271 Amendments of Reimer BÖGE
Amendment 104 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)
Paragraph 48 a (new)
48 a. Deems it necessary to increase appropriations for the Turkish Cypriot Community budget line for the purpose of contributing decisively to the continuation and intensification of the mission of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus, the wellbeing of Maronites wishing to resettle and that of all enclaved persons as agreed in the 3rd Vienna Agreement, and of supporting the bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, thus promoting trust and reconciliation between the two communities;
Amendment 358 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the intention to simplify the CAP and to modernise the CAP, butit in order to move away from the current obsession with procedure towards rigorous result- orientation; emphasises, however, that the integrity of the single market and a truly common policy must be the overriding priorities of reform;
Amendment 392 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Notes in this context that granting voluntary coupled support payments can result in distortions of competition;
Amendment 454 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the efforts of the Commission to establish programme design, implementation and control of an output-based approach in order to foster performance rather than compliance, while ensuring adequate, risk-based monitoring via clearly defined, solid and measurable indicators at EU level, including an appropriate system of quality control and penaltiesanctions;
Amendment 466 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Considers that, in the first pillar Member States can choose programmes from a priority catalogue established by the EU;
Amendment 486 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Amendment 607 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Believes that more targeted support for family farms is necessary and can be achieved by introducing a compulsory higher support rate for smallat Member State level for small and medium-sized farms; considers, moreover, that support for larger farms should be digressive, reflecting economies of scale, with the possibility for capping to be decided by the Member States, taking into account the number of workers normally employed, whilst retaining the funds liberated by capping and degression in the Member State / the region;
Amendment 756 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Insists that payments received by beneficiaries under Pillar I must not exceed twice the EU average for per hectare direct payments;
Amendment 772 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Believes that, provided that a level playing field in the single market can be guaranteed, voluntary coupled support (VCS) payments only voluntary coupled support (VCS) payments which are consistent with WTO rules and do not give rise to distortions of competition should be maintained, as a tool to counteract specific difficulties, particularly those arising from the structural competitive disadvantage of less- favoured and mountainous regions, as well as those which are more temporary in nature and arise from a shift away from the old entitlement scheme, for example;
Amendment 798 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Takes the view, therefore, that voluntary coupled support payments should not be made to commercial farms, with the exception of those cultivating protein crops;
Amendment 897 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Underlines the importance of rural development, including the LEADER initiative, in supporting multi-functional agriculture and in fostering additional entrepreneurial activities and opportunities, in order to generate income from agri- tourism, and to secure community- supported agriculture and the provision of social services and strengthen the socioeconomic fabric in rural areas;
Amendment 914 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Emphasises that measures less closely related to farming must be subject to a higher co-financing rate;
Amendment 1053 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls, without prejudice to a redefinition of the total amount of Union support for rural development, the current rural development programmes in accordance with article 10 (2) of (EU) 1305/2013 shall continue to apply until 2024 or until a new reform is adopted;
Amendment 1061 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls, in the context of the development of an EU protein plant strategy, for a single application of plant protection products over the period from before until shortly after sowing to be authorised for all land down to protein plants;
Amendment 1070 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Calls for the introduction of targeted modernisation and structural improvement measures under Pillar II, with a view to achieving priority objectives such as Digital Farming 4.0;
Amendment 1077 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19c. Emphasises, in that connection, that modernisation and investment measures must be drawn up in order to provide all farms in the EU irrespective of their size with digital equipment;
Amendment 1215 #
2018/2037(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Calls for the Commission to be able to adopt Europe-wide measures without compensation to reduce production in the event of extreme market disturbances in the milk market;
Amendment 45 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) The European Union should not be turned into a transfer union.
Amendment 46 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 b (new)
Recital 1 b (new)
(1b) It is essential that EISF does not serve as a gateway to an EU unemployment insurance scheme or other all-embracing EU insurance mechanisms.
Amendment 115 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Strict eligibility criteria based on compliance with decisions and recommendations under the Union's fiscal and economic surveillance framework, including the Communication on flexibility, over a period of two years before the request for EISF support and compliance with a Convergence Code focusing on a few decisive criteria allowing for better national ownership, should be fulfilled by the Member State requesting EISF support in order not to diminish the incentive for that Member State to pursue prudent and sustainable budgetary policies. The convergence code, adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure and taking in account the country-specific recommendations should focuses for a five-year period on convergence criteria regarding taxation, labour market, investment, productivity, social cohesion, and public administrative and good governance capacities within the existing Treaties.
Amendment 169 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) Both the determination of the amount of the national compartment and contributions to the Stabilisation Support Fund and their transfer should be governed by an intergovernmental agreement to be concluded between Member States whose currency is the euro and other Member States that participate in the exchange rate mechanism (ERM II). That agreement should provide that national compartment function as a Rainy day fund and that the national contributions for all the Member States are calculated based on the share of10% of the amount of monetary income allocated to the national central banks of those Member States whose currency is the euro in the monetary income of the Eurosystem. For Member States which participate in ERM II a specific key should be foreseen to determine the national contributions. The Commission should assist the Member States for the calculation of those contributions. To that end, the European Central Bank (ECB) should communicate to the Commission the amount of monetary income the national central banks of the Eurosystem are entitled to.
Amendment 203 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. The EISF shall provide swift financial assistance in the form of loans and interest rate subsidies for public investment and a reinsurance unemployment scheme to a Member State which is experiencing a large asymmetric shock.
Amendment 216 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) 'agreement' means the intergovernmental agreement concluded between all Member States whose currency is the euro and other Member States that participate in the exchange rate mechanism (ERM II) determining the calculation and the transfer of their national compartment and financial contributions to the Stabilisation Support Fund;
Amendment 223 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new)
(3a) ‘national unemployment financing scheme’ means: financing for unemployment benefits paid to unemployed persons
Amendment 225 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
(4) 'EISF support' means Union financial assistance within the meaning of Article [220] of the Financial Regulation in the form of loans and interest rate subsidies under the EISF in support of eligible public investment; and reinsurance unemployment scheme.
Amendment 305 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – title
Article 5 – title
Supported investment and reinsurance unemployment scheme
Amendment 308 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) invest insupport eligible public investment or a national unemployment scheme by an amount corresponding to at least the amount of the EISF loan,;
Amendment 312 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) maintain the same level of its support for public investment and national unemployment scheme compared to the average level of its public investmensupport in the five previous years.;
Amendment 360 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Without prejudice to paragraph 3, tThe amount of an EISF loan (S) shall be determined in accordance with the following formula:
Amendment 369 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
S = β x Smax x (Increase in unemploymentMS – threshold level) subject to S ≤ Smax
Amendment 373 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3 – point b
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3 – point b
(b) «Is»Smax means the maximum level of eligible public investment or national unemployment scheme that the EISF may support in the Member State concerned referred to in paragraph 2;
Amendment 380 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 4
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 4
The Commission may nevertheless increase the amount of an EISF loan up to the amount of ISmax in case of particular severity of the large asymmetric shock experienced by the Member State concerned.
Amendment 381 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The maximum level of eligible public investment or national unemployment scheme that the EISF may support in a Member State (IS)Smax) shall be determined in accordance with the following formula:
Amendment 383 #
Amendment 388 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point b – introductory part
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point b – introductory part
(b) (Average public investment EU+ Average unemployment financing) / GDPEU means the ratio of eligible public investment and national unemployment scheme financing to GDP in the Union, in current prices and on average over a period of five full years before the request for EISF support in accordance with Article 6(1);
Amendment 428 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
1. The Stabilisation Support Fund is hereby established. It shall be filled in accordance with the rules on national compartment and contributions towards the Fund as laid down in the agreement.
Amendment 431 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) contributions from Member States in accordance with the agreement; , representing 10 % of the amount of monetary income allocated to the national central banks of the Eurosystem pursuant to Article 32 of Protocol No 4 on the Statute of the European System of Central Banks1a and the European Central Bank1a which in any case shall not be lower than EUR 1 billion; 1a OJ C 202, 7.6.2016, p. 230.
Amendment 436 #
2018/0212(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1
1. The resources of the Stabilisation Support Fund may only be used for the purpose of payment of interest rate subsidies to Member States referred to in Article 9 temporary support to a reinsurance unemployment scheme and as a Rainy Day Fund for national compartment defined in terms of size and funding mechanisms with a timeframe for possible payments and repayments, budgetary neutral over a longer cycle.
Amendment 231 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) In addition, after only two years there should be a comprehensive review of the Commission-proposed and agreed simplifications as regards programme applications and implementation. The aim of that review, involving the European Parliament and national and regional programme managers, should be to ensure that administrative burden is genuinely reduced.
Amendment 261 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 4 – Article 15 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Chapter 4 – Article 15 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. In addition, after only two years there shall be a comprehensive review of the Commission-proposed and agreed simplifications as regards programme applications and implementation. The aim of that review, involving the European Parliament and national and regional programme managers, shall be to ensure that administrative burden is genuinely reduced.
Amendment 14 #
2017/2226(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls its support for the creation of a euro anew instrument to build a securea fiscal capacityuture and prevent crises in order to cope with macroeconomic shocks and increase the competitiveness and stability of Member States’ economies, as stated in its resolution of 16 February 2017 on budgetary capacity for the euro area1; considers that the funding should come from Member States’' contributions, as part of the transfer of competences, and from own resources such as the financial transaction tax; _________________ 1 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2017)0050.balance-of-payments facilities for non-euro states and cohesion monies and should be boosted by European Stability Mechanism and European Investment Bank guarantees;
Amendment 1 #
2017/2044(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Stresses that international trade is a core tool for Union foreign policy which, if it is sufficiently funded and implemented by means of coherent strategies, contributes to sustainable development, particularly in developing countries;
Amendment 5 #
2017/2044(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the Union has an increasingly ambitious trade agenda, as outlined in the ‘Trade for all’ strategy; stresses that the funding for Aid for Trade initiatives should be increased and sufficient resources should be allocated to DG Trade of the Commission to enable it to carry out the increasing number of activitie and therefore sufficient resources should be allocated to DG Trade of the Commission to enable it to carry out the increasing number of activities; stresses that the funding for Aid for Trade represents a vital tool to develop structures and projects, in particular in LDCs; considers that such initiative and funding should be increased; furthermore asks the Commission to coordinate its implementation in order to maximise its effectiveness;
Amendment 8 #
2017/2044(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the citizens of the Union are increasingly asking to befor more involved and engaged withment in Union trade policy and that the Commission has made this citizens’ interest a priority; considersstresses in this regard that it is crucial that enough resources are allocated in order to actively involve citizens in Union trade policy- making; calls on Member States to take a more active role in explaining the added value of Union trade policy, since it is them who formulate the negotiating mandates;
Amendment 11 #
2017/2044(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that international trade is a core tool for Union foreign policy which, if it is sufficiently funded and implemented by means of coherent political, economic, trade and development strategies, contributes to sustainable development, particularly in developing countries; thus enabling the Union to play an active role in tackling migration causes;
Amendment 15 #
2017/2044(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Emphasises that the trade-related technical support and economic assistance provided by the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) to Union’s close partners in the East border andern Partnership as well as to the post-Arab-Spring countries make an important contribution to stability in those regions;
Amendment 21 #
2017/2044(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Asks the Commission to assess the existing tools aimed at promoting SME internationalisation regarding their coherence with other Union SME support instruments such as COSME as well as regarding subsidiarity, non-duplication and complementarity in relation to Member State programmes; calls on the Commission to make timely proposals for the midterm review of those programmes to improve their efficiency and effectiveness;
Amendment 1 #
2017/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges that EU-Cuban relations, especially in the area of bilateral trade, take a new start with the signing of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA), which by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and the Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla; notes that the PDCA as the first ever agreement between the EU and Cuba constitutes the new legal framework for these relations, comprising a chapter on trade and trade cooperation; underlines that the agreement can provide new possibilities and commitments for both signatories;
Amendment 6 #
2017/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that the PDCA is not yet being applied provisionally; supports the longstanding practice of not applying the trade and investment provisions of politically important agreements provisionally before the European Parliament has granted its consent; calls for this practice to be continued and extended to include all international agreements related to EU External Action; on the Council, the Commission and the EEAS to continue and extend this practice to all international agreements related to the EU's External Action when trade aspects are concerned as it is the case with the PDCA; strongly encourages the negotiators under Paragraph 40 of the Inter-Institutional Agreement on Better Law Making to agree on this best general practice of refraining from provisional application until Parliament has granted its consent to international agreements and seek the full respect of Parliament's rights and prerogatives throughout the whole life-cycle of international agreements as regards inter-institutional cooperation and information sharing;
Amendment 10 #
