitive economy;

Amendment 52

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 digital, climate and biodiversity objectives, promote and protect democracy, human rights and equal opportunities for all, including gender equality, support competitiveness, promote the Union’s values and safeguard its interests, and bolster the Union’s preparedness and resilience against threats;

Amendment 53

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 56 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

56 a. Recalls, the importance of the ‘do no significant harm’ principle, as defined in the Taxonomy Regulation, the alignment with and observance of the principles of humanitarian law and human rights law, and the right to individual and collective self-defence, enshrined in the UN Charter, in implementing the Union budget;

Amendment 54

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 57

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

57. Insists that, post-2027, sufficient financial and staff resources be allocated from the outset so that Union institutions, bodies and decentralised agencies can ensure effective and efficient policy design, delivery and enforcement, continue to attract the best people from all Member States, thus ensuring geographical balance, and have leeway to adjust to changing circumstances;

57. Insists that, post-2027, sufficient financial and staff resources be allocated from the outset so that Union institutions, the European External Action Service and the Union’s bodies and decentralised agencies can ensure effective and efficient policy design, delivery and enforcement, continue to attract the best people from all Member States, thus ensuring geographical balance, and have leeway to adjust to changing circumstances;

Amendment 55

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 57 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

57 a. Stresses that underfunding the European External Action Service jeopardises the EU’s relations with third countries; underlines that volatile interest rates and rising financing costs for EU delegations require flexible solutions, such as linking the non-salary expenditure ceiling to inflation rates; highlights the need to maintain the current structure of the network of EU delegations;

Amendment 56

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 59

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

59. Stresses that up-front investment in interoperable IT infrastructure and data mining can also generate longer-term cost savings and hugely enhance policy delivery and tracking of spending;

59. Stresses that up-front investment in interoperable and secure IT infrastructure and data mining can also generate longer-term cost savings and hugely enhance policy delivery and tracking of spending;

Amendment 57

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 66

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;

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

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

EEAS

DG INTPA

CoR rapporteur of the report on EU-Africa

Search for Common Ground

UNICEF

Concord

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

Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur for opinion declares that she has submitted to the natural persons concerned the European Parliament’s Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.

INFORMATION ON ADOPTION IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

Date adopted

18.3.2025

Result of final vote

+ : 45

- : 17

0 : 6

Members present for the final vote

Petras Auštrevičius, Jordan Bardella, Dan Barna, Wouter Beke, Robert Biedroń, Adam Bielan, Ľuboš Blaha, Marc Botenga, Helmut Brandstätter, Sebastião Bugalho, Danilo Della Valle, Özlem Demirel, Elio Di Rupo, Loucas Fourlas, Michael Gahler, Alberico Gambino, Giorgos Georgiou, Bernard Guetta, Hana Jalloul Muro, Rasa Juknevičienė, Sandra Kalniete, Łukasz Kohut, Ondřej Kolář, Andrey Kovatchev, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Marion Maréchal, Costas Mavrides, Vangelis Meimarakis, Sven Mikser, Francisco José Millán Mon, Hannah Neumann, Leoluca Orlando, Kostas Papadakis, Tonino Picula, Nacho Sánchez Amor, Mounir Satouri, Andreas Schieder, Alexander Sell, Villy Søvndal, Davor Ivo Stier, António Tânger Corrêa, Marta Temido, Hermann Tertsch, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Reinier Van Lanschot, Roberto Vannacci, Hilde Vautmans, Harald Vilimsky, Nicola Zingaretti, Željana Zovko

Substitutes present for the final vote

Pernando Barrena Arza, Krzysztof Brejza, Jaroslav Bžoch, Vasile Dîncu, Jan Farský, Viktória Ferenc, Mircea-Gheorghe Hava, Evin Incir, András László, Yannis Maniatis, Marjan Šarec, Claudiu-Richard Târziu, Matej Tonin, Pekka Toveri, Matthieu Valet, Thomas Waitz, Lucia Yar

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

Jüri Ratas, Kristian Vigenin

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

PPE

Beke Wouter, Brejza Krzysztof, Bugalho Sebastião, Farský Jan, Fourlas Loucas, Gahler Michael, Hava Mircea-Gheorghe, Jukneviciene Rasa, Kalniete Sandra, Kohut Lukasz, Kolár Ondrej, Kovatchev Andrey, López-Istúriz White Antonio, Meimarakis Vangelis, Millán Mon Francisco José, Ratas Jüri, Stier Davor Ivo, Tonin Matej, Toveri Pekka, Zovko Zeljana

Renew

Austrevicius Petras, Barna Dan, Brandstätter Helmut, Guetta Bernard, Sarec Marjan, Vautmans Hilde, Yar Lucia

S&D

Biedron Robert, Dîncu Vasile, Di Rupo Elio, Incir Evin, Jalloul Muro Hana, Maniatis Yannis, Mavrides Costas, Mikser Sven, Picula Tonino, Sánchez Amor Nacho, Schieder Andreas, Temido Marta, Vigenin Kristian

Verts/ALE

Neumann Hannah, Satouri Mounir, Søvndal Villy, Van Lanschot Reinier, Waitz Thomas

ESN

Sell Alexander

Blaha Lubos, Papadakis Kostas

PfE

Bardella Jordan, Bzoch Jaroslav, Ferenc Viktória, László András, Tânger Corrêa António, Tertsch Hermann, Valet Matthieu, Vannacci Roberto, Vilimsky Harald

The Left

Barrena Arza Pernando, Botenga Marc, Della Valle Danilo, Demirel Özlem, Georgiou Giorgos

ECR

Bielan Adam, Gambino Alberico, Maréchal Marion, Târziu Claudiu-Richard, Tynkkynen Sebastian

Verts/ALE

Orlando Leoluca

Key:

+ : in favour

- : against

0 : abstentions