Jozef Síkela

Policy topics Jozef Síkela is active on

What Jozef Síkela has said (80)

• 2026-06-02 “Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission 2.6.2026 Written question Transparency [1] remains the guiding principle in the management of the EU budget. Actions under the Global Gateway strategy are funded by the external financing instruments, notably the NDICI-GE [2] [3] . The Financial Regulation [4] , notably Articles 36 and 38, requires the Commission to publish information about recipients of EU funding in direct management, including those funded by the external financing instruments. EU-funded activities are subject to EU laws and contractual obligations, including restrictive measures, exclusion rules and relevant security and procurement provisions, which are supported ex ante controls, such as eligibility checks and, where appropriate, ex post controls such verifications and audits safeguarding the EU’s financial and strategic autonomy. The strategy promotes sustainable prosperity, jobs and services rooted in democratic values, rule of law, and strong human and workers’ rights, which is to the direct benefit to the local population. The ‘360° approach’ combines public-sector expertise [5] with policy support, institutional strengthening, technology transfer, and inclusive engagement of civil society and local authorities. In implementing Global Gateway, the Commission complies with the general principles set by the Treaties, including Articles 3(5), 8 and 21 of the Treaty on European Union [6] , as well as with the rules laid down in the basic acts establishing the funding instrument. NDICI-GE contributes to the reduction and, in long term, the eradication of poverty, the promotion of the principles of democracy, good governance, the rule of law and the respect of human rights. The Commission’s proposal for the next external financing instrument [7] is designed to support inter alia the implementation of the Global Gateway strategy ‘from start-up to scale-up’ in a Team Europe approach. The Global Europe proposal also promotes EU engagement with partner countries on the basis of a comprehensive approach towards migration, in particular to prevent irregular migration, and forced displacement, including their root causes. The proposal includes provisions to suspend implementation of programmes with a partner country that faces serious shortcomings in readmitting its own nationals from the Member States [8] . The assessment would be based on a comprehensive approach, considering the EU’s overall relations with the country concerned as well as the principle of proportionality. Suspension decisions would not affect humanitarian assistance. [1] See also explanation of the Financial Transparency System available at https://ec.europa.eu/budget/financial-transparency-system/index.html. [2] Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument-Global Europe. [3] Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 June 2021 establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument — Global Europe, amending and repealing Decision No 466/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU) 2017/1601 and Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 480/2009 (OJ L 209, 14.6.2021, p. 1). [4] Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast), OJ L 2024/2509, 26.9.2024, p. 1. [5] for example: Twinning, TAIEX. [6] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:2bf140bf-a3f8-4ab2-b506-fd71826e6da6.0023.02/DOC_1&format=PDF. [7] Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing Global Europe, COM/2025/551 final: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025PC0551&qid=1753799711782. [8] see Recital 59 and Article 12(3) of the proposal: see footnote 7.”
  EU development aid (migration conditionality) · EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• 2026-05-29 “Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission 29.5.2026 Written question The Commission cooperates with a range of partners in Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response (PPPR). All financial support is governed by the Financial Regulation [1] , with strict rules on transparency, avoidance of conflicts of interest and protection of the EU’s financial interests. Information on direct beneficiaries of EU funds is published via the Financial Transparency System [2] and annual reports on the implementation of the EU budget, allowing citizens to identify the beneficiaries and the amounts received. The Commission does not regard pandemics, vaccines or medicines as a ‘business model’. EU action on PPPR is set inter alia in the EU Global Health Strategy [3] , R egulation (EU) 2022/2371 on serious cross-border threats to health [4] , the Medical Countermeasures Strategy [5] , and the upcoming EU global health resilience initiative [6] . Objectives of these policies include protecting health and wellbeing, supporting resilient health systems through equitable access to safe, effective and affordable vaccines and medicines and universal health coverage, and strengthening prevention, preparedness and response to health emergencies. The Commission has not invested in the World Bank’s pandemic bonds launched in 2017 and consequently there were no related profits or losses. [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R2509. [2] https://ec.europa.eu/budget/financial-transparency-system/index.html. [3] https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/eu-global-health-strategy-better-health-all-changing-world_en and https://health.ec.europa.eu/latest-updates/report-implementation-eu-global-health-strategy-2025-07-10_en. [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2371/oj/eng. [5] https://health.ec.europa.eu/health-emergency-preparedness-and-response-hera/preparedness/medical-countermeasures-strategy_en. [6] https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/17412-EU-global-health-resilience-initiative_en.”
  Support for international humanitarian organisations · EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• 2026-05-18 “Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission 18.5.2026 Written question In line with the EU Biodiversity strategy for 2030 [1] that commits the EU to support biodiversity globally, t he Commission resumed its financial support to the Odzala Kokoua National Park in August 2024 for a duration of 36 months through its NaturAfrica programme [2] . The main objective is to protect wildlife and key ecosystems while offering opportunities in green sectors for local populations. The EU provides additional support to this landscape under its Transition to Green Economy programme [3] enhancing agroecological practices and sustainable and inclusive value chains around the park. The Commission could not get access to Omnia’s full report but regularly checked with African Parks the progress of Omnia’s investigation. The Commission took good notes of its conclusions as per Omnia public statement [4] and of the corrective measures decided by the Board of African Parks [5] . As per the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument — Global Europe Regulation [6] , the Commission applies a human rights-based approach to all its actions. The implementation of the corrective measures — strengthening of the Odzala Indigenous Peoples Plan, partnership with local human rights non-governmental organisations, human rights impact assessment, development of a remedy framework and review of access rights — is supported by the EU’s financial contribution. Progress in their implementation is detailed in regular reports received by the EU Delegation in the Republic of Congo. [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A52020DC0380 . [2] https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/programming/programmes/naturafrica_en . [3] https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/countries/congo-republic_en . [4] https://omniastrategy.com/statement-upon-conclusion-of-independent-human-rights-investigation/ . [5] https://www.africanparks.org/sites/default/files/African%20Parks%20Response%20to%20Investigation%20into%20Allegations%20of%20Human%20Rights%20Abuses%20%282%29.pdf . [6] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/947/oj .”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · Conditions to access EU humanitarian aid
• 2026-05-13 “Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission 13.5.2026 Written question The Commission takes its duty to communicate about EU policies and programmes seriously. It therefore agreed a partnership with the Confederation of African Football as a means to appeal to a young adult audience that is hard to reach. The Africa Cup of Nations is watched by nearly two billion viewers worldwide, making it an impactful visibility opportunity. With increasing reach on digital platforms, the tournaments are a key platform to communicate about the EU’s investments in Africa and support for young people across the continent, including through the Global Gateway strategy [1] . The contract followed the standard checks and safeguards for these kinds of agreements, in line with the EU Financial Regulation [2] . As with all conditions for contracts for external actions financed by the EU, the agreement has robust verifications, checks, audits and reporting requirements. For this service contract, the Commission relies on a combination of (i) contractual audit and inspection clauses in the General Conditions for service contracts, (ii) record-keeping and access obligations for contractors and contracting authorities, (iii) management checks, expenditure verifications and ex post audits, and (iv) specific anti-fraud and irregularity mechanisms [3] (suspension of implementation and payments, and recovery of unduly paid amounts) designed to prevent, detect and remedy irregularities and misuse of EU funds. [1] https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/global-gateway/global-gateway-overview_en. [2] Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast); ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2509/oj. [3] Including European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), European Court of Auditors (ECA) access.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · Conditions to access EU humanitarian aid
• 2026-05-12 “Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission 12.5.2026 Written question As the Commission pointed in its reply to Written Question E-001287/2025, ‘over the last decade, the EU has supported the justice sector, transparency mechanisms and the fight against corruption, electoral reforms, deployed four Election Observation Missions, and supported strengthening the national human rights protection system in Honduras (e.g. Proderechos programme [1] )’. The criteria for the distribution of financial resources under the Multiannual Indicative Programme [2] (MIP) are based on a thorough assessment of local needs, alignment with national development priorities, contributions from other cooperation partners, evaluations of previous actions, and the strategic interests of the EU and its Member States. While 20.7% of the total funding is directly allocated to strengthening the rule of law, this priority is integrated across other sectors, including public finance management, social dialogue for employment and forest governance. These areas contribute to the broader objective of promoting good governance and addressing systemic issues such as corruption, impunity, and institutional weaknesses. The EU also recognises the interconnectedness of challenges in Honduras, including the impact of climate change on fundamental rights. As such, 45% of the MIP funding is dedicated to climate policies, which are essential for safeguarding livelihoods, dignity and security, and addressing the root causes of vulnerability in the region. This holistic approach ensures that the EU’s support is both targeted and responsive to the complex realities on the ground, while maintaining a strong focus on the rule of law as a cross-cutting priority. [1] Programme Proderechos Honduras, https://www.proderechos.hn/. [2] can be found at https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/countries/honduras_en under ‘related documents’.”
  Global priorities for international development · EU climate aid for global South
• 2026-05-12 “Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission 12.5.2026 Written question The EU took note of the adoption of the law amending Article 319 of the Senegalese Penal Code, which increases the penalties for consensual sexual relations between adults of the same sex. The EU is committed to promoting the full and equal enjoyment of human rights by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, plus (LGBTIQ+) persons internationally and reiterate its support for the universal decriminalisation of consensual same-sex relations, as stated in the Council conclusions on the EU's human rights priorities for 2026 [1] . The EU does so by taking into account the local realities in which human rights defenders advance their struggle in line with the EU guidelines to promote and protect the enjoyment of all human rights by LGBTI persons [2] . The EU Delegation in Dakar holds a bilateral dialogue to address human rights issues and is regularly in contact with national authorities, and other relevant stakeholders, to promote and protect the rights of vulnerable groups, including the rights of LGBTIQ people. The EU also acts in accordance with the principle of ‘do no harm’. Experience shows that public statements can sometimes increase stigmatisation and expose vulnerable communities to increased risk. The EU will continue to engage with the authorities, raise human rights issues and express concerns regarding this new legislation as part of the regular partnership dialogues and through the appropriate diplomatic channels. The partnership between the EU and Senegal is based on mutual respect, promoting protection and fulfilment of human rights, and dialogue. EU’s extensive partnership with Senegal is a leverage that enables the EU to maintain an open and frank exchange with the Senegalese authorities. [1] https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-5835-2026-INIT/en/pdf. [2] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/07_hr_guidelines_lgbti_en.pdf.”
  LGBTIQ+ · EU policy on African region
• 2026-05-06 “Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission 6.5.2026 Written question The EU is fully committed to human rights and implementing Colombia's Peace Agreement. With this objective, the EU supports the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the UN Verification Mission (UNVM). While it welcomes the renewal of the UNVM mandate, the EU regrets the reduction in its scope and cuts to the OHCHR budget. The EU collaborates with both organisations through political support and field engagement and is the largest voluntary contributor to OHCHR globally. At this stage, the EU is not planning to take additional specific support measures. The EU does not directly support civil society organisations monitoring the agreements on the ground. However, it supports the civil society as a way to reinforce the implementation of the Peace Agreement under different programmes like the Human Rights and Democracy programme, where the EU funds projects to protect human rights defenders, facilitate victims’ access to justice, and promote gender equality. The EU strengthens the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), through a EUR 2 million project [1] , supports financial inclusion and development in conflict-affected regions through Territorial Alliances for Peace project (EUR 16 million) [2] , or fosters labour inclusion for peace signatories and youth at risk, with EUR 6 million [3] for green and digital employment projects. [1] https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/countries/colombia_en. [2] idem. [3] idem.”
  Support for international humanitarian organisations · EU relations with left-wing Latin America
• 2026-05-04 “Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission 4.5.2026 Written question The EU Delegation to Colombia is aware of the situation in the region, as it holds regular exchanges on the situation in Buenaventura with the Government, including the Adviser Commissioner for Peace and its local delegation. EU Delegation staff travel frequently to meet local authorities, the Catholic Church, civil society and business organisations, local representatives of the UN and the Organisation of American States. It is worth reminding that the Trade Agreement between the EU and Colombia, Ecuador and Peru contains a human rights clause, with compliance being closely monitored. Directive 2024/1760 [1] on corporate sustainability due diligence will require large companies to address human rights and environmental impacts in their operations, subsidiaries and chains of activities. The EU adopts a rights-based approach in all partnerships and takes active steps to reinforce human rights safeguards, while engaging with development finance institutions to uphold human rights, environmental, social and governance standards. In addition, the EU funds the Due Diligence Navigator [2] for partner countries and supports the Indigenous Navigator [3] , tracking the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 26 countries, including Colombia. Protecting human rights and environment defenders is among the top human rights priorities of the EU in Colombia , supported by global programmes like P rotect Defenders’ mechanism and actions such as ‘El derecho a defender derechos’. The project ‘Responsible Business Conduct in Latin America and the Caribbean’ also builds capacity among indigenous leaders on business, human rights and just transition in several countries, including Colombia. [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1760/oj/eng. [2] https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/eu-due-diligence-navigator-partner-countries_en. [3] https://indigenousnavigator.org/.”
  EU competences on human rights
• 2026-04-30 “E-001039/2026 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Commission refers to its replies to recommendations 2 (a), 3 (c) and 4(c) of the Special report 08/2026 of the European Court of Auditors 1 . The Multiannual Indicative Programme 2 for the European Instrument for International Nuclear Safety Cooperation 3 specifies that improvements in nuclear safety will be monitored and evaluated with performance indicators, including impact, implementation and projectspecific indicators. At the design stage, the Commission checks those performance indicators for inclusion in the project’s results framework. Implementing partners report on a regular basis to the Commission on progress against indicators of the results framework during project implementation. The initial selection of cooperation proposals is informed by the assessment of criteria such as budget, duration, maturity, partnership track record, magnitude of nuclear safety risk, political priority, added value for EU policies, sustainability and urgency. Geopolitical or foreign policy interests are important and embedded in some of these criteria but are not the only ones. Each donor decides independently on the size and fairness of their contribution to multi-donor funds while all donors aim to ensure that the total of their contributions covers the full estimated project budget. However, when there is an expected shortfall in contributions from other international donors, the Commission may decide to contribute a larger share of the cost burden than originally planned due to urgency, priority, relevance for EU and to prevent additional nuclear safety risks and cost escalation linked to delayed project implementation. 1 European Court of Auditors, Special report 08/2026 ‘International nuclear safety cooperation – The Commission remains an important global player but lacks a comprehensive strategy and robust monitoring’, https://www.eca.europa.eu/en/publications?ref=SR-2026-08. 2 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/7b5eaa6a-14df-4634-867718d51fc55c37_en?filename=insc-mip-2021-2027_en.pdf. 3 Annex of C(2021) 8687 final of 3 December 2021. https://internationalpartnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/climate-environment-and-energy/nuclear-safety_en.”
  Disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons
• 2026-04-30 “Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission 30.4.2026 Written question The 2025-2027 allocation to Nicaragua, including the streamlined focus on the ‘sustainable economic growth’ priority, reflects the outcome of the Mid-Term Review process [1] . The review established 2025-2027 allocations based on several elements, including evolving global EU priorities, the absorption capacity and the operating environment of the countries, and the broader context of international partnerships with the EU. From January 2021 to January 2026, EUR 22.9 million have been disbursed. [1] https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/2e2834f5-5ab9-4f07-a5f7-e7b32d6b6480_en?filename=ad-mip-2024-c2024-7502-americas-caribbean-annex_en.pdf.”
  Global priorities for international development · EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• 2026-03-26 “Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission 26.3.2026 Written question Colombia's Multi-annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for 2021-2027 [1] funds diverse projects aligned with the two identified priorities for the country: peace and environment. Three annual action plans (AAPs) for years 2022, 2023 and 2024 have been defined under this programme and are publicly available on the Commission website. Details about the objectives, scope and beneficiaries of these plans can be found on the enclosed links [2] . No AAP was adopted to date under the 2025-2027 MIP allocation. The Commission ensures proper use of funds through audits, monitoring, reporting, and control systems, ensuring transparency and accountability. Fraud prevention measures, such as hotlines and investigative units, further safeguard funds. When the Commission becomes aware of any suspected cases of fraud, corruption, or other illegal activities affecting the EU budget, it informs the European Anti-Fraud Office and, where applicable, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. At the moment there are no suspicions of illicit use of funds in Colombia’s initiatives. [1] https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/247ac3ef-31b6-4b41-8278-4a112c456039_en?filename=mip-2021-c2021-8995-colombia-annex_en.pdf. [2] AAP2022 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/a5854a1d-d602-4df5-a1bd-3f2aab182bd7_en?filename=aap-2022-c2022-9751-colombia_en.zip. AAP2023 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/a941e2ea-42d2-4d9a-9e75-3acf209270a5_en?filename=aap-2023-c2023-3233-colombia_en.zip. AAP2024 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/2f2db8eb-492e-4e6a-a623-8b415b827127_en?filename=aap-2024-c2024-5643-colombia_en.zip.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• 2026-03-26 “E-000313/2026 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is in regular contact with the authorities of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao and the Government of the Netherlands, including in the framework of dialogue as established by the Decision on the Overseas Association, including Greenland 1 (DOAG: Article 14). In view of recent developments in the region, the Commission has engaged with Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao and the Government of the Netherlands to assess and closely monitor the situation and is aware of the specific positions. In general, the Commission supports Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao and the rest of the Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) 2 across different policy areas with a total package of more than EUR 80 million under the DOAG for the period 2021-2027. These areas of cooperation have been agreed with the OCTs and the Member States (France, the Netherlands), in line with the tri-lateral spirit of the DOAG. In addition, the OCTs are eligible for funding under other EU programmes, such as Erasmus+, Connecting Europe Facility, BESTLIFE2030 or Horizon Europe. The EU has crisis coordination mechanisms that can apply to OCTs but not a dedicated protocol for the OCTs close to conflict zones. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2021/1764/oj/eng. 2 Saba, Saint Barthélemy, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten.”
  Funding for OCTs and outermost regions
• 2026-03-04 “E-004455/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU has been a key supporter of the Global Fund since its establishment in 2001, with a total contribution of EUR 3.5 billion. The EU alone is currently its seventh public donor. Jointly with its Member States, the EU represents roughly a third of the total funding of the Global Fund. EU commitment to Global Health and multilateralism is enshrined in EU Global Health Strategy adopted in November 2022 1 and in the EU Global Gateway Strategy 2 . It was captured in the declaration of the EU-AU Summit that took place in Luanda on 23-24 November 2025 and reaffirmed with the announcement of a new Global Health Resilience Initiative during the State of the Union in September 2025 3 . Global health challenges benefit from global responses. International support is also fundamental to complement the very much needed increase in domestic efforts in EU’s partner countries. Country ownership together with an integrated health system approach is the key to success. This is why the Commission encourages the Global Fund and all relevant Global Health Initiatives to enhance their joint work and cooperation to accompany countries in their transition towards self-reliance, in line with the Lusaka Agenda. The Commission could not financially commit during the Eight replenishment summit in November 2025 while expressing its strong support to the principles and to the mission of the Global Fund. The Commission has clearly shown willingness to continue being a major partner and intends to contribute to the new cycle of the Global Fund along the lines of previous cycles. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52022DC0675. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52021JC0030. 3 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/state-union/state-union-2025/main-initiatives_en#a-globaleurope.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · Support for international humanitarian organisations
• 2026-02-20 “P-000009/2026 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has been a key supporter of the Global Fund to fight acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis and malaria since its establishment in 2001, with a total contribution of EUR 3.5 billion. As the current Global Fund’s eight pledging cycle falls between two Multiannual Financial Frameworks, internal discussions on the upcoming pledge are still ongoing, with the importance of timely and predictable Global Fund’s upcoming allocations clearly taken into consideration. The Commission could not financially commit during the Eight replenishment summit in November 2025 while expressing its strong support to the principles and to the mission of the Global Fund. The Commission has clearly shown willingness to continue being a major partner and intends to contribute to the new cycle of the Global Fund along the lines of previous cycles.”
  Global priorities for international development · Support for international humanitarian organisations
• 2026-02-13 “E-004111/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission Global Gateway investments are accounted for using a methodology developed in collaboration with the Member States, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which ensures consistency and avoids double counting. The Commission accounts for the amounts mobilised through regular reports. At the Global Gateway Forum in October 2025, it was announced that by the end of 2024, we had reached EUR 306 billion of mobilised investments 1 , exceeding the initial target of mobilising EUR 300 billion by 2027. A significant proportion of the figure announced concerns projects in the early stages of structuring or implementation, which also have a long life cycle. The Global Gateway webpage presents to the public a regional breakdown of this amount 2 . As announced at the 7th European Union–African Union Summit in November 2025 3 , more than EUR 120 billion of investments had been mobilised in Africa (North Africa and SubSaharan Africa) under the Global Gateway from 2021 to 2024. The Commission is continuously working to improve the visibility of activities implementing the Global Gateway strategy, with a two-fold objective of ensuring both transparency and accountability. 1 See the attached document. 2 https://commission.europa.eu/topics/international-partnerships/global-gateway_en. 3 Press release, 26 November 2025. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ac_25_2821.”
  Global priorities for international development · EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• 2026-02-11 “E-004711/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The information required by the Honourable Members is available in the Replies of the Commission to the European Court of Auditors’ Special Report 1 . The Commission relies on internationally recognised data, through the work of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, and has committed to the development of a methodology to differentiate food insecurity not only by severity but also by chronicity, to inform geographical and thematic prioritisation and greater consistency. The Commission is constantly working to improve monitoring of EU funded actions to ensure that investments deliver long-term, measurable results in line with European strategic objectives, including stability and addressing the drivers of forced displacement and migration. Strengthened oversight is being rolled out through risk-based field follow-up, improved verification of reported results and more systematic use of baselines where feasible. This ensures that EU investments remain focused, avoids fragmentation and contributes to reducing vulnerabilities over time. 1 See page 3, CE reply to Recommendation 1: https://www.eca.europa.eu/Lists/ECAReplies/COM-Replies-SR2025-20/COM-Replies-SR-2025-20_EN.pdf.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · Global priorities for international development
• 2026-01-27 “E-004708/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU has not provided any financial support to the ‘armed groups’ including Rapid Support Forces (RSF). EU-funded activities in Sudan are implemented by Member States’, the United Nations, international organisations, non-governmental organisations and consultancy firms, for direct benefit of vulnerable populations. Projects are subject to audits and evaluations. In the reference to the European Court of Auditors (Report No 17/2024), the Commission examines specific reported incidents on a case-by-case basis through an individual assessment of necessity and proportionality, based on substantiated evidence. On 20 November 2025, the EU High Representative/Vice-President denounced the atrocities in El Fasher and announced sanctions against Abdelrahim Hamdan Dagalo, RSF's second in command 1 . The Commission supports human rights organisations, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. These organisations monitor and report on human rights violations, particularly of vulnerable groups, such as religious minorities. Their work includes advocacy, protection and increasing access to justice. The EU urges all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law. Under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument-Global Europe the Commission supports vulnerable populations affected by the conflict within Sudan and to Sudanese refugees and their hosts in neighbouring countries, including job creation the return of children to schools; health, food security and the protection of vulnerable groups. The Commission also supports projects to manage migration, addressing trafficking of human beings and smuggling of migrants. 1 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/11/20/sudan-statement-by-the-highrepresentative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-20-november-2025/.”
  EU engagement with Christian communities inside and outside the EU · EU policy on Sahel and Sudan · Asylum & border control
• 2026-01-26 “E-004110/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in delivering the Global Gateway strategy. Global Gateway investment mobilisation has reached EUR 306 billion through coordinated action from the EU, its Member States and their development financial institutions, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). EU funding is primarily drawn from the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI)-Global Europe and the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance III, implemented mainly via the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+). Funds for Global Gateway are also drawn from the Ukraine Investment Framework (UIF). For Team Europe contributions, the Commission applies a dedicated methodology to avoid double reporting between the EU, EIB and EBRD and national instruments. A common tracking system distinguishes investments supported by the EU budget from those provided by wider Team Europe actors and maps them across global regions. For investments not supported by the EU, the responsibility for reporting lies with the relevant Member States, EIB and EBRD. A breakdown by type of actor is in the annex. Most actions financed by the EU follow NDICI–Global Europe governance rules and are adopted through comitology and EFSD+ procedures. In addition, support to Global Gateway is provided under the UIF, which contributes to country-specific objectives in Ukraine and is governed by the Ukraine Facility Regulation 1 . A comprehensive reporting of investments mobilised through Global Gateway, which provides an up-to-date overview of aggregated and regional categorisation of amounts mobilised, is publicly available online 2 . 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/792/oj/eng. 2 https://commission.europa.eu/topics/international-partnerships/global-gateway_en.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · Global priorities for international development
• 2026-01-21 “E-003691/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission To further strengthen transparency, the Commission proposals for the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) include a horizontal Performance Regulation 1 applicable to all policy areas, including external action spending. It is proposed to constitute a framework for clear, coherent, and streamlined expenditure and performance tracking, harmonising reporting, monitoring, and evaluation of the entire MFF. In particular, the Performance Regulation proposal streamlines reporting requirements to a single report, the annual management and performance report. With this report, the Commission would inform the European Parliament and the Council on implementation of the programmes and progress towards the achievement of objectives. This would be complemented by a single gateway website, replacing 15 online dashboards, providing information on financial implementation, performance, recipients and operations. The Global Europe proposal 2 includes a target of at least 90% of the expenditure to fulfil the criteria for official development assistance (ODA). The EU’s ODA spending is confirmed by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, in accordance with the standards and criteria of DAC. In addition to existing legislative, budgetary and scrutiny mechanisms, the proposed annual steering mechanism provides for deeper coordination between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, informing the preparation of the annual budget, including on external action. Rules remain in place regarding the comitology process for the adoption of implementing decisions by the Commission where the European Parliament has a right of scrutiny. 1 COM(2025) 545 final, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025PC0545&qid=1753797488776. 2 COM(2025) 551 final, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025PC0551.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• 2026-01-19 “E-003728/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission All contracts signed by the EU include human rights clauses that allow the Commission to take adequate measures in case such clauses are not respected. Each individual situation must be assessed based on substantial evidence and its own merits, before any decision to suspend or terminate the agreement is taken, to guarantee a proportionate and appropriate approach. The Commission’s external actions are firmly rooted in a human rights-based approach. Safeguarding protection for those in need and ensuring respect for the human rights and dignity of all migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are fundamental principles to be respected in all Commission’s initiatives, including in EU-funded projects related to migration. The Commission ensures that EU funds are disbursed in line with contractual obligations to respect human rights and pays special attention to ensure that EU’s support, also when targeted at reducing irregular migration, is always designed to uphold the rights of migrants and refugees, including the right to human dignity. The Commission publishes its tenders and grants at the EU Funding & Tenders Portal 1 . More specifically, and to further reinforce transparency, migration related projects and documentation can also be found at Migration and forced displacement Commission website 2 . 1 https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home. 2 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-forced-displacement_en.”
  EU policy on Sahel and Sudan · EU development aid (migration conditionality)
• 2026-01-08 “E-004557/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU has not provided any financial support to the Rapid Support Forces. EU-funded activities in Sudan are implemented by Member States’ development agencies, the United Nations, international organisations, non-governmental organisations and consultancy specialised firms, for the sole and direct benefit of vulnerable populations. The EU’s implementing partners maintain full control over the funds disbursed and projects are subject to regular audit and evaluation controls. The ‘EU-Horn of Africa Migration Route Initiative’ (i.e. ‘Khartoum Process’) is a regional migration dialogue that serves as a platform for political cooperation amongst the countries along the migration route between the Horn of Africa and Europe. Its objective is to facilitate collaboration and information exchange. It has never provided any financial support to security forces in Sudan. The European Union Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa (EUTF for Africa) 1 – an implementing tool, different from the political cooperation platform (Khartoum Process) – mobilised funds for socio-economic support to displacement-affected communities (DACs), particularly investing in water and sanitation, access to justice, education and health for DACs, but also food security, culture, migrants and refugees protection. The EU continues providing assistance to those affected by the conflict and working towards a sustainable peace in Sudan, focusing on protection, livelihoods, basic services and school feeding in the displaced affected areas. Support is firmly aligned with the humanitariandevelopment-peace nexus approach, emphasising resilience-building in conflict-affected areas. 1 https://trust-fund-for-africa.europa.eu/homepage_en.”