2017/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Points out that there are inconsistencies between the Cuban Constitution and the principles established in the Article 1 of the PDCA;
Amendment 11 #
2017/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. PNotes that the EU is Cuba's main export and second trade partner as well as the biggest foreign investor; points out that the EU foreign trade policy does not provide any trade preferences for Cuba, and that Cuba was removed from the list of countries benefiting from the EU’s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP)EU tariff rates apply as notified by the World Trade Organisation (WTO); notes furthermore that Cuba was removed from the list of GSP beneficiaries given that not all eligibility criteria were fulfilled any longer, thus having a considerable impact on its exports;
Amendment 17 #
2017/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. To explore future possibilities to integrate Cuba to the EU-CARIFORUM- EPA, which contains a lot of specific and useful trade cooperation chapters and would offer Cuba the possibility of further regional integration;
Amendment 18 #
2017/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Takes note that Cuba is a member of the WTO and therefor emphasises that basic principles of the World Trade Organization must be respected. (Such as trade facilitation, agreements on trade barriers, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, trade defence instruments);
Amendment 26 #
2017/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the need to modernise the Cuban economic system with regard to trade liberalisation, foreign direct investment, diversification of exports, economic and financial investments, technological innovation and overall market freedoms, enabling the country to overcome the limitations in the provision of goods and services as well as bringing a progressive move towards free social spaces, coexistence, technology and communication that the Cuban population appreciate and demand; emphasises the importance of the cuentapropistas, and of private initiatives, for the Cuban economy and agricultural sector;
Amendment 34 #
2017/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Takes note of the measures that the Cuban authorities have adopted in recent months to encourage free enterprise and economic liberalisation in general; while emphasising that the development of strong foreign investment to improve the physical and technological infrastructure of the country and build a competitive Cuban production system will require many other economic and financial measures with regulations that give legal certainty and economic stability to the country;
Amendment 40 #
2017/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Emphasises the growing importance of Foreign Direct Investments, especially in the area of sustainable energy production, for the Cuban economy and economical changes; underlines moreover the importance of the "Cuentapropistas" who have proven the importance of private engagement in all sectors of local economy in Cuba; recalls at the same time the difficulties for European small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to sustain solid financing of projects because of the US- embargo and the 51 % rule of the shares of joint ventures by the Cuban government; calls for strategies that foster European private-sector contribution in Cuba to develop local SMEs;
Amendment 45 #
2017/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Strongly calls on Cuba to ratify and comply with the regulations of the International Labour Organization (ILO), and to proscribe all forms of labour exploitation, in particular wage confiscation; is highly concerned about the current situation of workers in Cuba and the breach of WTO and ILO conventions; in particular wage confiscation, being a widespread and systematic practice of the Cuban State for instance in the field of foreign investment; is highly concerned about the current situation of workers in Cuba and the breach of WTO and ILO- conventions, especially in the area of tourism industry; notes with concern the current practice by which Cuban workers can only be employed through Cuban state-owned working agencies entailing a number of negative consequences for workers and foreign companies;
Amendment 49 #
2017/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Recalls the Multi-annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Cuba 2014-2020 and its importance for the process of reforms as well as sustainable economic and social development; highlights that also all parts of the rural society in Cuba should benefit from the earmarked 50 Million EU funds for the agricultural sector given that the Cuban agricultural productivity still remains low;
Amendment 52 #
2017/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the ongoing hHuman rRights dDialogue in the frame of the PDCA, but deplores the insufficient inclusion of civil society; calls on Cuba to ensure the establishment of a transparent and binding roadmap on human, environmental and labour rights, which should be aimed essentially at safeguarding human rights, enhancing and improving trade unionists’' rights and protecting the environment; calls for immediate tangible improvementsenvironment; suggests that the roadmap particularly takes into account clear and verifiable steps to strengthen social dialogue at regional and local level as well as on the part of enterprises, the effective enforcement and implementation of legislation and policy measures guaranteeing the freedom of association and the right to bargain collectively without loopholes and the conduction of strict labour inspections which lead to penalties in the case of discrimination, non-justified dismissals, intimidation or threats against workers; calls for immediate tangible improvements at least with regard to some targets of this roadmap, in particular regarding human and labour rights, to facilitate the European Parliament’'s consent.;
Amendment 57 #
2017/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls also on European companies operating in Cuba to apply the same labour and ethical standards required in their countries of origin, especially those that receive credits or any financial assistance of public origin;
Amendment 4 #
2016/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that, with around EUR 200 billion of annual military spending, European countries are unable to avert the deterioration of their security environment and to weigh on global affairs because of fragmented defence policies that create inefficiencies and hinder their force projection; believes that a more integrated framework for defence could result in significant savings, additional capabilities and more sustained investment; recalls that, according to ‘cost of non-Europe’ estimates, annual efficiency gains in this area could range between EUR 26 billion in the less optimistic scenarios and EUR 130 billion; stresses that the funding of the first preparatory action should be integrated in the European Budget and not remain in an unclear intergovernmental frame; calls on the Member states to agree with Commission and EP on the future financial frame of defence added to the existing European Budget;
Amendment 16 #
2016/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that common funding has a key role to play in incentivising the use of mechanisms whose potential remains largely untapped, such as permanent structured cooperation and EU Battlegroups; calls, therefore, for the Athena mechanism to be expanded and for consideration to be given to alternative funding for military expenditure in order to do away with the ‘costs lie where they fall’ principle; stresses that, in this context, the EU budget should be able to fund the administrative costs of establishing strategic structures, such as joint operational headquarters, as well as to prepare, organize and deliver defence research, technology and developments activities; calls also for more ambitious civilian missions that are better integrated in the policy cycle and in the range of available instruments;
Amendment 31 #
2016/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that the time is ripe for unfreezing the budget of the European Defence Agency, and is convinced that more should be done to close the investment gap in defence capabilities, including via EU innovative financing as a preparatory action for defence research; endorses, finally, the proposal for a ‘European Semester’ on defence, whereby Member States would coordinate their defence spending plans in an open process involving the European Parliament and the national parliaments.
Amendment 5 #
2016/2047(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that adequate appropriations should be allocated to the trade-related budget lines to enable the Commission to pursue its ambitious trade agenda as outlined in the "Trade for all" strategy, which implies also a re-allocation of adequate resources in order to enableallow for better monitoring of and appropriate public communication and dissemination of information about trade agreements;
Amendment 18 #
2016/2047(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) should be allocated sufficient budgetary resources so that adequate trade-related technical suptrade-related technical support and assistance provided by the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) to our close partners in the Eastern Partnership as well as to the post-Arab- Spring countries make an import and assistance can be made available to our close partners, especially those in the Eastern Partnership as well as the post-Arab-Spring countriest contribution to stability in the region; is therefore concerned by the proposed funding cuts to the Mediterranean axis as well as the assistance to Palestine and UNWRA;
Amendment 20 #
2016/2047(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Deplores the proposed significant cuts to macro-financial assistance compared to the exceptionally high level in 2016, given that many partner countries continue to face severe economic difficulties; believes that a higher funding level than proposed will be required to ensure that all future requests for loans can be accommodated;
Amendment 21 #
2016/2047(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is concerned about the increasing recourse to guarantees and financial instruments outside the Union budget to respond to multiple crises, financed in part from the Union budget through cuts of programmes under Heading IV; points to the failure of Member States to match the Union contributions to the two Trust Funds which limits their potential impact; insists that such funding instruments must remain an exception and should eventually be included in the Union budget to allow for proper democratic control;
Amendment 24 #
2016/2047(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Welcomes the announcement by the Commission that it will present a proposal for an External Investment Plan as part of the New Migration Partnership Framework in autumn 2016; believes that the External Investment Plan will offer new investment opportunities for European business in developing third countries and contribute to the sustainable political and economic stabilisation of the European Neighbourhood; deplores that the forthcoming proposals are not reflected in the draft general budget 2017; stresses that the creation of the new fund should not go to the detriment of the already under-funded programmes in Heading IV but make use of the funds as well as the expertise and the management capacities of the European Investment Bank;
Amendment 25 #
2016/2047(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to assess and improveNotes the proposed increase in commitment appropriations and the significant reinforcement in payment appropriations for the Partnership Instrument; is concerned that individual trade promotion projects implemented under this instrument are not complementary to existing local and regional programmes but pose unfair competition to them; asks the Commission to assess the existing tools aimed at promoting SME internationalisation regarding their coherence with other European SME support instruments such as COSME as well as regarding subsidiarity, non-duplication and complementarity in relation to respective Member State programmes; calls on the Commission to make timely proposals for the midterm review of these programmes with a view to improving their efficiency and effectiveness;
Amendment 47 #
2016/2019(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 55 #
2016/2019(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Believes that mobile workspaces for Members and support in constituencies should be based on needs and use assessment; insists that no hardware should be provided as the GEA provides sufficient resources for the purchase of state-of-the-art devices; questions the need for developing a private mobile work space for Members as this does not seem to correspond to the way Members and their offices organise themselves;
Amendment 75 #
2016/2019(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Reiterates its call to the Bureau on the defConfirms its position on the general expenditure allowance taken in its budgetary resolutions of more precise rules regarding the accountability of the expenditure authorised under the general expenditure allowance, which could include cost effective measures such as Members publishing their spending records, as already practiced by a growing number of Members, and could be accompanied by a simplified system for re-paying the unu29 April 2015 and 28 October 2015; reiterates the appeal for greater transparency regarding the general expenditure allowance for the Members; calls on the Bureau to work on a definition of more precise rules regarding the accountability of the expenditure authorised funds; reiterates that this should not requireer this allowance, without generating additional staff forcosts to Parliament's administration;
Amendment 81 #
2016/2019(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. DeplorNotes that the Bureau has not concluded yet its deliberations on Parliament's mid-term strategy for buildings; reiterates, therefore, once again its call for the new mid-term building strategy to be presented to the Committee on Budgets in time for the preparation of Parliament's reading on the 2017 budget;
Amendment 84 #
2016/2019(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Deems that the authorisCalls for more information ofn the study on the renovation of the Paul Henri Spaak (PHS) building should be conditional upon further clarifications, including concerning what different renovation and use options are to be studiedatus quo of the project to renovate the PHS building; requests that the a study on the renovation is launched and examined by the Bureau; expects the Bureau to take into consideration the need for healthy and safe working conditions when setting up the renovation timeframe; asks that the Bureau informs the Committee on Budgets on all steps as soon as available; invites, in this context, the Bureau to lay the groundwork for transforming the PHS building into an exemplary state-of- the-art building in terms of energy efficiency and to promptly proceed with the modernization of the building;
Amendment 6 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the 2017 budget will have to face a context of fragile economic recovery jeopardised by the situation in emerging marketsglobal markets turmoil and geopolitical tensions;
Amendment 13 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the 2017 budget will be impacted by the increased terrorist threats and the implementation of the shared agenda between the Union and Member States aimed at achieving an EU area of freedom, security and justice;
Amendment 25 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the Union budget has proven to be a crucial resource in tackling recent crises and responding to needs that had not been anticipated during the negotiation of the MFF 2014-2020, such as the migration and refugee crisis or, current terrorist threats and geopolitical tensions in the European neighbourhood producing a number of serious emergencies, while in the Union a continuous lowering of investment levels has led to an investment gap;
Amendment 68 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets that the Union budget has in recent years been a collateral victim of Member States’ fiscal consolidation efforWelcomes the fiscal and budgetary efforts of Member States such as Ireland, Spain and the Baltic States aimed at consolidating their national debts aimend at complying with their obligations under the Stability and Growth Pact, which have led them to consider their contribution to the Union budget as a burden and to treat it as an adjustment variabboosting growth and competitiveness; calls for a sharing of best practices among Member States in order to achieve full recovery from the economic crisis and to remedy to the structural insufficiencies in the Member States' legislations and administrations; reiterates the added value of the Union budget in terms of synergies and economies of scale;
Amendment 83 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Stresses the importance of budgetary instruments such as the Internal Security Fund in order to address the most crucial security challenges, strengthen cross- border operational cooperation and ensure preventive measures aimed at tackling the root causes of extremism given the serious terrorist threats;
Amendment 95 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Reiterates that the Union's future is connected to its power to innovate in key strategic sectors such as aeronautics, energy, space and the digital economy in order to achieve European competitiveness in the global economy; calls for an enhanced funding of EU policies and programmes that support the development of an innovation-friendly environment for businesses and contribute to the success of Europe 2020;
Amendment 127 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Notes the increases of staff and appropriations for the Justice and Home Affairs Agencies in the 2015 and 2016 budgets; underlines, nevertheless, that additional means are necessary in order to enable those agencies to cope with the huge increases of their tasks regarding migration and security policies;
Amendment 129 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11 b. Stresses the importance of an enhanced financing for resettlement schemes, relocation procedures and return operations notably within the AMIF in order to achieve an effective European asylum and migration policy, preventing and reducing irregular migration; underlines the need to create possibilities within the EU budget in order to develop resettlement areas and safe zones on the African Continent and in the Middle East, in cooperation with the African Union, the Arab League and UNHCR;
