Activities of Hilde VAUTMANS related to 2024/0176(BUD)
Plenary speeches (1)
General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025 – all sections (debate)
Opinions (1)
OPINION on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025
Amendments (13)
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is particularly concerned about the approach taken in the MFF revision to only have a net increase of Heading 6 of EUR 3,1 billion whereas the other EUR 4,5 billion shall be covered through redeployments within this heading; is not convinced that these redeployments will actually materialise to that extent; highlights that sufficient funding is key to the EU’s credibility as a stronger, more assertive, and more strategic actor on the world stage;
Amendment 45 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the Commission presented a budget proposal of EUR 16 258 million, close to MFF ceiling in Heading 6 with a remaining available margin of EUR 44,8 million; notes furthermore that Council increased the budget for humanitarian aid by EUR 30 million, believes however that this amount will not be sufficient to be able to respond to emerging crises; recalls that the Parliament from the outset considered the MFF ceiling in Heading 6 as insufficient given the geopolitical necessities;
Amendment 53 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes with concern the reductions for the Neighbourhood East in NDICI which is underfunded by EUR 150 million for the remainder of this MFF; considers it therefore necessary for the 2025 Union budget to increase this budget line by EUR 50 million; emphasizes that additional support related to emerging threats should not come at the expense of ongoing and long-term geopolitical challenges worldwide, particularly in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean; highlights that a well-funded Global Europe Instrument is essential for the EU to be seen as a trustworthy partner and counteract the influence of other global powers;
Amendment 75 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Urges a review of EU financial assistance to countries which support and do not condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which do not respect their international obligations, including obligations to the International Criminal Court, and which help Russia to evade EU sanctions;
Amendment 77 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses the need to increase allocations for military mobility in 2025 budget;
Amendment 78 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Highlights the importance of an increase in funding for additional permanent staff for including and streamlining the fight against malicious interference and disinformation and an effective institutional set-up within the EU such as for the implementation of those structures identified in the recently adopted INGE report, including a dedicated EEAS Strat Com Far East team, a Commission taskforce and a European Centre for Interference Threats and Information Integrity;
Amendment 85 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recognises that is still necessary to increase the financial support of the EU to UNRWA in 2025, due to the agency’s critical financial situation that jeopardizes its ability to fulfil its important role effectively; reiterates the importance of providing assistance to UNRWA as a central component of the EU’s strategy to promote security, stability, and development in the Middle East; calls therefore for an increase of EUR 60 million in the EU’s financial support to UNRWA in 2025 to ensure the continuation of vital services provided to millions of Palestinian refugees;
Amendment 105 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Notes that increases in external action spending need to be accompanied by a strengthened monitoring and anti- corruption framework; calls on the Commission, following recommendations from the European Court of Auditors, to make external action spending more standardised and transparent;
Amendment 106 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Emphasises the need for coherence, accountability and efficiency of financing the EU external action; calls for increased transparency and democratic scrutiny of EFIs’ funding through strategic steering by the Parliament and an enhanced geopolitical dialogue between the Parliament and the Commission;
Amendment 108 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c. Reminds that the EU’s Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) foresees a strong conditionality and funding must be modulated or even suspended in the case of significant regression or persistent lack of progress regarding the rule of law and fundamental rights;
Amendment 114 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Strongly believes that a considerable reinforcement of humanitarian aid, accompanied by clear objectives in terms of the rule of law and governance, is needed for the Union to be able to respond to emerging crises. and to meet the unprecedented global humanitarian needs, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and its global economic repercussions, particularly in terms of food insecurity;
Amendment 121 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Underlines the need for specific child trackers in relation to the EU Budget and expenditures, as to capture the extent to which the upcoming budget, as well as future ones, concretely work for current and future generations of children;
Amendment 123 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Stresses that the EU should prioritise investment in training border officials and police on child rights-based procedures and should support child- sensitive critical services such as protection, education, and health;