41 Amendments of Nils TORVALDS related to 2017/2052(INI)
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Underlines that the next MFF must be reoriented towards sustainable development and ensure enhanced mainstreaming of environmental and climate change adaptation and mitigation policy in all funding mechanisms and budgetary lines in order to ensure sustainable economic growth, employment and the global competitiveness of the EU, reiterating that long-term policy coherence plays an important role in cost minimization;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is convinced that the next MFF should build on the Union’s well- established policies and priorities, which aim at promoting peace, democracy and human rights, at boosting welfare, long- term and sustainable economic growth, high-quality jobs, sustainable development and innovation, protecting healthy living environment, fighting climate change and at fostering economic, social and territorial cohesion, as well as solidarity between Member States and citizens; considers that these pillars are prerequisites for a properly functioning single market, the Energy Union and Economic and Monetary Union as well as for reinforcing Europe’s position in the world; trusts that they are more relevant than ever for Europe’s future endeavours;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that the next MFF should enable the Union to provide solutions and emerge strengthened from the crises of the decade: the economic and financial downturn, the phenomenon of migration and refugees, climate change and natural disasters, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss, terrorism and instability, to name but a few; underlines that these global, cross-border challenges with domestic implications reveal the interdependency of our economies and societies, and point to the need for joint actions; highlights the potential of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to combat the challenges of the future and welcomes the Commission's commitment to mainstreaming Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into all EU policies and initiatives and as such the next MFF must be reoriented towards the 2030 Agenda;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls, therefore, for continuous support for existing policies, in particular the long-standing EU policies enshrined in the Treaties, namely the common agricultural and fisheries policies, and the cohesion policy; rejects any attempt to totally renationalise these policies, as this would neither reduce the financial burden on taxpayers and consumers, nor achieve better results, but would instead hamper growth and the functioning of the single market while widening the disparities between territories and economic sectors; intends to secure the same level ofan adequate funding for the EU-27 for these policies in the next programming period while further improving their added value and simplifying the procedures associated with them;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Believes that, by translating the political priorities of the EU into concrete investments, the multiannual financial framework constitutes an excellent instrument for the long-term planning of the European projectunion spending and for ensuring a certain stable level of public investment in the Member States; regrets however the lack of mutually agreed long-term strategic vision for the European project; recalls, furthermore, that the EU budget is predominantly an investment budget that serves as an additional and complementary source of funding for actions undertaken at national, regional and local levels;
Amendment 175 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Is of the opinion that the decision on the duration of the MFF should strike the right balance between two seemingly conflicting requirements: on the one hand, the need for several EU policies – especially those under shared management, such as agriculture and cohesion – to operate on the basis of the stability and predictability of a commitment of at least seven years, and, on the other hand, the need for democratic legitimacy and accountability that results from the synchronisation of each financial framework with the five-year political cycle of the European Parliament and the European Commission;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Underlines, therefore, the need for the MFF’s duration to move progressively towards a 5+5 period with a mandatory mid-term revision; calls on the Commission to elaborate a clear proposal setting out the methods of the practical implementation of a 5+5 financial framework;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Calls, in particular, for a substantial increase in the financial envelope of the Flexibility Instrument of up to an annual allocation of at least EUR 2 billion; recalls that the Flexibility Instrument is not linked to any specific policy field and can thus be mobilised for any purpose that is deemed necessary; considers, therefore, that this instrument can be mobilised to cover any new financial needs as they occur during the MFF;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Points to the role of the Emergency Aid Reserve in providing a rapid response to specific aid requirements for third countries for unforeseen events, and stresses its particular importance in the current context; calls for a substantial increase in its financial envelope of up to an annual allocation of EUR 1 billion;
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Notes, in particular, the significant mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund to provide assistance in a number of serious natural disasters with substantial budgetary consequences; stresses also the positive impact that this instrument has on public opinion; proposes the reinforcement of its financial envelope to an annual allocation of EUR 1 billion;
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 9
Subheading 9