Amendment 130 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes the setting-up of the Union Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis and of the Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing the root causes of irregular migration and displacement of people in Africa; urges the Member States to stand by their promises and match the EU contributeion to these funds, amounting to 2.3 billion euros; underlines that the Member States have reconfirmed their commitment, at the informal meeting of EU Heads of State or Government held to discuss migration on 23 September 2015, the European Council of 15 October 2015, and the Valletta summit of 11-12 November 2015; stresses, however, that further financial efforts will be needed to provide humanitarian assistance along the transit routes and to manage the challenges posed by increasing numbers of refugees; reminds that the above funds were created in response to the lack of flexibility and funding in the EU budget; insists that the actions undertaken to tackle the migration and refugee problem should not come at the cost of the EU´s development policies in other areas;
Amendment 135 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes the setting-up of the Union Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis and of the Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing the root causes of irregular migration and displacement of people in Africa; urges the Member States to stand by their promises and match the EU contributeion to these funds, amounting to 2.3 billion euros; underlines that the Member States have reconfirmed their commitment, at the informal meeting of EU Heads of State or Government held to discuss migration on 23 September 2015, the European Council of 15 October 2015, and the Valletta summit of 11-12 November 2015; stresses, however, that further financial efforts will be needed to provide humanitarian assistance along the transit routes and to manage the challenges posed by increasing numbers of refugees; reminds that the above funds were created in response to the lack of flexibility and funding in the EU budget; insists that the actions undertaken to tackle the migration and refugee problem should not come at the cost of the EU´s development policies in other areas;
Amendment 137 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the principle and objectives of the EUR 3 billion Refugee Facility for Turkey, and calls on each Member State to take on its share, but raises the question of how the Union contribution should be made available within the respective ceilings of the Union budget for 2016 and 2017; deplores the fact that Parliament was not properly involved in either the setting- up of the facility or the mobilisation of the Union’s contribution, as shown by the Commission’s announcement of its intention to finance the Union contribution by redeployment from the recently adopted Union budget for 2016 and by pre-empting the margins of the 2017 budget; considers these actions to be clear infringements of Parliament’s rights as an arm of the budgetary authority; threatens to withhold its approval of the transfer of funds from the EU budget to the Refugee Facility if the Member States do not deliver on their commitment regarding their contributions to the Regional Trust Fund for Syria and the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa;
Amendment 143 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the principle and objectives of the EUR 3 billion Refugee Facility for Turkey, and calls on each Member State to take on its share, but raises the question of how the Union contribution should be made available within the respective ceilings of the Union budget for 2016 and 2017; deplores the fact that Parliament was not properly involved in either the setting- up of the facility or the mobilisation of the Union’s contribution, as shown by the Commission’s announcement of its intention to finance the Union contribution by redeployment from the recently adopted Union budget for 2016 and by pre-empting the margins of the 2017 budget; considers these actions to be clear infringements of Parliament’s rights as an arm of the budgetary authority; threatens to withhold its approval of the transfer of funds from the EU budget to the Refugee Facility if the Member States do not deliver on their commitment regarding their contributions to the Regional Trust Fund for Syria and the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa;
Amendment 156 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Highlights that the implementation of the European Structural and Investment Funds is expected to reach cruising speed in 2017, and warns against an underbudgeting of payment appropriations to match this increased absorption level; expresses its concern at the late adoption of the Operational Programmes and at the risk of the build-up of a new backlog of unpaid bills over the second half of the MFF; encourages the Commission to work actively withurge the Member States and urge them to make every effort to ensure the swift designation of programme authorities, the absence of which has been the main cause of the current delays, and to collaborate closely with Member States, in particular regarding the adjustment, as appropriate, of Operational Programmes to allow for a better use of the European Structural and Investment Funds to address domestic challenges linked to the refugee crisis;
Amendment 157 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Highlights that the implementation of the European Structural and Investment Funds is expected to reach cruising speed in 2017, and warns against an underbudgeting of payment appropriations to match this increased absorption level; expresses its concern at the late adoption of the Operational Programmes and at the risk of the build-up of a new backlog of unpaid bills over the second half of the MFF; encourages the Commission to work actively with the Member States and urge themurge the Member to make every effort to ensure the swift designation of programme authorities, the absence of which has been the main cause of the current delays, and to collaborate closely with the member States, in particular regarding the adjustment, as appropriate, of Operational Programmes to allow for a better use of the European Structural and Investment Funds to address domestic challenges linked to the refugee crisis;
Amendment 172 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the Commission’s efforts in developing the ‘EU Budget Focused on Results’ strategy; stresses that particular attention should be paid to the performance of financial instruments under the Union funding programmes; emphasises, in particular, the need to increase the impact of EU external spending; calls on the Commission to draw up proposals as to how the synergies between the EU external funding instruments can be enhanced and their strategic approach made more coherent; believes, furthermore, that, apart from the Union institutions, considerable responsibility also lies with the Member States, given the fact that 80 % of the budget is under ‘shared management’; calls on the Member States, therefore, to do their utmost to guarantee sound financial management and the reduction of errors, and to avoid any delays in the implementation of programmes under their responsibility;
Amendment 175 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the Commission’s efforts in developing the ‘EU Budget Focused on Results’ strategy; stresses that particular attention should be paid to the performance of financial instruments under the Union funding programmes; emphasis, in particular, the need to increase the impact of EU external spending; calls on the Commission to draw up proposals as to how the synergies between the EU external funding instruments can be enhanced and their strategic approach made more coherent; believes, furthermore, that, apart from the Union institutions, considerable responsibility also lies with the Member States, given the fact that 80 % of the budget is under ‘shared management’; calls on the Member States, therefore, to do their utmost to guarantee sound financial management and the reduction of errors, and to avoid any delays in the implementation of programmes under their responsibility;
Amendment 185 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Recalls that the final agreement on the MFF 2014-2020, as signed in December 2013, included a proposal for a compulsory review of the MFF 2014-2020, accompanied by a legislative proposal for revision of the MFF by the end of 2016; stresses that the purpose of the review/revision is to provide the Union withassess the qualitative and quantitative functioning of the MFF and to address systemic shortcomings of the Union budget, in particular regarding the provision of sufficient resources to address internal and external crises; stresses that the Council should live up to the expectations raised by its own statements and decisions; underlines in this respect that the Council should take on responsibility for ensuring the financing of new tasks, either by clearly identifying the policy areas which would no longer be among the Union’s priorities or by agreeing to an upward revision of the MFF ceilings;
Amendment 188 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Recalls that the final agreement on the MFF 2014-2020, as signed in December 2013, included a proposal for a compulsory review of the MFF 2014-2020, accompanied by a legislative proposal for revision of the MFF by the end of 2016; stresses that the purpose of the review/revision is to provide the Union withassess the qualitative and quantitative functioning of the MFF and to address systemic shortcomings of the Union budget, in particular regarding the provision of sufficient resources to address internal and external crises; stresses that the Council should live up to the expectations raised by its own statements and decisions; underlines in this respect that the Council should take on responsibility for ensuring the financing of new tasks, either by clearly identifying the policy areas which would no longer be among the Union’s priorities or by agreeing to an upward revision of the MFF ceilings;
Amendment 191 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Reiterates its position in favour of an in-depth reform of the system of Union own resources, and gives the highest political importance to the work of the High Level Group on Own Resources created as part of the MFF 2014-2020 agreement; expects the Commission and the Council to take on board the final outcome, which is expected by the end of 2016, including any new candidate for own resources; recalls that the leading idea behind the own resources reform is to make the Union budget more stablerevenue side of the Union budget simpler, fairer, more sustainable, more predictable, and more autonomous, while also alleviating the burden of excessive spending from national budgets and improving transparency for the citizens;
Amendment 199 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Reiterates its position in favour of an in-depth reform of the system of Union own resources, and gives the highest political importance to the work of the High Level Group on Own Resources created as part of the MFF 2014-2020 agreement; expects the Commission and the Council to take on board the final outcome, which is expected by the end of 2016, including any new candidate for own resources; recalls that the leading idea behind the own resources reform is to make the Union budget more stablerevenue side of the Union budget, simpler, fairer, more sustainable, more predictable, and more autonomous, while also alleviating the burden of excessive spending from national budgets and improving transparency for the citizens;
Amendment 2 #
2015/2353(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls for adequate financing in order to implement the Commission’s ambitious trade policy agendaUnderlines that the EU's trade policy, by promoting open markets in a spirit of reciprocity to foster economic growth, employment and development, contributinges to the stability and prosperity of both the EU and third countries; calls for adequate financing to allow the Commission to implement its ambitious agenda outlined in its 'Trade for All' strategy;
Amendment 13 #
2015/2353(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. CStresses that the vital role of SMEs for the EU economy should be reflected in a comprehensive and consistent strategy which provides European SMEs with a business-friendly environment and fosters their international trade and investment opportunities; in this context, calls on the Commission to assess and improve the various initiatives under the Partnership Instrument supporting SME internationalisation regarding their effectiveness and efficiency, in relation to private and Member State initiatives as well as other EU funding instruments supporting SMEs such as COSME, with a view to ensuring complementarity and European added-value;
Amendment 25 #
2015/2353(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers the European Guarantee Fund for External Actions to be an efficient and effective mechanism for provisioning for risks related to EU lending operations in third countries; urges that more lending be made available to support SMEs and the development of social and economic infrastructure in the regions most affected by the migration and refugee crisis to help tackle migration;
Amendment 32 #
2015/2353(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that available commitment appropriations should be fully used; recalls that the level of outstanding commitments (RALs) under Heading IV, following a steady increase since 2010, reached an unprecedented level in 2015; notes that the situation was solved via a considerable reinforcement of payments; calls for a sufficient level of payments in relation to commitments under Heading IV to prevent the re-building of an unsustainable level of RALs in the future; emphasises that any loss of available commitment appropriations should be effectively prevented given the very tight MFF ceilings; asks, therefore, for commitment appropriations which are cancelled due to partial or non- implementation to be made available again in the EU budget for purposes decided by the European Parliament and the Council in the framework of the budgetary procedure;
Amendment 36 #
2015/2353(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls for sufficient resources under Heading 5 in order to conduct ex-ante, interim and ex-post assessments of trade agreements and ensure that the obligations of the EU and its trading partners are fully implemented and enforced.
Amendment 48 #
2015/2353(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that the above-mentioned budgetary decisions have completely exhausted the small margin available under this heading and have led to a de facto revision of the ceilings of Heading 3; furthermore draws attention to the new Commission proposals which are expected to have an impact on the EU budget, notably the proposal for the establishment of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, with an overall budget of EUR 1 212 million for the remainder of the MFF perioda recast of the 'Dublin III' Regulation, with a total budgetary impact of EUR 1 829 million for the remainder of the MFF period, the proposal for the establishment of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, with an overall budget of EUR 1 212 million for the remainder of the MFF period, the proposal for an amending 'EASO' Regulation, with a budgetary implication amounting to EUR 364 million, the proposal for a recast of the 'Eurodac' Regulation, with an estimated cost of EUR 30 million, and the new emergency support mechanism, with an estimated impact of minimum EUR 700 million in the period 2016 to 2018; stresses that the situation is so critical that the additional appropriations authorised for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in November 2015 had to be reduced in March 2016 so as to finance even more pressing needs, such as the need to provide humanitarian aid in the EU, addressed by the above- mentioned new emergency support mechanism;
Amendment 49 #
2015/2353(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Believes that the solution of the European migration and refugee crisis requires a European approach based on solidarity and fair burden-sharing; stresses, in this context, that the EU budget should support member states to alleviate the burden of the costs related to the reception of the refugee as this will relieve the pressure on the budgets of those member states facing a particularly high influx of refugees; emphasizes that this approach will create synergies, and is furthermore efficient and cost effective for all Member States;
Amendment 56 #
2015/2353(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Concludes that the activities planned by the Commission to cope with the migrant and refugee crisis could not have been foreseen at the time of the conclusion of the MFF 2014-2020; highlights the fact that owing to the lack of sufficient resources the EU has had to set up ad hoc, ‘satellite’ instruments such as EU trust funds and the Refugee Facility for Turkey; stresses, however, that Member States have not yet delivered on their without an overall budgetary strategy to address the migrant and refugee crisis, which has led to the European Parliament being side-lined as regards the decision on the use of EU budget funds; deplores that Member States have as yet failed by far to deliver the expected contribution pledges to the trust funds, i.e. amounting to the same level as the contributions from the EU, thus undermining the success of those funds;
Amendment 76 #
2015/2353(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recalls that, in order to secure this additional funding, the financial allocation for two significant EU programmes, Horizon 2020 and the Connecting European Facility (CEF), has had to bewere finally reduced by EUR 2.2 billion and EUR 2.8 billion respectively, while the remaining EUR 3 billion are covered by unallocated MFF margins; stresses Parliament’s commitment during the EFSI negotiations to reduce as much as possible the impact on these two programmes, whose financial envelopes were decided only in 2013 and which are key for supporting research, innovation and competitiveness and thus for future growth and the long-term prosperity of the Union;
Amendment 94 #
2015/2353(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Underlines that the EU budget makes a significant contribution to the fight against unemployment, especially through the European Social Fund and the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI); stresses that despite the initial delays in the designation of national authorities and the implementation of the YEI, the current figures indicate full absorption capacity; notes that an evaluation of this initiative will soon be concluded, and expects that the necessary adjustments will be introduced to ensure its successful implementation; the full absorption capacity indicated by the current figures has been achieved in part through a significant increase in the pre-financing rate of this programme; points to the indication of the Commission that the designation of implementing authorities has constituted a key challenge for the financial flows of the programme; notes that an evaluation of this initiative will soon be concluded, and expects that the necessary adjustments, in particular with regard to the setting-up appropriate administrative structures, will be introduced to ensure its successful implementation; considers the legislative proposal for a Structural Reform Support Programme1a to be a valuable initiative to address the issue of insufficient administrative capacity; __________________ 1aProposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of the Structural Reform Support Programme for the period 2017 to 2020 and amending Regulations (EU) No 1303/2013 and (EU) No 1305/2013 COM(2015) 701 final – 2015/0263 (COD)
