Funding the EU’s global engagement

The EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework outlines budgetary priorities for a seven year period. The outcome of the current budget negotiations will be important in defining the future scope and character of EU global action.

This paper published by the European Think Tanks Group provides an introduction to main lines of debate in the negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework’s Heading 6, which deals with EU external action. The paper compares the positions of 9 EU member states in relation to the European Commission’s proposal to consolidate external action instruments and with respect to proposed thematic and geographic priorities in Heading 6.

There is broad support for an approach to external action that promotes a stronger integration of development and foreign policy. Even so, in areas where there is a shared commitment to certain policy goals, there are different perceptions among member states of how the EU should address them. The integration climate change goals into the external action portfolio is one contentious issue. There are also different views among member states on how to engage across world regions.

In the preliminary phase of these negotiations, Denmark has expressed support for the European Commission’s proposal to create an integrated and flexible instrument for external action. Along with other member states, it has emphasized migration as a thematic priority. Its geographical priorities are also largely consistent with the Commission proposal.