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DRAFT OPINION (2025/2150(DEC))

On 2024 discharge: General budget of the EU - European External Action Service

AFET-PA-779394

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Evin Incir

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The Committee on Foreign Affairs calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control to incorporate its opinion into the resolution on the 2024 discharge for the European External Action Service (EEAS). It stresses the EEAS's central role in diplomacy and peace efforts, notes concern over budgetary constraints hindering EU external action, and calls for sustainable funding. It welcomes the European Court of Auditors' finding that coordination was mostly effective and measures taken on procurement, but notes weaknesses in information management, staffing and reporting. It welcomes the strengthened capacity to counter disinformation and hybrid threats, including the full operationalisation of the Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Toolbox, and supports continued investment in strategic communication, independent media and civil society partnerships.

Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs proposes that the Committee on Budgetary Control incorporate this opinion into its motion for a resolution on the 2024 discharge for the EEAS.

Key points

  1. Stresses the EEAS's central role in diplomatic engagement and coordinating peace efforts and humanitarian aid.
  2. Acknowledges EEAS efforts to address lack of funds by cutting non-compulsory expenditure, freezing and postponing building maintenance, infrastructure and IT projects.
  3. Notes with concern that financial constraints pose a major obstacle to increasing visibility and impact of EU external action, with serious negative consequences.
  4. Underlines the need for sustainable funding solutions to support EEAS operations and uphold the EU's global standing.
  5. Welcomes the European Court of Auditors' finding that EEAS coordination, internally and with the Commission and Council, was mostly effective.
  6. Welcomes measures to ensure application of procurement rules and corrective actions, but notes remaining weaknesses in information management, staffing and reporting.
  7. Welcomes the strengthened capacity to counter disinformation and hybrid threats, including full operationalisation of the Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Toolbox.
  8. Supports continued investment in strategic communication, independent media and civil society partnerships, particularly in Ukraine, the Middle East including Israel and Palestine, and neighbouring regions.

Who is affected

  • The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the main subject, facing budgetary constraints and needing sustainable funding.
  • The Commission and Council are involved in coordination with the EEAS.
  • Civil society and independent media in Ukraine, the Middle East and neighbouring regions benefit from continued investment.