NewzIntel.com

    • Checkout Page
    • Contact Us
    • Default Redirect Page
    • Frontpage
    • Home-2
    • Home-3
    • Lost Password
    • Member Login
    • Member LogOut
    • Member TOS Page
    • My Account
    • NewzIntel Alert Control-Panel
    • NewzIntel Latest Reports
    • Post Views Counter
    • Privacy Policy
    • Public Individual Page
    • Register
    • Subscription Plan
    • Thank You Page

Category: Middle East

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – MEPs approve new financial aid package for Egypt and Jordan

    Source: European Parliament 3

    On Tuesday, MEPs approved two proposals granting Jordan and Egypt loans worth €500 million and €4 billion respectively.

    The macro-financial assistance (MFA) for Egypt was adopted by Parliament by 452 votes in favour, 182 against and 40 abstentions. The MFA for Jordan was passed by 571 votes in favour, 59 against and 46 abstentions.

    Given Egypt’s critical economic and financial situation and its role as an important stabilising presence amid geopolitical tensions in an increasingly volatile region, the Commission proposed to support the country on 15 March 2024 with macro-financial assistance in the form of loans worth up to €5 billion. These break down into a short-term loan of up to €1 billion – already disbursed at the end of 2024 – and another, regular, loan of up to €4 billion to be disbursed in three instalments. Parliament approved the proposal.

    For Jordan this is the fourth MFA effort by the EU since 2013. It should help cover the country’s residual financing needs, support its structural reforms, and shore up its fiscal consolidation efforts. In January 2025, the Commission announced an additional financial package to help Jordan deal with existing financial and other challenges.

    A pre-condition for the EU granting financial assistance shall be that Jordan respects effective democratic mechanisms – including a multi-party parliamentary system – and the rule of law, and guarantees for respect of human rights.

    Quote

    Rapporteur Celine Imart (EPP, France), said:

    « This vote underlines Parliament’s support for our partners. The money for Jordan can be delivered quickly, and Parliament will enter into negotiations with member states on the proposal for Egypt with a strong mandate to make a swift agreement. Helping our partners means promoting European interests in an unstable region.”

    Next steps

    The MFA package for Jordan now needs to be formally approved by the Council before it can take effect. On financial aid for Egypt, negotiations between Council and Parliament are expected to start soon.

    Background

    These loans are part of financial support packages concluded with EU partner countries struggling with financial, economic, societal challenges, to help with structural political and economic reforms.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    April 2, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: LeddarTech Enters Into Further Amendments to Credit Facility and Bridge Financing Offer and Announces Receipt of Nasdaq Deficiency Notice

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    QUEBEC CITY, Canada, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LeddarTech® Holdings Inc. (“LeddarTech”) (Nasdaq: LDTC), an automotive software company that provides patented disruptive AI-powered low-level sensor fusion and perception software technology, LeddarVision™, today announced that it has entered into:

    • a seventeenth amending agreement (the “Seventeenth Amending Agreement”) with Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec (“Desjardins”) with respect to the amended and restated financing offer dated as of April 5, 2023 (the “Desjardins Credit Facility”), pursuant to which Desjardins has agreed to, among other things, (i) temporarily postpone payment of interest for the months of July through December 2024 until the earlier of (x) the date of the final disbursement of one or several equity investments in the borrower for minimum gross proceeds amount of US$35,000,000 in the aggregate (the “Short-Term Outside Date”), and (y) May 23, 2025; and (ii) decrease the minimum cash covenant under the Desjardins Credit Facility to C$1,800,000;
    • a fifth amending agreement (the “Fifth Amending Agreement”) with the initial bridge lenders and certain members of management and the board of directors (collectively, the “Bridge Lenders”) with respect to the bridge financing offer dated as of August 16, 2024 (the “Bridge Financing Offer”) pursuant to which the Bridge Lenders have agreed to, among other things, extend the maturity of the bridge loan to the earlier of (x) May 23, 2025 and (y) the business day following the Short-Term Outside Date.

    The Seventeenth Amending Agreement to the Desjardins Credit Facility and the Fifth Amending Agreement to the Bridge Financing Offer also provide that LeddarTech must initiate and produce a plan at the satisfaction of Desjardins and the other initial Bridge Lenders regarding a refinancing, recapitalization or any suitable transaction (the “Plan”). LeddarTech continues to fully consider all potential sources of financing and/or other alternatives. There is no certainty that LeddarTech will be able to raise additional funds and there can be no assurance that LeddarTech will be successful in pursuing and implementing any such alternatives (including the Plan), nor any assurance as to the outcome or timing of any such alternatives.

    In addition, the Seventeenth Amending Agreement to the Desjardins Credit Facility provides for a monthly payment by LeddarTech to Desjardins of C$125,000, which monthly fee is earned and payable on the first day of each month, until the Short-Term Outside Date, which must occur on or prior to May 23, 2025. The payment of the monthly fees applicable for the month of August 2024 and for the months up until (and including) January 2025 is postponed to the earlier of (x) the Short-Term Outside Date and (y) May 23, 2025.

    The foregoing descriptions of the Seventeenth Amending Agreement to the Desjardins Credit Facility and the Fifth Amending Agreement to the Bridge Financing Offer do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to such amendments, copies of which will be filed under LeddarTech’s SEDAR+ and EDGAR profiles at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov, respectively.

    Receipt of Nasdaq Deficiency Notice

    LeddarTech also announces that it has received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC indicating that, based upon the closing bid price of LeddarTech’s common shares for the 30 consecutive business day period from February 14, 2025 to March 28, 2025, LeddarTech did not comply with the minimum market value of listed securities (“MVLS”) of US$35,000,000 (the “Listing Requirement”). The letter also indicated that LeddarTech will be afforded a period of 180 calendar days to regain compliance.

    LeddarTech intends to actively monitor the MVLS of its common shares and will evaluate available options to regain compliance with the Listing Requirement. However, there can be no assurance that LeddarTech will be able to regain compliance with such Listing Requirement or maintain compliance with any of the other Nasdaq Capital Market continued listing requirements. Readers should also refer to the press release issued by LeddarTech on March 21, 2025 with respect to the non-compliance with the minimum bid price of US$1.00 per share required for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

    The letter has no immediate effect on the listing of LeddarTech’s common shares, which will continue to be listed and traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “LDTC,” subject to LeddarTech’s compliance with the other continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market.

    The foregoing also should be read in conjunction with the disclosures set forth in LeddarTech’s Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and under LeddarTech’s SEDAR+ profile on the date hereof, and LeddarTech’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended September 30, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and under LeddarTech’s SEDAR+ profile on December 26, 2024, including the disclosures set forth under “Item 3.D – Key Information – Risk Factors” contained therein.

    About LeddarTech

    A global software company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Quebec City with additional R&D centers in Montreal and Tel Aviv, Israel, LeddarTech develops and provides comprehensive AI-based low-level sensor fusion and perception software solutions that enable the deployment of ADAS, autonomous driving (AD) and parking applications. LeddarTech’s automotive-grade software applies advanced AI and computer vision algorithms to generate accurate 3D models of the environment to achieve better decision making and safer navigation. This high-performance, scalable, cost-effective technology is available to OEMs and Tier 1-2 suppliers to efficiently implement automotive and off-road vehicle ADAS solutions.

    LeddarTech is responsible for several remote-sensing innovations, with over 170 patent applications (87 granted) that enhance ADAS, AD and parking capabilities. Better awareness around the vehicle is critical in making global mobility safer, more efficient, sustainable and affordable: this is what drives LeddarTech to seek to become the most widely adopted sensor fusion and perception software solution.

    Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at www.leddartech.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter (X), Facebook and YouTube.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements contained in this Press Release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which forward-looking statements also include forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws), including, but not limited to, statements relating to LeddarTech’s anticipated strategy, future operations, prospects, objectives and financial projections and other financial metrics. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend” and other similar expressions among others. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: (i) our ability to continue to maintain compliance with Nasdaq continued listing standards following our transfer to the Nasdaq Capital Market; (ii) our ability to timely access sufficient capital and financing on favorable terms or at all; (iii) our ability to maintain compliance with our debt covenants, including our ability to enter into any forbearance agreements, waivers or amendments with, or obtain other relief from, our lenders as needed; (iv) discussions regarding potential alternatives relating to refinancing, recapitalization or any suitable transaction (including the Plan); (v) our ability to execute on our business model, achieve design wins and generate meaningful revenue; (vi) our ability to successfully commercialize our product offering at scale, whether through the collaboration agreement with Texas Instruments, a collaboration with a Tier 2 supplier or otherwise; (vii) changes in our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs and plans; (viii) changes in general economic and/or industry-specific conditions; (ix) our ability to retain, attract and hire key personnel; (x) potential adverse changes to relationships with our customers, employees, suppliers or other parties; (xi) legislative, regulatory and economic developments; (xii) the outcome of any known and unknown litigation and regulatory proceedings; (xiii) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism, outbreak of war or hostilities and any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; and (xiv) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in LeddarTech’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the risk factors contained in LeddarTech’s Form 20-F filed with the SEC. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Except as required by applicable law, LeddarTech does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Contact:
    Chris Stewart, Chief Financial Officer, LeddarTech Holdings Inc.

    Tel.: + 1-514-427-0858, chris.stewart@leddartech.com

    Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, VAYADrive, VayaVision and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.

    LeddarTech Holdings Inc. is a public company listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “LDTC.”

    The MIL Network –

    April 2, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: ISS Recommends Shareholders Vote “FOR” Amplify’s Proposed Acquisition of Assets from Juniper Capital

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Amplify Energy Corp. (NYSE: AMPY) (“Amplify” or the “Company”) announced that Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”), a leading independent proxy advisory firm, has recommended that shareholders vote “FOR” the Company’s proposed merger with Juniper Capital’s upstream Rocky Mountain portfolio companies. The Company issued the following statement in response to ISS’ recommendation:

    The Amplify Board of Directors (the “Board”) and management team are pleased that ISS agrees our pending merger will promote continued growth and long-term shareholder value. ISS took the time to discuss the merger with us, evaluated its benefits and assessed any potential concerns through its independent review process. We appreciate that, after conducting its diligence, ISS recommended FOR our proposed merger.

    In its report, ISS concluded1 that: “[Amplify] appears to have run a reasonable process and the proposed transaction, which was the best option available following discussions with multiple parties, appears to be better than a standalone scenario given increased scale, projected free cash flow accretion, synergy opportunities, and the increased optionality for portfolio optimization.”

    We believe this transaction represents a compelling opportunity to enhance long-term shareholder value by significantly strengthening Amplify’s financial position, diversifying its asset base, and creating operational efficiencies. We anticipate the proposed merger will:

    • Drive free cash flow and value accretion:
      • 2025 free cash flow per share projected to increase from $0.50 per share to greater than $0.70 per share2
      • Total proved reserve value projected to increase ~89%, from $688 million to $1.3 billion3
    • Increase portfolio flexibility:
      • New Rockies asset base allows Amplify the opportunity to accelerate value creation through portfolio optimization
      • Lower operating cost to improve resiliency of asset base in low or high commodity price environment
    • Enhance organic growth potential:
      • Juniper assets include multi-year inventory of identified, high quality undeveloped drilling locations
      • Proved undeveloped drilling locations adjacent to premier public company operators
    • Unlock meaningful operating synergies:
      • Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA per BOE expected to increase 40% due to higher oil weighting and lower cost structure4
      • Pro-forma G&A per BOE expected to decrease >20% due to economies of scale5
    • Preserve shareholder value:
      • Increased free cash flow and scale, along with expected refinancing, projected to increase liquidity and flexibility
      • Free cash flow provides optionality to reduce leverage and return capital to shareholders

    The Board continues to recommend that shareholders vote “FOR” the two proposals regarding the merger. The Special Meeting of Shareholders to approve the proposals is scheduled to take place virtually on April 14, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time. The methods for voting and submitting proxies are described in the distributed proxy materials for the Special Meeting.

    About Amplify Energy
    Amplify Energy Corp. is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the acquisition, development, exploitation and production of oil and natural gas properties. Amplify’s operations are focused in Oklahoma, the Rockies (Bairoil), federal waters offshore Southern California (Beta), East Texas / North Louisiana, and the Eagle Ford (Non-op). For more information, visit www.amplifyenergy.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release includes “forward-looking statements.” All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this press release that addresses activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Terminology such as “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “continue,” “predict,” “potential,” “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company’s expectations of plans, goals, strategies (including measures to implement strategies), objectives and anticipated results with respect thereto. These statements address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including things such as projections of results of operations, plans for growth, goals, future capital expenditures, competitive strengths, references to future intentions and other such references. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company’s actual results or financial condition to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this press release specifically include the expectations of plans, strategies, objectives and growth and anticipated financial and operational performance of the Company and its affiliates. Please read the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and if applicable, the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, which are available on the Company’s Investor Relations website at https://www.amplifyenergy.com/investor-relations/default.aspx or on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov, for a discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those in such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements in this press release are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future results or otherwise.

    Cautionary Note on Reserves and Resource Estimates
    The SEC permits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only proved, probable and possible reserves. Any reserve estimates provided in this press release that are not specifically designated as being estimates of proved reserves may include estimated reserves or locations not necessarily calculated in accordance with, or contemplated by, the SEC’s latest reserve reporting guidelines. You are urged to consider closely the oil and gas disclosures in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other reports and filings with the SEC.

    Important Additional Information Regarding the Mergers Will Be Filed With the SEC.
    In connection with the proposed mergers, the Company has filed a definitive proxy statement. The definitive proxy statement has been sent to the stockholders of record of the Company. The Company may also file other documents with the SEC regarding the mergers. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF AMPLIFY ARE ADVISED TO CAREFULLY READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT MATERIALS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGERS, THE PARTIES TO THE MERGERS AND THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MERGERS. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents filed by Amplify with the SEC from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Security holders and other interested parties will also be able to obtain, without charge, a copy of the definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents (when available) by (1) directing your written request to: 500 Dallas Street, Suite 1700, Houston, Texas or (2) contacting our Investor Relations department by telephone at (832) 219-9044 or (832) 219-9051. Copies of the documents filed by the Company with the SEC will be available free of charge on the Company’s website at http://www.amplifyenergy.com.

    Participants in the Solicitation.
    Amplify and certain of its respective directors, executive officers and employees may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the stockholders of Amplify in connection with the transaction, including a description of their respective direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is included in the definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding the Company’s directors and executive officers is also included in Amplify’s Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and 2024 Proxy Statement, which was filed with the SEC on April 5, 2024. These documents are available free of charge as described above.

    Footnotes

    1) Permission to use quotation neither sought nor obtained
    2) Based on Amplify March 5, 2025, guidance and full year 2025 Juniper forecast at flat pricing; (NYMEX WTI, HH) – $71.00, $3.75. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure. Amplify believes that a quantitative reconciliation of such forward-looking information to the most comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP cannot be made available without unreasonable efforts. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure would require Amplify to predict the timing and likelihood of future transactions and other items that are difficult to accurately predict. This forward-looking measure, or its probable significance, can be quantified with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Accordingly, a reconciliation of the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measures is not provided.
    3) 2024 Year End reserves are evaluated at flat pricing: (NYMEX WTI, HH) – $70.00, $3.50
    4) Based on Amplify 3Q24 reported results, 3Q24 Juniper unaudited results adjusted for G&A synergies (pro-forma G&A excluding synergies equal to $3.38/Boe)
    5) Based on Amplify G&A per BOE in 3Q24, assuming $1 MM of incremental G&A post-merger and Juniper production in 3Q24
       

    Contacts

    Amplify Energy

    Jim Frew — Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    (832) 219-9044
    jim.frew@amplifyenergy.com

    Michael Jordan — Director, Finance and Treasurer
    (832) 219-9051
    michael.jordan@amplifyenergy.com  

    FTI Consulting

    Tanner Kaufman / Brandon Elliott / Rose Zu
    amplifyenergy@fticonsulting.com

    The MIL Network –

    April 2, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: STEPS TO CHECK DRUG TRAFFICKING

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 01 APR 2025 3:48PM by PIB Delhi

    The cases registered, arrests made and quantity of drug seized under Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 by various Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEAs) as reported to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) during 2020 to 2024 is at Annexure-I. The specific details of incidents regarding number of killings, anti-social atrocities on women and children under the influence of various types of narcotics and chemical drugs in the country are not maintained.       

    As part of its drive against drug smuggling to make India a drug free nation, Government is taking various measures, some of which are mentioned below: –

    (i)      The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, as amended from time to time contains stringent provision to deal with illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and controlled substances as defined under Section 2 (viiib). Further, Chapter IV of the NDPS Act, 1985 provides detailed provisions for offences committed in contravention of the relevant provisions of the Act and penalties thereto.

    (ii)     Considering the international obligations or having regard to the available information and evidence with respect to the nature and effects of and the abuse or scope for abuse, Department of Revenue has scheduled 134 narcotic drugs under section 2(xi)(b), 173 psychotropic substances under section 3 and 45 controlled substances under section 9A in order to  exercise  due  regulation,  control  or  prohibition  in  public interest while ensuring availability of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific use subject to the relevant provisions to the NDPS Act and rules/ regulations made thereunder.

    (iii)    A 4-tier Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism for ensuring better coordination between Central & State Drug Law Enforcement Agencies and other stakeholders in the field of controlling drug trafficking and drug abuse in India has been established. An all in one NCORD portal has been developed for information related to drug law enforcement.

    (iv)    A dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) headed by Additional Director General/ Inspector General level Police Officer has been established in each State/ Union Territory to function as the NCORD Secretariat for the State/ Union Territory and follow-up on compliance of decisions taken in NCORD meetings at different levels.

    (v)     To monitor the investigation of important and significant seizures, a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) under the Chairmanship of Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has been set up by Government of India.

    (vi)    Border Guarding Forces (Border Security Force, Assam Rifles and Sashastra Seema Bal) have been empowered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 to carry out search, seizure and arrest for illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs at international border. Further, Railway Protection Force (RPF) has also been empowered under NDPS Act to check drug trafficking along the railway routes.

    (vii)   Narcotics  Control Bureau (NCB)  coordinates   with   other  agencies  like, Navy, Coast Guard, Border Security Force, State ANTF, etc., to conduct joint operations to control the drug trafficking.

    (viii)  Electronics scanning of consignments for drug detection at all Ports are being ensured.

    (ix)    Towards the capacity building of Drug Law Enforcement Agencies of the country, NCB is continuously imparting training to the officers of other Drug Law Enforcement Agencies.

    (x)     To strengthen NCB and to increase its pan India presence, 536 posts in  different  level  has  been  created  in  NCB.  During  this  restructuring, special focus has been laid on cyber, legal, and enforcement aspects for more effective drug law enforcement.

    (xi)    A task force on Darknet and Crypto-Currency has been set up under the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) mechanism with a focus on monitoring all platforms facilitating Narco-trafficking, sharing of inputs on drug trafficking amongst Agencies/MAC members, interception of drug networks, continuous capturing of trends, modus operandi & nodes with regular database updates and review of related rules & laws.

    (xii)   To assist all DLEAs/other investigation agencies for investigation and proactive policing, National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-Offenders (NIDAAN) portal is developed. It provides data of narcotics offenders involved in narcotics offences under Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

    (xiii)  A National Narcotics Helpline No. 1933 “Madak-Padarth Nished Asoochna Kendra” (MANAS) has been created as 24×7 toll-free National Narcotics Call Centre helpline. Accordingly, MANAS has been envisioned as  an  integrated  system  providing  a  single  platform for citizens to log, register, track and resolve drug related issues/problems through various modes of communication like call, SMS, Chat-bot, e-mail & web-link.

    (xiv)  A high-level dedicated group has been created in National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) in November 2022 to analyze the drug trafficking through maritime routes, challenges and solutions (Maritime Security Group – NSCS).

    (xv)   Director General level talks by NCB are organized with neighboring and other countries such as Myanmar, Iran, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Singapore, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, etc. to resolve various issues on drugs trafficking having international implications and issue of maritime trafficking.

    (xvi)  Launched Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) in all districts of the country through more than 10000 master volunteers. It has reached out to more than 14.79 crore people including 4.96 crore youth and 2.97 crore women.

    (xvii) Government is providing financial assistance to 350 Integrated     Rehabilitation  Centers for Addicts   (IRCAs),  46  Community  based  Peer Led Intervention (CPLI) Centers, 74 Outreach and Drop In Centers (ODICs), 142 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs), 124 District De-addiction Centres (DDACs) across the country.

    (xviii)    A Toll-free Helpline No.14446 for de-addiction is operated for providing primary counseling and immediate assistance to persons seeking help.

    (xix)  Government through its autonomous body National Institute of Social Defense (NISD) and other collaborating agencies like State Counsel of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), etc. provides for regular   awareness generation and sensitization sessions for all stakeholders including students, teachers, parents.

    (xx)   Navchetna Modules, Teachers Training Modules have been developed by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) for sensitizing students (6th – 11th standard), teachers and parents on drug dependence, related coping strategies and life skills.

    *****

    Annexure-I

     

    Year

    Case

    Arrest

    Quantity (in Kg)

    2020

    55,622

    73,841

    10,82,511

    2021

    68,144

    93,538

    16,09,612

    2022

    1,02,769

    1,26,516

    12,53,662

    2023

    1,09,546

    1,32,954

    13,89,725

    2024

    89,913

    1,16,098

    13,30,600

    Cases registered, arrests made and quantity of drug seized under Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 by various Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEAs) as reported to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) during 2020 to 2024

    Source: Narcotics Control Bureau

    This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

    ***

    RK/VV/ASH/RR/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2117266) Visitor Counter : 62

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 2, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: Piero Cipollone: Enhancing cross-border payments in Europe and beyond

    Source: European Central Bank

    Speech by Piero Cipollone, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, at the Regional Governors’ Meeting

    Osijek, 1 April 2025

    As we gather here today in Osijek, we stand at a crossroads in the world of payments.

    Digitalisation is driving economic progress and transforming the way we make retail payments, yet there is growing frustration that the dramatic decline in IT and telecommunications costs has not been reflected in lower fees for cross-border payments in many parts of the world.

    This has proven to be an obstacle to economic integration, including in this part of Europe. For instance, a small business owner here in Croatia trying to make a €5,000 transfer to a supplier in a Western Balkan economy that is not part of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) faces costs up to 12 times higher than when sending the same amount to a counterpart within SEPA.[1]

    Such disparities are a barrier to growth. Addressing them is a priority, not only to reduce costs but also to drive economic development and bring us closer together. This is why the expansion of SEPA is so important and a key milestone on the European integration path.

    Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia recently joined SEPA.[2] This paves the way for the payment service providers in these countries to be operationally ready to offer SEPA transfers as of October[3], facilitating transfers in euro at a considerably reduced cost. We also very much support the efforts being made in the other Western Balkan economies towards joining SEPA.

    The pressing need to enhance cross-border payments is not just a regional concern, it is a matter of urgency worldwide. As international transaction volumes have surged, outstripping GDP growth, the economic toll of inefficient cross-border payments has continued to mount. Despite technological advancements and recent improvements, progress is heterogeneous across countries and cross-border payment transactions remain expensive and slow in many places.

    Moreover, the shifting geopolitical landscape has introduced a new dimension to this challenge. Rising geopolitical tensions have spurred initiatives to create alternatives to existing global infrastructure. This could lead to fragmentation of the global financial system into multiple, non-communicating blocs, which would further hamper the efficiency of cross-border payments and contribute to the refragmentation of trade and investment. In parallel, the emergence of stablecoins – which the United States intends to promote worldwide[4] – brings its own risks, including for currency substitution.

    The Eurosystem is responding proactively to these challenges in line with the G20 Roadmap for enhancing cross-border payments.[5] Our approach rests on two pillars: on the one hand, harnessing the potential of fast payment systems to enhance the efficiency of cross-border payments and deliver tangible improvements in speed and cost; on the other, continuing to respect the sovereignty and stability of our partners. This can be achieved by interlinking fast payment systems across countries. In other words, we are aiming to address inefficiencies and build lasting connections that are rooted in trade openness and balanced relationships with our partners – goals which have long been a hallmark of the European approach to economic integration.

    Today, I will focus on three points. First, I will examine the current state of cross-border payments. Second, I will discuss how geopolitical fragmentation is creating a further imperative to act. Lastly, I will present the Eurosystem’s strategic response to these challenges, which includes initiatives such as interlinking fast payment systems and exploring the possible use of a digital euro in third countries.

    The state of cross-border retail payments

    Over the past few decades, the world has witnessed a significant surge in cross-border payments, driven by the globalisation of trade, capital and migration flows. Cross-border payment flows are projected to double to €268 trillion by 2030.[6] But despite this significant expansion and the improvements that have resulted from international efforts, international payments too often remain prohibitively expensive and inefficient.[7]

    While domestic payments have undergone a digital revolution – becoming faster, cheaper and more accessible – cross-border transactions have yet to fully benefit from these technological advancements.[8] The average cost of international retail payments remains high: for nearly one-quarter of global payment corridors, costs exceed 3%. And in too many cases, cross-border payment is still slow: one-third of retail cross-border payments took more than one business day to be settled in 2024.[9]

    These inefficiencies raise three pressing issues that demand our attention.

    First, high costs and slow transaction times are undermining economic integration and growth. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of many economies are disproportionately affected. For SMEs operating on tight margins, exorbitant fees are not just an inconvenience but a barrier that often discourages them from engaging in cross-border trade. According to research by the World Bank, in 2023 it cost SMEs about ten times more to transfer €5,000 between Western Balkan economies than between EU countries.[10]

    Second, the world’s most vulnerable groups – such as migrant workers sending remittances home – bear a disproportionate share of these costs. Remittances are a lifeline for millions of families worldwide, supporting one in nine people globally. Yet sending money home remains prohibitively expensive in many regions. The cost of remittances to the Western Balkan economies averaged 6.7% until recently[11], only slightly below the 7.7% paid in Sub-Saharan Africa[12]. The impact that reducing these fees will have on financial inclusion and well-being cannot be overstated. The World Bank has estimated that by meeting the global Sustainable Development Goal target of 3%, the Western Balkan economies would save approximately half a billion euros per year.[13]

    Third, the inefficiencies affecting cross-border payments have created a vacuum that alternative players, particularly in the crypto-asset space, are eager to fill. However, many of these solutions come with significant risks that cannot be overlooked. Unbacked crypto-assets, for instance, are highly volatile and speculative in nature, creating risks for unsuspecting households and businesses.

    Furthermore, the United States’ push to maintain the dollar’s global dominance through the promotion of stablecoins worldwide presents its own set of challenges. While stablecoins may be touted as the solution to a problem, they in fact create new problems that require a solution. Unless they are properly regulated according to the Financial Stability Board principles (as achieved in Europe through the Regulation on markets in crypto-assets[14]), they cannot guarantee convertibility at par value at all times and are susceptible to runs. They may thus destabilise the very system they are meant to improve. Also, because 99% of stablecoins are denominated in US dollar and their expansion could leverage the global customer base of big tech companies[15], they could considerably increase currency substitution risks, leading to “digital dollarisation”.[16] This would impair the effectiveness of domestic monetary policy and increase financial stability risks by amplifying capital outflows in response to negative shocks. This could have a destabilising effect on emerging markets and less developed economies, particularly small economies integrated in global value chains.[17]

    Geopolitical fragmentation

    That brings me to my second point: the fundamentally changed international order and its potential to fragment payment systems worldwide.

    Rising geopolitical tensions are reshaping the very foundations of cross-border payments and endangering the global rules-based system. This could challenge established correspondent banking networks and messaging systems such as Swift.

    At a time when we should be integrating payment systems to reduce their complexity and cost for users, separate platforms have sought to create alternatives to existing global infrastructures. This trend began as early as 2013 when Iran, in response to its exclusion from Swift, created its own messaging system. Russia followed suit in 2014 with the System for Transfer of Financial Messages after its annexation of Crimea. China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System, launched in 2015, has seen remarkable growth, with over 1,500 financial institutions using it in 2024, a number that has more than doubled since 2018.

    The pace of these initiatives has accelerated significantly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the past two years alone, we have seen nearly 20 new initiatives from countries in emerging markets aimed at bypassing Swift and western correspondent banks. At the BRICS Summit in October 2024, member countries agreed to explore the feasibility of establishing an independent cross-border settlement and depositary infrastructure, BRICS Clear.[18]

    These developments raise serious concerns about the potential fragmentation of the global financial system. We could face disrupted international capital flows and reduced efficiency as the system risks being splintered into multiple, non-communicating blocs.

    For the euro’s international role[19] to contribute to preserving a stable and integrated financial system, the euro needs to provide the benefits of a global public good.[20] We must ensure it can reliably connect various parts of the global payments system and deliver tangible benefits in terms of speed and cost, while respecting the integrity, sovereignty and stability of our partners.

    The Eurosystem’s strategy for efficient and open cross-border payments

    In this context, the European Central Bank (ECB), together with euro area national central banks, is promoting a strategy for the integration of global cross-border payments to address inefficiencies while maintaining openness. This strategy rests on two main initiatives.[21]

    Interlinking fast payment systems

    The first is the interlinking of fast payment systems. Over the past decade, central banks have made significant improvements to the backend infrastructure for facilitating payments, thereby fostering the digitalisation of domestic payment systems. As of today, over 100 jurisdictions worldwide have implemented their own fast payment systems.[22] There is already evidence that the global network of fast payment systems tends to be segmented along geopolitical lines[23], but interlinking these systems could help overcome this fragmentation and extend the benefits of digitalisation to cross-border payments.

    This approach offers several advantages. It would reduce costs, increase the speed and transparency of cross-border payments and shorten transaction chains. It would also enable payment service providers to conduct transactions without having to use multiple payment systems or a long chain of correspondent banks. Moreover, it would ensure that the platform to connect and convert currencies would be managed as a public good, thus avoiding closed loops and discriminatory pricing. Accordingly, the G20 Roadmap has identified interlinking as a key strategy for enhancing cross-border payments.[24]

    Europe serves as a compelling example of what this interconnected payments landscape might look like. Within the euro area, account holders can transfer funds instantly 24/7 through the TARGET Instant Payment Settlement (TIPS) service. A key feature of TIPS is that it is a multi-currency platform that settles instant payments within a payment scheme – the SEPA Instant Credit Transfer scheme – governed by uniform rules, standards and protocols, avoiding the risk of fragmentation.

    Taking advantage of this multi-currency feature, Sweden is already using TIPS for making fast payments in kronor.[25] Denmark will do the same as of this month[26] and Norway as of 2028[27].

    In October 2024 the ECB’s Governing Council decided to take concrete steps towards interlinking TIPS with other fast payment systems to improve cross-border payments globally.[28]

    First, a cross-currency settlement service will be implemented within TIPS. This will make it possible for instant payments originating in one TIPS currency to be settled in another. Initially, this service will enable cross-currency payments between the euro area, Sweden and Denmark.[29]

    Second, a cross-currency settlement service will be implemented for the exchange of cross-border payments between TIPS and other fast payment systems globally.[30] This will allow to explore interlinking TIPS with fast payment systems that have a compatible scheme, are interested in being involved and ensure full compliance with the standards set by the Financial Action Task Force to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

    Third, the Eurosystem will explore connecting TIPS to a multilateral network of instant payment systems through Project Nexus, led by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).[31] By connecting to Nexus, TIPS could evolve into a hub for processing instant cross-border payments to and from the euro area and other countries that are using TIPS.[32]

    Fourth, the Eurosystem is currently assessing the feasibility of creating a bilateral link with India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI).[33] UPI has the highest instant payment transaction volumes in the world, with close to 500 million transactions per day[34], and India is among the top ten recipients of euro area remittances.

    We are going even further to address the situation in the Western Balkans, since most countries in the region do not yet have a fast payment system.[35] As a service provider for TIPS, Banca d’Italia is working with the central banks of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro to develop an instant multi-currency payment system based on TIPS software, with North Macedonia potentially joining at a later stage.[36] The new platform will make it possible to pay instantly within each country and across countries. It will also ease the path towards enabling instant payments between participating countries and the euro area.

    The international role of the digital euro

    Now let me turn to the second initiative we are exploring to enhance cross-border retail payments, namely the creation of a digital euro and its use in third countries.

