58 Amendments of José BLANCO LÓPEZ related to 2016/0325(COD)
Amendment 52 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) The Mediterranean region is strategically important for the European Union from a political, economic, cultural, scientific and environmental point of view;
Amendment 62 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) In its Communication of 7 June 2016 on establishing a new Partnership Framework with third countries under the European Agenda on Migration, the Commission emphasised the need to call upon all policies, including research and innovation, to address the promot causes of migration throughe a new cooperation model involving private investors, leveraging limited budget resources, and focusing on SMEs and sustainable infrastructure.
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 16 a (new)
Recital 16 a (new)
(16a) The PRIMA-IS should monitor the results of calls for proposals and the extent to which scientific topics, expected impacts and oversubscription in terms of proposals or participants above the threshold that could not be funded, were adequately addressed. In those cases, the PRIMA-IS should undertake corrective actions in subsequent annual work plans.
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 17 a (new)
Recital 17 a (new)
(17a) In achieving its objectives, and in line with the applicable rules and principles, such as the principle of scientific excellence, PRIMA-IS should aim at an appropriate share of approximately 25% of Union funding reflecting the commitment of Mediterranean partner countries to the programme being provided to legal entities established in targeted third countries considered as Participating States.
Amendment 95 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 18 a (new)
Recital 18 a (new)
(18a) PRIMA-IS should approve a model grant agreement, which should define how entities established in countries not participating in PRIMA shall provide to the PRIMA-IS appropriate guarantees to cover their risk of default or mismanagement of EU funding.
Amendment 98 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 18 b (new)
Recital 18 b (new)
(18b) The PRIMA-IS may introduce in its annual work plans additional conditions for participation, for example to provide for all projects under a certain call to be coordinated by entities established in Participating States.
Amendment 104 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) The Commission taking into account the views of the Participating States, should conduct an interim evaluation assessing in particular the quality and efficiency of PRIMA and the progress made towards the objectives set, and a final evaluation, and should prepare reports on those evaluations.
Amendment 108 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. The Union shall participate in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area ('PRIMA') jointly undertaken by [Cyprus, Czech Republic, FranceFrance, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia] ('Participating States'), in accordance with the conditions laid down in this Decision.
Amendment 111 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco shall become Participating States subject to the conclusion of international agreements with the Union setting out the terms and conditions of their participation in PRIMA.
Amendment 112 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
3. Any Member State and any country associated to Horizon 2020 other than those listed in paragraph 1 may participate in PRIMA provided it fulfils the condition laid down in point (c) of Article 4(1) and complies in particular with Article 11(5) of this Decision. If it fulfils thatese conditions, it shall be regarded as a Participating State for the purposes of this Decision.
Amendment 113 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) (a) it fulfils the condition laid down in point (c) of Article 4(1) and complies in particular with Article 11(5)of this Decision;
Amendment 116 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of PRIMA is to developbuild research and innovation capacities and to develop knowledge and the fully piloted and demonstrated common innovative solutions for water management and provision and agro-food systems in the Mediterranean region, to make them more climate resilient, efficient, cost-effective and sustainable, and to contribute to solving water scarcity, food security, nutrition, health, well-being and migration problems upstream.
Amendment 123 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point i
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point i
(i) the formulation of a stable, long- term, common strategic agenda in the area of water provision and agro-food systems;
Amendment 124 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point ii
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point ii
(ii) the orientation of all national R&Irelevant national research and innovation programmes towards the implementation of the strategic agenda;
Amendment 125 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point iv
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point iv
(iv) the strengthening of the research and innovation capacities funding and of the implementation capabilities of all actors involved.
Amendment 131 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 3
Article 5 – paragraph 3
3. In-kind contributions referred to in point (b) of paragraph 2 of this Article shall consist of costs incurred by the Participating States through their national funding bodies in implementing activities referred to in Article 6(1)(b), less any direct or indirect Union financial contribution to those costs.
Amendment 132 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 5
Article 5 – paragraph 5
5. Contributions referred to in points (a), (b) and (bc) of paragraph 2 counting as contributions from Participating States shall be made after the entry into force of this Decision for the activitiadoption of the annual work plan. If the annual work plan is adopted during the reference year referred to in Article 6(2), the contributions referred to in point (c) of paragraph 2 counting as contributions from Participating States included in the first PRIMA annual work plan, and after adoption of the subsequent annual work plans by the PRIMA-IS may comprise contributions made as from 1 January of that year. By way of derogation from the first subparagraph, the contributions referred to in point (c) of paragraph 2 counting as contributions from Participating States included in the first annual work plan may comprise contributions made after the entry into force of this Decision.
