Activities of Matthijs van MILTENBURG related to 2016/2148(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Investing in jobs and growth - maximising the contribution of European Structural and Investment Funds - Delayed implementation of ESI Funds operational programmes - impact on cohesion policy and the way forward (debate) NL
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on investing in jobs and growth – maximising the contribution of European Structural and Investment Funds: an evaluation of the report under Article 16(3) of the CPR PDF (533 KB) DOC (101 KB)
Amendments (30)
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the significant contribution made by the European Structural and Investment Funds to the construction of an efficient and safe European transport network; Stresses the importance of synergies and complementarity between the various funds, programmes and instruments, in order to obtain the maximum added value of the investments effected;
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
Citation 17 a (new)
- having regard to the study by its Directorate-General for Internal Policies (Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies) of September 2016 entitled "Evaluation of the Report under Article 16(3) of the CPR",
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses the importance of national general transport plans as well as sustainable urban mobility plans for the effective spending of funds;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the need to use European Structural and Investment Funds to complement the gaps that exist between completed infrastructure projects, particularly in cross-border regions; recalls that ESI Funds can be used for investments in smart mobility and intelligent transport systems (ITS), and in particular sustainable public transport in cities and regions;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas cohesion policy in the programming period 2014-2020 has gained a more focused policy approach through thematic concentration, supporting the priorities of the Juncker Commission;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that Europe has been going through a difficult phase in both economic and political terms, so that a decentn effective investment policy that is close to citizens is needed more than ever;
Amendment 40 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Points out that the ESI Funds play an important role in facilitating the shift towards a low-carbon economy and combating climate change;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes that an analysis of thematic concentration should point out how the strategic choices of Member States and allocation of resources across TOs meet the specific needs of the territories; regrets that this aspect is less apparent in the Commission's Article 16 report;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Insists that cohesion policy should continue to have thematic focus, while allowing for; notes that the thematic objectives cover a very large scope which provides some degree of flexibility in order to take on board the specific needs of each region;
Amendment 64 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that funding under the cohesion policy is exceptionally important for the development of transport infrastructure in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe; calls for the necessary resources to be secured and for the level of financing to be maintained in the next multiannual financial framework;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines, in particular, that consideration should be given to the circumstances of the distinctively urban or rural regions, the so-called ‘lagging regions’ and regions with permanent natural or geographical handicaps (northernmost regions with very low population density, and cross-border, insular, mountainous or outermost regions); recalls in this context that it is important to support new policy challenges, such as immigration, as well as the broadly understood digital dimension of cohesion policy (including ICT and broadband access issues, which are linked to the completion of the Digital Single Market); points to the Energy Union Strategy, as the ESI Funds have an important role to play in its delivery;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Supports the shift from a focus on infrastructure-related projects towards aWelcomes an increased focus on stimulating the knowledge economy, innovation and social inclusion in cohesion policy;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the factNotes that more than two thirds of the Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs) that were adopted in 2014 are relevant to cohesion policy investments and welcomes the fact that they have been taken into account in Member States’ programming priorities;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Acknowledges that in the near future CSRs might trigger amendments to ESIF programmes, ensuring support to structural reforms in Member States;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Points out that Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs) and National Reform Programmes (NRPs) represent a clear linkage between the ESI Funds and the processes of the European semester;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Notes that the European Commission's Article 16 Report does not include a lot of information about coordination and synergies among different programmes and with instruments of other policy areas;
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Points out that the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) is presented as a success story when it comes to fast implementation, and against this background asks the Commission to come forward with learning pointsRequests the Commission to come forward with learning points on the implementation of the EFSI which can be used for further reflection for the ESI Funds for the new programming period;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses that state aid rules apply to ESI Funds, but not to EFSI and Horizon 2020, causing problems in increasing the level of synergy among the instruments; underlines the fact that if there is an ambition to extend EFSI or any similar types of financial instrument, the question of state aid rules needs to be adapted accordingly;funds, programmes and instruments; asks the European Commission to examine possible adjustments of the state aid rules to enhance synergies:
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. ANotes that one of the main goals of the 2014-2020 programming period is simplification for beneficiaries of ESI Funds and acknowledges that simplification is an important factor in access to funding;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Welcomes the fact that the new modernised regulatory framework of the ESI Funds provides new possibilities for simplification in terms of common eligibility rules, simplified cost options and e-governance; however regrets that the European Commission's Article 16 Report does not include any specific information as regards the use of Simplified Cost Options (SCOs);
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 21 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Underlines that there is a need for further efforts to develop the full potential of SCOs in terms of alleviating administrative burden;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Notes that the Member States have different administrative cultures, translating into different levels of performancelevels of performance in their policy framework, which the ex-ante conditionalities are helping to overcome;
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Highlights the European added value of ETC, which should be reflected in an increased level of appropriations for thisin the new cohesion policy objective, to be introduced as soon as practicableprogramming period;
Amendment 198 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Proposes the establishment of a permanentat a link between RIS3 and interregional cooperation on an EU- wide scale should be encouraged and made possible, preferably in the form of a permanentn element of the INTERREG programme;
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Is of the opinion that GDPpopulation size might not be the only legitimate indicator for ensuring a fair distribution of money that takes account of specific territorial needs; is of the opinion that many regions in Europe are facing a situation of demographic change, as well as shrinking population numbers in rural areasthe allocation of sources under ETC; is of the opinion that specific territorial characteristics and socio- economic specificities should also be taken into account;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Recalls that the ETC, which serves the broader principle of territorial cohesion, introduced by the Lisbon Treaty, is not yet properly applicould be improved; therefore encourages all stakeholders involved in negotiations on the future policy to strengthen this dimension of territorial cohesion;
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Expresses the need for a further assessment how ESIF funding contributes to the implementation of structural reforms by Member States, in particular to those which were put forward in CSRs;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Committee of the Regions, and to the governments and national and regional parliaments of the Member States.