MEPs debates a deal on next year’s EU budget aimed at addressing global challenges and supporting young people and research. Parliament obtained better support, totalling almost €670 million in funding, for its priorities on top of what the Commission had initially proposed in its draft budget for 2024. The increases include €250 million for Humanitarian Aid, €150 million for the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument- Global Europe programme, €85 million for Horizon Europe, €30 million for transport infrastructure, €60 million to Erasmus+, €20 million to LIFE, €20 million for young farmers, €10 million for the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, and €10 million for Military Mobility. Opening statements by Siegfried MUREȘAN (EPP, RO) and Nils UŠAKOVS (S&D, LV), Rapporteurs. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

HAHN, Johannes (AT, EC)

MUREŞAN, Siegfried (EPP, RO)

UŠAKOVS, Nils (S&D, LV)

EU budget 2024 (T)

SAMBLÁS QUINTANA, Esperanza (ES)

Outcome of the Conciliation on 2024 budgetary procedure: opening statements by Johan VAN OVERTVELDT (ECR, BE), Siegfried MUREȘAN (EPP, RO) and Nils UŠAKOVS (S&D, LV), Rapporteurs, Esperanza SAMBLAS, Secretary of State and Johannes HAHN, EC

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/73313655/1700155372413_I249460Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (Original), Johan VAN OVERTVELDT (ECR, BE), co-Rapporteur, Mr. President. Commissioner. Colleagues. The 2024 Budget Agreement is a good agreement which comes at a difficult and uncertain time. It gives the Council and Parliament the best possible solution within the limits of the current budgetary framework. Council and Parliament have adjusted the Commission's proposed budget to take into account two current challenges.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Johan VAN OVERTVELDT (ECR, BE), co-Rapporteur, These challenges are real. They include two wars, and there is also additional funding for humanitarian assistance. We have also supported Erasmus Plus, the Connecting Europe Facility, a Horizon Research and Development programme, these sensible programmes with added value for the whole Union. There are also increases for combating anti Semitism, which unfortunately is again rearing its head in towns and cities. The co-Rapporteurs will talk in more detail.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Johan VAN OVERTVELDT (ECR, BE), co-Rapporteur, Colleagues, our current financial framework came after Covid, but before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. There will have to be a review, so as to give us greater flexibility before 2027. There will be negotiations in Council. Parliament has done its work and we hope that there will be an agreement. Once there is an agreement, the 2024 budget can be amended. We hope to be able to show the European Union that we are able to act quickly and efficiently. I expect the budget review to be in early 2024.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Siegfried MUREŞAN (EPP, RO), co-Rapporteur, Thank you very much, Mr. President. This week, tomorrow, specifically, the European Parliament will vote in favour of the budget of the European Union for 2024. The first and most important signal that we are here is giving to the citizens of Europe, to enterprises, to regions, is the funding from the European Union for next year is safe.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Siegfried MUREŞAN (EPP, RO), co-Rapporteur, We have a budget. Funding will be there for all those in need. The funding is safe and the funding is sufficient for our primary needs. I can also say that we have together as a united Parliament, managed in negotiations with the Council and Commission, to make sure that the EU programmes are properly funded.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Siegfried MUREŞAN (EPP, RO), co-Rapporteur, We have managed to increase the allocations to the European Research Programme, to the infrastructure programme, more Erasmus scholarships for European students. We have managed to allocate more resources for young farmers, more resources to better protect our borders, to protect our immediate neighbourhood, to protect the the environment.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Siegfried MUREŞAN (EPP, RO), co-Rapporteur, A total of €807 million of increased allocations exactly to the areas needed and to make sure that the money from the European Union budget is well spent. We are also strengthening the European Public Prosecutor's Office to make sure that irregularities and fraud which exist, but which is of course an exception and not a significant phenomenon, that we should make sure that they are tackled so that citizens in Europe know that EU money is well spent.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Siegfried MUREŞAN (EPP, RO), co-Rapporteur, Of course, these negotiations took place in a difficult context, in the context in which we see people expect more from the European Union. Whenever there is a crisis, the European Union should play an active role should help. It does, but in order to be effective in doing this, it needs a proper budget. And this is why we have to adjust our seven-year multiannual financial framework to make sure that up to 2027.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Siegfried MUREŞAN (EPP, RO), co-Rapporteur, We can further support our economy, we can better protect our borders. We can do what we need on security and defence because we will have to do more, faster and for a longer period of time. And we should make sure that we provide sustainable funding for Ukraine up to 2027.