A new neighbourhood, development and international cooperation instrument: Proposal for a new regulation [EU Legislation in Progress]

Written by Beatrix Immenkamp (4th edition, updated on 29.11.2019),

In the context of the Commission’s proposal for a multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the 2021-2027 period, the Commission published a proposal for a regulation establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) on 14 June 2018, with a proposed budget of €89.2 billion (in current prices). The AFET and DEVE committees adopted their joint report on the proposal on 4 March 2019. MEPs have agreed to accept a single instrument, but call for a stronger role for Parliament on secondary policy choices, through delegated acts. The committees want the budget for the instrument to be increased by nearly €4 billion, to €93.154 billion. MEPs also specifically call for an increase in the funds allocated to human rights and democracy activities, the percentage of funding that fulfils the criteria for official development assistance, and funds that support climate and environmental objectives. Moreover, MEPs are calling for the introduction of climate and gender mainstreaming targets, the earmarking of certain financial allocations, the suspension of assistance in case of human rights violations, and the reduction of the emerging challenges and priorities cushion to €7 billion. Parliament is expected to vote on its first-reading position during the March II plenary session.

Versions

• November 2019: ‘A new neighbourhood, development and international cooperation instrument: Proposal for a new regulation‘ (4th edition)