Sittings · Document
On the financial activities of the European Investment Bank – annual report 2024
Committee on Budgets · Rapporteur: Joachim Streit
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AMENDMENTS
The Committee on Budgets submits the following to the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, as the committee responsible :
Amendment 1
Motion for a resolution
Citation 39 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
– having regard to its resolution of 12 March 2025 on the white paper on the future of European defence1a,
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1a Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0034.
Or. en
Amendment 2
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
A. whereas the EIB Group has a balance sheet of close to EUR 600 billion;
A. whereas the EIB Group has a balance sheet of close to EUR 600 billion and issues around EUR 60 billion in debt every year with very good financing conditions due to its AAA rating;
Or. en
Amendment 3
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
B. whereas the EIB, entirely owned by the Member States, is tasked with contributing to the achievement of the EU’s objectives;
B. whereas under Article 309 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the EIB, entirely owned by the Member States, is tasked with contributing to the achievement of the EU’s objectives, including to the balanced and steady development of the internal market in the interests of the Union; whereas the EIB Group consists of the EIB and the European Investment Fund (EIF);
Or. en
Amendment 4
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
C. whereas the EIB states that its total investment reached a record level of EUR 88.8 billion in 2024, of which EUR 50.7 billion related to climate and environment; whereas the EIB’s total investment is expected to increase to EUR 95 billion in 2025;
C. whereas the EIB states that its total investment reached a record level of EUR 88.8 billion in 2024, of which EUR 50.7 billion related to climate and environment and EUR 14.4 billion related to digitalisation and technological innovation; whereas the EIB’s total investment is expected to increase to EUR 95 billion in 2025;
Or. en
Amendment 5
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
C a. whereas 90 % of the lending activities of the EIB Group are targeted at the EU and 10 % outside the EU;
Or. en
Amendment 6
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
C b. whereas the EU has given to the EIB a number of mandates in the form of guarantees to mobilise investment in higher-risk activities, including under the InvestEU programme, the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) and the Ukraine Facility;
Or. en
Amendment 7
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
1. Welcomes the EIB’s strategic priorities for 2024 to 2027, which reflect the EU’s political priorities, including competitiveness, the green and digital transitions, regional cohesion, social infrastructure such as housing, education and health, as well as security and defence;
1. Welcomes the EIB’s strategic priorities for 2024 to 2027, which reflect the EU’s political priorities, particularly its focus on enhancing European competitiveness, supporting the green and digital transitions, security and defence, social and territorial cohesion, and education and health;
Or. en
Amendment 8
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
2. Highlights the strong call for the EIB to play an even greater role in closing Europe’s investment gap; calls on the Commission and the EIB to fully leverage the EIB’s potential; urges Member States to provide sufficient funding for this purpose; recalls that the new Commission has set itself the goal of being an ‘investment Commission’;
2. Highlights the strong call for the EIB to help close Europe’s investment gap, estimated at EUR 800 billion annually in the Draghi report; calls on the EIB to strategically harness its potential to catalyse public and private investment, with a focus on economically viable, high-impact projects; urges Member States to provide sufficient funding for this purpose; recalls that the new Commission has set itself the goal of being an ‘investment Commission’;
Or. en
Amendment 9
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
3. Stresses that the EIB’s ‘triple A’ rating is an important asset; underlines that the rating stems, among other reasons, from the fact that the EIB has been responsive to EU policy objectives, notably by becoming a ‘climate bank’8 9 ;
3. Stresses that the EIB’s ‘triple A’ rating is a cornerstone of its financial credibility and lending capacity; underlines that the Bank’s alignment with EU policy objectives, including its role as a ‘climate bank’8 9, must be pursued in a way that safeguards its financial independence, risk profile and long-term sustainability; emphasises that maintaining the AAA rating is essential to retain investor confidence and contain borrowing costs;
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8 https://www.eib.org/en/investor-relations/index.
8 https://www.eib.org/en/investor-relations/index.
9 https://www.eib.org/files/fi/external/2025-02-10_Ratings_EIB.pdf, p.3.
9 https://www.eib.org/files/fi/external/2025-02-10_Ratings_EIB.pdf, p.3.
Or. en
Amendment 10
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
4. Stresses the need to simplify, optimise and consolidate current and future EIB processes and mandates to enhance synergies, effectiveness and efficiency;
4. Stresses the need to simplify, streamline and consolidate current and future EIB processes and mandates to enhance synergies, effectiveness and efficiency and access to finance, particularly for SMEs; welcomes, in this regard, the establishment of one-stop shops, including for security and defence, to offer coordinated financial support and technical guidance; underlines that these mechanisms must uphold strong accountability, cost-effectiveness and sound financial management.
Or. en
Amendment 11
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
5. Emphasises the important role of the EIB Group as a pan-European investment body in mobilising both public and private financing for EU priorities and supporting Member States in financing essential and strategic investments;
5. Emphasises the important role of the EIB Group as a pan-European investment body in mobilising both public and private financing for EU priorities; underlines that EIB support should be focused on projects with a strong economic rationale and clear added value, particularly in the light of a challenging economic outlook and increased global competition;
Or. en
Amendment 12
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
5 a. Welcomes the decision of the EIB’s Board of Governors to raise the EIB gearing ratio from 250 % to 290 %, which allows for increased investment capacity; underlines that this flexibility must be strictly matched with a prudent risk approach, strong capital safeguards and adherence to the Bank’s financial sustainability model, which underpins its AAA credit rating; recalls that, with around EUR 60 billion issued annually, any deterioration in credit rating would significantly raise funding costs and reduce the EIB’s effectiveness;
Or. en
Amendment 13
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
6. Recalls that the EIB’s operations are by nature limited and can only play a supporting role in addressing the significant investment gap; reiterates that a more integrated Economic and Monetary Union and strengthened economic architecture would support the EIB’s operations; calls, therefore, for swift and substantial progress regarding the Capital Markets Union and the completion of the Banking Union, as well as the establishment of permanent EU investment instruments and tools;
6. Recalls that the EIB’s operations are by nature limited and can only play a supporting role in addressing the significant investment gap;
Or. en
Amendment 14
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
6 a. Underlines that, by improving access to financing for SMEs, midcaps and startups, the EIF plays a crucial role in supporting growth and innovation, research and development, and employment in the internal market;
Or. en
Amendment 15
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
7. Calls on the Commission and the EIB Group to enhance efforts to mobilise savings for productive investments, supporting innovation throughout companies’ life cycles, including more scale-ups with higher-risk equity and venture debt, and strengthening the EU’s leadership in green and digital bonds;
7. Welcomes the Action Plan of the EIB Group to enhance efforts to mobilise long-term savings for productive investments, including support for innovation across the corporate life cycles; underlines that higher-risk instruments such as equity and venture debt must be used with clear risk frameworks, strong private co-financing and measurable performance indicators;
Or. en
Amendment 16
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
8. Stresses that de-risking financial instruments and budgetary guarantees have proven to be powerful tools; is concerned that, according to the interim evaluation of the InvestEU programme, envelopes for many financial products may run out by the end of 2025 without budgetary reinforcements;
8. Stresses that de-risking financial instruments and budgetary guarantees provided by the EU have significantly enhanced the lending capacity of the EIB, including for higher-risk projects; notes that, according to the interim evaluation of the InvestEU programme, envelopes for many financial products may run out by the end of 2025 without budgetary reinforcements;
Or. en
Amendment 17
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
8 a. Recalls that EU budgetary guarantees are underpinned by taxpayer funds and that defaults on EIB-backed projects could directly impact the EU budget; calls on the EIB to apply the highest standards of due diligence, financial appraisal and risk assessment when approving projects backed by EU guarantees, ensuring full transparency and accountability to the budgetary authority;
Or. en
Amendment 18
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
Promoting the digital transformation
Promoting the digital transformation and new technologies
Or. en
Amendment 19
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
9. Calls on the EIB to strengthen financing for the EU’s open strategic autonomy in the digital field and to promote European digital infrastructure, new and disruptive technologies, and research;
9. Underlines the importance of bridging digital divides, both within the EU and globally, to ensure inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services; reiterates its call on the EIB to support the EU’s open strategic autonomy in the digital domain through targeted, market-based investment in research and development, and in digital infrastructure, especially in underserved regions, and to contribute, in coordination with Member States, to education and skills development where such investments are clearly complementary and economically justified;
Or. en
Amendment 20
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
9 a. Welcomes the new strategic initiative on critical raw materials (CRM), which aims to enhance the EIB’s role in securing access to materials essential for Europe’s industrial base, including in defence, digital and green technologies; underlines the importance of ensuring that EIB investment in the CRM sector is guided by economic viability, environmental sustainability and strategic relevance, and is used to crowd in private capital while avoiding long-term dependence on public financing;
Or. en
Amendment 21
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
10. Supports the EIB’s expansion of the European Tech Champions Initiative to attract private capital for scaling innovative start-ups into successful global leaders;
10. Supports the EIB’s expansion of the European Tech Champions Initiative to attract private capital for scaling innovative start-ups into successful global leaders so that companies and technologies created in Europe remain in Europe into the late growth stage; calls on the EIB to follow a technology neutral approach when investing in scaling up to avoid any dependency on specific companies and technologies, thereby preserving users’ freedom of choice;
Or. en
Amendment 22
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
11. Welcomes the EIB’s role as a climate bank and its alignment with the EU sustainable finance framework, including the integration of taxonomy criteria; recalls that all of the EIB’s financial flows must be fully consistent with the EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050 and climate objectives for 2030;
11. Notes the EIB’s role as a climate bank and its alignment with the EU sustainable finance framework, including the integration of taxonomy criteria; recalls that all of the EIB’s financial flows must be fully consistent with the EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050 and climate objectives for 2030;
Or. en
Amendment 23
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