    A digital euro would be a central bank digital currency, an electronic equivalent to cash. It would complement banknotes and coins, giving people an additional option that they could use free of charge for any digital payment across the euro area. It would work both online and offline in shops or when making person-to-person or e-commerce transactions. Moreover, it would provide a European infrastructure that could be used by private payment service providers to offer their own solutions across the continent, thereby fostering competition and innovation.

    While the digital euro would primarily be used in the euro area, it is worth considering its possible international use. The current draft legislation foresees an approach that respects the sovereignty of third countries, mitigates potential risks for them and offers them new opportunities.

    Non-euro area residents could have access to the digital euro when visiting the euro area temporarily by setting up an account with a European payment service provider. We also believe that we could enable merchants outside the euro area to accept digital euro payments from euro area residents.[37]

    Moreover, users outside the euro area could be granted permanent access to the digital euro subject to an agreement between the EU and third countries, complemented by an arrangement between the ECB and the respective central banks.[38]

    In any case, use of the digital euro in third countries would be implemented gradually and with the appropriate safeguards to ensure that it would be used primarily as a means of payment and would not stoke currency substitution. For instance, individual holding limits for users outside the euro area would not be allowed to exceed the limits set for euro area residents and citizens.

    Moreover, the digital euro’s design includes multi-currency enabling features similar to those of TIPS. In practice, this means that non-euro area countries could use the digital euro infrastructure to offer their own digital currencies, thus facilitating transactions across these currencies. The digital euro could therefore provide a solution for offering and transferring central bank digital currencies internationally and serve as a platform for innovation in cross-border payments. On this basis, the digital euro could facilitate cross-border payments and remittances, making them more efficient and cost-effective.

    Conclusion

    Let me conclude.

    We find ourselves at a pivotal moment in the evolution of cross-border payments. The current geopolitical landscape threatens to fragment our global payment systems, potentially leading to inefficiencies and reduced transparency. However, this challenge also presents an opportunity for positive change.

    The region where we are meeting today exemplifies the challenges we face, what we can achieve through collaboration and the potential for further progress.

    As we move forward, our goal is clear: we must develop safer, more accessible alternatives that make global payments cheaper, faster and more transparent, without compromising on integrity, stability and sovereignty.

    The time for action is now. Through innovation, interoperability and a commitment to open financial markets, we can build a global payment system that is resilient to geopolitical shifts and can support economic growth and financial inclusion worldwide.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    April 2, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Missing man in Yau Ma Tei located

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         A man who went missing in Yau Ma Tei has been located.

         Law Ah-cheung, aged 70, went missing after he was last seen at an elderly home on Man Ying Street on March 28 afternoon. Staff of the caring home then made a report to Police.

         The man was located in a park at the junction of Canton Road and Jordan Road yesterday afternoon (March 31). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 2, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Africa: Inside an urban terror network: book reveals how police finally cracked Pagad gang violence in Cape Town

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Irvin Kinnes, Associate Professor of Criminology, University of Cape Town

    A campaign against gangsterism in Cape Town, South Africa led by the People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad) turned violent in the mid-1990s when a group known as Pagad G-Force began what became known as an urban terrorism campaign. Lives on the Line, written by security analyst David Africa, is the true story of the secret team in the country’s crime intelligence division that waged a six-year battle against the terror group – and won. The terror campaign was brought to a standstill in 2002. Criminology professor Irvin Kinnes sets out why it’s a riveting read, a bold tell-all account by a brave author.

    What was the backdrop to the terror campaign?

    In 1995, one year after the country’s first democratic elections, a new law was passed creating the newly constituted South African Police Service. It was a tough year because the elements of the old order in the police service had great difficulty accepting the new democratic dispensation. But they had to collaborate with the people that they had tortured, jailed and, in some cases, maimed as a result of their role in political oppression in support of apartheid.

    The new centurions (police guardians of the new order) of democracy were not yet in place. A system of dual power emerged in the police, where some of the commanders that were appointed were former members of the liberation movements. They were seen as “plastic cops” because they did not train in the police academies around the country, but in the bush. Some subsequently attended various training academies. They were all integrated with other homeland police agencies from the Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei states and other “independent” homelands that had existed under apartheid. In total, 11 agencies combined to form the newly created and democratic police service in 1995.

    After 1994, many of the apartheid social controls such as restrictions on people’s movement, racially divided settlement and the death penalty were abolished. People were jubilant, hyper aware of their newly found rights.

    The police were not prepared to deal with such a rights-aware population. In addition, freedom also unleashed huge social challenges such as crime and particularly drug and gang crimes. In the immediate aftermath of the political negotiations that ended apartheid and prior to the elections, crime rates surged, especially in 1993. Not all of the crime was criminal: some of the events related to political crime with mass movements and political parties clashing with each other and with the police.

    The urban terror campaign, as labelled by members of the South African Police Service, extended from 1996-2002. This was also known as the Cape Flats war (referred to as the Pagad troubles by Africa) and was triggered by the campaign of the People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad). The organisation was initially made up of largely ordinary citizens across the religious divide, but later became almost exclusively Muslim led, and so was the G-Force.

    Pagad led several marches on the Cape Flats against drug dealers and gangsters. These marches resulted in the death on 4 August 1996 of one of the co-leaders of the Hard Living gang, Rashaad Staggie, by a huge crowd of Pagad members who were escorted by the police’s Public Order Unit.

    The execution resulted in a tit-for-tat killing between gang members and Pagad members.

    What was Pagad G-Force? What led to its formation?

    The Pagad G-Force were a group of men inside Pagad. They operated clandestinely outside its circle of influence of its public structures, but sometimes with its tacit support. Many of the members of the G-Force had received military training both inside and outside the borders of the country.

    Some people claimed they were trained in Afghanistan and Iran, and they were operators who were armed and could manage themselves against some of the threats that gang leaders had made against them. They were a tightly knit unit that was able to retain secrecy in most of their operations, guarding it against police infiltration – a battle they ultimately lost, as Africa’s book shows.

    The unit was accused of executing up to 30 senior gang leaders and drug dealers. Pagad would lead public marches against them and often publicly warned them to stop their drug dealing. This was followed by the homes of drug dealers being attacked. In many instances they were killed.

    What does the book reveal about why it took so long to end the terror campaign?

    There have been books that have attempted to document the Cape Flats war from different perspectives. But Africa tells the story from the inner sanctum of the state security apparatus that initially failed and eventually succeeded in penetrating the G-Force, Pagad and other formations.

    His book provides significant insights that makes other books on the subject pale in comparison. Fighting terrorism (urban or other) requires patience and deliberate skilled analysis of data, patterns and personalities. It requires skills of analysis built up over many years of sifting through behaviours and actions of individuals and organisations perpetrating such crimes.

    For the first time, we are made privy to the ideological reasoning and political thinking, strategising and implementation of police operations that was decidedly different from the old state thinking of actions against adversaries they were investigating.

    This was painstaking work and the level of co-operation between the new centurions of democracy in the police under the leadership of Africa and the old order. The old-order guardians were the same men and women in the old South African Police Force that had defended the apartheid government and did not trust the new police investigators from the liberation movements. They still had control of the police service in 1996. This was a recipe for creative and disruptive tensions, mistrust and outright sabotage of each other’s operations.

    What was the author’s involvement in the police efforts?

    The author was the head of a covert police intelligence team whose exclusive focus was to bring down the Pagad G-Force. He was central in conceptualising a new approach of working in a decontaminated group of intelligence officers made up of former liberation movement officers. Their job was to analyse information and turn it into actionable intelligence products that could be used to act against the Pagad G-Force.

    What was different about this approach was they produced court-ready evidence which police detectives could use in courts against the accused Pagad bombers. He led the fight for the new covert unit to have the necessary resources, support from their colleagues when it was required and most importantly, the support of the then national commissioner, Jackie Selebi.

    In this fight, Selebi quite clearly took sides and fully supported the actions of Africa and his colleagues to defeat Pagad’s G-Force. Africa makes this clear in his book and emphasises the support that was provided by Selebi.

    What are the key takeaways from the book about fighting similar campaigns of violence?

    The book puts together all the actors nationally and provincially and accords them the historical roles in each of their fields of expertise. It unravels the networks they spun to target, isolate, recruit and turn suspected G-Force operators.

    This look from within the war machine against Pagad raises many questions for any reader.

    It is a book for anyone who wants to understand the fight against terror, globally, regionally and locally, and what it really takes to bring people who commit such acts to justice.

    Lives on the Line confirms why it is so difficult to investigate organised crime and urban terrorists today.

    – Inside an urban terror network: book reveals how police finally cracked Pagad gang violence in Cape Town
    – https://theconversation.com/inside-an-urban-terror-network-book-reveals-how-police-finally-cracked-pagad-gang-violence-in-cape-town-253447

    MIL OSI Africa –

    April 2, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Energy taxation rules – E-001180/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001180/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Michalis Hadjipantela (PPE)

    The Republic of Cyprus, in line with the EU’s energy taxation rules, is expected to impose or expand various environmental taxes on water, fuel and waste management, to meet climate-related targets by encouraging consumers to switch to environmentally friendly alternatives.

    These taxes will drive up costs for households, especially for utilities and transportation, thereby contributing to inflation, the worsening of the energy crisis and further economic uncertainty. These consequences will disproportionately affect lower-income citizens and households, contrary to the EU principle of a socially balanced, just transition.

    The lack of viable alternatives available to consumers in Cyprus, such as greater renewable energy capacity, modernised waste management and better public transport, will place undue stress on the public.

    In the light of the above:

    • 1.Can the Commission provide detailed clarification on whether a deferral of or exemption to the proposed taxes can be granted, under existing or proposed directives?
    • 2.What tools, financial instruments or mechanisms are available to support Cyprus in closing its infrastructure gaps and mitigating the transition costs for households, particularly vulnerable ones?

    Submitted: 19.3.2025

    Last updated: 1 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    April 2, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU action in response to the illegal activities of the Houthi movement in the Red Sea – E-001127/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001127/2025
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Afroditi Latinopoulou (PfE)

    On 5 March 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on seven high-ranking members of the Iran-affiliated Houthi movement in Yemen. According to a statement by the US Department of the Treasury, these individuals smuggled military items and weapon systems into Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and negotiated weapons procurement from Russia.

    The US Department of the Treasury also imposed sanctions on Abdulwali Abdoh Hasan Al-Jabri and his company, Al-Jabri General Trading and Investment Co, for recruiting Yemeni citizens to fight in Ukraine on behalf of Russia and for raising funds to support Houthi military operations.

    In view of the Houthis’ continuous attacks on ships owned by companies from European countries, such as Denmark and Greece, will the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy say:

    • 1.How does the EU assess the sanctions on the Houthi movement imposed by the US?
    • 2.Does the EU intend to work with the US to put an end to the Houthis’ illegal activities, ensuring that ships serving European interests can safely navigate in the Red Sea?

    Submitted: 17.3.2025

    Last updated: 1 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    April 2, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: It will take more than an Oscar to stop Israel’s West Bank plans

    “I started filming when we started to end.” With these haunting words, Basel Adra begins No Other Land, the Oscar-winning documentary that depicts life in Masafer Yatta, a collection of Palestinian villages in the southern West Bank that are under complete occupation – military and civil – by Israel.

    For Basel and his community, this land isn’t merely territory — it’s identity, livelihood, their past and future.

    No Other Land vividly captures the intensity of life in rural Palestinian villages and the everyday destruction perpetrated by both Israeli authorities and the nearby settler population: the repeated demolition of Palestinian homes and schools; destruction of water sources such as wells; uprooting of olive trees; and the constant threat of extreme violence.

    While this 95-minute slice of Palestinian life opened the world’s eyes, most are unaware that No Other Land takes place in an area of the West Bank that is ground zero for any viable future Palestinian state.

    Designated as “Area C” under the Oslo Peace Accords, it constitutes 60% of the occupied West Bank and is where the bulk of Israeli settlements and outposts are located. It is a beautiful and resource-rich area upon which a Palestinian state would need to rely for self-sufficiency.

    For decades now, Israel has been using military rule as well as its planning regime to take over huge swathes of Area C, land that is Palestinian — lived and worked on for generations.

    This has been achieved through Israel’s High Planning Council, an institution constituted solely of Israelis who oversee the use of the land through permits — a system that invariably benefits Israelis and subjugates Palestinians, so much so that Israel denies access to Palestinians of 99 percent of the land in Area C including their own agricultural lands and private property.

    ‘This is apartheid’
    Michael Lynk, when he was serving as UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, referred to Israel’s planning system as “de-development” and stated explicitly: “This is apartheid”.

    The International Court of Justice recently affirmed what Palestinians have long known: Israel’s planning policies in the West Bank are not only discriminatory but form part of a broader annexation agenda — a violation of international humanitarian law.

    To these ends, Israel deploys a variety of strategies: Israeli officials will deem certain areas as “state lands”, necessary for military use, or designate them as archaeologically significant, or will grant permission for the expansion of an existing settlement or the establishment of a new one.

    Meanwhile, less than 1 percent of Palestinian permit applications were granted at the best of times, a percentage which has dropped to zero since October 2023.

    As part of the annexation strategy, one of Israel’s goals with respect to Area C is demographic: to move Israelis in and drive Palestinians out — all in violation of international law which prohibits the forced relocation of occupied peoples and the transfer of the occupant’s population to occupied land.

    Regardless, Israel is achieving its goal with impunity: between 2023 and 2025 more than 7,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced from their homes in Area C due to Israeli settler violence and access restrictions.

    At least 16 Palestinian communities have been completely emptied, their residents scattered, and their ties to ancestral lands severed.

    Israel’s settler colonialism on steroids
    Under the cover of the international community’s focus on Gaza since October 2023, Israel has accelerated its land grab at an unprecedented pace.

    The government has increased funding for settlements by nearly 150 percent; more than 25,000 new Israeli housing units in settlements have been advanced or approved; and Israel has been carving out new roads through Palestinian lands in the West Bank, severing Palestinians from each other, their lands and other vital resources.

    Israeli authorities have also encouraged the establishment of new Israeli outposts in Area C, housing some of the most radical settlers who have been intensifying serious violence against Palestinians in the area, often with the support of Israeli soldiers.

    None of this is accidental. In December 2022, Israel appointed Bezalel Smotrich, founder of a settler organisation and a settler himself, to oversee civilian affairs in the West Bank.

    Since then, administrative changes have accelerated settlement expansion while tightening restrictions on Palestinians. New checkpoints and barriers throughout Area C have further isolated Palestinian communities, making daily life increasingly impossible.

    Humanitarian organisations and the international community provide much-needed emergency assistance to help Palestinians maintain a foothold, but Palestinians are quickly losing ground.

    As No Other Land hit screens in movie houses across the world, settlers were storming homes in Area C and since the Oscar win there has been a notable uptick in violence. Just this week reports emerged that co-director Hamdan Ballal was himself badly beaten by Israeli settlers and incarcerated overnight by the Israeli army.

    Israel’s annexation of Area C is imminent. To retain it as Palestinian will require both the Palestinian Authority and the international community to shift the paradigm, assert that Area C is Palestinian and take more robust actions to breathe life into this legal fact.

    The road map for doing so was laid by the International Court of Justice who found unequivocally that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza is unlawful and must come to an end.

    They specified that the international community has obligations in this regard: they must not directly or indirectly aid Israel in maintaining the occupation and they must cooperate to end it.

    With respect to Area C, this includes tackling Israel’s settlement policy to cease, prevent and reverse settlement construction and expansion; preventing any further settler violence; and ending any engagement with Israel’s discriminatory High Planning Council, which must be dismantled.

    With no time to waste, and despite all the other urgencies in Gaza and the West Bank, if there is to be a Palestinian state, Palestinians in Area C must be provided with full support – political, financial, and legal — by local authorities and the international community, to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.

    After all, Area C is Palestine.

    Leilani Farha is a former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing and author of the report Area C is Everything. Republished under Creative Commons.

    Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: Inside an urban terror network: book reveals how police finally cracked Pagad gang violence in Cape Town

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Irvin Kinnes, Associate Professor of Criminology, University of Cape Town

    A campaign against gangsterism in Cape Town, South Africa led by the People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad) turned violent in the mid-1990s when a group known as Pagad G-Force began what became known as an urban terrorism campaign. Lives on the Line, written by security analyst David Africa, is the true story of the secret team in the country’s crime intelligence division that waged a six-year battle against the terror group – and won. The terror campaign was brought to a standstill in 2002. Criminology professor Irvin Kinnes sets out why it’s a riveting read, a bold tell-all account by a brave author.

    What was the backdrop to the terror campaign?

    In 1995, one year after the country’s first democratic elections, a new law was passed creating the newly constituted South African Police Service. It was a tough year because the elements of the old order in the police service had great difficulty accepting the new democratic dispensation. But they had to collaborate with the people that they had tortured, jailed and, in some cases, maimed as a result of their role in political oppression in support of apartheid.

    The new centurions (police guardians of the new order) of democracy were not yet in place. A system of dual power emerged in the police, where some of the commanders that were appointed were former members of the liberation movements. They were seen as “plastic cops” because they did not train in the police academies around the country, but in the bush. Some subsequently attended various training academies. They were all integrated with other homeland police agencies from the Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei states and other “independent” homelands that had existed under apartheid. In total, 11 agencies combined to form the newly created and democratic police service in 1995.

    After 1994, many of the apartheid social controls such as restrictions on people’s movement, racially divided settlement and the death penalty were abolished. People were jubilant, hyper aware of their newly found rights.

    The police were not prepared to deal with such a rights-aware population. In addition, freedom also unleashed huge social challenges such as crime and particularly drug and gang crimes. In the immediate aftermath of the political negotiations that ended apartheid and prior to the elections, crime rates surged, especially in 1993. Not all of the crime was criminal: some of the events related to political crime with mass movements and political parties clashing with each other and with the police.

    The urban terror campaign, as labelled by members of the South African Police Service, extended from 1996-2002. This was also known as the Cape Flats war (referred to as the Pagad troubles by Africa) and was triggered by the campaign of the People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad). The organisation was initially made up of largely ordinary citizens across the religious divide, but later became almost exclusively Muslim led, and so was the G-Force.

    Pagad led several marches on the Cape Flats against drug dealers and gangsters. These marches resulted in the death on 4 August 1996 of one of the co-leaders of the Hard Living gang, Rashaad Staggie, by a huge crowd of Pagad members who were escorted by the police’s Public Order Unit.

    The execution resulted in a tit-for-tat killing between gang members and Pagad members.

    What was Pagad G-Force? What led to its formation?

    The Pagad G-Force were a group of men inside Pagad. They operated clandestinely outside its circle of influence of its public structures, but sometimes with its tacit support. Many of the members of the G-Force had received military training both inside and outside the borders of the country.

    Some people claimed they were trained in Afghanistan and Iran, and they were operators who were armed and could manage themselves against some of the threats that gang leaders had made against them. They were a tightly knit unit that was able to retain secrecy in most of their operations, guarding it against police infiltration – a battle they ultimately lost, as Africa’s book shows.

    The unit was accused of executing up to 30 senior gang leaders and drug dealers. Pagad would lead public marches against them and often publicly warned them to stop their drug dealing. This was followed by the homes of drug dealers being attacked. In many instances they were killed.

    What does the book reveal about why it took so long to end the terror campaign?

    There have been books that have attempted to document the Cape Flats war from different perspectives. But Africa tells the story from the inner sanctum of the state security apparatus that initially failed and eventually succeeded in penetrating the G-Force, Pagad and other formations.

    His book provides significant insights that makes other books on the subject pale in comparison. Fighting terrorism (urban or other) requires patience and deliberate skilled analysis of data, patterns and personalities. It requires skills of analysis built up over many years of sifting through behaviours and actions of individuals and organisations perpetrating such crimes.

    For the first time, we are made privy to the ideological reasoning and political thinking, strategising and implementation of police operations that was decidedly different from the old state thinking of actions against adversaries they were investigating.

    This was painstaking work and the level of co-operation between the new centurions of democracy in the police under the leadership of Africa and the old order. The old-order guardians were the same men and women in the old South African Police Force that had defended the apartheid government and did not trust the new police investigators from the liberation movements. They still had control of the police service in 1996. This was a recipe for creative and disruptive tensions, mistrust and outright sabotage of each other’s operations.

    What was the author’s involvement in the police efforts?

    The author was the head of a covert police intelligence team whose exclusive focus was to bring down the Pagad G-Force. He was central in conceptualising a new approach of working in a decontaminated group of intelligence officers made up of former liberation movement officers. Their job was to analyse information and turn it into actionable intelligence products that could be used to act against the Pagad G-Force.

    What was different about this approach was they produced court-ready evidence which police detectives could use in courts against the accused Pagad bombers. He led the fight for the new covert unit to have the necessary resources, support from their colleagues when it was required and most importantly, the support of the then national commissioner, Jackie Selebi.

    In this fight, Selebi quite clearly took sides and fully supported the actions of Africa and his colleagues to defeat Pagad’s G-Force. Africa makes this clear in his book and emphasises the support that was provided by Selebi.

    What are the key takeaways from the book about fighting similar campaigns of violence?

    The book puts together all the actors nationally and provincially and accords them the historical roles in each of their fields of expertise. It unravels the networks they spun to target, isolate, recruit and turn suspected G-Force operators.

    This look from within the war machine against Pagad raises many questions for any reader.

    It is a book for anyone who wants to understand the fight against terror, globally, regionally and locally, and what it really takes to bring people who commit such acts to justice.

    Lives on the Line confirms why it is so difficult to investigate organised crime and urban terrorists today.

    Irvin Kinnes does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Inside an urban terror network: book reveals how police finally cracked Pagad gang violence in Cape Town – https://theconversation.com/inside-an-urban-terror-network-book-reveals-how-police-finally-cracked-pagad-gang-violence-in-cape-town-253447

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Europe: Piero Cipollone: Enhancing cross-border payments in Europe and beyond

    Source: European Central Bank

    Speech by Piero Cipollone, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, at the Regional Governors’ Meeting

    Osijek, 1 April 2025

    As we gather here today in Osijek, we stand at a crossroads in the world of payments.

    Digitalisation is driving economic progress and transforming the way we make retail payments, yet there is growing frustration that the dramatic decline in IT and telecommunications costs has not been reflected in lower fees for cross-border payments in many parts of the world.

    This has proven to be an obstacle to economic integration, including in this part of Europe. For instance, a small business owner here in Croatia trying to make a €5,000 transfer to a supplier in a Western Balkan economy that is not part of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) faces costs up to 12 times higher than when sending the same amount to a counterpart within SEPA.[1]

    Such disparities are a barrier to growth. Addressing them is a priority, not only to reduce costs but also to drive economic development and bring us closer together. This is why the expansion of SEPA is so important and a key milestone on the European integration path.

    Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia recently joined SEPA.[2] This paves the way for the payment service providers in these countries to be operationally ready to offer SEPA transfers as of October[3], facilitating transfers in euro at a considerably reduced cost. We also very much support the efforts being made in the other Western Balkan economies towards joining SEPA.

    The pressing need to enhance cross-border payments is not just a regional concern, it is a matter of urgency worldwide. As international transaction volumes have surged, outstripping GDP growth, the economic toll of inefficient cross-border payments has continued to mount. Despite technological advancements and recent improvements, progress is heterogeneous across countries and cross-border payment transactions remain expensive and slow in many places.

    Moreover, the shifting geopolitical landscape has introduced a new dimension to this challenge. Rising geopolitical tensions have spurred initiatives to create alternatives to existing global infrastructure. This could lead to fragmentation of the global financial system into multiple, non-communicating blocs, which would further hamper the efficiency of cross-border payments and contribute to the refragmentation of trade and investment. In parallel, the emergence of stablecoins – which the United States intends to promote worldwide[4] – brings its own risks, including for currency substitution.

    The Eurosystem is responding proactively to these challenges in line with the G20 Roadmap for enhancing cross-border payments.[5] Our approach rests on two pillars: on the one hand, harnessing the potential of fast payment systems to enhance the efficiency of cross-border payments and deliver tangible improvements in speed and cost; on the other, continuing to respect the sovereignty and stability of our partners. This can be achieved by interlinking fast payment systems across countries. In other words, we are aiming to address inefficiencies and build lasting connections that are rooted in trade openness and balanced relationships with our partners – goals which have long been a hallmark of the European approach to economic integration.

    Today, I will focus on three points. First, I will examine the current state of cross-border payments. Second, I will discuss how geopolitical fragmentation is creating a further imperative to act. Lastly, I will present the Eurosystem’s strategic response to these challenges, which includes initiatives such as interlinking fast payment systems and exploring the possible use of a digital euro in third countries.

    The state of cross-border retail payments

    Over the past few decades, the world has witnessed a significant surge in cross-border payments, driven by the globalisation of trade, capital and migration flows. Cross-border payment flows are projected to double to €268 trillion by 2030.[6] But despite this significant expansion and the improvements that have resulted from international efforts, international payments too often remain prohibitively expensive and inefficient.[7]

    While domestic payments have undergone a digital revolution – becoming faster, cheaper and more accessible – cross-border transactions have yet to fully benefit from these technological advancements.[8] The average cost of international retail payments remains high: for nearly one-quarter of global payment corridors, costs exceed 3%. And in too many cases, cross-border payment is still slow: one-third of retail cross-border payments took more than one business day to be settled in 2024.[9]

    These inefficiencies raise three pressing issues that demand our attention.

    First, high costs and slow transaction times are undermining economic integration and growth. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of many economies are disproportionately affected. For SMEs operating on tight margins, exorbitant fees are not just an inconvenience but a barrier that often discourages them from engaging in cross-border trade. According to research by the World Bank, in 2023 it cost SMEs about ten times more to transfer €5,000 between Western Balkan economies than between EU countries.[10]

    Second, the world’s most vulnerable groups – such as migrant workers sending remittances home – bear a disproportionate share of these costs. Remittances are a lifeline for millions of families worldwide, supporting one in nine people globally. Yet sending money home remains prohibitively expensive in many regions. The cost of remittances to the Western Balkan economies averaged 6.7% until recently[11], only slightly below the 7.7% paid in Sub-Saharan Africa[12]. The impact that reducing these fees will have on financial inclusion and well-being cannot be overstated. The World Bank has estimated that by meeting the global Sustainable Development Goal target of 3%, the Western Balkan economies would save approximately half a billion euros per year.[13]

    Third, the inefficiencies affecting cross-border payments have created a vacuum that alternative players, particularly in the crypto-asset space, are eager to fill. However, many of these solutions come with significant risks that cannot be overlooked. Unbacked crypto-assets, for instance, are highly volatile and speculative in nature, creating risks for unsuspecting households and businesses.

    Furthermore, the United States’ push to maintain the dollar’s global dominance through the promotion of stablecoins worldwide presents its own set of challenges. While stablecoins may be touted as the solution to a problem, they in fact create new problems that require a solution. Unless they are properly regulated according to the Financial Stability Board principles (as achieved in Europe through the Regulation on markets in crypto-assets[14]), they cannot guarantee convertibility at par value at all times and are susceptible to runs. They may thus destabilise the very system they are meant to improve. Also, because 99% of stablecoins are denominated in US dollar and their expansion could leverage the global customer base of big tech companies[15], they could considerably increase currency substitution risks, leading to “digital dollarisation”.[16] This would impair the effectiveness of domestic monetary policy and increase financial stability risks by amplifying capital outflows in response to negative shocks. This could have a destabilising effect on emerging markets and less developed economies, particularly small economies integrated in global value chains.[17]

    Geopolitical fragmentation

    That brings me to my second point: the fundamentally changed international order and its potential to fragment payment systems worldwide.

    Rising geopolitical tensions are reshaping the very foundations of cross-border payments and endangering the global rules-based system. This could challenge established correspondent banking networks and messaging systems such as Swift.

    At a time when we should be integrating payment systems to reduce their complexity and cost for users, separate platforms have sought to create alternatives to existing global infrastructures. This trend began as early as 2013 when Iran, in response to its exclusion from Swift, created its own messaging system. Russia followed suit in 2014 with the System for Transfer of Financial Messages after its annexation of Crimea. China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System, launched in 2015, has seen remarkable growth, with over 1,500 financial institutions using it in 2024, a number that has more than doubled since 2018.

    The pace of these initiatives has accelerated significantly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the past two years alone, we have seen nearly 20 new initiatives from countries in emerging markets aimed at bypassing Swift and western correspondent banks. At the BRICS Summit in October 2024, member countries agreed to explore the feasibility of establishing an independent cross-border settlement and depositary infrastructure, BRICS Clear.[18]

    These developments raise serious concerns about the potential fragmentation of the global financial system. We could face disrupted international capital flows and reduced efficiency as the system risks being splintered into multiple, non-communicating blocs.

    For the euro’s international role[19] to contribute to preserving a stable and integrated financial system, the euro needs to provide the benefits of a global public good.[20] We must ensure it can reliably connect various parts of the global payments system and deliver tangible benefits in terms of speed and cost, while respecting the integrity, sovereignty and stability of our partners.

    The Eurosystem’s strategy for efficient and open cross-border payments

    In this context, the European Central Bank (ECB), together with euro area national central banks, is promoting a strategy for the integration of global cross-border payments to address inefficiencies while maintaining openness. This strategy rests on two main initiatives.[21]

    Interlinking fast payment systems

    The first is the interlinking of fast payment systems. Over the past decade, central banks have made significant improvements to the backend infrastructure for facilitating payments, thereby fostering the digitalisation of domestic payment systems. As of today, over 100 jurisdictions worldwide have implemented their own fast payment systems.[22] There is already evidence that the global network of fast payment systems tends to be segmented along geopolitical lines[23], but interlinking these systems could help overcome this fragmentation and extend the benefits of digitalisation to cross-border payments.

    This approach offers several advantages. It would reduce costs, increase the speed and transparency of cross-border payments and shorten transaction chains. It would also enable payment service providers to conduct transactions without having to use multiple payment systems or a long chain of correspondent banks. Moreover, it would ensure that the platform to connect and convert currencies would be managed as a public good, thus avoiding closed loops and discriminatory pricing. Accordingly, the G20 Roadmap has identified interlinking as a key strategy for enhancing cross-border payments.[24]

    Europe serves as a compelling example of what this interconnected payments landscape might look like. Within the euro area, account holders can transfer funds instantly 24/7 through the TARGET Instant Payment Settlement (TIPS) service. A key feature of TIPS is that it is a multi-currency platform that settles instant payments within a payment scheme – the SEPA Instant Credit Transfer scheme – governed by uniform rules, standards and protocols, avoiding the risk of fragmentation.

    Taking advantage of this multi-currency feature, Sweden is already using TIPS for making fast payments in kronor.[25] Denmark will do the same as of this month[26] and Norway as of 2028[27].

    In October 2024 the ECB’s Governing Council decided to take concrete steps towards interlinking TIPS with other fast payment systems to improve cross-border payments globally.[28]

    First, a cross-currency settlement service will be implemented within TIPS. This will make it possible for instant payments originating in one TIPS currency to be settled in another. Initially, this service will enable cross-currency payments between the euro area, Sweden and Denmark.[29]

    Second, a cross-currency settlement service will be implemented for the exchange of cross-border payments between TIPS and other fast payment systems globally.[30] This will allow to explore interlinking TIPS with fast payment systems that have a compatible scheme, are interested in being involved and ensure full compliance with the standards set by the Financial Action Task Force to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

    Third, the Eurosystem will explore connecting TIPS to a multilateral network of instant payment systems through Project Nexus, led by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).[31] By connecting to Nexus, TIPS could evolve into a hub for processing instant cross-border payments to and from the euro area and other countries that are using TIPS.[32]

    Fourth, the Eurosystem is currently assessing the feasibility of creating a bilateral link with India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI).[33] UPI has the highest instant payment transaction volumes in the world, with close to 500 million transactions per day[34], and India is among the top ten recipients of euro area remittances.

    We are going even further to address the situation in the Western Balkans, since most countries in the region do not yet have a fast payment system.[35] As a service provider for TIPS, Banca d’Italia is working with the central banks of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro to develop an instant multi-currency payment system based on TIPS software, with North Macedonia potentially joining at a later stage.[36] The new platform will make it possible to pay instantly within each country and across countries. It will also ease the path towards enabling instant payments between participating countries and the euro area.

