Activities of Carlos ZORRINHO related to 2018/0227(COD)
Shadow reports (1)
RECOMMENDATION FOR SECOND READING on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Digital Europe Programme and repealing Decision (EU) 2015/2240
Amendments (47)
Amendment 85 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) For the implementation of the Programme, it is a prerequisite to invest in infrastructure in order to ensure an appropriate level of connectivity through 5G and ultra-fast broadband networks. It´s also a prerequisite to invest in training, easy, and balanced access to improve inclusivity, better public service delivering and higher skilled jobs.
Amendment 86 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 b (new)
Recital 7 b (new)
(7b) Europe has to make decisive investments in its future, building strategic digital capacities in order to benefit from the digital revolution. A substantial budget (of at least 9.2 billion euro) must be ensured at EU level for this purpose, which must be complemented by sizable investment efforts at national and regional level, namely with a consistent and complementary relationship with structural and cohesion funds.
Amendment 87 #
(8) The Commission's Communication on 'A new, modern Multiannual Financial Framework for a European Union that delivers efficiently on its priorities post- 2020'57 outlines among the options for the future financial framework a programme for Europe's digital transformations to deliver 'strong progress towards smart growth in areas such as high quality data infrastructure, connectivity and, cybersecurity' and digitalization of public administrations. It would seek to secure European leadership in supercomputing, next generation internet, artificial intelligence, robotics and big data. It would reinforce the competitive position of industry and businesses in Europe across the digitised economy, ensure accessibility to the opportunities connected to the digitalization of public services throughout Europe and would have a significant impact on filling the skills gap across the Union. _________________ 57 COM(2018) 98 final
Amendment 94 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9a) The Next Generation Internet initiative launched by the European Commission in 2017 should also provide ground for the implementation of the Programme as it aims towards a more open Internet with better services, more intelligence, greater involvement and participation, addressing technological opportunities arising from advances in various research fields, extending from new network architectures and software- defined infrastructures to new concepts for services and applications.
Amendment 96 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The general objective of the Programme should be to support the digital transformation of industry and to foster better exploitation of the industrial potential of policies of innovation, research and technological development, for the benefit of businesses and citizens all over the Union in close connection with the Digital Single Market improvement. The programme should be structured into five Specific Objectives reflecting key policy areas, namely: high- performance computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, advanced digital skills, and deployment, best use of digital capacities and interoperability. For all these areas, the Programme should also aim at better aligning Union, Member States and regional policies and strategies, and pooling of private and industrial resources in order to increase investment and develop stronger synergies, namely to develop better infrastructures and improve training policies. The implementation of the program should focus on the dematerialisation of processes and administrative simplification, particularly in the application processes.
Amendment 114 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
Recital 14 a (new)
(14 a) The example of the WIFI4EU initiative should be replicated in a way to improve a balanced access to new networks, services and applications to all European Citizens.
Amendment 117 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The high performance computing and the related data processing capacities in the Union should allow to ensure wider use of high performance computing by industry and, more generally, in areas of public interest in order to seize unique opportunities that supercomputers bring to society as regards health, environment and security as well as competitiveness of industry, notably small and medium-sized enterprises, improved by added power of collaborative networks.
Amendment 135 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) The European Council in its conclusions of 19 October 2017 stressed that to successfully build a Digital Europe, the Union needs in particular labour markets, training and education systems fit for the digital age and that there is a need to invest in digital skills, to empower and enable all Europeans; with an integrated approach.
Amendment 136 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26 a (new)
Recital 26 a (new)
(26a) Considering the need for a holistic approach, the Program should also take into account the areas of inclusion, qualification, training and specialization which, in addition to the advanced digital competences, are decisive for the creation of added value in the knowledge society.
Amendment 162 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) '"Digital Innovation Hub' means legal entity designated or selected in an open and competitive procedure in order to fulfil the tasks" (DIH) serve the purposes of: (i) foster innovation at regional and/or national levels, narrowing the gap between R&D results and adoption and take-up of products and services through paths that go from proof-of-concept, to prototype and demonstrator (ii) assist entrepreneurs uander the Programme, in particular providing access to technolo industry, in particular the European Enterprise Network and SMEs, to attract digictal expertise and experimentation facilities, such as equipment and software tools to enable the digital transformation of the industry. ly skilled people contributing to a geographically balanced and cohesive development (iii) widespread digital innovative technologies and services to industry (manufacturing, agriculture, etc.) and the public sector (health, education, administration).
