Activities of Lucia YAR related to 2024/0176(BUD)
Plenary speeches (1)
General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025 – all sections (debate)
Amendments (51)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
– having regard to Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, whereby gender equality is a core value of the Union;
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 b (new)
Citation 2 b (new)
– having regard to Article 8 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, whereby ‘in all its activities, the Union shall aim to eliminate inequalities and to promote equality’; whereas this applies including to all levels of the budgetary process;
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
– Having regard to articles 135 and 136 of the Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union ;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and itshas brought further substantial economic and societal consequences continue to put a severe strain on the everyday lives offor the people acrossof Europe and frontline countries; acknowledges that a confluence of political, security, socio- economic, climate and environmental challenges demand a resolute response from the Union, including by exploiting to the fullest possible extent the crisis response capacity of the EU budget; considers it crucial for the Union to be able to act swiftly and adequately in emergency situations caused by major natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies or public health crises in Member States and accession countries and to support third countries suffering from conflicts, refugee crises or natural disasters;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights that the Budget 2025 procedure takes place in a context of institutional changeover where the next Commission’s policy priorities, strategic focus and legislative initiatives and their budgetary implications are not yet know in any detail; stresses that most expenditure programmes of the 2021-2027 financial programming period are finally being executed according to plan and that the obligation to implement multiannual programmes in a reliable and predictable manner must be squared with the necessity to swiftly respond to new developments and unforeseen events and crises; highlights that, given the new institutional cycle, cooperation across the institutional settings is crucial as investments and political decisions taken today will shape the EU’s agenda for the next decades and beyond;
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 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underscores that the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework has been partly successful and partly unsatisfactory; acknowledges that the revision has resulted in providing additional resources for Ukraine, the Western Balkan and several other budget lines of strategic importance, the implementation of the new Asylum and Migration Pact, the European Defence Fund as well as replenished flexibility mechanism; welcomes that the Commission has proceeded with translating the outcome of the MFF revision into the Financial Programming as well as amending budgets 2024 and the draft general budget for 2025 (the “DB”); underlines once again that the higher than foreseen repayment costs of the European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI) should have been placed fully in a EURI special instrument over and above the MFF ceilings with a view to restoring some margin within Heading 2b and protecting budgetary space in the Flexibility and Single Margin Instruments; recalls the Interinstitutional Agreement adopted as part of the 2020 MFF agreement, according to which expenditure to cover NGEU financing costs “shall aim at not reducing programmes and funds”;
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 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. StressNotes that the 2025 Budget will be the first full annual budgetary procedure under the revised MFF ceilings and rules; insists that the spirit and letter of the MFF revision be respected and the additional appropriations resulting from the revision be fully authorised and committed; reminds that a certain level of redeployments, in particular under headings 1 and 6 was part of the MFF revision package; wishes to not see such reductions repeated or made worse in the annual procedure;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Recalls its long-standing position that new policy priorities or tasks should be accompanied by fresh money and that Union institutions, bodies and decentralised agencies must be properly staffed and adequately resourced to fulfil their mandate; regrets that the current budgetary situation has led the Commission to redeploy significant funds over the MFF period; emphasises that all spending through the Union budget must be subject to parliamentary scrutiny
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 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Highlights that the Commission’s DB estimates the EURI ‘overrun’ costs to amount to EUR 2,5 billion and applies a 50:50 approach to the cascade mechanism; notes that the Commission proposes, therefore, to cover an amount of EUR 1.24 billion from the budget - i.e. 50% of the costs overruns - stemming by the unallocated margin under sub-heading 2b for an amount of EUR 46.2 million and by the Flexibility Instrument for an amount of EUR 1 192.8 million, with the remaining half to be mobilised through the new EURI instrument over and above the ceiling, covered by de-commitments made since 2021; acknowledgeregrets that no recourse to the ‘back- stop’ is required even if the budget is under stressed needs;
