As EU Development Ministers prepare to meet informally on 8-9 October to discuss the next EU external action instrument – Global Europe Instrument (GEI) – Global Health Advocates (GHA) has joined 39 other civil society organisations in calling on EU Member States to protect an ambitious GEI.
In a joint open letter, we urge Member States to maintain an ambitious overall Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and ensure that GEI represents at least 10.8% of the total MFF envelope. The call comes as negotiations continue over the size and priorities of the EU budget for 2028–2034. While compromises are needed, Global Europe cannot be treated as a residual budget line. It is a strategic investment.
The joint letter sets out three key reasons why Member States must maintain an overall ambitious MFF and GEI:
- The case for cuts to Global Europe rests on the false assumption that there is significant room to reduce the current proposal: the case for substantially reducing the current Global Europe proposal rests on a misleading assumption that the proposed increase leaves considerable room for reductions. Once inflation and the consolidation of existing instruments are taken into account, the picture is very different
- External action is key for human and social development: EU external financing plays a vital role in addressing poverty, inequality, health challenges and other global needs. Its impact reaches far beyond development policy, contributing to more resilient societies and stronger global partnerships.
- Development delivers, and Europe benefits when it does: Investing in sustainable development creates the conditions for greater stability, resilience and economic opportunity. Stronger and more prosperous partner countries are also important partners for Europe.
GHA has previously highlighted the importance of adequate and predictable financing for global health and human development in the next MFF, including in our analysis of the Commission’s Global Europe proposal and, more recently, in our analysis of the Council’s position on Global Europe.
The context has since become even more critical. The final decisions taken as part of the wider MFF negotiations will determine the resources available for the EU to invest in global health, sustainable development and resilient partnerships over the coming years.
At a time when global health financing is under increasing pressure, maintaining an ambitious Global Europe is essential. Global health should not be treated as a secondary priority within EU external action, but as an investment in healthier, more resilient societies – and in Europe’s own long-term interests.
GHA therefore stands with civil society partners in calling on EU Development Ministers to ensure that Global Europe is not the price of compromise in the next EU budget.
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