The European Union must make “better use of its existing resources, rather than simply seek more funding,” as rising debt costs and inflation put pressure on its budget, Michalis Hadjipantela has told en.philenews.
Speaking after the European Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on the EU’s 2027 budget, the Cypriot MEP argued that technology and artificial intelligence (AI) should play a greater role in modernising EU institutions, improving productivity and ensuring that taxpayers’ money is spent effectively.
Asked whether the additional funding secured for cybersecurity and the protection of European institutions would be sufficient in the face of growing threats, Hadjipantela said the issue should not be viewed solely in terms of the size of the financial increase.
“The priority is to ensure that we make the best possible use of the resources available to us,” he said, stressing that every euro contributed by European taxpayers must be managed transparently and efficiently.
He pointed to AI and automation as important tools for achieving that goal, arguing that technology could streamline administrative procedures, make better use of existing infrastructure and allow staff to focus on tasks with greater added value.
“Technology is not here to replace people, but to help them work more effectively,” Hadjipantela said, adding that such a transition must go hand in hand with strong data security safeguards and the protection of Europe’s technological sovereignty.
Addressing concerns that rising debt-repayment costs and inflation could undermine investment in research, innovation and security, Hadjipantela acknowledged that the EU’s budgetary room for manoeuvre was becoming increasingly constrained.
He argued that the answer was to modernise the way European institutions operate and make greater use of emerging technologies, rather than rely on cuts that could weaken the bloc’s priorities.
“Fiscal responsibility cannot simply mean cuts. It means achieving more through better management and transparency, while fully respecting European taxpayers’ money,” he said.
His remarks come as the European Parliament has secured an additional €300 million for key EU programmes under the provisional 2027 budget agreement reached with EU governments on Wednesday.
The deal sets overall commitment appropriations at €199.7 billion and payment appropriations at €211.5 billion. It also restores €1 billion in commitments cut by the Council, bringing the budget back to the European Commission’s original proposal.
Among the beneficiaries, Horizon Europe will receive an additional €21.5 million, transport and energy networks €22.5 million, and Erasmus+ €14 million. The Civil Protection Mechanism will gain €13.5 million, while an additional €30 million will support migration and border management.
Funding for the EU’s Southern and Eastern Neighbourhoods will increase by €39 million, with humanitarian aid receiving another €30 million. Parliament also secured additional resources for military mobility, cybersecurity and the physical security of EU delegations.
Hadjipantela, who serves as Parliament’s rapporteur for the other institutional sections of the budget, said the final objective must be stronger and more effective European institutions capable of delivering results despite limited resources.
The agreement also addresses €4.9 billion in additional NextGenerationEU borrowing costs through the previously agreed budgetary cascade mechanism, designed to protect flagship EU programmes from the impact of debt repayments.
The deal does not activate the special Ukraine Support Loan instrument, although Parliament and Council have left open the possibility of mobilising it in 2027 should exceptional circumstances arise.
The provisional agreement must still be formally endorsed by the Council before being examined by Parliament’s Committee on Budgets on November 19.
A final plenary vote is expected during the November Strasbourg session, after which the budget will be signed into law.
Read more:
