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DRAFT REPORT (COM(2025)0599 – C100248/2025 – 2025/0264(CNS))

On the proposal for a Council decision amending Decision (EU) 2021/1764 on the Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the European Union including relations between the European Union on the one hand, and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other

DEVE-PR-782513

Committee on Development · Rapporteur: Barry Andrews

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The Committee on Development's draft report approves the Commission proposal to amend Decision (EU) 2021/1764 on the Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the EU, including Greenland and Denmark, as amended. The amendments add new recitals on Global Gateway, the European Competitiveness Fund, resilience, self-determination, critical raw materials and ocean governance, and change articles on dialogue, non-governmental actors, the OCTs-EU Forum, disaster prevention, youth, trade and financing. It calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, on the Council to notify Parliament if it departs from the approved text, and to consult Parliament again if it substantially amends the proposal.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes that Parliament approve the Commission proposal as amended, with amendments reinforcing democratic accountability and consultation, reflecting the increased geopolitical relevance of the partnership, and broadening social, economic and strategic opportunities for people in the OCTs.

Key points

  1. Parliament approves the Commission proposal as amended and asks the Commission to change its proposal in line with Article 293(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
  2. The Council must notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the approved text, and consult Parliament again if it substantially amends the proposal.
  3. New recitals say the Decision and its governance should support proper decision-making by the budgetary authority and parliamentary oversight, with the Programme's internal architecture reflected in budget lines.
  4. Global Gateway should support the sustainable development goals, rely on reciprocity and demonstrable mutual benefit, and its projects not meeting OECD-DAC criteria for Official Development Assistance should be funded through the European Competitiveness Fund.
  5. Communication activities should target the OCTs to raise awareness of Global Gateway, which should help diversify their economies through transport, healthcare, climate adaptation, clean energy and digital connectivity investments.
  6. Global Gateway in the OCTs should include capacity-building and technical assistance, and OCT participation in other Union programmes such as the European Competitiveness Fund should be facilitated and reviewed at each OCT-EU Forum.
  7. The Union should support OCT resilience, trusted connectivity, regional cooperation and democratic governance against external interference, and recognise and defend the right to self-determination of Greenland and the other OCTs.
  8. The OCTs should be shielded from undue external pressure on critical raw materials, with mining based on high human rights and environmental standards including Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative requirements, and local benefits in jobs, infrastructure and fiscal revenues.
  9. The association should facilitate OCT participation in international ocean governance, the European Ocean Pact and the BBNJ Agreement, and cooperation should cover oceans and intercontinental seabed and satellite connectivity.
  10. Articles are amended to add peaceful and inclusive societies to the principles, to enhance ties with Greenland and other OCTs, and to broaden dialogue to elected representatives, national parliaments and the European Parliament.
  11. Non-governmental actors may take part in preparing and implementing cooperation and voicing civil society concerns, and the OCTs-EU Forum should meet at least every two years with more participants.
  12. The indicative financial envelope for 2028-2034 is set at EUR [number from the European Parliament interim report] in current and 2025 prices, and funding thresholds for action plans and special measures are lowered to EUR 1 000 000 and EUR 2 000 000.

Who is affected

  • The Overseas Countries and Territories and Greenland: the amendments set rules on their association with the EU, funding and cooperation priorities.
  • Denmark and France and the Netherlands: their constitutionally linked OCTs are covered by the amended Decision.
  • The Commission and the Council: they are asked to alter the proposal and to notify or consult Parliament again.
  • Non-governmental actors, youth and indigenous communities in the OCTs: the amendments give them roles in cooperation, dialogue and learning mobility.
  • Companies and businesses of a member state: they may receive support for productive projects in an OCT only if the support meets OECD-DAC criteria for ODA and no other Union instrument could fund it.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR [number from the European Parliament interim report] in current and 2025 prices: the indicative financial envelope for the Programme for 2028-2034.
  • EUR 1 000 000: the funding ceiling for action plans and individual measures under Article 82(4)(a).
  • EUR 2 000 000: the funding ceiling for special and support measures under Article 82(4)(b).
  • every two years: the minimum frequency for the OCTs-EU Forum.

Legal basis: Article 203 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.