The Global Gateway initiative: addressing the risks posed by the lack of transparency and clarity

26.10.2022

Question for oral answer  O-000047/2022
to the Commission
Rule 136
Barry Andrews
on behalf of the Renew Group

Following President von der Leyen’s call in her 2022 State of the Union address, Parliament is requesting a debate on the Global Gateway initiative. The initiative aims to mobilise EUR 300 billion to support infrastructure projects across the world in order to enhance connectivity. While the idea of giving more visibility to European action on the world stage is welcome, the initiative currently lacks transparency and clarity. There are multiple risks associated with the initiative, including a loss of credibility owing to the lack of transparency, the failure to mobilise the requisite funds, the diversion of development aid, alienation from partners as a result of a unilateral approach and the exacerbation of debt in developing countries. If the project is ultimately to be successful, in the context of China’s Belt and Road initiative, the following concerns must be addressed:

Can the Commission provide clarity as to how funds will be mobilised? What proportion of the money to be raised will be public and private funding, and what specific arrangements will be put in place? How much fresh funding is to be mobilised, and what concrete steps will be taken to do so? As regards governance of the initiative, will there be a role for the European Financial Architecture for Development, or are other bodies being considered? Given that EUR 135 billion of the 300 billion total will be made available under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe initiative, which specific budget lines will be used? How will the Commission ensure that investments meet the horizontal criteria laid down in the NDICI Regulation on, inter alia, official development assistance (ODA), gender equality, human development and climate change? How will the Commission ensure that the bilateral aid provided by Member States fulfils ODA criteria? Finally, in relation to the EU’s credibility with its partners, how will the EU ensure structured consultation with partners, and are joint undertakings currently planned? Does the Commission plan to accompany the investments with extra efforts to relieve developing countries’ debt burdens, especially where loans are concerned?

Given that the initiative aims to mobilise such significant amounts of funding, and the fact that it represents a clear and dramatic shift in the EU’s approach towards its partners, it is imperative that the Commission provide further clarity and address Parliament’s concerns on this matter.

Submitted: 26.10.2022

Lapses: 27.1.2023