Activities of Miguel VIEGAS related to 2015/0009(COD)
Plenary speeches (1)
European Fund for Strategic Investments (A8-0139/2015 - José Manuel Fernandes, Udo Bullmann) PT
Amendments (56)
Amendment 13 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The austerity policies in response to the economic and financial crisis has lve resulted toin a lowering of the level of investments within the Union. Investment has fallen by approximately 15% since its peak in 2007. The Union suffers in particular from a lack of investment as a consequence of market uncertainty regarding the economic future and the fiscal constraints on Member States. This lack of investment slow, in relative terms, while the absolute loss in investment due to the deep recession in some Member States is much larger. The Union suffers in particular from a lack of investment as a consequence of the arbitrary fiscal constraints on Member States, with the rules of the Stability and Growth Pact and the Fiscal Compact, resulting in a deeper recession, sluggish recovery and uncertainty regarding the economic future. This lack of investment, which has been particularly severe in the Member States most affected by the crisis and the policies prescribed in the Memorandums of Understanding signed with the Troika, delays economic recovery and negatively affects job creation, long-term growth prospects and competitiveness.
Amendment 16 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Comprehensive action is required to reverse the vicious circle created by a lack of investment. Structural reforms and fiscal responsibility are necessary preconditions for stimulating investment. Along with a renewed impetus towards investment financing, these preconditions can contributeIncreased public investment and reforms that reduce inequality, support rising wages and social transfers and enhance fiscal sustainability through a fair and progressive tax system are a way to establishing a virtuous circle, where investment projects help support employment and demand and lead to a sustained increase in growth potential.
Amendment 18 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Throughout the economic and financial crisis, the Union has made efforts to promote growth, in particular through initiatives set out in the Europe 2020 strategy that put in place an approach for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The European Investment Bank ('EIB') has also strengthened its role in instigating and promoting investment within the Union, partly by way of an increase in capital in January 2013, which, in terms of jobs and living conditions for the people, has been a failure. Further action is required to ensure that the investment needs of the Union are addressed and that the liquidity available on the market is used efficiently and channelled towards the funding of viable investment projects that are socially and environmentally viable.
Amendment 20 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) The policies hitherto implemented have destroyed employment, particularly in the countries of southern Europe, but are also affecting the entire Union, especially young people.
Amendment 21 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 b (new)
Recital 4 b (new)
(4b) Growth as we know it is no longer possible, as our planet has its limits; proof of this can be found in the climate crisis.
Amendment 22 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 c (new)
Recital 4 c (new)
(4c) It is, however, possible to create high- quality, stable employment whilst respecting the earth’s limits.
Amendment 23 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 d (new)
Recital 4 d (new)
(4d) Food production is an extremely important source of self-employment and of direct and indirect employment.
Amendment 36 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The EFSI should support strategic investments with high economic, social and environmental value added contributing to achieving Union policy objectives.
Amendment 67 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The EFSI should target investments that are expected to be economically and technic, technically, socially and environmentally viable, which may entail a degree of appropriate risk, whilst still meeting the particular requirements for EFSI financing.
Amendment 70 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) Decisions on the use of the EFSI support for infrastructure and large mid- cap projects should be made transparently by an Investment Committee (subject to a prior rigorous cost-benefit assessment that includes the social and environmental impacts). The Investment Committee should be composed of independent experts who are knowledgeable and experienced in the areas of investment projects, as well as society representatives of the areas affected. The Investment Committee should be accountable to a Steering Board of the EFSI, who should supervise the fulfilment of the EFSI's objectives. To effectively benefit from the experience of the EIF, the EFSI should support funding to the EIF to allow the EIF to undertake individual projects in the areas of small and medium enterprises and small mid-cap companies.
Amendment 92 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The economic and financial crisis has led to a lowering of the level of investments within the Union. Investment has fallen by approximately 15% since its peak in 2007.. The Union suffers in particular from a lack of investment as a consequence of market uncertainty regarding the economic future and the fiscal constraints on Member States, which have been aggravated by austerity policies. This lack of investment slows economic recovery and negatively affects job creation, long-term growth prospects and competitiveness.
Amendment 92 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The purpose of the EFSI shall be to support investments in the Union and to ensure increased access to financing for companies having up to 3000 employees, with a particular focus onsmall and medium enterprises, including small and medium enterprise-sized farms, through the supply of risk bearing capacity to the EIB ('EFSI Agreement').
