MEPs approve key budgetary support for Ukraine and the EU
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22. Februar 2024 In Aktuell, Allgemein, EN

MEPs approve key budgetary support for Ukraine and the EU

MEPs approve long-term funding for Ukraine, the “Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform” (STEP), and associated major changes to the multi-year EU budget.


The Committees on Budgets, on Foreign Affairs and on Industry, Research and Energy on Thursday approved the revision of the EU’s long-term budget – the multiannual financial framework (MFF). This includes the €50 billion Ukraine Facility and the “Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform” (STEP), which aims to make the EU more strategically independent and to foster innovation.


Revision of the EU long-term budget

This update of the MFF, approved by the members of the Committee on Budgets with 25 votes in favour, 2 against and 1 abstention, will enable the EU budget to respond more effectively to evolving needs and unforeseen circumstances. In particular, it bolsters the EU’s budget to deal with migration and external challenges as well as the EU’s crisis preparedness and budgetary flexibility. In line with Parliament’s demands, the revision introduces a mechanism to tackle escalating costs linked to the repayment of the NextGenerationEU recovery plan amid rising interest rates. MEPs reached a deal with member states on the long-term budget on 6 February. All the details are in the corresponding press release.

The members of the Committee on Budgets also adopted a resolution on the revision of the MFF regulation by 23 votes in favour, 2 against and 3 abstentions (text of the resolution under “Compromise 1” in this document).


Financial aid to Ukraine

The MFF revision also establishes the so-called Ukraine Facility, approved by the members of the Committees on Budgets and on Foreign Affairs with 66 votes in favour, 5 against and no abstentions, with an overall capacity of €50 billion for grants, loans and guarantees, showing that the EU stands by Ukraine and will keep supporting it as long as it takes. Read about the improvements MEPs obtained during the negotiations in the press release on the deal with the Council from 6 February.


„Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform” (STEP)

The platform was approved by the members of the Committees on Budgets and on Industry, Research and Energy with 60 votes in favour, 7 against and 1 abstention. It is another part of the budgetary revision package and aims to consolidate and enhance Europe’s standing in crucial technological fields. These fields include digital technologies, clean and resource-sufficient technologies, such as net-zero technologies, and biotechnologies. Read the press release for all the details on the agreement with member states from 7 February.


Background

The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) sets the annual limits (expenditure ‘ceilings’) on EU commitments in different policy areas (broad categories of spending called ‚headings‘) and on overall annual payments for a period of seven years. The current framework for 2021-2027 was adopted in 2020. The European Commission proposed a mid-term revision on 20 June 2023, including the establishment of the Ukraine Facility and the STEP.

Next steps

The full house will vote on the files on Tuesday, 27 February during the plenary session in Strasbourg.