The European Parliament has adopted its position on the EU's 2027 budget, proposing €194 billion in commitment appropriations, €1.17 billion more than the European Commission's proposal, with Cypriot MEP Michalis Hadjipantela welcoming the outcome and stressing the need for budgetary discipline and effective EU institutions.
Payment appropriations were set at €203.3 billion, while the accompanying resolution was adopted by 400 votes to 189, with 84 abstentions.
MEPs proposed an additional €96 million for Erasmus+, €63 million for Horizon Europe, €50 million for EU4Health and €80 million for civil protection, alongside increased funding for agriculture, transport and energy infrastructure, and border management.
Hadjipantela highlights Cyprus priorities
Speaking at a press conference following the 21 October vote, Hadjipantela, of DISY and the European People's Party (EPP), who serves as rapporteur for the budget's other sections, welcomed the adoption of amendments addressing essential operational needs rather than indiscriminately reversing proposed cuts.
He stressed the importance of responsible public spending while ensuring adequate resources for physical security, cybersecurity, secure communications, digital infrastructure and necessary staffing. He also advocated greater use of artificial intelligence to improve efficiency.
Hadjipantela said he felt honoured and proud to have been selected as the first Cypriot MEP to assume this rapporteur role, adding that issues of particular concern to Cyprus would remain high on his agenda during negotiations.
He highlighted increased health funding, the proposed establishment of a European agency for rare diseases, support services for children with autism, Erasmus+, and funding for efforts to locate missing persons and protect cultural heritage.
Regarding Ukraine, Hadjipantela said he had been told during meetings with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund that supporting the country was the least costly way to address the consequences of the war.
Drawing a parallel between the Baltic states' security concerns over Russia and Cyprus' concerns over Turkey, he stressed that "by supporting Ukraine, we are also supporting EU citizens."
Ušakovs seeks additional funding
General rapporteur Nils Ušakovs, a Latvian MEP from the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), said Parliament was seeking additional funding for health, research, social priorities, defence and security.
He acknowledged that negotiations with the Council would be difficult and said Parliament had established red lines, which he declined to disclose ahead of the talks.
Ušakovs also said the 2027 budget could serve as a bridge to the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and reiterated his support for Ukraine.
Negotiations to begin in November
Parliament called for debt repayment costs under NextGenerationEU and financing costs associated with the Ukraine support loan to be covered without cuts to essential EU programmes.
Negotiations with the Council are expected to begin on November 3, aiming to reach an agreement before the end of the year.
(Source: CNA)