    The international role of the digital euro

    Now let me turn to the second initiative we are exploring to enhance cross-border retail payments, namely the creation of a digital euro and its use in third countries.

    A digital euro would be a central bank digital currency, an electronic equivalent to cash. It would complement banknotes and coins, giving people an additional option that they could use free of charge for any digital payment across the euro area. It would work both online and offline in shops or when making person-to-person or e-commerce transactions. Moreover, it would provide a European infrastructure that could be used by private payment service providers to offer their own solutions across the continent, thereby fostering competition and innovation.

    While the digital euro would primarily be used in the euro area, it is worth considering its possible international use. The current draft legislation foresees an approach that respects the sovereignty of third countries, mitigates potential risks for them and offers them new opportunities.

    Non-euro area residents could have access to the digital euro when visiting the euro area temporarily by setting up an account with a European payment service provider. We also believe that we could enable merchants outside the euro area to accept digital euro payments from euro area residents.[37]

    Moreover, users outside the euro area could be granted permanent access to the digital euro subject to an agreement between the EU and third countries, complemented by an arrangement between the ECB and the respective central banks.[38]

    In any case, use of the digital euro in third countries would be implemented gradually and with the appropriate safeguards to ensure that it would be used primarily as a means of payment and would not stoke currency substitution. For instance, individual holding limits for users outside the euro area would not be allowed to exceed the limits set for euro area residents and citizens.

    Moreover, the digital euro’s design includes multi-currency enabling features similar to those of TIPS. In practice, this means that non-euro area countries could use the digital euro infrastructure to offer their own digital currencies, thus facilitating transactions across these currencies. The digital euro could therefore provide a solution for offering and transferring central bank digital currencies internationally and serve as a platform for innovation in cross-border payments. On this basis, the digital euro could facilitate cross-border payments and remittances, making them more efficient and cost-effective.

    Conclusion

    Let me conclude.

    We find ourselves at a pivotal moment in the evolution of cross-border payments. The current geopolitical landscape threatens to fragment our global payment systems, potentially leading to inefficiencies and reduced transparency. However, this challenge also presents an opportunity for positive change.

    The region where we are meeting today exemplifies the challenges we face, what we can achieve through collaboration and the potential for further progress.

    As we move forward, our goal is clear: we must develop safer, more accessible alternatives that make global payments cheaper, faster and more transparent, without compromising on integrity, stability and sovereignty.

    The time for action is now. Through innovation, interoperability and a commitment to open financial markets, we can build a global payment system that is resilient to geopolitical shifts and can support economic growth and financial inclusion worldwide.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK statement on the Kimberley Process: March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    UK statement on the Kimberley Process: March 2025

    The UK’s Explanation of Position during the adoption of the Kimberley Process Resolution (A/RES/79/275) General Assembly.

    The United Kingdom thanks the United Arab Emirates for bringing this important proposed resolution forward,

    The United Kingdom is a proud founding member of the Kimberley Process, and we are committed to its values and principles of accountability, transparency and collaboration.  

    As a tripartite body, we value the Civil Society Coalition, African Diamond Producers’ Association and World Diamond Council’s roles in the Kimberley Process because they all bring expertise that strengthens the body.

    The Civil Society Coalition elevates the voices of marginalised people, including in the extractives industry, and it is crucial for the Coalition’s voice to be engaged in the Kimberley Process’ decision making.

    Colleagues, the current definition of conflict diamonds is solely focused on rebel movements using revenue from rough diamonds to overthrow legitimate governments. This is not enough.

    Although the Kimberley Process has succeeded in many areas – we regret that to date, the Kimberley Process has not reached consensus in agreeing a broadened definition of conflict diamonds despite in 2012 agreeing that there is urgent need to agree a definition that captures the evolving nature of conflicts and realities on the ground.

    We reiterate the need for members of the Kimberley Process to work collaboratively and are pleased that it is in that spirit the resolution reiterates the pressing need for the Ad-Hoc Committee on Review and Reform to achieve consensus on a broadened definition of conflict diamonds.

    We look forward to continuing this dialogue.

    Share this page

    The following links open in a new tab

    • Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)
    • Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Europe: REPORT on Parliament’s estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2026 – A10-0048/2025

    Source: European Parliament 2

    MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

    on Parliament’s estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2026

    (2024/2111(BUI))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to Article 314 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

    – having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021-2027[1] and to the joint declaration agreed between Parliament, the Council and the Commission in this context[2] and the related unilateral declarations[3],

    – having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2022/2496 of 15 December 2022 amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027[4],

    – having regard to the Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/765 amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027[5] (”MFF Revision”),

    – having regard to its legislative resolution of 16 December 2020 on the draft Council regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027[6],

    – having regard to its resolution of 15 December 2022 on upscaling the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework: a resilient EU budget fit for new challenges[7],

    – having regard to its resolution of 3 October 2023 on the proposal for a mid-term revision of the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027[8],

    – having regard to its resolution of 27 February 2024 on the draft Council regulation amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027[9],

    – having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast)[10] (the “Financial Regulation”),

    – having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources[11],

    – having regard to the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025[12] and the joint statements agreed between Parliament, the Council and the Commission annexed hereto,

    – having regard to the Secretary-General’s report to the Bureau on drawing up Parliament’s preliminary draft estimates for the financial year 2026,

    –  having regard to the preliminary draft estimates drawn up by the Bureau on 10 March 2025 pursuant to Rules 25(7) and 104(1) of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure,

    –  having regard to the draft estimates drawn up by the Committee on Budgets pursuant to Rule 104(2) of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure,

    –  having regard to Rule 104 of its Rules of Procedure,

    –  having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A10-0048/2025),

    A.  whereas the budget proposed on 10 February 2025 by the Secretary-General for the Parliament’s preliminary draft estimates for 2026 amounts to EUR 2 641 609 620 and represents an increase of 4,30 % or EUR 108 914 512 compared to 2025 budget;

    B.  whereas the Union annual inflation was 2,8 % in January 2025 according to Eurostat, up from 2,7 % in December 2024; whereas the level of expenditure in Heading 7 of the multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2021-2027 is based on a 2 % yearly increase;

    C.  whereas the credibility of the Parliament depends on its ability to deliver on its core budgetary, legislative and scrutiny work to the highest standard, while setting an example vis-à-vis other Union institutions to plan and conduct its spending prudently and efficiently and to reflect the prevalent economic realities;

    General framework

    1. Is concerned with the situation of Heading 7 in the current MFF; recalls that the constraints are the results of the cuts applied by the Council to the Commission’s already very low initial proposal when agreeing on the current MFF 2021-2027; regrets the Council’s opposition to the Commission’s proposal to increase the ceiling of Heading 7 in the MFF revision as from 2024; points out the failure to address the issue of the ceiling of Heading 7 in the MFF revision; highlights that the forecasted negative margin for 2026 presupposes the use of special instruments in Heading 7 for that purpose;

    2. Endorses the agreement reached in the Conciliation between the Bureau and the Committee on Budgets on 18 March 2025 to set the increase over the 2025 budget at 4,09 %, corresponding to an overall of estimates of EUR 2 636 241 620 for 2026, and to reduce accordingly the appropriations proposed on the following budget lines for a total of EUR 12 378 000:

    1 0 0 6 — General expenditure allowance, 1 4 2 — External translation services, 2 0 0 0 — Rent, 2 0 0 7 — Construction of buildings and fitting-out of premises, 2 0 2 4 — Energy consumption, 2 1 0 1 — Business applications management, 3 2 0 — Acquisition of expertise, 3 2 4 3 — European Parliament visitors’ centres, 3 2 4 8 — Expenditure on audiovisual information, 4 4 — Meetings and other activities of current and former Members;

    furthermore, it was decided to increase the level of expenditure of the preliminary draft estimates approved by the Bureau on 10 March 2025 by EUR 7 010 000 and to increase accordingly the appropriations proposed on the following budget lines:

    1 2 0 0 — Remuneration and allowances, 1 6 3 0 — Social welfare: welfare expenditure, 4 0 0 — Current administrative expenditure and expenditure relating to the political and information activities of the political groups and non-attached Members, and 4 0 3 — Funding of European political foundations;

    finally, it was agreed to modify the budgetary remarks of item 1 6 3 0 — Social welfare: welfare expenditure to include the reference to the APA Committee;

    3. Recalls that almost two-thirds of the budget is fixed by statutory obligations; notes that out of the increase of EUR 103,5 million compared to the 2025 budget an increase of EUR 85,3 million is due to statutory financial obligations, mainly for salary updates of officials and temporary staff (EUR 52,7 million), of contract agents (EUR 9,2 million) and of accredited parliamentary assistants (EUR 15,1 million); recalls that the salary indexation, in line with the Staff Regulations and Statute for Members of the European Parliament, is currently forecasted by the Commission for April 2025, July 2025, April 2026 and July 2026 at 1,2 %, 4,6 %, 0,6 % and 3,4 % respectively;

    4. Notes that the Parliament does not request any additional posts for 2026, the third year in a row;

    5. Notes that the increase for non-statutory expenditures between 2025 and 2026 is 1,96 %;

    6. Welcomes the initiative of the Secretary-General to conduct a major screening exercise aimed at identifying opportunities for administrative simplification, eliminating inefficiencies and ensuring tangible cost reductions, thereby increasing efficiency and ensuring a smart use of resources; asks the Secretary-General to provide the Committee on Budgets with semestrial updates on the actions taken and on the Action Plan on Simplification as well as their impact in terms of budget and staff; underlines that administrative procedures and human resources management represent a heavy burden for Members, in particular when hiring local assistants, and calls for simplification in that regard;

    7. Notes that Parliament’s budget should be established on a realistic basis, in compliance with the principles of budgetary discipline and sound financial management; highlights that it is essential to ensure that financial prudence and security remain key priorities while guaranteeing that these measures do not impede the efficiency, effectiveness and operational capacity of the institution and its essential staff in carrying out their duties successfully; stresses that, given the geopolitical context and the investments that the Union will have to make for its strategic autonomy, the Parliament must set an example in the management of its budget;

    8. Highlights Parliament’s role in building European political awareness and promoting Union values and policies such as the digital and green transition; stresses that transparency, accountability, gender equality and integrity are essential principles within the Union institutions and particularly Parliament as a house of European democracy;

    Strengthening Parliament’s core functions

    9. Takes note of the four new thematic Directorates-General (DGs) created in September 2024, responsible for legislative, budgetary and scrutiny activities, from the previous Directorate-General for Internal Policies, in order to improve the functioning of Parliament as a co-legislator, as one arm of the budgetary authority, and as discharge authority; requests the Secretary-General to provide the Committee on Budgets with regular updates on the evolution of work and staff in these DGs;

    10. Recognises the need for more political decision-making based on evidence and facts; takes note of the budget of EUR 16,75 million to strengthen Parliament’s administrative capacity in supporting Members in their parliamentary work and reinforcing its capacity to navigate complexity and uncertainty;

     

    11. Stresses the crucial role of political groups in providing expertise and political support to Members in their legislative and parliamentary work; underlines the need to ensure the important objective of strengthening Parliament’s capacity to support the work of Members;

    Digital transition

    12. Underlines that Parliament’s cybersecurity is a key priority; notes that the overall IT budget represents 7,40 % of the total budget in the 2026 estimates; stresses the importance of a sound cybersecurity infrastructure in geopolitically turbulent times and welcomes the increase in the appropriations dedicated to cybersecurity; supports the planned gradual increase of the cybersecurity financial appropriations to 10 % of Parliament’s ICT budget by 2027;

    13. Welcomes the adoption by the Bureau on 10 February 2025 of the Framework on an internal cybersecurity risk management, governance and control framework; recalls that investments in cybersecurity are key to protect the democratic voice of the Parliament and the Union;

    14. Welcomes investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) amounting to EUR 1 million; calls for the use of AI to be increased in order to gain efficiencies, while keeping in mind the related risks, including ethics and data protection; highlights the potential of AI to streamline administrative processes; stresses that AI deployment must balance innovation with necessary safeguards; notes that the development of AI will be closely monitored in line with the principles established by the Bureau, which include among others a thorough risk assessment with the use of new technologies; calls the Secretariat to provide solutions, such as applications and tools, to be made available to Members and staff as soon as possible;

    Green transition

     

    15. Welcomes Parliament’s environmental management system (EMAS) targets for 2025-2029; recalls that energy efficiency investments are a good method of achieving value for money; takes note of the budget of EUR 8,45 million for investments on energy efficiency and environment in the 2026 estimates to further improve the environmental performance of its buildings; notes that this corresponds to an increase of 74 % compared to 2025 budget; acknowledges however, that these environmental actions are part of the 2007 ‘Construction of building and fitting out of premises’ budget line whose grand total has decreased by EUR 3,7 million in 2026 vs 2025;

     

    16. Recalls that nearly two-thirds of Parliament’s carbon footprint originate from the transportation of people; calls for a reasonable decrease of travel for meetings that can be effectively conducted remotely or in hybrid mode and to promote a shift to low carbon alternatives for all remaining travel, in so far as this does not affect the quality of legislative and political work;

     

    17. Takes note of the projected increase in carbon credits prices, that with the current emissions levels would need an estimated EUR 900 000 for 2026; calls the administration to continue decreasing, in line with sound financial management, Parliament’s emissions over buying carbon credits; welcomes the introduction of an enhanced train offer for missions to Strasbourg as of July 2025, as a positive step towards reducing CO2 emissions;

     

    18. Notes that Parliament has installed and is continuing to install photovoltaic solar panels to further increase the share of renewable energy produced on-site to reach the target of 25 %; takes note of the answers provided by the Secretary-General to Parliament’s estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2024 pointing out that a study on the use of photovoltaic panels for Strasbourg buildings was carried out in 2022 and was completed in 2023 and that further studies were to be conducted in 2024 for viable solutions, in particular for the WEISS building;

    Multilingualism, communication and disinformation

     

    19. Highlights that multilingualism is a key principle on which Parliament’s work is based; takes note of the revision of the Code of Conduct on Multilingualism planned for spring 2025; asks that, where appropriate, Parliament capitalise on major technological evolutions in multilingualism-related services, including the development and use of AI; asks the Secretary-General to timely inform the Committee on Budgets on any budgetary impacts following this revision;

     

    20. Highlights the role played by European Parliament Liaison Offices (EPLOs) in countering foreign interference and disinformation; takes note in that regard of the work of EPLOs proactively promoting the work of Parliament in their local languages across multiple channels; highlights EPLOs’ role in the UK as the main contact point for Union nationals resident in the UK, providing them with information about the Parliament and encouraging them to vote in the European elections; requests the Bureau to expand the production and dissemination of communication materials in an accessible and inclusive manner;

     

    21. Highlights the low participation rate of young people in the recent European elections in some regions of the Union and Parliament’s role in strengthening EU citizenship education;

     

    22. Recalls the importance of the European Parliament Ambassador School programme to promote active engagement among young Europeans and of the training programme for young journalists named in honour of David Sassoli to strengthen the understanding of the Union and its functioning amongst journalists, as the best antidote against disinformation, in light of recent trends demonstrating a worrying decline in media freedom and independence across the Union;

     

    23. Recognises the importance of visitors groups as an important tool to connect citizens with the work of Members; welcomes in that regard the increase of the ceilings and cost factors for the calculation of the financial contribution to sponsored visitors as from 1 January 2025; requests the Bureau to assess the impact of the revised rules related to visitors groups in relation to travel costs taking into account market fluctuation and to avoid indirect geographical discrimination for visitors; notes that about 15 % of the quota for visitors is historically not being used by Members; calls the Secretary-General to propose to the Bureau to make the unused quota available to interested Members; notes that the budget for visitors groups represents 22 % of the overall budget of the Directorate-General for Communication;

     

    24. Notes with concern the internal rules governing Members’ visitor groups, which result in 30 % of the up-front costs having to be incurred by Accredited Parliamentary Assistants (APAs) in some circumstances; stresses the impracticability of these rules and the financial burden this places on APAs; takes note of the answers provided by the Secretary-General to Parliament’s estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2024 in regard to the rationale of the two-step approach; understands the rationale but emphasises the growing challenges this presents for APAs, particularly with the continuous shift towards more stringent rules;

    25. Stresses the increasingly challenging communication landscape and the multiple ways in which political communication should be performed, including through engaging in various social media platforms and other media; underlines the need for the political groups to convey and communicate their message across all Member States as a key principle of a well-functioning European democracy;

    Infrastructure

     

    26. Acknowledges the new approach related to buildings, where, after a period of acquisition, Parliament has entered an era of consolidation of buildings, taking into account sustainability, accessibility and mobility of Members and staff;

     

    27. Takes note that EUR 4 million are included in the 2026 estimates for studies and the contractor’s preparatory works related to the SPAAK building renovation while the overall costs are estimated at EUR 36 million; notes therefore that EUR 32 million of costs related to the SPAAK building renovation are not included in the 2026 estimates; notes that the Secretary-General intends to cover these costs by a mopping-up transfer or the use of a loan; requests the Secretary-General to provide the Committee on Budgets with detailed information on a possible loan to cover these costs, in accordance with Article 272 (6) of the Financial Regulation, as soon as possible as well as the full planning of the works including the planning of the costs; insists that costs not directly linked to the renovation works should also be clearly listed and budgeted; notes that as of December 2024, the direct costs of the SPAAK project amount to EUR 14,12 million;

     

    28. Welcomes the pilot project of DG INLO aimed at removing legionella from the pipeline sanitary system of the Parliament and highlights that the only effective way to fight the further spreading of legionella is to bring the water temperature inside the pipelines to 55 degrees Celsius for a limited time;

     

    29. Notes that it is planned to invest EUR 11,45 million in Europa Experiences in 2026; takes note of the decision by the Bureau in November 2024 to revise the concept of Europa Experience and expects the revised concept to be more cost-efficient and more attractive to visitors; regrets that there are still no Europa Experiences in Bucharest, Riga, Madrid, Lisbon, Nicosia, Valletta or Vilnius; calls for the establishment of Europa Experiences in all Member States as soon as a revised concept has been established; recalls that Europa Experiences should allow citizens to have a better understanding of the functioning of the Union and learn about our shared values; reiterates therefore that Europa Experiences are an integral part of Parliament’s ongoing engagement with Union citizens;

     

    30. Takes note that no additional financing is needed for the opening of Parliament offices in Moldova and the Western Balkans, as these would be set up within EEAS premises; stresses the importance of Parliament’s presence in these countries as a sign of European solidarity and a sign of Parliament’s commitment to the accession process;

     

    31. Takes note of the early termination of the contract with the previous provider of the Crèche Wayenberg after a number of serious allegations against the contractor; welcomes the agreement with a new provider that foresees better working conditions of the nursery staff and better quality of the service for the children; acknowledges, however, that this results in an increase of the budget necessary for this purpose, but emphasises that decent working conditions for external staff should, where relevant, be a priority consideration in public procurement of Parliament as a matter of principle;

     

    32. Reiterates the need for high quality nursing rooms in Parliament’s premises and calls on the competent services to upgrade the current facilities in terms of equipment, space and accessibility in order to make them child-friendly; calls for an impact assessment on the need for a family room within the premises of the Brussels seat of the Parliament, for children of Members without permanent residence in Brussels, mirroring the arrangements in Strasbourg;

    Others

    33. Reiterates its request, adopted at Plenary level at several occasions, for the relevant bodies to reflect on a solution enabling Members to exercise their right to vote remotely, during benefiting from maternity or paternity leave, during a certified long-term illness, taking advantage of the lessons learnt during the pandemic on the technical aspects of this voting method;

    34. Reaffirms its call for the Secretary-General to emphasise the fundamental principle that all recruitment should be based on competency while also ensuring geographical balance among all Member States at every staff level; calls on Parliament to build its own outreach capacity, with the goal of attracting to competitions quality candidates that Parliament needs, in terms of profile, age, gender and nationality and especially from under-represented countries; underscores that achieving fair geographical representation is essential to fostering a genuinely European public service; notes that Parliament has consistently taken measures to support this objective, including the organisation of nationality-specific competitions while maintaining a strict merit-based selection approach;

    35. Believes that Parliament should lead by example concerning the rights of persons with disabilities, both as an employer and as a public institution; welcomes Parliament’s policy aiming to ensure the fully independent use of Parliament buildings by persons with disabilities and supports further measures and adaptations that will be necessary in this regard; notes that the budget foresees EUR 3,7 million for this purpose;

     

    36. Stresses the fact that Parliament having a single seat could reduce the financial and environmental costs; recalls that, according to the Treaty on European Union, Parliament is to have its seat in Strasbourg; notes that permanent changes would require a Treaty change for which unanimity is needed;

     

    37. Notes that mission expenses of Members and staff amount to EUR 116 million in Parliament’s budget; calls for Parliament’s bodies to reflect on mission practices and a revision of mission rules and practices with the overall aim of continuing to improve the nature of missions and further diminishing the associated financial and environmental costs; encourages Members to use low-carbon transport alternatives and advocates for responsible and measured use of best-value flights options, and the preference for train travel where it is a viable option;

     

    38. Takes note that Article 46(2) of the Implementing Measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament provides for the possibility to finance extra costs linked to the parliamentary assistance budgets with appropriations from their General Expenditure Allowance (GEA); calls on Parliament’s administration to take the necessary measures to enable Members who wish to do so to use their GEA to cover the cost of APA missions; highlights that such a measure would address increasing costs in Members’ offices while being budgetary neutral;

     

    39. Calls on the Bureau not to index the GEA and not to grant GEA to former Members, thus allowing for significant savings in the statutory costs;

     

    40. Takes note of the Conference of Presidents’ decisions of March 2025 on the Implementing provisions governing the missions outside the three places of work of the European Parliament; recalls that Parliament has consistently voted in the Plenary since 2018 to consider lifting the overall ban on APAs participating in official delegations and missions;

    41. Welcomes the work of the APA Committee which represents around 2 000 APAs, whose work is crucial to the smooth operation of the MEP’s daily activities; notes the earmarking of EUR 10 000 in order for the APA Committee to fulfil its role and ensure sufficient resources to effectively support and properly represent the APAs;

    42. Welcomes the exceptional 10 % increase in scholarships for each trainee in 2026, budgeted for EUR 1 million in 2026 to help them cope with growing housing costs in Brussels and Luxembourg;

    43. Expects that requests voted by the Plenary should be treated by the responsible bodies as a matter of high priority;

    44.  Adopts the estimates for the financial year 2026;

    45.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution and the estimates to the Council and the Commission.

     

     

    ANNEX: DRAFT ESTIMATES

     

     

    PART III – PRELIMINARY DRAFT ESTIMATES 2026

     

     

    1. REVENUE/EXPENDITURE

    2. ESTABLISHMENT PLAN

    3. NOMENCLATURE

     

     

    1. REVENUE/EXPENDITURE

     

     

     

     

     

    Contribution of the European Union to the financing of the expenditure of Parliament for the financial year 2026

     

     

     

    Heading

    Amount

     

     

    Expenditure

    2 636 241 620

    Resources

    265 378 397

    Contribution due

    2 370 863 223

     

     

     

    REVENUES

    Title – Chapter – Article – Post

    Heading

    2026 budget

    2025 budget

    Outturn 2024

    3

    ADMINISTRATIVE REVENUE

     

     

     

    3 0

    REVENUE FROM STAFF

     

     

     

    3 0 0

    Taxes and levies

     

     

     

    3 0 0 0

    Tax on the remunerations

    111 692 059

    105 869 539

    100 337 194

    3 0 0 1

    Special levies on remunerations

    17 507 648

    16 162 194

    14 891 422

     

    Article 3 0 0 – Subtotal

    129 199 707

    122 031 733

    115 228 616

    3 0 1

    Contributions to the pension scheme

     

     

     

    3 0 1 0

    Staff contributions to the pension scheme

    131 172 690

    121 092 129

    103 628 794

    3 0 1 1

    Transfer or purchase of pension rights by staff

    5 000 000

    6 000 000

    7 338 881

    3 0 1 2

    Contributions to the pension scheme by staff on leave

    5 000

    40 000

    0

    3 0 1 4

    Contributions by Members of the European Parliament

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0

     

    Article 3 0 1 – Subtotal

    136 177 690

    127 132 129

    110 967 675

     

    Chapter 3 0 — Total

    265 377 397

    249 163 862

    226 196 291

    3 1

    REVENUE LINKED TO PROPERTY

     

     

     

    3 1 0

    Sale of immovable property — Assigned revenue

    p.m.

    p.m.

    556 948

    3 1 1

    Sale of other property

    p.m.

    5 000

    9 203

    3 1 2

    Letting and subletting immovable property — Assigned revenue

    p.m.

    p.m.

    2 383 687

     

    Chapter 3 1 — Total

    p.m.

    5 000

    2 949 838

    3 2

    REVENUE FROM THE SUPPLY OF GOODS, SERVICES AND WORK — ASSIGNED REVENUE

     

     

     

    3 2 0

    Revenue from the supply of goods, services and work — Assigned revenue

    p.m.

    p.m.

    18 857 643

    3 2 1

    Refunds by other institutions or bodies of mission allowances — Assigned revenue

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0

    3 2 2

    Revenue from third parties in respect of goods, services or work — Assigned Revenue

    p.m.

    p.m.

    4 952 720

     

    Chapter 3 2 — Total

    p.m.

    p.m.

    23 810 363

    3 3

    OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE REVENUE

     

     

     

    3 3 0

    Repayment of amounts wrongly paid — Assigned Revenue

    p.m.

    p.m.

    22 491 561

    3 3 1

    Revenue for a specific purpose (income from foundations, subsidies, gifts and bequests) — Assigned Revenue

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0

    3 3 3

    Insurance payments received — Assigned Revenue

    p.m.

    p.m.

    34 996

    3 3 8

    Other revenue from administrative operations — Assigned Revenue

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0

    3 3 9

    Other revenue from administrative operations

    1 000

    1 000

    1 622 926

     

    Chapter 3 4 — Total

    1 000

    1 000

    24 149 483

     

    Title 3 — Total

    265 378 397

    249 169 862

    277 105 975

    4

    FINANCIAL REVENUE, DEFAULT INTEREST AND FINES

     

     

     

    4 0

    REVENUE FROM INVESTMENTS AND ACCOUNTS

     

     

     

    4 0 0

    Revenue from investments, loans granted and bank accounts

    p.m.

    p.m.

    4 411 026

     

    Chapter 4 0 — Total

    p.m.

    0

    4 411 026

     

    Title 4 — Total

    p.m.

    0

    4 411 026

    6

    REVENUE, CONTRIBUTIONS AND REFUNDS RELATED TO UNION POLICIES

     

     

     

    6 6

    OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS AND REFUNDS

     

     

     

    6 6 8

    Other contributions and refunds — Assigned revenue

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0

     

    Chapter 6 6 — Total

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0

     

    Title 6 — Total

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0

     

    GRAND TOTAL

    265 378 397

    249 169 862

    281 517 001

     

     

     

    EXPENDITURE

    General summary of appropriations (2026 and 2025) and outturn (2024)

    Title – Chapter – Article – Post

    Heading

    Appropriations 2026

    Appropriations 2025

    Outturn 2024

    1

    Persons working with the institution

     

     

     

    1 0

    Members of the institution

    250 087 000

    257 937 492

    249 427 210

    1 2

    Officials and temporary staff

    982 330 058

    914 759 154

    853 989 951

    1 4

    Other staff and external services

    259 041 175

    245 453 683

    206 535 274

    1 6

    Other expenditure relating to persons working with the institution

    29 619 939

    27 939 603

    24 937 797

     

    Title 1 — Total

    1 521 078 172

    1 446 089 932

    1 334 890 232

    2

    Buildings, furniture, equipment and miscellaneous operating expenditure

     

     

     

    2 0

    Buildings and associated costs

    250 475 000

    245 925 000

    252 616 845

    2 1

    Data processing, equipment and movable property

    232 008 000

    227 708 050

    253 569 292

    2 3

    Current administrative expenditure

    7 388 000

    7 386 000

    4 830 070

     

    Title 2 — Total

    489 871 000

    481 019 050

    511 016 207

    3

    Expenditure resulting from general functions carried out by the institution

     

     

     

    3 0

    Meetings and conferences

    37 728 429

    37 121 800

    27 628 546

    3 2

    Expertise and information: acquisition, archiving, production and dissemination

    154 530 519

    153 261 150

    153 271 532

     

    Title 3 — Total

    192 258 948

    190 382 950

    180 900 078

    4

    Expenditure resulting from special functions carried out by the institution

     

     

     

    4 0

    Expenditure relating to certain institutions and bodies

    146 800 000

    140 000 000

    125 403 172

    4 2

    Expenditure relating to parliamentary assistance

    279 165 340

    263 855 176

    222 263 343

    4 4

    Meetings and other activities of current and former members

    632 000

    620 000

    593 204

     

    Title 4 — Total

    426 597 340

    404 475 176

    348 259 719

    5

    The authority for european political parties and european political foundations and the committee of independent eminent persons

     

     

     

    5 0

    Expenditure of the authority for european political parties and european political foundations and the committee of independent eminent persons

    436 160

    428 000

    100 840

     

    Title 5 — Total

    436 160

    428 000

    100 840

    10

    Reserve

     

     

     

    10 0

    Provisional appropriation

    p.m.

    3 100 000

    0

    10 1

    Contingency reserve

    6 000 000

    7 200 000

    0

    10 3

    Enlargement reserve

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0

    10 4

    Reserve for information and communication policy

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0

    10 5

    Provisional appropriation for immovable property

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0

    10 6

    Reserve for priority projects under development

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0

    10 8

    Emas reserve

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0

     

    Title 10 — Total

    6 000 000

    10 300 000

    0

     

    GRAND TOTAL

    2 636 241 620

    2 532 695 108

    2 375 167 076

     

     

    Revenue — REVENUE

    Title 3 — ADMINISTRATIVE REVENUE

    Chapter 3 0 — REVENUE FROM STAFF

    Article 3 0 0 — Taxes and levies

    Item 3 0 0 0 — Tax on the remunerations

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    111 692 059

    105 869 539

    100 337 194,29

    Legal basis

    Protocol on the privileges and immunities of the European Union, and in particular Article 12 thereof.

    Regulation (EEC, Euratom, ECSC) No 260/68 of the Council of 29 February 1968 laying down the conditions and procedure for applying the tax for the benefit of the European Communities (OJ L 56, 4.3.1968, p. 8, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/1968/260/oj).

    Item 3 0 0 1 — Special levies on remunerations

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    17 507 648

    16 162 194

    14 891 421,72

    Legal basis

    Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union, and in particular Article 66a thereof.

    Article 3 0 1 — Contributions to the pension scheme

    Item 3 0 1 0 — Staff contributions to the pension scheme

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    131 172 690

    121 092 129

    103 628 793,79

    Legal basis

    Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union, and in particular Article 83(2) thereof.

    Item 3 0 1 1 — Transfer or purchase of pension rights by staff

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    5 000 000

    6 000 000

    7 338 881,09

    Legal basis

    Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union, and in particular Article 4, Article 11(2) and (3) and Article 48 of Annex VIII thereto.

    Item 3 0 1 2 — Contributions to the pension scheme by staff on leave

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    5 000

    40 000

    0,—

    Item 3 0 1 4 — Contributions by Members of the European Parliament

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0,—

    Legal basis

    Rules governing the payment of expenses and allowances to Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Annex III thereto.

    Chapter 3 1 — REVENUE LINKED TO PROPERTY

    Article 3 1 0 — Sale of immovable property — Assigned revenue

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    556 948,00

    Remarks

    This article is intended to record revenue from the sale of immovable property belonging to the institution.

    In accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation, this revenue is to be considered as assigned revenue and gives rise to the entry of additional appropriations in the headings which bore the initial expenditure giving rise to the corresponding revenue.

    Article 3 1 1 — Sale of other property

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    5 000

    9 203,22

    Remarks

    This article is intended to record revenue accruing from the sale or part-exchange of other property belonging to the institution.

