Greens/EFA welcome strong outward facing EU amid irresponsible attempts to cut budget

Today, the European Parliament adopted its position on the Global Europe Regulation. The instrument, worth over €200 billion, legislates all EU external financing. The Greens/EFA group welcomes the adoption of the strong mandate including key demands for our group on Ukraine, reconstruction of Gaza, development objectives, humanitarian aid and human rights monitoring projects and a ban on EU funding going to the occupied territories. Despite our efforts, the Commission’s proposal to conditionalise funding upon migration cooperation was upheld, but procedural safeguards were introduced. 

Tineke Strik MEP, Greens/EFA negotiator for the Foreign Affairs Committee, comments:

“In times of vigorous attacks on international rules and values by tyrants like Trump, Putin, Xi and Netanyahu, a strong EU in the world is an absolute necessity. Our intentions should be reflected in our budget, both in terms of quantity and values. The Parliament’s position shows a strong, outward facing Europe amid irresponsible attempts from national capitals to hack away at the EU’s budget. 

“The European Parliament is standing up for our values when it comes to Gaza, Ukraine, international law, and human rights. We cannot allow the shortsighted selfishness of Member States to prevail.”

Mounir Satouri MEP, Greens/EFA negotiator for the Development Committee, comments: 

“The world is fracturing, multilateralism is faltering and development aid is being slashed on all sides. In hard times, Europe cannot turn its back on its values. We have secured a ring-fenced budget line of at least twenty billion for humanitarian aid: Whatever happens, this money will reach those who need it. 

“Faced with a right and far-right that see development aid as nothing more than a trade lever and a tool against migration, we reiterated: Global Europe must not become a Trump-style instrument. It must remain what it was designed for: Fighting poverty, supporting partner countries and their populations.”