  EU development aid (migration conditionality) · EU policy on Sahel and Sudan · Conditions to access EU humanitarian aid
• 2026-01-06 “E-004246/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is bound by principles of neutrality and transparency and makes every effort to ensure equal treatment of all Member States and entities involved in EU-funded projects. Engagements with specific banks or companies are conducted with the intention of optimising project outcomes. If potential financial support is involved, all actors are subject to rigorous selection processes conforming to EU law and standards. For actions under the Global Gateway strategy 1 implemented in indirect management, the choice of the entrusted entity is made in accordance with Article 157(1) of the Financial Regulation 2 . These entities select their counterparts based on internal procedures that have been subject to an ex ante assessment in accordance with Article 157(3), ensuring equivalent protection of EU financial interests. For actions implemented in direct management, procurement, and grants, these are awarded through competitive procedures (call for tenders or call for proposals), except in limited cases in which direct award or negotiated procedures are possible. The selection of participants in any EU initiative, including the Global Gateway projects, is primarily based on criteria such as expertise, experience and capacity to contribute to the project effectively. The EU is reaching out to all Member States to attract both public and private investors, including government actors, banks and companies. There are no situations where companies of one Member State are favoured. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/topics/international-partnerships/global-gateway_en. 2 https://commission.europa.eu/publications/eu-financial-regulation_en.”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget · Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• 2026-01-05 “E-004302/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission In June 2025, the Commission formalised an internal procedure to handle human rights complaints in EU-funded projects. The procedure aims to ensure that the complainant receives an acknowledgment of receipt, that a process of verification is conducted and that suspension or termination clauses in contracts are triggered, where necessary and justified. In May 2025, the Commission developed a document to guide staff in applying the human rights-based approach to migration and forced displacement. This applies at all stages of the project cycle and will be used as the basis for staff training, on human rights indicators and monitoring. These measures build on several layers of monitoring by partners, the contracting authority and through results-oriented monitoring. All EU projects must identify risks related to human rights. One of the aims of the new guidance is to further strengthen risk identification, assessment and mitigation. Finally, based on standard clauses in EU contracts 1 , in case human rights violations occur, funding can be suspended or terminated. Those provisions were strengthened in the update to the Commission’s contractual templates in January 2025. Implementing partners must respect EU values, including human rights, and this obligation also applies to their grant beneficiaries and contractors. Partners shall notify the EU without delay of any credible allegations of violations of human rights affecting implementation. Contracts also provide that these values are to be respected when assets are transferred to third parties at the end of implementation. 1 https://wikis.ec.europa.eu/spaces/ExactExternalWiki/pages/152798822/Annexes#Annexes_QW5uZXhlcy1Bbm5leGVzRShDaC42KTpHcmFudHM.”
  Conditions to access EU humanitarian aid · EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• 2025-12-23 “E-003472/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission Given that wrestling is a culturally significant and widely followed sport in Gambia, it was used as a channel for engaging local communities on climate adaptation and environmental awareness. The three wrestling arenas built in the localities of Ndemban, Farafenni and Boiram, also served as venues for training, education and community events focused on resilience to climate risks – such as flooding and deforestation – which directly affect local livelihoods. The implementation of this project was properly monitored through various mechanisms and a final report is currently under assessment. The above-mentioned project funded cultural engagement through sporting activities that also benefitted climate adaptation and resilience, therefore climate being targeted. Overall, the Commission ensures that all projects align with EU development and climate objectives, with sustainability systematically considered and follow-up evaluations conducted where relevant.”
  EU climate aid for global South · EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• 2025-12-12 “E-003278/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU and South Africa (SA) have a Strategic Partnership 1 based firmly on democratic values and the respect for human rights, as exemplified by the recent EU-SA Summit, which resulted in the announcement of the Global Gateway Investment Package with SA 2 to which the Honourable Members refers. In this context, the EU and SA regularly engage in a dedicated human rights dialogue, whereby business and human rights, land rights and other relevant issues are steadily covered. In pursuit of partnerships with all third states, the EU follows the procedures that are outlined in the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe Regulation (Article 13 and 14) 3 . Applying a human rights-based approach to all interventions is an obligation enshrined in the NDICI – Global Europe Regulation (Article 8). The Financial Regulation 4 makes an explicit reference to the EU values, which comprise human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and the rights of minorities. It requires that the EU budget be implemented in full respect of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and the EU values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on EU. Democratic principles, good governance and transparency are embedded in all EU-funded projects and investments. The EU-Southern African Development Community Economic Partnership Agreement 5 in place foresees that neither partner can lower environmental or social standards to attract business or investment 6 . The newly signed Clean Trade and Investment Partnership 7 which focuses on creating trade and investment opportunities in clean supply chains provides also for civil society involvement in its implementation, thereby supporting labour and environmental standards. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=legissum:r12551. 2 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/i40na1ze/published-8-eu-south-africa-joint-declaration.pdf. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32021R0947. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2509?utm_source. 5 https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/epa-sadc-southern-african-development-community. 6 Article 9. 7 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_2755.”
  EU policy on African region
• 2025-12-11 “E-004113/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Global Gateway (GG) programme was launched to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors, while also strengthening health, education and research systems across the world. The goal of the programme is to diversify EU international partnerships around the world. It is a win-win strategy, whereby the partner countries benefit from investment and creating economic growth and jobs, while the EU promotes competitiveness and economic security 1 . The Joint Communication on GG 2 outlines the guiding principles 3 and five key investment areas of the strategy 4 . Under GG, the Commission strives to identify sustainable, high-impact investments to strengthen EU partnerships. The recently launched GG Investment Hub also provides specific eligibility and assessment criteria to facilitate these investment projects 5 . GG projects and investments are subject to the strict rules that apply to the selection, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and transparency of all projects financed under the EU budget 6 . The Commission also tracks and reports on EU support to GG investment projects through the annual report on the implementation of the EU's external action instruments, and provides information through the Commission’s website 7 , which also includes links to approved action documents. GG flagship projects, which are endorsed by the Council as projects which showcase GG, are monitored by the Council’s Working Party of Foreign Relations Counsellors. Member States have full ownership in identifying and proposing GG flagship projects, considering their strategic, economic, and geopolitical interests. The relative weight given to factors such as alignment with EU priorities ensures that projects align with overall strategic interests 8 . Additional details and insights into the strategy and flagship projects are publicly available on the GG website 9 . 1 Through the GG strategy, the EU mobilised, together with its Member States, EUR 300 billion in a period 2022-2025 and overpassed the initial plan, which was set for 2027. 2 JOIN(2021)30 final, https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/3378e8f6-9d65-4ca0-8ab6ce81399d5db6_en. 3 Democratic values and high standards, good governance and transparency, equal partnerships, green and clean, security-focused infrastructure, and catalysing private sector investment. 4 Digital, health, climate and energy, transport sectors, and education and research. 5 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/investment-hub_en. 6 As per the Financial Regulation, https://commission.europa.eu/publications/eu-financial-regulation_en. 7 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/global-gateway_en. 8 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/global-gateway/. 9 See footnote 7.”
  Global priorities for international development
• 2025-11-21 “E-003864/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU is monitoring the recent incidents involving students and police in Dili. Lasting stability and social peace can only be achieved through strong democratic institutions, accountable governance and respect for fundamental rights. Support to good governance is one of two priority areas of the 2021-2027 Multiannual Indicative Programme for Timor Leste 1 , which includes projects that strengthen public finance management and bring public administration and services closer to the people. For instance, under the Multiannual Action Plan 2025-2026, the EU will finance a EUR 6 million action to facilitate citizens’ access to justice by digitalising the Ministry of Justice and streamlining its service delivery. The EU also allocated EUR 1.5 million from its 2025-2027 thematic programme on Human Rights and Democracy 2 to support civil society organisations, democracy activists and human rights defenders working on human rights, rule of law and democracy issues in Timor Leste. Moreover, the EU stays committed to engage with Timor Leste’s youth. The EU Youth Sounding Board provides young Timorese with a platform to express their views, take part in policy dialogue and contribute to shaping more inclusive governance. The EU listens to young people, promotes civic engagement and supports opportunities for youth to become constructive agents of change. In response to the events in September 2025, the EU Ambassador met with the President of the National Parliament to voice the EU’s concern, urge calm, and repeat the EU’s readiness to promote dialogue, transparency and trust between citizens and institutions. The EU stands ready to work with all partners to boost the rule of law, improve governance and support a peaceful and democratic Timor-Leste. 1 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/62aeefcf-5be2-4d72-a5683c419d34d6b5_en?filename=mip-2021-c2021-9071-timor-leste-annex_en.pdf. 2 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/peace-and-governance/human-rights_en.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · Global priorities for international development
• 2025-11-21 “E-003462/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Commission’s external actions rely on a human rights-based approach (HRBA), mandatory for all actions funded under Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe 1 ; EU funds align with contractual human rights obligations. When support is targeted at reducing irregular migration, attention is paid to upholding migrants and refugees’ rights, including human dignity. The Commission applies monitoring tools such as initial assessments, regular partner reports, verification missions, results-oriented monitoring exercises and external evaluations. It reinforced these in 2025: contracts include clearer human rights provisions; there is new HRBA internal guidance. A procedure to handle complaints was introduced. For all contracts awarded before 2025, the general conditions foresee the suspension and termination in case of force majeure and/or breach of any substantial obligations. In Mauritania, the EU assisted authorities in developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for timely search and rescue at sea and defining post-disembarkation assistance per human-rights obligations, along with monitoring and a complaint mechanism. SOPs were acknowledged by Human Rights Watch as progress. Each situation must be assessed based on substantial evidence and own merits for a proportionate approach. The Commission formalised an internal procedure for handling specific human rights abuses allegations related to EU-funded interventions. Contractual clauses allow suspension or termination if evidence of a breach or pending verification arise. Since January 2025, these include clearer partner reporting obligations on assets transfer to third parties. Where Member State agencies implement EU-funded projects, interventions are subject to HRBA and associated safeguards. 1 https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/funding-technical-assistance/neighbourhood-development-and-internationalcooperation-instrument-global-europe-ndici-global-europe_en.”
  EU policy on Sahel and Sudan · EU development aid (migration conditionality)
• 2025-10-27 “E-003349/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission EU funds are not transmitted to the Cuban authorities. Over the past five years (2021-2025), 29 contracts have been signed for a total amount of EUR 94 897 243, through contribution agreements and grant contracts. Under the Directorate-General for International Partnerships, 18 contracts were signed with the following partners: (i) contribution agreements with Pan American Health Organization (EUR 1 875 000), United Nations Development Programme (EUR 34 827 700), Agence Française de Développement (EUR 18 389 300), Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas and e-Governance Academy (EUR 8 500 000), Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo (EUR 12 400 000), Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (EUR 1 050 000), United Nations and Member State agencies (EUR 2 570 000) for Euroclima projects; (ii) Grant contracts (EUR 4 656 336) with European civil society organisations, selected through competitive calls for proposals. Under the EU humanitarian aid instrument, 11 contracts were signed and are implemented by United Nations agencies and European civil society organisations (EUR 10 628 907). As with all EU cooperation programmes worldwide, a system of reporting, monitoring, controls and audits is in place to ensure that funds are spent in accordance with Financial Rules and Regulations 1 . If that is not the case, a procedure is put in place to recover ineligible expenditures. As of today, the Commission has not received any audit report indicating fraud, corruption or other illegal activity related to the abovementioned projects. 1 Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2509/oj/eng; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/1046/oj/eng.”
  EU-Cuba relations
• 2025-10-27 “E-003372/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU’s cooperation with Colombia, guided by the 2021-2027 multiannual indicative programme 1 (MIP), extensively supports Colombia's peace efforts, particularly the implementation of the 2016 peace accords. Many sectors where the EU is active include elements of the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda, addressing issues like sexual and gender-based violence, women's participation in peace processes, the reintegration of female ex-combatants, and the impact of peace agreements on women's socio-economic opportunities. The portfolio integrates actions with gender markers one (gender equality as a significant objective) and two (gender equality as a principal objective). This support aims to strengthen state institutions responsible for the peace agreements, such as the National Agency for Reincorporation, the Directorate for Rural Women, and the Special Jurisdiction for Peace 2 . Notably the ‘Project Future: private sector and communities in action for peace’ from Annual Action Plan 2024 has gender equality among its objectives, focusing on employability of women ex-combatants in urban areas. Colombia’s MIP aligns with the Gender Action Plan (GAP III) 3 objectives. The WPS agenda is a priority in the country level implementation plan. The European Fund for Peace has developed indicators to measure outcomes like the number of women-led initiatives, support for women's organisations, women's civic participation, and improvements in gender-based violence prevention. Regular monitoring, such as reports, results oriented monitoring exercises, evaluations, and internal data collection efforts, ensures accountability and reports to the External Annual Management Review. 1 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/247ac3ef-31b6-4b41-82784a112c456039_en. 2 The EU supports access to justice for women and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer populations victims of sexual and gender-based violence during the conflict, accompanying victims’ organisations in dialogue spaces with ex-combatants; capacity building, to enhance their opportunities for political participation, support to women human rights defenders and for economic initiatives of women’s rights organisations. 3 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/gender-action-plan-iii-its-key-areas-eu-engagement_en.”
  EU development policy (gender conditionality) · Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2025-09-29 “E-002457/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is not in the position to confirm the accuracy of ‘recent media reports’ without further details on the source of information. Therefore, the Commission would like to clarify that under Global Gateway 1 the EU promotes quality infrastructure investments with the highest social and environmental standards, in line with the EU’s values and interests. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is fully aligned with the EU values and principles. In its dealings with external providers, the EIB is committed to respecting the EU’s principles regarding public procurement, such as equal treatment, non-discrimination and transparency 2 . As regards the rules on eligibility and exclusion applicable to procurement contractors under Global Gateway 3 , the Commission refers to its reply of 5 June 2025 4 . In this context, the Commission may restrict eligibility in procurement implemented by other entities in indirect management to protect the EU or its Member States’ security or public order 5 . This particularly concerns strategic assets or interests, such as the integrity of digital infrastructure, communication and information systems. In addition, the Commission works hand-in-hand with several partners, including the EIB, with the aim to promote strategic procurement, especially in fields where the EU has a strategic interest. In practical terms, this implies promoting the use of price/quality ratio award criteria, environmental, social and governance standards and adopting a more strategic approach to project preparation, appraisal and selection, that considers from an early stage the EU partner countries’ objectives and the competitive advantage of EU economic operators. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/globalgateway_en. 2 EIB procurement procedures are available at: https://www.eib.org/en/publications/20240132-guide-toprocurement-for-projects-financed-by-the-eib. 3 Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of 9 June 2021 establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument — Global Europe, amending and repealing Decision No 466/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU) 2017/1601 and Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 480/2009, OJ L 209, 14.6.2021, p. 1-78, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/947/oj. 4 See parliamentary question E-001172/2025. 5 Article 136 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast), OJ L, 2024/2509, 26.9.2024, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2509/oj.”
