Joint statement by Aidsfonds, Global Citizen, ONE and PAN reacting to the European Parliament Report on a revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world

As the EU prepares to negotiate its next long-term budget, the European Parliament has thrown down the gauntlet with a clear message ahead of the European Commission’s legislative proposal, anticipated in July: "the status quo is not an option." 

As co-founding members of the MFF Hub, Aidsfonds, Global Citizen, The ONE Campaign and Pandemic Action Network issued the following statement:

“A substantially expanded EU budget isn't just desirable; it's a strategic necessity for Europe to navigate and shape a world in flux. The Parliament rightly laments that the EU’s external budget has been underfunded in the past, and recognizes that these investments aren't just charity – they’re in Europe’s overwhelming strategic interest, too. Our prosperity and security are inextricably linked with those of our partners.

To position itself as the partner-of-choice in this new reality, the EU must dramatically scale up investment in development and climate action. Half-measures and budget tinkering won't cut it. We're calling for an unambiguous commitment of €200 billion for Official Development Assistance in the next long-term budget. This would send an unmistakable signal that Europe means business, even as others withdraw.

It is also important that the Parliament has not endorsed the Commission’s potentially proposed merger of the EU's external action instruments. This proposal would force trade-offs between the EU’s enlargement, development and humanitarian objectives putting our relationships with key partners on the line at the worst possible time. In an increasingly unpredictable landscape, the MFF and the EU should be a beacon of stability and reliability. We urge the Commission to scrap the merger idea ahead of its proposal this summer.

The European Parliament has set a clear direction. The Commission now has a chance to match that ambition with a budget that equips the EU to lead globally — not only by defending our interests but by shaping a more stable, prosperous world. The moment calls for vision, not hesitation.

Contact

Kasia Lemanska: +32 489 04 48 22 // KLemanska@aidsfonds.nl // Aidsfonds

Caroline Head: +32 471 68 29 43 // caroline.head@globalcitizen.org // Global Citizen

Emily Wigens: +32 478 70 61 14 // emily.wigens@one.org // The ONE Campaign

Autumn Lerner: +1 206 234 1156 // autumn.lerner@pandemicactionnetwork.org // Pandemic Action Network