    Article 3 1 2 — Letting and subletting immovable property — Assigned revenue

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    2 383 686,62

    Remarks

    In accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation, this revenue is to be considered as assigned revenue and gives rise to the entry of additional appropriations in the headings which bore the initial expenditure giving rise to the corresponding revenue.

    Details of expenditure and revenue resulting from loans or rents or the provision of services under this budget item shall be set out in an annex to this budget.

    Chapter 3 2 — REVENUE FROM THE SUPPLY OF GOODS, SERVICES AND WORK — ASSIGNED REVENUE

    Article 3 2 0 — Revenue from the supply of goods, services and work — Assigned revenue

    Item 3 2 0 2 — Revenue from the supply of goods, services and work for other Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies — Assigned revenue

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    18 857 643,13

    Remarks

    In accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation, this revenue is to be considered as assigned revenue and gives rise to the entry of additional appropriations in the headings which bore the initial expenditure giving rise to the corresponding revenue.

    This item is intended to record revenue from the repayment of welfare expenditure incurred on behalf of another institution.

    Article 3 2 1 — Refunds by other institutions or bodies of mission allowances  — Assigned revenue

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0,—

    Remarks

    In accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation, this revenue is to be considered as assigned revenue and gives rise to the entry of additional appropriations in the headings which bore the initial expenditure giving rise to the corresponding revenue.

    This article is intended to record revenue from the repayment of welfare expenditure incurred on behalf of another institution.

    Article 3 2 2 — Revenue from third parties in respect of goods, services or work  — Assigned revenue

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    4 952 719,42

    Remarks

    In accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation, this revenue is to be considered as assigned revenue and gives rise to the entry of additional appropriations in the headings which bore the initial expenditure giving rise to the corresponding revenue.

    Chapter 3 3 — OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE REVENUE

    Article 3 3 0 — Repayment of amounts wrongly paid — Assigned revenue

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    22 491 561,95

    Remarks

    In accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation, this revenue is to be considered as assigned revenue and gives rise to the entry of additional appropriations in the headings which bore the initial expenditure giving rise to the corresponding revenue.

    Article 3 3 1 — Revenue for a specific purpose (income from foundations, subsidies, gifts and bequests) — Assigned revenue

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0,—

    Remarks

    In accordance with Article 21(2) of the Financial Regulation, this revenue is to be considered as assigned revenue and gives rise to the entry of additional appropriations in the headings which bore the initial expenditure giving rise to the corresponding revenue.

    Article 3 3 3 — Insurance payments received — Assigned revenue

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    34 995,58

    Remarks

    In accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation, this revenue is to be considered as assigned revenue and gives rise to the entry of additional appropriations in the headings which bore the initial expenditure giving rise to the corresponding revenue.

    This article is also intended to include reimbursement by insurance companies of the salaries of officials involved in accidents.

    Article 3 3 8 — Other revenue from administrative operations — Assigned revenue

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0,—

    Remarks

    This article is intended to record other contributions and refunds in connection with the administrative operation of the institution.

    In accordance with Article 21 of the Financial Regulation, this revenue is to be considered as assigned revenue and gives rise to the entry of additional appropriations against the headings which bore the initial expenditure giving rise to the corresponding revenue.

    Article 3 3 9 — Other revenue from administrative operations

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    1 000

    1 000

    1 622 925,87

    Remarks

    This article is intended to record other revenue from administrative operations.

    Details of expenditure and revenue resulting from loans or rents or the provision of services under this article shall be set out in an annex to this budget.

    Title 4 — FINANCIAL REVENUE, DEFAULT INTEREST AND FINES

    Chapter 4 0 — REVENUE FROM INVESTMENTS AND ACCOUNTS

    Article 4 0 0 — Revenue from investments, loans granted and bank accounts

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    4 411 025,89

    Remarks

    This article is intended to record revenue from investments, loans granted and bank and other interest on the institution’s accounts.

    Title 6 — REVENUE, CONTRIBUTIONS AND REFUNDS RELATED TO UNION POLICIES

    Chapter 6 6 — OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS AND REFUNDS

    Article 6 6 8 — Other contributions and refunds — Assigned revenue

    Figures

    2026 estimate

    2025 estimate

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0,—

    Remarks

    This article is intended to record, in accordance with Article 21 of the Financial Regulation, any revenue not provided for in other parts of Title 6 which is used to provide additional appropriations to finance expenditure to which that revenue is assigned.

    Expenditure — EXPENDITURE

    Title 1 — PERSONS WORKING WITH THE INSTITUTION

    Chapter 1 0 — MEMBERS OF THE INSTITUTION

    Article 1 0 0 — Salaries and allowances

    Item 1 0 0 0 — Salaries

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    100 920 000

    96 171 430

    91 951 742,92

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the salary provided for by the Statute for Members.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 5 000.

    Legal basis

    Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Articles 9 and 10 thereof.

    Implementing measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Articles 1 and 2 thereof.

    Item 1 0 0 4 — Ordinary travel expenses

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    79 160 000

    78 700 000

    71 950 000,00

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover reimbursement of travel and subsistence expenses in connection with travelling to and from the places of work and with other duty travel.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 25 000.

    Legal basis

    Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Article 20 thereof.

    Implementing measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Articles 10 to 21 and 24 thereof.

    Item 1 0 0 5 — Other travel expenses

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    5 260 000

    4 800 000

    5 100 000,00

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover reimbursement of additional travel expenses and travel expenses incurred in the Member State of election.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 1 000.

    Legal basis

    Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Article 20 thereof.

    Implementing measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Articles 22 and 23 thereof.

    Item 1 0 0 6 — General expenditure allowance

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    44 410 000

    44 100 000

    45 734 819,18

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover, in accordance with the Implementing measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament, expenses resulting from the parliamentary activities of Members.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 90 000.

    Legal basis

    Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Article 20 thereof.

    Implementing measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Articles 43 to 47 thereof.

    Item 1 0 0 7 — Allowances for performance of duties

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    219 000

    212 000

    205 852,17

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the flat-rate subsistence and representation allowances in connection with the duties of the President of the European Parliament.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Legal basis

    Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Article 20 thereof.

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 17 June 2009.

    Article 1 0 1 — Accident and sickness insurance and other welfare measures

    Item 1 0 1 0 — Accident and sickness insurance and other social security charges

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    3 142 000

    3 393 000

    3 083 137,39

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover accident insurance and reimbursement of medical expenses for Members and loss and theft of Members’ personal effects.

    It is also intended to cover the provision of insurance cover and assistance during a trip funded by the European Parliament or a political group, as a result of a serious illness, an accident or an unforeseen event that prevents them from continuing their journey. Such assistance involves organising the Member’s repatriation and defraying the related costs.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 200 000.

    Legal basis

    Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Articles 18 and 19 thereof.

    Implementing measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament, in particular Articles 3 to 9 and 25 thereof.

    Common rules on the insurance of officials of the European Union against the risk of accident and of occupational disease.

    Joint rules on sickness insurance for officials of the European Communities.

    Commission Decision laying down general implementing provisions for the reimbursement of medical expenses.

    Item 1 0 1 2 — Specific measures to assist disabled Members

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    700 000

    1 000 000

    550 000,00

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover certain expenditure required to provide assistance for a seriously disabled Member.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 5 000.

    Legal basis

    Implementing measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Article 26 thereof.

    Article 1 0 2 — Transitional allowances

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    2 287 000

    15 544 645

    18 921 436,05

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the transitional allowance after the end of a Member’s term of office.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 5 000.

    Legal basis

    Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Article 13 thereof.

    Implementing measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Articles 48 to 51 and 84 thereof.

    Article 1 0 3 — Pensions

    Item 1 0 3 0 — Retirement pensions (PEAM)

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    11 077 000

    11 144 000

    9 522 406,74

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the payment of an old-age pension after the cessation of a Member’s term of office.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 150 000.

    Legal basis

    Implementing measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Article 82 thereof, and Annex III to the Rules on Payment of Expenses and Allowances to Members of the European Parliament (‘PEAM rules’).

    Item 1 0 3 1 — Invalidity pensions (PEAM)

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    102 000

    96 138

    88 257,11

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the payment of a pension to Members who become incapacitated during their term of office.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 5 000.

    Legal basis

    Implementing measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Article 82 thereof, and Annex II to the Rules on Payment of Expenses and Allowances to Members of the European Parliament (‘PEAM rules’).

    Item 1 0 3 2 — Survivors’ pensions (PEAM)

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    2 160 000

    2 126 279

    1 919 559,71

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the payment of a survivor’s or orphan’s pension in the event of the death of a Member or of a former Member.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 15 000.

    Legal basis

    Implementing measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Article 82 thereof, and Annex I to the Rules on Payment of Expenses and Allowances to Members of the European Parliament (‘PEAM rules’).

    Item 1 0 3 3 — Optional pension scheme for Members

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0,—

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the institution’s contribution to the additional voluntary pension scheme for Members.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 500.

    Legal basis

    Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Article 27 thereof.

    Implementing measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Article 83 thereof, and Annex VII to the Rules on Payment of Expenses and Allowances to Members of the European Parliament (‘PEAM rules’).

    Article 1 0 5 — Language and computer courses

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    650 000

    650 000

    400 000,00

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the cost of language and computer courses for Members.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Legal basis

    Implementing measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Article 42 thereof.

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 23 October 2017 on language and computer courses for Members.

    Chapter 1 2 — OFFICIALS AND TEMPORARY STAFF

    Article 1 2 0 — Remuneration and other entitlements

    Item 1 2 0 0 — Remuneration and allowances

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

     

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    1 2 0 0

    973 382 485

    906 471 880

    846 335 205,79

    Reserves(10 0)

     

    3 100 000

     

    Total

    973 382 485

    909 571 880

    846 335 205,79

    Remarks

    This appropriation is mainly intended to cover, for officials and temporary staff holding a post provided for in the establishment plan:

    — salaries, allowances and other payments related to salaries,

    — insurance against sickness, accident and occupational disease and other social security contributions,

    — flat-rate overtime allowances,

    — miscellaneous allowances and grants,

    — payment of travel expenses for officials or temporary staff, their spouses and dependants from their place of employment to their place of origin,

    — the impact of salary weightings applicable to remuneration and to the part of emoluments transferred to a country other than the country of employment,

    — unemployment insurance for temporary staff and payments made by the institution to allow temporary staff to constitute or maintain pension rights in their country of origin.

    This appropriation is also intended to cover the insurance premiums in respect of sports accidents for users of the European Parliament’s sports centres in Brussels, in Luxembourg and in Strasbourg.

    This appropriation includes an envelope of EUR 633 245 related to the staff of the Authority for European political parties and European political foundations.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 450 000.

    Legal basis

    Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union.

    Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union.

    Item 1 2 0 2 — Paid overtime

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    57 573

    52 764

    55 000,00

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the payment of overtime under the conditions set out in the legal basis.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Legal basis

    Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union, and in particular Article 56 thereof and Annex VI thereto.

    Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union.

    Item 1 2 0 4 — Entitlements in connection with entering the service, transfer and leaving the service

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    4 100 000

    3 779 912

    3 700 000,00

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — travel expenses due to officials and temporary staff (including their families) entering or leaving the service or being transferred to another place of employment,

    — installation and resettlement allowances and removal expenses due to officials and temporary staff obliged to change their place of residence on taking up duty, on transfer to a new place of employment and on finally leaving the institution and resettling elsewhere,

    — daily subsistence allowance for officials and temporary staff who furnish evidence that they must change their place of residence on taking up duty or transferring to a new place of employment,

    — the compensation for a probationary official who is dismissed because his or her work is obviously inadequate,

    — compensation for a member of the temporary staff whose contract is terminated by the institution,

    — the difference between the contributions paid by contract staff to a Member State pension scheme and those payable to the Union scheme in the event of reclassification of a contract.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Legal basis

    Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union.

    Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union.

    Article 1 2 2 — Allowances upon early termination of service

    Item 1 2 2 0 — Allowances for staff retired or placed on leave in the interests of the service

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    4 790 000

    4 454 598

    3 899 745,48

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the allowances payable:

    — to officials assigned non-active status in connection with action to reduce the number of posts in the institution,

    — to officials placed on leave to meet organisational needs associated with the acquisition of new skills within the institution,

    — to officials and temporary management staff for political groups holding posts in grades AD 16 and AD 15 retired in the interests of the service.

    It also covers the employer’s contribution towards sickness insurance and the impact of the weightings applicable to these allowances (except for beneficiaries of Article 42c of the Staff Regulations, who are not entitled to a weighting).

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Legal basis

    Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union, and in particular Articles 41, 42c and 50 thereof and Annex IV thereto, and Article 48a of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union.

    Item 1 2 2 2 — Allowances for staff whose service is terminated and special retirement scheme for officials and temporary staff

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0,—

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — the allowances payable under the Staff Regulations or Council Regulations (EC, Euratom, ECSC) No 2689/95 and (EC, Euratom) No 1748/2002,

    — the employer’s contributions towards sickness insurance for the recipients of the allowances,

    — the impact of the weightings applicable to the various allowances.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Legal basis

    Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union, and in particular Articles 64 and 72 thereof.

    Council Regulation (EC, Euratom, ECSC) No 2689/95 of 17 November 1995 introducing special measures to terminate the service of temporary staff of the European Communities as a result of the accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden (OJ L 280, 23.11.1995, p. 4, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/1995/2689/oj).

    Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1748/2002 of 30 September 2002 introducing, in the context of the modernisation of the institution, special measures to terminate the service of Officials of the European Communities appointed to an established post in the European Parliament and temporary staff working in the Political Groups of the European Parliament (OJ L 264, 2.10.2002, p. 9, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2002/1748/oj).

    Chapter 1 4 — OTHER STAFF AND EXTERNAL SERVICES

    Article 1 4 0 — Other staff and external persons

    Item 1 4 0 0 — Other staff — Secretariat and political groups

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    100 945 810

    94 484 929

    81 664 730,14

    Remarks

    This appropriation is mainly intended to cover the following expenditure:

    — the remuneration, including allocations and allowances, of other staff, including contract staff and special advisers (within the meaning of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union), employer’s contributions to the various social security schemes, the bulk of which are paid in to the Union institutions’ own scheme, and the impact of salary weightings applicable to the remuneration of this staff,

    — the employment of temporary agency staff.

    This appropriation is not to cover expenditure on:

    — other staff within the Directorate-General for Security and Safety who perform duties relating to the safety of persons and property, information security and risk assessment,

    — other staff working as drivers in the Secretariat.

    Part of this appropriation is to be used for the recruitment of persons with disabilities as contract staff members, in accordance with the Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 7 and 9 July 2008.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 4 100 000.

    This appropriation includes an envelope of EUR 421 487 related to the staff of the Authority for European political parties and European political foundations.

    Legal basis

    Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (Titles IV, V and VI).

    General implementing provisions governing competitions and selection procedures, recruitment and the grading of officials and other servants of the European Parliament (decision of the Secretary-General of the European Parliament of 17 October 2014).

    Item 1 4 0 1 — Other staff — Security

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    57 780 573

    52 771 404

    46 021 651,49

    Remarks

    This appropriation is mainly intended to cover the expenditure on other staff within the Directorate-General for Security and Safety who perform duties relating to the safety of persons and property, information security and risk assessment.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 500 000.

    Legal basis

    Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (Title IV).

    General implementing provisions governing competitions and selection procedures, recruitment and the grading of officials and other servants of the European Parliament (decision of the Secretary-General of the European Parliament of 17 October 2014).

    Item 1 4 0 2 — Other staff — Drivers in the Secretariat

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    10 316 589

    9 725 704

    9 027 760,87

    Remarks

    This appropriation is mainly intended to cover the expenditure on other staff working as drivers in the Secretariat or coordinating the work of those drivers.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Legal basis

    Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (Title IV).

    General implementing provisions governing competitions and selection procedures, recruitment and the grading of officials and other servants of the European Parliament (decision of the Secretary-General of the European Parliament of 17 October 2014).

    Item 1 4 0 4 — Traineeships, seconded national experts, exchanges of officials and study visits

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    15 912 203

    13 929 850

    11 341 160,19

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — emoluments for graduate trainees (scholarships), including any household allowances,

    — travel expenses of trainees,

    — contribution to the cost of lunches of trainees at the European Parliament’s canteens,

    — additional costs directly related to a trainee’s impairment,

    — sickness and accident insurance for trainees,

    — costs connected with the holding of information or training sessions for trainees,

    — payment of a grant to the Robert Schuman Trainees’ Committee,

    — communication and outreach actions and the financing of a trainee alumni network,

    — expenditure arising from movements between the European Parliament and the civil service in the Member States and candidate countries or international organisations specified in the rules,

    — expenditure arising from the secondment of national experts to the European Parliament, including allowances and travel expenses,

    — accident insurance for national experts on secondment,

    — allowances for study visits and study grants,

    — the organisation of training schemes for conference interpreters and translators, inter alia in cooperation with schools of interpreting and universities providing training in translation, as well as grants for the training and further training of interpreters and translators, purchase of teaching materials, and associated costs,

    — costs related to creating distance-learning opportunities for conference interpreting agents, like e-courses on subjects related to areas of parliamentary activity or professional skills or the recruitment of trainers for courses specific to conference interpreting agents.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 5 000.

    Legal basis

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 7 March 2005 on the rules governing the attachment of European Parliament officials and temporary staff of the political groups to national public authorities, bodies treated as such public authorities and international organisations.

    Decision of the Secretary-General of the European Parliament of 29 April 2021 on the internal rules governing traineeships in the Secretariat of the European Parliament.

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 22 November 2021 on the rules governing the secondment of national experts to the European Parliament.

    Item 1 4 0 5 — Expenditure on interpretation

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    64 850 000

    64 841 796

    55 479 971,94

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the following expenditure:

    — the fees and related allowances, social security contributions, travel expenses and other expenses of contract conference interpreters recruited by the European Parliament to service meetings organised by the European Parliament to meet its own needs or those of other institutions when the necessary services cannot be provided by European Parliament interpreters (officials and temporary staff),

    — expenditure on conference agencies, technicians, welcoming staff and administrators used to service the above meetings where they cannot be serviced by officials, temporary staff or other European Parliament staff,

    — expenditure for contracts in interpreting services concluded by the DG LINC for providing interpretation, including remote simultaneous interpretation, for non-core meeting of the European Parliament and/or requested by other institutions and entities authorised to hold meetings on European Parliament premises,

    — expenses in connection with services provided to the European Parliament by interpreters who are staff members of regional, national or international institutions,

    — expenses in connection with interpretation-related activities, in particular preparations for meetings and interpreter training and selection,

    — expenses paid for administering payments to conference interpreters,

    — expenses in connection with preservation and development of external interpretation capacity or availability schemes.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 2 600 000.

    Legal basis

    Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union.

    Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union.

    Agreement on working conditions and the pecuniary regime for auxiliary conference interpreters (ACIs) (and the implementing rules therefor), as established on 28 July 1999, amended on 13 October 2004 and revised on 31 July 2008.

    Item 1 4 0 6 — Observers

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0,—

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the payment of expenses relating to observers, in accordance with Rule 13 of the European Parliament’s Rules of Procedure.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Article 1 4 2 — External translation services

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    9 236 000

    9 700 000

    3 000 000,00

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the translation, editing, typing, coding and technical assistance work sent to outside suppliers.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 50 000.

    Chapter 1 6 — OTHER EXPENDITURE RELATING TO PERSONS WORKING WITH THE INSTITUTION

    Article 1 6 1 — Expenditure relating to staff management

    Item 1 6 1 0 — Expenditure on recruitment

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    496 600

    371 520

    152 378,85

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — expenditure on organising the competitions provided for in Article 3 of Decision 2002/621/EC and travel and subsistence expenses for applicants invited to tests as part of a competition or selection procedure, or called for recruitment interviews or to pre-employment medical examinations,

    — the costs of organising and promoting competitions and procedures for selecting staff and raising awareness of employment opportunities in the European Parliament.

    In cases duly justified by operational needs, the institution may use this appropriation to organise its own competitions and selection procedures.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Legal basis

    Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union, and in particular Articles 27 to 31 and Article 33 thereof and Annex III thereto.

    Decision 2002/620/EC of the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the Court of Justice, the Court of Auditors, the Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the European Ombudsman of 25 July 2002 establishing a European Communities Personnel Selection Office (OJ L 197, 26.7.2002, p. 53, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2002/620/oj) and Decision 2002/621/EC of the Secretaries-General of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, the Registrar of the Court of Justice, the Secretaries-General of the Court of Auditors, the Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions, and the Representative of the European Ombudsman of 25 July 2002 on the organisation and operation of the European Communities Personnel Selection Office (OJ L 197, 26.7.2002, p. 56, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2002/621/oj).

    Item 1 6 1 2 — Learning and development

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    8 958 400

    8 987 950

    8 490 662,44

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure on training for improving staff skills and the performance and efficiency of the institution, e.g. via language courses for the official working languages.

    It is also intended to cover expenditure on other training courses for Members.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 1 700.

    Legal basis

    Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union, and in particular Article 24a thereof.

    Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union.

    Article 1 6 3 — Measures to assist the institution’s staff

    Item 1 6 3 0 — Social welfare

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    350 000

    328 350

    135 748,07

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — action taken in respect of officials and other servants in particularly difficult situations,

    — the financing of a grant for the Staff Committee, the APA Committee, and incidental expenditure in the Medical Services. Contributions or defrayal of expenses by the Staff Committee for participants in welfare activities will be aimed at financing activities that have a social, cultural or linguistic dimension, but there will be no subsidies for individual staff members or households,

    — other institutional and interinstitutional welfare measures for officials, other servants and retired staff,

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 70 000.

    Legal basis

    Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union, and in particular Article 9(3), third subparagraph, and Article 76 thereof.

    Item 1 6 3 1 — Mobility

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    2 110 000

    2 110 000

    2 340 000,00

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure relating to mobility at the various places of work.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 5 000.

    Item 1 6 3 2 — Social contacts between members of staff and other social measures

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    290 200

    285 000

    265 819,34

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to encourage and provide financial backing for schemes to promote social contact between staff of different nationalities, for example subsidies for staff clubs, sports associations and cultural societies, and to make a contribution to the cost of a permanent centre (for cultural and sports activities, other hobbies, a restaurant) for use during leisure time.

    It also covers financial support for interinstitutional social activities.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 600 000.

    Article 1 6 5 — Activities relating to all persons working with the institution

    Item 1 6 5 0 — Health, Safety and Inclusion

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    3 615 219

    4 088 866

    3 327 922,83

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the operating costs of the Medical Services, the Medical Leave Service, the Medical Preparedness and Crisis Management Unit, the Prevention and Well-Being at Work Unit and the Equality Inclusion and Diversity Unit in Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg.

    In the medical field, this includes in particular:

    — medical check-ups, the purchase of materials and pharmaceutical products,

    — expenditure on medical examinations, particularly in an occupational-medicine context, on pre-recruitment medical examinations, on periodic examinations and health screening in connection with security-related, safety-critical and specific-risk posts,

    — medical expert reports and on ergonomic measures,

    — expenditure arising from the operation of the Invalidity Committee and in connection with adjudications and expert opinions,

    — expenditure on services provided by outside medical and paramedical specialists deemed necessary by the medical officers.

    It also covers expenditure involving the purchase of certain work tools deemed necessary on medical grounds, together with expenditure on medical or paramedical service providers or personnel on short-term stand-in assignment.

    In relation to disability management and support, this appropriation is intended to cover as part of an interinstitutional policy to assist persons with a disability in the following categories:

    — officials and other agents in active employment,

    — spouses of officials and other agents in active employment,

    — dependent children within the meaning of the Staff Regulations,

    — orphans who have lost both parents and who are in receipt of an orphan’s pension,

    the reimbursement, to the extent permitted by the budget and after national entitlements in the country of residence or the country of origin have been exhausted, of expenses (other than medical expenses) recognised as necessary, resulting from the disability, supported by documentary evidence and not covered by the Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme,

    — other institutional and interinstitutional welfare measures for officials, other servants and retired staff,

    — the financing of specific reasonable accommodation measures or expenditure on medical analyses and welfare assessments for officials and other servants with disabilities during recruitment procedures or requiring accommodation measures as a result of events during their career, and trainees with disabilities during selection procedures, in application of Article 1d of the Staff Regulations, in particular personal assistance at the workplace, including transport, or during missions.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Legal basis

    Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union, and in particular Article 1d, Article 1e(2), Article 33, Article 59, and Article 76 thereof and Article 8 of Annex II thereto. Council Directive 89/391/EEC of June 12, 1989 also lays ground on provisions in relation to workplace risk management.

    Item 1 6 5 2 — Expenditure on catering

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    800 000

    1 360 000

    736 268,23

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure on catering for official high-level events and meetings and certain social measures agreed by the European Parliament.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Item 1 6 5 4 — Childcare facilities

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    11 751 520

    9 237 967

    8 651 259,44

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the European Parliament’s contribution to all the organisational expenditure and expenditure on services for the internal childcare facilities and outside childcare facilities with which an agreement has been concluded.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 3 300 000.

    Item 1 6 5 5 — European Parliament contribution for accredited Type II European Schools

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    1 248 000

    1 169 950

    837 737,52

    Remarks

    Implementation of Commission Decision C(2013) 4886 of 1 August 2013 on the putting into effect of the EU contribution paid on a pro-rata basis to schools accredited by the Board of Governors of the European Schools according to the number of children of EU staff enrolled, replacing Commission Decision C(2009) 7719 of 14 October 2009 as amended by Commission Decision C(2010) 7993 of 8 December 2010 (OJ C 222, 2.8.2013, p. 8).

    This appropriation is intended to cover the European Parliament’s contribution for Type II European Schools accredited by the Board of Governors of the European Schools or the reimbursement of the contribution paid by the Commission on behalf of the European Parliament for Type II European Schools accredited by the Board of Governors of the European Schools. It covers costs relating to children of European Parliament staff coming under the Staff Regulations who are enrolled in such schools.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Title 2 — BUILDINGS, FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT AND MISCELLANEOUS OPERATING EXPENDITURE

    Remarks

    Since risk cover has been revoked by insurance companies, the risk of industrial conflicts and terrorist attacks for the European Parliament buildings needs to be covered through the general budget of the Union.

    The appropriations of this title accordingly cover all expenses in connection with damage resulting from industrial conflicts and terrorist attacks.

    Chapter 2 0 — Buildings and associated costs

    Article 2 0 0 — Buildings

    Item 2 0 0 0 — Rent

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    31 110 000

    26 900 000

    29 318 124,71

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover rent for the buildings or parts of buildings occupied by the European Parliament.

    It also covers property tax. The rentals are calculated over 12 months on the basis of existing leases or leases in preparation, which normally provide for cost of living or construction cost index-linking.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 3 000 000.

    Financial contributions from Member States or their public agencies or entities in the form of financing or repayment of costs and of associated charges relating to the purchase or use of land, buildings, as well as of charges in relation to buildings and facilities of the institution, shall be considered as external assigned revenue within the meaning of Article 21(2) of the Financial Regulation.

    Item 2 0 0 1 — Lease payments

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    751 000

    700 000

    21 420 000,00

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the annual lease payments for buildings or parts of buildings under existing leases or leases in preparation.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 50 000.

    Financial contributions from Member States or their public agencies or entities in the form of financing or repayment of costs and of associated charges relating to the purchase or use of land, buildings, as well as of charges in relation to buildings and facilities of the institution, shall be considered as external assigned revenue within the meaning of Article 21(2) of the Financial Regulation.

    Item 2 0 0 3 — Acquisition of immovable property

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    340 000

    p.m.

    0,—

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the acquisition of immovable property. Subsidies for land and its servicing will be dealt with in accordance with the Financial Regulation.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 810 000.

    Financial contributions from Member States or their public agencies or entities in the form of financing or repayment of costs and of associated charges relating to the purchase or use of land, buildings, as well as of charges in relation to buildings and facilities of the institution, shall be considered as external assigned revenue within the meaning of Article 21(2) of the Financial Regulation.

    Item 2 0 0 7 — Construction of buildings and fitting-out of premises

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    74 357 000

    78 010 000

    75 581 353,02

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — building construction costs (works, consultants’ fees, initial fitting-out work and supplies to make buildings operational, and all related costs),

    — fitting-out costs and related expenditure, and in particular architects’ or engineers’ fees.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 472 000.

    Financial contributions from Member States or their public agencies or entities in the form of financing or repayment of costs and of associated charges relating to the purchase or use of land, buildings, as well as of charges in relation to buildings and facilities of the institution, shall be considered as external assigned revenue within the meaning of Article 21(2) of the Financial Regulation.

    Item 2 0 0 8 — Other specific property management arrangements

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    8 190 000

    6 665 000

    4 227 493,47

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure on property management not specifically provided for in the other articles in this Chapter, i.e.:

    — waste management and treatment,

    — mandatory inspections, quality checks, expert opinions, audits, compliance monitoring, etc.,

    — technical library,

    — management support (building helpdesk),

    — taking care of building drawings and information media,

    — other expenditure.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 268 000.

    Item 2 0 0 9 — Construction and fitting out of Buildings: Idea Lab

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0,—

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover investments in innovative building solutions and pilot projects, namely:

    — building construction costs (works, consultants’ fees, initial fitting out and supplies to make buildings fit to meet the European Parliament’s needs and all related costs),

    — fitting-out costs and related expenditure, as well as architects’ and engineers’ fees.

    Article 2 0 2 — Expenditure on buildings

    Item 2 0 2 2 — Building maintenance, upkeep, operation and cleaning

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    83 870 000

    81 550 000

    78 288 453,35

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the maintenance, upkeep, operating and cleaning costs, on the basis of current contracts, for the buildings (offices, other areas and installations) rented or owned by the European Parliament.

    Before renewing or concluding contracts, the institution will consult the other institutions on the contractual terms each of them has obtained (prices, currency chosen, index-linking, duration, other clauses) with due regard for Article 167 of the Financial Regulation.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 479 000.

    Item 2 0 2 4 — Energy consumption

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    25 457 000

    28 950 000

    21 604 075,08

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover, in particular, water, gas, electricity and heating costs.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 150 000.

    Item 2 0 2 6 — Security and surveillance of buildings

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    22 610 000

    19 760 000

    18 818 361,00

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover essentially the costs of caretaking and surveillance in respect of buildings occupied by the European Parliament at its three habitual places of work, its information offices in the Union, the Europa Experiences and its offices in third countries.

    Before renewing or concluding contracts, the institution will consult the other institutions on the contractual terms each of them has obtained (prices, currency chosen, index-linking, duration, other clauses) with due regard for Article 167 of the Financial Regulation.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100 000.

    Item 2 0 2 8 — Insurance

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    3 790 000

    3 390 000

    3 358 982,59

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover payments in respect of insurance policy premiums.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 5 000.

    Chapter 2 1 — DATA PROCESSING, EQUIPMENT AND MOVABLE PROPERTY

    Remarks

    In connection with public procurement, the institution will consult the other institutions on the contractual terms each of them has obtained.

    Article 2 1 0 — Computing and telecommunications

    Item 2 1 0 0 — IT governance and cyber security

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    11 004 000

    9 563 800

    10 169 079,47

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure on the purchase, hire, servicing and maintenance of hardware and software and on outside assistance from IT consultants to provide assistance and support related to ICT security, enterprise architecture, market exploration and studies in the domain of information and communications technology.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 5 000.

    Item 2 1 0 1 — Business applications management

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    79 323 800

    77 681 050

    80 586 736,76

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure on the purchase, hire, servicing and maintenance of hardware and software and related work, and on outside assistance from ICT consultants for operations connected with ICT user applications management in the institution, and IT project support. It is also intended to cover expenditure on ICT tools financed jointly in the context of interinstitutional cooperation in the field of languages, provided for by the decisions taken by the Interinstitutional Committee on Translation and Interpretation.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 64 000.

    Item 2 1 0 2 — Infrastructure and operations management

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    81 745 300

    80 041 200

    86 398 356,95

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure on the purchase, hire, servicing and maintenance of hardware and software and on outside assistance from IT consultants to ensure that the European Parliament’s computing and telecommunications infrastructure functions properly. That expenditure relates mainly to systems at the computer and telecommunications centre including cloud-related services, network, cabling, telecommunications and videoconferencing systems. It also relates to the voting system infrastructure, the renting or acquisition of multifunctional devices (photocopiers) and costs associated with the printing of documents.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 385 000.