Amendment 102 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
Amendment 109 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
The EFSI Agreement shall provide that the EFSI shall have an Advisory Board composed of representatives from European social partners, including representatives of agricultural organisations and national social partnersʼ organisations (including those in stateless nations in the European Union). The members of the Executive Board shall take part in meetings of the Social Council.
Amendment 115 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
The EU guarantee shall be granted for EIB financing and investment operations approved by the Investment Committee referred to in Article 3(5) or funding to the EIF in order to conduct EIB financing and investment operations in accordance with Article 7(2). The operations concerned shall be consistent with Union policies, giving priority to job-creation projects that take account of the planetʼs limits and do not entail land seizure or hoarding, and support any of the following general objectives:
Amendment 121 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) development of infrastructure, including in the areas of transport, particularly in industrial centres; energy, in particular energy interconnections; and digital infrastructure; investment of any kind in infrastructure, and in transport- related infrastructure especially, shall be assessed for its value to society;
Amendment 127 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Throughout the economic and financial crisis, the Union has made efforts to promote growth, in particular through initiatives set out in the Europe 2020 strategy that put in place an approach for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The European Investment Bank ('EIB') has also strengthened its role in instigating and promoting investment within the Union, partly by way of an increase in capital in January 2013. Unfortunately, none of these measures bore fruit, plunging the EU into a phase of profound economic stagnation. Further action is required to ensure that the investment needs of the Union are addressed and that the liquidity available on the market is used efficiently and channelled towards the funding of viable investment projects.
Amendment 135 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) support for small and medium-sized farms;
Amendment 138 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e b (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e b (new)
(eb) relocation of production of small and medium industries and support for local business infrastructure.
Amendment 149 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The EFSI is part of a comprehensive approach to address uncertainty surrounding public and private investments. The strategy has three pillars: mobilising finance for investment, making investment reach the real economy and improving the investment environment in the Union, it being necessary to guarantee at the same time social and economic cohesion within the European Union.
Amendment 152 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3
Article 15 – paragraph 3
3. Financing agreements signed in relation to operations supported under this Regulation shall include clauses allowing exclusion from EIB financing and investment operations and, if necessary, appropriate recovery measures in cases of closure as a result of production being relocated in any way, fraud, corruption or other illegal activity in accordance with the EFSI Agreement, EIB policies and applicable regulatory requirements. The decision whether to apply an exclusion from the EIB financing and investment operation shall be taken in accordance with the relevant financing or investment agreement..
Amendment 171 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The purpose of the EFSI should be to help resolve the difficulties in financing and implementing productive investments in the Union and to ensure increased access to financing. It is intended that increased access to financing should be of particular benefit to small and medium enterprises. It is also appropriate to extend the benefit of such increased access to financing to mid- cap companies, which are companies having up to 3000 employees. Overcoming Europe's current investment difficulties should contribute to strengthening the Union's economic, social and territorial cohesion, through the creation of stable and fairly remunerated jobs.
Amendment 201 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The EFSI should support public and private strategic investments with high economic, social and environmental value added contributing to achieving Union policy objectives.
Amendment 206 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11a) EFSI-supported investments must be closely tailored to development of all the necessary infrastructures, that is to say sustainable transport, digital and energy networks. Priority must also be given to environmental projects relating to water supply, sewage treatment and renewable energy, as well as projects relating to new information technologies and telecommunications.
Amendment 267 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The EFSI should target projects delivering high societal, environmental and economic value. In particular, the EFSI should target projects that promote job creation, and long- term growth and competitiveness. The EFSI should support a wide range of financial products, including equity, debt or guarantees, to best accommodate the needs of the individual project. This wide range of products should allow the EFSI to adapt to market needs whilst encouraging public and private investment in the projects.. The EFSI should not be a substitute for private market finance but should instead catalyse private finance by addressing market failures so as to ensure the most effective and strategic use of public money. The requirement for consistency with State aid principles should contribute to such effective and strategic use.
Amendment 284 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The EFSI should target projects with a higher risk-return profile than existing EIB and Union instruments to ensure additionality over existing operations. The EFSI should finance projects across the Union, including in the countries most affected by the financial crisis. The EFSI should only be used where financing is not available from other sources on reasonable terms.
