Amending budget 5/2018: reserve related to the support to Turkey; European Neighbourhood Instrument; humanitarian aid; WiFi4EU initiative

The Committee on Budgets adopted the report by Siegfried MUREŞAN (EPP, RO) on the Council position on Draft amending budget No 5/2018 of the European Union for the financial year 2018, Section III – Commission: Cancellation of the reserve related to the support to Turkey from the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA II), reinforcement of the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) and of the Humanitarian Aid for other urgent actions and modification of the establishment plan of the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) in the context of the WiFi4EU initiative.

Members took note of Draft amending budget No 5/2018 presented by the Commission, which covers:

• the cancellation of the reserves of EUR 70 million in commitment appropriations and EUR 35 million in payment appropriations linked to assistance for Turkey from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA II),
• the reinforcement of the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) in commitment appropriations (EUR 70 million) and humanitarian aid in payment appropriations (EUR 35 million), and
• the strengthening of the establishment plan of the innovation and networks Executive Agency (INEA) in the context of the WiFi4EU initiative.

The committee responsible its concern at the continuing deterioration in fundamental rights and freedoms and the rule of law in Turkey and Turkey’s further drifting away from European values.

It recommended that the European Parliament approve the Council position on Draft amending budget No 5/2018.