Debate: Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument - – Global Europe
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Jutta Urpilainen
Language: EN

I want to convey three messages today. First, together we have designed a groundbreaking instrument at the service of our geopolitical objectives. It will enable us, in a constantly changing world, to foster international partnerships and support our partner countries by fighting inequalities. With this instrument, we are sending a strong signal that the European Union is a committed supporter of multilateralism. We will continue to lead the global response to COVID—19 and contribute to achieving global priorities, particularly the Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement. It will allow us to respond faster and more coherently to partners’ needs and to promote the Union’s strategic priorities. These include education and health, democracy and good governance, peace, the fight against climate change, digitalisation and inclusive and sustainable growth. It will also preserve the aspects related to the implementation of the neighbourhood policy. Second, NDICI – Global Europe represents a major innovation and unique achievement in the programming of assistance measures. The instrument’s overall budget of EUR 79.5 billion is a clear indication of this. The new instrument will particularly support countries most in need to allow them to overcome long-term development challenges. Now, more than ever, we need to ease the development funding gap. NDICI – Global Europe will be our most powerful tool to support a sustainable recovery, which puts youth and women in the driving seat.  It is aligned with the EU’s strategic priorities. We aim to spend at least 20% on human development, and I will increase funding for education from 7% to 10% in partner countries under my responsibility. Through the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), we will scale up private investments towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The cushion is nearly EUR 10 billion. This helps us to meet new and emerging challenges. As agreed in the trilogues, EUR 1 billion from the cushion will reinforce the thematic programmes, human rights and democracy, civil society organisations and global challenges. Finally, I want to thank the European Parliament for its tireless commitment. This instrument has been strengthened in the negotiations. Parliament will have an enhanced role in defining the main strategic choices, including through a delegated act and a regular geopolitical dialogue. After decades of debate, the European Development Fund has been brought within the budget, reinforcing parliamentary oversight and democracy. This represents around one third of EU external cooperation. Also thanks to this House, we have introduced more ambitious targets for spending on official development assistance, gender, climate and biodiversity. And the new instrument shows our strong commitment to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and nuclear safety standards. So, colleagues, it has been a long, but meaningful, journey. It has been a privilege for me to lead the negotiations for the Commission. We look forward to continuing our exchanges with Parliament now on the implementation of this instrument, beginning with our first geopolitical dialogue next week.