Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The European Commission on Wednesday proposed an annual EU budget of €189.3 billion for 2024. The budget will be supplemented by payments estimated at €113 billion for grants under NextGenerationEU, the EU's tool for post-pandemic recovery. Their combined firepower will continue to drive Europe's ongoing economic recovery and job creation, while strengthening Europe's strategic autonomy. According to a statement issued by the Commission's headquarters in Brussels.

The statement also stated, "The European Union has faced exceptional challenges in the past years, including rapidly rising inflation, which has put great pressure on the budget's ability to respond more to new developments. However, the draft budget for 2024 continues to provide key financing for the Union's political priorities." European as planned Green and digital spending will continue to be prioritized to make Europe more resilient and future-proof.

Commissioner Johannes Hahn, responsible for the EU budget, said: “The EU budget continues to provide Europe with the means to meet current and future challenges. However, the EU budget, like national budgets, faces constraints due to rising costs while financing needs are not diminishing.” Designing the EU Budget 2024 to continue supporting the Union's green and digital transformation, and to remain one of the most powerful tools that add value to people's lives."

The 2024 draft budget directs funds where they can make the biggest difference, in line with the most critical recovery needs of EU Member States and our partners around the world. Funding will help modernize and strengthen our Union, by promoting green and digital transformations, creating jobs, and strengthening Europe's role in the world.

UNHCR will continue to stand by Ukraine for as long as necessary. In the aftermath of Russia's war of aggression against the country, the EU budget has been fully mobilized to support Ukraine, and EU member states welcome refugees, but the available possibilities have been exhausted. The Commission will assess future support to Ukraine in the context of the upcoming review of its long-term budget 2021-2027.