The European Parliament's Committee on Budgets (BUDG) is asking the European Commission to present a draft EU budget for 2021, the first of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027, which will help steer the post-Covid-19 economic recovery in line with the EU's climate and digital priorities, in a draft resolution prepared by Pierre Larrouturou (S&D, France) and adopted on Thursday 28 May.
According to MEPs, the 2021 budget must achieve the objective of climate neutrality by 2050 by requiring a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 emission levels.
Emphasis should also be placed on research through the Horizon Europe programme, in particular to contribute to research into a vaccine against Covid-19, and on support for small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular to help them make a successful transition to digital technology. The European pillar of social rights will have to be fully respected in order to mitigate the effects of the socio-economic crisis, without forgetting the importance of being able to cope with migration pressure, including by helping third countries of origin.
To protect beneficiaries of EU funds in the event that a Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is not in place by 2021, the committee asks the European Commission to present, by 15 June, a contingency plan to ensure the continuity of the programmes (see EUROPE 12479/13).
The European Parliament will vote on the draft resolution at its plenary session on 17-19 June.
More info at: https://bit.ly/3cr7oh1 (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)