The European Parliament voted to support it in December. Some MEPs who opposed it said it infringed upon EU and national rules.
The Commission said Thursday it “it is not necessary to propose a new legal instrument” because “EU support can already be provided relatively quickly by Member States willing to do so under existing instruments.”
Countries can use the European Social Fund plus, the Commission said, “if in accordance with their national laws, to provide such support.” This has a budget of €142.7 billion and is largely used to support employment and welfare services.
“The ESF+ can support the efforts of these Member States, while granting them autonomy to determine how and under what conditions access to safe and legal abortion will be provided,” the Commission said.
“The Commission and My Voice, My Choice want the same thing: the highest standards of health for women in Europe,” Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib told POLITICO. “We are reaching our shared goal by using the tools in our hands. Until now, these tools had not been used. From now on, we will use them.”
“The funding is there. Member States can act immediately, and we are ready to support them,” Lahbib said.