What funding for EU external action after 2013?

Recommendations from The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the National Red Cross Societies of the Member States of the European Union

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organisation, providing assistance without discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. Founded in 1919, the International Federation comprises 186 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, a Secretariat in Geneva and more than 60 delegations strategically located to support its activities around the world.

The IFRC and the Red Cross National Societies of the Member States of the EU (EUNS)[1] take note of the consultation on “What funding for EU external action after 2013?” and consider that the debate on the EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework post-2013 deserves particular attention. The result of this process will have consequences for the EU to deliver on its commitments and to meet the challenges of today. 

This paper is the response of the IFRC and EUNS to a number of questions asked by the European Commission in the public consultation on “What funding for EU external action after 2013?”, published in December 2010. 

The next Multi-Annual Financial Framework should ensure that the EU budget on Development and Humanitarian Aid adheres to the values and the objectives of the Treaty of Lisbon, the European Consensus on Development and the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid. 

The Lisbon Treaty states for the first time that the eradication of poverty is one of the objectives of the Union’s external action (Article 3.5 TEU) and provides for a specific legal basis for humanitarian aid (Article 214 TFEU). This article indicates that humanitarian aid operations shall be conducted in compliance with the principles of international law and with the principles of impartiality, neutrality and non-discrimination (Article 214.2 TFEU).

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