Activities of Eleftherios SYNADINOS related to 2016/2047(BUD)
Plenary speeches (3)
2017 budgetary procedure: joint text (A8-0353/2016 - Jens Geier, Indrek Tarand) EL
General budget of the European Union for 2017 - all sections (A8-0287/2016 - Jens Geier, Indrek Tarand) EL
General budget of the European Union for 2017 - all sections (debate) EL
Amendments (40)
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that budget 2017 has to be considered in the wider context of the mid- term revision of the multiannual financial framework (MFF), even if it failed to address the structural problems overall;
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that Parliament's reading of the 2017 budget fully reflects the political priorities adopted by an overwhelming majority in its abovementioned resolution of 9 March 2016 on general guidelines and its resolution of 6 July 2016 on the “Preparation of the post-electoral revision of the MFF 2014-2020: Parliament’s input ahead of the Commission’s proposal”;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights that the Union is currently facing a number of serious emergencies, including migration and homegrown and external terrorism, as well as the ongoing economic crisis disproportionately affecting some Member States, and is convinced that the necessary financial resources need to be deployed from the Union budget, in order to meet the political challenges and allow the Union to deliver answers and, with the Member States, effectively respond to those crises as a matter of utmost urgency and priority; considers that a strong political commitment is needed to secure fresh appropriations in 2017 and until the end of the programming period for this purpose;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that whilst Parliament has supported the Commission’s actions yet to be delivered in the tackling of the migration and refugees crisis, it has always insisted that this challenge not take precedence over other important Union policies, for example in the field of jobs and growth; notes that the Heading 3 ceiling is vastly insufficient to provide for appropriate funding for the internal dimension of the migration and refugee crisis as well as priority programmes, such as culture programmes;
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates its position that requests for additional funding needed for addressing the migration and refugee crisis and effectively limiting those migration flows should not be deployed to the detriment of the Union’s existing external action, including its development policy; repeats that the setting-up of the Facility for Refugees in Turkey (FRT), Trust Funds, and any other ad-hoc instruments cannot be financed by cuts to other existing instruments, even if they have not yet delivered on their objectives; notes that the Heading 4 ceiling (Global Europe) is vastly insufficient to provide a sustainable and effective response to the current external challenges, including the migration and refugee crisis;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Reiterates its conviction that the Union budget should find ways of financing new initiatives which are not to the detriment of existing Union programmes and policies and is disappointed that the Preparatory Action for defence research, which will amount to EUR 80 million in the next three years will be squeezed under the current budget of the MFF and should be fully safeguarded; is convinced that with an already underfinanced Union budget, additional efforts for operations, administrative costs, preparatory actions and pilot projects in relation to the common security and defence policy also need additional financial means by the Member States while respecting any objective limitations to fully finance those actions; considers that the current MFF mid-term review/revision should be used by the Member States in that respect;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Restores all cuts related to the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) in the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and Horizon 2020 for a total of EUR 1 240 million in commitments via new appropriations to be obtained through the mid-term revision of the MFF; increases the Youth Employment Initiative with additional EUR 1 500 million in commitment appropriations to provide an effective response to youth unemployment, that has yet to be tackled and which should also be financed by additional funds provided in the mid-term revision of the MFF;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Expects that the Council will share this approach and that an agreement will easily be reached in conciliation, allowing the Union to rise to the occasion and effectively respond to both the pressing current emergencies and the challenges ahead;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Strongly disagrees with these cuts in a heading that symbolises the European added value and could delivers more growth and jobs for citizens; consequently decides to restore all cuts made by the Council;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Delivering on the commitment taken in June 2015 to minimise to the maximum the budgetary impact of the creation of the EFSI on Horizon 2020 and CEF in the framework of the annual budgetary procedure, decides to fully restore the original pre-EFSI profile of the Horizon 2020 and CEF lines that were cut for the provisioning of the EFSI Guarantee Fund; demands the corresponding additional commitments appropriations of EUR 1,24 billion above DB to be made available in the framework of the MFF revision and fully respect prior political commitments towards Horizon 2020 and CEF;
