Who will the EU be in the world of tomorrow?

Statement from 54 groups in response to the mid-term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and in preparation of the EU’s next Strategic Agenda (2024-2029) and new MFF beyond 2027.

“The mid-term revision of the EU’s long-term budget sends a damaging message to Europe’s partners, indicating that despite the extent of interlinked global challenges and despite the eradication of poverty being a stated aim of the EU, Europe’s primary focus lies in curtailing migration. We are concerned that these cuts will diminish the bloc's capacity to act at the global level, at the expense of global stability, security and prosperity - all of which are essential for Europe itself.

The last 5 years have underscored the critical importance of multilateral cooperation and collective action in addressing pressing global challenges and threats, from the climate crisis to health security and escalating conflicts worldwide. However, as we approach the 2030 deadline to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, it is evident that significant portions of the world population are being left behind. In this context, it is incomprehensible that the EU, along with several Member States, has opted to reduce spending on sustainable development and climate action.

Forcing trade-offs between the EU’s internal and external priorities is a false dichotomy. In an increasingly competitive, multipolar world, continued engagement on global challenges is imperative.

As the EU prepares for negotiations on the next MFF it must heed the lessons of the past five years. Retreating from global action would be not only dangerous but also short-sighted. Instead, the EU should bolster investment in international partnerships, in particular in fragile contexts. We need to protect and increase external action spending in the EU’s next long-term budget, and prioritize cooperation on global challenges in the upcoming Strategic Agenda. Failure to do so will not only jeopardize the EU's role on the global stage but also undermine the values and objectives it aims to promote.”