Have the article read by OpenAI (Beta). Please note that AI translations may take some time to process.Brussels (dpa) – The European Union’s almost 200 billion Euro budget for 2025 was finalised at late night talks between the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union – in which the 27 member states are represented – the two EU institutions said on Saturday.
According to the Parliament, more than 230 million Euro will be additionally available for priorities such as health research, humanitarian aid and border protection.
The new budget also provides more funds for the EU Civil Protection Mechanism than was originally proposed by the European Commission. This is in response to natural disasters, for example.
There are also plans to allow member states to use up to 10 percent of the billions in EU cohesion funds for the prevention of disasters and reconstruction in future.
In June, the European Commission tabled a draft budget totalling 199.7 billion Euro for the coming year. According to the EU’s executive arm, the main focus should continue to be on green and digital change as well as strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy.
The EU countries had wanted to budget 191.53 billion Euro, while MEPs in Strasbourg proposed significantly more at almost 201 billion Euro.
The plan for 2025 will be the fifth in the so-called Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2021-2027, amounting to around 1.1 trillion Euro.
The agreement still has to be officially confirmed by the EU member states and the European Parliament, but this is considered a formality.
Last year, the Parliament and Council agreed on 189.4 billion Euro for the 2024 budget. (16 November)
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