Amendment 107 #
2015/2353(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Recalls the recent terrorist attacks in France and Belgium and the increased threat levels in other Member States, which call for more coordinated and reinforced action at EU level; underlines that the Union already has the Internal Security Fund as an appropriate instrument and has several agencies operating in this field facing increased pressure; considers that more European action, and therefore funding, will be needed in this area to provide an adequate response to this threat; recalls furthermore the limited reinforcement of staffing levels of the European Counter- Terrorism Centre in Europol financed by redeployment from the Internal Security Fund; stresses that increased cooperation in the area, in line with the actions currently proposed by the Commission on the table, as well as a fully operational European Counter-Terrorism Centre, Internet Referral Unit, EC3 and joint investigation teams will require increased levels of staffing for the concerned agencies, which may further increase pressure on the EU budget;
Amendment 113 #
2015/2353(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 19 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Stresses that given the current actions and legislative proposals aimed at increasing judicial cooperation, additional financial and human resources will be progressively required for Eurojust which will impact the Union budget;
Amendment 151 #
2015/2353(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Notes, in particular, that the special instruments were mobilised to tackle the refugee and migration crisis (full amount of the Flexibility Instrument exhausted in 2016 - EUR 1 530 million; Emergency Aid Reserve in 2016 - EUR 150 million), the payments shortage problem (Contingency Margin activated in 2015 - EUR 3.16 billion), and the financing of the EFSI Guarantee Fund (full use of Global Margin for Commitments 2014 - EUR 543 million); recalls that the decision to mobilise the Contingency Margin in payments is coupled with a decrease in the already tight payment ceilings for the years 2018 to 2020, which will put additional pressure on the budget towards the end of the period;
Amendment 153 #
2015/2353(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Anticipates that any further needs that arise with relation to the migration and refugee crisis in 2016, including the tranche of EUR 200 million for the new instrument to provide emergency support within the Union, the necessary staff increases for the migration-related agencies required in order to tackle the on-going refugee and migration crisis and implement the measures reforming the Common European Asylum System, as well as the proposal for the establishment of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, should result in the mobilisation of the Contingency Margin as soon as necessary; recalls that no more margins are available under Heading 3, while the Flexibility Instrument has already been used up in its entirety for this year;
Amendment 164 #
2015/2353(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Insists that the amounts for direct payments in Heading 2 should be left untouched; points out that this is crucial for the income situation of many farmers, particular in times of crises, and that the absorption rate per year is almost 100%;
Amendment 174 #
2015/2353(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Is convinced that, while fully confirming the notion of large-scale political and financial support for EFSI, the EU budget should not be financing new initiatives to the detriment of existing Union programmes and policies; intends to deliver on its commitment to fully offset the EFSI-related cuts affecting Horizon 2020 and CEF while maintaining the funding level of the other programmes in Subheading 1a, in order to allow them to accomplish their objectives as agreed only two years ago;
Amendment 180 #
2015/2353(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Insists that the current amount in Heading 2 as foreseen in the current MFF remains at least at the same level; refers in this respect to Art.2 of the MFF regulation, which clearly states that allocated national envelopes may not be reduced by the midterm revision; considers furthermore that other Union policies must have the necessary financial means to allow the Union to honour its legal obligations in accordance with the corresponding sectoral legislation;
Amendment 205 #
2015/2353(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Expects that concerted action to effectively respond to the external dimension of the migration and refugee crisis will intensify, notably the political stabilisation of the European neighbourhood and Sub- Saharan Africa and the tackling of humanitarian and economic causes of migration, will require a substantial reform of the European Neighbourhood and development policy as well as humanitarian assistance over the coming years, and will be accompanied by increased requests for funding under Heading 4 (Global Europe); underlines that such requests for additional funding should not be deployed to the detriment of the EU’s existing external action, including its development policy; calls, therefore, for a significant reinforcement of appropriations under this heading;
Amendment 230 #
2015/2353(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Is convinced that decommitments across all headings, resulting from total or partial non-implementation of the actions for which they were earmarked, should be made available again in the EU budget and be mobilised by the budgetary authority in the framework of the annual budgetary procedure; strongly believes that, given the current constraints affecting the EU budget and the additional financing needs that the Union is facing, such provision should also apply to decommitments resulting from the implementation of the 2007-2013 programmes, including the closure of cohesion policy programmes; calls on the Commission to make appropriate legislative proposals in this regard;
Amendment 265 #
2015/2353(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 43 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Expects targeted actions aimed at optimising and simplifying the rules of procedure applicable to the use of EU programs, required in order to decrease considerably the administrative burden for beneficiaries; stresses furthermore, the necessity for a strict application and interpretation of the principle of subsidiarity, in order to achieve better efficiency of EU intervention and transition from a system of mistrust of EU institutions to a system of confidence and transparency for Member States and their citizens;
Amendment 284 #
2015/2353(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Recalls that according to Article 25 of the MFF regulation, the Commission shall present a proposal for a new multiannual financial framework before 1 January 2018; stresses, therefore, that a number of key elements for the next MFF should already be debated in the framework of the upcoming review/revision to set the stage for the negotiations and to allow for good progress and a timely conclusion;
Amendment 294 #
2015/2353(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Underlines that an essential element of the difficulties in agreeing on a multiannual financial framework between Member States is their primary focus on net balances; reiterates its position that the Union budget is not a simple zero-sum game but, rather, an important trigger for convergence and the expression of common policies which create collective added value; urges the Member States, therefore, to change their perception of and approach to the Union budget, that is to establish the size of the budget based on a thorough assessment of the financial needs deriving from the Union's legal obligations, its political objectives set out in its programmes and policies as well as international commitments, in order to ensure that the outcome is not another stalemate that will only further disconnect the Union from its citizens;
Amendment 355 #
2015/2353(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 a (new)
Paragraph 61 a (new)
61a. Recalls that the Treaty does not assign the European Council the right to exercise legislative functions; reiterates, in this context, its strong objection to the European Council's interference in legislation during the last MFF negotiations; demands from the European Council that it limits itself to its tasks defined by the Treaty and to refrain from pre-empting policy changes which are to be decided under the ordinary legislative procedure, thereby respecting Parliament's legislative prerogatives under co-decision;
Amendment 16 #
2015/2345(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that NGOs receiving EU funding do not engage in activities running counter to EU interests such as advocacy against EU policy through the deliberate dissemination of incorrect information;
Amendment 18 #
2015/2345(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Advises strongly againsIs of the opinion that co- funding requirements above 20% which would bring an increased risk of instrumentalisation and damage the important advocacy and advisory role that NGOs play in EU policy- according to which the EU grant may not finance the entire costs of an action implemented by NGO - increase ownership, and enhance responsibility and accountability. Agrees, therefore, with the principle that the beneficiary needs to raise a share of the required funds – typically at least 10% – from other sources;
Amendment 20 #
2015/2345(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Points to the huge range of NGOs in terms of size and activity area; believes that operating grants should be proportionate to the other financial resources available to the NGO in order to ensure a level-playing field and to avoid instrumentalisation and damage of both the important advocacy and advisory role of NGOs and the efficient use of EU funds;
Amendment 30 #
2015/2345(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Suggests that the Commission investigate the possibility of accounting for volunteer hours and donations in kusing simplified cost options when accountindg for small NGOpersonnel costs.
Amendment 6 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2
Citation 2
– having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), in particular Articles 122, 136, 175, 310, 311, 329 and 352 thereof,
Amendment 11 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
– having regard to the Report on Economic and Monetary Union in the European Community (Delors report, 1989),
Amendment 22 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
Citation 12 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 16 December 1998 on the adjustment mechanism in cases of asymmetric shocks,
Amendment 26 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
Citation 17 a (new)
– having regard to the rapporteurs’ study visits to Berlin, Paris and Rome and to the meetings held with national parliaments, Finance Ministers and sherpas,
Amendment 35 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Treaty on European Union establishes the creation of the single market, whose currency is the euro; whereas the European Monetary Union currently consists of 19 members, two of whomhat have adopt-out clauses, the remaining seven EU Member Statesed the euro as their currency, seven that havinge yet to join and two that have opt-out clauses; whereas no financial liability will be incurred by the two countries with opt-outs from EMU in the framework of any fiscal capacity for the euro area;
Amendment 44 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the European Monetary Union established under the Maastricht Treaty was not complemented by a genuine European Economic Union; whereas this has created a situation of incompleteness of the EMU where too much has been done to take the blame but not enough to take the credit;
Amendment 50 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas repetitive currency devaluations brought trade wars and economic instability in the past, jeopardizing the European Economic Community and its successor, the single market;
Amendment 62 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas it became apparent during the sovereign debt crisis that the EMU framework did not provide the euro area with the instruments to deal effectively with shocks;
Amendment 65 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas keeping the Balance of Payments Facility for non-euro Member States while depriving euro area Member States of this instrument as a consequence of the no-bail-out clause reflects one of the original flaws of EMU; whereas the creation of the EFSM, followed by the EFSF and the ESM, was a first step to correct it in urgency;
Amendment 68 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
Amendment 148 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Recalls that the Delors Report (1989) already stressed that a monetary union without a sufficient degree of convergence of economic policies is unlikely to be durable and could be damaging to the Community, and recommended to set up a financial assistance mechanism to provide support to countries experiencing temporary difficulties;
Amendment 150 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Recalls that the EU budget was not reconsidered following the creation of the Economic and Monetary Union and the adoption of the euro to take account of the major impact of the associated changes on the functioning of the EU and its internal market;
Amendment 169 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the introduction of the euro as a common currency has eliminated tried and tested policy options for counterbalancing asymmetric shocks such as exchange rate fluctuation; reminds, however, that in addition to these policy options, sovereign bond issuances on international capital markets were also possible before the introduction of the euro; reiterates that the relinquishing of autonomy over monetary policy therefore requires alternative adjustment mechanisms to cope with asymmetric macroeconomic shocks in order to make the euro zone an optimal currency area able, inter alia, to implement a proper policy mix;
Amendment 178 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses that private risk-sharing, e.g. through capital and financial markets, alleviates the burden on governments to provide insurance and furthermore has a smoothing potential; regrets, therefore, that private risk- sharing in the EMU is still relatively limited due also to the outstanding completion of the Banking Union and the Capital Markets Union;
Amendment 215 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Observes that the stabilisation of the economic cycle since the beginning of the crisis has relied almost exclusively on the ECB, and that the reduced options available for monetary policy in a context of zero lower bound rates have led the ECB to implement unconventional monetary policy measures; recalls that the President of the ECB hasnotes that, despite these measures, investment levels remain low; points to the criticism by the ECB Governing Council regarding the consistency of the EMU’s fiscal policies; welcomes its call for growth enhancing fiscal policies while maintaining the rules of the Stability and Growth Pact; believes that restoring trust in the EMU’s future evolution and a proper balance between monetary and fiscal tools requires the set- up of more investment-stimulating tools; recalls that the Presidents of the ECB and the Eurogroup have both called for integrated institutions, for a stronger and proactive fiscal policy on the euro area scale and for euro area Member States to deliver on structural reform;
Amendment 237 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. AcknowledgValues the results achieved since the crisis broke in terms of risk reduction and better coordination; points in particular to the many measures taken by the EU institutions to address the shortcomings revealed by the crisis by strengthening coordination of national fiscal policies, in particular via the adoption of the Six-Pack and the Two-Pack Regulations; welcomes further the fact that the EU institutions have set up frameworks for action in current and future crises, namely by creating the European Financial Stability Mechanism (EFSM), the temporary European Financial Stabilisation Facility (EFSF) and its permanent successor, the European Stability Mechanism (ESM); underlines, however, that these mechanisms dramatically lack democratic oversight and parliamentary control, and hence ownership;
Amendment 248 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that in 2012 the Commission introduced in its ‘Blueprint for a deep and genuine EMU’ the idea of a Convergence and Competitiveness instrument for euro area Member States, whereby euro area Member States could get financial support for ‘reform packages that are agreed and important both for the Member States and for the good functioning of the euro area’, and that this financial support ‘could be set up in principle as part of the EU budget’ and be established by secondary law on the basis of Article 352 TFEU and financed by either a commitment on the part of the euro area Member States or a legal obligation to that effect enshrined in the EU’s own resources legislation; believes that any such contributions should be entered into the EU budget as ‘assigned revenues’; considers the review by the Commission of the European Semester, including the Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP), as a follow-up to this approach;
Amendment 265 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Is of the opinion that the current threat to the Schengen agreement on free movement of persons raises a particular challenge to the euro area given the importance of labour mobility within a currency zone;
Amendment 279 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Considers that the achievement of EMU needs to be supported by a strong political narrative rather than debates on specific instruments; warns against piecemeal technical reforms without a clear contribution to this objective; believes that the settlement of a fiscal capacity for the euro area is only one piece of the puzzle that needs to go hand in hand with a clear re-foundation spirit among its members and the ones to join;
Amendment 308 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Stresses that the euro area needs to diminish the risk for the public budgets and to financial stability by creating an environment conducive to private risk- sharing and, in that regard, by achieving a genuine Banking Union and Capital Markets Union, which together with the shock absorbing function of the fiscal capacity will enable trade-offs in shock absorption;
