The EU Member States and the European Parliament have reached an interim agreement on the EU budget for 2022, amounting to 170 billion euros.
In a statement, the European Parliament noted that MEPs fought and achieved greater funding for health, research, climate action, SMEs and youth in the 2022 EU budget. From Monday to Tuesday, the European Parliament achieved an increase of about 480 million euros, compared to the original proposal of the European Commission.
In particular, MEPs succeeded in increasing funding for the Horizon Europe research program (+100 million over the Commission proposal) and the LIFE program for environmental and climate action (+47.5 million euros). ). The single market program is complemented by € 30 million (including € 10 million for the tourism sector) and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office by € 3.8 million, protecting European taxpayers’ money from criminals.
In addition, MEPs managed to increase Erasmus + by € 35 million. EU4Health was also strengthened with an additional € 51 million to build a strong European Health Union and make national health systems more resilient.
The Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI – Global Europe) has been increased by € 190 million, with a particular emphasis on fighting pandemics, including through vaccinations.
EU budget rapporteur for 2022 Carlo Ressler said: “Parliament has managed to strengthen the next European budget by almost € 500 million. The aid will boost Europe’s recovery and pave the way for a more resilient Union, emphasis on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, will enhance student mobility, create a stronger Union for health as well as further investment in the digital and green transition ”.
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