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Mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument: European Fund for Sustainable Development

2017/2134(BUD)

The Committee on Budgets adopted the report drafted by Jens GEIER (S&D, DE) on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the flexibility instrument to provide the financing for the European Fund for Sustainable Development.

The Committee approved the proposed decision to use the flexibility instrument to provide the amount of EUR 275 million in commitment appropriations and payment appropriations under Heading 4 of the MFF (Global Europe). This amount would be used to provide the financing for the European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD).

Members noted that the ceiling for Heading 4 does not allow for an adequate financing of the EFSD and recalled the need for a more flexible budget for the Union.

Members reiterated Parliament’s position that:

  • the financial resources for external action of the Union are not sufficient to cover the needs of a proactive and sustainable external policy;
  • the payments stemming from commitments previously mobilised through the Flexibility Instrument can only be counted over and above the MFF ceilings.