Amendment 360 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Considers that three different functions have to be fulfilled; argues, first, that in order to foster economic and social convergence within the euro area and to improve the economic competitiveness and resilience of the euro area, Member States’ structural reforms should be incentivised in good economic times; argues, secondly, that differences in the business cycles of euro area Member States stemming from structural differences create the need for an instrument to address asymmetric shocks; considers, thirdly, that symmetric shocks should be addressed so as to increase the resilience of the euro area as a whole;
Amendment 369 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Argues in consequence that three pillars of a fiscal capacity should be distinguished, wherein action should be undertaken in the framework of a common toolbox to address the different functions, i.e. incentivisingwith complementary but distinct instruments to support convergence and sustainable structural reforms, absorbing asymmetric shocks, and absorbing symmetric shocks; takes note of the various proposals regarding designs put forward on this matter by politicians and academia and to address crises;
Amendment 378 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Believes that real convergence should be incentivised through a better use of existing funds from the EU budget, while asymmetric and symmetric shocks should be addressed, notably by the ESM and a special fund providing targeted financial assistance in accordance with Articles 136, 175 and 352 TFEU;
Amendment 393 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Demands that the ESM be integrated into the Union’s legal framework and evolve towards a Community mechanism, as provided for in the ESM Treaty and as constantly requested by the European Parliament and foreseen in the Five Presidents’ report; underlines that the ECJ Pringle case-law and jurisprudence open up the possibility of bringing the ESM within the Union’s framework, within the existing Treaties, on the basis of Article 352 TFEU; calls, therefore, on the Commission to bring forward as a matter of urgency a legislative proposal to that end; demands that the ESM be made fully accountable to the European Parliament;
Amendment 404 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
Amendment 426 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Insists that once it is integrated into Community law,the instruments under the second and third pillar of the fiscal capacity for the euro, including the EMF, area should be integrated into the EU budget, but over and above the ceilings of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF); believes that they should be financed through assigned revenue;
Amendment 460 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Believes that compliance with a convergence code should be the condition for access to funding from the ESM/EMFfiscal capacity; reiterates its call on the Commission to put forward a legislative proposal to this end;
Amendment 566 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 – indent 3 – paragraph 2
Paragraph 26 – indent 3 – paragraph 2
This five-year period should in exchange allow for a phasing-in of the new tasks attributed to the ESM/EMFfiscal capacity;
Amendment 578 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Considers that a financial instrument is needed to work as an incentive-based mechanism for convergence and sustainable structural reforms with clear conditionality; stresses the need for strong efforts at national and regional level to eliminate persistent legal and administrative obstacles to investment and to accelerate procedures altogether; believes that the Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP), which is designed to provide technical support to "national authorities for measures aimed at reforming institutions, governance, administration, and economic and social sectors"1a with a view to enhancing growth and jobs, can be further developed as a contribution to this function of the fiscal capacity; __________________ 1aRecital 23 of the Commission’s proposal for the Structural Reform Support Programme (COM(2015)0701)
Amendment 604 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Calls for the ESM, whilst fulfilling its ongoing tasks, to be further developed and turned into a European Monetary Fund (EMF) with adequate lending and borrowing capacities and a clearly defined mandate, including its contribution to a euro area fiscal capacity; stresses that the EMF should be managed by the Commission, evolve in its governance and voting rules, and be held democratically accountable by the European Parliament; emphasises that national parliaments should be involved in the process to respect their constitutional prerogatives regarding financial resources;
Amendment 614 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Notes thatConsiders that the stabilisation provided through the ESM should be complemented by at least one of the two models for theautomatic shock absorption function are featured most prominently in the academic literature: a Rainy Day Fund and aor the European Unemployment Benefit Scheme;
Amendment 630 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Points out that thea Rainy Day Fund (RDF) would increase the flexibility of government budgets in the short term without compromising the long-term sustainability of public finances; believes that the RDF should be funded by all theeuro area Member States and non-euro area countries willing to participate, with contributions on the basis of a cyclically sensitive economic indicator, and be used for payments to allcontributing Member States suffering from economic downturns; based on strict conditionality in line with Article 136 TFEU; is convinced that, in order to effectively prevent permanent redistribution and to keep long-term net contributions close to zero, an ex post clearing mechanism should be included in the RDF design; considers that the RDF can initially be set up without Treaty change but should eventually be integrated into the Community framework to ensure proper democratic accountability;
Amendment 662 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Considers that the EMF should providSM could also manage the financial resources for either of these models, which could require increa; points to the necessity, should this management model be chosen, to ensure that its amount of capital is adequate to its tasks, singce the amount of capitalpaid-in capital is an indispensable security buffer guaranteeing the fund's creditworthiness; points out that the fund should avoid long- term redistribution effects by ensuring Member States’' contributions are balanced over the cycle;
Amendment 690 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Warns that future symmetric shocks could destabilise the euro area as a whole since the currency area is not yet endowed with the instruments to cope with another crisis of the extent of the previous one; is convinced that the right instrument to deal with symmetric shocks depends on the nature of the shock; recalls that the EMF should be used as an appropriate financial resource;
Amendment 699 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Considers that in the case of symmetric shocks brought about by a lack of internal demand, monetary policy alone cannot reignite the economy, particularly in a context of zero lower bounds; is therefore convinced that public and private investment must be increased, the administrative burden reduced and a proper regulatory framework developed, with a view to stimulating potential growth;
Amendment 710 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Considers that symmetric shocks that are caused by a lack of supply must be diminished by improving the competitiveness of the euro area via appropriate financial incentives, including viafor the financing of professional training or financial incentives for R&D spending, by the reduction of administrative burden, the simplification and acceleration of procedures and the development of a proper regulatory framework;
Amendment 762 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Calls urgently for the European Parliament and national parliaments to be given a strengthened role in the renewed economic governance framework in order to reinforce democratic accountability; calls for increased national ownership in the European Semester in order to improve compliance with the CSRs; suggests, based on the model of the European Interparliamentary Week, to foresee one week per quarter in the calendars of the European Parliaments and the national parliaments of all Member States for joint parliamentary sessions, thereby allowing for a substantial discussion throughout the cycle of the European Semester and promoting a European public debate;
Amendment 780 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 a (new)
Paragraph 40 a (new)
40a. Believes that making the ESM fully accountable to the European Parliament as a consequence of this communitarisation would upgrade and streamline the parliamentary control compared to the existing situation characterised by uncoordinated scrutiny by 19 national Parliaments; calls for this streamlining of accountability to be also applied in the field of auditing;
Amendment 816 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Acknowledges that the current political climate characterised by deep inequality, mistrust and uncertainty is not conducive to proper reforms to achieve and complete EMU; believes, therefore, that a comprehensive roadmap, including clear milestones withihowever, that the various crises and referenda require the euro area to make, as soon as possible, a qualitative leap of integration; consequently calls for a comprehensive, binding roadmap to be proposed by the Commission and agreed timetable and taking into account the political situation, should be urgently adopted with a clear commitment by euro area Heads of State and Government to achieving a genuine and complete EMUdopted by euro area Heads of State and Government in December 2016, with the aim to finalize all legislative measures that do not require Treaty change by the end of the current mandate of the Commission and the European Parliament and to set the stage for the necessary Treaty changes to allow for a sustainable euro area;
Amendment 828 #
2015/2344(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the President of the Council, the Commission, the Eurogroup and the ECB, the Managing Director of the ESM and the national parliaments.
Amendment 1 #
2015/2341(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the intention to disburse funds more quickly and flexibly in an emergency situation, and to bring together various sources of funding in order to address athe migration and refugee crisis in its multiple dimensions; stresses that financial rules do not allowcriticises that the Commission tohas diverted appropriations from the objectives and principles of the basic acts, and believes that any to channelling them through the trust fund should not go at the expenseas this is in breach of the financial rules and furthermore risks the success of long-term Union policies; calls for fresh appropriations to be used wherever possible and for full transparency as to the origin and destination of funds to be ensured;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2341(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Acknowledges the added value of pooling a large number of national contributions at Union level in addition to substantial contributions from the external financing instruments and the European Development Fund (EDF); urges the Member States, however, to effectively match the Union contributiondeplores that the financial pledges made by Member States so far only amount to a small fraction of the Union contribution; underlines that the volatility of voluntary contributions shows that the recourse to funding instruments outside the EU budget is not viable to mobilize additional funding; urges the Member States to rapidly and effectively match the Union contribution in order to allow the trust fund to develop their full potential rather than provide the minimum required to obtain voting rights in the Strategic Board;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2341(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that trust funds are part of an ad hoc response which shows that the Union budget and the Multiannual Financial Framework lack the resources and flexibility needed for a rapid and comprehensive approach to major crises; deplores the fact that they result in bypassing the budgetary authority and undermining the unity of the budget; stresses, therefore, that the creation of funding instruments outside the EU budget must remain exceptional; calls for the budgetary authority as a main contributing donor to the fund to be invited to participate in its Strategic Board;
Amendment 10 #
2015/2341(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls forStrongly believes that a more holistic solution to be found for emergency funding as part ofshould be found in the MFF review/revision, which includes a revision of the ceiling and of crisis mechanisms and achieves synergies between the Union budget, the EDF and bilateral cooperation; calls, in particular, for an adequate revision of the ceiling to allow for the inclusion of the crisis mechanisms in the MFF in order to restore the unity of the budget; stresses, moreover, the need to review the financial rules with a view to facilitating the management of EU budget funds and to achieving greater synergies between the Union budget, the EDF and bilateral cooperation to increase the impact of development funding and to pave the way for the budgetisation of the EDF, while maintaining the current level of resources, foreseen as of 2021; urges the Commission to take immediate steps to improve the involvement of the budgetary authority and to better align the trust funds and other mechanisms with the budgetary norm, notably by making them appear in the Union budget.
Amendment 8 #
2015/2285(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses that a stronger link should be established between the implementation of the country-specific recommendations and the European Structural and Investment Funds in order to increase the effectiveness of EU spending in the Member States and to support structural reform efforts, thereby making the countries less vulnerable to crises;
Amendment 29 #
2015/2285(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Urges that the euro area have its own budget in order tomoves forward with measures to deepen the budgetary integration of the EMU with a view to ensuring fiscal discipline and counteracting asymmetric shocks and reward reform efforts; believes the European Sby supporting national reform efforts; stresses that any instrument or governance structure estability Mechanism to be a prototype of such a toshed to this end must be fully integrated into the Treaties and subjected to democratic control; calls for budgetary policy and monetary policy to be brought into a policy mix to boost growth and job creation.
Amendment 3 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that adequate appropriations should be allocated to the trade-related budget lines to enable the Commission to efficiently and effectively pursue its ambitious trade agenda aimed at creating growth and jobs across Europe and attaining the Union’s wider international goals as well as to step up its efforts regarding the monitoring of the implementation and the effects of trade agreements;
Amendment 13 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is concerned that many Union citizens equate globalisation with a loss of European output and jobs; points to the increasing role of NGOs in shaping public opinion on trade-related matters due to the lack of an effective Union communication strategy explaining the Union’s trade policy; emphasises the need for an increase in the Commission’s information and communication budget to allow for better engagement with citizens; calls on the Commission to present a study on the funding sources and the impact of NGOs active in trade issues to increase transparency regarding the role of NGOs and to identify possible adjustment needs of NGOs funding from the EU budget;
Amendment 22 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement reached at the 9th Ministerial Conference of the WTO will require increased funding support for the least developed and developing countries; deplores, therefore, the reduced appropriations for Aid for Tradeis concerned by indications of irregularities in relation to the cooperation with certain partners leading to reduced spending effectiveness of Aid for Trade; calls for the additional appropriations to be put into a reserve until the Commission has proved that the programme fully complies with the Financial Regulation;
Amendment 25 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes the moderate increase in appropriations for the Partnership Instrument; recalls the programme objective to foster international trade and investment opportunities of European SMEs; calls on the Commission to assess and improve the existing tools regarding their efficiency and effectiveness and to ensure sufficient controls and oversight of all activities with the aim to develop a more coherent approach, also taking account of existing private initiatives.
Amendment 38 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls upon the Commission to analyse the financial burden caused by fees and charges due within obligatory certification and licensing procedures; urges the Commission to provide a proper evaluation of the impact of those costs on the competitiveness of industrial companies and SMEs;
Amendment 43 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Confirms its support for the ITER programme and is committed to securing its appropriate financing; is concerned, however, about possible further delays and additional costs of this programme as well as the related potential repercussions on the Union budget; regrets, therefore, that it was unable to assess the level of the 2016 ITER appropriations against the updated payment plan and schedule, which is only due to be presented in the ITER Council in November 2015; expects, however, that this revised plan will provide sufficient evidence that Parliament's recommendations, as set out in the relevant 2013 discharge resolution8 , have been properly taken into account and that financial soundness and spending efficiency will be ensured; intends to raise this matter in the 2016 budgetary conciliation; moreover, is alarmed by the current lack of transparency regarding the use of Fusion for Energy's contributions to the ITER programme; calls for a proper accountability mechanism giving a clear overview of the amount of the financial resources provided to the international project and evaluating their efficient use; __________________ 8 European Parliament resolution of 29 April 2015 with observations forming an integral part of the decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget for the Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy for the financial year 2013 (Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0168).