12. Welcomes the EIB’s climate and environmental investments, which totalled EUR 50.7 billion in 2024, exceeding the target of channelling at least 50 % of total financing to climate action and environmental sustainability;
12. Takes note of the EIB’s climate and environmental investments, which reached EUR 50.7 billion in 2024, exceeding the 50 % climate target; underlines the fact that the volume of climate spending should be accompanied by rigorous project appraisal, value-for-money assessments and transparency in impact measurement to ensure effective use of EIB capital and alignment with its financial model;
Or. en
Amendment 24
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
13. Welcomes the EIB’s investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electricity grids and storage, including its support for REPowerEU;
13. Welcomes the EIB’s investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and electricity infrastructure, including through its support for REPowerEU; underlines the importance of focusing on projects with high economic impact and measurable climate benefits; notes that support for emerging technologies such as green hydrogen, advanced nuclear reactor concepts and industrial decarbonisation should be guided by clear market failure criteria, strong private co-investment and sound financial appraisal;
Or. en
Amendment 25
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
14. Stresses the need for increased investment in climate adaptation and resilience; encourages further research and development, including of innovative technologies, for climate preparedness;
14. Stresses the importance of targeted investment in climate adaptation and resilience, with a focus on vulnerable regions and sectors where public intervention delivers clear added value; supports further research and development into innovative climate technologies, where economically justified; welcomes the EIB’s increased focus on the water sector and the new programme to expand SME energy efficiency investments, and underlines the need for clear monitoring, performance indicators and cost-effectiveness in implementation;
Or. en
Amendment 26
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
15. Welcomes the EIB’s core strategic priorities to reinforce Europe’s social infrastructure and a modern cohesion policy for inclusive and sustainable growth across Europe;
15. Welcomes the EIB’s strategic priorities to support Europe’s social infrastructure and contribute to a modern cohesion policy fostering inclusive and sustainable growth; reiterates its call on the EIB to address structural barriers that limit access to its financial tools in certain regions or Member States, while respecting the demand-driven nature of its operations and ensuring that interventions complement national responsibilities and deliver measurable economic value;
Or. en
Amendment 27
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
16. Calls on the EIB to step up investments in education, training, upskilling and reskilling, and health, in line with the Draghi report;
16. Notes with satisfaction the EIB’s intention to increase investments in education, upskilling and reskilling to support labour market needs linked to technological and economic transitions, and in health infrastructure and innovation to strengthen competitiveness in strategic health sectors; underlines that such investments must complement national efforts, be guided by clear economic need and be subject to performance-based evaluation;
Or. en
Amendment 28
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
17. Welcomes the EIB’s commitment to addressing the double market failure in the housing sector, including the insufficient provision of decent, safe, and energy-efficient housing, as well as the market failure to close the energy efficiency gap;
17. Welcomes the EIB’s commitment to addressing persistent market failures in the housing sector, particularly the insufficient provision of affordable and energy-efficient housing, by planning to invest EUR 4.3 billion in housing in 2025; underlines that this support should focus on projects with a demonstrated need and a clear economic added value, and on alignment with long-term financial sustainability;
Or. en
Amendment 29
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
18. Welcomes the EIB’s ‘Action Plan for Affordable and Sustainable Housing’ with planned investments of EUR 10 billion over the next two years; draws attention to the outcome of the EIB Group analysis and stakeholder meeting, which highlighted an estimated annual investment gap of EUR 300 to 400 billion needed to build 1.5 million new housing units and to renovate 5 million additional units annually;
18. Welcomes the EIB’s recognition of the structural challenges in the housing sector, particularly the underinvestment in energy retrofitting and the shortage of affordable housing; supports the planned investments of EUR 10 billion in investment under the ‘Action Plan for Affordable and Sustainable Housing’ over the next two years; underlines that such financing must be clearly targeted, based on sound project selection and cost-effectiveness, and must demonstrate measurable results while respecting subsidiarity and avoiding displacement of national or local responsibilities;
Or. en
Amendment 30
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
19. Welcomes the EIB’s proactive approach in the area of security and defence; highlights that investment in this sector doubled in 2024 to EUR 1 billion, with the EIB’s 2025 plan set to double it again to a record EUR 2 billion; stresses that European-level funding, based on solidarity, is essential to meet the significant funding needs of Member States;
19. Welcomes the EIB’s proactive approach in the area of security and defence; highlights that investment in this sector doubled in 2024 to EUR 1 billion, with the EIB’s 2025 plan set to double it again to a record EUR 2 billion; stresses that an ambitious allocation of European-level funding is essential to meet the significant funding needs of Member States;
Or. en
Amendment 31
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
20. Welcomes the EIB’s plan to revise its operational framework, establishing a dedicated transversal public policy goal to enhance Europe’s peace and security, backed by ambitious financial and capital allocation10 ;
20. Welcomes the decision of the EIB’s Board of Governors to expand the eligibilities for EIB Group financing of Europe’s security and defence industry, including to support critical and military infrastructure, equipment and innovation, and to revise its operational framework with a view to establishing a permanent dedicated transversal public policy goal to enhance Europe’s peace and security; considers that this will enable the EIB to better respond to existing financing needs and also has the potential to catalyse more investments from the private sector; expects, furthermore, that it will increase synergies with activities of other stakeholders; underlines, however, that any such goal must be subject to appropriate financial parameters, regular risk assessment and transparent oversight;
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10 Letter by EIB President Nadia Calviño to the EU leaders of 4 March 2025.
