Multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020: special instruments

The European Parliament adopted by 473 votes to 172, with 54 abstentions, a legislative resolution approving the draft Council regulation amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020.

As a reminder, the proposed Regulation seeks to:

• fix the maximum amounts of annual adjustments (in 2011 prices) for the years 2018-2020 as compared to the original payment ceiling of the relevant years: 2018 - EUR 7 billion; 2019 - EUR 11 billion; 2020 - EUR 13 billion;

• set the annual amount of the Emergency Aid Reserve at EUR 300 million (2011 prices);
• set a ceiling on the annual amount available for the Flexibility Instrument of EUR 600 million (2011 prices), this amount may be increased each year starting in 2017;
• provide that margins left available below the MFF ceilings for commitment appropriations shall constitute a Global MFF Margin for commitments, to be made available over and above the ceilings established in the MFF for the years 2016 to 2020 for policy objectives related to growth and employment, in particular youth employment, and to migration and security.

Lastly, specific and maximum possible flexibility should also be ensured by providing for unused amounts from the European Union Solidarity Fund and the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to be made available to the Flexibility Instrument.