    Item 2 1 0 3 — Digital workplace services and equipment

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    22 841 500

    25 209 000

    34 500 141,30

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure on the purchase, hire, servicing and maintenance of hardware and software and on outside assistance from IT consultants to provide assistance, support and IT equipment for users of the European Parliament’s computing and telecommunications systems. That expenditure mainly relates to the acquisition and maintenance of individual IT equipment and to the IT support services for Members and other users.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 192 000.

    Article 2 1 2 — Furniture

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    7 470 000

    7 990 000

    8 345 000,00

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the purchase, hire, maintenance and repair of furniture, including the purchase of ergonomic furniture, the replacement of worn-out and broken furniture and office machines. It is also intended to cover miscellaneous expenditure on managing the European Parliament’s furniture stock.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 5 000.

    Article 2 1 4 — Technical equipment and installations

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    23 468 400

    21 322 000

    28 604 422,99

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the purchase, hire, maintenance, repair and management of technical equipment and installations, and in particular of:

    — miscellaneous fixed and mobile technical installations and equipment in connection with publishing, security (including software), canteens, buildings, staff training and the institution’s sports centres, etc.,

    — equipment in particular for the canteens, staff shops, security, conferences, and the audiovisual sector, etc.,

    — special equipment (electronic, computing and electrical) and related external services.

    This appropriation also covers publicity costs for the resale and scrapping of inventoried items and the costs of technical assistance (consultancy) with matters on which external expertise is needed.

    This appropriation also covers the cost of transporting the equipment needed to provide technical conference services anywhere in the world when requested by a Member, delegation, political group or governing body of the European Parliament. It covers transport costs and all related administrative costs.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 190 000.

    Article 2 1 6 — Transport of Members, other persons and goods

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    6 155 000

    5 901 000

    4 965 558,61

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the purchase, leasing, maintenance, use and repair of vehicles (fleet of cars and bicycles) and the hire of cars, taxis, coaches and lorries, with or without drivers, including the necessary insurance cover and other management costs. When replacing the car fleet or purchasing, leasing or hiring vehicles, preference will be given to cars that are the least polluting for the environment, such as hybrid cars.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100 000.

    Chapter 2 3 — CURRENT ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE

    Remarks

    In connection with public procurement, the institution will consult the other institutions on the contractual terms each of them has obtained.

    Article 2 3 0 — Stationery, office supplies and miscellaneous consumables

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    200 000

    296 000

    168 615,80

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the purchase of paper, envelopes, office supplies, supplies for the print shop and document reproduction workshops, etc., together with the related management costs.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 28 000.

    Article 2 3 1 — Financial charges

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    350 000

    1 850 000

    80 000,00

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover bank charges (commission, agios and miscellaneous charges) and other financial charges, including ancillary costs for the financing of buildings.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Article 2 3 2 — Legal costs and damages

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    1 795 000

    1 635 000

    844 750,49

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — the cost of hiring bailiffs to represent the European Parliament for the purpose of notification of its decisions,

    — costs which may be awarded against the European Parliament by the Court of Justice, the General Court or national courts,

    — the cost of hiring outside lawyers to represent the European Parliament in Union and national courts, and the cost of hiring legal advisers or experts to assist the Legal Service,

    — reimbursement of lawyers’ fees in connection with disciplinary and equivalent proceedings,

    — damages and interest expenses,

    — compensation agreed through amicable settlement pursuant to Chapter 11 and Chapter 11a of Title III of the Rules of Procedure of the General Court or Chapter 7 of Title IV of the Rules of Procedure of the Court of Justice,

    — administrative fines issued by the European Data Protection Supervisor.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 5 000.

    Legal basis

    Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/1725/oj).

    Article 2 3 6 — Postage on correspondence and delivery charges

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    268 000

    270 000

    296 196,49

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover charges for postage, processing and delivery by national postal services or private delivery firms.

    This appropriation is also intended to cover mail-handling services.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 12 000.

    Article 2 3 7 — Removals

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    1 437 000

    700 000

    1 592 272,11

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the cost of removal and handling work carried out by removal firms or by temporary handling staff supplied by outside agencies.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 5 000.

    Article 2 3 8 — Other administrative expenditure

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    2 388 000

    2 385 000

    1 837 968,98

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — insurance not specifically provided for in another item,

    — the purchase and maintenance of uniforms for ushers, drivers, receptionists, warehouse staff, removal men and staff in the Visits and Seminars Unit, the Parlamentarium, the medical services, the security and building maintenance services and various technical services,

    — miscellaneous operating and management expenses, including fees payable to the Office for the Administration and Payment of Individual Entitlements (PMO) for managing pensions payable to former Members under the Statute, expenses related to the security clearance of external persons working on the premises or in the systems of the European Parliament, purchases of goods or services not specifically provided for against another heading,

    — miscellaneous purchases in connection with European Parliament’s corporate social responsibility, including Eco-Management Auditing Scheme (EMAS),

    — miscellaneous services in connection with European Parliament’s financial and inventory management.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 5 000.

    Article 2 3 9 — EMAS and sustainability activities, including promotion, and the European Parliament’s carbon offsetting scheme

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    950 000

    250 000

    10 267,38

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure related to sustainability activities in the European Parliament and Eco-Management Auditing Scheme (EMAS) activities aimed at improving the environmental performance of the European Parliament, including the promotion of these activities, and to the European Parliament’s carbon offsetting scheme.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 5 000.

    Title 3 — EXPENDITURE RESULTING FROM GENERAL FUNCTIONS CARRIED OUT BY THE INSTITUTION

    Chapter 3 0 — MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES

    Article 3 0 0 — Expenses for staff missions and duty travel between the three places of work

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    29 470 000

    28 850 000

    21 855 556,57

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure on duty travel by staff of the institution, seconded national experts, trainees and staff of other European or international institutions invited by the institution between place of employment and any of the European Parliament’s three places of work (Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg) and on missions to any location other than the three places of work. Expenditure is made up of transport costs, daily allowances, accommodation costs and compensatory allowances for unsocial hours. Ancillary costs (including cancellation of tickets and hotel reservations, electronic invoicing costs and mission insurance costs) are also covered.

    This appropriation is also intended to cover any expenditure on carbon offsetting relating to staff missions and duty travel.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 200 000.

    Legal basis

    Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union, and in particular Article 71 thereof and Articles 11, 12 and 13 of Annex VII thereto.

    Article 3 0 2 — Reception and representation expenses

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    1 093 128

    1 028 900

    886 086,07

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — expenses related to the obligations of the institution regarding receptions, including in connection with work relating to the assessment of scientific options (STOA), other research and forward-looking activities and representation expenses for Members of the institution,

    — representation expenses of the President when he or she is travelling outside the places of work,

    — musical projects,

    — representation expenses and the contribution to the secretarial expenses of the President’s office,

    — the Secretariat’s reception and representation expenses, including the purchase of items and medals for officials who have completed 15 or 25 years’ service,

    — miscellaneous protocol expenditure, such as on flags, display stands, invitation cards and printed menus,

    — travel and subsistence expenses incurred by VIP visitors to the institution,

    — visa costs relating to official travel by Members and staff,

    — reception and representation expenses and the other specific expenses for Members performing official duties at the European Parliament.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Article 3 0 4 — Miscellaneous expenditure on meetings

    Item 3 0 4 0 — Miscellaneous expenditure on internal meetings

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    320 000

    370 000

    142 335,23

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the costs of the beverages, refreshments and occasional light meals served at meetings held by the European Parliament or interinstitutional meetings organised on its premises, together with the management costs for these services.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 5 000.

    Item 3 0 4 2 — Meetings, congresses, conferences and delegations

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    3 185 301

    3 282 900

    1 351 568,80

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover, inter alia, expenses other than those covered under Chapter 1 0 and Article 3 0 0, connected with:

    — the organisation of meetings outside the places of work (committees and committee delegations, political groups), including, where appropriate, representation expenditure,

    — the organisation of interparliamentary delegations, ad hoc delegations, joint parliamentary committees, parliamentary cooperation committees, parliamentary delegations to the WTO, and the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO and its Steering Committee,

    — the organisation of delegations to the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, the EuroLat Parliamentary Assembly and the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly and their bodies,

    — the organisation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfMPA), its committees and its Bureau; this expenditure includes the European Parliament’s contribution to the budget of the autonomous secretariat of the UfMPA or the direct defrayal of expenses representing the European Parliament’s share of the budget of the UfMPA,

    — the affiliation fees in respect of international organisations to which the European Parliament or one of its bodies belongs (Interparliamentary Union, Association of Secretaries-General of Parliaments, Twelve Plus Group within the Interparliamentary Union),

    — the reimbursement to the Commission, on the basis of a service agreement concluded between the European Parliament and the Commission, of the European Parliament’s share of the cost of producing EU laissez-passer (equipment, staff and supplies), in accordance with the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union (Article 6), Article 23 of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union, Articles 11 and 81 of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union and Council Regulation (EU) No 1417/2013 of 17 December 2013 laying down the form of the laissez-passer issued by the European Union (OJ L 353, 28.12.2013, p. 26, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/1417/oj),

    — participation in meetings of the Steering Board of the InvestEU Programme and official meetings with the competent parliamentary committees’ members (including travel expenses, accommodation and catering) of persons appointed by the European Parliament in the Steering Board of the InvestEU Programme.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 5 000.

    Item 3 0 4 9 — Expenditure on travel agency services

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    3 660 000

    3 590 000

    3 393 000,00

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the running costs of the travel agency under contract to the European Parliament.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 6 000.

    Chapter 3 2 — EXPERTISE AND INFORMATION: ACQUISITION, ARCHIVING, PRODUCTION AND DISSEMINATION

    Article 3 2 0 — Acquisition of expertise

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    9 961 999

    6 485 000

    3 134 202,80

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — the cost of contracts with qualified experts and research institutes for studies and other research activities (workshops, round tables, expert panels or hearings, and conferences) or technical assistance activities that require specific skills and that are carried out for the European Parliament’s governing bodies, for the parliamentary committees, for the parliamentary delegations and for the administration,

    — acquisition or hiring of specialised information sources, such as specialised databases, related literature or technical support, when needed to complement the expertise contracts mentioned above,

    — the travel, subsistence and incidental expenses of experts and other persons, including petitioners to the European Parliament, invited to take part in committee, delegation, study group or working party meetings and in workshops,

    — costs of participation of petitioners, including travel, subsistence and incidental expenses, during the official missions of the Committee on Petitions outside of the European Parliament premises,

    — costs of dissemination of internal or external parliamentary research products and other relevant products, for the benefit of the institution and of the public (in particular by means of publications on the internet, internal databases, brochures and publications),

    — expenditure on calling-in outside persons to take part in the work of bodies such as the Disciplinary Board,

    — the cost of checks by specialised external service providers on the accuracy of documents supplied by candidates for recruitment.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 74 000.

    Article 3 2 1 — Expenditure on European parliamentary research services, including the library, the historical archives, scientific and technological options assessment (STOA) and the European Science-Media Hub

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    10 063 320

    10 134 000

    8 393 552,80

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure on the work of DG EPRS and the Historical Archives of the European Parliament, particularly:

    — acquisition of specialised expertise and support for the European Parliament’s research activities (including articles, studies, workshops, seminars, round tables, expert panels and conferences) which may, if necessary, be carried out in partnership with other Institutions, international organisations, research departments and libraries of national parliaments, think tanks, research bodies and other qualified experts,

    — acquisition of specialised expertise in the fields of impact assessment and of ex ante and ex post evaluation, European added value, and scientific and technological options assessment (STOA),

    — acquisition or hiring of books, journals, newspapers, databases, press agency products and any other information medium for the library in various formats, including costs of copyright, the quality assurance system, materials and work involved in rebinding and conservation, and other relevant services,

    — the cost of outside archiving services (organisation, selection, description, transfer to different media and to paperless form, acquisition of primary archive sources),

    — acquisition, development, installation, operation and maintenance of special library and archiving documentation and of special media-library materials, including materials and electrical, electronic and computerised systems, and materials for rebinding and conservation,

    — costs of dissemination of internal or external parliamentary research products and other relevant products, for the benefit of the institution and of the public (in particular by means of publications on the internet, internal databases, brochures and publications),

    — travel, subsistence and associated costs of experts and authors invited to attend presentations, seminars, workshops or other such activities organised,

    — participation by the services responsible for Scientific and Technological Options Assessment (STOA) in the activities of European and international scientific bodies,

    — the European Parliament’s obligations under international and interinstitutional cooperation agreements, including the European Parliament’s contribution to the costs of managing the Union’s historical archives in accordance with Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83,

    — the costs of the European Science-Media Hub, the operations of which are overseen by the European Parliament’s Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA), in enhancing the interface between the European Parliament, the scientific community and the media, in order specifically to promote networking, training and knowledge dissemination. This includes for example:

    — organising activities and dealing with expenses (including travel expenses, accommodation and catering) in connection with invitations to journalists, stakeholders and other experts to cover the activities concerned,

    — setting up and maintaining networks at the interface between the European Parliament, the scientific community and the media,

    — organising seminars, conferences and training courses on current scientific and technological developments and issues and on the nature and effectiveness of science journalism,

    — harnessing expert information and analysis from academia, the media and other sources in the field of science and technology for the benefit of policy-makers and citizens,

    — making European Parliament research and other relevant material in the field of science and technology more widely available by written, audiovisual and other means,

    — developing techniques and methods for increasing the ability to identify and disseminate trustworthy sources in the field of science and technology,

    — supporting the installation, upgrading and use of state-of-the-art technical equipment and media facilities in support of such dialogue,

    — developing closer cooperation and, more generally, links between the European Parliament, relevant media outlets and universities and research centres in this field, including through promotion in the media of the role, and work of the European Science-Media Hub as well as its accessibility for citizens.

    This appropriation may also be used to support dialogue between the European Parliament and the university community, the media, think tanks and citizens with regard to foresight work on the long-term trends to be addressed by European Union decision-makers, both in the field of science and more broadly, through seminars, publications and other activities set out above.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Legal basis

    Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983 concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/1983/354/oj).

    Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents (OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2001/1049/oj).

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 28 November 2001 on rules governing public access to European Parliament documents, as last amended on 22 June 2011 (OJ C 216, 22.7.2011, p. 19).

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 2 July 2012 on rules on document management in the European Parliament.

    European Parliament resolution of 8 October 2013 on forward policy planning and long-term trends: budgetary implications for capacity-building (OJ C 181, 19.5.2016, p. 16), and in particular paragraphs 7 and 9 thereof.

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 10 March 2014 on procedures governing the European Parliament’s acquisition of private archives of Members and former Members.

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 15 April 2019 on the STOA rules.

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 17 June 2019 on the rules of the European Parliament Library.

    Article 3 2 2 — Documentation expenditure

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    2 973 500

    3 115 000

    3 221 682,79

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — subscriptions to newspapers and periodicals and news agencies and to the publications thereof and online services, including copyright fees for the reproduction and dissemination of the above in written and/or electronic form and service contracts for press reviews and cuttings,

    — subscriptions or service contracts for the supply of summaries and analyses of the content of periodicals or the storage on optical media of articles taken from such periodicals,

    — utilising external documentary and statistical databases (computer hardware and telecommunications charges excepted),

    — the purchase of new dictionaries and glossaries, or the replacement thereof, regardless of medium, including for the new language sections, and other works for the language services and the Legislative Quality Units.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Article 3 2 3 — Support for democracy and capacity-building for the parliaments of third countries

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    1 400 000

    1 400 000

    517 672,34

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — expenditure on programmes for the exchange of information and cooperation between the European Parliament and the national parliaments of the pre-accession countries, in particular the Western Balkans and Turkey,

    — expenditure committed for promoting relations between the European Parliament and democratically elected national parliaments from third countries (other than those referred to in the previous indent) as well as with corresponding regional parliamentary organisations. The activities concerned are notably aimed at strengthening parliamentary capacity in new and emerging democracies in particular in the European Neighbourhood (South and East),

    — expenditure on promoting activities in support of mediation, and programmes for young political leaders from the European Union and from countries in the wider European Neighbourhood: the Maghreb, Eastern Europe and Russia, Israeli-Palestinian dialogue and other priority countries as decided by the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group,

    — expenditure on organising the Sakharov Prize (in particular the amount of the prize, travel expenses of the winner(s) and other finalists and the costs of receiving them, operating costs of the Sakharov network and duty travel by members of the network) and on activities to promote human rights.

    These activities include information visits to the European Parliament in Brussels, Luxembourg or Strasbourg and visits to Member States and third countries. This appropriation covers, wholly or partially, the expenses of the participants, particularly travel, accommodation and daily subsistence.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Legal basis

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 12 December 2011 establishing the Directorate for Democracy Support in the Directorate-General for External Policies of the Union.

    Article 3 2 4 — Production and dissemination

    Item 3 2 4 0 — Official Journal

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0,—

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the institution’s share of the Publications Office’s expenditure on publishing and dissemination and other ancillary costs with regard to the texts to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 5 000.

    Item 3 2 4 1 — Digital and traditional publications

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    1 579 800

    1 619 600

    2 137 349,13

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — all costs for digital publishing (Intranet sites) and traditional publishing (miscellaneous documents and printed matter subcontracted out), including distribution,

    — upgrading and evolutive and corrective maintenance of editorial systems.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 10 000.

    Item 3 2 4 2 — Expenditure on publication, information and participation in public events

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    26 530 000

    27 640 000

    36 366 874,13

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — expenditure on communication relating to the values of the institution by means of information publications, including electronic publications, information activities, public relations, participation in public events, trade fairs and exhibitions,

    — expenditure on communication in order to give the European Parliament a recognisable, coherent and positive public image, to develop communication products from the creative concept to the final product and capacity building towards an internal communication agency, including access to industry tools and external expert advice,

    — co-financing of communication actions through a grants program in order to promote and multiply a better understanding of the identity, role and political nature of the European Parliament and to stimulate collaboration with multiplier networks,

    — the cost relating to public opinion monitoring,

    — the cost linked to monitoring, countering and raising awareness on the reputational risks, disinformation and hybrid threats,

    — the cost of cultural projects of European interest, such as the European Parliament LUX Prize for European Cinema,

    — the cost of organising and running events for young people, raising the European Parliament’s social media profile, and monitoring youth trends,

    — costs relating to the mobile internet, interactive technologies, socialising spaces, collaborative platforms and changing internet user behaviour, with a view to bringing the European Parliament closer to citizens,

    — the cost of in-house production, distribution and hosting by the European Parliament of web clips and other broadcast-ready multimedia material, in line with the European Parliament’s communication strategy,

    — expenditure on works of art for the European Parliament, covering both the cost of acquiring and purchasing specific material and the current expenditure relating thereto, such as experts, conservation, framing, restoration, cleaning, insurance and ad-hoc transport costs.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 50 000.

    Item 3 2 4 3 — European Parliament visitor centres

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    25 180 000

    27 150 000

    26 687 400,69

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to finance installations, material and exhibitions at European Parliament visitor centres, in particular:

    — the Parlamentarium — the European Parliament Visitors’ Centre in Brussels, including the mobile information points,

    — reception facilities, ‘Europa Experience’ centres and information outlets away from Brussels,

    — the activities of the House of European History, such as carrying out specific fitting-out work, acquiring collections, the cost of contracts with experts, and organising exhibitions, as well as its running costs, including expenditure on books, magazines and other publications related to the House of European History’s activities.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 4 000 000.

    Item 3 2 4 4 — Organisation and reception of groups of visitors, Euroscola programme and invitations to opinion multipliers from third countries

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    38 223 000

    38 496 000

    33 108 635,98

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — subsidies granted for group visits and associated supervision and infrastructure costs, the financing of traineeships for opinion multipliers from third countries (EUVP) and the running costs of the Euroscola, Euromed-Scola and Euronest-Scola programmes. The Euromed-Scola and Euronest-Scola programmes shall take place each year, with the exception of election years, on an alternating basis, on the European Parliament’s premises in Strasbourg or in Brussels,

    — activities to promote the EUVP,

    — expenditure related to the implementation of the new visitors’ strategy and the organisation of the open days,

    — media campaigns and the organisation of the European Parliament Ambassador School Programme.

    This appropriation shall be increased every year using a deflator that takes into account movements in GNI and prices.

    Each Member of the European Parliament is entitled to invite a maximum of five groups each calendar year for a total of 100 visitors. Visitor groups officially sponsored by a Member may take part in the Euroscola programme if invited to do so by that Member.

    An appropriate amount is included for visitors with disabilities.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 525 000.

    Legal basis

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 16 December 2002 on rules governing the reception of groups of visitors and the Euroscola, Euromed-Scola and Euronest-Scola programmes, consolidated on 3 May 2004, as last amended and consolidated on 11 September and 2 October 2023.

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 3 October 2016 on rules launching the European Parliament Ambassador School Programme in all Member States and Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 16 September 2019 on the continuation of the European Parliament Ambassador School Programme beyond 2019.

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 16 December 2020 on the participation of UK citizens and EU27 citizens living in the UK in Parliament’s communication programmes.

    Item 3 2 4 5 — Organisation of symposia and seminars

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    5 056 400

    4 803 050

    4 413 205,23

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — expenditure or subsidies connected with the organisation of national or international symposia and seminars for opinion multipliers from the Member States, the accession countries and the countries in which the European Parliament has a liaison office or antenna, and the cost of organising parliamentary symposia and seminars,

    — expenditure on special events in the Chamber in Strasbourg and Brussels in accordance with the annual programme adopted by the Bureau of the European Parliament,

    — expenditure on conference management services, conference management and multilingualism support measures and tools such as seminars and conferences, meetings with providers of training for interpreters or translators, measures and actions to raise awareness of multilingualism and the profession of interpreter or translator, including a programme of grants for universities, schools and other organisations offering interpreting or translation courses, virtual communication solutions, organisation or participation in events for promotion and awareness of European Parliament careers, including events organised to enhance the attractiveness of the Luxembourgish site as well as participation in similar actions and measures organised jointly with other services in the context of interinstitutional and international cooperation,

    — expenses connected with the organisation of symposia and seminars on information and communication technologies,

    — the cost of inviting journalists or other opinion multipliers to plenary sittings, committee meetings, press conferences and other parliamentary activities,

    — expenses related to the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize,

    — expenditure for the training of and scholarship for young journalists.

    — expenditure relating to the organisation of conferences, seminars and other activities covering budgetary and financial issues of relevance to European Parliament’s administration and Members’ finance, including Members’ empowerment and the financing of political structures,

    — expenses connected with the organisation of symposia and seminars on security and on parliamentary democracy at interinstitutional and international levels including outreach and awareness raising, through events and communication tools such as digital communication, visual design, promotional items, printing or audio-visual productions, etc.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 25 000.

    Legal basis

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 5 October 2020 regarding the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for journalists.

    Item 3 2 4 8 — Expenditure on audiovisual information

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    22 087 500

    21 072 500

    24 575 954,24

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — the purchase, hire, maintenance, repair and management of audiovisual equipment and installations,

    — the operating budget of the audiovisual sector (including services under its own control and outside assistance such as technical services for radio and television stations, provision, production and co-production of audiovisual programmes, the hiring of lines, the transmission of television and radio programmes, and other measures to develop relations between the institution and audiovisual broadcasting bodies),

    — expenditure on live internet broadcasting of plenary sittings and parliamentary committee meetings,

    — the establishment of appropriate archives ensuring uninterrupted media and public access to that information,

    — expenditure relating to the management and maintenance of the IT infrastructure in the press room in Strasbourg.

    — service contracts for (i) the supply of media monitoring and analysis in the form of summaries of news and full-text articles from media outlets, (ii) the development and maintenance of a dedicated database for the storage of such data, and (iii) the (external) human resources needed to exploit that data.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 50 000.

    Legal basis

    European Parliament Resolution of 12 March 2002 on the guidelines for the 2003 budgetary procedure (OJ C 47 E, 27.2.2003, p. 72).

    European Parliament Resolution of 14 May 2002 on the estimates of revenue and expenditure of Parliament for the financial year 2003 (OJ C 180 E, 31.7.2003, p. 150).

    European Parliament Resolution of 14 May 2003 on the estimates of revenue and expenditure of Parliament for the financial year 2004 (OJ C 67 E, 17.3.2004, p. 179).

    Item 3 2 4 9 — Information exchanges with national parliaments

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    262 000

    258 000

    142 000,00

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — expenditure committed for promoting relations between the European Parliament and national parliaments. It relates to parliamentary relations other than those covered by Chapters 1 0 and 3 0, exchanges of information and documentation, and assistance in the analysis and management of that information, including exchanges with the European Centre for Parliamentary Research and Documentation (ECPRD),

    — funding of cooperation programmes and training schemes for officials of the European Parliament and national parliaments and, in general, activities to strengthen their parliamentary capacities.

    Training schemes include study visits to the European Parliament in Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg; the appropriation is intended to cover all or part of the expenditure incurred by participants, in particular travelling costs, travel expenses, accommodation and daily allowances,

    — cooperation measures, including those linked to legislative work, and measures linked to documentation, analysis and information and making the www.ipex.eu domain secure, including those carried out by the ECPRD.

    This appropriation aims at financing the cooperation between the European Parliament and national parliaments in the parliamentary scrutiny of the CFSP/CSDP, in accordance with the TEU and the TFEU, and in particular Articles 9 and 10 of Protocol No 1 on the role of national parliaments in the European Union.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Legal basis

    Conferences of Speakers of European Parliamentary Assemblies (June 1977) and of European Union Parliaments (September 2000, March 2001).

    Article 3 2 5 — Expenditure relating to liaison offices

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    11 213 000

    11 088 000

    10 572 999,41

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure by the European Parliament’s liaison offices and antennas in the Member States and third countries:

    — communication and information expenses (information and public events; internet — production, promotion, consultancy; seminars; audiovisual productions),

    — activities designed to strengthen inter-parliamentary ties and legislative and stakeholders dialogue, promoting parliamentary democracy including engagement with relevant interlocutors,

    — general expenditure and miscellaneous incidental expenditure (office supplies, telecommunications, delivery charges, handling, transport, storage, standard promotional items, databases and press subscriptions, etc.),

    — media campaigns and the organisation of the European Parliament Ambassador School Programme.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 10 000.

    Title 4 — EXPENDITURE RESULTING FROM SPECIAL FUNCTIONS CARRIED OUT BY THE INSTITUTION

    Chapter 4 0 — EXPENDITURE RELATING TO CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

    Article 4 0 0 — Current administrative expenditure and expenditure relating to the political and information activities of the political groups and non-attached Members

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    75 800 000

    70 000 000

    65 579 003,98

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover, in respect of the political groups and the non-attached Members:

    — secretarial, administrative and operational expenditure,

    — expenditure on political and information activities conducted in connection with the Union’s political activities.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 1 000 000.

    Legal basis

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 30 June 2003 on rules on the use of appropriations from budget Item 4 0 0 as last amended on 4 July 2022.

    Article 4 0 2 — Funding of European political parties

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    46 000 000

    46 000 000

    37 953 095,70

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to finance political parties at European level. Good governance and robust scrutiny of the use of funds must be ensured.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 5 000 000.

    Legal basis

    Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 10(4) thereof.

    Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 224 thereof.

    Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations (OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/1141/oj).

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 1 July 2019 laying down the procedures for implementing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations (OJ C 249, 25.7.2019, p. 2).

    Article 4 0 3 — Funding of European political foundations

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    25 000 000

    24 000 000

    21 871 071,50

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to finance political foundations at European level. Good governance and robust scrutiny of the use of funds must be ensured.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100 000.

    Legal basis

    Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 10(4) thereof.

    Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 224 thereof.

    Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations (OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/1141/oj).

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 1 July 2019 laying down the procedures for implementing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations (OJ C 249, 25.7.2019, p. 2).

    Chapter 4 2 — EXPENDITURE RELATING TO PARLIAMENTARY ASSISTANCE

    Article 4 2 2 — Expenditure relating to parliamentary assistance

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    279 165 340

    263 855 176

    222 263 343,15

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover:

    — costs relating to staff and service providers responsible for the provision of parliamentary assistance to Members, as well as costs relating to paying agents,

    — mission and training expenses (external courses) for accredited parliamentary assistants and expenditure on any carbon offsetting in connection with their missions and duty travel,

    — exchange differences to be met from the budget of the European Parliament in accordance with the provisions applicable to reimbursement of parliamentary assistance expenses, as well as expenditure on parliamentary assistance management support services,

    — emoluments for trainees (scholarships),

    — contribution to the cost of lunches of trainees at the European Parliament’s canteens,

    — compensation of study visits with Members,

    — travel expenses of trainees and study visitors with Members,

    — sickness and accident insurance for trainees and study visitors with Members,

    — costs connected with the holding of information or training sessions for trainees.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 775 000.

    Legal basis

    Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Article 21 thereof.

    Implementing measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and in particular Articles 29 to 41 thereof.

    Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union, and in particular Article 5a and Articles 125 to 139 thereof.

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 14 April 2014 on implementing measures for Title VII of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union.

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 10 December 2018 on the rules concerning Members’ trainees.

    Decision of the Secretary-General of the European Parliament of 29 April 2021 on the internal rules governing traineeships in the Secretariat of the European Parliament.

    Chapter 4 4 — MEETINGS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES OF CURRENT AND FORMER MEMBERS

    Article 4 4 0 — Cost of meetings and other activities of former Members

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    316 000

    310 000

    300 000,00

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the cost of meetings of the association of former Members of the European Parliament plus any other associated costs, if appropriate.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Legal basis

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 14 January 2008 on rules governing contributions to Parliamentary associations (Budget Articles 4 4 0 and 4 4 2) as last amended on 18 October 2021.

    Article 4 4 2 — Cost of meetings and other activities of the European Parliamentary Association

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    316 000

    310 000

    293 203,56

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the cost of meetings of the European Parliamentary Association plus, if appropriate, any other associated costs.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Legal basis

    Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 14 January 2008 on rules governing contributions to Parliamentary associations (Budget Articles 4 4 0 and 4 4 2) as last amended on 18 October 2021.

    Title 5 — THE AUTHORITY FOR EUROPEAN POLITICAL PARTIES AND EUROPEAN POLITICAL FOUNDATIONS AND THE COMMITTEE OF INDEPENDENT EMINENT PERSONS

    Chapter 5 0 — Expenditure of the Authority for European political parties and European political foundations and the Committee of independent eminent persons

    Article 5 0 0 — Operational expenditure of the Authority for European political parties and European political foundations

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    416 160

    408 000

    100 839,83

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the expenditure of the Authority for European political parties and European political foundations to ensure its full and independent operation.

    It covers, in particular, the expenditure specific to the Authority’s remit with regard to specialised professional training, mandate-related meetings and coordination with other Union bodies and national authorities, acquisition of tailor-made software and IT services, acquisition of expertise, consultancy services, including studies, and documentation, legal costs and damages, and publishing and information activities. It also covers expenditure to cover any invoicing by an institution in the event of an overrun as regards the volume or cost of goods or services made available to the Authority by institutions under service agreements pursuant to Article 6(4) et seq. of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 416 160. That revenue includes, in particular, support for the operation of the Authority by institutions other than the European Parliament, pursuant to Article 6(6) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014.

    Legal basis

    Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations (OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/1141/oj), and in particular Article 6(1) and (7) thereof.

    Article 5 0 1 — Expenditure related to the committee of independent eminent persons

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    20 000

    20 000

    0,—

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the expenditure linked to the secretariat and the funding of the committee of independent eminent persons.

    The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(3) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 100.

    Legal basis

    Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations (OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/1141/oj), and in particular Article 11(2) thereof.

    Title 10 — OTHER EXPENDITURE

    Chapter 10 0 — PROVISIONAL APPROPRIATIONS

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    3.3100.000

    0,—

    Remarks

    The appropriations entered in this chapter are purely provisional and may only be used after the adoption of the legal basis for the payment of a ‘housing allowance for staff in Luxembourg’ and after their transfer to other budget lines in accordance with the Financial Regulation.