  EU policy on screening foreign investment in strategic sectors and critical infrastructure · Trade relations with China
• 2025-09-25 “E-003122/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU is committed to the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as an ambitious project of major geopolitical and economic relevance. To this end, the EU is working with relevant Member States to deliver a European package of support in close coordination with other IMEC signatories. IMEC is an international initiative with eight signatories (EU, Germany, Italy, France, United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and India), who are equally engaged. The EU intends to play a leading role and is ready to invest in concrete projects under Global Gateway. The EU is ready to contribute to mapping and feasibility studies with the Member States that are IMEC signatories (France, Italy, Germany), in a Team Europe approach. These studies will guide investment priorities and support Member States and project promoters. IMEC is anchored in the Global Gateway strategy and the EU’s engagement with partner countries concerned. The Commission is open to consider ways to potentially link IMEC with other strategic corridors such as the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. The Commission will, as appropriate, mobilise relevant EU instruments, and is exploring technical assistance, soft connectivity and ways to leverage both private and public investment for hard infrastructure. Importantly, IMEC will require strong private-sector involvement, as ultimately economic operators decide on the most appropriate transport routes, based on cost, efficiency and security considerations. While there are no special provisions or resources dedicated specifically to IMEC, the Commission is fully committed to assisting the project promoters and Member States to facilitate the development of IMEC infrastructures – as it does with all projects of common interest.”
  EU-US trade relations
• 2025-09-24 “E-002707/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission Since 2023, the EU has been addressing the Sargassum crisis in the Caribbean through a Global Gateway (GG) investment initiative, turning this natural phenomenon into an opportunity for sustainable economic activity. GG promotes EU technology and expertise, fostering public-private partnerships and financing mechanisms to unlock investments for scalable sargassum value chains. In partnership with Caribbean countries, the EU organised two regional conferences and structured a process to identify bankable solutions for collection, processing and valorisation. This is ongoing in Grenada, the Dominican Republic and Mexico, following their commitments to act. Progress and replicable models will be showcased at the third GG Sargassum Conference in Brussels on 8 October 2025. The outermost regions also drive innovation, notably through SARG'COOP 1 (scientific cooperation network across the wider Caribbean), including overseas countries and territories, to advance algae utilisation. EU funding is available via the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument, the Decision on Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), the European Regional Development Fund, Copernicus and Horizon Europe (including research and innovation projects to monitor and exploit sargassum in the bioeconomy). Pooling efforts through the Team Europe approach, with the United Nations, the World Bank Group, Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean and Inter-American Development Bank, secured EUR 66 million in grants and EUR 320 million in loans, benefiting the Caribbean, including EU outermost regions and OCTs. 1 https://sargcoop.org/en/accueil-en/.”
  Circular economy · EU ocean policy
• 2025-09-24 “E-003031/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU supports Colombia’s peace process combining development, foreign policy, and humanitarian aid. Efforts focused on sustainability, gender equality, institutional strengthening, land reform, ex-combatant reintegration, youth, protection of human rights defenders and social leaders 1 . In 2024, EUR 3.5 million were directed towards implementing the peace agreement and sustaining the dialogue processes through trust fund payments. The EU also enhanced access to justice through the Special Jurisdiction for Peace and backed government peace initiatives with a EUR 2.5 million Foreign Policy Instruments project. Of the EUR 31 million allocated under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe 2025–2027 2 , at least 30% intends to support Global Gateway initiatives aimed at reducing social and territorial inequalities to foster peace. The EU and its Member States back Colombia’s peace process by supporting the 2016 Peace Agreement and the government’s Total Peace agenda, including urban peace initiatives and dialogue with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-dissident Estado Mayor. The EU fosters conflict resolution by promoting reform dialogues, coordinating humanitarian action, and supporting inclusive civil society initiatives while providing expertise on humanitarian law and transitional justice, in line with democratic principles. 1 Detailed reports of the results of the EU Trust Fund for Peace are available at: https://www.fondoeuropeoparalapaz.eu/en/. 2 Decision: https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/2e2834f5-5ab9-4f07-a5f7e7b32d6b6480_en?filename=ad-mip-2024-c2024-7502-americas-caribbean-annex_en.pdf.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · EU relations with left-wing Latin America
• 2025-09-15 “E-001847/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has no way to identify ‘United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded non-governmental organisations (NGOs)’ in its information systems. However, the Commission can provide information on EU funding for the NGOs listed in the question transmitted by the Honourable Member. From 2021 to 2024, a total amount of EUR 505.4 million has been contracted by the Commission for EU External Action with Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), Save the Children, Catholic Relief Services and Mercy Corps. The European External Action Service does not directly provide funding for NGOs and political foundations. According to the Financial Regulation, grants to NGOs may only be awarded in order to finance either ‘an action intended to help achieve a Union policy objective’, or ‘the functioning of a body which has an objective forming part of, and supporting, a Union policy’. In this context, the awarded grants are selected through open and competitive selection processes against transparent criteria aimed at measuring the quality and degree of alignment and relevance of the proposals with the EU’s objectives and priorities, and must respect the EU values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union. The Commission may exclude, through the Early Detection and Exclusion System, persons or entities involved in criminal activities, including terrorism, in activities incompatible with EU values or in unethical practices. Entities subject to EU restrictive measures cannot benefit from EU funds. The Commission can also set specific conditions applicable to award procedures when the actions affect the security or public order, in particular concerning strategic assets and interests of the EU or its Member States. During implementation, and in the event of fraud, irregularities, substantial errors or breach of contractual obligations, including the violation of EU values, grants may be suspended, terminated or reduced and funds may be recovered.”
  EU-US relations · EU foreign policy approach · Support for international humanitarian organisations
• 2025-09-05 “E-002669/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The grant for the Malagasy miady isanandro amin’ny kolikoly sy ny amboletra (MAIKA) project was awarded in December 2022 and is currently at its closing phase. It is strictly intended to foster democracy and human rights. It is financed under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights 1 and was awarded in accordance with Article 195 of the EU Financial Regulation 2 and section 6.4.2.c) of the Practical Guide to Procedures 3 . Transparency International Initiative Madagascar was selected based on objective and rigorous criteria, including relevance to EU priorities in Madagascar, the organisation’s capacity to implement the project, its recognised expertise in combating corruption, and its role as a structuring local actor in supporting aid localisation. Protecting freedom of expression and freedom of association in line with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights is among EU´s priorities in external action. The EU recognises the essential role civil society plays in contributing to good and inclusive governance, the promotion of human rights and an open civic space, the meaningful participation of diverse civil society actors in society as well as sustainable development in the EU, in Madagascar and elsewhere. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/235/oj. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32018R1046. 3 https://intpa-econtent-public.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/ePrag/2021.0/ePRAG_public_full_en.pdf.”
  Conditions to access EU humanitarian aid · EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• 2025-09-03 “P-003180/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), as per eligibility requirements for working at the Commission, formally records the knowledge of at least two EU official languages. DG INTPA staff have the opportunity to learn several non-EU languages. According to DG INTPA’s learning and development statistics, 20 staff members followed language courses in Mandarin, Arabic, Russian, and Turkish in 2024, and in the first semester of 2025, 21 staff members followed training in those languages. The Commission currently does not provide language training in Urdu, Farsi, Hindi, Swahili, and Hausa as part of EU’s standard language training offer. However, Commission staff members may ask for training in these languages if they will be posted in a Delegation in a country where these languages are spoken. In addition, middle and senior management may also request private language classes in these languages. Finally, as a general rule, EU staff in Delegation have access to training in the official language of the country of assignment.”
  Global priorities for international development
• 2025-09-01 “E-002504/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU is countering hostile influence on local population from foreign actors. The EU has not suspended its cooperation with central Sahel countries and cooperation channels remain open. However, as requested by the European Council in October 2023, the EU has adapted its actions to developments in the region. Political orientations were provided by the Foreign Affairs Councils of December 2023 1 and February 2024 2 , with the latter emphasising humanitarian aid, reinforced cooperation with Chad and Mauritania, support to the Economic Community of West African States and stronger strategic communications. The adaptation is coherent with different situations in each country, and with the position taken by African organisations, which have suspended a number of countries. The EU has maintained non-military security support at Mali’s request, cooperation programmes where shared interests exist, and humanitarian support when possible. It has increased security and non-security support to more like-minded countries in the region and improved strategic communication via an expanded Africa Task Force. A new EU strategy for the Sahel and the planned renewed approach to the Sahel will propose actions addressing geopolitical competition. Support to populations in Burkina Faso and Mali continues, illustrated by Annual Action Plans (AAPs) adopted up to 2024 3 . In Niger, about 20% of the portfolio was maintained, with EUR 16 million in new contracts recently agreed under AAP 2021 4 . Though national Multiannual Indicative Programmes (MIPs) for Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger 5 were ended during the 2024 mid-term review for political and operational reasons, funds remain earmarked for these countries for 2025-2027 under the regional MIP (complex settings envelope) 6 , allowing more flexible programming in line with EU priorities. 1 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/68697/background-brief-fac-231211.pdf. 2 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/fac/2024/02/19/. 3 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/31adbafe-7097-4c76-b60f4b6ed395bdc4_fr?filename=aap-2021-c2021-9674-burkina-faso_fr.zip&prefLang=en; https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/73b098f7-080f-40e8-ad83d18c69004fbe_fr?filename=aap-2023-2025-c2023-2289-burkina-faso-part-1_fr.zip&prefLang=en; https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/0e97874f-6215-4474-9c33b7eced53b1d2_fr?filename=aap-2024-c2024-8908-burkina-faso_fr.zip&prefLang=en; https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/652f1b3f-3890-4eb4-978833e7a2271017_fr?filename=aap-2024-c2024-1428-mali_fr.zip&prefLang=en. 4 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/12081011-38a9-433f-ae562888221abd9b_fr?filename=aap-2021-c2021-9374-niger_fr.zip&prefLang=en; FN; https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/68697/background-brief-fac-231211.pdf. 5 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-01/mip-2021-c2021-9376-mali-annex_fr.pdf; https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/b6668f96-ddc3-4750-ab559dead1c7e7aa_en?filename=mip-2021-c2021-9242-niger-annex_fr.pdf&utm_source=chatgpt.com; https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/2f36acfa-a4d9-4ed3-80e93f634e1579d1_en?filename=mip-2021-c2021-9396-burkina-faso-annex_fr.pdf. 6 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/b710ea86-1496-45b9-acb998e95ef419ea_en?filename=ad-2024-c2024-8897-sub-saharan-africa_en.zip.”
  EU policy on Sahel and Sudan · EU foreign policy approach · EU development aid (migration conditionality)
• 2025-08-29 “E-002499/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission In the last 20 years, six projects implemented by Mexican civil society organisations have received European financial support through global and local calls for proposals to implement environmental protection projects in Mexico for a total amount of about EUR 3 million. The organisations are: Oxfam México (two), Foro para el Desarrollo Sustentable, Espacios Naturales y Desarrollo Sustentable, Socios-México/Centro de Colaboración Cívica and Amigos de Sian Ka’An. The objectives and eligibility criteria for actions are established in the guidelines for grant applicants for each call for proposals according to the EU Financial Regulation 1 and based on EU policy initiatives which also cover green aspects such as the European Green Deal or the Global Gateway strategy. In 2022, for example, a call for proposals aimed at strengthening the capacity of civil society to participate in the fulfilment of Mexico's nationally determined contributions. Detailed information on the calls and funded actions is available on the Commission’s website 2 . Security and justice are a key element of the EU-Mexico partnership. Through regional programme such as EL PACCTO 2.0 3 , the EU closely works with Mexican law enforcement and judiciary authorities in the fight against organised crime and to prevent violence. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202402509. 2 https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/programmes/relex (Ref. EuropeAid/174721/DD/ACT/MX). 3 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/programming/programmes/el-paccto-20_en.”
  EU climate aid for global South · EU development aid (migration conditionality)
• 2025-08-28 “E-002447/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Kyrgyz Republic is a key partner for the EU in Central Asia, a region of growing geopolitical relevance. Human development, including education, is one of the three priority areas of the EU’s Multiannual Indicative Programme with Kyrgyzstan 1 . The current Budget support programme 2 on education underscores the EU’s commitment to inclusive, quality education and the development of digital, media and green skills. At regional level, the EU fosters youth skills and employability through the DARYA project (Youth technical skills improvement: Dialogue and action for resourceful youth in Central Asia) 3 , while Erasmus+ provides learning mobilities for Kyrgyz students as well as capacity building opportunities for Kyrgyz universities. Regarding the request to establish a ‘European university’, the Commission does not intend to pursue this initiative, as was already communicated to the Kyrgyz authorities. The Commission focuses on providing comprehensive support to the education sector as a whole rather than funding individual academic institutions, whose long-term sustainability may rely heavily on continued external financing. This systemic approach is considered more effective and impactful for strengthening the education sector overall. Moreover, the high costs associated with creating a new university would significantly limit the resources available for other key Global Gateway investment priorities 4 already identified in close coordination with the Kyrgyz authorities (transport, renewable energy, etc.). 1 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-01/mip-2021-c2021-8987-kyrgyz-republicannex_en.pdf. 2 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/countries/kyrgyzstan_en (attachment under Annual Action Plan 2021 for Kyrgyzstan). 3 https://www.etf.europa.eu/en/what-we-do/darya-dialogue-and-action-resourceful-youth-central-asia. 4 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/global-gateway-commissioner-sikelareinforces-eu-central-asia-partnership-boost-prosperity-2025-03-20_en.”