Amendment 67 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Decides, in light of the current, exceptional flows of migrants and refugees to concentrate its reinforcements on strengthening the AMIF; strongly supports in this context the second EUR 780 million package on the relocation of 120 000 persons; decides to incorporate it in its reading, and to align the first relocation package with the second one by adding EUR 20 million to finance transport costs (EUR 500 per migrant to Italy and Greece); approves an additional increase of EUR 79 million for general reinforcements of the AMIF; stresses the importance of a proper financing of return operations in accordance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the principle of 'non- refoulement' in order to achieve an effective return policy, preventing and reducing irregular migration; finally decides to reinforce the agencies with migration-related tasks for a total of EUR 26 million;
Amendment 75 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Complements the package of amendments on migration and the refugee crisis by adopting targeted reinforcements in commitment appropriations first and foremost within the European Neighbourhood Instrument (+ EUR 178,1 million) but also in the Development Cooperation Instrument (+ EUR 26,6 million), Humanitarian aid (+ EUR 26 million), the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (+ EUR 11,2 million), the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (+ EUR 12,6 million) and the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (+ EUR 1 million); while supporting, where necessary, reprioritisation within those programmes to focus onaddress the most topical challenges; considers such reinforcements as necessarystresses that this reprioritisation must not lead to reduced efforts related to the initial objectives of the respective legal basis, thus risking the destabilisation of the European neighbourhood or other regions concerned; emphasizes the need to reinforce cooperation with third countries to effectively tackle the current migration crisis; considers, therefore, such reinforcements indispensable to finance additional initiatives, on top of the initial objectives of the respective legal bases;
Amendment 76 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Calls for these extra appropriations to be used in particular to increase the funding forNotes that the Union Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis and for the Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa, as well as for immediate assistance via the UNHCR and the World Food Programme; calls on the individual Member States to bring additional contributions to the Trust Funds and to were created because the Union budget lacks both the necessary flexibility and funding to allow for a rapid and comprehensive response to the crisis; stresses, however, that the recourse to financial instruments outside the budget must remain exceptional and that a solution needs to be found in the MFF review on how to make support from the Union budget for humanitarian assistance and development more effective and more readily available; calls for the extra appropriations for the programmes under Heading 4 to be used in particular to increase the funding for the two Trust Funds as well as for immediate assistance via the UNHCR and the World Food Programme; calls on the individual Member States to turn words into deeds and bring the necessary additional contributions to match the Union funding linked to the Trust Funds and to close the funding gap of the UN agencies without further delay; notes that the pipeline of projects potentially funded by the Trust Funds further weakens the Council’'s case for an alleged lack of absorption capacity in Heading 4;
Amendment 84 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
Paragraph 47
47. Decides to increase, within the overall package on migration, the appropriations for the main agencies working in this field: the European Asylum Support Office, Frontex, Europol, Eurojust, eu.LISA, Cepol and the Fundamental Rights Agency for a total of EUR 26 million, as these agencies are vital to address the current pressing problem of migratory flows in an effective manner; notes with concern that such appropriations may not be sufficient in light of the quickly deteriorating crisis situation and tremendous increase in migratory flows; urges the Commission to provide updated and consolidated information about these agencies' needs in due time, before the end of the budgetary conciliation procedure; calls upon the Commission to propose a medium-term and long-term strategy for these agencies' actions, objectives, missions, coordination, development of hotspots and financial resources;
Amendment 87 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Underlines once more that that posts financed from industry have no impact on the Union Budget and therefore should not be subject to the staff reduction at all, but; emphasises that it should be left to the discretion of the agency concerned to balance fluctuating workload by not filling all posts at their disposal;
Amendment 37 #
2015/2074(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Regrets, however, the reductions in appropriations for large infrastructure projectsEgnos and Galileo, Horizon 2020 and COSME, as well as the slower progression of CEF Transport owing to the redeployment to EFSI; recalls that the Commission's initial proposal on EFSI would have resulted in a cut of EUR 170 million for Horizon 2020 in 2016 as compared to 2015, thus giving a contradictory signal on a programme widely recognised as a flagship priority under the current MFF; commits to seeking to further compensate for the proposed decreases in these programmes by means of reinforcements during the budgetary procedure through the use of the EUR-200- million margin still available below the ceiling for heading 1a;
Amendment 41 #
2015/2074(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16 d. Deplores that the new Director- General of ITER is going to present a revised schedule and payment plan for the project with a six month delay in November 2015 since this will be too late for the budgetary authority to take sufficient account of the new information in the annual budget procedure for 2016; stresses that, with a view to ensure financial soundness and efficiency of spending, Parliament will reserve for itself the right to put part of the appropriations for ITER into a reserve until the new facts and figures have been thoroughly assessed;
Amendment 42 #
2015/2074(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 e (new)
Paragraph 16 e (new)
16 e. Deplores that ITER and its Joint Undertaking for the European Union - Fusion for Energy, have failed to follow- up Parliament's recommendations, by not presenting the requested report concerning their 2013 discharge; Notes with concern the lack of transparency and increased risk for irregularities; Urges them to clarify their situation without delay and not later than August 2015;
Amendment 73 #
2015/2074(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Believes that external financing instruments provide tools to address, in a multifaceted manner and alongside their respective objectives, the root causes of those internal security and migration challenges which are at the core of next year's budget, with particular reference to the southern and eastern borders of the Union and more generally to conflict- stricken areas; points, in particular, to the Development Cooperation Instrument and the European Neighbourhood Instrument but also to policies undergoing more moderate increases such as humanitarian aid, the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace, Common Foreign and Security Policy and the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights; calls on the Commission tostresses that the current pressing challenges require a reorientation of the role of the EU budget in the European development policy before the start of the new programming period and the integration of the European Development Fund in 2021; calls on the Commission to use the 2016 budgetary procedure to launch the reorientation of the European Neighbourhood Policy and humanitarian aid by clearly identifying areas which can help in coping with those topical challenges and where potential reinforcements can be efficiently absorbed;
Amendment 63 #
2015/2008(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the Investment Plan presented by the Commission, which can create the potential to mobilise EUR 315 billion of investments in infrastructures, education and research, as well as SMEs and mid-cap companies; notes that the EU budget is expected to provide the backbone of this investment plan by making available the EUR 8 billion required in commitments and payments for the provisioning of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI); considers the EU budget contribution as an opportunity to deliver a significant return on the objectives of the programmes concerned (Horizon 2020, Connecting Europe Facility) through a higher leverage effectInvestment Plan through a higher leverage effect; calls, however, for the examination of alternative funding sources within the EU budget (e.g. the performance reserve of the European Structural Investment Funds) given the already very tight budget of Horizon2020 and the narrow unallocated margin which should serve to cover unforeseen needs;
Amendment 68 #
2015/2008(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights the complementary nature of the proposed Investment Plan and the EU budget and their joint commitment to kick- start the economy and boost job creation; stresses that the EU budget is in itself a major investment tool with a distinctive role and mission, that has provided tangible results with a clear European added value; is convinced that every effort needs to be deployed in order to create synergies not only between the Investment Plan, the EU budget and the EUnational budgets but also with national budgetsto remove existing impediments to investment, in particular regarding the clarity and predictability of the regulatory framework, in order to bridge the investment gap and maximise the effect of public spending on the real economy;
Amendment 15 #
2015/0310(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 3
Article 13 – paragraph 3
3. The Agency shall finance or co-finance the activities set out in paragraph 2 with grants from its budget in accordance with the financial rules applicable to the Agency.
Amendment 17 #
2015/0310(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 23 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Concerning the above mentioned costs incurred, VAT shall be eligible if not deductible.
Amendment 18 #
2015/0310(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) finance or co-finance the operations, interventions and activities referred to in this Chapter with grants from its budget, in accordance with the financial rules applicable to the Agency.
Amendment 20 #
2015/0310(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 6
Article 27 – paragraph 6
6. The Agency shall finance or co-finance return operations with grants from its budget, in accordance with the financial rules applicable to the Agency, giving priority to those conducted by more than one Member State, or from hotspot areas.
Amendment 22 #
2015/0310(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 – paragraph 6
Article 32 – paragraph 6
6. The Agency shall finance or co-finance return interventions with grants from its budget in accordance with the financial rules applicable to the Agency.
Amendment 26 #
2015/0310(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 68 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The candidates proposed by the Commission shall then address the competent committee of the European Parliament and reply to questions, following which the committee shall give its non-binding opinion.
Amendment 81 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 1
Citation 1
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 172, 173, and Article 175(3), Article 177 and Article 182(1) thereof,
Amendment 478 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29
Recital 29
(29) To partially finance the contribution from the Union budget, the should preferably be financed by reducing available envelopes of theprogrammes other than Horizon 2020 –and the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2014-2020, provided by Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council2 , and the Connecting Europe Facility, provided by Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council3 , should be reduced. Those programmes serve purposes that are not replicated by the EFSI. However, the reduction of both programmes to finance the guarantee fund is expected to ensure a greater investment in certain areas of their respective mandates than is possible through the existing programmes. The EFSI should be able to leverage the EU guarantee to multiply the financial effect withConnecting Europe Facility. For that purpose and by means of providing assurance of sufficient financing in accordance with Article 310 (4) TFEU, the Commission should submit to the European Parliament and Council the appropriate budgetary and legislative proposals of financing, while having specific regard to the possibility of financing the contribution from the margin of heading 1b of the Union budget by way of reducing those areas of research, development and innovation and transport, telecommunications and energy infrastructure compared to if the resources had been spent via grants within the planned Horizon 2020 and Connecting Europe Facility programmes. It is, therefore, appropriate to redirect part of the funding presently envisaged for those programmes to the benefit of EFSI. __________________ 3 Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 of the European Parliamente performance reserve as provided for in Article 20 of Regulation (EU) No. 1303/2013 by 8 bn. EUR and adjusting the overall amount of the structural funds downward by a corresponding amount. Only in the event that a financing through the mentioned programmes cannot be achieved, the Commission should further explore other means of financing in the course of the budgetary procedures until 2020 by having recourse to all means and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility, amendingr relevant provisions provided in Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 91311/2010 and repealing Reg3 laying down the Mulations (EC) No 680/2007 and (EC) No 67/2010 (OJ L 348, 20.12.2013, p. 129).annual Financial Framework 2014-2020 as well as the budgetary surplus. __________________ 3
Amendment 487 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29 a (new)
Recital 29 a (new)
(29a) The financing of the guarantee fund, both in respect of commitment and payment appropriations, shall be reviewed by the Council and the Parliament in the context of the Mid-term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014- 2020, to be launched by the end of 2016 at the latest as foreseen in Article 2 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 of 2 December 2013 laying down the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020.
Amendment 492 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) Given the nature of their constitution, neitherir resemblance to Union financial instruments, the EU guarantee to the EIB norand the guarantee fund are 'financial instruments' within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council4 should comply with the principles of sound financial management, transparency, proportionality, non- discrimination, equal treatment and subsidiarity as referred to in Article 140 of Regulation (EU) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council4 and, where appropriate, to the provisions of Article 139 of the same regulation. __________________ 4 Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1).
Amendment 1152 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
The necessary appropriations to meet the initial target amount shall be gradually authorised by the European Parliament and the Council in the framework of the annual budgetary procedures with particular recourse to the unused margin of heading 5 unless the Commission presents viable financing solutions which do not touch the envelopes of the programmes Horizon 2020 - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2014- provided by Regulation (EU) No 1291/20131 a of the European Parliament and of the Council, and the Connecting Europe Facility, provided by Regulation (EU) No 1316/20132 a of the European Parliament and of the Council. __________________ 1a Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing Horizon 2020 - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020) and repealing Decision No 1982/2006/EC (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 104). 2a Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility, amending Regulation (EU) No 913/2010 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 680/2007 and (EC) No 67/2010 (OJ L 348, 20.12.2013, p. 129).
Amendment 1161 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2
Article 8 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 1347 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
The EU guarantee and the payments and recoveries under it that are attributable to the general budget of the Union shall be audited by the Court of Auditorsexternal audit of the activities undertaken in accordance with the EFSI Regulation is carried out by the European Court of Auditors in accordance with Article 287 TFEU.