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Disapproves of Council's proposed cuts of EUR 3 million in commitments and, more importantly, EUR 199 million in payments under subheading 1b, including on support lines; calls on the Council to explain and fully substantiate how these cuts are compatible with its objective of providing “necessary appropriations enabling the smooth implementation of the new programmes in the fourth year of the multiannual financial framework 2014- 2020”; notes that the cuts in payments go further than the already significant cuts proposed by the Commission, who suggested a significant decrease by -23,5 % compared to the 2016 EU budget;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Is alarmed by the significant delays in the implementation of the European Structural and Investment Fund cycle, which is likely to have a serious detrimental effect on the timely achievement of results on the ground but risks also to lead to the reconstitution of a new backlog of unpaid bills in the second half the current MFF; urges the Member States concerned to promptly designate the remaining managing authorities and tackle all other causes of delay in the implementation of the programmes; notes the Commission’s proposals for more simplification for recipients of Union funds but sticks to the position that most remains to be done at the Member States’ level supported by the Commission to ensure that the programmes reach full swing;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Recalls that the Commission has not proposed any commitment appropriations for the Youth Employment Initiative in 2017 as a result of its frontloading in the years 2014-2015; decides, in line with the Regulation on the European Social Fund7 which foresees the possibility of such a continuation, to increase the Youth Employment Initiative with additional EUR 1 500 million in commitment appropriations and EUR 500 million in payment appropriations to provide an effective response to youth unemploymenthe still significant youth unemployment which has not been tackled yet; notes that, in line with Parliament’s requests, these new appropriations should be financed by the use of all financial means available under the current MFF Regulation and through the MFF mid-term revision; urges the Member States to do their utmost to speed up the implementation of the Initiative on the ground, for the direct benefit of young Europeans; __________________ 7 Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on the European Social Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 470).
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Underlines that subheading 1b bears the biggest part of the current outstanding commitments which is impeding the reimbursement for resources already spent by the beneficiaries of the funds; warns that the high level of RAL under subheading 1b, which stood at EUR 151 119 million at the beginning of September 2016 risks jeopardizing the implementation of new and potentially much needed programmes;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Awaits the presentation of the Amending Letter for the emergency support package in particular for the dairy sector; considers that this measure will contribute significantly to improving market disposition and will be reflected in improved prices for European dairy producers that in cases has been unjustifiably low, in particular after the end of the quota system, and the substantial financial impact of the Russian ban which has proved largely inefficient and ineffective;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Underlines that Parliament continues to put the current migration challenge and the overarching effects of illegal migration at the top of its agenda; welcomes the Commission’s proposal for an additional EUR 1,8 billion to tackle the migration crisis in the Union, above what had initially been programmed for 2017; notes that the big deviation of the original programming shows the need of a full revision of the current MFF; is disappointed that the Commission did not use the opportunity to adjust the ceilings accordingly, particularly of Heading 3; stresses that the Commission proposes to finance this reinforcement through the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument (for EUR 530 million, thereby fully exhausting the funding available for this year) and the Contingency Margin (for EUR 1 160 million); given the unprecedented level of funding for migration-related expenditure (totalling EUR 5,2 billion in 2017) and the proposals for applying flexibility on the table, does not request further though required reinforcements for migration-related policies; at the same time, will resist any attempts to reduce funding for Union actions in this field;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Reiterates, that budgetary flexibility has its limits and can only be a short-term solution on an ad hoc basis as need arises; is strongly convinced that a forward- looking and brave answer in the face of an unprecedented crisis that involves the entire continent and disproportionally affects some Member States and shows no signs of abating, is an upwards adjustment of the ceiling of Heading 3; insists that such an adjustment is indispensable and urgent and is disappointed that the Commission forewent the opportunity to propose it at the occasion of the MFF mid- term revision;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Notes that a new Instrument for emergency support within the Union was adopted on 15 March 2016, with an indicative envelope of EUR 700 million over three years (2016-2018), and has already led to immediate results on the ground in the form of emergency support measures in response to the humanitarian needs of a large number of refugees and illegal migrants arriving in the Member States; however, reiterates its position that in the future a more sustainable legal and budgetary framework should be envisaged in order to allow for humanitarian aid to be mobilised within the Union; insists on holding a regular and constructive dialogue with the Commission on the functioning and financing, present and future, of this Instrument, based on full transparency of information and impact assessment reports;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal, as part of the MFF mid-term revision, to establish a new European Union Crisis Reserve, to be financed from de-committed appropriations, as an additional instrument to react rapidly to external border threats and crises, such as the current migrantion flows and refugee crisis, as well as a wider set of events with serious humanitarian or security implications due to terrorism and other unprecedented events;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. In the face of increased threat levels in several Member States and the concurrent challenges of migration management and the fight against homegrown and imported terrorism and organised crime, requests funding for additional staff for Europol;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Condemns the Council’s cuts to numerous programmes in the areas of culture, the media, citizenship, fundamental rights and public health by a total of EUR 24,3 million in commitment appropriations; considers it a detrimental sign by the Council to cut culture programmes in order to free funds for the refugee and migration crisis; deplores that many of these cuts seem applied in an arbitrary and counterproductive manner and disregard excellent implementation rates; is of the opinion that even small cuts risk jeopardising the achievement of programme outcomes and the smooth implementation of Union actions; therefore restores all cuts to the level of the DB;
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Welcomes the creation of a budget line for an EU Search and Rescue Fund, which is to cover search and rescue activities carried out by the Member States and coordinasupported atby the Union level, in particular in the Mediterranean; is of the opinion that creating a dedicated Fund constitutes a more adequate solutioneffective response than continuously increasing the budgets of Frontex or the newly created European Border and Coast Guard;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Notes that, in the light of the ongoing illegal migration and refugee crisis, the Union’s external action is faced with ever growing funding needs which largely exceed the current size of Heading 4; therefore, underlines that the Heading 4 ceilings are vastly insufficient to provide for appropriate funding for the external dimension of the migration and refugee crisis; is disappointed that the Commission did not use the opportunity to adjust the ceilings, particularly of Heading 4 accordingly; deplores, that in order to fund new initiatives such as the FRT, the Commission chose in its DB to cut other programmes such as the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) and the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) which is against the principle that humanitarian distress must go in parallel with the development processes,; regrets also that appropriations for humanitarian aid and for the Mediterranean strand of the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) are below those approved in the 2016 budget, despite their obvious relevance in tackling the large number of external challenges; disapproves, finally, the irresponsible cuts made by the Council, in particular on DCI and support expenditure lines;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Decides, in the light of recent revelations and in order to regain the confidence of EU citizens and the credibility of the EU institutions, to hold 20% of appropriations of the Temporary Allowances for former Members in reserve until the Commission enforces a pragmatic, effective, enforceable and stricter Code of conduct for Commissioners to prevent conflict of interests and the revolving doors in the hope to regain some of the respect to the role after recent failures;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. In the context of the current security challenges, and imported threats to the safety of the Union and its Member States and, bearing in mind the necessity for a coordinated European response, decides to increase, within the overall package on security, the appropriations for the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA), the European Police Office (Europol) and the European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. In view of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Europe’s southern neighbourhood, and the increased number of due to unprecedented migrant flows and the consequent imbalanced and disproportionate pressure towards affected Member States as well as the increased number of continually arriving asylum seekers, decides furthermore to increase the 2016 budget appropriations for the European Asylum Support Office;
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Stresses that substantial operational and personnel savings could be achieved if agencies operating from more than one place (ENISA, eu-LISA, ERA) were limited to one seat only; is of the opinion that current operational needs of those agencies make such change feasible; underlines that moving the European Banking Authority (EBA) away from London and merging it with at least one of the two other Supervisory Authorities could lead to considerable synergistic savings in the costs of the two agencies; invites the Commission to put forward a proposal in this respect;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
Paragraph 47
47. Having carried out a careful analysis of the pilot projects and preparatory actions submitted as regards the rate of success of the on-going ones, excluding initiatives already covered by existing legal bases and taking fully into account the Commission's assessment of the projects' implementability, decides to adopt a compromise package made up of a limited number of PP-PAs, also in view of the limited margins available;