Amendment 167 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) "European Network of Digital Innovation Hubs" (EU-DIH) means a decentralised Network across the Union of legal entities designated or selected in an open and competitive procedure in order to fulfil the tasks under the Digital Europe Programme supporting pan- European collaboration, in particular providing access to technological expertise and experimentation facilities, such as infrastructure, equipment and software tools, brokerage, legal advice etc., to enable the digital transformation of the industry.
Amendment 170 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The Programme has the following general objective: to support the digital transformation of the European economy and society and bring its benefits to European citizens and businesses. The Programme, in close coordination with Horizon Europe, the Internal Market program and in particular the actions supporting SMEs, investEU instrument, CEF and ESIF, will:
Amendment 179 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) support the digital transformation of the public sector and their access to new digital infrastructures;
Amendment 183 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) deploy, coordinate at the Union level and operate an integratedroperable world- class exascale77 supercomputing and data infrastructure in the Union that shall be accessible on a non-commercial basis to public and private users and for publicly funded research purposes in accordance with the Regulation establishing the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking; _________________ 77 Billions of billions of floating operations per second
Amendment 190 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) build up and strengthen core artificial intelligence capacities in the Union intended for civil use, including data resources and libraries of algorithms in compliance with data protection legislation; and ensuring that humans remain at the centre of the development, deployment and decision-making of AI;
Amendment 204 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) support, together with Member States, the procurement of advanced cybersecurity equipment, tools and data infrastructures in full compliance with data protection legislation and ensuring EU strategic autonomy;
Amendment 212 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) ensure a wide deployment of the latest cybersecurity solutions across the economy with special attention to vulnerable economic operators;
Amendment 213 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) reinforce capabilities within Member States and private sector aiming at developing a cybersecurity culture within organisations and to help them meet Directive (EU) 2016/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016 concerning measures for a high common level of security of network and information systems across the Union79 . _________________ 79 OJ L 194, 19.7.2016, p. 1–30 OJ L 194, 19.7.2016, p. 1–30
Amendment 225 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The financial intervention by the Union under Specific Objective 4. Advanced Digital skills shall support the development of advanced digital skills in areas supported by this programme, thus contributing to increase Europe's talent pool, fostering greater professionalism, especially with regard to high performance computing, big data analytics, cybersecurity, distributed ledger technologies, robotics and artificial intelligence. The financial intervention shall pursue the following operational objectives: to stimulate employability, vocational training and specialisation in digital technologies and applications,
Amendment 255 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) Ensure a broad citizens access to High Quality Internet, namely with the replication of the WIFI4EU initiative (WIFI4EU2) and deployment of Very High Capacity Network in areas where there is lack of connectivity, in particular rural and remote areas.
Amendment 261 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) offer to public administrations access to testing and, piloting and scaling-up of digital technologies, including their cross-border use;
Amendment 268 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) ensure a continuous capacity at the Union level to observe, analyse and adapt to fast-evolving digital trends, as well as sharing and mainstreaming best practices according to our digital identity, as a result of the application of the acquis of values and principles shared by the countries of the European Union to the transformation processes that lead to the development of the digital society;
Amendment 275 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point h a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point h a (new)
(ha) help to ensure very high capacity networks are available to outermost regions, remote and less populated areas contributing to reduce the digital divide;
Amendment 276 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point i
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) build up and strengthen the network of Digital Innovation Hubs, with a balanced distribution ensuring a full coverage of Europe, improving convergence, contribute to fill the gap and reduce the digital divide, in particular between Cohesion countries and other member states.
Amendment 277 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 5
Article 9 – paragraph 5
5. Resources allocated to Member States under shared management may, at their request, be transferred to the Programme. The Commission shall implement those resources directly in accordance with point (a) of Article 62(1) of the Financial Regulation or indirectly in accordance with point (c) of that Article. Where possible those resources shall be used to the maximum extent possible for the benefit of the Member State concerned.
Amendment 284 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. The cooperation with third countries and organisations mentioned in paragraph 1 under Specific Objective 2 and 3. Cybersecurity and Trust and Artificial Intelligence shall be subject to Article [12]. For actions under Specfic objective 1, High Performance Computing, the cooperation with third countries will be limited to those countries that are members of the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking.