Amendment 1379 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17
Article 17
Amendment 1392 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18
Article 18
Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013
Article 6, paragraphs 1, 2 and 3
Article 6, paragraphs 1, 2 and 3
Amendment 1431 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 a (new)
Article 18 a (new)
Amendment 1435 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19
Article 19
Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013
Article 5, paragraph 1
Article 5, paragraph 1
Amendment to Regulation (EU) No In Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: ‘ 1. The financial envelope for the implementation of the CEF for the period 2014 to 2020 is set at EUR 29 942 259 000 (*) in current prices. That amount shall be distributed as follows: (a) transport sector: EUR 23 550 582 000, of which EUR 11 305 500 000 shall be transferred from the Cohesion Fund to be spent in line with this Regulation exclusively in Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund; (b) telecommunications sector: EUR 1 041 602 000; (c) energy sector: EUR 5 350 075 000. These amounts are without prejudice to the application of the flexibility mechanism provided for under Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013(*). (*) Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 of 2 December 2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-20 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 884). ’rticle 19 deleted 1316/2013
Amendment 1 #
2014/2249(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union has strengthened the democratic legitimacy of European policies and created new areas of responsibility for the European Union;
Amendment 4 #
2014/2249(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Treaty of Lisbon has been only partially implemented in the budgetary field, mainly owing to the absence of genuine own resources;
Amendment 5 #
2014/2249(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital C (new)
Recital C (new)
C. whereas the agreed level of commitments in relation to the level of payments has proven unsustainable over the past years, posing a serious risk of a constantly growing structural deficit of the EU budget which would be in breach of the Lisbon Treaty;
Amendment 6 #
2014/2249(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital D (new)
Recital D (new)
D. whereas the legislator was faced with great challenges in ensuring consistency in the parallel negotiations of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014- 2020 and the multiannual programmes;
Amendment 8 #
2014/2249(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on the European Council to make use of Article 48(7) of the Treaty on European Union and Article 312(2) of the TFEU and to abandon the unanimity requirement in favour of a qualified majority when adopting the forthcoming MFF Regulation, thereby facilitating a balanced agreement;
Amendment 10 #
2014/2249(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the European Council is not empowered to exercise legislative functions, and that this prohibition is clearly expressed in Article 15(5) of the TEU; regrets that, when adopting the 2014-2020 MFF was adopted, the European Council intervened itook preliminary decisions touching upon the content of thsome programmes funded by the EU budget, flying in the face ofthereby undermining Parliament's legislative prerogatives;
Amendment 11 #
2014/2249(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Regrets that the European budget is based principally on national contributions and notrather than on genuine own resources as provided in European treaties since the Treaty of Rome; calls on the Council to return to the letter and spirit of the Treatideplores that, in consequence, the debate on expenditure in the Council revolves around net- receipts rather than European added value; calls on the Council to return to the letter and spirit of the Treaties while taking into account the recommendations of the high-level group of own-resources;
Amendment 15 #
2014/2249(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Condemns the accumulated delays in the settlement of commitments due to the insufficiency of payment appropriations from which the European budget suffers in contravention of Articles 310 and 323 of the TFEU, thus endangering the authority of the Union; believes that the post- electoral revision of the MFF 2014-2020, to be launched at the end of 2016 at the latest, offers a good opportunity to re-visit the issue and make the necessary adjustments to alleviate the problem;
Amendment 18 #
2014/2249(INI)
5. Stresses that the use of the European budget as a guarantee against borrowing on the market by some of these instruments, such as the facility providing financial assistance for balances of payments, the European Financial Stability Mechanism (EFSM) and foreign policy instruments such as the guarantee for the EIB’s external mandate, and macro-financial assistance, and the soon to be established European Fund for Structural Investments (EFSI) effectively place the Union in a state of indebtedness, which is in itself contrary to the principle of budgetary equilibrium enshrined in the Treaty;
Amendment 22 #
2014/2249(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that, contrary to current practice, the Treaty provides for the possibility of adopting an MFF for a five-year period; calls for the adoptionlignment of future MFFs to be aligned with the next parliamentary term.with the next parliamentary term to enhance the democratic accountability and to disassociate the legislative process from the adoption of the multiannual programmes, thus facilitating the legislative coordination as well as effectively preventing the European Council from exercising legislative functions;
Amendment 235 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital R
Recital R
R. whereas, finally, the urgency for reform of the Union, to start with the euro area, has been dramatically increased by the United Kingdom’s decision, through a referendum, to leave the European Union; whereas it is crystal clear that the negotiations to set out the arrangements for the UK’s withdrawal also need to take account of the framework for its future relationship with the Union; whereas this agreement must be negotiated in accordance with Article 218(3) TFEU and be concluded on behalf of the Union by the Council, acting by a qualified majority, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament;
Amendment 252 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital S
Recital S
S. whereas the UK’s decision creates an opportunity to reduce and drastically simplify the ‘variable geometry’ and complexity of the Union; whereas it offers at least the opportunity to clarify what membership of the Union really means and what could be a clear structure in the future for the EU’s relationship with non- members in our periphery (the United Kingdom, Norway, Turkey, Ukraine, etc.)neighbourhood; whereas the founding fathers of the Union had already envisaged a type of ‘associate status’;
Amendment 621 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Points out that, because compliance with the new code is crucial to the functioning of the Economic and Monetary Union, stronger governmental institutions are required than those currently provided by the Commission and/or the Eurogroup, as well as full democratic checks and balances through the involvement of the European Parliament on all EMU aspects; believes that in parallel , to improve ownership, accountability has to be ensured at the level where decisions are taken or implemented, with national parliaments scrutinising national governments and the European Parliament scrutinising the European executives;
Amendment 700 #
2014/2248(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Calls, finally, for the bBanking union and the Capital market union to be completed as soon as possible on the basis of a fast-track timetable, to ensure, risk reduction and a full financial market integration and among others, private risk sharing;
Amendment 11 #
2014/2245(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses the importance of the investment plan presented by the Commission as a first step in offsetting the deficit into address the lack of public and private investment; recalls, in this connection, that the principle of additionality is to be respected, and favourable fiscal treatment ensured for both direct and indirect national contributions in Europe which poses a serious risk to attaining the targets set by the Europe 2020 strategy; stresses, in this context, that projects guaranteed by the EFSI fund should contribute to meeting EU policy objectives and respect the principles of additionality, economic viability and sound financial management;
Amendment 19 #
2014/2245(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the fact that the Council, the Commission and Parliament have arrived at an agreementcommitted themselves to reduceing the level of unpaid bills, and looks forward to receivingt year-end down to its structural level in the course of the current MFF; considers the Commission’s proposalelement for a payment plan as soon as possible, and in any event before the pto be overly optimistic in its conclusion that the current backlog of 24,7 bn. EUR will automatically decreasentation of the 2016 draft budget in the coming two years and reach a level considered ‘normal’;
Amendment 24 #
2014/2245(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the extended use in cohesion policy of financial instruments, such as loans and guarantees, to support investment and increase the efficiency of public funding;
Amendment 35 #
2014/2245(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates its strong criticismupport of the measures linking the effectiveness of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) to sound economic governance as they help increase the efficiency of EU spending in a context of fiscal constraint and allow for a redirection of funds to address the specific needs of countries faced with economic difficulties;
Amendment 41 #
2014/2245(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Reiterates its deep conviction that a genuinethe review and the associated revision of the multiannual financial framework (MFF) byto be launched by the end of 2016, at the latest, would beoffer the ideal opportunity to revisit the MFF Regulation to make sure that it addresses the persistent problem of insufficient payment appropriations and the possible impact on payments oftowards the end of the MFF due to the delayed implementation of operational programmes in the area of cohesion policy.
Amendment 107 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas many economic impact studies on TTIP should be taken with caution as theyall scientific studies on the economic impact of the TTIP invariably conclude that the TTIP will have positive effects on the development of the European economy; whereas some studies are built on computable general equilibrium economic models with very optimistic predictions about the capacity of the EU and the US to reduce regulatory barriers to trade; whereas the TTIP alone will not resolve economic problems in the EU and no false hopes and expectations should be raised in that respect;
Amendment 156 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the TTIP negotiations are more transparent than any negotiations on international agreements in the past; whereas the secret character of negotiations as they have been conducted in the past has led to deficiencies in terms of democratic control of the negotiation process;
Amendment 198 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas President Juncker has also clearly stated in his Political Guidelines that he will not accept that the jurisdiction of courts in the Member States is limited by special regimes for investor disputes; whereas ISDS mechanisms are required in order to effectively protect foreign investors from discrimination, even in highly developed legal systems; whereas now that the results of the public consultation on investment protection and ISDS in the TTIP are available, a reflection process – taking account of critical and constructive contributions – is needed within and between the three European institutions on the best way to achieve investment protection and equal treatment of investors;
Amendment 216 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas many critical voices in the public debate have shown the need for the TTIP negotiations to be conducted in a more transparent and inclusive manner, taking into account the concerns voiced by European citizen and for the backgrounds of the institutions involved to be better communicated to the public; whereas the objectively argued concerns voiced by European citizens must be taken into account in the process; whereas Parliament fully supports both the decision of the Council to declassify the negotiating directives and the Commission’s transparency initiative;
Amendment 355 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point iv
Paragraph 1 – point b – point iv
(iv) to increase market access for services according to the ‘posinegative list approach’ whereby services that are to be opened up tofrom whose provision foreign companies are to be excluded are explicitly mentioned and new services are excluded while ensuring that possible standstill and ratchet clauses only apply to non- discrimination provisions and allow for enough flexibility to bring services back into public control;
Amendment 590 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point iii
Paragraph 1 – point c – point iii
(iii) with regard to the horizontal regulatory cooperation chapter, to give priority to fostering bilateral cooperation between regulatory bodies through enhanced information exchange and to promote the adoption, strengthening and timely implementation of international instruments, on the basis of successful international experiences such as, for instance, ISO standards or under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s (UNECE) World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29); to establish that the prior impact assessment for the regulatory act, as defined in the horizontal provisions on regulatory cooperation, should also measure the impact on consumers and the environment next to its impact on trade and investment; to handle the possibility of promoting regulatory compatibility with great care and only without compromising legitimate regulatory and policy objectives or competencies;
Amendment 633 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
Paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
(ii) to ensure that the sustainable development chapter aims at the full and effective ratification, implementation andcommitment to enforcement of the eight fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and their content, the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda and the core international environmental agreements; provisions should be aimed at improving levels of protection of labour and environmental standards; an ambitious trade and sustainable development chapter should also include rules on corporate social responsibility based on the Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and a clearly structured civil society involvement;
Amendment 659 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point v
Paragraph 1 – point d – point v
Amendment 667 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point vi
Paragraph 1 – point d – point vi
(vi) to ensure that the economic, social and environmental impact of TTIP is examined through a thorough trade sustainability impact assessment with clear involvement of stakeholders and civil society;
Amendment 755 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xiv
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xiv
(xiv) to ensure that foreign investors are treated in a non-discriminatory fashion and have a fair opportunity to seek and achieve redress of grievances, which can be achieved without the inclusion of an ISDS mechanism; such a mechanism is not necessary in TTIP given the EU’s and the US’ developed legal systems; a state-to- state dispute settlement system and; to ensure that the agreement establishes an up-to-date ISDS mechanism and the TTIP negotiations are used to address the deficiencies of existing ISDS agreements, particularly with regard to the clarity of the definitions, the limitation of the uscope of national courts are the most appropriate tools to address investment disputesapplication, and the appeal mechanisms, and to create a new international standard;
Amendment 787 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xv
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xv
(xv) to ensure that TTIP includes an ambitious Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) chapter that includes strong protection of precisely and clearly defined areas of IPR, including enhanced protection ancomparable to EU law and enhanced recognition of European Geographical Indications (GIs), and reflects a fair and efficient level of protection such as laid out in the EU’s and the US’s free trade agreement provisions in this area, while continuing to confirm the existing flexibilities in the Agreement on Trade- Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), notably in the area of public health;
Amendment 3 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that it should be ensured that the budgetary line devoted to the Union's trade policy area should provide for sufficient appropriations for the Commission to efficiently pursue its ambitious trade agenda, contributing directly to growth and jobs, as well as to properly monitor the implementation of trade policy, and in particular the trade agreements in force; moreover, considers that the appropriations should be complemented by adequate reallocations of resources and staff, if necessary;
Amendment 9 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. WelcomNotes the slight increase in the appropriations for the Development Cooperation Instrument, including Aid for Trade, and the increase in the modest appropriation in Aid for Trade - Multilateral action;
Amendment 12 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Supports the extension into 2015 of the Preparatory Action "Euromed innovation entrepreneurs for change" but calls on the Commission to provide an evaluation of this Preparatory Action for 2013 and 2014;
Amendment 13 #
2014/2040(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that the EU business centres in Asia will be funded by the Partnership Instrument (PI); points toExpresses some concerns regarding the way these business centres in India, China, and Thailand carry out their activities, in particular in terms of outreach to SMEs, sustainability, and complementarities with existing public and private structures of the EU and of Members States; encourages, therefore, that a significant reserve of the payment appropriations for these centres will be set aside until such time that these concerns have been adequately addressedcalls on the Commission to commission an independent assessment of the activities of these business centres and transmit its results to the Parliament; insists that the Commission takes full account of the outcome of this evaluation in the planning of the future activities of these centres;
Amendment 6 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the EU annual budget will continue to represent approximately 1 % of EU GNI in the coming years, well below the own-resources ceiling of 1.29 % of EU GNI for commitments and 1.23% of EU GNI for payments, as decided in 1992; set in 20101 a; __________________ 1a Downward adaptation of the own- resources ceilings of 1.31 % and 1.24 % of EU GNI respectively as decided by the European Council in 2007 (OJ L 163, 23.06.2007, p. 17) following the decision to apply FISIM for own resources purposes, OJ C 121, 19.04.2011, p. 41.