    Chapter 10 1 — CONTINGENCY RESERVE

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    6 000 000

    7 200 000

    0,—

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure resulting from budgetary decisions taken in the course of the financial year (expenditure that cannot be estimated).

    Chapter 10 3 — ENLARGEMENT RESERVE

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0,—

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover the cost of the institution’s preparations for enlargement.

    Chapter 10 4 — RESERVE FOR INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION POLICY

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0,—

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure on information and communication policy.

    Chapter 10 5 — PROVISIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR IMMOVABLE PROPERTY

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0,—

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover property investments and fitting-out work carried out by the institution. The Bureau of the European Parliament is requested to adopt a coherent and responsible long-term strategy in the area of immovable property which takes into account the particular problem of increasing maintenance costs, renovation needs and security costs and ensures the sustainability of the European Parliament’s budget.

    Chapter 10 6 — RESERVE FOR PRIORITY PROJECTS UNDER DEVELOPMENT

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0,—

    Remarks

    This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure on the institution’s priority projects under development.

    Chapter 10 8 — EMAS RESERVE

    Figures (Non-differentiated appropriations)

    2026 appropriations

    2025 appropriations

    2024 out-turn

    p.m.

    p.m.

    0,—

    Remarks

    Further to the decisions to be taken by the Bureau of the European Parliament for implementation of the EMAS action plan, in particular following the European Parliament’s carbon audit, this appropriation is intended to endow the relevant operational headings.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’: why the US is on a war footing over tariffs and mass deportations

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Smith, Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign Policy, US Studies Centre, University of Sydney

    US President Donald Trump’s foreign policy is doing little to enhance his country’s standing abroad. But it is helping to reinforce his political authority at home.

    Congress and the courts are typically deferential to the president on foreign policy – and, in particular, issues related to national security. By putting most of his agenda under the banner of foreign policy, Trump is now taking advantage of that deference to minimise challenges to his power.

    Trump has claimed for decades that US domestic problems can be solved with a more aggressive foreign policy.

    This focus certainly helps him deal with his political problems, allowing him to attack his enemies and evade accountability under the guise of “saving the country”.

    Trump has even gone so far as to call April 2 – when sweeping new tariffs are imposed on foreign goods – “Liberation Day”.

    This is a term usually used to celebrate the end of long wars rather than the beginning of them.

    Congress ceded its foreign policy powers

    We are used to thinking of the US president as having almost unlimited power over US foreign policy. But the Constitution actually gives a lot of that power to Congress.

    For example, Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the power to declare war. It also gives Congress the power to “collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises”, which include tariffs.

    Given these shared responsibilities, the legal scholar Edward Corwin described the Constitution as “an invitation to struggle for the privilege of directing American foreign policy.”

    Since at least the Second World War, the president has been decisively winning that struggle. Or more accurately, Congress has been declining invitations to use its power.

    For example, American wars no longer begin with declarations. The US has not declared war since 1941, even though the country has been at war almost every year since then. Presidents instead initiate and escalate military conflict in other ways, nearly always with Congressional approval. That approval usually remains in place until a war goes badly wrong.

    Congress also passed legislation in 1934 giving the president power to negotiate trade agreements and adjust tariffs. That power expanded significantly with an act in 1962 that authorised the president to impose tariffs if imports threaten “national security”.

    Although Trump claims tariffs will bring economic prosperity back to the US by reviving manufacturing, his administration justifies them on national security grounds. For example, it is currently using another federal act passed in 1977 that allows tariffs in response to an international emergency as justification for its tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

    Given the dubiousness of these justifications and the economic damage tariffs might do, Congress could try to reassert its constitutional power to set tariffs.

    But this isn’t likely to happen soon, given the loyalty of Republicans to Trump. Members of Congress are also reluctant to be seen standing in the way of the president if national security is at stake.

    One revelation of “Signalgate” was the fact the US bombed Yemen without even the pretext of an urgent national security reason. But the Congressional grilling of Trump’s intelligence leaders, predictably, did not address this.

    The courts are no better

    The courts are supposed to review the constitutionality of government actions. But on foreign policy, the courts have been deferential to the president even longer than Congress.

    In a sweeping judgement in 1918, the Supreme Court wrote that foreign relations counted as a “political power” of the executive and legislative branches, not subject to judicial review.

    The Supreme Court has rarely ruled on foreign policy questions since then. When it does, it nearly always supports the president against anyone challenging his right to make foreign policy, including Congress.

    A federal judge recently complained the Trump administration ignored his order blocking deportation flights of alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador.

    Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to justify deporting the Venezuelans, even though some have no criminal record.
    And Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued the deportations were a “foreign policy matter”, and “we can’t have the judges running foreign policy”.

    Mass deportation is one of Trump’s most popular policies. If he is going to pick fights with the judiciary, it makes political sense to do it on an issue where public opinion is on his side – even if the law is not.

    Rubio’s comment is also a likely preview of the arguments Trump’s lawyers will make when cases about immigration reach the Supreme Court.

    Similarly, the Trump’s administration is relying on the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act to deport protesters who have committed no crimes. This law allows the secretary of state to deport non-citizens if their presence in the US has “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences”.

    Deportations under both acts are going to face legal challenges. But the Trump administration is betting the Supreme Court will take Trump’s side, given its conservative members generally hold an expansive view of executive power.

    A Supreme Court win would be a major political victory for Trump. It would encourage him to focus even more on using deportation as a political weapon, and making foreign policy justifications for legally dubious acts.

    War as a political tool

    Trump is effectively putting the US on a war footing. He is justifying his executive actions by recasting allies as enemies who menace national security with everything from illegal drugs to unfair subsidies, and by labelling millions of foreign nationals as “invaders”.

    Many Americans don’t believe him. But as long as he can make threatening foreigners the main focus of American politics, he can find political and legal support for almost anything he wants to do.

    David Smith does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’: why the US is on a war footing over tariffs and mass deportations – https://theconversation.com/trumps-liberation-day-why-the-us-is-on-a-war-footing-over-tariffs-and-mass-deportations-252808

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Trump vows to continue strikes on Yemen’s Houthis

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    U.S. President Donald Trump vowed on Monday that strikes on Yemen’s Houthis will continue until they are no longer a threat to U.S. ships.

    “The choice for the Houthis is clear: Stop shooting at U.S. ships, and we will stop shooting at you,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform, declaring that the Houthis had been “decimated” by “relentless” strikes over the past two weeks.

    Trump’s threat came as his administration battles a scandal after a text chat was leaked involving senior security officials on the Yemen strikes.

    The airstrikes were discussed among Trump’s national security team on Signal, a commercial messaging app, which accidentally included The Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg, who released the contents of the chat last week.

    Tensions between the Houthis and the U.S. military have escalated since Washington launched fresh airstrikes on Yemen on March 15. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Signalgate’ was damaging to the Trump administration. It could be deadly for Yemeni civilians

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Sarah G. Phillips, Professor of Global Conflict and Development; Non-Resident Fellow at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies (Yemen), University of Sydney

    The “Signalgate” story has received wall-to-wall coverage since Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor of The Atlantic, published explosive details about a Signal group chat where senior US officials discussed impending airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen.

    Perhaps unsurprisingly, the coverage has focused on details of most concern to Western audiences, including the depth of the security breach, the classification status of the material that was shared, and the implications of sending war plans through a non-secure platform.

    But what are the implications of this for Yemen? In short, it helps the Houthis and hurts the civilians living under their control.

    Providing the Houthis with intelligence

    Yemeni civilians are caught in an impossible position. They have suffered from years of ruthless violence in a civil war that began with the Houthi capture of the capital, Sana’a, in 2014. The conflict grew even more violent when a Saudi-led (and Western-backed) military coalition entered the fray to back the Yemeni government the following year, imposing a crippling blockade that lasted until 2021.

    The war has caused a humanitarian disaster, with malnutrition rates among the highest in the world. The Houthis have consolidated their control over much of Yemen’s population through the weaponisation of food distribution and brutal repression of dissent.

    In early 2024, the Houthis then began attacking ships in the Red Sea, bringing retaliatory strikes by the United States, United Kingdom, and Israel. Each of these have caused further civilian casualties and harm.

    The Houthis (and their Iranian and Russian supporters) will draw comfort from the Signal chat group’s apparent confirmation the US strikes on March 15 were not a sign of the Trump administration’s intent to dislodge them from power:

    Vice President JD Vance (14 March, 08:16am ET): The strongest reason to do this is, as POTUS said, to send a message.

    Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (14 March, 08:27am ET): This [is] not about the Houthis. I see it as two things: 1) Restoring Freedom of Navigation, a core national interest; and 2) Reestablish deterrence, which Biden cratered.

    The Houthis can withstand intermittent airstrikes – they have withstood airstrikes for over two decades.

    But a more substantial intervention — one that combines a coalition of local forces with guaranteed air support from Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates (with US support) — would pose a far greater threat to the Houthis.

    With this apparently not being considered, the Houthis may now feel emboldened to press-gang more people into military service before a fresh assault on the strategically important oil fields in Marib. This is the last major city in northern Yemen still under government control.

    The Houthis have tried to take Marib before, but were prevented by Yemeni troops supported by Saudi air cover. Controlling the oil fields in Marib is vital to the group’s ability to sustain itself economically.

    Putting Yemeni civilians at risk

    While the Trump administration claims the chat did not compromise sources and methods, Goldberg noted a US-based intelligence officer was named. The Atlantic removed their name for security reasons.

    The publication’s decision to remove this detail is a stark reminder of whose security matters — and whose doesn’t. The transcript reads:

    National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (15 March, 13:48pm ET): VP. Building collapsed. Had multiple positive ID…

    Waltz (15 March, 14.00pm ET): Typing too fast. The first target – their top missile guy – we had positive ID of him walking into his girlfriend’s building and it’s now collapsed.

    Putting aside the fact this was a residential building — it should not be an aside, but this is how most news coverage has been treating it — this detail is important to the Houthis.

    This is because Waltz confirms “multiple” sources had positively identified a target, which the Houthis may use to justify further crackdowns, forced disappearances and even executions of those they accuse of being spies.

    The Trump administration was clearly reckless in divulging this detail. But it’s striking The Atlantic did not consider the danger posed to Yemeni civilians by publishing it. Experts on the Houthis – and their methods of subjugation – could have quickly highlighted this point if they were consulted.

    From a Yemeni perspective, a named source may have even been preferable to the hazy, but authoritative, confirmation of US operational methods and sources. The lack of specificity in the transcript plays to the Houthis’ dragnet approach to extinguishing independent voices by forcibly disappearing people on fake allegations of espionage.

    These are typically aid workers, academics, minorities, journalists and members of civil society who are not vocally aligned with the group.

    These abductions have been occurring for years, but ramped up in the middle of 2024. Dozens of members of civil society and aid organisations (and potentially many more) were kidnapped last year. Some are confirmed to have died in detention; many others have not been heard from since.

    There are reports that abductions are already escalating in response to the latest US strikes.

    The ongoing abductions have had a chilling effect on the willingness of local and international aid providers to speak out against the Houthis. This has helped the Houthis consolidate their control over the flow of humanitarian assistance (particularly food), which they divert based on political, rather than needs-based, calculations as a means of coercing compliance.

    Yemeni civilians are seldom, if ever, a consideration in the geopolitical machinations that concern their country. The reflexive prioritisation of Western security interests exposed in the group chat – and the publication of these details – condemns them to further insecurity.

    Sarah G. Phillips receives funding from The Australian Research Council as a Future Fellow (FT200100539), and is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies.

    – ref. ‘Signalgate’ was damaging to the Trump administration. It could be deadly for Yemeni civilians – https://theconversation.com/signalgate-was-damaging-to-the-trump-administration-it-could-be-deadly-for-yemeni-civilians-253524

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘Signalgate’ was damaging to the Trump administration. It could be deadly for Yemeni civilians

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah G. Phillips, Professor of Global Conflict and Development; Non-Resident Fellow at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies (Yemen), University of Sydney

    The “Signalgate” story has received wall-to-wall coverage since Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor of The Atlantic, published explosive details about a Signal group chat where senior US officials discussed impending airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen.

    Perhaps unsurprisingly, the coverage has focused on details of most concern to Western audiences, including the depth of the security breach, the classification status of the material that was shared, and the implications of sending war plans through a non-secure platform.

    But what are the implications of this for Yemen? In short, it helps the Houthis and hurts the civilians living under their control.

    Providing the Houthis with intelligence

    Yemeni civilians are caught in an impossible position. They have suffered from years of ruthless violence in a civil war that began with the Houthi capture of the capital, Sana’a, in 2014. The conflict grew even more violent when a Saudi-led (and Western-backed) military coalition entered the fray to back the Yemeni government the following year, imposing a crippling blockade that lasted until 2021.

    The war has caused a humanitarian disaster, with malnutrition rates among the highest in the world. The Houthis have consolidated their control over much of Yemen’s population through the weaponisation of food distribution and brutal repression of dissent.

    In early 2024, the Houthis then began attacking ships in the Red Sea, bringing retaliatory strikes by the United States, United Kingdom, and Israel. Each of these have caused further civilian casualties and harm.

    The Houthis (and their Iranian and Russian supporters) will draw comfort from the Signal chat group’s apparent confirmation the US strikes on March 15 were not a sign of the Trump administration’s intent to dislodge them from power:

    Vice President JD Vance (14 March, 08:16am ET): The strongest reason to do this is, as POTUS said, to send a message.

    Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (14 March, 08:27am ET): This [is] not about the Houthis. I see it as two things: 1) Restoring Freedom of Navigation, a core national interest; and 2) Reestablish deterrence, which Biden cratered.

    The Houthis can withstand intermittent airstrikes – they have withstood airstrikes for over two decades.

    But a more substantial intervention — one that combines a coalition of local forces with guaranteed air support from Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates (with US support) — would pose a far greater threat to the Houthis.

    With this apparently not being considered, the Houthis may now feel emboldened to press-gang more people into military service before a fresh assault on the strategically important oil fields in Marib. This is the last major city in northern Yemen still under government control.

    The Houthis have tried to take Marib before, but were prevented by Yemeni troops supported by Saudi air cover. Controlling the oil fields in Marib is vital to the group’s ability to sustain itself economically.

    Putting Yemeni civilians at risk

    While the Trump administration claims the chat did not compromise sources and methods, Goldberg noted a US-based intelligence officer was named. The Atlantic removed their name for security reasons.

    The publication’s decision to remove this detail is a stark reminder of whose security matters — and whose doesn’t. The transcript reads:

    National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (15 March, 13:48pm ET): VP. Building collapsed. Had multiple positive ID…

    Waltz (15 March, 14.00pm ET): Typing too fast. The first target – their top missile guy – we had positive ID of him walking into his girlfriend’s building and it’s now collapsed.

    Putting aside the fact this was a residential building — it should not be an aside, but this is how most news coverage has been treating it — this detail is important to the Houthis.

    This is because Waltz confirms “multiple” sources had positively identified a target, which the Houthis may use to justify further crackdowns, forced disappearances and even executions of those they accuse of being spies.

    The Trump administration was clearly reckless in divulging this detail. But it’s striking The Atlantic did not consider the danger posed to Yemeni civilians by publishing it. Experts on the Houthis – and their methods of subjugation – could have quickly highlighted this point if they were consulted.

    From a Yemeni perspective, a named source may have even been preferable to the hazy, but authoritative, confirmation of US operational methods and sources. The lack of specificity in the transcript plays to the Houthis’ dragnet approach to extinguishing independent voices by forcibly disappearing people on fake allegations of espionage.

    These are typically aid workers, academics, minorities, journalists and members of civil society who are not vocally aligned with the group.

    These abductions have been occurring for years, but ramped up in the middle of 2024. Dozens of members of civil society and aid organisations (and potentially many more) were kidnapped last year. Some are confirmed to have died in detention; many others have not been heard from since.

    There are reports that abductions are already escalating in response to the latest US strikes.

    The ongoing abductions have had a chilling effect on the willingness of local and international aid providers to speak out against the Houthis. This has helped the Houthis consolidate their control over the flow of humanitarian assistance (particularly food), which they divert based on political, rather than needs-based, calculations as a means of coercing compliance.

    Yemeni civilians are seldom, if ever, a consideration in the geopolitical machinations that concern their country. The reflexive prioritisation of Western security interests exposed in the group chat – and the publication of these details – condemns them to further insecurity.

    Sarah G. Phillips receives funding from The Australian Research Council as a Future Fellow (FT200100539), and is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies.

    – ref. ‘Signalgate’ was damaging to the Trump administration. It could be deadly for Yemeni civilians – https://theconversation.com/signalgate-was-damaging-to-the-trump-administration-it-could-be-deadly-for-yemeni-civilians-253524

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese peacekeepers participate in UNIFIL’s first multinational airborne MEDEVAC drill since Lebanon-Israel ceasefire 2025-04-01 09:08:39 The Chinese Peacekeeping Level One Plus Hospital to the UNIFIL on March 24 conducted a multinational airborne medical evacuation drill with Spain’s Level One Hospital, the Aeromedical Evacuation Team, and UNIFIL Medical Branch.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      The UNIFIL organizes a multinational airborne medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) exercise on March 24, 2025.

      By Gao Yan

      BEIRUT, Lebanon, Apr. 1 — The Chinese Peacekeeping Level One Plus Hospital to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on March 24 conducted a multinational airborne medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) drill with Spain’s Level One Hospital, the Aeromedical Evacuation Team (AMET), and UNIFIL Medical Branch.

      The scenario simulated the treatment and evacuation of a blast victim. After initial treatment at the Spain’s Level One Hospital, the patient was transferred to China’s Level One Plus Hospital for further care. Once stabilized, the patient was transported to a helipad and airlifted by AMET to St. George’s Hospital in Beirut.

      This is the first airborne MEDEVAC drill organized by UNIFIL since the armistice between Lebanon and Israel and it aimed to enhance the emergency medical coordination among multinational troops. The UNIFIL plans to continue similar training to enhance emergency medical response level in the mission area.

      The UNIFIL organizes a multinational airborne medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) exercise on March 24, 2025.

      The UNIFIL organizes a multinational airborne medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) exercise on March 24, 2025.

      The UNIFIL organizes a multinational airborne medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) exercise on March 24, 2025.

    loading…

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Iran threatens to develop nuke weapons should US attack

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader warned on Monday that if the United States or Israel were to attack Iran under the pretext of nuclear concerns, the country would be compelled to pursue the development of nuclear weapons, according to the official news agency IRNA.

    Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, made the remarks in response to recent anti-Tehran threats made by U.S. President Donald Trump and Israel.

    Larijani noted that Iran had been prohibited from acquiring nuclear weapons under a religious directive issued by Khamenei. However, he added, “If the United States makes any mistake, Iran will be forced to pursue nuclear weapons due to pressure from its people.”

    Larijani stressed that taking military actions against Iran would have consequences, saying Iran’s nuclear program would not be destroyed through bombing.

    Larijani said any potential indirect negotiation with the United States would be aimed at understanding each other’s demands and winning mutual concessions regarding the nuclear issue.

    Trump, in an interview with NBC News on Sunday, threatened to launch “unprecedented military strikes” on Iran if it refused to negotiate over its nuclear program.

    “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing like they’ve never seen before,” he said, claiming U.S. and Iranian officials are “talking,” without offering details.

    The remarks followed a letter Trump sent to Iranian leaders in early March via the United Arab Emirates, proposing direct negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear activities.

    Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed on Sunday that Tehran had rejected the proposed face-to-face talks but left open the possibility of indirect talks.

    He stressed that while Iran is not against negotiations in principle, Washington must first rectify its past “misconduct” and rebuild trust. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Yemen’s Houthis shoot down US MQ-9 drone

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Yemen’s Houthi armed group said in a statement early Tuesday that it has shot down a U.S. MQ-9 drone over Yemen’s central province of Marib.

    “Our air defenses shot down a hostile American MQ-9 drone in the airspace of Marib province, using a locally manufactured missile,” Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by the group’s al-Masirah TV.

    “This is the sixteenth U.S. drone that our air defenses have successfully shot down since October 2023,” he said, without specifying the exact timing. Local Houthi media reported that the drone was downed on Monday.

    “We affirm that we will continue to prevent Israeli navigation in the Red Sea and the Arabian Seas … until the aggression against Gaza stops and the siege is lifted,” Sarea said, adding they will also keep carrying out attacks against “enemy warships.”

    He was referring to the U.S. Navy, including the aircraft carrier, stationed in the northern Red Sea.

    The U.S. military has resumed airstrikes on Houthi-held areas in northern Yemen since March 15 in a bid to deter the group from attacking Israeli targets, the U.S. Navy, and international shipping lanes in the region.

    On Monday, fresh U.S. airstrikes killed two people and injured a child in Bani Qa’is in Yemen’s northwestern province of Hajjah, according to residents and local health authorities. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: How to get a UN job

    Source: Plant and Food New Zealand – Press Release/Statement:

    Headline: How to get a UN job

    Want to land a job at a big UN agency? Collab is in New York to get some tips. Ann-Marie Wilcock has lived this dream for over 13 years. She has been in Nepal, Palestine and Pakistan with agencies like UNDP, FAO and MSF. Currently she’s at the UN as an Advocacy Manager. Along the way, to inspire and equip people to follow her footsteps, she’s created an excellent blog called Hit The Iron Bell.

    – –

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Mrvan Statement on Women’s History Month

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank J. Mrvan (IN)

    Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Frank J. Mrvan released his statement on Women’s History Month. 

    A video of his remarks on the House floor is available here, and the text of the full statement is below. 

    “It is with great respect and sincere admiration that I rise to celebrate Women’s History Month and its 2025 theme – Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations. This year’s theme celebrates the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership.  Through their efforts, they have served as an inspiration for all generations – both past and present.

    “As we celebrate the women who have devoted their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership, I would like to take this time to honor a lifelong educator in Northwest Indiana, Ms. Janice Jordan.  Ms. Jordan was born and raised in Hurtsboro, Alabama and earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Auburn University.  In 1982, she moved to Gary, Indiana to continue her education at Indiana University Northwest, where she earned a master’s degree in education.  Ms. Jordan went on to serve the School City of East Chicago as a teacher and administrator for 33 years, where she shaped the lives of countless students.  Throughout her career, Ms. Jordan demonstrated a deep commitment to her students by creating enriching learning experiences and ensuring they had the support to grow and thrive. 

    “Although she retired in 2016, Ms. Jordan’s passion for teaching led her to return to the classroom.  Since 2023, Ms. Jordan has taught preschoolers at St. Mark Early Learning Academy, a Head Start facility in Gary.  Ms. Jordan loves engaging her students through the curriculum, which promotes language development, literacy, and individualized instruction tailored to each child’s needs.  Her favorite part of the day is when children explore different learning centers to create, build, use their imagination, and share new discoveries with their peers.  Her philosophy in life is, “Set the atmosphere, engage the community, and get to work!”  

    “Outside of the classroom, Ms. Jordan is also an active member of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Gary, a sister of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a volunteer with the Gary Literacy Coalition, Inc., demonstrating her unwavering commitment to education and community service.  For her dedicated contributions to students, families, and communities throughout Northwest Indiana, Ms. Jordan is worthy of the highest praise. 

    “Mr. Speaker, at this time, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in celebrating Women’s History Month and recognizing the lifelong service of Ms. Janice Jordan and so many other extraordinary women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Mast, Risch Threaten Sanctions if UN Human Rights Council Creates Special Powers to Target Israel

    Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

    Media Contact 202-321-9747

    WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch warned UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres against establishing special investigatory powers to target Israel. Chairmen Mast and Risch, in particular, warned such a brazen move by the UN would open up the global entity and its member states to potential sanctions. 

    “This is part of a concerning and insidious anti-Israel trend within the United Nations, specifically as relates to the HRC, and appears to be little more than a bare-faced attempt to prop up other anti-Israel action at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ),” the chairmen wrote in a letter to the UN. “Make no mistake, any HRC member state or UN entity that supports an Israel-specific international investigative mechanism in any form will face the same consequences as the ICC faced for its blatant overreach and disregard for sovereign prerogatives.  We urge you to take all action and to unequivocally reject the establishment of this open-ended mechanism at the HRC.” 

    The letter by Chairmen Mast and Risch comes as the United Nations has scheduled a vote this week to establish yet another open-ended investigate mechanism against Israel.

    Read the full letter here and below. 

    Dear Secretary-General Guterres:

    We write to underscore our concerns about the Human Rights Council’s (HRC) overwhelming and disproportionate focus on Israel. This includes its attempt to use an upcoming vote on a resolution related to Agenda Item 2 to establish an international investigative mechanism (IIM) focused solely on Israel when it comes up for a vote in the Council in early April.

    Already, Israel is the only country for which the HRC has established an entire agenda item dedicated solely to its existence, agenda item 7. Moreover, an Israel-specific IIM, if established, would be in addition to the Commission of Inquiry (COI) established by the HRC “to investigate, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel, all alleged violations of international humanitarian law and abuses of international human rights law leading up to and since 13 April 2021”. This COI received significant backlash from the United States Congress even before it was entered into force.

    Since, the COI’s mandate has been further egregiously expanded to include investigating and reporting on “terror, violence, and intimidation against Palestinian civilians” and any form of military support to Israel on an annual basis.

    This one-sided focus on Israel undermines the legitimate and genuine threat posed by real human rights abusers. This includes the Hamas terrorists who continue to hold dozens of hostages like American Edan Alexander. It’s part of a concerning and insidious anti-Israel trend within the United Nations, specifically as relates to the HRC, and appears to be little more than a bare-faced attempt to prop up other anti-Israel action at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ).

    Make no mistake, any HRC member state or UN entity that supports an Israel-specific IIM in any form will face the same consequences as the ICC faced for its blatant overreach and disregard for sovereign prerogatives. We urge you to take all action and to unequivocally reject the establishment of this open-ended mechanism at the HRC. It is imperative that the Council act judiciously given its credibility in the eyes of the American people is quickly declining.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: LeddarTech to Demonstrate Advanced ADAS Sensor Fusion and Perception Solutions at Auto Shanghai 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    QUEBEC CITY, Canada, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LeddarTech® Holdings Inc. (“LeddarTech”) (Nasdaq: LDTC), an automotive software company that provides patented disruptive AI-powered low-level sensor fusion and perception software technology, LeddarVision™, for ADAS, AD and parking applications, announces its participation at Auto Shanghai 2025, taking place from April 23 to May 2, 2025.

    LeddarTech will be exhibiting at Booth # 1BG040 in Hall 1.2, where its team will engage with customers and industry partners to discuss its latest advancements in sensor fusion and perception technology. Attendees will also have the chance to take a live demonstration ride in the LeddarNavigator, LeddarTech’s demo vehicle equipped with LeddarVision. This AI-driven low-level sensor fusion software enhances object detection, improves situational awareness and optimizes driving automation. The demo ride offers a firsthand experience of how LeddarVision enhances ADAS performance and vehicle safety in real-world scenarios.

    At Auto Shanghai 2025, LeddarTech will showcase its latest low-level sensor fusion innovations, powered by the Texas Instruments (TI) TDA4 processor platform. LeddarTech and TI’s collaboration optimizes performance and cost, addressing key challenges in the Chinese automotive market, such as the development of “see-through” perception solutions and efficient 5V5R sensor configurations for highway “Navigate on Autopilot” (NoA) applications.

    “China is one of the fastest-growing markets for ADAS and AD technology, and we are excited to showcase how LeddarTech’s scalable and cost-efficient perception solutions help OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers achieve enhanced safety and driving intelligence,” said Clive Szeto, Senior Director of Sales and Business Development, Asia at LeddarTech. “Our collaboration with Texas Instruments and our industry-leading low-level sensor fusion technology make LeddarTech a key enabler of next-generation ADAS solutions in China and beyond.”

    Join us at Auto Shanghai 2025 to experience the future of ADAS technology firsthand. Visit LeddarTech at Booth #1BG040, schedule a meeting with our team or learn more on LeddarTech’s website.

    About LeddarTech

    A global software company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Quebec City with additional R&D centers in Montreal and Tel Aviv, Israel, LeddarTech develops and provides comprehensive AI-based low-level sensor fusion and perception software solutions that enable the deployment of ADAS, autonomous driving (AD) and parking applications. LeddarTech’s automotive-grade software applies advanced AI and computer vision algorithms to generate accurate 3D models of the environment to achieve better decision making and safer navigation. This high-performance, scalable, cost-effective technology is available to OEMs and Tier 1-2 suppliers to efficiently implement automotive and off-road vehicle ADAS solutions.

    LeddarTech is responsible for several remote-sensing innovations, with over 170 patent applications (87 granted) that enhance ADAS, AD and parking capabilities. Better awareness around the vehicle is critical in making global mobility safer, more efficient, sustainable and affordable: this is what drives LeddarTech to seek to become the most widely adopted sensor fusion and perception software solution.

    Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at www.leddartech.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter (X), Facebook and YouTube.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements contained in this Press Release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which forward-looking statements also include forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws), including, but not limited to, statements relating to LeddarTech’s anticipated strategy, future operations, prospects, objectives and financial projections and other financial metrics. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend” and other similar expressions among others. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: (i) our ability to continue to maintain compliance with Nasdaq continued listing standards following our transfer to the Nasdaq Capital Market; (ii) our ability to timely access sufficient capital and financing on favorable terms or at all; (iii) our ability to maintain compliance with our debt covenants, including our ability to enter into any forbearance agreements, waivers or amendments with, or obtain other relief from, our lenders as needed; (iv) our ability to execute on our business model, achieve design wins and generate meaningful revenue; (v) our ability to successfully commercialize our product offering at scale, whether through the collaboration agreement with Texas Instruments, a collaboration with a Tier 2 supplier or otherwise; (vi) changes in our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs and plans; (vii) changes in general economic and/or industry-specific conditions; (viii) our ability to retain, attract and hire key personnel; (ix) potential adverse changes to relationships with our customers, employees, suppliers or other parties; (x) legislative, regulatory and economic developments; (xi) the outcome of any known and unknown litigation and regulatory proceedings; (xii) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism, outbreak of war or hostilities and any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; and (xiii) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in LeddarTech’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the risk factors contained in LeddarTech’s Form 20-F filed with the SEC. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Except as required by applicable law, LeddarTech does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Contact:
    Maram Fityani, Media and Public Relations, LeddarTech Holdings Inc.
    Tel.: + 1-418-653-9000 ext. 623, maram.fityani@leddartech.com

    Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, VAYADrive, VayaVision and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.

    LeddarTech Holdings Inc. is a public company listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “LDTC.”

    The MIL Network –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Mike Lawler Demands Answers From the Jacob Burns Film Center After Refusal to Screen October 8th

    Source: US Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY-17)

    Washington, D.C. – 3/31/2025… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler demanded answers from the Jacob Burns Film Center after news emerged that they have refused to screen October 8th – an important documentary that explores antisemitism on campuses, social media, and the streets since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack against Israel.

    The decision is called even further into question given that the Jacob Burns Film Center has had no issue screening No Other Land, a pro-Palestinian documentary that has proved controversial.

    This comes on the heels of the Jacob Burns Film Center’s hiring of Eric Hynes as Director of Film Curation and Programming. Hynes holds incredibly anti-Israel views, having signed a petition saying Israel is committing genocide and calling for the release of all Palestinian prisoners, including terrorists. He also signed another petition asking for the US to cease providing military support to Israel and calling Israel’s actions “apartheid.”

    Hynes has tweeted that Israel is committing “genocide,” claimed Israel was using the Super Bowl as “cover” to engage in military operations in the Gaza strip and were guilty of “supervillainy,” and stated that Israel is “deliberately starving Palestinians.”

    In addition, Hynes also expressed support for the antisemitic protests on Columbia and CUNY’s campuses last spring, claiming they were “peaceful” – despite their seizing of buildings by force.

    “I am appalled that the Jacobs Burns Film Center did not engage in due diligence in their hiring process, choosing to hand over the reins of curation at their esteemed institution to someone with deeply radical and anti-Israel views,” said Congressman Lawler. “This is a complete slap in the face to the Jewish community in the Hudson Valley.”

