Remarks by Commissioner McGrath on the 2nd MFF package

Today, we have completed the framework for the next MFF – the EUs long-term budget, with the adoption of seven sectoral programmes.

The envelope for this budget proposal now amounts to almost €2 trillion in current prices.

These seven proposals drive a dynamic, inclusive economy that fuels Europes growth and boosts our global competitiveness by: reinforcing the internal market, strengthen our justice systems and cutting red tape.

Theyre also a clear investment in Europes competitiveness, resilience, and security.

So, let me provide you with a brief summary of five of the programmes, before diving into more detail on two of them.

First, the Euratom Research and Training Programme, with a budget close to €10 billion, this Programme will enhance nuclear safety and security, as well as waste management, while sustaining critical skills for the sectors development.

Over half of this budget will support ITER - ITER is the first plant-sized fusion facility in the world, and so the worlds most ambitious fusion project.

It is the flagship of the fusion sector, and aims to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale, carbon-free energy source that would transform Europes energy economy.

Under the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation and Decommissioning Programme, we will enhance nuclear safety in Member States and partner countries by combining existing programmes focused on safety cooperation with those focused on decommissioning efforts.

Relatedly, the Ignalina programme will be extended.

It will continue to provide nuclear decommissioning assistance to the Ignalina nuclear power plant in Lithuania.

In doing so, it will enhance nuclear safety, safeguard public health, and protect the environment.

Fourth, the Decision on the Overseas Association, including Greenland simplifies the current architecture by merging EU financial support for Greenland and the rest of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the EU.

This programme will allocate nearly €1 billion to sustain support for the 13 OCTs, including Greenland – recognising their role as critical outposts for the EU in their respective regions.

The Pericles (V) Programme will also be extended, this time into its fifth phrase to prevent and combat euro counterfeiting and related fraud.

The stability and security of the euro is essential to the stability and security of our Union.

This programme will protect the integrity of the euro, and so reinforce trust among both businesses and citizens.

This leaves us with the Justice Programme and the Single Market & Customs Programme, which I would now like to delve into a little deeper.

This Justice Programme builds on the positive achievements of the current Programme, which has provided unique added value and strengthened the EUs Area of Justice, based on the Rule of Law, mutual recognition, and mutual trust.

At nearly 800 million EUR, the proposed budget for the new Programme is more than twice that available under the current MFF – which I believe is testament to the Programmes impact.  

These resources will be used to further develop an efficient, inclusive, resilient and digitalised union area of justice.

We will drive digitalisation across our national justice systems.

Simply put, this means enhancing the ability of national justice systems to connect and exchange information with their counterparts across Europe.

This will benefit both citizens and businesses, by working to increase the efficiency of judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters.

And we will also strengthen action at EU level to prevent and combat corruption.

Weak justice systems and corruption make markets less competitive, and dissuade investment and enterprise.

This is one of the reasons why we introduced a Single Market dimension to this years Rule of Law Report.

Where there is legal certainty and fairness, there is a predictable environment for businesses, investors, and consumers.

In an increasingly volatile world, this remains a cornerstone of Europes competitiveness, and a catalyst for growth across the Single Market.

The Justice Programme will focus on three specific objectives.

firstly to facilitate and support judicial cooperation thereby strengthening the independence, quality, and efficiency of justice systems, and improving cross-border recognition and enforcement of judicial decisions.

An example of this in practice is citizens resolving cross-border legal disputes faster.

Secondly, to promote and support the training of legal professionals, thereby fostering a common legal and judicial culture across our Union, and ensuring the consistent and effective implementation of EU legal instruments.

Thirdly, to facilitate and support effective and non-discriminatory access to justice and effective remedy, which includes ensuring victims know their rights wherever they go.

By supporting equal access to justice – especially for vulnerable persons – the next Justice Programme will also foster synergies with the National and Regional Partnership Plans.

This includes within the framework of the European Social Fund and with Erasmus+.

And will ensure that European and national resources are pooled for the greatest impact.

The initiatives under the next Justice Programme will not only enhance the quality and efficiency of justice systems across Member States.

In doing so, they will strengthen the Rule of Law, fight cross-border crime and corruption, as well as uphold democratic safeguards and respect for fundamental rights across our Union.

The Justice Programme will ensure that people and businesses can trust that their rights are protected, wherever they are in the EU, and that the Rule of Law functions seamlessly across borders.

Were ensuring that justice delivers, wherever you go.

Finally, this brings me to the Single Market & Customs Programme.

The Single Market is our Unions engine for business, employment, and growth,

and it is the bedrock of our global competitiveness.

The Commission is proposing a budget of 6.2 billion EUR for this Programme.

The proposal consolidates four individual funding programmes covering the Single Market, Customs Union, taxation, and anti-fraud. And in a nutshell, it aims to cut red tape, remove barriers, and boost cooperation between national administrations.

The 2.7 billion EUR in the Single Market Programme will support the Internal Market, company law, competition policy, financial services, consumer protection, and statistics.

The 2.7 billion EUR in the Customs Programme will fund a major overhaul of the Customs Union, reinforced by an EU Customs Authority and Data Hub.

The programme will better protect citizens from unsafe goods, safeguard financial interests,

shield businesses from unfair competition, and simplify customs procedures.

The Fiscalis programme amounting to 475 million EUR covers cooperation on taxation.

The aim here is to foster more digital, modern data exchange systems to generate revenue and support competitiveness.

The Union Anti-Fraud Programme will support anti-fraud efforts – the safeguard of EU taxpayers money – with an envelope of 363 million EUR.

It will do so by optimising resources in fraud prevention and detection, tackling corruption, breaking down barriers across borders, and fostering cooperation amongst national administrations.

With this programme, we aim to future-proof Europes competitiveness by providing certainty for investors, an attractive environment for business, and protection for consumers.

Thank you.