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Siegfried MUREŞAN (EPP, RO), co-Rapporteur, This is why we as a Parliament believes that the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework is so much needed. The Parliament has a strong position on this. We urge the Council to also come to a position and to the negotiation table as soon as possible so that we can give also beyond 2024 predictability. We have a good budget for 2024, but we need to work also in the future.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Siegfried MUREŞAN (EPP, RO), co-Rapporteur, In the end, I would like to thank colleagues from the European Parliament. The good achievement on the Parliament's side was only possible because we were united. Many thanks to all my shadow rapporteurs, to all colleagues who stood up late at night in the budget reconciliation and to secure this this good result. Thank you, Commissioner Hahn, to you and to your team, from the Commission and many thanks to the Council presidency. It's a good common success of European institutions. Thank you very much.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nils UŠAKOVS (S&D, LV), co-Rapporteur, Thank you, President. Commissioner Hahn. Secretary of State Esperanza Samblas. Colleagues. We've got budget 2024, which is good news. We could reach reasonable agreement. We could protect and reinforce key programs that are vital for the Union and for the European citizens. Science, health programs, transport, military mobility, the fight against fraud with EU funds, international humanitarian aid. These are the priorities.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nils UŠAKOVS (S&D, LV), co-Rapporteur, We could add 85 million to the horizon, brings the total budget to almost 12.9 billion, that our scientific community so desperately needs. Health research is also included in the program. 61 million in the Erasmus Plus program, bringing the total to around 3.9 billion. This means more support for young people to travel and experience student life in the northern European country and city. I know this very well from the experience of Latin students in particular and is by far one of the most successful programs in the European Union.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nils UŠAKOVS (S&D, LV), co-Rapporteur, The current economic crisis makes this program even more important, and I am glad that the European Union supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. All in all, we could add 670 million more to meet the needs and demands of Europeans. In those institutions where I'm in charge as rapporteur, I admit we could not achieve maximum result.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nils UŠAKOVS (S&D, LV), co-Rapporteur, There are many constraint we have to take into account: the pressure on heading seven, high inflation, energy costs. But overall, we managed to reinforce five institutions and agencies, which is where we welcome the European External Action Service, the European Court of Auditors, the European Court of Justice, the European Data Protection Supervisor, and the European Public Prosecutor's Office.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nils UŠAKOVS (S&D, LV), co-Rapporteur, Justice will use data protection and of course, for analysis of the priorities. I would like to thank the Spanish presidency and Secretary of State. Madam Samblas. Commissioner Hahn. It hasn't been easy this year, but willingness to find compromises is a powerful tool. I would like to thank the rapporteur, Mr. Mureşan, and the shadow rapporteurs for their collaboration and of course the Secretariat and the team who make it possible. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Esperanza SAMBLÁS QUINTANA, Secretary of State for EU Budget, Mr. President, Ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner Hahn. It is an honour for me to be here at the European Parliament to discuss the budget for 2024. And I should like to begin by stating that we are glad that we have come to an agreement in the Budgetary Conciliation Committee after long discussions on the 10th and 11th of November, before the end of the conciliation period. So we met our objective.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Esperanza SAMBLÁS QUINTANA, Secretary of State for EU Budget, Now, this shows that our three institutions are able to work effectively together in mutual understanding and respect for our challenges of the 2024, the fourth year of our MMF. Our budget replies to our priorities, our geopolitical challenges. It meets our legal undertakings and it also assists in important projects for our EU citizens.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Esperanza SAMBLÁS QUINTANA, Secretary of State for EU Budget, Now, over the course of recent months, we've had informal contacts and I'd like to state how pleased we were with the good cooperation. We were able to work constructively to come to an agreement and to make sure that we found the best solutions and meet our priorities,.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Esperanza SAMBLÁS QUINTANA, Secretary of State for EU Budget, I'm so glad to see exactly what took place in our conciliation yesterday on the 20th November. The agreement was approved in the Council and we hope that the European Parliament will be able to adopt this as well. The budget for 2024 could be adopted within the time frame pursuant to the treaty provisions for 2024.