Or. en
Amendment 32
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
21. Warns that any adjustment to the EIB Group’s eligibility criteria or funding to align with new priorities must safeguard the Group’s financial position and ensure effective financing of other EU strategic priorities;
21. Stresses that the adjustment to the EIB Group’s eligibility criteria or funding allocations to reflect new priorities must safeguard the Group’s financial position, protect its AAA credit rating and ensure the continued financing of other core EU strategic priorities;
Or. en
Amendment 33
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
21 a. Stresses that environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk assessment is a key factor in the EIB’s credit profile and investor appeal; notes that a disproportionate exposure to defence-related activities could affect investors focused on ESG criteria and potentially impact the EIB’s ability to raise funds through sustainability-linked instruments; recalls that nearly EUR 15 billion in green and sustainability bonds were issued in 2023 and underlines the importance of maintaining a balanced portfolio that safeguards both financial credibility and investor confidence;
Or. en
Amendment 34
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
22. Welcomes the EIB’s vital support for Ukraine in the light of Russia’s full-scale and illegal war of aggression; calls for an increase in EU budget guarantees to allow the EIB to continue to deliver and strengthen public and private sector operations in Ukraine;
22. Welcomes the EIB’s vital support for Ukraine in response to Russia’s full-scale and illegal war of aggression, backed by guarantees from the EU budget; underlines the importance of strong coordination with the EU institutions and international partners, rigorous risk assessment and transparent reporting to ensure that EIB financing continues to strengthen both public and private sector resilience in Ukraine while safeguarding the EU’s financial interests;
Or. en
Amendment 35
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
23. Welcomes the EIB’s role in the Global Gateway as crucial for Europe’s global position and for promoting the rules-based multilateral system, sustainable development, democracy, human rights and the rule of law;
23. Welcomes the EIB’s role in the Global Gateway as a key instrument to support Europe’s strategic interests, strengthen its global position and promote a rules-based multilateral order, sustainable development and good governance; underlines that the EIB Global’s operations must deliver clear EU added value, demonstrate financial and development additionality and be implemented with robust performance monitoring, transparency and fiscal safeguards where EU budget guarantees are involved;
Or. en
Amendment 36
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
24. Stresses that the EIB’s growing role should be accompanied by greater democratic accountability and transparency; reiterates its call for an interinstitutional agreement between Parliament and the EIB;
24. Stresses that the EIB’s growing role should be accompanied by greater democratic accountability and transparency; reiterates its call for an interinstitutional agreement between Parliament and the EIB to formalise and enhance their existing cooperation, including through regular EIB reporting to Parliament, improved Parliament access to EIB documents and data, and the possibility for Parliament to submit questions for written answer to the EIB;
Or. en
Amendment 37
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
25. Welcomes the 2024 Framework for recognition of trade unions at the European Investment Bank;
25. Notes the 2024 Framework for recognition of trade unions at the European Investment Bank;
Or. en
Amendment 38
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
26. Welcomes the EIB’s principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, including the target of at least 40 % of management positions being held by women by the end of 2026;
26. Notes the EIB’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and its internal target of achieving at least 40 % representation of women in management positions by the end of 2026; underlines, however, that internal policies should continue to be guided by merit-based advancement, operational excellence and respect for institutional autonomy;
Or. en
Amendment 39
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Motion for a resolution
Amendment
27. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.
27. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the European Investment Bank.
Or. en