MEPs debate and approve the deal on next year’s EU budget that addresses the fallout from the Ukraine war and the pandemic recovery process more effectively. Parliament fought for and obtained better support - over €1 billion on top of the Commission’s original proposal - for tackling the consequences of the war in Ukraine, energy, climate and the recovery from the pandemic in the 2023 EU budget. Extracts from the debate in plenary, from the vote and the signature ceremony in presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President.

debate

plenary session

vote

ceremony

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

signature

ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Nicolae (Greens/EFA, RO)

HERBST, Niclas (EPP, DE)

EU budget 2023 (T)

2023 budgetary procedure: extracts from the debate (22/11), from the vote and the signature ceremony

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Johan VAN OVERTVELDT (ECR, BE), Chair BUDG, The result of the conciliation of the 2023 budget has brought about some reorientation, some savings and some reinforcements. We've released extra resources to support the Ukrainian society, &euro;290 million through various programmes.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Johan VAN OVERTVELDT (ECR, BE), Chair BUDG, It's absolutely essential that we deal with our supply chains so that we are less dependent on other regimes which don't share our values. And if you may feel that I'm pointing a finger at China, then you have probably interpreted, well, what I'm saying, the geopolitical context shows us on various fronts that this sort of reformation of our supply chains is necessary.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Johan VAN OVERTVELDT (ECR, BE), Chair BUDG, The Multiannual Financial Framework is no longer a the right tool to solve these problems and absorb these things because we see problematic aspects with being able to undermine the the the way that the parliament should have a scrutiny over this.

SOUNDBITE (Romanian), Nicolae &#350;TEF&#258;NU&#538;&#258; (Renew, RO), Rapporteur, We thus obtained 1 billion more euros for our citizens. Money that our citizens need. In 2023. We are looking to lower energy and bills. 80 million more for Horizon Europe, 100 million more for connecting the Connecting Europe Facility, which finances the construction of trans-European transport and energy networks. &euro;30 million for the Life Programme for the Environment and clean energy. Second, we worked to fight the impact of the war.120 million more for Erasmus plus 50 million more for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund. And there is also money for the reception of refugees and also for the preparation of the Schengen area, for the accession of Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia.

SOUNDBITE (German), Niclas HERBST (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, Now we have a result in the budget negotiations, which in itself is very important. I think this matters a lot. We are in difficult times. So it would have been difficult to understand if we had not been able to come together and agree a budget.

SOUNDBITE (English), Mikul&#225;&#353; BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs, The deal we have reached reflects our common priorities, in particular addressing the consequences of the war in Ukraine. The severe energy crisis combined with the historically high level of inflation, the disruption of global supply lines and the enduring post-pandemic recovery. And in addition to fighting climate change and fostering the EU screen and digital transition, I will not hide from you that the Council would have preferred more flexibility in the budget to allow the Union to promptly react to unexpected events that we may face in these unpredictable times. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, The annual budget, 2023 would allow the union to mobilise significant funds to help mitigate the severe consequences of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, not only in the country but also in the Member States and in the neighbourhood. It would also support the ongoing sustainable recovery from the coronavirus pandemic by maintaining and creating jobs. It would trigger further investments into a greener, more digital and more resilient Europe while protecting the most vulnerable in the European Union, its neighbourhood and around the world. Next year's budget will direct funds to where they can make the greatest difference. 

EP President METSOLA announcing the opening of the vote on the 2023 budgetary procedure.

Closing of the vote and sign showing the results of the vote: 492 in favour, 66 against and 46 abstentions. 

EP President METSOLA confirms that the Budget for 2023 has been adopted.