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 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Regrets the Council’s approach to opt for what it calls “prudent” budgeting, creating artificial margins under the MFF ceilings; notes that the Council, in its position on the 2025 budget, and similar to 2024, reduces appropriations dedicated for EURI borrowing costs; points out that the Council’s position to cover only around 35% of the overrun costs by the EURI Special Instrument runs counter to the 50:50 benchmark that the Council itself insisted on during the MFF negotiations; alerts that in order to finance the difference and create additional unallocated margin (mostly in H2b but also in other headings, presumably in view of using it in future years through the SMI), sizeable reductions to a number of flagship programme envelopes have been proposed that have repercussions in 2025 as well as in 2026 and 2027; recalls that the most affected programmes, Horizon Europe, CEF digital and Erasmus, are well-established priorities for the European Parliament and flagship programmes of the Union; highlights and deplores that the Council targets for reductions are across several headings and even touch some programmes that were already subject to the MFF redeployments, such as Horizon, reduced by 400 million; or lines that were topped up in previous years, such as Erasmus+, reduced by 295 million, EU4Health or LIFE;
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 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Underlines, once again, that repayment of the EURI borrowing costs is a legal obligation for the Union and a non- discretionary expenditure item in the EU budget; is adamant, therefore to cater fully and timely for the NGEU repayment costs that will fall due in 2025; agrees to apply, in this regard, the newly established EURI cascade mechanism, in the letter and the spirit of the recently revised MFF Regulation; proposes to finance 65% of the overrun costs by the de- commitment compartment of the EURI Special Instrument, in line with the numerous budgetary needs that weigh on the EU budget and the need to keep some flexibility ; deems the margin of EUR 46.2 million, which was programmed before the DB was submitted, to be available for reinforcing programmes under the ceiling of Heading 2b; intends to revisit the amendments linked to the cascade mechanism once the Amending Letter provides updated estimations of the actual needs for the EURI line in 2025;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Underscores that the 2025 budget must be aligned with the Union's objectives and international commitments; stresses the need for continuous work to achieve the climate and biodiversity mainstreaming targets for Union budget spending laid down in the IIA, as part of the broader aim of making the Union climate-neutral by 2050 at the latest; reminds the Commission of its obligation under the IIA to regularly take stock of the progress towards climate mainstreaming targets; calls on the Commission to monitor the implementation of the ‘do no significant harm’ principle and to take necessary corrective measures if and when needed;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16 b. Reiterates that all Union programmes, policies and activities should be implemented in a way that promotes gender equality in the delivery of their objectives; welcomes, in this regard, the Commission’s work, in accordance with the IIA, to track gender equality-related spending, in particular through an ex- post gender impact assessment and reporting on volumes; calls on the Commission to apply this methodology to all MFF programmes in order to demonstrate results for the 2025 budget accompanied by the systematic collection, reporting and evaluation of gender- disaggregated data;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
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 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Recalls that the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is key to boosting investment in high-performance, sustainable trans-European networks and to decarbonising the Union economy, and thereby accelerating the green transition and promoting interconnectivity as well as to support the completion of TEN-T and extension of corridors towards the partner countries in the Eastern Neighbourhood; proposes, to increase appropriations for CEF Transport by EUR 40 million above the DB in 2025; further proposes to top-up CEF Energy with an additional EUR 30 million;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses that a well-functioning Single Market is critical for the Union’s competitiveness and to enhance access to markets for EU businesses; emphasises that SMEs in particular have been hit hard by high inflation and energy prices and proposes, as a result, an increase of EUR 5 million above the DB for the SME strand of the Single Market programme, notably to support the European net-zero industry academies;
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;
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Regrets that, due to the limited flexibility of the current MFF, the Commission has resorted to reorienting cohesion policy, which is not a crisis response tool but has been repeatedly called on to make up for shortcomings in budgetary flexibility or crisis response mechanisms in the MFF to the detriment of its long-term policy objectives;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Underlines that the expenditure programmes under Heading 2b have to share the tight resources and margins under Heading 2b with the EURI budget line which covers the NGEU debt management and interest costs and, eventually, debt repayments; and has de facto prevented the Commission from proposing reinforcements where they are needed; is intent on covering these borrowing costs in a reliable and transparent manner without having to reduce programme allocations for this purpose; is convinced that, for 2025, the cascade mechanism and the newly created EURI Special Instrument make it possible that this objective can be achieved; emphasises that this is a crucial message to the beneficiaries of EU funding and the public at large;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Emphasises its strong preferenceReiterates Parliament's call for covering a larger share of EURI borrowing costs by availabilities in the de- commitment compartment of the EURI Special Instrument over and above the MFF ceilings which would have the effect of restoring some margin within Heading 2b and creating budgetary space in the Flexibility Instrument; proposes, therefore, to cover 65% of the overrun costs in 2025 by the de-commitment compartment of the EURI special instrument;