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Agrees that the search forachieving real European added value should be one of the main principles guiding the EU institutions when deciding about the type of spending in the next MFF; points out, however, the existence of multiple interpretations of the concept and calls for a clear definition of the criteria thereof that should take territorial specificities into account;;
Amendment 255 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Considers that better spending, i.e. the efficient use of every single euro of the EU budget based on critical assessment of current expenditure, can be achieved not only by directing EU resources towards actions with the highest European added value and the greatest increase in the performance of the EU’s policies and programmes, but also by achieving greater synergies between the EU budget and the national budgets, and by ensuring the tangible improvement of the spending architecture;
Amendment 258 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46a. Reiterates that focus should equally be put on the relationship between spending and performance of the EU budget; supports the recommendations of the 2016 Annual Report of the European Court of Auditors, for an efficient measurement framework of indicators for the spending programmes, more streamlined and balanced reporting on performance, and an easier access to the assessment results.;
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Underlines that the ‘health check’ of EU spending cannotshould provide for a reduction in the level of EU ambition or a sectoralisation of EU policies and programmes, nor should it lead to a replacement of grants by financial instrumentsn opportunity to re-prioritize with a view to generating some savings, as the great majority of actions supported by the EU budget are not suitable to be funded by the latter;
Amendment 278 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Questions the justification and added value of establishing instruments outside the Union budget; considers that decisions to set up or maintain such instruments are in reality driven by attempts to conceal the real financial needs and to bypass the constraints of the MFF and own resources ceilings; deplores that they often also result in bypassing Parliament in its triple responsibility as legislative, budgetary and control authority and lead to less transparency towards the general public and beneficiaries;
Amendment 318 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65
Paragraph 65
65. Believes, therefore, that the current presentation of the headings requires some improvements, but is against any unjustified radical changes; proposes, as a result, the following structure for the MFF post-2020; Heading 1: A stronger and sustainable economy Including programmes and instruments supporting: under direct mcalls on the Commission to propose a new structure for the MFF post-2020; transport, digitalisation, energy environment and climate chanagement: - research and innovation - industry, entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises - large-infrastructure projects - - adaptation - - - supporting investments in Europe (possible umbrella agriculture and rural development maritime affairs and fisheries horizontal (financial) instrument at EU level, incl. EFSI) Heading 2: Stronger cohesion and solidarity in Europe Including programmes and instruments supporting: - cohesion (under shared management): investments in innovations economic, social and territorial education and life-long learning culture, citizenship and health and food safety asylum, dmigitalisation, reindustrialisation, SMEs, transport, climate change adaptation employment, social affairs and social inclusion - - communication - - justice and consumers - national administrations Heading 3: Stronger responsibility in the world Including programmes and instruments supporting: - development - - - - - external relations facilities Heading 4: Security, peace and stability for all Including programmes and instruments supporting: - - - policy - Heading 5: An efficient administration at the service of Europeans - - equipment of EU institutionsration and integration, support to and coordination with international cooperation and neighbourhood enlargement humanitarian aid trade contribution to EU trust funds and security crisis response and stability common foreign and security defence financing EU staff financing the buildings and
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
Paragraph 67
67. Highlights the importance of completing the European research area, the energy union, the Single European Transport Area and the digital single market as fundamental elements of the European single market and reiterates the need for appropriate funding of the Connecting Europe Facility as strategic tool to support the attainment of these objectives;
Amendment 337 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68
Paragraph 68
68. Believes that the next MFF should see a greater concentration of budgetary resources in areas that demonstrate a clear European added value and stimulate sustainable economic growth, competitiveness and employment; stresses, in this context, the importance of research and innovation in creating a sustainable, world-leading, knowledge-based economy, and regrets that, due to the lack of adequate financing, only a small proportion of high- quality projects, in particular for key issues such as resource efficiency, natural capital and ecosystem services, green jobs and financing, have in this field has received EU funding under the current MFF;
Amendment 386 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73
Paragraph 73
