11 Amendments of Laura AGEA related to 2017/2216(INI)
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Expresses concern at the ongoing differences between Member States regarding the reporting process, which can give rise to a mistaken perception of the effectiveness of the controls; calls on the Commission to continue its efforts to help Member States step up the level and quality of inspections and share best practices in combating fraud;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Deplores the disparities in the customs checks carried out within the EU and the large amounts involved in fraud affecting the own resource collection system; calls on the Commission to strengthen the common policy on customs checks by providing for genuine harmonisation with a view to improving the collection of traditional own resources and to ensure the EU’s security and economic interests, focusing in particular on efforts to combat trade in illicit and counterfeit products;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Considers that the Commission should provide annual data on the difference between expected VAT and customs receipts and those actually collected;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Regrets that this is the fourth year in which the irregularities reported as fraudulent in direct management increased in number (16 cases in 2015 and 49 cases in 2016) and value (EUR 0.78 million in 2015 and EUR 6.25 million in 2016); calls on the Commission to present by the end of 2018 a specific plan to reduce fraud in this area;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Expresses concern regarding checks relating to financial instruments managed by intermediaries and the weaknesses revealed in verification of beneficiaries’ registered offices; stresses the need to make the disbursement of direct and indirect loans conditional on the publication of country-by-country tax and accountancy data, and on the disclosure of information on actual ownership by the beneficiaries and financial intermediaries involved in the financing operations;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
2a. Advocates closer cooperation between Member States in exchanging information; points out that many Member States do not have specific laws against organised crime, while its involvement in cross-border activities and sectors affecting the EU’s financial interests, such as smuggling or counterfeiting of currency, is constantly growing; considers it essential for the Member States to use effective means to counter the growing internationalisation of fraud and calls on the Commission to introduce common standards for measures to help combat fraud;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Emphasises that a system enabling the authorities to exchange information would facilitate the cross-checking of accounting records for transactions between two or more Member States in order to prevent cross-border fraud in respect of the structural and investment funds, hence ensuring a cross-cutting and comprehensive approach to the protection of Member States’ financial interests; reiterates its request to the Commission to submit a legislative proposal on mutual administrative assistance in those areas of European funding where no provision is made for this;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Points out that complete transparency in accounting for expenditure is essential, especially as regards infrastructure works financed directly through EU funds or financial instruments; calls on the Commission to ensure that EU citizens have full access to information regarding co-funded projects;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 b (new)
Paragraph 31 b (new)
31b. Considers it necessary to provide easily accessible information tools to ensure greater public involvement in the EU at the programming and control stage, especially in connection with major infrastructural funding; calls on the Commission to consider instruments to facilitate direct public involvement in monitoring the spending of EU funds, and to establish an accessible electronic desk for reporting cases of fraud;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Reiterates its opinion that corruption is an enormous challenge for the EU and the Member States, and that, without effective measures against it, corruption undermines economic performance, the rule of law and the credibility of democratic institutions within the Union; regrets that the new directive on public procurement has not so far led any noticeable improvement in detection of the level of corruption in the EU, and calls on the Commission to provide effective instruments for improving the transparency of contracting and subcontracting procedures;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Is of the opinion that investigative journalism plays a key role in fostering the necessary level of transparency in the EU and the Member States, and that it must be encouraged and supported by legal means both in the Member States and within the EU; calls for substantial legal protection for investigative journalists in line with that provided for whistleblowers;