MEPs want to fund crucial areas to stimulate European growth

Met dank overgenomen van Europees Parlement (EP) i, gepubliceerd op woensdag 12 december 2018.

For the next 2021-2027 EU budget, MEPs propose to double funding for the LIFE programme.

Following Parliament’s adoption of its position on the EU’s long-term budget (2021-2027 multiannual financial framework - MFF), MEPs are this week setting out their position on the scope and the priorities for investing in areas which are crucial for future growth.

Financing green objectives through the LIFE programme

The proposal for the LIFE programme for 2021-2027 financing of environmental and climate objectives was approved by 580 votes to 41 against, and 45 abstentions. MEPs propose to double funding for the LIFE programme compared to the last 7-year period. The total financial envelope foreseen is €6.44 billion in 2018 prices (€7.27 billion euros in current prices compared to the Commission’s proposal of €5.45 billion).

The EU programme for the environment and climate action will contribute to mainstreaming climate action and to reaching an overall target of at least 25% of the EU’s budget expenditure supporting climate objectives over the 2021-2027 period.

Research, defence, space, digital and CEF programmes to be put to the vote later this week

MEPs will debate and vote on the scope and priorities for Horizon Europe (research), the EU Defence Fund, the EU Space Programme, Digital Europe and trans-European networks under the Connecting Europe Facility.

Horizon Europe - research

Debate: Tuesday evening

Vote: Wednesday 12.30 - 14.30

The European Defence Fund (EDF)

Debate: Tuesday evening

Vote: Wednesday 17.00 - 18.00

The Connecting Europe Facility

Debate: Tuesday evening

Vote: Wednesday 17.00 - 18.00

The EU Space Programme

Debate: Wednesday evening

Vote: Thursday 12.00 - 14.00

The Digital Europe programme

Debate: Wednesday evening

Vote: Thursday 12.00 - 14.00

Next steps

The European Parliament is now ready to start negotiations with EU member states. MEPs want a swift agreement on MFF-related files before the European elections, in order to avoid any serious setbacks in launching the new programmes due to late adoption, as experienced in the past.

"This press release will be updated after each vote"