Debate: Multiannual financial framework for the years  to  - Establishing the Ukraine Facility - Establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform
Date: TUESDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2024
Speaker: Johannes Hahn
Language: EN

I think we all together can be proud about what will be voted very soon. Why? Because when the Commission proposed eight months ago, in June last year, this Ukraine support package of EUR 50 billion, there was immediately a very positive reaction by Member States and the majority of this House.  There was no debate that Ukraine needs the money. Why? Because Ukraine is fighting also for us and it’s about defending our rule-based world order. It’s about their territorial sovereignty. And if we don’t stop, so to say, this thinking that one can invade and can use his power to violate the territorial integrity of a country, then Ukraine is now and others might be the next ones. And this is why it is so important to support them.  And by the way, there was never an issue that Ukraine does not need the money, quite the opposite: urgently. There is an urgent need to get the money, because what we are contributing monthly is around one third of the monthly cost of the state to keep the state up and running and to provide the necessary financial means. And I think we can also be proud because there will be an overwhelming majority in this House. You are not forced to desperately search for each vote like it is the case in the House of Representatives in the US. Twenty-six Member States have immediately reacted positively and the last one followed. So we can be satisfied, in a way, that at the end of the day, there was a unanimous decision in the Council and there will be an overwhelming decision here in the House. And this is an expression of how Europe stands at the side of Ukraine. And it’s also important as a signal to other partners, allies, in the world – not only to the US but also to Japan, UK and others, you name it – that we are ready to provide the necessary financial means in a multiannual perspective. And this is what we have achieved and what we have done. Number two, a lot of debate has taken place today, also on STEP. I think here we also should not underestimate the achievements we have achieved during the discussions and negotiations in terms of the regulatory side. Of course, I also would have liked to get more money, fresh money, but it is always a kind of compromise. But what we have achieved – and this will pay off in the future and I am pretty sure significantly – is the, so to say, the streamlining of different programmes which are now applicable for STEP. And this will be certainly an indication how the future could look like of the next MFF: less programmes, better accessibility for final beneficiaries and at the end of the day, a faster use and absorption of available support by the European Union. And this will further contribute to more competitiveness on the European side. But of course a lot has to be done by Member States but also by the private sector. Here, more and better cooperation is needed. But I think STEP can really serve as a first step in the right direction. So once again, thank you for the debates in the past, for preparing everything for today. And I think you are ready to vote and once again, thank you in advance for the strong support here in the House to, in particular, the Ukraine facility.