73. Insists on the importance of the MFF for sectors relying on long-term investment, such as the transport sector; highlights that transport infrastructures are the backbone of the single market and the basis for sustainable growth and job creation; notes that accomplishing a single European transport area connected to neighbouring countries requires major transport infrastructure and must be treated as a key priority in terms of the EU’s competitiveness and for economic, social and territorial cohesion, including for peripheral areas; considers, therefore, that the next MFF should provide for sufficient funding for projects that contribute in particular to the completion of the TEN-T core network and its corridors, which should be further extended; stresses that an updated and more effective CEF programme should cover all modes of transport, in particular railway and other modes of transport, which contribute to reducing CO2 emissions, and focus on interconnections and the completion of the network in peripheral areas while using common standards;
Amendment 398 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 75
Paragraph 75
75. Considers it essential to secure a sustainable and affordablclean, stable and competitive energy supply in Europe; calls, therefore, for the continuous support for investments ensuring the diversification of energy sources, increasing energy security and enhancing energy efficiency, including by CEF Energy; stresses in particular the importance of providing for comprehensive support, especially for carbon-intensive regions, energy transition, transition to a low-carbon economy, the modernisation of power generation and grids, carbon capture storage and utilisation technologisustainable investments that stimulate renewable energy sources, putting energy efficiency first, increase energy security and energy independence from import of energy sources, and the modernisation of district heating; considers that the transformation of the energy sector in the light of the climate objectives should be supported by the creation of an Energy Transition Fund under the next MFF that would facilitate the structural changes in energy-intensive industries and carbon-intensive electricity production plants, and create incentives for low-carbon investments and innovative solutionat support new and innovative energy and industrial technologies that are in line with Europe’s long-term climate commitments;
Amendment 422 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77
Paragraph 77
77. Affirms that the common agricultural policy is fundamental for food security and autonomy, the preservation of rural populations, sustainable development and the provision of high-quality and affordable food products for Europeans; points out that food requirements have increased, as has the need to develop environmentally friendly farming practices and the need to tackle climate change; recognises the role of sustainable agriculture and forestry as key components of EU´s work in tackling climate change, biodiversity loss and furthering environmental sustainability; recalls that the next MFF should steer the CAP post-2020 towards a fair, effective efficient farming policy which has as its core objective to the facilitate the transition towards sustainable food and farming system in Europe and stresses that sufficient funding for reaching the targets must be provided; welcomes the Commission's strategic approach presented in the communication The Future of Food and Farming to provide more flexibility to the Member States to find appropriate means to steer their agricultural sector towards reaching the common environmental targets in the most effective way; underlines that the CAP is one of the most integrated policies and is mainly financed at EU level and, therefore, replaces national spending;
Amendment 427 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77
Paragraph 77
77. Affirms that the common agricultural policy is fundamental for food security and autonomy, the preservation of rural populations, sustainable development and the provision of high-quality and affordable food products for Europeans; stresses the need to secure agricultural production in all parts of the EU as well as in the areas of natural constraints; points out that food requirements have increased, as has the need to develop environmentally friendly farming practices and the need to tackle climate change; underlines that the CAP is one of the most integrated policies and is mainly financed at EU level and, therefore, replaces national spending;
Amendment 443 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78
Paragraph 78
78. Expects the global amount of direct payments to be kept intact under the next MFF, as they generate clear EU added value and strengthen the single market by avoiding distortions of competition between Member States; opposes any renationalisation and any national co- financing in that respect; while bearing in mind the importance to maintain the variety of measures, including voluntary coupled support, available to Member States to maintain the production on sectors vital for vulnerable areas without distortion effect on internal market stresses the need to increase funding in line with responses to the various cyclical crises in sensitive sectors, to create new instruments that can mitigate price volatility and to increase funding for Programmes of Options Specifically Relating to Remoteness and Insularity (POSEI); concludes, therefore, that the CAP budget in the next MFF should be at least maintained at its current level for the EU-27;
Amendment 452 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78
Paragraph 78
78. Expects the global amount of direct payments to be kept intact under the next MFF, as they generate clear EU added value and strengthen the single market by avoiding distortions of competition between Member States; opposes any total renationalisation and any national co- financing in that respect; stresses the need to increase funding in line with responses to the various cyclical crises in sensitive sectors, to create new instruments that can mitigate price volatility and to increase funding for Programmes of Options Specifically Relating to Remoteness and Insularity (POSEI); concludes, therefore, that the CAP budget in the next MFF should be at least maintained at its current level for the EU-27receive an adequate funding for the EU-27 based on an analysis of the needs and taking into account the evaluation of the implementation of the policy;
