COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS The road to the next mul...

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Strasbourg, 11.2.2025 COM(2025) 46 final COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS The road to the next multiannual financial framework EN EN 1. INTRODUCTION: THE EU BUDGET AT THE CORE OF EU POLICY PRIORITIES The EU budget is at the centre of the Union policy action. Over decades, it has contributed to improving the quality of life and the livelihoods of citizens, farmers, researchers, businesses and regions across Europe and beyond. It has shown its true worth in helping overcome a pandemic and energy crisis, saving millions of jobs during lockdowns, and investing in our clean and digital future. Looking back, when faced with one of the most significant crises of the past years, the COVID-19 pandemic and its fallout, the EU responded with NextGenerationEU and the 2021-27 multiannual financial framework. This paved the way for quick economic recovery, all while making Europe greener, more digital, and future-proof. As Russia’s war of aggression on the European borders called for quick action, to support Ukraine and address rising energy costs, the EU budget further proved its effectiveness. The scale of the challenges faced in recent years required a commensurate and common EU response. Emerging political priorities were supported by sizeable spending, with expenditure dedicated to...