Amendment 330 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) Decisions on the use of the EFSI support for infrastructure and large mid- cap projects should be made byrooted in an Investment Committee. The Investment Committee should be composed of independent experts who are knowledgeable and experienced in the areas of investment projects. The Investment Committee and in accordance with the strategic guidelines set out in this regulation. The Investment Committee, whose composition must be approved by the European Parliament, should be accountable to a Steering Board of the EFSI, who should supervise the fulfilment of the EFSI's objectives. To effectively benefit from the experience of the EIF, the EFSI should support funding to the EIF to allow the EIF to undertake individual projects in the areas of small and medium enterprises and small mid-cap companies.
Amendment 369 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) In order to allow for further increase in its resources, participation in the EFSI should be open to third parties, including Member States, national promotional banks or public agencies owned or controlled by Member States, private sector entities and entities outside the Union subject to the consent of existing contributors. Third parties may contribute directly to the EFSI and take part in the EFSI governance structure. They may not, however, alter the underlying general approach set out in this Regulation.
Amendment 403 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) In accordance with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Iinfrastructure and project investments supported under EFSI should be consistent with State aid rules, especially when they are intended to finance essential public services or major projects of social interest. To that end, the Commission has announced that it will formulate a set of core principles, for the purpose of State aid assessments, which a project will have to meet to be eligible for support under the EFSI. If a project meets these criteria and receives support from the EFSI, the Commission has announced that any national complementary support, will be assessed under a simplified and accelerated State aid assessment whereby the only additional issue to be verified by the Commission will be the proportionality of public support (absence of overcompensation). The Commission has also announced that it will provide further guidance on the set of core principles with a view to ensuring an efficient use of public funds.
Amendment 442 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) Alongside the financing operations that will be conducted through the EFSI, a European Investment Advisory Hub (‘EIAH’) should be created. The EIAH should provide strengthened support, free of charge, for project development and preparation across the Union, by building on the expertise of the Commission, the EIB, national promotional banks and the managing authorities of the European Structural and Investment Funds. This should establish a single point of entry for questions related to technical assistance for investments within the Union.
Amendment 475 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29
Recital 29
(29) To partially finance the cContributions from the European Union budget, the available envelopes of the Horizon 2020 – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2014-2020, provided by Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 of should be determined by the European Parliament and ofby the Council, and the Connecting Europe Facility, provided by Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, should be reduced. Those programmes serve purposes that are not replicated by the EFSI. However, the reduction of both programmes to finance the guarantee fund is expected to ensure a greater investment in certain areas of their respective mandates than is possible through the existing programmes. The EFSI should be able to leverage the EU guarantee to multiply the financial effect within those areas of under the flexibility arrangements provided for within the multi-annual budget, but without affecting the structural funding earmarked for cohesion policy or funds intended to finance research, and development and innovation and transport, telecommunications and energy infrastructure compared to if the resources had been spent via grants within the planned Horizon 2020 and Connecting Europe Facility programmes. It is, therefore, appropriate to redirect part of the funding presently envisaged for those programmes to the benefit of EFSIctivities, including the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2014-2020. __________________ 2 Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing Horizon 2020 – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020) and repealing Decision No 1982/2006/EC (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 104). 3 Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility, amending Regulation (EU) No 913/2010 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 680/2007 and (EC) No 67/2010 (OJ L 348, 20.12.2013, p. 129).
Amendment 507 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
Recital 33
(33) Although the projects identified under the project pipeline may be used by the EIB in the identification and selection of EFSI -supported projects, the project pipeline should have a broader scope of identifying projects across the Union. This scope may include projects that are capable of being fully financed by the private sector or with the assistance of other instruments provided at European or national level. The EFSI should be able to support financing and investment to projects identified by the project pipeline, but there should be no automaticity between inclusion on the list and access to EFSI support and the EFSI be conferred with discretion to select and support projects that are not included on the list.
Amendment 520 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) To ensure accountability to European citizens, the EIB should regularly report to the European Parliament and the Council twice a year on the progress and impact of the EFSI.
Amendment 564 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The purpose of the EFSI shall be to support investments in the Union and to ensure increased access to financing for companies having up to 3000 employees, with a particular focus on micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises as defined in Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC, through the supply of risk -bearing capacity to the EIB (‘EFSI Agreement’).