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Esperanza SAMBLÁS QUINTANA, Secretary of State for EU Budget, Prior to concluding, I would like to thank the Committee Chair, Mr. Van Overtveldt as well as the two co-rapporteurs, Mr. Mureşan and Mr. Ušakovs for their cooperation over the of over the last weeks and months. And I would like to thank all of the members of the European Parliament who have made an agreement and conciliation possible.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Esperanza SAMBLÁS QUINTANA, Secretary of State for EU Budget, I'd also like to thank Commissioner Hahn and his team for having facilitated our negotiations, finding the best possible solutions for an agreement. Members, Ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner and President, thank you for your kind attention.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Rapporteurs, dear the State Secretary. It may come as no surprise to the very much welcome the agreement on the European annual European Union annual budget, which was reached by the Conciliation Committee in the early hours of Saturday the 11th of November.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, I was pleased to see Parliament and Council working together, reaching a compromise on the Union budget for 2024. Due to the joint efforts, the agreement was reached well before the conciliation deadline and this was already highlighted several times in this report. It will be highlighted again several times. And by the way, it was the first time, I think, since 2017 and if I'm not wrong, also when Mr. Mureşan was the rapporteur in 2017. So, I think this is a kind of bar which is important for future rapporteurs.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, This year was nevertheless not business as usual, and in such unprecedented times it was more than ever important to put aside our differences and work together on reaching our shared goals and priorities. Like each year, the initial opposition were quite far apart and not easy to reconcile. I therefore appreciate all parties acted responsibly and made the necessary compromises to have a solid agreement on time.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Even if it's clear that we will need to come back to this as soon as the MFF mid-term revision is agreed. So, I would like to thank the European Parliament, especially the Committee on Budgets and all specialised Committees for the intensive work on the Commission's proposal for the tough Budget 24.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, On behalf of the Commission, I would like to thank in particular the Chair, Mr. Van Overtveldt and the two rapporteurs, Mr. Mureşan and Mr. Ušakovs for their cooperation. I would also like to thank the Spanish Presidency and State Secretariat, Ms. Samblas, and her team. I have to say, for the tough but constructive approach during the negotiations.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, And it is not in my speaking spot, I would like to include in my thanks also my own team. On top, our General Director. I think they all did an excellent job so that we could indeed reach, I think, a very good outcome. And this has demonstrated that the institutions can work towards a compromise for the benefit of the European Union and its citizens. And for this, again, I applaud the negotiators into themes.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, But, let me now go through a few details on the agreement. The overall level of commitment appropriations in the 24 budget is set at €189.4 billion. The overall level of payment appropriations in 2024 budget is said that €142.6 million. The budget will provide a significant amount of reinforcements for the key programmes and priorities of the Parliament like Horizon Europe and the Erasmus Plus.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, At the same time, the agreed budget meets important concerns of the Council by keeping some margins and availabilities for unforeseen events, something which, by the way, guide us for the forthcoming MMF review negotiations. The rapporteurs have already explained the targeted reinforcements for the Parliament's budget is concentrated on a limited number of issues to maximise the effectiveness of our funding.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Once adopted, the annual budget of 24 allows the Union to mobilise significant funds to address the most urgent consequences of the crisis in the Middle East. So, funding in the Union and in the southern and eastern neighbourhood, including migration as well as a significant reinforcement of humanitarian aid.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, The budget would also support the ongoing economic recovery and create jobs while strengthening Europe's strategic autonomy. The Budget 24 will direct funds to where they can make the greatest difference in line with the most crucial needs of the Member States and the Union's partners around the world.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, So looking forward, it is clear that the swift agreement on the MFF revision is urgently needed to provide the necessary resources for crucial new needs and to keep adequate room for manoeuvre to respond to the consequences of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, the continued migratory pressure and the EU response to natural disasters and global competition.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Again, I count on your efforts, on our joint efforts, I have to say, to make this work as soon as possible. The Commission will propose a draft amending budget as soon as the revision of the MMF Regulation is agreed with a view to aligning the 2024 budget to the revised regulation. Thank you very much.