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Recalls the importance of the Emergency Aid Reserve in providing a rapid response to specific aid requirements for third countries for unforeseen events and its earlier call for a substantial increase in its financial envelope, as part of the revision of the MFF; notes that its very quick consumption in 2016, likely to use up all possibilities of carry-over, is an strong indication that this special instrument will be vastly insufficient to address all additional needs in 2017; increases therefore its appropriations to reach an annual allocation of EUR 1 billion and expects the MFF Regulation to be adjusted accordingly;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
Paragraph 54
54. Recalls its political decision to exempt the political groups and the non- attached from the 5% staff reduction target, as underlined it its resolutions on the budgets 20148 , 20159 and 201610 ; __________________ 8 9 10Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0437 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0437 9 Text adopted, P8_TA(2014)0036 Text adopted, P8_TA(2014)0036 10 Text adopted, P8_TA(2015)0376 Text adopted, P8_TA(2015)0376
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
Paragraph 59
59. Reiterates that the implementation of the staff reduction target should not jeopardize the proper functioning of the Institution and the exercise by the Parliament of its core powers as exercised by the Treaties, nor alter its legislative excellence or work output, or the quality of the working conditions for members and staff;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60
Paragraph 60
60. Recalls that the administration is committed to submit a medium and long term practicable budgetary planning, including a clear distinction between investments and operational expenditure relating to the functioning of the institution, including the compulsory statutory obligations; expects therefore that 2018 preliminary draft estimates would be presented in the same format;
Amendment 198 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
61. Given the substantial benefits that Google and similar companies are deriving from the Parliament's own and unique proprietary translation service to boost Google Translate and similar translation services, calls on the Secretary General to negotiate with Google and similar companies an appropriate contribution to the EP Budget;
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64
Paragraph 64
64. Expresses its dissatisfaction with the unilateral statement of the Council and the related appendix on the 5 % staff reduction in the Council’s position on the 2017 DB according to which the Court still needs to reduce its establishment plan by 19 posts; underlines that those 19 posts correspond to the 12 and 7 posts duly granted by Parliament and the Council in the 2015 and 2016 budgetary procedures respectively to address additional needs and insists therefore that those 19 posts should not be given back, the Court having already duly achieved its 5 % staff reduction requirement by successfully and commendably suppressing 98 posts during the period 2013-2017;
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65
Paragraph 65
65. Restores the standard abatement rate to its initial level of 2,6 % in order to allow the Court of Auditors to honour its mandate and meet its needs in respect of the establishment plan;
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66
Paragraph 66
66. Restores an additional five budget items cut by Council for the Court of Auditors to implement its work programme and promptly deliver the planned and future Audit Reports;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 75
Paragraph 75
75. Notes with regret that the Council has decreased the DB of the Ombudsman by -EUR 195 000; underlines that this reduction would impose a disproportionate burden on the very limited budget of the Ombudsman and would have major impact on the institution's capacity to serve the European citizens effectively; restores therefore all the budget lines cut by Council in order to enable the Ombudsman to fulfil her mandate and commitments which have already been put at risk;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78
Paragraph 78
78. Decides furthermore to create a Strategic Communication Capacity budget item in line with the European Council conclusions of March 2015 and equip the EEAS with adequate staff and tools to face the challengerisks of disinformation from third states and, entities and agencies and other non-state actors;
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80
Paragraph 80
80. Is convinced that the Union budget can contribute to addressing effectively not only the consequences but also the root causes of the criseillegal migration and the economic crises that Member States experience in addition to the constant versatile threats of the external borders that the Union is currently facing; takes the view, however, that unforeseen events with a Union-wide dimension should be tackled by pooling efforts and putting additional means at Union level rather than by calling past commitments into question orwhile reverting to the ilback to national solustion of purely national solutionss could always be supported as a workable approach where applicable; stresses, therefore, that flexibility provisions are there to enable such a joint and speedy response and should be used to the full in order to make up for the tight constraints of the MFF ceilings;
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81
Paragraph 81
81. Instructs its President to forward this conciliatory resolution, together with the amendments to the draft general budget, to the Council, the Commission, the other institutions and bodies concerned and the national parliaments.