19/04/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 19 April, MEPs adopted by a large majority (489 votes for, 137 against with 14 abstentions), a resolution calling for the introduction of a financial instrument for European values, in an effort to support civil society organisations working to promote and protect fundamental values at local and national levels within the European Union (see EUROPE 11997). The unamended text calls for the new instrument to be included in the proposal for the 2021-2027 multi-annual financial framework and that its funding level is at least the equivalent of that for the European instrument for democracy and human rights in third countries. During the debate preceding the vote (see EUROPE 12003), the European Commissioner for Justice, Věra Jourová, expressed approval for this proposal but did not, however, formulate any specific commitment in its regard. (MF)