Written question – Extension of the Erasmus+ programme to North Africa and the Middle East – E-004167/2025

Question for written answer  E-004167/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Marieke Ehlers (PfE), Auke Zijlstra (PfE), Rachel Blom (PfE)

This question concerns the Commission’s plan to extend the Erasmus+ programme to non-EU students from North Africa and the Middle East.

• 1.How does the Commission justify funding the education of social elites from countries with a questionable reputation in terms of the rule of law and human rights, while EU Member States that – in the EU’s view – violate the rule of law are excluded from EU funding, in particular for Erasmus+?
• 2.What will the Commission do to ensure that student visas issued under the Erasmus+ programme are not misused for migration or terrorism purposes? For example, will it ensure that students return to their country of origin after their studies or adequately screen the students’ ideas, criminal records and risk profile before entry?
• 3.Countries such as Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco are known for their lack of academic freedom[1]. What will the Commission do to ensure that the massive influx of North African and Middle Eastern students onto European university campuses does not lead to even more Islamism and violent protest, and in particular to guarantee the safety of Jewish students?

Submitted: 22.10.2025

• [1] https://academic-freedom-index.net/