17/04/2019 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 17 April, the European Parliament approved the partial agreements reached with the Council of the EU on two programmes to finance actions in the fields of justice and citizenship for 2021-2027 (see EUROPE 12030/12). The agreement on the Justice programme to promote the establishment of a European area of justice based on mutual trust (see EUROPE 12207/9) received 490 votes in favour, 120 against and 42 abstentions, and the Rights and Values programme, which aims to increase support for civil society organisations promoting European values and the rule of law (see EUROPE 12030/12), received 472 votes in favour, 129 against and 41 abstentions. The EFDD groups - which called for the rejection of the 'Rights and Values' programme - ENF and ECR voted against the agreements by a majority, as did several EPP and GUE/NGL MEPs. The budgetary aspects still need to be settled during the horizontal negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021–2027. (MF)