Amendment 133 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. PRIMA shall support the following activities: all types of research and innovation activities, including capacity building, training, researchers' mobility, research, development and innovation projects and innovative demonstrators and pilot plants, addressing a wide range of Technology Readiness Levels and ensuring an appropriate balance between small and large projects, by means of:
Amendment 135 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
(i) research and innovation actions, as well as innovation actions, including demonstrators, pilot plants, testing, pre- commercial deployment, addressing in particular the higher Technology Readiness Levels;
Amendment 140 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
(b) activities funded by the Participating States through their national funding bodies without Union contribution, addressing increasingly also the higher Technology Readiness Levels andwithout Union contribution, consisting in:
Amendment 144 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. PRIMA shall be implemented on the basis of annual work plans, to be adopted by the PRIMA-IS, after obtaining approval by the Commission, by the end of the previous year. As an exception, the PRIMA annual work plan for 2018 may be adopted by 31 March 2018.covering activities to be launched in the period from 1 January to 31 December of a given year ("reference year"). The annual plan shall to be adopted by the PRIMA-IS by 31 March of the reference year, after obtaining approval by the Commission without undue delay. If the Commission does not respond to the request for approval work plan proposal in one month, it shall be deemed approved, The PRIMA-IS shall make the annual work plan publicly available.
Amendment 146 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Activities referred to in points (a) and (b) of paragraph 1 may only be launched in the reference year after the adoption of the annual work plan.
Amendment 147 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 2 b (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. If the annual work plan is adopted during the reference year, the Union's financial contribution referred to in Article 3(1) may reimburse administrative costs of the PRIMA-IS incurred as from 1 January of that reference year in line with the annual work plan. By way of derogation from the first subparagraph, the Union's financial contribution referred to in Article 3(1) may reimburse administrative costs of the PRIMA-IS incurred as from the entry into force of this Decision in line with the first annual work plan.
Amendment 148 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Article 6 – paragraph 3
3. Activities may only be funded under PRIMA if they are set out in the PRIMA annual work plan. The PRIMA annual work plan shall distinguish between the activities referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1, the activities referred to in point (b) of that paragraph, as well as the administrative costs of the PRIMA-IS. It shall provide for their corresponding expenditure estimates as well as for the budget allocation to activities funded with Union contribution and to activities funded by the Participating States through their national funding bodies without Union contribution. The PRIMA annual work plan shall also include the estimated value of the Participating States' in kind contributions referred to in Article 5(2)(b).
Amendment 150 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Amended annual work plans for a given year and annual work plans for subsequent years shall take into account the results of previous calls for proposals. They shall address insufficient coverage of scientific topics, in particular, due to budget constraints that impeded to follow strictly the ranking of the proposals, as provided in paragraph 7(c), for activities referred to in paragraph 1(b).
Amendment 153 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 3 b (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. For the purpose of paragraph 3 a, calls for proposals under paragraph 1(b) shall label with a "seal of excellence" those project proposals that passed stringent selection and award criteria but could not be funded due to budget constraints of the Participating Countries.
Amendment 154 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 5
Article 6 – paragraph 5
5. Activities to be funded by the Participating States through their national funding bodies without Union contribution may only be included in the PRIMA annual work plan following the positive outcome of their external independent evaluation by international peer review with regard to the objectives of PRIMA, as organised by the PRIMA-IS.
Amendment 155 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 7 – point a – introductory part
Article 6 – paragraph 7 – point a – introductory part
(a) The proposals shall be for transnational projects, with minimum participation of at least three independent legal entities established in three different Participating Statecountries considered as Participating States in accordance with this Decision by the submission deadline under the relevant call for proposals, of which:
Amendment 158 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 7 – point a – point i
Article 6 – paragraph 7 – point a – point i
(i) one established in a Member State or in a country associated to Horizon 2020 not covered by (ii), and
Amendment 162 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 7 – point a – point ii a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 7 – point a – point ii a (new)
(iia) one established in a third country considered as a Participating State in accordance with this Decision by the submission deadline under the relevant call for proposals listed in Article 1(2) or bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
Amendment 163 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 7 – point b
Article 6 – paragraph 7 – point b
(b) The proposals shall be selected following transnational calls for proposals and through a two-step procedure. Step 1 shall consist of a review at national or transnational level of proposals submitted by legal entities eligible for funding under the relevant national programmes. Step 2 shall consist of a single independent international peer review organised by the PRIMA-IS. Under step 2, the proposals shall be evaluated with the assistance of at least three independent experts, on the basis of the following award criteria: excellence, impact, quality and efficiency of the implementation.
Amendment 165 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 7 – point c
Article 6 – paragraph 7 – point c
(c) Proposals shall be ranked according to the evaluation results. The selection shall be made by the PRIMA-IS on the basis ofand shall follow this ranking. The Participating States shall agree on an adequate funding mode that allows maximising the number of proposals to be funded on the basis of this ranking, in particular by providing reserve amounts to the national contributions for calls for proposals. In case one or more projects cannot be funded, the projects following directly in the ranking list may be selected.