Amendment 589 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. The EFSI Agreement shall be open to accession by Member States. Subject to the consent of existing contributors, the EFSI Agreement shall also be open to accession by other third parties, including national promotional banks or public agencies owned or controlled by Member States, and private sector entities. Under no circumstances shall the strategic objectives laid down in this Regulation be altered.
Amendment 609 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 a (new)
Article 1 a (new)
Article 1a Eligibility criteria for EFSI-related guarantees 1. The projects to be financed must be (a) consistent with Union policies; (b) economically and technically viable; (c) complementary to private investment or intended to finance public infrastructure likely to trigger private investment. 2. The EFSI Agreement shall stipulate that the Fund is to support investment seeking to attain at least one of the following two general objectives: (a) development of infrastructure, including in the areas of transport, energy, in particular energy interconnections, and digital networks; (b) investment in education and training, health, research and development, information and communications technology and innovation; (c) expansion of renewable energy and energy and resource efficiency; (d) infrastructure projects in the environmental, natural resources, urban development and social fields; (e) providing financial support for the companies referred to in Article 1(1), including working capital risk financing. 3. Once the financing policy has been determined, including where risk assessment and management are concerned, the EFSI Steering Board shall ensure that investment is spread evenly in terms of sectors and among the countries and regions of the Union.
Amendment 703 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The EFSI Agreement shall provide for the creation of a European Investment Advisory Hub (‘EIAH’) within the EIB. The EIAH shall have as its objective to build upon existing EIB and Commission advisory services in order to provide advisory support free of charge for investment project identification, preparation and development and act as a single technical advisory hub for project financing within the Union. This shall include support on the use of technical assistance for project structuring, use of innovative financial instruments, use of public-private partnerships and advice, as appropriate, on relevant issues of EU legislation. The European Investment Advisory Hub shall take the form of a network, physically present in all Member States so as to be accessible to all economic agents, public and private, irrespective of their geographical location.
Amendment 720 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
The EIAH shall be partially financed by the Union up to a maximum amount of EUR 20 000 000 per year during the period ending on 31 December 2020 for the additional services provided for by the EIAH over existing EIB technical assistance. For the years after 2020 the financial contribution from the Union shall be directly linked to the provisions included in the future multi-annual financial frameworks.
Amendment 753 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The EFSI Agreement shall provide that the EFSI shall be governed by a Steering Board, which must include representatives of the Member States and which shall determine the strategic orientation, the strategic asset allocation and operating policies and procedures, including the investment policy of projects that EFSI can support and the risk profile of the EFSI, in conformity with the objectives under Article 5(2). The Steering Board shall elect one of its members to be Chairperson.
Amendment 871 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
The Investment Committee shall be composed of at least six independent experts and the Managing Director. Independent experts shall have a high level of relevant market experience in project finance andfrom different countries and the appropriate scientific communities and of the Managing Director. Independent experts shall include representatives of the employment and social affairs fields providing a high level of relevant market experience in the financing of projects related to areas considered to have priority under this Regulation, to the extent that they shall be drawn from social affairs, employment, and environmental fields, and representatives of the scientific community. They shall be appointed by the Steering Board for a renewable fixed term of three years.
Amendment 929 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Amendment 956 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Amendment 974 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Amendment 987 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Amendment 999 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Amendment 1026 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
In addition, the EU guarantee shall be granted for support of dedicated investment platforms and national promotional banks, via the EIB, that invest in operations meeting the requirements of this Regulation. In that case, the Steering Board shall specify policies regarding eligible investment platforms. Those platforms shall, as far as possible, involve public authorities active in the fields concerned and the social partners.
Amendment 1241 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) an assessment of the added value, and the social and economic impact, including the mobilisation of private sector resources, and job creation, and an assessment of the estimated and actual outputs, outcomes and impact of EIB financing and investment operations at an aggregated basis;
Amendment 1403 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Amendment 1405 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Amendment 1406 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Amendment 1408 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Amendment 1416 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Amendment 1423 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Amendment 1425 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Amendment 1428 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 2
(2) Annex II is replaced by the text set out in Annex I to this RegulationThe Commission shall submit a proposal to the European Parliament with a view to releasing the resources necessary to finance the Union contribution intended to achieve the aims of the EFSI set out in this Regulation, in accordance with the preceding subparagraph.
Amendment 1443 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19
Article 19
Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013
Article 19
Article 19