  EU-Kyrgyzstan relations · EU policy on Central Asia
• 2025-08-21 “E-001764/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The European Medicines Agency is a decentralised agency of the EU, which is responsible for the scientific evaluation, supervision and safety monitoring of medicines. Scientific criteria are used to evaluate submitted marketing authorisation applications. Cooperation on biotechnology is prioritised under both the EU-Cuba Multiannual Indicative Programme 1 and the EU-Cuba Global Gateway Investment Agenda 2 . Most recent EU-funded initiatives on biotechnology: (i) programme executed by the Pan American Health Organization and the United Nations Development Programme to support the Cuban regulatory agency for Medicines and BioCubaFarma towards meeting international standards, foster innovation and exchanges with European entities, and increase production capacity (EUR 8.5 million grant); (ii) blending operation (EUR 8 million grant linked to a EUR 25 million loan) implemented by Agence française de développement to support the Finlay Institute of Vaccines to increase its production of meningococcal vaccines. Health is one of the 5 pillars of the Global Gateway, and the Commission is committed to supporting the Global South achieve strategic autonomy with a strong focus on supporting sustainable and resilient health systems. 1 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/31833263-a4e0-4027-b98783ac795275d9_en?filename=mip-2021-c2021-9130-cuba-annex_en.pdf. 2 Infographic with priorities/ country project examples under the GGIA EU-Cuba: https://internationalpartnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/8a38960b-b3a8-44db-9013-8030bfe53d56_en?filename=EUCuba-partnership_en.pdf.”
  Joint EU procurement of medicines · Pharmaceuticals regulation in EU
• 2025-08-21 “E-002646/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU and its partner countries have jointly committed to international frameworks such as the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Within this context, EU support helps translate shared commitments into practical improvements in people’s daily lives. Information on organisations in Latin America that received EU funding over the past five years, including amounts, is available on the Commission’s website 1 . Given the breadth of the portfolio, the Commission cannot provide a full overview of outcomes within the space of this reply. However, projects are accompanied by reporting, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and related documentation is publicly available 2 . EU funding is governed by the Financial Regulation 3 . Grants to non-governmental organisations must support an EU policy objective or the functioning of a body aligned with it. Funded actions must reflect EU values, including human rights, rule of law, gender equality, and sustainable development, and are subject to monitoring and audit. Entities found in breach of EU values or legal obligations may be excluded through the Early Detection and Exclusion System. Organisations listed under EU Restrictive measures are not eligible to receive EU funds. Cooperation is based on partnership and mutual respect. Programmes are developed jointly with partner governments and stakeholders and reflect shared priorities and international commitments. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/budget/financial-transparency-system/index.html. 2 Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council, and Commission. 3 https://commission.europa.eu/publications/eu-financial-regulation_en.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion · EU development policy (gender conditionality)
• 2025-08-19 “E-002688/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU remains dedicated to supporting Colombia in its pursuit of ‘total peace’ through comprehensive territorial strategies. In the department of Nariño, the EU's involvement has materialised through several targeted initiatives. Under the EU Trust Fund for Colombia, significant projects such as: Plan de Desarrollo Territorial Nariño, Rural Paz, Colombia PUEDE, and Rutas PDET – Programas de Desarrollo con Enfoque Territorial – have been operationalised. These initiatives focus on socio-economic reincorporation of former combatants, inclusion of vulnerable communities, and sustainable economic development with an emphasis on strengthening local value chains across sectors like cocoa, coffee, and tourism. Under the bilateral envelope, new initiatives have been put in place to reinforce this same logic, like the ‘Territorial Alliance for Peace and Nature” and the ‘Private sector and communities’ action for peace’ 1 . To ensure a lasting peace and inclusive socioeconomic development, the EU employs a variety of tools. This includes strategic partnerships with local actors to align with territorial priorities; facilitating dialogues; fostering leadership among youth, women, and ethnic communities; and investing in infrastructure that bolsters governance and access to basic services. Through the Global Gateway and its impact finance models, the EU is paving ways to transition from illicit economies, ultimately reinforcing peace through economic transformation and resilience. Article 8 (8) of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe Regulation 2 requires to ensure all actions are conflict-sensitive. The EU conducted a Conflict Analysis Screening in 2022 to ensure that conflict sensitivity is systematically applied in the Colombian context. 1 Both Action Documents can be found under the annual action plan 2024 for Colombia: https://internationalpartnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/2f2db8eb-492e-4e6a-a623-8b415b827127_en?filename=aap2024-c2024-5643-colombia_en.zip. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/947/oj.”
  Global priorities for international development · EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• 2025-08-04 “E-002323/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the EU engages in digital cooperation through the EU-LAC Digital Alliance 1 , which includes Mexico, and which facilitates investments fostering the digital transition in the framework of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda. The Digital Alliance represents a bi-regional political framework that brings together signatories that share values and a common human-centric vision of the digital economy and society in which the design, development, governance, and use of technology are guided by universal human rights and fundamental freedoms. This vision encompasses the rule of law and democratic principles, transparency and accountability, high levels of cybersecurity and the protection of privacy and personal data, as well as solidarity, inclusion, security and environmental sustainability. The recently adopted EU’s International Digital Strategy 2 focuses on shaping global digital governance and standards through a values-based approach to foster a global digital transformation that is human-centric, trustworthy, and respects human rights and fundamental freedoms. The human-rights-based approach is also enshrined under Article 8 of the Regulation establishing the EU’s Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe 3 . The EU’s support to digital transformation therefore comes with strong safeguards to protect human rights, including freedom of expression and access to information. The Commission’s funding decisions under instruments such as NDICI – Global Europe, include a clause to suspend assistance if funds risk supporting censorship or rights violations 4 . The EU will keep seeking cooperation with countries sharing common goals and principles. 1 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/global-gateway/eu-latin-america-and-caribbean-digitalalliance_en. 2 https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/international-digital-strategy. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32021R0947#enc_1. 4 Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 June 2021 establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe, p.7, (40): https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/947/oj/eng.”
  EU relations with left-wing Latin America · Disinformation & online freedoms
• 2025-08-01 “E-002210/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The contribution of EUR 900 million in a Team Europe approach (EU, Member States, European Investment Bank) for Global Gateway projects was announced by the President of the Commission in December 2023 1 . The funding will support four Global Gateway initiatives on green deal, connectivity, health and education 2 . This support won’t be directly or indirectly linked to the mining sector. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Rwanda on 19 February 2024 3 , formalises the shared intention to support sustainable and responsible sourcing, production and processing of raw materials. The goal is to increase traceability and transparency and reinforce the fight against illegal trafficking of minerals, in line with the EU Great Lakes Strategy 4 . Notably, the MoU supports Rwanda’s engagement with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative 5 . There is no evidence that the MoU has in any way contributed to financing or legitimising the March 23 Movement (M23) armed group or aggravating human right violations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The EU has transposed United Nations (UN) restrictive measures against M23 and has adopted a series of autonomous measures targeting several of its senior leaders, including recently 6 .The EU has been supportive of the UN Human Rights Council fact-finding mission established to investigate the serious human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law committed in North Kivu and South Kivu since January 2022. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_6724. 2 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/rwanda/global-gateway-rwanda_en?s=115. 3 https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/58035. 4 Council Conclusions of 20 February 2023, https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-6631-2023INIT/en/pdf. 5 https://eiti.org/. 6 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/03/17/democratic-republic-of-the-congo-eulists-further-nine-individuals-and-one-entity/.”
  EU engagement with Christian communities inside and outside the EU · EU-Congo (DRC) relations · EU-Rwanda relations
• 2025-07-22 “E-001729/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission EU funds allocated to development assistance outside the EU, including humanitarian aid, are implemented in accordance with the principle of transparency enshrined in the Financial Regulation 1 applicable to the EU Budget. Detailed information on amounts funded are available in the Financial Annexes of the Report on the Implementation of the EU's External Action Instruments that the Commission publishes on a yearly basis 2 . These annexes provide a breakdown of the development assistance funding across multiple dimensions. In particular, Table 11B provides a breakdown of disbursements by sector (i.e. the specific area that the aid is intended to support) and by instrument. The sectorial classification is made in accordance with the categories developed by the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The top three humanitarian non-governmental organisations receiving Commission’s humanitarian funding are the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC-NO), the Danish Refugee Council (DRC-DK), and the International Rescue Committee (IRC-DE). In 2024 (financial year), NRC-NO received approximatively EUR 119 million, DRC-DK EUR 86 million, and IRC-DE EUR 62 million of humanitarian funding. The Commission does not receive information regarding the salaries of directors of its partner organisations. 1 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/990fe2a6-8f52-11ef-a130-01aa75ed71a1/language-en. 2 For 2023’s activity, the Financial Annexes can be found in Section 8 of the Commission Staff Working Document (SWD(2024) 267 final) accompanying the 2024 Annual Report on the implementation of the European Union's External Action Instruments in 2023 (COM(2024) 548 final); https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=SWD:2024:267:FIN, https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail//publication/bfc002cc-bdca-11ef-91ed-01aa75ed71a1/languageen#:~:text=This%20is%20the%20staff%20working%20document%20accompanying%20the,international%20pa rtnerships%2C%20humanitarian%20aid%2C%20foreign%20policy%20and%20enlargement.”
  Support for international humanitarian organisations · EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• 2025-07-18 “E-001680/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU has shifted from traditional aid to partnerships of equals, including in least developed countries. Announced at the 2022 EU-African Union (AU) Summit, the Global Gateway Africa-Europe investment package 1 , aligned with the AU’s Agenda 2063 2 and taking EU interests into account, aims to mobilise EUR 150 billion of public and private investment in Africa by 2027. It is delivered in a Team Europe approach including the European Investment Bank and Member States development banks, thus optimising a coordinated use of resources and expertise. Together with its Member States, the EU is Africa's leading trading partner and first direct investor. The partnership based on mutual interests covers strategic areas such as the green transition, including energy, the digital transformation, infrastructure, while investing in health sovereignty, quality education and skills development for employability. Working hand in hand with the private sector and leveraging investment is central to Global Gateway. The strategy is implemented through innovative financing offering EUR 40 billion in risk-sharing instruments to attract private investment and create jobs and economic and social development on the ground in the partner countries. This approach enhances project impact by using private sector expertise and funds while supporting EU companies’ competitiveness. The EU-funded African Virtual Investment Platform 3 provides reliable data to reduce investment risk perceptions and boost investor confidence. Through targeted collaborations with African governments and institutions, the EU helps ensure impactful investments and sustainable growth. To effectively make a bridge between the development, financing and trade promotion, a ‘team nationals’ coordination format has been introduced in many Member States to further maximise the scale and impact of Global Gateway investments. 1 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/global-gateway/initiatives-sub-saharan-africa/eu-africaglobal-gateway-investment-package_en. 2 https://au.int/en/agenda2063/overview. 3 https://www.oecd.org/en/about/programmes/african-virtual-investment-platform.html.”
  EU policy on social & environmental impact of foreign investments
• 2025-07-17 “E-001927/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU-Central Asia Summit, held on 4 April 2025 in Samarkand (Uzbekistan), served as an opportunity to take the EU’s partnership with Central Asia to the next level, deepening trade, strengthening regional collaboration and expanding people-to-people ties. It reaffirmed the shared commitment to a strategic partnership built on common values and interests. At the Summit, the EU launched a EUR 12 billion Global Gateway investment package – strengthening transport links between Europe and Central Asia and deepening cooperation on critical raw materials, digital connectivity, water, and energy. The majority of this funding is leveraged through investments from European Investment Bank (EIB), European Bank for Reconstruction (EBRD) and other European financial institutions and the private sector, to be invested in projects of mutual benefit for Central Asia and Europe. Out of this amount, EUR 3 billion are a contribution from Team Europe that is dedicated to developing the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. This amount is a confirmation of the commitments made by the EIB and the EBRD at the EU-Central Asia Transport Investors Forum in January 2024. A further EUR 6.4 billion are dedicated to energy, water, and climate initiatives, such as the hydropower plants in Rogun (Tajikistan) and Kambarata (Kyrgyzstan), which are crucial for energy security and sustainable development, supported by blending and guarantees. EUR 2.5 billion, partially guaranteed by the EU, will focus on securing supply chains for critical raw materials, including from Uzbekistan’s Almalyk Copper Mine. Digital connectivity receives EUR 100 million – comprising an EU grant and an EIB loan – to enhance infrastructure and accessibility.”
  EU policy on social & environmental impact of foreign investments
• 2025-07-17 “E-001908/25 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission Global Gateway (GG) aims to mobilise up to EUR 300 billion in public and private investments by 2027 through a mix of grants, concessional loans and guarantees. From 2021 to 2023, the EU, its Member States, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) jointly mobilised EUR 179 billion in investments, including EUR 50 billion by the EU 1 . Revised figures for the period 2021-2024 are expected by the last quarter of 2025. GG implementation remains in line with the strategy set out in the Joint Communication, emphasising mutual benefits and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals’ achievement. Implementation has helped to refine this approach, with the GG Board highlighting on 11 December 2022 the importance of digital connectivity, critical raw materials, value chains, and strategic transport corridors, including maritime ones. The Commission’s 360-degree approach ensures infrastructure investments are supported by actions that can maximise their development impact, creating sustainable jobs and ensuring adequate education. Member States are forming ‘Team Nationals’ to foster engagement and mobilisation of the private sector with a view to deploying GG investments. The next Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Investors Forum, in late 2025 in Uzbekistan, will provide an implementation update for the EUR 10 billion commitment made at the Investors Forum in 2024. The share of Team Europe and EBRD in this is EUR 3 billion. The announcement was a mixture of investments by International Financing Institutions, contributions from the Commission’s Multi-Annual Indicative Programmes in Central Asia and EU-financed blending and guarantees. The Commission is taking a leading role in coordinating present and future investments commitments. 1 Joint Communication on the Global Gateway (2021), page 3: https://internationalpartnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/1e8e8afb-64eb-493c-9494-7e2e10796bf3_en.”
  Funding for EU Neighbourhood
• 2025-07-16 “E-001647/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Commission proposal for termination of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with Liberia is based on a decade of dialogue and close monitoring through joint EU-Liberia management structures and five independent audits. These assessments consistently found deep-rooted issues in Liberia’s implementation of the VPA, especially the lack of a functional Legality Assurance System, weak institutional capacity, and limited law enforcement. While the Boakai administration has renewed efforts to advance the VPA – reactivating joint committees, imposing a moratorium on carbon concessions, and resuming logging revenue payments – these steps have not addressed the deep-rooted structural and implementation issues. As a result, the limited likelihood of Forest Law Enforcement Governance Trade licenses combined with low timber trade flows, reduce the relevance of the VPA. The Commission has explained the reasons behind this proposal, notably at the Joint Implementation Committee meeting in November 2024 1 . The termination of the VPA and the possible transition to a Forest Partnership (FP) open the door to a new phase of cooperation which will support Liberia in aligning with the EU Deforestation Regulation 2 and advancing broader forest governance reforms through more flexible support mechanisms. The governance structures under the FPs build on those under the VPA, with participation of all stakeholders, including civil society. The EU Council and the European Parliament exercise scrutiny and provide consent on the conclusion and termination of VPAs. Whilst FPs are a more flexible agreement, they also require scrutiny. 1 https://loggingoff.info/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/EU-GoL2024-AideMemoire-12thVPA-JIC-28-Nov-24NoAnnexes.pdf. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32023R1115.”
