Brussels, Feb. 26 (LaPresse) – EU support can already be provided relatively quickly by Member States that wish to do so through existing instruments and, for this reason, there is no need to propose a new legal instrument. This is the European Commission’s response to the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) ‘My voice my choice’ for safe and accessible abortion. After carefully analyzing the initiative and taking into account the limitations imposed by the EU Treaties on the Union’s competence in public health matters, the Commission stresses that “Member States can rely on existing EU instruments to improve equal access to legally available and affordable healthcare services, including safe abortion services.” The Commission underlines that this EU support can be provided through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), “if Member States wish, voluntarily and in accordance with their respective national legislation, to provide such support, in particular by using or reallocating the resources available under their ESF+ programmes. The ESF+ could be used to improve access to legally available, affordable and safe abortion services for pregnant women.” Furthermore, the ESF+ “can support the efforts of these Member States, while ensuring their autonomy in determining how and under what conditions access to safe and legal abortion will be provided.”