    “Unfortunately, this hiring decision has reared its ugly head in the biased choice to refuse screening of October 8th, a critical film that highlights the challenges faced by Jews in the US following the horrific October 7th attacks,” continued Congressman Lawler. “Given Mr. Hynes’ praise for the antisemitic protests at Columbia University and at CUNY, one doesn’t have to wonder if his personal anti-Israel bias factored into his decision to refuse screening this important film.”

    “The choice to screen No Other Land, while simultaneously denying screening of October 8th, calls directly into question Mr. Hynes’ intent, and given his long track record of being anti-Israel and supporting antisemitic protests, I fear the worst,” concluded Congressman Lawler. “The Jacob Burns Film Center should reflect on its choices and step in to ensure that there is a balanced set of films being offered to residents in Northern Westchester, not just one worldview pushed by someone with an axe to grind.”

    Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

    ###


    Screengrabs of the tweets referenced earlier can be found attached to this release from Hynes’ account.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: 03.31.2025 Sen. Ted Cruz Introduces Bill to Promote On-Site Energy Generation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced the Facilitate Lower Atmospheric Released Emissions (FLARE) Act. By promoting on-site energy generation, the bill decentralizes electricity sources and strengthens grid resiliency during periods of high demand or extreme weather.
    Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said, “I am committed to making Texas the number one place for Bitcoin mining. The FLARE Act incentivizes entrepreneurs and crypto miners to use natural gas that would otherwise be stranded. This bill takes advantage of Texas’s vast energy potential, reinforces our position as the home of the Bitcoin industry, and is good for the environment. I call upon my colleagues to expeditiously take up and advance this legislation.”
    This bill is endorsed by The Digital Power Network.
    Hailey Miller, Director of Government Relations & Public Policy for The Digital Power Network said, “The Digital Power Network strongly supports the introduction of the FLARE Act by Senator Cruz. This critical legislation will help eliminate unnecessary flaring and venting of natural gas while unlocking new opportunities for energy innovation in the United States. By providing permanent full expensing for infrastructure that captures and utilizes flared gas, the bill creates strong incentives for industries, including Bitcoin mining, to turn wasted energy into productive use cases that strengthen the grid and drive economic growth.
    Bitcoin miners are uniquely positioned to help reduce emissions by harnessing stranded and wasted energy sources, and the FLARE Act ensures that American energy producers have the tools to deploy cutting-edge solutions that make our energy markets more efficient and resilient. We commend Senator Cruz for his leadership and look forward to working with Congress to advance this bill into law.”
    Read the bill text here.
    BACKGROUND
    The Facilitate Lower Atmospheric Released Emissions (FLARE) Act makes permanent the 100% bonus depreciation for equipment used to intake natural gas and transforms it into electricity, and other productive uses. Additionally, the language prohibits entities owned by China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia from utilizing this cost recovery option. The bill reduces emissions by incentivizing the conversion of otherwise stranded natural gas into usable energy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Five Alleged Sinaloa Cartel Money Launderers Charged

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Two federal grand jury indictments were unsealed in San Diego today against five alleged Sinaloa Cartel money launderers, including Alberto David Benguiat Jimenez, Israel Daniel Paez Vargas, Salvador Diaz Rodriguez, Christopher Ortega-Lomeli, and Christian Noe Amador Valenzuela. The indictments, returned in September and October 2022, charge the defendants with multiple drug trafficking and money laundering offenses. All defendants remain fugitives.

    To date, these money laundering investigations have resulted in charges against 51 defendants and the seizure of more than $4.1 million dollars and approximately 1,304 kilograms of methamphetamine, 34 kilograms of heroin, 11 kilograms of cocaine, and 14 kilograms of fentanyl.

    Four of the defendants – Benguiat Jimenez, Paez Vargas, Diaz Rodriguez and Amador Valezuela – along with Enrique Dann Esparragoza Rosas, who was previously charged, were also the target of sanctions imposed today by the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

    OFAC has identified the defendants and others as members of a money laundering network supporting the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the most notorious and violent drug trafficking organizations in the world, and a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The Sinaloa Cartel is responsible for a significant portion of the illicit fentanyl and other deadly drugs trafficked into the United States and has exploited multiple ports of entry along the southern border for its criminal activities. Please see https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0064.

    The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Imperial Country District Office and Mexico City Country Office, along with the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation San Diego Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation San Diego Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations Calexico Office, and San Diego – Imperial County HIDTA are investigating these cases with assistance from the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

    These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. Sutton, Joshua Mellor, Victor White, and Paul Benjamin. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Owen Roth provided substantial assistance in these cases.

    DEFENDANTS                                            

    Case Number 22-cr-02386-TWR

    Israel Daniel Paez Vargas                                                     Age: 45                         Mexicali, MX

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 952, 960 and 963.

    Maximum Penalty: Mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life in prison, $10 million fine.

    Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846.

    Maximum Penalty: Mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life in prison, $10 million fine.

    Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h).

    Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison, a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved.

    Case Number 22-cr-02387-TWR

    Alberto David Benguiat Jimenez                                           Age: 43                      Mexico City, MX

    Salvador Diaz Rodriguez                                                       Age: 39                      Mexicali, MX

    Christian Noe Amador Valenzuela                                        Age: 36                      Mexicali, MX Christopher Ortega-Lomeli                                                       Age: 38                     Mexicali, MX

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. §1956(h).

    Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison, a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved.

    Case Number 22-cr-02185-BAS                                         

    Enrique Dann Esparragoza Rosas                                          Age: 39                        Culiacan, MX

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. §1956(h).

    Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison, a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved.

    Hobbs Act Extortion, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)

    Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison, and $250,000 fine

    INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

    Drug Enforcement Administration

    Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation

    Federal Bureau of Investigation

    Homeland Security Investigations

    San Diego – Imperial County HIDTA

    Imperial Valley Law Enforcement Coordination Center – Intelligence

    Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs

    Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control

    *The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, provides coordination and assistance to Federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. This grant program is administered by the Executive Office of the President – Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Mast Leads GOP in Demanding UN Reject Francesca Albanese’s Reappointment

    Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

    Media Contact 202-226-8467

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast led several members of the panel in demanding that UN Human Rights Council President Jürg Lauber reject Francesca Albanese’s reappointment to another three-year term as special rapporteur for the “occupied palestinian territories.” 

    Mast and his fellow Republicans specifically outlined that Albanese has repeatedly failed to uphold the UNHCR code of conduct and made inflammatory and offensive comments about Israel in the wake of the October 7th attacks.  

    “[Albanese] has consistently aligned herself with Hamas terrorists, accused Israel of genocide, likened the Government of Israel to the ‘Third Reich,’ and compared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Lauber. “The Council has allowed antisemitism and anti-Americanism to thrive within, with a seeming unwillingness to hold the most egregious violators of human rights to account.”

    In addition to Chairman Mast, the letter was co-signed Reps. Young Kim (R-CA), Michael Lawler (R-NY), Keith Self (R-TX), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Cory Mills (R-FL), and Ryan Zinke (R-MT).

    Read the full letter here and below.

    Dear Mr. President,

    We are writing to strongly object to the renewal of UN Special Rapporteur for the “occupied Palestinian territories,” Francesca Albanese, for a second three-year term. As you are well aware, UN Special Rapporteurs have a duty to uphold the code of conduct as written in Council Resolution 5/2. The code of conduct expressly asserts that Special Rapporteurs must act in an independent capacity with a professional, impartial assessment, and maintain the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity through impartiality, equity and honesty. Based on the following, Special Rapporteur Albanese has failed to uphold the code. Consequently, her term must not be renewed.

    Ms. Albanese has repeatedly violated the code of conduct since she took the position on May 1, 2022. She has consistently aligned herself with Hamas terrorists, accused Israel of genocide, likened the Government of Israel to the “Third Reich,” and compared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler. Ms. Albanese unapologetically uses her position as a UN Special Rapporteur to purvey and attempt to legitimize antisemitic tropes, while serving as a Hamas apologist. Moreover, she has erroneously accused the United States Congress and our Executive of being bought and paid for by the Israel lobby. In her malicious fixation, she has even called for Israel to be removed from the United Nations while likening Israel to apartheid South Africa.

    Since the abhorrent and cowardly October 7th attacks, Ms. Albanese’s inflammatory rhetoric has only increased in atrociousness. For example, following Hamas’ murder of over 1,200 people, 250 hostages taken – 59 of whom are still held by Hamas terrorists – and irreversibly changed the lives of countless others, Ms. Albanese wrote that the “violence must be put in context,” and that the attack occurred in response to Israeli “aggression.” In a statement that was rightfully condemned by the United States, France, and Germany, Ms. Albanese attempted to justify that the October 7th massacre was “in response to Israel’s oppression.” Such comments alone violate several provisions within the code of conduct.

    Regrettably, Ms. Albanese’s rhetoric has perverted the very institution and its foundational principles in which she was appointed to serve. Her comments above, and many others she has made, are case in point as to why President Trump rightfully withdrew the United States from the Human Rights Council (Council). The Council has allowed antisemitism and anti-Americanism to thrive within, with a seeming unwillingness to hold the most egregious violators of human rights to account. Notably, in January 2023, I, along with many of my colleagues, sent a letter to the United Nations Secretary General and High Commissioner for Human Rights calling for Ms. Albanese’s removal. We were not alone in our requests for her admonishment. Several governments, including France, Germany, Canada and the Netherlands, have all condemned her statements as antisemitic, as well. To this day, no action has been taken.

    Francesca Albanese’s service as a UN Special Rapporteur must end at the conclusion of her first term. Given the numerous instances provided above, but certainly not limited to, her behavior is not only reprehensible, but most unbecoming of a UN Special Rapporteur. As such, it is the view of the undersigned that Ms. Albanese must face serious consequences. As the new President of the Human Rights Council, it is your sworn duty to utilize your authority as stated in Presidential Statement 8/2 (PRST/8/2) to “convey to the Council any information brought to [your] attention of concerning cases of persistent non-compliance by a mandate-holder with the provisions of Council Resolution 5/2, especially prior to the renewal of mandate holders in office.” By rejecting the renewal of Ms. Albanese’s term, the Council would bring much needed credibility, integrity, and accountability back to the institution – attributes of which it has been severely lacking in recent years.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 1, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Ellomay Capital Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TEL-AVIV, Israel, March 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ellomay Capital Ltd. (NYSE American; TASE: ELLO) (“Ellomay” or the “Company”), a renewable energy and power generator and developer of renewable energy and power projects in Europe, USA and Israel, today reported its unaudited consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024.

    Financial Highlights

    • Total assets as of December 31, 2024 amounted to approximately €676.7 million, compared to total assets as of December 31, 2023 of approximately €612.9 million.
    • Revenues1 for the three months ended December 31, 2024 were approximately €8.7 million, compared to revenues of approximately €8.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 were approximately €40.5 million, compared to revenues of approximately €48.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
    • Loss from continuing operations for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was approximately €12 million, compared to loss from continuing operations of approximately €8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 was approximately €9.6 million, compared to profit from continuing operations of approximately €2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
    • Loss for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was approximately €12 million, compared to loss of approximately €9.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Loss for the year ended December 31, 2024 was approximately €9.5 million, compared to profit of approximately €0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
    • EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was approximately €7.6 million, compared to EBITDA loss of approximately €2.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2024 was approximately €25.1 million, compared to EBITDA of approximately €18.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. See below under “Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures” for additional disclosure concerning EBITDA.
    • On December 31, 2023, the Company executed an agreement to sell its holdings in the 9 MW solar plant located in Talmei Yosef. The sale was consummated on June 3, 2024, and the net consideration received at closing was approximately NIS 42.6 million (approximately €10.6 million). In connection with the sale, the Company presents the results of this solar plant as a discontinued operation.

    Financial Overview for the Year Ended December 31, 2024

    • Revenues1 were approximately €40.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to approximately €48.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. This decrease mainly results from a reduction in electricity prices in Spain between February and May 2024 and lower gas prices in the Netherlands in 2024 compared to prices in 2023, partially offset by income generated by our 20 MW solar power plants in Italy which were connected to the grid during 2024. The decrease is also due to loss of revenues in connection with the fire near the Talasol Solar S.L. (300 MV solar) (“Talasol”) and Ellomay Solar S.L. (28 MV solar) (“Ellomay Solar”) facilities in Spain in July 2024. In connection with such loss of revenues, the Company recorded an amount of approximately €1.7 million as ‘other income’ for the year ended December 31, 2024, based on compensation from the insurers for loss of income.
    • Operating expenses were approximately €19.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to approximately €22.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. This decrease mainly results from a decrease in direct taxes on electricity production paid by the Company’s Spanish subsidiaries as a result of reduced electricity prices. The operating expenses of the Company’s Spanish subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2023 were impacted by the Spanish RDL 17/2022, which established the reduction of returns on the electricity generating activity of Spanish production facilities that do not emit greenhouse gases, accomplished through payments of a portion of the revenues by the production facilities to the Spanish government. The increased expenses during the year ended December 31, 2023 resulting from this impact, were partially offset by lower costs in connection with the acquisition of feedstock by our Dutch biogas plants. Depreciation and amortization expenses were approximately €16.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to approximately €16 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
    • Project development costs were approximately €4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to approximately €4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
    • General and administrative expenses were approximately €6.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to approximately €5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in general and administrative expenses is mostly due to higher consultancy expenses.
    • Share of profits of equity accounted investee, after elimination of intercompany transactions, was approximately €11.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to approximately €4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in share of profits of equity accounted investee resulted mainly from the increase in revenues of Dorad Energy Ltd. (“Dorad”) due to higher quantities of electricity produced partially offset by an increase in operating expenses in connection with the increased production. In addition, in December 2024, Dorad received payment in an amount of approximately $130 million pursuant to an arbitration ruling in a derivative claim submitted by certain of its shareholders, which increased Dorad’s net profit for 2024 by approximately NIS 215.6 million (after the effect of taxes). These amounts were recorded by Dorad in its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 in the income statement partially as a reduction in depreciation expenses, partly as finance income, and the remainder as a decrease in general and administrative expenses.
    • Other income, net was approximately €3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to €0 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The income was recognized based on insurance compensation in connection with the fire near the Talasol and Ellomay Solar facilities in Spain in July 2024, net of impairment expenses related to the damaged fixed assets. The amount to be received due to loss of income is approximately €1.7 million.
    • Financing expense, net was approximately €19.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to financing expense, net of approximately €3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in financing expenses, net, was mainly attributable to higher expenses resulting from exchange rate differences that amounted to approximately €7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to income from exchange rate differences of approximately €6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an aggregate change of approximately €14.5 million. The exchange rate differences were mainly recorded in connection with the New Israeli Shekel (“NIS”) cash and cash equivalents and the Company’s NIS denominated debentures and were caused by the 5.4% reevaluation of the NIS against the euro during the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to a devaluation of 6.9% during the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in financing expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024 was also due to increased interest expenses mainly resulting from the issuance of the Company’s Series F Debentures in January, April, August and November 2024. These increases in financing expenses were partially offset by an increase in financing income of approximately €0.9 million in connection with derivatives and warrants in the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.
    • Tax benefit was approximately €1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to a tax benefit of approximately €1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
    • Loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 was approximately €9.6 million, compared to profit from continuing operations of approximately €2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
    • Profit from discontinued operation (net of tax) for the year ended December 31, 2024 was approximately €137 thousand, compared to loss from discontinued operation of approximately €1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
    • Loss for the year ended December 31, 2024 was approximately €9.5 million, compared to a profit of approximately €0.6 million for year ended December 31, 2023.
    • Total other comprehensive income was approximately €13.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to total other comprehensive income of approximately €41.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The change in total other comprehensive income mainly results from foreign currency translation adjustments due to the change in the NIS/euro exchange rate and from changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, including a material decrease in the fair value of the liability resulting from the financial power swap that covers approximately 80% of the output of the Talasol solar plant (the “Talasol PPA”). The Talasol PPA experienced high volatility due to the substantial change in electricity prices in Europe. In accordance with hedge accounting standards, the changes in the Talasol PPA’s fair value are recorded in the Company’s shareholders’ equity through a hedging reserve and not through the accumulated deficit/retained earnings. The changes do not impact the Company’s consolidated net profit/loss or the Company’s consolidated cash flows.
    • Total comprehensive income was approximately €3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to total comprehensive income of approximately €41.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
    • Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately €8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to approximately €8.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024, is mainly due to the decrease in electricity prices in Spain. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s Dutch biogas plants elected to temporarily exit the subsidy regime and sell the gas at market prices and during the year ended December 31, 2024 these plants returned to the subsidy regime. Under the subsidy regime, plants are entitled to monthly advances on subsidies based on the production during the previous year. As no subsidies were paid to the Company’s Dutch biogas plants for 2023, these plants were entitled to low advance payments for 2024 and the payment for gas produced by the plants during 2024 is expected to be received until July 2025 and reflected accordingly in the Company’s cash flow from operations.

    CEO Review for 2024

    In 2024, the Company presented an increase of 71% in the operating profit to approximately €7.7 million and of 33.5% in the EBITDA to approximately €25.1 million compared to 2023, despite a decrease of approximately €9 million in the annual revenues, which was caused by low and even negative electricity prices in Spain in the first half of 2024. During 2024 and in recent months the Company made significant advancements in the development of new projects, which are expected to contribute to an increase in revenues in coming years:

    In Italy – finance agreements were executed with respect to projects with an aggregate capacity of 198 MW (of which 38 MW are already connected to the electricity grid) and construction agreements for the remainder of the projects with an aggregate capacity of 160 MW were also executed.

    In the USA – the Company is advancing additional projects with an aggregate capacity of approximately 50 MW that are expected to begin construction during 2025.

    In the Netherlands – the Company advanced in obtaining licenses to expand the operations of the biogas facilities by additional 50% while making relatively small investments.

    In Israel – the approval of the National Infrastructures Committee to expand the Dorad power plant by 650 MW was received.  

    Operating expenses in 2024 decreased by approximately €3 million compared to 2023. Project development expenses in 2024 decreased by approximately €0.4 million compared to 2023 despite the inclusion of non-recurring expenses of approximately €0.5 million in connection with the cancellation of a guarantee in the project development expenses for 2024. Following the advancement of project development and the transition to the construction stage, the decrease in project development expenses is expected to continue during the year.

    The appreciation of the NIS against the euro at the end of 2024 caused revaluation losses of approximately €7.8 million compared to revaluation profit of approximately €6.7 million in 2023. The aggregate change is approximately €14.5 million and is the main cause for the increase in financing expenses in 2024.

    In March 2025 a transaction was executed between Zorlu Enerji Elektrik Üretim A.S (“Zorlu”) and The Phoenix Insurance Company Ltd. for the sale of Zorlu’s entire holdings in Dorad (25% of Dorad’s outstanding shares). The consideration for the shares represents a value of NIS 2.8 billion for Dorad. Ellomay Luzon Energy Infrastructures Ltd. (50% held by the Company), which currently holds 18.75% of Dorad’s shares, has a right of first refusal over 15% of Dorad’s shares included in the transaction. The Company believes that the price is attractive and therefore intends to act to exercise the right of first refusal. Activity in Spain:

    The electricity prices in the second half of 2024 increased and stabilized on the projected seasonal price. The revenues from the sale of electricity in 2024 were approximately €23 million compared to approximately €32 million in 2023. The decrease is primarily attributable to the low/negative electricity prices in the first half of 2024, as well as to the loss of revenues in the amount of approximately €1.7 million due to a fire. The loss of revenues due to the fire will be covered in full by the insurance company.

    Activity of Dorad:

    In 2024, the Dorad power plant recorded an increase in profit, with net profit of approximately NIS 452.3 million, an increase of approximately NIS 241 million compared to 2023. The Dorad power station received the approval of the National Infrastructures Committee and a positive connection survey to increase the capacity by an additional 650 MW. Due to the final award in the arbitration against Edeltech and Zorlu, Dorad received during 2024 compensation of approximately $130 million that increased Dorad’s net profit for 2024 by approximately NIS 215.6 million (after the effect of taxes).

    Activity in the USA:

    In the USA, the development and construction activities of solar projects are progressing at a rapid pace and the construction of the first four projects, with a total capacity of approximately 49 MW, began in early 2024. At the end of 2024, construction of two projects (in an aggregate capacity of approximately 27 MW) was completed and the IRS approval of entitlement to tax credits was received. These projects were connected to the electricity grid at the end of March 2025. The additional two projects (in an aggregate capacity of approximately 22 MW) are under construction and their construction is expected to end during April and June 2025. Additional projects with an aggregate capacity of approximately 50 MW are under development and are intended to begin construction in 2025. The Company executed an agreement to sell the tax credits of the first four projects for approximately $19 million.

    Activity in Italy:

    The Company has a portfolio of 460 MW solar projects in Italy of which 38 MW are connected to the grid and operating 294 MW are ready to build and 128 MW are under advanced development. The Company executed construction agreements with the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (“EPC”) contractor for 160 MW that are ready to build, the commencement of construction is expected in the beginning of the second quarter of 2025 and the construction is expected to take approximately 18 months. A financing agreement with a European institutional investor was executed for the financing of the construction of 198 MW (including the connected projects and the projects for which the EPC agreements were executed) for 23 years with a fixed annual interest of 4.5%.

    New legislation in Italy prohibits the establishment of new projects on agricultural land. This prohibition increases the value of the Company’s portfolio, which is not subject to the prohibition or located on agricultural land. The Company estimates that new possibilities are emerging for obtaining a power purchase agreement (“PPA”) in Italy, therefore it expects that in the future project financing will be possible more easily and at lower costs.

    Activity in Israel:

    The Manara Cliff Pumped Storage Project (Company’s share is 83.34%): A project with a capacity of 156 MW, which is in advanced construction stages. The Iron Swords War, which commenced on October 7, 2023, stopped the construction work on the project. The project has protection from the state for damages and losses due to the war within the framework of the tariff regulation (covenants that support financing). The project was expected to reach commercial operation during the first half of 2027 and the continuation of the Iron Swords war will cause a delay in the date of activation. The Israeli Electricity Authority currently approved a postponement of sixteen months of the dates for the project. The Company and its partner in the project, Ampa, invested the equity required for the project (other than linkage differences), and the remainder of the funding is from a consortium of lenders led by Mizrahi Bank, at a scope of approximately NIS 1.18 billion.

    Development of Solar licenses combined with storage:

    1. The Komemiyut and Qelahim Projects: each intended for 21 solar MW and 50 MW / hour batteries. The sale of electricity will be conducted through a private supplier.
      The Company waived the rights it won in a solar / battery tender process in connection with these projects and therefore paid a forfeiture of guarantee in the amount of NIS 1.8 million and is in advanced negotiations with a local virtual electricity supplier for the execution of a long-term PPA.
    2. The Talmei Yosef Project: intended for 10 solar MW and 22 MW / hour batteries. The request for zoning approval was approved in the fourth quarter of 2023.
    3. The Talmei Yosef Storage Project in Batteries: there is a zoning approval for approximately 400 MW / hour. The project is designed for the regulation of high voltage storage.

    Activity in the Netherlands:

    During 2024, high production levels were maintained in the Company’s three biogas plants. In addition, significant progress was made in the process of obtaining the licenses to increase production by about 50% in each of the Company’s plants. Increasing production will require relatively small investments and is expected to significantly increase income and EBITDA. Following the directive of the European Union to act to significantly increase the production of green gas, the Dutch parliament approved the legislation mandating the obligation to mix green gas with fossil gas, which will become effective commencing January 1, 2026. This legislation is expected to have a positive effect on revenues from the sale of green gas and the price of the accompanying green certificates. Agreements were executed for the future sale of green certificates for green gas in the context of the new regulation at a price of approximately €1 per certificate. The Company’s Dutch subsidiaries generate approximately 16 million green certificates a year.

    Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures

    EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure and is defined as earnings before financial expenses, net, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The Company presents this measure in order to enhance the understanding of the Company’s operating performance and to enable comparability between periods. While the Company considers EBITDA to be an important measure of comparative operating performance, EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income or other statement of operations or cash flow data prepared in accordance with IFRS as a measure of profitability or liquidity. EBITDA does not take into account the Company’s commitments, including capital expenditures and restricted cash and, accordingly, is not necessarily indicative of amounts that may be available for discretionary uses. Not all companies calculate EBITDA in the same manner, and the measure as presented may not be comparable to similarly-titled measure presented by other companies. The Company’s EBITDA may not be indicative of the Company’s historic operating results; nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. The Company uses this measure internally as performance measure and believes that when this measure is combined with IFRS measure it add useful information concerning the Company’s operating performance. A reconciliation between results on an IFRS and non-IFRS basis is provided on page 15 of this press release.

    About Ellomay Capital Ltd.

    Ellomay is an Israeli based company whose shares are registered with the NYSE American and with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “ELLO”. Since 2009, Ellomay focuses its business in the renewable energy and power sectors in Europe, USA and Israel.

    To date, Ellomay has evaluated numerous opportunities and invested significant funds in the renewable, clean energy and natural resources industries in Israel, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Texas, USA, including:

    • Approximately 335.9 MW of operating solar power plants in Spain (including a 300 MW solar plant in owned by Talasol, which is 51% owned by the Company) and approximately 38 MW of operating solar power plants in Italy;
    • 9.375% indirect interest in Dorad Energy Ltd., which owns and operates one of Israel’s largest private power plants with production capacity of approximately 850MW, representing about 6%-8% of Israel’s total current electricity consumption;
    • Groen Gas Goor B.V., Groen Gas Oude-Tonge B.V. and Groen Gas Gelderland B.V., project companies operating anaerobic digestion plants in the Netherlands, with a green gas production capacity of approximately 3 million, 3.8 million and 9.5 million Nm3 per year, respectively;
    • 83.333% of Ellomay Pumped Storage (2014) Ltd., which is involved in a project to construct a 156 MW pumped storage hydro power plant in the Manara Cliff, Israel;
    • Solar projects in Italy with an aggregate capacity of 294 MW that have reached “ready to build” status; and
    • Solar projects in the Dallas Metropolitan area, Texas, USA with an aggregate capacity of approximately 27 MW that are placed in service and in process of connection to the grid and additional 22 MW are under construction.

    For more information about Ellomay, visit http://www.ellomay.com.

    Information Relating to Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company’s management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the Company’s plans and objectives, expectations and assumptions of management are forward-looking statements. The use of certain words, including the words “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by the Company’s forward-looking statements, including changes in electricity prices and demand, regulatory changes increases in interest rates and inflation, changes in the supply and prices of resources required for the operation of the Company’s facilities (such as waste and natural gas) and in the price of oil, the impact of the war and hostilities in Israel and Gaza, the impact of the continued military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, technical and other disruptions in the operations or construction of the power plants owned by the Company and general market, political and economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates, including Israel, Spain, Italy and the United States. These and other risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s business are described in greater detail in the filings the Company makes from time to time with Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Contact:
    Kalia Rubenbach (Weintraub)
    CFO
    Tel: +972 (3) 797-1111
    Email: hilai@ellomay.com

    Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

      December 31,
    2024 2023 2024
    Unaudited Audited Unaudited
    € in thousands Convenience Translation into US$ in thousands*
    Assets      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents 41,134 51,127 42,819
    Short term deposits – 997 –
    Restricted cash 656 810 683
    Intangible asset from green certificates 178 553 185
    Trade and other receivables 20,734 11,717 21,583
    Derivatives asset short-term 146 275 152
    Assets of disposal groups classified as held for sale – 28,297 –
      62,848 93,776 65,422
    Non-current assets      
    Investment in equity accounted investee 41,324 31,772 43,017
    Advances on account of investments 547 898 569
    Fixed assets 482,166 407,982 501,918
    Right-of-use asset 34,315 30,967 35,721
    Restricted cash and deposits 17,052 17,386 17,751
    Deferred tax 9,039 8,677 9,409
    Long term receivables 13,411 10,446 13,960
    Derivatives 15,974 10,948 16,628
      613,828 519,076 638,973
    Total assets 676,676 612,852 704,395
           
    Liabilities and Equity      
    Current liabilities      
    Current maturities of long-term bank loans 21,316 9,784 22,189
    Current maturities of other long-term loans 5,000 5,000 5,205
    Current maturities of debentures 35,706 35,200 37,169
    Trade payables 8,856 5,249 9,219
    Other payables 10,896 10,859 11,342
    Current maturities of derivatives 1,875 4,643 1,952
    Current maturities of lease liabilities 714 700 743
    Liabilities of disposal groups classified as held for sale – 17,142 –
    Warrants 1,446 84 1,505
      85,809 88,661 89,324
    Non-current liabilities      
    Long-term lease liabilities 25,324 23,680 26,361
    Long-term bank loans 245,866 237,781 255,938
    Other long-term loans 31,314 29,373 32,597
    Debentures 155,823 104,887 162,206
    Deferred tax 2,486 2,516 2,588
    Other long-term liabilities 939 855 977
    Derivatives 288 – 300
      462,040 399,092 480,967
    Total liabilities 547,849 487,753 570,291
           
    Equity      
    Share capital 25,613 25,613 26,662
    Share premium 86,271 86,159 89,805
    Treasury shares (1,736) (1,736) (1,807)
    Transaction reserve with non-controlling Interests 5,697 5,697 5,930
    Reserves 14,338 4,299 14,925
    Accumulated deficit (12,019) (5,037) (12,511)
    Total equity attributed to shareholders of the Company 118,164 114,995 123,004
    Non-Controlling Interest 10,663 10,104 11,100
    Total equity 128,827 125,099 134,104
    Total liabilities and equity 676,676 612,852 704,395

    * Convenience translation into US$ (exchange rate as at December 31, 2024: euro 1 = US$ 1.041)

    Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

      For the three months ended December 31, For the year ended December 31, For the three months ended December 31, For the year ended December 31,
    2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2024
    Unaudited Unaudited Audited Unaudited
    € in thousands (except per share data) Convenience Translation into US$*
    Revenues 8,678 8,424 40,467 48,834 9,033 42,125
    Operating expenses (5,298) (5,460) (19,803) (22,861) (5,515) (20,614)
    Depreciation and amortization expenses (4,126) (4,265) (16,468) (16,012) (4,295) (17,143)
    Gross profit (loss) (746) (1,301) 4,196 9,961 (777) 4,368
                 
    Project development costs (790) (2,025) (4,101) (4,465) (822) (4,269)
    General and administrative expenses (1,384) (1,320) (6,063) (5,283) (1,441) (6,311)
    Share of profit (loss) of equity accounted investee 5,767 (279) 11,062 4,320 6,003 11,515
    Other income, net 524 – 3,409 – 545 3,549
    Operating profit (loss) 3,371 (4,925) 8,503 4,533 3,508 8,852
                 
    Financing income 710 345 2,495 8,747 739 2,597
    Financing income (expenses) in connection with derivatives and warrants, net (664) 336 1,140 251 (691) 1,187
    Financing expenses in connection with projects finance (1,544) (1,465) (6,190) (6,077) (1,607) (6,444)
    Financing expenses in connection with debentures (1,762) (1,008) (6,641) (3,876) (1,834) (6,913)
    Interest expenses on minority shareholder loan (528) (541) (2,144) (2,014) (550) (2,232)
    Other financing expenses (13,099) (1,499) (8,311) (588) (13,636) (8,651)
    Financing expenses, net (16,887) (3,832) (19,651) (3,557) (17,579) (20,456)
                 
    Profit (loss) before taxes on income (13,516) (8,757) (11,148) 976 (14,071) (11,604)
    Tax benefit 1,475 799 1,547 1,436 1,535 1,610
    Profit (loss) for the period from continuing operations (12,041) (7,958) (9,601) 2,412 (12,536) (9,994)
    Profit (loss) from discontinued operation (net of tax) 58 (1,857) 137 (1,787) 60 143
    Profit (loss) for the period (11,983) (9,815) (9,464) 625 (12,476) (9,851)
    Profit (loss) attributable to:            
    Owners of the Company (10,887) (8,490) (6,982) 2,219 (11,333) (7,268)
    Non-controlling interests (1,096) (1,325) (2,482) (1,594) (1,143) (2,583)
    Profit (loss) for the period (11,983) (9,815) (9,464) 625 (12,476) (9,851)
    Other comprehensive income (loss) item            
    that after initial recognition in comprehensive income (loss) were or will be transferred to profit or loss:            
    Foreign currency translation differences for foreign operations 13,159 1,234 8,007 (7,949) 13,698 8,335
    Foreign currency translation differences for foreign operations that were recognized in profit or loss – – 255 – – 265
    Effective portion of change in fair value of cash flow hedges (3,781) (10,718) 5,631 39,431 (3,937) 5,861
    Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges transferred to profit or loss 1,108 19,183 (813) 9,794 1,154 (846)
    Total other comprehensive income 10,486 9,699 13,080 41,276 10,915 13,615
                 
