Activities of Laura AGEA related to 2015/2353(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Preparation of the post-electoral revision of the MFF 2014-2020: Parliament's input ahead of the Commission's proposal (debate) IT
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on preparation of the post-electoral revision of the MFF 2014-2020: Parliament’s input ahead of the Commission’s proposal
Amendments (14)
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises that the post-electoral revision of the multiannual financial framework (MFF) must address the new political challenges facing the EU; underlines that reallocaconsiders that substantial addition ofal funds for emergencies is not a sustainable solution; insisting is needed at EU level to address humanitarian challenges, develop a new common European asylum system, promote integration and prevent discrimination, racism and xenophobia; believes that, in the existing resource commitments for achieving the Union’s strategic objectiveslight of the unprecedented migration crisis, current MFF ceilings for 2014-2020 have proved inadequate; notes that the Asylum, Migration and Integreater economic, social and territorial cohesionion Fund (AMIF) is already virtually exhausted; recalls that extensive use has already been maintainedde of MFF flexibility mechanisms;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that, in light of the unprecedented migratory emergency, the current ceilings of the MFF 2014-2020 – in particular heading 3 – have proven to be too tight; recalls that the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) is already virtually exhausted; recalls that the available MFF flexibility mechanisms have already been extensively used and that this will greatly reduce the degree of financial flexibility available in forthcoming financial years;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Deems substantial additional financial resources at EU level to be necessary to address humanitarian challenges, develop a new Common European Asylum System, support resettlement and relocation programmes, foster integration and prevent discrimination, racism and xenophobia;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses the importance for the achievement of EU strategic objectives of increasing public spending for education, training, research and development in all Member States, easing budgetary constraints in Europe to ensure effective tools for integration without removing employment opportunities and combating poverty and social exclusion;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Welcomes the establishment of an instrument for the provision of humanitarian assistance in the EU, in particular with a view to addressing the mass influx of migrants and refugees; questions, nonetheless, the choice of Article 122(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union as a legal basis for the establishment of the new instrument, given the lack of provision for the proper involvement of Parliament; voices concern at the Commission's intention to fund the instrument under heading 3 of the MFF, and in particular the AMIF fund, which is already being heavily used and is underfunded; calls on the Commission to look for other ways of funding this instrument from the EU budget, so as not to adversely affect the measures and programmes funded under the AMIF;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines that the employment rate in the EU currently stands at 69.2 %, which is well below the Europe 2020 target, and calls for increased public investment, free of budgetary constraints, in job creation and skills;
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the Commission recently signed a Common Understanding with Member States on a three-EU recently concluded an agreement with Turkey on a six- billion-euro Ffacility for Rrefugees in Turkey, which came into force on 20 March 2016 and is to run until the end of 2018; expresses concern about the establishment of financial instruments outside the EU budget as they threaten its unicity; stresses that these funds shouldParliament was not consulted at any stage during the adoption process; regards the approach used as a circumvention of the budget procedure, which requires the full involvement of Parliament; stresses that the agreement places the forthcoming negotiations on the 2017 budget in jeopardy by creating a fait accompli that there is no realistic chance of challenging; believes that the urgent need to address the refugee crisis is no justification for disrupting the institutional balance and freezing Parliament out; stresses, furthermore, that the funding the EU will be providing to Turkey must be used to provide direct support to refugees and host communities; calls on the Commission to establish a mechanism to monitor the use of these funds;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3a. Insists on the continuation of the Youth Employment Initiative and calls for the resources for this initiative to be provided until 2020; stresses the need to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of these investments, given the limited results achieved by the programmes implemented to date;
Amendment 35 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Expects the migratory emergency to continue due to sustained political instability and conflict in many regions and the lack of legal means of access to the EU; considers that a genuine MFF revision is essential by the end of 2016 at the latest; requests an updated estimation of budgetary needs to respond to the challenges expected until the end of the MFF; calls for additional flexibility in the MFFstresses that the MFF review in 2016 provides an opportunity to make necessary adjustments to funding levels and calls for additional flexibility in the MFF and an ability to address situations that were not foreseen at the time of its adoption.
Amendment 42 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that new legislation on EURES and the European platform for tackling undeclared work will draw on Employment and Social Innovation programme resources and insists that adequate funding for this programme be guaranteed in the EU budget; notes, with regard to EURES initiatives to deal with unemployment, that it is necessary to ensure that labour mobility is organised on a voluntary basis and underpinned by appropriate social guarantees;
Amendment 47 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that the resources of the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived are not sufficient to address the unprecedented flow of refugees and that competition for scarce funds may lead to social conflict; insists that the ESF share amount to 25 % of the total cohesion budget,calls therefore on the Commission to increase the European Social Fund allocation to 25 % of the cohesion policy budget as part of the revision of the multiannual financial framework; insists that no reductions in the national envelopes for ESF measures be made and that sufficient cash flow be provided annually for payments from the EU budget;
Amendment 58 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that the policies for poverty reduction and social inclusion among vulnerable groups have failed to produce the expected results and calls for increased financial aid to social services and the social economy; points out that Member States should introduce, as a possible poverty reduction measure and in accordance with national practices, a minimum income proportionate to their specific social and economic circumstances;
Amendment 62 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Draws attention to the huge problem of child poverty in Europe, which is afflicting over 20 million children, and reiterates its strong call for the establishment of a Child Guarantee with dedicated special resources, together with programmes to assist parents in getting out of social exclusion and unemployment;
Amendment 66 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses the material and cultural poverty and the deterioration of major European suburbs; notes the need to increase funding for qualitative improvements so as to increase the economic, cultural and social integration of European citizens living in such areas, especially the more vulnerable sections of society;