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Is alarmed by the growing impact of natural disasters in Europe and its neighbourhood and concerned about the Union’s ability to respond in an effectively and timely manner; underlines that these disasters are often linked to climate change and are therefore likely to occur with greater frequency and intensity in the future; wishes to protect human lives and to augment the Commissboost the Union’s crisis response capacity; increases, therefore, appropriations for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism by EUR 42 million above DB; calls for a prioritisation of investments that help reduce the impact of natural disasters; stresses that the Union, being based on solidarity, will find the resources for the citizens affected by the recent floods;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Underlines the importance of a stronger Health Union and enhanced preparedness; highlights the vital role that the EU4Health programme plays in this respect; proposes, therefore, to increase the programme’s appropriations by EUR 50 million above DB in support of investments in preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, diseases affecting childrendiseases and improving mental health as well as in ensuring universal access to sexual and imreproving mental healthductive health and rights;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Reiterates its unwavering support for promoting the learning mobility of young people; proposes to reinforce, against this background, the EU flagship programme Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programmes, which play a vital role in supporting learning mobility opportunities, improving people’s skills and employability and promoting social inclusion; emphasises that both programmes aim to boost participation rates among people with fewer opportunities - an objective that is challenged by soaring inflation and the increased cost of livingand calls for a readjustment of Erasmus+ grants to account for higher inflation and higher living costs; ; is committed to ensuring that Erasmus+ does not become a de facto selective programme open only to those who can afford to participate and recalls that the Commission is required to put in place financial support measures for people with fewer opportunities; proposes, therefore, an increase of EUR 70 million for Erasmus+ (57 million EUR for Promoting learning mobility of individuals and groups, and cooperation, inclusion and equity, excellence, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of education and training — Indirect management; 5 million EUR for Promoting non-formal and informal learning mobility and active participation among young people, and cooperation, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of youth; 8 million EUR for Promoting learning mobility of sport staff, and cooperation, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of sport organisations and sport policies); insists that the top-up be used to contribute in particular to the programme’s over- arching aim of becoming more accessible, including by providing the necessary increased financial support per participant with fewer opportunities; proposes, moreover, a reinforcement of EUR 1 million for the ESC above DB, specifically to ensure the programme is accessible for all;
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Underscores the continued socio- economic challenges in the cultural and creative sectors, which are often made up of small organisations and individual artists, as well as their key role in fostering media literacy and combatting disinformation, and promoting and protecting media freedom and pluralism as the basis for a functioning democracy; proposes, therefore, to increase financing for the various strands of the Creative Europe programme by a total of EUR 8 million above the DB;
Amendment 187 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Reiterates the indispensable role of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme in promoting European values and citizens’ rights, in fostering active civic engagement, in building resilient societies, in combatting gender-based violence, especially important in the context of the measurable increase in violence against women, and violence against the LGBTQI+ community and in supporting the key principles of democracy, the rule of law, solidarity, inclusiveness, justice, non- discrimination and equality; proposes, therefore, to increase appropriations for the programme by EUR 9 million above the DB, with reinforcements for the equality and rights, ‘citizens’ engagement and participation’, Daphne and ‘Union values’ strands;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Deems it necessary to allocate adequate resources for the effective implementation of EU rules on social security coordination in order to facilitate labour mobility and easier transfer of social security benefits, as well as the need for effective social dialogue, proper information and training, by financing the relevant line by EUR 2 millions;