Amendment 468 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80
Paragraph 80
80. Stresses the importance of preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment; underlines the EU’s leading role in tackling climate change and its internal and external biodiversity commitments and goals; asks for appropriate financial resources to be provided to implement the Paris agreement and thorough climate mainstreaming of future EU spending; recalls that the next MFF should help the Union to achieve its 2030 climate and energy framework objectives; underlines that the EU should not finance projects and investments that are contrconsiders that stable and appropriate funding is essential to achieving the European Union's international commitments, in particular the 2030 Agenda, the Paris agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity; recognises that new financing tools and different approaches to current investment policy, such as the phase out of environmentally harmful subsidies and high-emission projects, are necessary tofor the achievement of these goals;
Amendment 472 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80 a (new)
Paragraph 80 a (new)
80a. Draws attention to the first recommendations of the High Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance1a,including those relating to the multiannual financial framework, and emphasize that the sustainability objectives must be supported by a financial system capable of promoting long-term, sustainable growth; calls on the Commission also to examine and address these recommendations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework, including the need to develop a 'sustainability test' for all future EU financial regulations and policies, and for financial instruments to achieve greater policy steering effects; __________________ 1a https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/17 0713-sustainable-finance-report_en.pdf
Amendment 474 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80 a (new)
Paragraph 80 a (new)
80a. Reiterates that since at least 20% of the EU budget for 2014-2020 should be spent on climate change related action; considers that the next MFF should offset the lower allocations from the first half of the current MFF and that overall target be increased to 30%; furthermore calls on the Commission to guarantee that the mechanism and methodology of climate change mainstreaming is fully optimised;
Amendment 476 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80 b (new)
Paragraph 80 b (new)
80b. Points out that all expenditure under the next MFF should be consistent with the EU´s objective, in the context of necessary reductions according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change by developed countries as a group, to reduce emissions by 80-95% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels and the objective under the Paris Agreement to reach a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century;
Amendment 477 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80 c (new)
Paragraph 80 c (new)
80c. Stresses the environmental significance and socio-economic benefits of biodiversity, for example through ecosystem services and natural capital; notes that biodiversity loss will not be reversed without substantial additional efforts at a local, regional, national and supranational level; calls on the Commission to establish a tracking mechanism for EU biodiversity spending in order to improve transparency, accountability and effectiveness and integrate these into the next MFF;
Amendment 493 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81
Paragraph 81
81. StressUnderlines that cohesion policy post- 2020 should remainis the main investment policy of the European Union covering all EU regions while concentrating the majority of the resources on the most vulnerable ones; believes that, beyond the goal of reducing the disparities between levels of development and enhancing convergence as enshrined in the Treaty, it should focus on the achievement of the broad EU political objectives and proposes, therefore, that under the next MFF, the three cohesion policy funds – the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Cohesion Fund – should concentrate mainly on providing support for innovation, structural reforms, digitalisation, reindustrialisation, SMEs, transport, climate change adaptation, employment and social inclusion; calls, moreover, for a reinforced territorial cooperation component and an urban dimension for the policy;
Amendment 509 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82
Paragraph 82
82. Considers maintaining thStresses the need for an adequate financing of cohesion policy post-2020 for the EU-27 at least abased on an analysis of the needs and taking into account the level of the 2014- 2020 budget to be of the utmost importancealuation of the implementation of the policy; stresses that GDP should remain one of the parameters for the allocation of cohesion policy funds, but believes that it should be complemented by an additional set of social, environmental and demographic indicators to better take into account new types of inequalities between EU regions; supports, in addition, the continuation under the new programming period of the elements that rendered cohesion policy more modern and performance-oriented under the current MFF;
Amendment 518 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82 a (new)
Paragraph 82 a (new)
82a. Considers that the allocation of structural funds post-2020 for the EU-27 shall be conditional on the respect of the fundamental principles of the rule of law, the acceptance of the control by the European Public Prosecutor of the use made of these funds, the acceptance of an effective solidarity in the sharing of the burdens resulting from common European policies; considers, furthermore, that macroeconomic conditionality shall be maintained when allocating these funds.
