Concerns over the future use of development funds emerged during budget talks in Brussels last week
EU governments are pushing for tighter control over European Commission spending powers after hundreds of millions of euros in development funds were channelled into initiatives aimed at concluding trade agreements with Mercosur and India.
Diplomats and officials said that national capitals want more of a say over the use of foreign aid funds under the next long-term budget, amid growing unease over how the Commission has used the money in recent years.
Concerns emerged during budget talks in Brussels last week, as EU ambassadors debated the governance of the future ‘Global Europe’ external action fund and reflected on shortcomings in the current aid structures, which are meant to support partner countries on issues ranging from education to economic growth.
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