Answer to a written question – Does the Commission intend to give priority to the EU’s external commitments in the next multiannual financial framework? – E-000691/2025(ASW)

As stated in the communication on ‘The road to the next multiannual financial framework[1]’, the EU budget must continue to play a central role in promoting the EU’s prosperity, competitiveness, sovereignty, security, resilience, preparedness and global influence, while upholding the highest standards on rule of law and democratic values.

In light of the policy and budgetary challenges the EU is facing for the EU budget to achieve these objectives, the status quo is not an option. Among others, the global political and economic landscape poses challenges of unprecedented magnitude.

The scale of the challenges ahead calls for an ambitious budget, both in size and design. The next long-term budget will have to address the complexities, weaknesses and rigidities that are currently present and maximise the impact of every euro it spends, focusing on EU priorities and objectives where the EU action is mostly needed.

• [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0046