Amendment 168 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. By way of derogation from point (b) of Article 9(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013, the minimum number of participants shall be three legal entities established in three different Participating Statescountries considered as Participating States in accordance with this Decision by the submission deadline under the relevant call for proposals, of which:
Amendment 171 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) one established in a Member State or in a country associated to Horizon 2020 not comprised in (b), and
Amendment 173 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) one established in a third country considered as a Participating State in accordance with this Decision by the submission deadline under the relevant call for proposalslisted in Article 1(2) or bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
Amendment 176 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 4
Article 7 – paragraph 4
4. In addition to the participants eligible for funding under Article 10(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013, any legal entity established in a Participating State shall be eligible forBy way of derogation from Article 10(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013, the following participants shall be eligible for funding by the PRIMA-IS: (a) any legal entity established in a Participating State or created under Union law; (b) any international European interest organisation. In the case of a participating international organisation, which is not eligible for funding by the PRIMA-IS according to the first subparagraph, funding may be granted provided that its participation is deemed essential by the PRIMA-IS for carrying out the action. In the case of a participating legal entity established in a country which is not a Participating State, which is not eligible for funding by the PRIMA-IS according to the first subparagraph, funding may be granted provided that an ad hoc funding arrangement is founding between the PRIMA-IS and the country in which that legal entity is established.
Amendment 179 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Amendment 180 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 4 b (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Without prejudice to Article 18 of Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013, the applicable model grant agreement may provide that legal entities established in countries which are not Participating States and which receive funding from the PRIMA-IS, must also provide appropriate financial guarantees.
Amendment 181 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 4 c (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Without prejudice to Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013, and taking into account the specificities of PRIMA, the PRIMA-IS may introduce in its annual work plans additional conditions for participation in order to address the type of entities that can be coordinators of indirect actions.
Amendment 186 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. In case the financial guarantees are provided by the Participating States, each one of them shall be liable for a maximum amount less or equal to its financial commitment to the PRIMA programme. The total recovery shall be limited to the maximum amount of EUR 200 000 000.
Amendment 188 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the General AssemblyBoard of Trustees, which will have a Chair and a Co-chair;
Amendment 189 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) the Management Board;Steering Committee
Amendment 190 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) the Secretariat, headed by the Director;
Amendment 191 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) the Scientific Advisory BoardCommittee.
Amendment 193 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The PRIMA-IS shall be governed by the General AssemblyBoard of Trustees, in which all Participating States are represented. The General AssemblyBoard of Trustees shall be the decision- making body of PRIMA-IS.
Amendment 194 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – introductory part
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – introductory part
The General AssemblyBoard of Trustees shall adopt, after obtaining approval from the Commission:
Amendment 195 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point c a (new)
(ca) The Board of Trustees shall verify that the conditions set out in Article 1(3) are fulfilled and shall inform the Commission accordingly.
Amendment 196 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
The General AssemblyBoard of Trustees shall approve the participation in PRIMA of any third country not associated to Horizon 2020 other than those listed in Article 1(2) after examining the relevance of its participation for achieving the objectives of PRIMA.
Amendment 198 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 4
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 4
Each Participating State shall have one vote in the General AssemblyBoard of Trustees. The decisions shall be taken by consensus. Failing that, the General AssemblyBoard of Trustees shall take its decisions by a majority of at least 75% of the votes. Approval of the participation in PRIMA of any third country not associated to Horizon 2020 other than those listed in Article 1(2) shall be by unanimityalid cast votes.
Amendment 199 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 5
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 5
The Union, represented by the Commission, shall be invited to all the meetings of the General AssemblyBoard of Trustees as an observer, and may take part in the discussions. It shall receive all necessary documents.
Amendment 201 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 3
Article 12 – paragraph 3
3. The General AssemblyBoard of Trustees shall determine the number of Management BoardSteering Committee members, which shall not be less than five, and shall appoint them. The Management BoardSteering Committee shall supervise the Secretariat of the PRIMA-IS.
Amendment 202 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
The General Assembly shall establish the Secretariat of the PRIMA-IS asSecretariat shall be the executive body of PRIMA.
Amendment 203 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
The General AssemblyBoard of Trustees shall appoint a Scientific Advisory Board Committee consisting of independent experts from the Participating States, competent in areas relevant to PRIMA. The General AssemblyBoard of Trustees shall establish the number of Scientific Advisory Board members, their voting rightsCommittee members, and the arrangements for their appointment in accordance with Article 40 of Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013.
Amendment 204 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Article 12 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 205 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 3 – introductory part
Article 12 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 3 – introductory part
The Scientific Advisory BoardCommittee shall:
Amendment 206 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 3 – point a
Article 12 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 3 – point a
(a) advise the General AssemblyBoard of Trustees on strategic priorities and needs;
Amendment 207 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 3 – point b
Article 12 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 3 – point b
(b) advise the General AssemblyBoard of Trustees on the content and scope of the draft PRIMA annual work plan from a scientific and technical standpoint;
Amendment 208 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 3 – point d
Article 12 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 3 – point d