Amendment 12 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas, in adherence to the guiding principle 'nothing is agreed until everything is agreed', Parliament gave its consent to the new MFF Regulation and approved the new Interinstitutional Agreement on 19 November 2013, following the Council’s fulfilment of the conditions set out in Parliament’s resolution of 3 July 2013, including the adoption of an additional EUR 11.2 bn in payments for 2013;
Amendment 19 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Strongly regrets the fact that both the procedure leading up to the agreement on the MFF 2014-2020 and the political debate surrounding these negotiations demonstrated a clear lack of shared vision of the EU institutions as regards the EU budget and fell short of Parliament’s increased role and prerogatives, as set out in the Treaty of Lisbon; considers it of the utmost importance, therefore, that this report draw the necessary political and institutional lessons, which can serve as a basis for the preparation of future negotiations, notably in relation to the post- electoral revision of the MFF, due to be launched by the Commission before the end of 2016;
Amendment 22 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Acknowledges that the fiscal consolidation that Member States are currently facing did not facilitatmade a more ambitious agreement on the MFF 2014- 2020 infeasible; deeply regrets, however, the fact that, as a result of these negotiations, the role of the EU budget as an important and common policy instrument for overcoming the current economic and social crisis and coordinating and enhancing national efforts to regain growth and generate employment in the whole EU has been largely disregarded;
Amendment 30 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is deeply concerned at the fact that any budgetary debate in the Council has been for many years poisoned by the logic of ‘fair returns’; stresses that this situation is largely due to the current system of EU financing, whereby some 8574 % of revenues stem from national contributions based on GNI instead of genuine own resources; considers that such a system places disproportionate emphasis on net balances between the Member States and has led to the progressive introduction of complex and opaque rebates and other correction mechanisms for the financing of the EU budget;
Amendment 34 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that this logic also prevailed in the way the MFF agreement was struck by the European Council on 8 February 2013; considers it regrettable that this was reflected in the fact that the national allocations, especially from the two big blocks agriculture and cohesion policy, were determined at that moment; deplores, in particular, the list of special allocations and ‘gifts’ granted in the course of negotiations between Heads of State and Government, which are not based on objective and verifiable criteria, but rather reflect the bargaining power of Member States, trying to secure their national interests and maximise their net returns; denounces the lack of transparency in striking this agreement and the reluctance of Council and Commission to provide Parliament with all relevant documents;
Amendment 56 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that Parliament was the first EU institution to present its vision on the MFF 2014-2020 and the need to reform the financing of the EU budget, with the report of its specialised SURE Committee, in June 2011; believes that the early positioning helped to keep Parliament united throughout the subsequent negotiating process; considers further that this report provided effective guidance for the Commission in drafting its own proposals on the MFF and own resources and appreciates the regular political dialogue that was established between the two institutions at all stages of the preparation of this report; points to the obvious advantages for Parliament of an early preparation for any negotiations on the MFF;
Amendment 66 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that genuine negotiations on the MFF Regulation and the IIA were launched only in Marchy 2013, whileith Council negotiators not having a formal negotiating mandate but instead considereding the MFF agreement by the European Council as the only point of reference, with no margin for any discussion; stresses that this attitude lednot only led to an unnecessary loss of time but also to the unacceptable attempt by Council to exclude certain topics from the negotiations, forcing Parliament to struggle, including at the highest political level, in order to engage in ‘codecision type’ negotiations on every article of the MFF Regulation / IIA;
Amendment 74 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Points to the tremendous amount of information exchange and coordination required inside Parliament to ensure consistency in the parallel negotiations of the MFF and the legislative bases of over 60 multiannual programmes; is convinced that a better deal could have been struck by Parliament if the procedures had been disentangled because there would have been less pressure on the MFF negotiators to conclude in order to leave the legislative committees with sufficient time to finish their negotiations; finds, therefore, that different options of adjusting the duration of both the MFF and the multiannual programmes should be explored to limit the coordination effort for the future;
Amendment 78 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Declares its intention to ensure that all new provisions that were successfully incorporated into the MFF Regulation and IIA are utilised in full in the annual budgetary procedure; expects that the Council will not attempt to impose restricted interpretations of these provisions, especially on the nature and scope of all special instruments, but that it will instead act responsibly and approve the necessary appropriations to cover both its previous commitments and unforeseen expenditure even if the unprecedented situation occurs in which the annual MFF ceilings need to be exceeded;
Amendment 82 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Places particular emphasis on the new rules on flexibility that should allow maximum use of the respective MFF ceilings for commitments and payments; stresses that the practice of previous financial frameworks whereby the annual EU budget remained far below the MFF ceilings, particularly in payment appropriations, can no longer be sustained; given that the accumulated RALs have reached a critical level that might eventually lead the EU budget into structural deficit which would clearly offend against the provisions of the Treaty (Articles 310 and 323 TFEU);
Amendment 83 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Recalls that the next Commission, which will come into office after the 2014 European elections, is due to launch a compulsory review and revision of the MFF 2014-2020 by the end of 2016; underlines the fact that this post-electoral MFF review/revision clause was one of Parliament’s key demands in the MFF negotiations, based on the need to allow the next Commission and Parliament to reassess the EU’s political priorities, hence endowing the MFF with renewed democratic legitimacy; stresses the need for the next Parliament to identifyreflect in good time on its political priorities, i.e. to identify areas for which more investments will be deemed necessary in the second half of the next MFF as well as areas from which funds can be redeployed for there is no proven added value of EU spending;
Amendment 90 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses that the Commission proposals for the MFF revision should take full account of the latest macroeconomic projections and include a thorough assessment of the operation of all special instruments, in particular the global margins in commitments and payments; recalls that this process will not have a downward impact on any pre-allocated national envelopes; in this context, expects the Commission to provide Parliament and Council with identical and consistent data on figures and estimates in order to avoid misunderstandings in the negotiations with regard to the basis of discussion;
Amendment 100 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Expresses its firm conviction that any new fiscal capacity or budget developed specifically for eurozone Member States whose fiscal functions are not covered by the MFF must be developed within the Union framework and must be subject to proper democratic scrutiny and accountability through the existing institutions;
Amendment 7 #
2013/0087(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The mechanism of the financial discipline, together with the modulation, was introduced with the 2003 CAP reform. BothThat instruments provideds for a linear reduction of the amount of direct payments to be granted to farmers. Taking into account the implications of the unequal distribution of direct payments between small and large beneficiaries, modulation has been applied to amounts in excess of EUR 5000 in order to achieve a more balanced distribution of payments. In respect of calendar year 2013, the adjustment of direct payments referred to in Article 10(a) of Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 continues to provide for the same exemption as the modulation. The financial discipline should be applied in a similar way to also contribute to achieving the objective of a more balanced distribution of payments; therefore, it is appropriate to provide for the application of the adjustment rate only for amounts in excess of EUR 5000, which means equal treatment for all farmers and Member States.
Amendment 12 #
2013/0087(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. The amounts of direct payments within the meaning of Article 2(d) of Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 to be granted to a farmer in excess of EUR 5000 for an aid application submitted in respect of calendar year 2013 shall be reduced by 4.981759[xxx] %.
Amendment 103 #
2012/2107(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Emphasizes that the main objective of Regulation (EC) No 389/2006 is to facilitate the reunification of the island; recommends reviewing once again theCyprus by encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community with particular emphasis on the economic integration of the island; recommends a balanced distribution of the aid to the TCc and thbetween the five objectives obstacles related to the sustainability of the projects; suggests considering whether large scale bi- communal infrastructure programs should still be pursued or a focus on smaller scale bi-communal projectsf the Regulation, i.e. the promotion of economic and social development, the development and restructuring of infrastructure, reconciliation, confidence building measures, theand support tof the civil society, the missing persons' related activ (including also the Armenian and Maronite minorities), the youth mobility,bringing the Turkish Cypriot community closer to the Union, and the preservparation of historical sites should be considered insteadthe introduction and implementation of the acquis communautaire upon the reunification of Cyprus;
Amendment 106 #
2012/2107(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Recognizes - despite the failure of the seawater desalination plant for various reasons - the need for further support of infrastructure, economic and social development; underlines its strong support for smaller projects such as youth programs, the preservation of historical sites, bringing the communities together, and activities related to missing persons;
Amendment 12 #
2012/2000(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that the European Union’s budget is one of the most important instruments ofwhere solidarity between Member States and between generations is being demonstrated, and that it provides a clear added value, given its extraordinary impact on the real economy and daily lives of European citizens; recalls that if the Union’s policies were to be financed solely by Member States, their costs would skyrocket and that, seen in this light, the European budget intrinsically represents a clear common saving for the wellbeing of all;
Amendment 33 #
2012/2000(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Underlines that investments in high European added value infrastructures in the fields of transports, energy and telecommunications have a strong potential for growth, both directly and indirectly, by creating jobs and activity during the building phase and strengthening the competitiveness of the European economy as a whole;
Amendment 39 #
2012/2000(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the fact that all the measures taken so far to combat the crisis should assist a return to the path of growth; stresses, in this regard, that the tailor-made austerity measures already taken need to be accompanied by targeted investments resulting in sustainable economic development; points out that the EU budget has a determining role to play in this context as a tool to ensure prompt and well coordinated action in all fields to mitigate the effects of the crisis on the real economy and to act as a catalyst to boost investment, growth and jobs in Europe;
Amendment 50 #
2012/2000(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that the EU budget represents an investment solely directed towards policies and actions demonstrating EU added value; draws attention to the fact that the EU budget – which cannot run into deficit – has a leverage effect on growth and employment much higher than that of national spending, as does its capacity to gear up investment, deliver stability in Europe and help the EU out of the current economic and financial crisis; underlines the fact, moreover, that new financial instrumentshighlights the increasing relevance of innovative financial instruments to compensate budgetary constraints at national level, in that they further enhance the leverage effect of EU spending’s contribution to growth by attracting private investment, thus optimising public spending;
Amendment 2 #
2011/2021(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls that point 26 of the IIA of 17 May 2006 on budgetary discipline and sound financial management foresees that where there is scope for reallocating appropriations under the heading requiring additional expenditure, the Commission shall take this into account when making the necessary proposal;
Amendment 3 #
2011/2021(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Notes that the Commission, by calling for additional commitments and payments to cover the needs of the EUSF at this early stage of the year, found no possibility for redeployment nor reallocating within and between headings concerned;
Amendment 4 #
2011/2021(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Awaiting Council's position, is ready to consider the overall situation of payments in the context of the outturn of the 2010 Budget;
Amendment 200 #
2011/0177(APP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 a (new)
Paragraph 66 a (new)
66a. Draws Council's attention to the annexed Working Document highlighting modifications to the proposal for a Council Regulation laying down the MFF for the years 2014-2020 and the proposal for an Interinstitutional Agreement on cooperation in budgetary matters and sound financial management; advises that further modifications may become necessary depending on how negotiations on the MFF progress; points out that the Interinstitutional Agreement can be finalised only after the MFF procedure has been completed;
Amendment 7 #
2010/2300(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 – point a (new)
Paragraph 3 – point a (new)
(a) questions the existing strategy of budget support and calls for a more project-based approach, linked to the basic needs of the citizens in the developing countries.
Amendment 49 #
2010/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Recalls that the financing of these priorities through the reallocation of funds must not be detrimental to traditional EU policies such as the cohesion or structural policies, since cohesion policy, by its unique multilevel governance structure and horizontal character, is predestined to play an important role in the implementation of the EU2020 strategy, furthering subsidiarity by means of a bottom-up approach and enhancing acceptance and mobilizing support by the citizens of the Union; points out that these policies fulfil the founding principle of the EU, namely social inclusion and solidarity amongst Member States and regions;
Amendment 8 #
2010/0150(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 - point 3
Article 1 - point 3
Regulation (EC) No 663/2009
Article 22 - paragraph 1 a (new))
Article 22 - paragraph 1 a (new))
1a. A sustainable multi-annual follow-up and solution for heading 1a in the context of the budget review shall be found and a necessary revision of the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) by using all the provisions of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006, notably its Points 21-23 shall take place.
Amendment 7 #
2009/2226(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Deplores the fact that in its mid-term review in January 2011 the Commission did not propose any additional fundRecalls that in the joint statement on the financing ofor the European GNSS programmes for the period to 2013, which may lead to unacceptable delays in their completion; points out that, should extra funds be needed during this period, redeployment from current multiannual programmes cannot be seen as a viable option and that further reductions under Heading 1a, in particular concerning the 7th Framework Programme, are unacceptablellowing the relevant agreement of 23 November 2007, the European Parliament and the Council confirmed that the total estimated amount for Full Operational Capability of the GNSS project Galileo is EUR 3 400 million for the period 2007-2013 and declared that this amount should not be exceeded for the duration of the financial framework 2007-2013;
Amendment 3 #
2009/2006(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Welcomes the prolongation of the pilot project on enhanced cooperation between the Bureau and the Committee on Budgets for a second year and recalls that the principles of trust and transparency are essential; warns against any tendency whereby such cooperation becomes a mere formality, rather than real dialogue, and whereby fundamental decisions are taken prematurely; insists that the spirit of mutual cooperation be kept and improved for the future while respecting the prerogatives of each body; reiterates that prior consultation on issues with significant financial impact is one crucial aspect of the pilot project;
Amendment 18 #
2008/2334(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Regrets that the decision on theCommission proposal to invest in trans-European energy interconnections and broadband infrastructure projects waremains in vain baecause of a lack of budgetary agreement within the Council. agreement within the Council, contrary to the will of the European Council, as expressed in December 2008; considers that the EU budget should be used to contribute in facing the economic crisis by means of the appropriate instruments provided for in the IIA of 17 May 2006 and invites Council to discuss with Parliament alternative proposals;
Amendment 15 #
2008/2026(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Insists that the Commission take the appropriate measures both at political and administrative level to undertake a concrete follow-up to the joint declaration No 3 on implementation of cohesion policy, as adopted at the conciliation meeting on 21 November 2008; undertakes to evaluate before the end of March 2009 whether sufficient progress has been made;
Amendment 31 #
2008/0268(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) The Court, however, ordered that the effects of Decision 2006/1016/EC be maintained for EIB financing arrangements entered into before the entry into force, within a period of 12 months from the date of delivery of the said judgment, of a new decision adopted on the appropriate legal basis, namely Articles 179 EC and 181a EC together. This judgement implies that the codecision procedure will now apply for the activation of the optional mandate, the eligibility of countries listed in Annex I, and the suspension of new EIB financing in a specific country in the event of serious concerns over the political or economic situation.
Amendment 9 #
2008/0149(COD)
Draft legislative resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Considers that the financial envelope indicated in the legislative proposal can only be compatible with the ceiling of heading 4 of the multi-annual financial framework (MFF) under the condition of adjusting the ceiling according to the provisions laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement (IIA)of 17 May 2006 on budgetary discipline and sound financial management; points out that the annual amount will be decided within the annual budgetary procedure;
Amendment 16 #
2008/0149(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point ba (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point ba (new)
(ba) micro-credit facilities for small agricultural producers to boost production.