Global Europe (Multiannual Financial Framework proposal)

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Background

The Commission has proposed an MFF worth almost EUR 2 trillion. The overall structure of the multiannual financial framework has been simplified and comprises four main headings: 1) economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture, rural and maritime; 2) competitiveness, prosperity and security; 3) Global Europe; and 4) administration.

This opinion is about the proposed regulation establishing “Global Europe" which has been budgeted at EUR 200.3 billion (plus a reserve for Ukraine).

The EESC welcomes the significant increase in Global Europe’s budget as a positive step towards strengthening the EU’s external action. This is essential to address the challenges ahead, enabling the EU to affirm its role as a global player and build strategic autonomy. However, the Committee insists on transparency, stronger civil society involvement, social and environmental safeguards, and a coherent approach across all EU external actions.

Key points

In this opinion the EESC:

  • warns against excessive reactivity and insists on transparency, accountability, and meaningful engagement of stakeholders in budget planning and evaluation;
  • stresses the need for consistency between foreign policy, development, trade and competitiveness to maximise the EU’s global impact;
  • calls for meaningful and more inclusive participation of civil society in decision-making and monitoring as well as for predictable and stable funding, notably to strengthen democracy, civic space and gender equality;
  • calls on the Commission to extend its Inequality Marker, a valuable instrument for measuring and mainstreaming the fight against inequalities, to all Global Gateway projects.

Additional Information

EESC section: External Relations (REX)

Opinion number: REX/-611- EESC-2025

Opinion type: Optional COM(2025) 551 final 2025/0227 COD, COM(2025) 551 final 2025/0227 COD

Rapporteur: Mateusz SZYMAŃSKI, Workers - GR II/Poland, co-rapporteur: Luca JAHIER, Civil Society Organisations - GR III/Italy

Date of adoption by the section: 7 November 2025

Date of adoption in plenary: 3-4 December 2025

Result of the vote in plenary: 186 in favour/9 against/7 abstentions

Contact

Millie Tsoumani

Press Officer, Email: amalia.tsoumani@eesc.europa.eu

Charlotte Rive

Policy Officer, Email: Charlotte.Rive@eesc.europa.eu

Work organisation

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