On the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2027 – all sections
AFET-PA-790817
Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Matjaž Nemec
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The Committee on Foreign Affairs gives its draft opinion on the 2027 EU budget, asking the Committee on Budgets to include its points in the budget resolution. It warns that the remaining NDICI cushion is only EUR 159 million and that Heading 6 funding has been insufficient.¶¶¶ It puts 50 % of the allocations for Serbia under the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans in reserve over democratic backsliding, while protecting funds for civil society and independent media.¶ It calls for predictable financial assistance for Ukraine, a balanced split between the Southern and Eastern Neighbourhoods, and more aid for Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.¶¶ It says strengthening the Palestinian Authority and supporting the West Bank are prerequisites for peace, and recalls UNRWA's role as the main humanitarian structure in Gaza and the West Bank.¶
Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs asks the Committee on Budgets to incorporate its points into the budget resolution. It wants the NDICI shortfall addressed, 50 % of Serbia's Reform and Growth Facility allocations held in reserve, predictable aid for Ukraine, balanced neighbourhood funding and more aid for Gaza and the region.¶¶¶
Key points
- The Committee on Foreign Affairs asks the Committee on Budgets to incorporate its points into the budget resolution.¶
- It notes that the 2027 budget is the last under the current MFF and leaves little room for manoeuvre.¶
- It finds that Heading 6 funding, even after the 2024 MFF revision, has not covered needs in the European neighbourhood and beyond.¶
- It is highly concerned that the remaining NDICI cushion is only EUR 159 million, which it says is not sufficient given the geopolitical context and likely crises in 2027.¶
- It puts 50 % of the allocations foreseen for Serbia under the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans in reserve, citing democratic backsliding.¶
- It says funds supporting civil society and independent media should not be affected and should even be increased.
- It stresses the need for predictable financial assistance under the Ukraine Facility and the Ukraine Support Loan for Ukraine's macro-financial stability, recovery and defence.¶
- It calls for a balanced allocation between the Southern and Eastern Neighbourhoods in 2027 to support political, economic and social reforms.¶
- It highlights the need to contribute significantly to the reconstruction of Gaza and to provide additional humanitarian and economic assistance in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
- It says strengthening the Palestinian Authority and supporting the West Bank are fundamental prerequisites for a sustainable long-term peace process.¶
- It recalls that UNRWA has been the principal humanitarian assistance structure in Gaza and the West Bank and an essential service provider with the infrastructure to deliver vital services.
Who is affected
- Serbia: 50 % of its allocations under the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans are put in reserve.¶
- Serbian civil society and independent media: their funds should not be affected and should even be increased.
- Ukraine: it should receive predictable financial assistance under the Ukraine Facility and the Ukraine Support Loan.¶
- Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria: they should receive additional humanitarian and economic assistance.¶
- The Palestinian Authority and UNRWA: strengthening the Authority and supporting UNRWA's service role are called for.¶