  EU policy on African region · EU-Cameroon relations
• 2025-07-15 “P-001270/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission A project funded by the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is under implementation. It aims to promote modernisation of the mining sector in Rwanda and specifically supports technical and vocational education training, skills training, improvement of safe working conditions based on international standards, and digitalisation of mining sector services. The project was approved under the multiannual indicative programme for Rwanda, for 2021-2023. Project activities do not involve direct mining investments, nor the extraction, transformation or processing of minerals. The project is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) with the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) and the Integrated Polytechnic Regional College in Kigali, as the two main local partners. The project is co-financed with BMZ and implemented by GIZ, with whom the Commission has signed a Delegation Agreement. The EU funds under this project are administered directly by GIZ, applying standard regulations in terms of justification of expenses. GIZ is a pillar assessed Member State organisation and project implementation is subject to GIZ contractual rules and internal controls This means that it is GIZ and not the Commission, who has signed a contract with RMB according to their own pillar-assessed rules. Oversight is also ensured through the Project Steering Committee including the EU Delegation, which provides strategic guidance and oversight. On 17 March 2025, the EU adopted restrictive measures against, among others, sanctions on the current RMB’s chief executive officer 1 . RMB as an institution has not been sanctioned. The Commission has requested that GIZ as the implementing partner put in place all possible measures to ensure that the RMB’s chief executive officer does not benefit directly or indirectly, from any support provided to the RMB as an institution. 1 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/03/17/democratic-republic-of-the-congo-eulists-further-nine-individuals-and-one-entity/.”
  EU-Congo (DRC) relations · EU-Rwanda relations
• 2025-07-14 “E-001679/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Global Gateway strategy 1 is delivering with impact in Africa based on the shared objective of sustainable prosperity for both continents. The report to the EU-African Union Ministerial of 21 May 2025 2 shows tangible and consequential progress in all the 11 priority areas of the Africa-Europe Investment Package announced at the 2022 Summit 3 and aligned with African Union’s Agenda 2063 4 . The very high participation on both sides at the Ministerial meeting testifies of the vitality and importance of the partnership. With the Global Gateway, the EU has shifted to a partnership-based model, moving beyond donor-recipient ties to foster economic and social development and creating sustainable job in the partner countries. While other international actors might promote different development models, Global Gateway aims to create links, not dependency but rather contribute to the development of the partner countries. It is the EU’s value-based offer for financially sustainable and quality projects implemented in a Team Europe approach 5 . In a challenging international context, the EU stands out as a reliable and trusted partner. In 2022, the EU’s Foreign Direct Investment stock in Africa was EUR 309 billion (compared to EUR 41 billion for China). Scaling up Global Gateway is a clear mandate of the Commissioner for International Partnerships. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/globalgateway_en. 2 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/publications-library/preliminary-monitoring-report-consideredau-eu-ministerial-follow-committee_en. 3 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/global-gateway/initiatives-sub-saharan-africa/eu-africaglobal-gateway-investment-package_en. 4 https://au.int/en/agenda2063/overview. 5 Including Member States, European Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Financial Institutions, Member States’ agencies and the private sector.”
  Global priorities for international development
• 2025-06-27 “E-001406/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has set out a road to the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) in a Communication 1 , outlining the broader policy and budgetary challenges that will shape the design of the next MFF and calling for an ambitious budget. While it is too early to comment on the upcoming proposal for EU external action spending programmes and financing instruments, the next MFF should continue to address the full range of objectives of EU international cooperation, including support to the green transition. The Commission has established ‘Green and Clean’ as one of the core principles of the Global Gateway, and developed tools, trainings and support facilities for the mainstreaming of environment and climate in all actions, such as the Greening EU Cooperation Toolbox 2 , whose relevance and operational duration will continue into the next MFF. To enhance investments in nature, the Commission aims to leverage additional finance using guarantees, blending or supporting partners in developing green bonds frameworks. It established a ‘Natural Capital’ window for the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) 3 and is developing new initiatives to promote nature-based solutions and nature-positive approaches. The Commission supports civil society organisations, indigenous peoples and local communities to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework 4 through various initiatives, some examples include NaturAfrica 5 , the Green Corridor Kivu-Kinshasa 6 or contributions to the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund 7 . 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025DC0046. 11 February 2025. 2 https://wikis.ec.europa.eu/spaces/ExactExternalWiki/pages/135299291/Greening+EU+Cooperation+Toolbox. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52023DC0299. 4 https://www.cbd.int/doc/decisions/cop-15/cop-15-dec-04-en.pdf. 5 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/programming/programmes/naturafrica_en. 6 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/global-gateway-green-corridorpreserving-last-lungs-earth-through-green-economic-growth-2025-01-22_en. 7 https://www.cepf.net/.”
  EU approach to sustainability criteria in private investments · EU policy on social & environmental impact of foreign investments
• 2025-06-25 “E-001442/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Commission recognises the need for a vibrant, strong and well financed civil society, because of its essential contribution to democracies based on the rule of law and fundamental rights. The Commission welcomes for civil society organisations to diversify their funding sources, provided the funders operate lawfully, transparently, and in line with EU values and legal obligations. EU funding is provided after public and transparent calls for proposals. Proposals are evaluated against pre-announced selection and award criteria by independent experts and only the highest ranked proposals are selected for funding. The funding is provided in full transparency and in line with the Financial Regulation 1 . During implementation, EU funded projects are closely monitored to ensure that they are implemented according to the grant agreement. In the event of incorrect implementation or in cases of fraud, irregularities, substantial errors or serious breach of contractual obligations, including the violation of EU values, the grant may be suspended, terminated or reduced and funds may be recovered. The Commission’s support is based exclusively on the merit of proposed activities, alignment with EU policy objectives, and compliance with democratic principles. Any concerns about misconduct or conflicts of interest are addressed through established oversight mechanisms, including audits, European Anti-Fraud Office investigations, and exclusion procedures. Based on the rules of the Early Detection and Exclusion System 2 , entities engaging in grave professional misconduct can be excluded from receiving EU funding. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2509/oj/eng. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=legissum:0603_3#:~:text=It%20amends%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%20basic%20finan cial%20rules%20and,economic%20operators%20%28i.e.%20businesses%2C%20companies%20and%20noncommercial%20organisations%29.”
  Regulation of NGOs in Europe · Transparency requirements for interest groups · EU engagement with civil society
• 2025-06-25 “E-000898/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU-Rwanda Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 1 is a tool to help the EU address illicit trafficking and to promote a sustainable and responsible sourcing and processing of raw materials. The MoU was negotiated by the Commission on the basis of a mandate by the Council of the EU and is in line with the EU’s renewed Great Lakes Strategy 2 . The MoU has provided a platform to encourage Rwandan authorities to adhere to the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative 3 . Its cancelation would remove the basis for this engagement with Rwanda on improving transparency and traceability. The MoU and the Conflict Minerals Regulation 4 are coherent and have the potential to reinforce each other. The main objective of the Regulation is to ensure that EU importers of tin, tantalum, tungsten buy from responsible sources only, in line with the standards set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 5 . The EU has been financing the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals 6 , an accompanying measure to the Conflict Minerals Regulation, while also aiming at improving mineral resources management. The programme ‘Peace and Security for Stability in the Great Lakes region’ 7 , which supports the implementation of a regional certification mechanism, also aims at reducing mineral resources impact on conflict. The Commission takes note of the call expressed by the European Parliament in its plenary resolution of 13 February 2025 8 . Following the Foreign Affairs Council meetings of 24 February and 17 March 2025, several measures have been taken, including the adoption of additional restrictive measures, the suspension of the EU security and defence consultations with Rwanda. The MoU regarding critical raw materials was put under review 9 . In line with the calls from African partners, the EU fully supports the mediation efforts aiming at ending the atrocities and finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/58035. 2 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-6631-2023-INIT/en/pdf. 3 https://eiti.org/. 4 Regulation (EU) 2017/821, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32017R0821. 5 https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/an-international-standard-oecd-due-diligence-guidance-for-responsible-mineralsupply-chains.htm, https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-guidelines-for-multinational-enterprises-onresponsible-business-conduct_81f92357-en.html. 6 https://europeanpartnership-responsibleminerals.eu/. 7 Details of this programme are available at this link: https://mirego.bi/applications/views/UE.php. 8 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-10-2025-0020_EN.html. 9 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/fac/2025/02/24/.”
  Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights) · EU policy on social & environmental impact of foreign investments
• 2025-06-25 “E-001426/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission Addressing migration is a joint responsibility and commitment between the EU, its Member States and EU’s partners based on the principles of solidarity and partnership. Fluctuations in irregular border crossings underscore the complex challenges of managing migration, which depends on variety of dynamic factors that require comprehensive and continuous efforts over the long-term. The EU Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) 1 has played a crucial role by addressing the root causes of irregular migration, which is now continuing under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation – Global Europe Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe). Recent data indicate a significant reduction of irregular border crossings via the Central Mediterranean route, with a 59% decrease in 2024 compared to 2023, and similar levels so far in 2025 2 . The Commission remains committed to the continuous evaluation and adaptation of its programmes to ensure their effectiveness in the ever-changing migration landscape. The data provided concerns the voluntary returns and reintegration supported by the EUTF in 2023 and is not related to the North of Africa region. In 2023, voluntary returns were funded under NDICI-Global Europe, through the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration programme 3 , and reached the number of 27 212 both from North and Sub-Saharan Africa while 23 823 were assisted for their reintegration in Sub-Saharan Africa. When considering the EUTF projects which created new jobs, most of them were in the private sector. The types of jobs 4 vary according to the region, and include mainly: agriculture, fishery, livestock production or processing sector, construction and infrastructure sector, education, healthcare and social services sectors. 1 https://trust-fund-for-africa.europa.eu/index_en, established on 12 November 2015. 2 European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). 3 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/programming/projects/migrant-protection-return-andreintegration-programme-sub-saharan-africa-mprrssa_en#:~:text=The%20Migrant%20Protection%2C%20Return%2C%20and%20Reintegration%20Programme% 20for,Africa%2C%20as%20well%20as%20within%20the%20African%20continent. 4 Source is the Monitoring and Learning System reports available on the EUTF website: https://trust-fund-forafrica.europa.eu/library_en.”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget · Asylum & border control · EU development aid (migration conditionality)
• 2025-06-25 “E-001430/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware of the dynamic landscape of global health needs and the intricacy of funding allocation. While the Commission cannot fill gaps left by other funders, it is committed to a thorough analysis of the most pressing health issues worldwide, especially those with potential implications for the EU. This strategic approach allows the Commission to identify and prioritise areas for investment to maximise impact, although specific funding amounts and sources will depend on ongoing evaluations and programmatic assessments. In line with its Global Health Strategy, the Commission’s continued partnership at global, regional, and bilateral levels reaffirms its role as a dependable ally in health systems strengthening. More specifically the Commission supports vaccination through significant contributions to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and through the Team Europe Initiative on manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies 1 . The EU is strongly committed to the fight against acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) mainly through the continuous substantial support to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GF). The Commission has supported the GF since its creation, and it is currently the seventh biggest public donor to the GF and in the last replenishment (2023-2025) it pledged EUR 715 million. 1 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/team-europe-initiatives/team-europe-initiativemanufacturing-and-access-vaccines-medicines-and-health-technologies-africa_en.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · Global priorities for international development
• 2025-06-24 “E-001130/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU continues to follow closely the developments concerning the Maasai communities living in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and in the Loliondo Game Controlled Area. As regards the protection of nature and biodiversity, the EU has provided a significant amount of funding for these sectors in Tanzania from 2014 to the present. The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable Member a table which includes the currently available information on bilateral programmes relating to nature conservation in Tanzania. The table indicates the information relating to each project including titles, adoption year, recipients, objectives, amount of EU contribution, and duration. The total amount of EU bilateral funding for nature conservation in Tanzania from 2014 to the present amounts to EUR 95.38 million. As regards projects adopted under the 2021-2027 multiannual-indicative programme for Tanzania, detailed documents can be found on the Commission website 1 . 1 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/countries/tanzania_en.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• 2025-06-20 “E-001091/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU delivers a comprehensive response to global food insecurity 1 . Between 2021 and 2024, it provided EUR 4.9 billion in emergency food assistance and supported the restoration of supply chains through the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes 2 , which have enabled the export of approximately 84 million tonnes of grain, reaching global markets – including Africa – and backed the Ukrainian ‘Grain from Ukraine’ humanitarian initiative. Additionally, with EUR 3.4 billion in food autonomy, the EU is advancing a rights-based approach, land rights and agriculture under the Global Gateway 3 framework. Through multilateral efforts, it promotes transparent and fair trade for food and nutrition security – ensuring that its implementing partners safeguard beneficiaries from violence, coercion, deprivation and abuse. The United States (U.S.) has been an ally in the fight against global hunger. In September 2022, similarly to the EU, the U.S. allocated USD 2.9 billion in aid for food insecurity, adding to the USD 6.9 billion it had already committed. In 2024, the U.S. was the largest contributor to World Food Programme operations. There has recently been a shift in the U.S. administration’s approach and the U.S. made no commitments at the recent Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit 4 in March 2025. Given the current U.S. position, it is challenging at the moment to identify opportunities for future joint action. The EU emphasises the selection of reliable, evidence-based food security initiatives, capturing early warnings and market fluctuations. Amid growing resource constraints, the EU enhances coordination with global partners, in a Team Europe approach. Strengthening multilateral partnerships can prevent duplication and ensure targeted interventions. 1 Council conclusions of 16 December 2024: https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-16901-2024INIT/en/pdf; List of Council conclusions – Consilium: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/documents/publicregister/council-concl/?page=2. 2 https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-solidarity-ukraine/eu-assistance-ukraine/eu-ukraine-solidarity-lanes_en. 3 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/globalgateway_en. 4 EU pledges EUR 3.4 billion to combat global malnutrition at 2025 N4G Paris Summit: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_867 and Team Europe pledges EUR 6.5 billion at N4G Paris Summit to fight global malnutrition: https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/news-andevents/news/team-europe-pledges-eu65-billion-n4g-paris-summit-fight-global-malnutrition-2025-03-28_en.”