Amendment 287 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 5
Article 12 – paragraph 5
5. The work programme may also provide that legal entities established in associated countries and legal entities established in the EU but controlled from third countries are not eligible for participation in all or some actions under Specific Objective 3 for1, 2 and 3 for strategic autonomy and security reasons. In such cases calls for proposals and calls for tenders shall be restricted to entities established or deemed to be established in Member States and controlled by Member States and/or nationals of Member States.
Amendment 294 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2
Article 14 – paragraph 2
2. The Programme may provide funding in any of the form of primarily public procurements of grants as well as grants and prizes as laid down in the Financial Regulation, including notably procurement as a primary form as well as grants and prizes. It may also provide financing in the form of financial instruments within blending operations only by providing the non-repayable forms of support to blending operations.
Amendment 295 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
The Programme may be implemented through European Partnerships agreed within the Strategic programming Process between the Commission and the Member States . This may include in particular contributions to existing or new public- private partnerships in the form of joint undertakings established under Article 187 TFEU. For these contributions, provisions relating to European Partnerships under [Horizon Europe Regulation, ref to be added] apply.
Amendment 299 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. During the first year of the implementation of the Programme, an initial network of Digital Innovation Hubs shall be established across the EU.
Amendment 308 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) appropriate management capacity, staff and infrastructure, and skills to carry out RD&;I;
Amendment 309 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) appropriate financial guarantees, issued preferably by a public authority, corresponding to the level of Union funds it will be called upon to manage.capacity;
Amendment 311 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(da) links with existing ICT Hubs created under Horizon 2020, the EUinvest Hub and the European Entreprise network;
Amendment 312 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point d b (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point d b (new)
(db) guarantees, issued preferably by a public authority, corresponding to the level of Union funds it will be called upon to manage;
Amendment 313 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point d c (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point d c (new)
(dc) alignment with cohesion funds priorities;
Amendment 317 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) the need to ensure by the initial network a coverage of the needs of industry and areas of public interest and a comprehensive and balanced geographical coverage, improving convergence and contribute to fill the gap between the cohesion countries and the other member states.
Amendment 319 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4
Article 16 – paragraph 4
4. Additional Digital Innovation Hubs shall be selected on the basis of an open and competitive process, in such a way to ensure the widest geographical coverage across Europe. The number of entities of the network shall be proportional to the population of a given Member States and ithere shall be a priority to have at least one Digital Innovation Hub per Member State. To address the specific constraints faced by the EU outermost regions, additional Innovation Hubs shall be selected in those regions or specific entities may be nominated to cover their needs independently of their population.
Amendment 326 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 5
Article 16 – paragraph 5
5. The Digital Innovation Hubs mayshall receive funding in the form of grants.
Amendment 335 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 3
Article 18 – paragraph 3
3. Legal entities established in a third country which is not associated to the Programme are exceptionally eligible to participate in specific actions where this is necessary for the achievement of the objectives of the Programme and when it does do not imply additional security risks for the EU or put in question the EU's strategic autonomy.
Amendment 337 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 6
Article 18 – paragraph 6
6. Legal entities established in a third country which is not associated to the programme should in principle bear the cost of their participation.
Amendment 338 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1
Article 19 – paragraph 1
Grants under the Programme shall be awarded and managed in accordance with Title VIII of the Financial Regulation. and may cover up to 100% of the eligible costs on duly justified reasons, without prejudice of the co-financing principle;
Amendment 343 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) where applicable, a reduction of digital divide between regions, citizens or business;
Amendment 347 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1
Article 21 – paragraph 1
Blending operations decided under this Programme shall be implemented in accordance with the [InvestEU regulation] and Title X of the Financial Regulation. The amount of expenditure from this programme to be blended with a financial instrument shall be non-refundable.
Amendment 362 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – part 1 – point 1.2 a (new)
Annex II – part 1 – point 1.2 a (new)
1.2a Number of entreprises from non- participating countries that are part of the Supply chain of the HPC infrastructure.
Amendment 363 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – part 2 – point 2.2 a (new)
Annex II – part 2 – point 2.2 a (new)
2.2a Number of concrete AI applications supported by the programme that are being currently commercialised.
Amendment 364 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – part 4 – point 4.2 a (new)
Annex II – part 4 – point 4.2 a (new)
4.2a Rate of satisfaction of the programme among users.
Amendment 365 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – part 4 – point 4.2 b (new)
Annex II – part 4 – point 4.2 b (new)
4.2b Number of students, recent graduates and unemployed that have improved their status after training provided in the framework of the programme.