Amendment 549 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 84
Paragraph 84
84. Emphasises in particular the continuous need to fight unemployment, especially among young people, and calls, therefore, for a doubling of the Ysubstantial strengthening of initiatives to boost youth Eemployment Initiative envelope in the next programming period; considers that investment to boost education and training, especially the development of digital skills, remains one of the top priorities of the EU; insists that the Union's resources in support of these initiatives result in a net increase in the funds available for NEETs (young people not in employment, education or training) and shall not replace expenditure previously financed by national budgets.
Amendment 566 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 85
Paragraph 85
85. Expresses support for programmes in the areas of culture, education, media, youth, sports and citizenship that have clearly demonstrated their European added value and enjoy lasting popularity among beneficiaries; advocates, therefore, continuous investment in the Education and Training 2020 framework through the Erasmus+, Creative Europe and Europe for Citizens programmes in order to pursue reaching out to young people and providing them with valuable competences and life skills through lifelong learning, learner-centred and non-formal education, as well as informal learning opportunities; calls in particular for a tripling of the Erasmus+ envelope in the next MFF with the aim of reaching many more young people and learners across Europe, and achieving the full potential of the programme; recommends, moreover, the continuation of the European Solidarity Corps and reiterates its support for strengthening the external dimension of the Erasmus+ and Creative Europe programmes;
Amendment 586 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 86
Paragraph 86
86. Expects that in the post-2020 period, the European Union will move from crisis-management mode to a permanent, European common policy in the field of asylum and migration; stresses that the actions in this field should be covered by a dedicated instrument, i.e. the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund; emphasises that the future fund, as well as the relevant Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) agencies, must be equipped with an adequate level of funding for the whole of the next MFF to address the comprehensive challenges in this area; believes, furthermore, that the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) should be complemented by additional components tackling this issue under other policies, in particular by the cohesion funds and the instruments financing external actions, as no single tool could hope to address the magnitude and complexity of needs in this field; recognises, moreover, the importance of cultural, educational and sports programmes in integrating refugees and migrants into European society;
Amendment 606 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 88
Paragraph 88
88. Stresses that the world is confronted with multiple challenges including conflicts, cyber-attacks, terrorism, disinformation, natural disasters, climate change, biodiversity loss; marine pollution; human rights violations and protracted crises; believes that the Union has a particular political and financial responsibility which is founded on rules- based foreign policy, cooperation with partner countries, poverty eradication and crisis response;
Amendment 673 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 96
Paragraph 96
96. Welcomes initiatives by the institutions, bodies and agencies to further enhance efficiency through increased administrative cooperation and the pooling of certain functions, thereby generating savings to the Union budget; highlights that, for certain agencies, further efficiency gains could be made, especially through increased cooperation among agencies with similar tasks, such as in the field of the financial market supervision and of agencies with multiple locations; calls, in a more general way, for a thorough assessment of the strategic interest and tasks of all agencies and the possibilities of grouping agencies according to the strategic nature of their mission and their result;