|
|
More payments for current programmes
The 2018 EU budget is set at €160.1 billion in commitments. This is an increase of 0.2% compared to the 2017 EU budget as amended over the past months. A margin of €1.6 billion is left under the expenditure ceilings of the multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020, allowing the EU to react to unforeseen needs.
Total payments amount to €144.7 billion, rising 14.1% from 2017. Payments increase significantly because the implementation of the 2014-2020 programmes is expected to reach full speed in 2018.
Strong support for key priorities
The Council continues to attach particular importance to investment in competitiveness, jobs and growth, while focusing on areas that deliver EU added value. This is reflected in reinforcements to several programmes under Sub-heading 1a (Smart and inclusive growth). The 2018 budget allocates €11.2 billion for the EU's research and innovation programme Horizon 2020 which is an increase of 8.4% compared to the 2017 EU budget. The Connecting Europe Facility receives €2.7 billion, 7.9% more compared to 2017, to finance projects in the fields of transport, energy, and information and communication technology. Additional funds are also provided for the COSME programme in support of SMEs (€354 million in total, +1.4%).
Support for young people remains another key priority. Allocations for the Erasmus+ programme are increased by 12.1% to €2.3 billion. The Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) has received €350 million to help improve the possibilities for young people of getting a job. During the budget negotiations the EU institutions also stressed the need to speed up the implementation of YEI. The creation of the new European Solidarity Corps, which provides opportunities for young people to volunteer or work in projects that benefit communities across Europe, is also reflected in the budget.
To better tackle migration and security related challenges, agencies in the field of security and citizenship will receive €940 million, 8.9% more than in 2017. The additional support is mainly aimed at strengthening Europol, Eurojust and the European Asylum Support Office.
More money is also made available for environmental and climate action under the LIFE programme, which receives €523 million, 5.9% more than in 2017. [...]