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Recalls the important role played by the decentralised agencies and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) under Heading 2b; reinforcing funding and staffing levels for the Fundamental Rights Agency, for the European Institute for Gender Equality, the European Labour Authority and the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation in line with the agencies’ identified needs; proposunderlines, furthermore, to reinforce the European Public Phe importance of protecting the Union budget against fraud, corruption and other misconduct; stresses, in this regard, the central role that the EPPO plays in prostecutor’s Office in terms of financing and staffting the Union’s financial interests, including with respect to the use of NextGenerationEU funds, and ensuring compliance with the rule of law; proposes, therefore, targeted reinforcements to the EPPO and increase its staffing levels to allow ithe body to fulfil its duties andmandate; calls on all the Member States to join the EPPO to ensure more robust protection of the Union’s financial interests;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Underlines the indispensable and complementary role that the LIFE programme, as an EU flagship programme, plays in delivering on the European Green Deal and achieving the Union’s climate neutrality goal by investing in nature and biodiversity, reducing emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy, creating a circular economy; proposes, therefore, to increase appropriations for the programme by EUR 49 million above the DB; supports the EEA with a modest increase in funding and staff;
Amendment 227 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
Paragraph 51
51. Underlines the important role that the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) plays in managing the Union’s external borders and in particular in supporting Member States in meeting their obligations with regards to the adequate capacity for the border procedure as defined in the Asylum Procedure Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1348) and Commission’s implementing decision 2024/2150, with reinforced border protection capabilities including physical infrastructure, buildings, equipment, systems and services required at border crossing points, notably to meet the requirements of reception conditions for asylum seekers and migrants.; stresses that Member States with a larger share of adequate capacity should receive funds in proportion to their obligations; underlines that the instrument should also support the acceleration of Romania’s and Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area; proposes therefore to increase appropriations for the BMVI by EUR 35 million above DB;
Amendment 253 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Highlights the need for the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) to have the requisite resources to carry out its operational activities effectively and decides, therefore, to restore the DB for the agency; notes, however, with concern, that the Agency continues to struggle with its absorption capacity and has not yet managed to hire the necessary staff to fulfil its mission; reiterates that the enhanced competences and resources allocated to the Agency must be accompanied by increased transparency and accountability, as well as full respect for and protection of fundamental rights; calls on the Agency to continue to improve its efficiency and effectiveness;
Amendment 256 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
Paragraph 53
53. Proposes to reinforce the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) by EUR 2 million and to reinforce staff at the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) as they both have heavier workload following the adoption of the Asylum and Migration Pact;
Amendment 260 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
Paragraph 55
55. Recalls the highly unstable geopolitical situation and international environment around the Union giving rise to greater security and defence challenges since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; considers that the Union's current budget for ensuring the security of Europeans, is not equal to the challenges to be met in the short and long term; therefore supports increasing financial and budgetary massive EU investment for European defence.
Amendment 264 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57 a (new)
Paragraph 57 a (new)
57 a. Strongly supports EU efforts to tackle rising security threats such as the spread of disinformation, including online disinformation, fake news campaigns against the EU, terrorism, radicalisation and violent extremism within the EU and its neighbouring countries;
Amendment 284 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64
Paragraph 64
64. Shares the Council’s assessment that the need for humanitarian aid needs have reached new heights; considers that, given the highly challenging international context and the ongoing climate change- induced emergencies, humanitarian aid needs in 2025 are likely to be even higher than estimated by the Council and the Commission, in particular since humanitarian aid to Ukraine will continue to be covered under Heading 6 rather than the Ukraine Facility; proposes, therefore, to increase appropriations for humanitarian aid by EUR 120 million compared to the DB; points out that the Union’s humanitarian aid budget has relied heavily on the Emergency Aid Reserve (EAR), driving resources away from the EAR’s other objectives and reducing the Union’s ability to respond to emergencies;
Amendment 288 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65 a (new)
Paragraph 65 a (new)
65 a. Calls for consistent and sustainable budgeting for all gender- related activities in the EU Defence and Security sector, in line with the EU Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security; Emphasizes the need for a dedicated funding for gender-related actions within Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions, including a specific budget line for the Gender Advisors within civilian CSDP missions;