  Nutrition
• 2025-06-18 “E-000704/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission EU funds allocated to development assistance are implemented in accordance with the principle of transparency enshrined in the Financial Regulation applicable to the EU Budget 1 . Detailed information on amounts funded are available in the Financial Annexes of the Report on the Implementation of the EU's External Action Instruments that the Commission publishes on a yearly basis 2 . These annexes provide a breakdown of the development assistance funding across multiple dimensions. In particular: - Table 3B provides a breakdown of disbursements by Instrument and responsible Directorate-General (DG International Partnerships vs. other services). - Table 5B provides a breakdown of disbursements made by thematic area/ sector being targeted (e.g. health, education, population policies, humanitarian aid) and the responsible Directorate-General. - Table 6B provides a breakdown of disbursements made by country/region and the responsible Directorate-General. - Table 8B provides a breakdown of disbursements made by country/region and thematic area / sector. - Table 13B provides a breakdown of disbursements made by type of contribution (e.g. contribution to a project, contribution to an NGO, etc…). Information on EU budget funding (with the exception of programmes under shared management 3 ) awarded to specific recipients, such as European media outlets and think tanks, is publicly available through the centralised Financial Transparency System (FTS) web page 4 . This tool provides information at individual project level (e.g. nature of the measure, committed amount, project start & end date, funding instrument, responsible DirectorateGeneral) allowing to conduct searches across multiple dimension (e.g. name of the think tank, year of funding, beneficiary country). 1 Article 38 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union: https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2509/oj/eng. 2 For 2023’s activity, the Financial Annexes can be found in Section 8 of the Commission Staff Working Document (SWD(2024) 267 final) accompanying the 2024 Annual Report on the implementation of the European Union's External Action Instruments in 2023 (COM(2024) 548 final): https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=SWD:2024:267:FIN; https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail//publication/bfc002cc-bdca-11ef-91ed-01aa75ed71a1/languageen#:~:text=This%20is%20the%20staff%20working%20document%20accompanying%20the,international%20pa rtnerships%2C%20humanitarian%20aid%2C%20foreign%20policy%20and%20enlargement. 3 Funding implemented through shared management represents less than 2% of the total volume of development aid, and mostly relates to interregional cooperation projects in EU border regions (e.g. transport, connectivity). 4 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/eu-budget_en.”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · EU development aid (migration conditionality) · EU development policy (gender conditionality)
• 2025-06-05 “E-001172/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The eligibility rules applicable to procurement contractors under Global Gateway are laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/947 1 . Accordingly, when the Commission implements EU funds directly or through partner countries in indirect management, entities established in China are not eligible, unless China participates in the concerned EU-funded action as a donor or as a beneficiary of the action. When EU funds are implemented in indirect management with pillar-assessed entities 2 , such entities apply their own eligibility rules on access to procurement. Therefore, depending on the rules of the pillar-assessed entities, companies established in China may be eligible. Where the procurement procedure is carried out by the Commission or by a partner country, the provisions on abnormally low tenders and foreign subsidies of the Financial Regulation 3 also apply. Under the same legal framework, entities that are subject to a final judgment or final administrative decision finding them guilty of fraud, corruption, or any other crime or misconduct 4 shall be excluded from participating or implementing EU funds and they shall be rejected from a procurement award. Other related entities such as beneficial owners, affiliated entities, persons exercising powers of representation, decision or control, persons assuming liability for the excluded entity, etc. may also be excluded. In case of funds entrusted in indirect management to pillar-assessed entities and before signing contribution or guarantee agreements, the rules of the partners must have been positively assessed by the Commission, in accordance with the Financial Regulation 5 , ensuring that implementing partners have, among others, equivalent rules for procurement and exclusion from access to funding. 1 Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of 9 June 2021 establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe, amending and repealing Decision No 466/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU) 2017/1601 and Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 480/2009, OJ L 209, 14.6.2021, p. 1-78, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/947/oj. 2 Such as the World Bank or other international finance institutions. 3 Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast), OJ L, 2024/2509, 26.9.2024, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2509/oj. 4 Article 138 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509. 5 Article 157(4) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509.”
  Trade relations with China
• 2025-05-27 “E-001321/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU and South Africa (SA) have a Strategic Partnership based firmly on democratic values and human rights, as exemplified by the recent EU-SA Summit, which resulted inter alia in the announcement of the Global Gateway Investment Package with SA to which the Honourable Members refer. In the context of this partnership, the EU and SA are engaged in a regular human rights dialogue. The Commission follows the programming procedures that are outlined in the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe Regulation (Articles 13 and 14) 1 . These programming procedures are designed to enhance the effectiveness and responsiveness of EU external action, ensuring that funding is strategically allocated to support sustainable development and address global challenges. Applying a human rights-based approach to all interventions is an obligation enshrined in the NDICI – Global Europe Regulation (Article 8). With Global Gateway, the EU aims to embed democratic principles, good governance and transparency in all investments. The EU assesses in each country whether the required pre-conditions for investments exist, including regarding human rights. The new Financial Regulation 2 requires that the EU budget be implemented in full respect of EU values, including human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and the rights of minorities. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32021R0947. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2509?utm_source.”
  EU policy on African region · EU competences on human rights
• 2025-05-21 “E-001120/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU and South Africa (SA) have a Strategic Partnership based, among other, on democratic values and human rights, as exemplified by the recent EU-SA Summit, where the EU announced the Global Gateway Investment Package with South Africa to which the Honourable Member refers. This package will mainly support projects promoting SA’s clean and just energy transition. In the context of this partnership, the EU and SA are engaged in a regular human rights dialogue. With Global Gateway, the EU aims to embed democratic principles, and transparency in all investments. The EU assesses in each country whether the required pre-conditions for investments exist, including regarding human rights. When the Commission becomes aware of any suspected cases of fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the EU budget, it takes all measures deemed fit and informs without delay the European Anti-Fraud Office and, where applicable, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. The new Financial Regulation (Article 6(3)) 1 makes an explicit reference to the EU values, including human dignity, freedom, democracy, and the rights of minorities, and requires that the EU budget be implemented in full respect of such values. In cases of serious human rights violations, the Commission may take precautionary and/or corrective measures such as suspending or terminating contracts, carrying out internal or external audits, verifying expenditures, and applying other relevant controls. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2509?utm_source.”
  EU policy on African region · EU development aid (migration conditionality)
• 2025-05-15 “E-001005/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission Maintaining a network of EU Delegations around the world is an obligation 1 and a political necessity. The network (the largest among EU diplomatic services with 145 EU Delegations) is vital for articulating and executing the EU’s priorities, both for external and internal policies. More EU is needed in the world, as a normative, geopolitical and economic power. The Delegations project the EU’s values and policies on the ground, pursue strategic partnerships to reinforce the EU competitiveness and the economic security of third countries through the implementation of Global Gateway and the external dimension of key EU priorities 2 . They also enable the EU to deliver on key political commitments, undertaken in multilateral fora, such as the implementation of Agenda 2030 and its sustainable development goals. Therefore, it is critical that EU Delegations are fit for the future and are equipped with the right mix of staff profiles and tools to respond to the rapidly shifting geopolitical situation, evolving policy priorities, and budget constraints. As of today, there is no specific ‘plan’ nor decision for changing the EU Delegations’ structure or closing down any of them. The Commission and the European External Action Service are looking into options for their modernisation on the basis of a set of budgetary, legal and staff parameters to increase their effectiveness. This is a collective endeavour and ambition to have an EU network fit for the future to protect EU interests in the world. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A12016E221 2 Among others enlargement, trade and investments, energy, climate, environment, digital, migration, disinformation.”
  Global priorities for international development · EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• 2025-05-12 “E-000586/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EUR 1.8 billion 1 in EU support mentioned on the occasion of the political agreement reached on the EU-Mercosur Agreement are intended to facilitate a fair green and digital transition in Mercosur countries. It reflects the EU’s broader commitment to invest in mutually beneficial partnerships through the European Union - Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) Global Gateway Investment Agenda. The Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI – GE) Regulation 2 provides that the Commission should inform the European Parliament before mobilising funds from the emerging challenges and priorities cushion. The Parliament was informed by a letter sent on 20 December 2024. The mobilisation of the funds is not planned before 2026. Mobilisation will comply with the NDICI – GE Regulation as its legal basis. The uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the trade negotiations until the last moment did not allow for earlier information and consultation of the Parliament or the Council. In compliance with NDICI – GE, Member States are formally consulted prior to adoption of decisions by the College of Commissioners. As always, documents will be simultaneously shared with the Parliament to uphold its right to scrutiny. The Parliament and the Council will also be informed of the committee proceedings. The package will be implemented in accordance with the EU’s standard budgetary procedures, ensuring transparency and accountability through robust monitoring, evaluation, and control mechanisms. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_6244 2 https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/947/oj/eng#:~:text=Regulation%20%28EU%29%202021%2F947%20of%20the%20E uropean%20Parliament%20and,%28EC%2C%20Euratom%29%20No%20480%2F2009%20%28Text%20with% 20EEA%20relevance%29”
  EU-Brazil Relations
• 2025-05-12 “P-001069/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission Information on Global Gateway and its flagship projects is available on the European Commission’s website 1 , which also provides links to approved action documents. EU Delegations also regularly facilitate dialogue with civil society and the private sector in partner countries, sharing information on EU investments. The European Parliament is kept informed both through its observer role on the Global Gateway Board and its participation in the strategic board for the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), main Commission tool for mobilising investments. As regards the selection of Strategic Projects under the Critical Raw Materials (CRM) Act 2 , the evaluation is conducted by external experts with professional expertise in the technical, financial, environmental, social and governance dimensions. In line with Article 7 of the CRM Act, the proposed list of Strategic Projects is then presented for the opinion of the CRM Board chaired by the Commission and composed of Member States, with the European Parliament as an observer. The final list is then adopted by a Commission Decision. The contribution of EUR 900 million in a Team Europe approach (EU, Member States, European Investment Bank) for Global Gateway projects was announced in a communiqué from the President of the Commission on 18 December 2023 3 . The funding will support four Global Gateway Initiatives on green deal, connectivity, health and education 4 . They won’t be directly or indirectly linked to the mining sector as they target inclusive and sustainable agricultural transformation, youth led innovation and green investment in Rwandan cities, vaccines, medicines and health technologies, and early childhood services. 1 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/publications-library/global-gateway-flagship-projectsinfographics_en 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401252 3 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_6724 4 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/rwanda/global-gateway-rwanda_en?s=115”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · Global priorities for international development
• 2025-05-02 “E-000776/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission On 6 December 2024, on the occasion of the conclusion of negotiations of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement, the President of the Commission mentioned EUR 1.8 billion 1 in EU support that will facilitate the fair green and digital transition in Mercosur countries. It reflects the EU’s broader commitment to invest in mutually beneficial sustainable partnerships through the EU-Latin America and Caribbean Global Gateway Investment Agenda. Specifically, it could support: (a) developing sustainable forest value chains, particularly in the Amazon region; (b) the adaptation of economic actors (especially micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, women, smallholder farmers, indigenous peoples, and local communities) to the evolving trade environment; (c) strengthening capacities for implementing environmental and labour laws and policies, in line with commitments under the agreement; (d) fostering investments in renewable energy and critical raw materials, including their value chains, while improving connectivity and infrastructure. The Commission remains fully committed to ensuring transparency and integrity in all aspects of EU trade and cooperation agreements. The package will be implemented by the Commission under the standard procedures governing the general budget of the EU. In compliance with the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument — Global Europe (NDICI — GE), Member States will be formally consulted prior to the adoption of decisions by the College of Commissioners. As usual, documents will be shared at the same time with the European Parliament to ensure its right to scrutiny. The European Parliament and the Council will also be informed of the committee proceedings. Robust monitoring, evaluation, and control mechanisms will be in place to ensure that the funds are used as intended and that any risks of mismanagement or misappropriation are effectively mitigated. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_6244”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · EU climate aid for global South
• 2025-04-29 “E-000832/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission In 2025, the Commission will focus on scaling up Global Gateway through the implementation of ongoing Global Gateway investment projects and the identification of new sustainable, high-impact investments that will further strengthen EU partnerships with third countries. The second Global Gateway Forum, to be held in June 2025, will also be a key moment in 2025 to showcase steps being taken to scale up Global Gateway. The Commission will continue its active engagement with Member States, their cooperation agencies and development financing institutions to emphasise the necessity of building a Team Europe approach to scaling up investments. The Commission will also continue its work to enhance the coordination of its and Member States financial tools, including those of export credit agencies, and to increase collaboration with the European private sector through investment facilitation mechanisms and business matchmaking initiatives. The Commission tracks and reports on EU support to Global Gateway investment projects through the annual report on the implementation of the EU's external action instruments, as well as providing information through a dedicated public website 1 . Global Gateway flagship projects which have been identified by the European Council as projects which showcase Global Gateway, are monitored by the Council’s Working Party of Foreign Relations Counsellors. In addition, regular exchanges take place between the Commission and the European Parliament, notably the Committee on Development. 1 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/global-gateway_en”
  EU foreign policy approach · EU policy on the Indo-Pacific region
• 2025-04-29 “E-000345/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Commission does not finance private foundations of the United States, including the Bill Gates Foundation. The Commission contributes (as many EU Member States and other major donors) to independent multi-partner global funds and initiatives of which the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation is also often a major investor. In respect of the EU’s Financial Regulation 1 , EU development funding implemented by foundations or other civil society organisations (CSOs) is awarded through competitive calls for proposals. Recourse to an award of a grant without a call for proposals can be justified only in exceptional cases. All development projects funded by the EU and implemented by CSOs are subject to strict and rigorous monitoring and reporting procedures on an annual basis. The EU projects, implemented by foundations or CSOs, are subject to audits and/or a specific result-oriented monitoring to ensure the attainment of agreed results. The reporting from all projects at corporate level allows for assessment of their impact through analysis of results and indicators. 1 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/990fe2a6-8f52-11ef-a130-01aa75ed71a1/language-en”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget · EU engagement with civil society · Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• 2025-04-28 “E-000576/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has taken note with regret of the announcement by the United States (US) Secretary of State that 83% of all United States Agency for International Development (USAID) assistance programs will be terminated and acknowledges the significant humanitarian and development impact of such decision, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, where the presence of USAID has played a significant role in supporting vulnerable populations, including Venezuelan vulnerable refugees and migrants. The EU has long been at the forefront of supporting global humanitarian and development efforts and has so far contributed to the organisation of four international conferences 1 in solidarity with Venezuelan vulnerable refugees and migrants and their host countries. The scale and complexity of the current global needs require a collective response. While the Commission cannot replace the scale of assistance provided by the US, it remains committed to its engagement and continues to provide support to displaced Venezuelans in several host countries (including in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Mexico) by contributing to socio-economic integration, access to decent jobs and social protection systems. The EU will continue delivering humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people in the region, in a principled manner and on the basis of humanitarian needs. The Commission continues to call for an international response to the Venezuelan migration crisis, as it requires shared responsibility. While the US decision generates new challenges, the EU will continue working in a collective approach to uphold its commitments in Latin America and the Caribbean and beyond. 1 https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/where/latin-america-and-caribbean/venezuela/2023international-conference-solidarity-venezuelan-refugees-and-migrants-and-their-host-countries_en”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · EU-Venezuela relations
• 2025-04-25 “E-000718/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is concerned about the reports of attacks and persecution against Christians and committed to defending fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion and belief, and uses diplomatic and cooperation instruments for this purpose. The EU consistently condemns discrimination, intolerance, violence and persecution against or by any person based on the grounds of religion or belief. The lack of appropriate channels for political dialogue and the insufficient willingness of the Government make exchanges challenging. Nonetheless, the EU urges regularly Nicaragua to put an end to this persecution and any other human rights violation, and to ensure respect and protection of human and fundamental rights. At the same time, climate change is a critical priority for Nicaragua, given its high vulnerability to natural disasters and the significant impact on its predominantly agricultural economy, livelihoods, food security, and public health. Addressing climate-related challenges serves as an opportunity to engage with local actors in a complex and restrictive environment. Climate-related projects are an entry point to promote resilience, poverty reduction and gender equality. While no specific earmarking of funds is foreseen, EU-funded projects in Nicaragua are designed to improve the living conditions of population. A human rights-based approach is applied to ensure no one is left behind and that all fundamental freedoms are preserved. In recent years, projects in Nicaragua, funded under the civil society organisations and human rights and democracy thematic programmes, have been implemented by a wide range of civil society organisations, including faith-based organisations.”
