The report on the European Union budget for 2025 coordinated by MEP Victor Negrescu as chief negotiator of the European Parliament, of which he is Vice-president, was adopted by the European legislature.

The document provides additional funding for key programs such as health, youth support, agriculture, climate action, migration and security, Schengen enlargement with Romania and Bulgaria, support for the Republic of Moldova and for those affected by natural disasters.

‘’The European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg approved the report on next year’s EU budget, that I have coordinated as chief negotiator of the European Parliament. A majority that confirms the quality of the report, the support for the negotiations held with the other political groups but also the support for a budget focused on economic development and improving people’s lives. With a budget of over €200 billion for 2025, the EU has the necessary means to act. Now we must convince the EU Council and the European Commission to renounce austerity and choose the path of investments proposed by the European Parliament. The disputes that have become more acute between the political groups, generated also by the increasing closeness of the EPP with the far right did not allow us, unfortunately, once again, to get a common resolution approved. This new context allows me as the European Parliament negotiator to be free to negotiate without constraints imposed by the political groups’’, mentioned the chief negotiator for next year’s EU budget, Victor Negrescu.

MEPs set the overall level of appropriations for the 2025 draft budget at almost €201 billion in commitment appropriations, representing an increase of €1.24 billion compared to the budget as proposed by the Commission, and at €153.5 billion in payment appropriations.

With this vote, MEPs restore €1.52 billion in funding cuts proposed by the Council, as follows:

• Research and innovation: Horizon Europe +€242 million, out of which €180 million come from decommitted of research funds
• Transport and energy networks: Connecting Europe Facility +€70 million
• Digital transition: Digital Europe Programme +€15 million
• Support for SMEs: +€5 million

Health, education, and youth:

• EU4Health: +€50 million to invest in preventing cardiovascular diseases, cancer, children’s diseases, and improving mental health
• Erasmus+: +€70 million to make the programme more accessible, especially for those facing economic challenges
• Creative Europe: +€8 million to support cultural and creative sectors
• Young farmers: +€40 million for income support
• Common Agricultural Policy: +€56 million for fruit and vegetable sectors, school schemes, and promotion of agricultural products
• LIFE programme: +€49 million for nature, biodiversity, and climate action
• Civil Protection Mechanism: +€42 million to enhance crisis response to natural disasters
• Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund: +€25 million
• Border Management and Visa Instrument: +€35 million, supporting Romania and Bulgaria’s Schengen accession
• Internal Security Fund: +€5 million to combat serious and organised crime and cybercrime
• Military mobility: +€20 million

Neighbourhood and the world:

• Southern Neighbourhood: +€60 million to support reforms and humanitarian needs
• Eastern Neighbourhood: +€50 million to assist countries like Moldova
• Humanitarian aid: +€120 million for rising needs due to global crises and climate emergencies

MEPs emphasise that the EURI repayment costs, which are twice the amount initially forecasted for 2025, should not reduce funding for essential programmes, like Erasmus+ or research.

The vote in the European Parliament allows MEP Victor Negrescu, the EP’s chief negotiator, to kick-start three weeks of ”conciliation” talks with the Council, aiming to reach a deal in time for next year’s budget.