    Total other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to:            
    Owners of the Company 11,354 5,172 10,039 16,931 11,818 10,450
    Non-controlling interests (868) 4,527 3,041 24,345 (903) 3,165
    Total other comprehensive income (loss) for the period 10,486 9,699 13,080 41,276 10,915 13,615
    Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period (1,497) (116) 3,616 41,901 (1,561) 3,764
                 
    Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to:            
    Owners of the Company 467 (3,318) 3,057 19,150 485 3,182
    Non-controlling interests (1,964) 3,202 559 22,751 (2,046) 582
    Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period (1,497) (116) 3,616 41,901 (1,561) 3,764
                 

    * Convenience translation into US$ (exchange rate as at December 31, 2024: euro 1 = US $ 1.041)

    Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (cont’d)

      For the three months ended December 31, For the year ended December 31, For the three months ended December 31, For the year ended December 31,
    2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2024
    Unaudited Unaudited Audited Unaudited
    € in thousands (except per share data) Convenience Translation into US$*
    Basic profit (loss) per share (0.85) (0.66) (0.54) 0.17 (0.91) (0.56)
    Diluted profit (loss) per share (0.85) (0.66) (0.54) 0.17 (0.91) (0.56)
                 
    Basic profit (loss) per share continuing operations (0.85) (0.14) (0.55) 0.31 (0.91) (0.57)
    Diluted profit (loss) per share continuing operations (0.85) (0.14) (0.55) 0.31 (0.91) (0.57)
                 
    Basic profit (loss) per share discontinued operation – (0.52) 0.01 (0.14) – 0.01
    Diluted profit (loss) per share discontinued operation – (0.52) 0.01 (0.14) – 0.01
                 

    * Convenience translation into US$ (exchange rate as at December 31, 2024: euro 1 = US$ 1.041)

    Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

                         
    Attributable to shareholders of the Company
    Non-controlling Interests Total Equity
    Share capital Share premium Accumulated Deficit Treasury shares Translation reserve from foreign operations Hedging Reserve Interests Transaction reserve with non-controlling Interests Total    
    € in thousands
    For the year ended                    
    December 31, 2024 (unaudited):                    
    Balance as at January 1, 2024 25,613 86,159 (5,037) (1,736) 385 3,914 5,697 114,995 10,104 125,099
    Profit (loss) for the period – – (6,982) – – – – (6,982) (2,482) (9,464)
    Other comprehensive income (loss) for the period – – – – 8,061 1,978 – 10,039 3,041 13,080
    Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period – – (6,982) – 8,061 1,978 – 3,057 559 3,616
    Transactions with owners of the Company, recognized directly in equity:                    
    Share-based payments – 112 – – – – – 112 – 112
    Balance as at December 31, 2024 25,613 86,271 (12,019) (1,736) 8,446 5,892 5,697 118,164 10,663 128,827
                         
                         
    For the three months                    
    ended December 31, 2024 (unaudited):                    
    Balance as at September 30, 2024 25,613 86,250 (1,132) (1,736) (4,377) 7,361 5,697 117,676 12,627 130,303
    Profit (loss) for the period – – (10,887) – – – – (10,887) (1,096) (11,983)
    Other comprehensive income (loss) for the period – – – – 12,823 (1,469) – 11,354 (868) 10,486
    Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period – – (10,887) – 12,823 (1,469) – 467 (1,964) (1,497)
    Transactions with owners of the Company, recognized directly in equity:                    
    Share-based payments – 21 – – – – – 21 – 21
    Balance as at December 31, 2024 25,613 86,271 (12,019) (1,736) 8,446 5,892 5,697 118,164 10,663 128,827

    Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (cont’d)

      Share capital Share premium Attributable to shareholders of the Company Non- controlling Total
    Interests Equity
    Accumulated deficit Treasury shares Translation reserve from
    foreign operations
    Hedging Reserve Interests Transaction reserve with
    non-controlling Interests
    Total    
    € in thousands
    For the year ended December 31, 2023 (audited):                    
    Balance as at January 1, 2023 25,613 86,038 (7,256) (1,736) 7,970 (20,602) 5,697 95,724 (12,647) 83,077
    Profit (loss) for the year – – 2,219 – – – – 2,219 (1,594) 625
    Other comprehensive loss for the year – – – – (7,585) 24,516 – 16,931 24,345 41,276
    Total comprehensive loss for the year – – 2,219 – (7,585) 24,516 – 19,150 22,751 41,901
    Transactions with owners of the Company, recognized directly in equity:                    
    Share-based payments – 121 – – – – – 121 – 121
    Balance as at December 31, 2023 25,613 86,159 (5,037) (1,736) 385 3,914 5,697 114,995 10,104 125,099
                         
    For the three months                    
    ended December 31, 2023 (unaudited):                    
    Balance as at September 30, 2023 25,613 86,131 3,453 (1,736) (801) (72) 5,697 118,285 6,902 125,187
    Profit (loss) for the period – – (8,490) – – – – (8,490) (1,325) (9,815)
    Other comprehensive income (loss) for the period – – – – 1,186 3,986 – 5,172 4,527 9,699
    Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period – – (8,490) – 1,186 3,986 – (3,318) 3,202 (116)
    Transactions with owners of the Company, recognized directly in equity:                    
    Share-based payments – 28 – – – – – 28 – 28
    Balance as at December 31, 2023 25,613 86,159 (5,037) (1,736) 385 3,914 5,697 114,995 10,104 125,099

    Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (cont’d)

          Attributable to shareholders of the Company Non- controlling Total
        Interests Equity
    Share capital Share premium Accumulated deficit Treasury shares Translation reserve from
    foreign operations
    Hedging Reserve Interests Transaction reserve with
    non-controlling Interests
    Total    
    Convenience translation into US$ (exchange rate as at December 31, 2024: euro 1 = US$ 1.041)
    For the year ended December 31, 2024 (unaudited):                    
    Balance as at January 1, 2024 26,662 89,688 (5,243) (1,807) 401 4,074 5,930 119,705 10,518 130,223
    Profit (loss) for the period – – (7,268) – – – – (7,268) (2,583) (9,851)
    Other comprehensive income (loss) for the period – – – – 8,391 2,059 – 10,450 3,165 13,615
    Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period – – (7,268) – 8,391 2,059 – 3,182 582 3,764
    Transactions with owners of the Company, recognized directly in equity:                    
    Share-based payments – 117 – – – – – 117 – 117
    Balance as at December 31, 2024 26,662 89,805 (12,511) (1,807) 8,792 6,133 5,930 123,004 11,100 134,104
                         
    For the three months                    
    ended December 31, 2024 (unaudited):                    
    Balance as at September 30, 2024 26,662 89,783 (1,178) (1,807) (4,555) 7,663 5,930 122,498 13,146 135,644
    Profit (loss) for the period – – (11,333) – – – – (11,333) (1,143) (12,476)
    Other comprehensive income (loss) for the period – – – – 13,347 (1,530) – 11,817 (903) 10,914
    Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period – – (11,333) – 13,347 (1,530) – 484 (2,046) (1,562)
    Transactions with owners of the Company, recognized directly in equity:                    
    Share-based payments – 22 – – – – – 22 – 22
    Balance as at December 31, 2024 26,662 89,805 (12,511) (1,807) 8,792 6,133 5,930 123,004 11,100 134,104

    Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow

      For the three months ended December 31, For the year ended December 31, For the three months ended December 31, 2024 For year ended December 31, 2024
    2024 2023 2024 2023
    Unaudited Unaudited Audited Unaudited
    € in thousands Convenience Translation into US$*
    Cash flows from operating activities            
    Profit (loss) for the period (11,983) (9,815) (9,464) 625 (12,476) (9,851)
    Adjustments for:            
    Financing expenses, net 16,887 3,632 19,247 3,034 17,579 20,035
    Loss from settlement of derivatives contract 266 – 316 – 277 329
    Impairment losses on assets of disposal groups classified as held-for-sale – 2,565 405 2,565 – 422
    Depreciation and amortization 4,126 4,378 16,516 16,473 4,295 17,193
    Share-based payment transactions 21 28 112 121 22 117
    Share of profits of equity accounted investees (5,767) 279 (11,062) (4,320) (6,003) (11,515)
    Payment of interest on loan from an equity accounted investee – 33 – 1,501 – –
    Change in trade receivables and other receivables (5,606) (1,317) (8,824) (302) (5,836) (9,185)
    Change in other assets 2,894 69 3,770 (681) 3,013 3,924
    Change in receivables from concessions project – 259 793 1,778 – 825
    Change in trade payables 48 (332) (31) (45) 50 (32)
    Change in other payables 4,747 (2,492) 4,454 (2,235) 4,941 4,636
    Tax benefit (1,475) (1,391) (1,552) (1,852) (1,535) (1,615)
    Income taxes refund (paid) 277 (473) 623 (912) 288 649
    Interest received 605 524 2,537 2,936 630 2,641
    Interest paid (2,618) (4,132) (9,873) (10,082) (2,725) (10,277)
      14,405 1,630 17,431 7,979 14,996 18,147
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 2,422 (8,185) 7,967 8,604 2,520 8,296
                 
    Cash flows from investing activities            
    Acquisition of fixed assets (22,894) (7,365) (72,922) (58,848) (23,832) (75,909)
    Interest paid capitalized to fixed assets (887) (2,283) (2,515) (2,283) (923) (2,618)
    Proceeds from sale of investments – – 9,267 – – 9,647
    Repayment of loan by an equity accounted investee – 1,221 – 1,324 – –
    Loan to an equity accounted investee – (60) – (128) – –
    Advances on account of investments – – (163) (421) – (170)
    Proceeds from advances on account of investments 514 297 514 2,218 535 535
    Proceeds in marketable securities – – – 2,837 – –
    Investment in settlement of derivatives, net (540) – (316) – (562) (329)
    Proceeds from (investment in) restricted cash, net 532 (53) 689 840 554 717
    Proceeds from (investment in) short term deposit 2,408 – 1,004 (1,092) 2,507 1,045
    Net cash used in investing activities (20,867) (8,243) (64,442) (55,553) (21,721) (67,082)
                 
    Cash flows from financing activities            
    Issuance of warrants – – 2,666 – – 2,775
    Cost associated with long-term loans (556) (690) (2,567) (1,877) (579) (2,672)
    Payment of principal of lease liabilities (2,276) (190) (2,941) (1,156) (2,369) (3,061)
    Proceeds from long-term loans 175 10,787 19,482 32,157 182 20,280
    Repayment of long-term loans (4,668) (5,746) (11,776) (12,736) (4,859) (12,258)
    Repayment of Debentures – – (35,845) (17,763) – (37,313)
    Proceeds from issuance of Debentures, net 15,118 – 73,943 55,808 15,737 76,972
    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 7,793 4,161 42,962 54,433 8,112 44,723
                 
    Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents 3,330 1,723 3,092 (2,387) 3,467 3,215
    Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (7,322) (10,544) (10,421) 5,097 (7,622) (10,848)
    Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 48,456 62,099 51,127 46,458 50,441 53,221
    Cash from (used in) disposal groups classified as held-for-sale – (428) 428 (428) – 446
    Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 41,134 51,127 41,134 51,127 42,819 42,819

    * Convenience translation into US$ (exchange rate as at December 31, 2024: euro 1 = US$ 1.041)

    Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

    Operating Segments (Unaudited)

     
                           
    Italy Spain USA Netherlands Israel  
    Solar Subsidized Solar
    Plants
    28 MW
    Solar
    Talasol
    Solar
    Solar Biogas Dorad Manara Pumped Storage Solar* Total
    reportable
    segments
    Reconciliations
    Total consolidated
      For the year ended December 31, 2024
      € in thousands
                             
    Revenues 2,293 2,974 1,741 18,365 – 15,094 67,084 – 278 107,829 (67,362) 40,467
    Operating expenses (109) (519) (593) (4,695) – (13,887) (50,065) – (142) (70,010) 50,207 (19,803)
    Depreciation and amortization expenses (89) (919) (1,088) (11,453) – (2,897) (2,489) – (48) (18,983) 2,515 (16,468)
    Gross profit (loss) 2,095 1,536 60 2,217 – (1,690) 14,530 – 88 18,836 (14,640) 4,196
                             
    Adjusted gross profit (loss) 2,095 1,536 60 2,217 – (1,690) 14,530 – 3172 19,065 (14,869) 4,196
    Project development costs                       (4,101)
    General and administrative expenses                       (6,063)
    Share of income of equity accounted investee                       11,062
    Other income, net                       3,409
    Operating profit                       8,503
    Financing income                       2,495
    Financing income in connection with
    derivatives and warrants, net
                          1,140
    Financing expenses in connection with projects finance                       (6,190)
    Financing expenses in connection with debentures                       (6,641)
    Interest expenses on minority shareholder loan                       (2,144)
    Other financing expenses                       (8,311)
    Financing expenses, net                       (19,651)
    Profit before taxes on income                       (11,148)
                             
    Segment assets as at December 31, 2024 67,546 12,633 19,403 225,452 55,564 31,779 109,579 186,333 – 708,289 (31,613) 676,676

    * The results of the Talmei Yosef solar plant are presented as a discontinued operation.

    Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

    Reconciliation of Profit (Loss) to EBITDA (Unaudited)

      For the three months ended December 31, For the year ended December 31, For the three months ended December 31, For the year ended December 31,
    2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2024
      € in thousands Convenience Translation into US$ in thousands*
    Net profit (loss) for the period (11,983) (9,815) (9,464) 625 (12,476) (9,851)
    Financing expenses, net 16,887 3,832 19,651 3,557 17,579 20,456
    Tax benefit (1,475) (799) (1,547) (1,436) (1,535) (1,610)
    Depreciation and amortization 4,126 4,265 16,468 16,012 4,295 17,143
    EBITDA 7,555 (2,517) 25,108 18,758 7,863 26,138

    * Convenience translation into US$ (exchange rate as at December 31, 2024: euro 1 = US$ 1.041)

    Ellomay Capital Ltd.

    Information for the Company’s Debenture Holders

    Financial Covenants

    Pursuant to the Deeds of Trust governing the Company’s Series C, Series D, Series E, Series F and Series G Debentures (together, the “Debentures”), the Company is required to maintain certain financial covenants. For more information, see Items 4.A and 5.B of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2024, and below.

    Net Financial Debt

    As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s Net Financial Debt, (as such term is defined in the Deeds of Trust of the Company’s Debentures), was approximately €159.4 million (consisting of approximately €308.53 million of short-term and long-term debt from banks and other interest bearing financial obligations, approximately €200.54 million in connection with the Series C Debentures issuances (in July 2019, October 2020, February 2021 and October 2021), the Series D Convertible Debentures issuance (in February 2021), the Series E Secured Debentures issuance (in February 2023) and the Series F Debentures issuance (in January, April, August and November 2024)), net of approximately €41.1 million of cash and cash equivalents, short-term deposits and marketable securities and net of approximately €308.55 million of project finance and related hedging transactions of the Company’s subsidiaries). The Net Financial Debt and other information included in this disclosure do not include the issuance of the Company’s Series G Debentures in February 2025.

    Discussion concerning Warning Signs

    Upon the issuance of the Company’s Debentures, the Company undertook to comply with the “hybrid model disclosure requirements” as determined by the Israeli Securities Authority and as described in the Israeli prospectuses published in connection with the public offering of the company’s Debentures. This model provides that in the event certain financial “warning signs” exist in the Company’s consolidated financial results or statements, and for as long as they exist, the Company will be subject to certain disclosure obligations towards the holders of the Company’s Debentures.

    One possible “warning sign” is the existence of a working capital deficiency if the Company’s Board of Directors does not determine that the working capital deficiency is not an indication of a liquidity problem. In examining the existence of warning signs as of December 31, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors noted the working capital deficiency as of December 31, 2024, in the amount of approximately €23 million. The Company’s Board of Directors reviewed the Company’s financial position, outstanding debt obligations and the Company’s existing and anticipated cash resources and uses and determined that the existence of a working capital deficiency as of December 31, 2024, does not indicate a liquidity problem. In making such determination, the Company’s Board of Directors noted the following: (i) the issuance of the Company’s Series G Debentures in consideration for approximately NIS 211.7 million (net of offering expenses), which was completed after December 31, 2024 and therefore not reflected on the Company’s balance sheet, (ii) the execution of the agreement to sell tax credits in connection with the US solar projects, which is expected to contribute approximately $19 million during the next twelve months, and (iii) the Company’s positive cash flow from operating activities during 2023 and 2024.

    Ellomay Capital Ltd.

    Information for the Company’s Debenture Holders (cont’d)

    Information for the Company’s Series C Debenture Holders

    The Deed of Trust governing the Company’s Series C Debentures (as amended on June 6, 2022, the “Series C Deed of Trust”), includes an undertaking by the Company to maintain certain financial covenants, whereby a breach of such financial covenants for two consecutive quarters is a cause for immediate repayment. As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in the Series C Deed of Trust as follows: (i) the Company’s Adjusted Shareholders’ Equity (as defined in the Series C Deed of Trust) was approximately €118.8 million, (ii) the ratio of the Company’s Net Financial Debt (as set forth above) to the Company’s CAP, Net (defined as the Company’s Adjusted Shareholders’ Equity plus the Net Financial Debt) was 57.3%, and (iii) the ratio of the Company’s Net Financial Debt to the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA,6 was 6.1.

    The following is a reconciliation between the Company’s loss and the Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the Series C Deed of Trust) for the four-quarter period ended December 31, 2024:

      For the four-quarter period ended December 31, 2024
    Unaudited
    € in thousands
    Loss for the period (9,464)
    Financing expenses, net 19,651
    Taxes on income (1,547)
    Depreciation and amortization expenses 16,468
    Share-based payments 112
    Adjustment to revenues of the Talmei Yosef PV Plant due to calculation based on the fixed asset model 981
    Adjusted EBITDA as defined the Series C Deed of Trust 26,201

    Ellomay Capital Ltd.

    Information for the Company’s Debenture Holders (cont’d)

    Information for the Company’s Series D Debenture Holders

    The Deed of Trust governing the Company’s Series D Debentures includes an undertaking by the Company to maintain certain financial covenants, whereby a breach of such financial covenants for the periods set forth in the Series D Deed of Trust is a cause for immediate repayment. As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in the Series D Deed of Trust as follows: (i) the Company’s Adjusted Shareholders’ Equity (as defined in the Series D Deed of Trust) was approximately €118.8 million, (ii) the ratio of the Company’s Net Financial Debt (as set forth above) to the Company’s CAP, Net (defined as the Company’s Adjusted Shareholders’ Equity plus the Net Financial Debt) was 57.3%, and (iii) the ratio of the Company’s Net Financial Debt to the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA7 was 6.

    The following is a reconciliation between the Company’s loss and the Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the Series D Deed of Trust) for the four-quarter period ended December 31, 2024:

      For the four-quarter period ended December 31, 2024
    Unaudited
    € in thousands
    Loss for the period (9,464)
    Financing expenses, net 19,651
    Taxes on income (1,547)
    Depreciation and amortization expenses 16,468
    Share-based payments 112
    Adjustment to revenues of the Talmei Yosef PV Plant due to calculation based on the fixed asset model 981
    Adjustment to data relating to projects with a Commercial Operation Date during the four preceding quarters8 440
    Adjusted EBITDA as defined the Series D Deed of Trust 26,641

    Ellomay Capital Ltd.

    Information for the Company’s Debenture Holders (cont’d)

    Information for the Company’s Series E Debenture Holders

    The Deed of Trust governing the Company’s Series E Debentures includes an undertaking by the Company to maintain certain financial covenants, whereby a breach of such financial covenants for the periods set forth in the Series E Deed of Trust is a cause for immediate repayment. As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in the Series E Deed of Trust as follows: (i) the Company’s Adjusted Shareholders’ Equity (as defined in the Series E Deed of Trust) was approximately €118.8 million, (ii) the ratio of the Company’s Net Financial Debt (as set forth above) to the Company’s CAP, Net (defined as the Company’s Adjusted Shareholders’ Equity plus the Net Financial Debt) was 57.3%, and (iii) the ratio of the Company’s Net Financial Debt to the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA9 was 6.

    The following is a reconciliation between the Company’s loss and the Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the Series E Deed of Trust) for the four-quarter period ended December 31, 2024:

      For the four-quarter period ended December 31, 2024
    Unaudited
    € in thousands
    Loss for the period (9,464)
    Financing expenses, net 19,651
    Taxes on income (1,547)
    Depreciation and amortization expenses 16,468
    Share-based payments 112
    Adjustment to revenues of the Talmei Yosef PV Plant due to calculation based on the fixed asset model 981
    Adjustment to data relating to projects with a Commercial Operation Date during the four preceding quarters10 440
    Adjusted EBITDA as defined the Series E Deed of Trust 26,641
       

    In connection with the undertaking included in Section 3.17.2 of Annex 6 of the Series E Deed of Trust, no circumstances occurred during the reporting period under which the rights to loans provided to Ellomay Luzon Energy Infrastructures Ltd. (formerly U. Dori Energy Infrastructures Ltd. (“Ellomay Luzon Energy”)), which were pledged to the holders of the Company’s Series E Debentures, will become subordinate to the amounts owed by Ellomay Luzon Energy to Israel Discount Bank Ltd.

    As of December 31, 2024, the value of the assets pledged to the holders of the Series E Debentures in the Company’s books (unaudited) is approximately €41.3 million (approximately NIS 156.8 million based on the exchange rate as of such date).

    Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

    Information for the Company’s Debenture Holders (cont’d)

    Information for the Company’s Series F Debenture Holders

    The Deed of Trust governing the Company’s Series F Debentures includes an undertaking by the Company to maintain certain financial covenants, whereby a breach of such financial covenants for the periods set forth in the Series F Deed of Trust is a cause for immediate repayment. As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in the Series F Deed of Trust as follows: (i) the Company’s Adjusted Shareholders’ Equity (as defined in the Series F Deed of Trust) was approximately €118.4 million, (ii) the ratio of the Company’s Net Financial Debt (as set forth above) to the Company’s CAP, Net (defined as the Company’s Adjusted Shareholders’ Equity plus the Net Financial Debt) was 57.4%, and (iii) the ratio of the Company’s Net Financial Debt to the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA11 was 6.

    The following is a reconciliation between the Company’s loss and the Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the Series F Deed of Trust) for the four-quarter period ended December 31, 2024:

      For the four-quarter period ended December 31, 2024
    Unaudited
    € in thousands
    Loss for the period (9,464)
    Financing expenses, net 19,651
    Taxes on income (1,547)
    Depreciation and amortization expenses 16,468
    Share-based payments 112
    Adjustment to revenues of the Talmei Yosef PV Plant due to calculation based on the fixed asset model 981
    Adjustment to data relating to projects with a Commercial Operation Date during the four preceding quarters12 440
    Adjusted EBITDA as defined the Series F Deed of Trust 26,641
       

    Ellomay Capital Ltd. and its Subsidiaries

    Information for the Company’s Debenture Holders (cont’d)

    Information for the Company’s Series G Debenture Holders

    The Deed of Trust governing the Company’s Series G Debentures includes an undertaking by the Company to maintain certain financial covenants, whereby a breach of such financial covenants for the periods set forth in the Series G Deed of Trust is a cause for immediate repayment. As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in the Series G Deed of Trust as follows: (i) the Company’s Adjusted Shareholders’ Equity (as defined in the Series G Deed of Trust) was approximately €118.4 million, (ii) the ratio of the Company’s Net Financial Debt (as set forth above) to the Company’s CAP, Net (defined as the Company’s Adjusted Shareholders’ Equity plus the Net Financial Debt) was 57.4%, and (iii) the ratio of the Company’s Net Financial Debt to the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA13 was 6.

    The following is a reconciliation between the Company’s loss and the Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the Series G Deed of Trust) for the four-quarter period ended December 31, 2024:

      For the four-quarter period ended December 31, 2024
    Unaudited
    € in thousands
    Loss for the period (9,464)
    Financing expenses, net 19,651
    Taxes on income (1,547)
    Depreciation and amortization expenses 16,468
    Share-based payments 112
    Adjustment to revenues of the Talmei Yosef PV Plant due to calculation based on the fixed asset model 981
    Adjustment to data relating to projects with a Commercial Operation Date during the four preceding quarters14 440
    Adjusted EBITDA as defined the Series G Deed of Trust 26,641
       

    1 The revenues presented in the Company’s financial results included in this press release are based on IFRS and do not take into account the adjustments included in the Company’s investor presentation.

    2 The gross profit of the Talmei Yosef solar plant located in Israel is adjusted to include income from the sale of electricity (approximately €1,264 thousand) and depreciation expenses (approximately €757 thousand) under the fixed asset model, which were not recognized as revenues and depreciation expenses, respectively, under the financial asset model as per IFRIC 12.

    3 The amount of short-term and long-term debt from banks and other interest-bearing financial obligations provided above, includes an amount of approximately €4.7 million costs associated with such debt, which was capitalized and therefore offset from the debt amount that is recorded in the Company’s balance sheet.

    4 The amount of the debentures provided above includes an amount of approximately €6.9 million associated costs, which was capitalized and discount or premium and therefore offset from the debentures amount that is recorded in the Company’s balance sheet. This amount also includes the accrued interest as at December 31, 2024 in the amount of approximately €2.1 million.

    5 The project finance amount deducted from the calculation of Net Financial Debt includes project finance obtained from various sources, including financing entities and the minority shareholders in project companies held by the Company (provided in the form of shareholders’ loans to the project companies).

    6 The term “Adjusted EBITDA” is defined in the Series C Deed of Trust as earnings before financial expenses, net, taxes, depreciation and amortization, where the revenues from the Company’s operations, such as the Talmei Yosef solar plant, are calculated based on the fixed asset model and not based on the financial asset model (IFRIC 12), and before share-based payments. The Series C Deed of Trust provides that for purposes of the financial covenant, the Adjusted EBITDA will be calculated based on the four preceding quarters, in the aggregate. The Adjusted EBITDA is presented in this press release as part of the Company’s undertakings towards the holders of its Series C Debentures. For a general discussion of the use of non-IFRS measures, such as EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA see above under “Use of NON-IFRS Financial Measures.”

    7 The term “Adjusted EBITDA” is defined in the Series D Deed of Trust as earnings before financial expenses, net, taxes, depreciation and amortization, where the revenues from the Company’s operations, such as the Talmei Yosef PV Plant, are calculated based on the fixed asset model and not based on the financial asset model (IFRIC 12), and before share-based payments, when the data of assets or projects whose Commercial Operation Date (as such term is defined in the Series D Deed of Trust) occurred in the four quarters that preceded the relevant date will be calculated based on Annual Gross Up (as such term is defined in the Series D Deed of Trust). The Series D Deed of Trust provides that for purposes of the financial covenant, the Adjusted EBITDA will be calculated based on the four preceding quarters, in the aggregate. The Adjusted EBITDA is presented in this press release as part of the Company’s undertakings towards the holders of its Series D Debentures. For a general discussion of the use of non-IFRS measures, such as EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA see above under “Use of NON-IFRS Financial Measures.”

    8 The adjustment is based on the results of solar plants in Italy that were connected to the grid and commenced delivery of electricity to the grid during the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company recorded revenues and only direct expenses in connection with these solar plants from the connection to the grid and until PAC (Preliminary Acceptance Certificate – reached during the fourth quarter of 2024). However, for the sake of caution, the Company included the expected fixed expenses in connection with these solar plants in the calculation of the adjustment.

    9 The term “Adjusted EBITDA” is defined in the Series E Deed of Trust as earnings before financial expenses, net, taxes, depreciation and amortization, where the revenues from the Company’s operations, such as the Talmei Yosef PV Plant, are calculated based on the fixed asset model and not based on the financial asset model (IFRIC 12), and before share-based payments, when the data of assets or projects whose Commercial Operation Date (as such term is defined in the Series E Deed of Trust) occurred in the four quarters that preceded the relevant date will be calculated based on Annual Gross Up (as such term is defined in the Series E Deed of Trust). The Series E Deed of Trust provides that for purposes of the financial covenant, the Adjusted EBITDA will be calculated based on the four preceding quarters, in the aggregate. The Adjusted EBITDA is presented in this press release as part of the Company’s undertakings towards the holders of its Series E Debentures. For a general discussion of the use of non-IFRS measures, such as EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA see above under “Use of NON-IFRS Financial Measures.”

    10 The adjustment is based on the results of solar plants in Italy that were connected to the grid and commenced delivery of electricity to the grid during the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company recorded revenues and only direct expenses in connection with these solar plants from the connection to the grid and until PAC (Preliminary Acceptance Certificate – reached during the fourth quarter of 2024). However, for the sake of caution, the Company included the expected fixed expenses in connection with these solar plants in the calculation of the adjustment.

    11 The term “Adjusted EBITDA” is defined in the Series F Deed of Trust as earnings before financial expenses, net, taxes, depreciation and amortization, where the revenues from the Company’s operations, such as the Talmei Yosef PV Plant, are calculated based on the fixed asset model and not based on the financial asset model (IFRIC 12), and before share-based payments, when the data of assets or projects whose Commercial Operation Date (as such term is defined in the Series F Deed of Trust) occurred in the four quarters that preceded the relevant date will be calculated based on Annual Gross Up (as such term is defined in the Series F Deed of Trust). The Series F Deed of Trust provides that for purposes of the financial covenant, the Adjusted EBITDA will be calculated based on the four preceding quarters, in the aggregate. The Adjusted EBITDA is presented in this press release as part of the Company’s undertakings towards the holders of its Series F Debentures. For a general discussion of the use of non-IFRS measures, such as EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA see above under “Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures.”

    12 The adjustment is based on the results of solar plants in Italy that were connected to the grid and commenced delivery of electricity to the grid during the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company recorded revenues and only direct expenses in connection with these solar plants from the connection to the grid and until PAC (Preliminary Acceptance Certificate – reached during the fourth quarter of 2024). However, for the sake of caution, the Company included the expected fixed expenses in connection with these solar plants in the calculation of the adjustment.

    13 The term “Adjusted EBITDA” is defined in the Series G Deed of Trust as earnings before financial expenses, net, taxes, depreciation and amortization, where the revenues from the Company’s operations, such as the Talmei Yosef PV Plant, are calculated based on the fixed asset model and not based on the financial asset model (IFRIC 12), and before share-based payments, when the data of assets or projects whose Commercial Operation Date (as such term is defined in the Series G Deed of Trust) occurred in the four quarters that preceded the relevant date will be calculated based on Annual Gross Up (as such term is defined in the Series G Deed of Trust). The Series G Deed of Trust provides that for purposes of the financial covenant, the Adjusted EBITDA will be calculated based on the four preceding quarters, in the aggregate. The Adjusted EBITDA is presented in this press release as part of the Company’s undertakings towards the holders of its Series G Debentures. For a general discussion of the use of non-IFRS measures, such as EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA see above under “Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures.”

    14 The adjustment is based on the results of solar plants in Italy that were connected to the grid and commenced delivery of electricity to the grid during the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company recorded revenues and only direct expenses in connection with these solar plants from the connection to the grid and until PAC (Preliminary Acceptance Certificate – reached during the fourth quarter of 2024). However, for the sake of caution, the Company included the expected fixed expenses in connection with these solar plants in the calculation of the adjustment.

    The MIL Network –

    April 1, 2025
←Previous Page
1 … 253 254 255 256 257 … 427
Next Page→
NewzIntel.com

NewzIntel.com

MIL Open Source Intelligence

  • Blog
  • About
  • FAQs
  • Authors
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Patterns
  • Themes

Twenty Twenty-Five

Designed with WordPress