  EU engagement with Christian communities inside and outside the EU · EU relations with left-wing Latin America
• 2025-04-24 “E-000632/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission Boosting EU cooperation with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean in the fight against organised crime is a priority of the Commission 1 . It is also a priority of the EU cooperation with Mexico. The EU closely monitors Mexico’s security strategy and remains committed to supporting Mexico in security and drug trafficking efforts through programmes like the Europe Latin America Programme of Assistance against Transnational Organised Crime 2 and the Cooperation Program between Latin America, the Caribbean and the EU on drug policy 3 . The Commission ensures effective fund management through strict monitoring, evaluation, and financial controls, involving the Court of Auditors and the European Anti-Fraud Office. The EU applies a constructive engagement policy while safeguarding financial interests, using the early detection and exclusion system as per Article 138 of the Financial Regulation 4 . EU support in Mexico funds civil society organisations focused on democratic, social, and economic development. Assistance also extends to inclusive and green reforms via Member States and United Nations agencies, emphasising capacity building, best practice exchanges, and policy support. Key intervention areas include decent work, green transport, migration, health, public finance reform, in the framework of the Global Gateway strategy 5 . Civil society plays a crucial role in Mexico’s development, achieving successes in migration, human rights, transparency, and public accountability. This participatory approach strengthens reforms and the rule of law. The EU also actively cooperated with the United States and other partners in the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats. 1 Action 15 of the Communication on the EU roadmap to fight drug trafficking and organised crime, COM(2023) 641 final, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52023DC0641 2 https://elpaccto.eu/en/ 3 https://copolad.eu/en/ 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202402509 5 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/globalgateway_en”
  EU relations with left-wing Latin America · EU-US relations
• 2025-04-16 “E-000654/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU’s development cooperation is framed mainly within the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI-Global Europe) 1 . In Somalia, the EU, together with EU Member States, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – in the framework of Team Europe Initiatives – supports the country’s state building efforts, sustainable migration management, economic and private sector development, as well as the increased resilience of most vulnerable populations while reducing the effects of the climate crisis 2 . Most of the funding for 2021-2027 is managed by international organisations, international non-governmental organisations and local civil society organisations. The choice is based on the partners’ specialisation in activities relevant for achieving EU’s objectives in Somalia, their presence on the ground, their absorption capacity, and – most importantly – on their capacity to reach most vulnerable populations. Other resources will be allocated directly to the Somali treasury, upon successful completion of agreed economic and sectoral indicators, under the budget support contract ‘State and Resilience Building Contract - Phase II’. The NDICI – Global Europe Regulation provides the means for a ‘flexible incitative approach’, under which possible allocation of additional funding related to migration could be adopted as a leverage, in accordance with the programming principles of the instrument, and taking into account effective cooperation and implementation of EU agreements and dialogues on migration, including returns. 1 Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 June 2021 establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe. 2 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/44bcd681-0141-4b0a-b63c1e5b4674f805_en?filename=mip-2021-c2021-9070-somalia-annex_en.pdf”
  EU development aid (migration conditionality)
• 2025-04-14 “E-000552/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU has been and remains committed to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), as enshrined in the European Consensus on Development 1 , the EU Global Health Strategy 2 , the Gender Action Plan III 3 , the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 and the new Roadmap for Women’s Rights 4 , among other policy and legal frameworks. The commitment to SRHR translates into a wide range of actions in development and humanitarian settings. This for example includes programming under the Team Europe Initiative on SRHR in Africa and financial contributions to civil society organisations and multilateral organisations such as the United Nations Population Fund. Everyone in the international community must shoulder their responsibility as the scale and complexity of the current global needs require a collective response. To uphold EU’s commitment to global health and SRHR, the Commission engages in partnerships based on equal footing, co-ownership, mutual interest and strategic priorities. These partnerships involve policy dialogue and programmatic initiatives at global, regional and country levels. Stakeholders include EU institutions, Member States, partner countries, civil society, private sector, and development and humanitarian partners, including United Nations agencies. The EU also provides operational grants for framework partners who work on SRHR matters to ensure facilitation of their work. 1 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/european-development-policy/european-consensusdevelopment_en 2 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7153 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52020JC0017 4 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/genderequality/gender-equality-strategy_en”
  Sexuality and reproduction · EU development policy (gender conditionality)
• 2025-04-03 “P-000796/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has a four-year Financial Framework Partnership Agreements 1 with three consortia of media-development organisations, which implement the Commission’s global programme to support independent media for the duration of this partnership. One of these consortia is led by Internews Europe, which is fully funded by European donors and constitutes a separate entity from Internews. The consortium includes four other organisations, none of which is either based or affiliated with the United States. The consortium is currently implementing the AGILE project 2 , which seeks to reinforce the resilience of independent media across Global South countries, working closely with local actors. The objective of EU projects is to safeguard the editorial independence of media around the world by increasing their financial autonomy, consolidating their skills, and building up their resilience to censorship and other forms of pressure. 1 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/news-and-events/events/infopoint-conference-supportingindependent-media-through-global-partnerships-2024-12-05_en 2 https://internews.org/internews-europe-launches-e10-5m-eu-grant-funded-independent-journalism-project/”
  Regulation of NGOs in Europe · Disinformation & online freedoms
• 2025-03-25 “E-002979/2024 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The negotiations on an international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response are currently ongoing 1 . The objective of Article 13 2 of the draft Agreement is to establish a Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network (hereafter the GSCL Network) to enhance equitable, timely and affordable access to pandemic-related health products. Such products typically refer to health products that may be needed for prevention, preparedness and response to pandemic emergencies and may include medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, medical devices, personal protective equipment. The GSCL Network would be expected to be convened by the World Health Organization (WHO), in full consultation with the Parties to the agreement, WHO Member States not Parties to the agreement and in partnership with relevant stakeholders. The EU would have a role to play if it decides to become a Party to the agreement. Neither the EU nor the Commission would however be involved in the physical distribution of products under the GSCL Network. 1 https://inb.who.int/ 2 https://apps.who.int/gb/inb/pdf_files/inb12/A_inb12_3-en.pdf”
  Abortion policy
• 2025-03-24 “E-000242/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission In Pakistan, the EU has been supporting education reforms in Balochistan 1 and in Sindh 2 . This support extends to the school education departments of the provincial governments, which oversee financing and operations of only the state schools. The EU support is focusing on institutional capacity strengthening, school rehabilitation, training of teachers, and learning. To ensure that the EU support is in line with EU values, the subjects and content for teachers’ training are specifically selected. For example, the teachers’ training support to Balochistan school education department covers English, mathematics and science. The EU scrutinises its projects including those on education via field visits, reporting, results oriented monitoring missions, evaluations and other monitoring mechanisms. The EU’s investment in education takes place under the framework of the EU’s Global Gateway (GG) strategy 3 towards enhancing EU’s global role and economic security. GG is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals 4 and with Europe’s industrial capacity and interests. The quality and sustainability of GG investments will depend, however, on the availability of an educated, skilled, and competent workforce. Improving employment and educational opportunities in countries with significant migration outflows to Europe also directly addresses some root causes of migration. The EU is committed to education as a basic human right, in particular in fragile, emergency or post-conflict settings, recognising that everyone deserves access to education regardless of geographic or cultural backgrounds 5 . The EU’s investments support education pathways and studies that lead to recognised accreditation and qualifications within formal education systems. 1 Balochistan Education Support Programme II (BES II) adopted in 2019 as part of the Annual Action Programme 2019, C (2019)7736. This support will end in 2025. 2 Development through Enhanced Education Programme (DEEP) adopted in 2017, C (2017)8796. This support ended in 2024. 3 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/globalgateway_en 4 https://sdgs.un.org/goals 5 COM(2018) 304 final - Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on Education in Emergencies and Protracted Crises, https://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/news/Communication_on_Education_in_Emergencies_and_Protracted_Crises.pdf”
  EU development aid (migration conditionality) · EU Development & Humanitarian Aid
• 2025-03-21 “E-000114/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission Given the levels of coverage achieved, current epidemiology and country demand, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance’s funding to the routine COVID-19 vaccine programme will be discontinued at the end of 2025, as recommended by the Gavi Board. Potential COVID-19 vaccine needs for a worst-case scenario after 2025 will be addressed through Gavi's emergency response mechanisms. The pledge of EUR 260 million (USD 290 million) announced by the President of the Commission 1 in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2024 is directed to support the next five-year strategic cycle called Gavi 6.0 (2026-2030) and covers the first two years of it (2026-2027) under the current EU multi-annual financial framework (MFF) 2 . The above-mentioned EU pledge for Gavi 6.0 has been made in full compliance with Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI-GE) 3 . According to Article 45 of the Regulation, the Commission shall be assisted by the NDICI committee 4 , which is composed of representatives of all Member States. The Committee is involved in all decisions within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 5 , including the ones related to the EU pledge made for Gavi 6.0 2026-2030 in September 2024. This EU contribution concerns only the EU budget within the limits of the current MFF. 1 https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/news-stories/news/european-commission-pledges-eu260million-gavi-2026-2027-and-over-eu200-million-additional-2024-09-29_en 2 https://www.gavi.org/our-alliance/strategy/phase-6-2026-2030 3 OJ L 209, 14.6.2021, p. 1–78, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/947/oj 4 https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/comitology-register/core/api/integration/ers/rulesProcedure/C84400 5 OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13–18, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/182/oj”
  EU Development & Humanitarian Aid · Support for international humanitarian organisations
• 2025-03-19 “E-003012/2024 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is not aware of any reports of non-cooperative behaviour by staff of the EU Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa (EUTF for Africa). EUTF staff are recruited based on job descriptions linked to Trust Funds whose strategy is public. EUTF staff are bound by the obligations and responsibilities enshrined in the Staff Regulations 1 . The right to freedom of expression must be exercised with due respect to the principles of loyalty and impartiality 2 . As reflected in the Council conclusions of 17 October 2024 3 and in the Political Guidelines of the President of the Commission for 2024-2029 4 , migration management is at the centre of the EU’s political agenda. The Council called for action at all levels to facilitate, increase and speed up returns from the EU, using all relevant policies, instruments and tools. To this end, the Commission is urgently working on a new legislative framework on return. The EU is developing comprehensive partnerships with countries of origin and transit in which migration, including fostering cooperation on return and readmission, is embedded. The EU ensures that its interests are fully reflected in the partnerships. The Commission also regularly assesses third countries’ cooperation on readmission and may propose to the Council to adopt restrictive visa measures under Article 25a of the Visa Code 5 . 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:01962R0031-20240701 2 Article 17 of the Staff Regulations. 3 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/2pebccz2/20241017-euco-conclusions-en.pdf 4 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf 5 Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32009R0810”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-03-19 “P-000489/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The Memorandum of Understanding (‘MoU’) on a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials value chains with Rwanda is a key tool to address illicit trafficking and to promote a sustainable and responsible sourcing and processing of raw materials. The MoU signed with Rwanda 1 is in line with the EU’s renewed Great Lakes Strategy 2 . The MoU has provided a platform to encourage Rwandan authorities to adhere to the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative 3 . Its suspension would remove the basis for this engagement with Rwanda on improving transparency and traceability. The EU is taking measures to ensure full application of the Due Diligence Directive 4 and compliance with the obligations under the Conflict Minerals Regulation 5 . The Conflict Minerals Regulation lays down supply chain due diligence obligations for importers into the EU of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold (3TG). The Regulation has a focus on conflict-affected and high-risk areas, but regardless of the geographic location, due diligence should be carried out. In view of the current situation, all options are up for consideration in the reflection with Member States on how the EU should respond, including on the MoU, as discussed during the Foreign Affairs Council of 24 February 2025 6 . Any measures should be coordinated between the EU, Member States, as well as with multilateral donors. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/58035 2 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-6631-2023-INIT/en/pdf 3 https://eiti.org/ 4 Directive (EU) 2024/1760 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on corporate sustainability due diligence and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937 and Regulation (EU) 2023/2859, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1760/oj/eng 5 Regulation (EU) 2017/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 laying down supply chain due diligence obligations for Union importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/821/oj/eng 6 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/fac/2025/02/24/”
  Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights) · EU policy on labour exploitation in global supply chains