European Commission Announces Record External Budget Proposal for 2028-2034
The European Commission has announced a record external budget proposal for the period 2028-2034, with the African continent receiving the largest share of funding. Brussels stated that this initiative aims to support sustainable development and strengthen partnerships, but it is also directly linked to managing irregular immigration.
According to the Kenyan newspaper East Africa, the proposal allocates approximately €58.4 billion ($68.35 billion) to Africa, out of a total budget of €200.3 billion to fund the European Union's foreign policy priorities over seven years. These funds come from the new unified financing instrument called "Global Europe," which aims to bring together foreign policy instruments into a single, more flexible framework.
Declared Objectives and Strategic Interests
The European Commission specified that these funds will be directed towards projects in the areas of:
- Sustainable development
- Poverty reduction
- Food security
- Health
- Education
Additionally, they will support peace and stability through:
- Conflict prevention
- Post-conflict reconstruction
- Crisis response
The priorities also include:
- Combating climate change
- Protecting biodiversity
- Promoting trade and investment under the "Global Gateway" strategy
However, the document, according to East Africa, explicitly links funding to migration management. It states that the funds will contribute to "addressing the root causes of irregular migration, forced displacement, and instability." The list of funded projects covers sectors such as:
- Energy
- Digital networks
- Transport
- Scientific research
This record external budget proposal demonstrates the European Commission's commitment to supporting sustainable development and strengthening partnerships with the African continent, while also addressing the complex issue of irregular immigration.
