102 Amendments of Tomas TOBÉ related to 2023/2029(INI)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Recitals A and Aa (new)
Recitals A and Aa (new)
A. whereas the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (‘the Instrument’) entered into force on 14 June 2021 and consolidated a merged previous instruments under a single instrument; whereas this instrument, with an overall budget of EUR 79.5 billion, constitutes a historic change in the EU’s external and development policies; Aa. whereas the Commission is responsible for the identification, formulatitude of previous instruments under a single instrumenton, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of EU assistance; whereas the EEAS has the responsibility to ensure the continuity and coherence of EU external policies in line with the integrated approach which includes this Instrument; whereas Parliament is responsible for democratic oversight and scrutiny and as co-legislator under the co- decision procedure; whereas the creation of the Team Europe approach should contribute to a single strategic coordination framework for the EU’s external response to major challenges; whereas this approach enables further cooperation between the EU institutions, the Member States and the EIB, continuously increasing the EU’s collective effectiveness and visibility; whereas the Instrument is to be implemented through a mix of modalities including bilateral cooperation, grants to a diversity of partners and an investment framework;
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Recitals A and Aa (new)
Recitals A and Aa (new)
A. whereas the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (‘the Instrument’) entered into force on 14 June 2021 and consolidated a merged previous instruments under a single instrument; whereas this instrument, with an overall budget of EUR 79.5 billion, constitutes a historic change in the EU’s external and development policies; Aa. whereas the Commission is responsible for the identification, formulatitude of previous instruments under a single instrumenton, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of EU assistance; whereas the EEAS has the responsibility to ensure the continuity and coherence of EU external policies in line with the integrated approach which includes this Instrument; whereas Parliament is responsible for democratic oversight and scrutiny and as co-legislator under the co- decision procedure; whereas the creation of the Team Europe approach should contribute to a single strategic coordination framework for the EU’s external response to major challenges; whereas this approach enables further cooperation between the EU institutions, the Member States and the EIB, continuously increasing the EU’s collective effectiveness and visibility; whereas the Instrument is to be implemented through a mix of modalities including bilateral cooperation, grants to a diversity of partners and an investment framework;
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Instrument’s external investment framework brings together blended finance and guarantees under the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) External Action Guarantee (EAG), which is to be implemented by eligible partners in an open and collaborative approach, with a specific role for the European Investment Bank (EIB); whereas the EFSD+ considerably expands the financial envelope of its predecessor, the EFSD, and will be able to guarantee operations up to EUR 53.4 billion through EAG; whereas the ‘policy first’ principle must result in a cooperation driven by policy objectives and ensure that the European financial architecture for development is aligned in this regard;
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Instrument’s external investment framework brings together blended finance and guarantees under the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) External Action Guarantee (EAG), which is to be implemented by eligible partners in an open and collaborative approach, with a specific role for the European Investment Bank (EIB); whereas the EFSD+ considerably expands the financial envelope of its predecessor, the EFSD, and will be able to guarantee operations up to EUR 53.4 billion through EAG; whereas the ‘policy first’ principle must result in a cooperation driven by policy objectives and ensure that the European financial architecture for development is aligned in this regard;
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Recitals C and Ca (new)
Recitals C and Ca (new)
C. whereas due to limited resources, the external financing instruments have often been stretched to their limits; whereas, since the adoption of the Regulation establishing the Instrument, events such as the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine (which triggered a food, energy and cost of worsened the food crisis in the world, triggered an energy, cost of living and debt crises globally and created economic uncertainty, potentially further destabilivsing crisis)Member States and third countries and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the situation to such a degree that an early mid-term evaluation (MTE) of the Instrument and a mid-term revision (MTR) of the multiannual financial framework (MFF) are necessary; Ca. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened the already significant SDGs financing gap and caused an overall decline in resources of USD 700 billion, and at the same time a significant increase is needed to respond to the pre- pandemic gap in developing countries; whereas 80% of the cushion has already been used and an increase of it should be considered; whereas the current political and financial leadership of and efforts by the EU are not sufficient for achieving the European Consensus on Development, SDGs, and the goals of the Paris Agreement and addressing other acute global challenges, in particular worsening climate change, the consequences of COVID-19 and violent conflicts, and therefore joint engagement at international level is required to ensure that the Instrument is able to respond to these emerging challenges;
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Recitals C and Ca (new)
Recitals C and Ca (new)
C. whereas due to limited resources, the external financing instruments have often been stretched to their limits; whereas, since the adoption of the Regulation establishing the Instrument, events such as the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine (which triggered a food, energy and cost of worsened the food crisis in the world, triggered an energy, cost of living and debt crises globally and created economic uncertainty, potentially further destabilivsing crisis)Member States and third countries and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the situation to such a degree that an early mid-term evaluation (MTE) of the Instrument and a mid-term revision (MTR) of the multiannual financial framework (MFF) are necessary; Ca. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened the already significant SDGs financing gap and caused an overall decline in resources of USD 700 billion, and at the same time a significant increase is needed to respond to the pre- pandemic gap in developing countries; whereas 80% of the cushion has already been used and an increase of it should be considered; whereas the current political and financial leadership of and efforts by the EU are not sufficient for achieving the European Consensus on Development, SDGs, and the goals of the Paris Agreement and addressing other acute global challenges, in particular worsening climate change, the consequences of COVID-19 and violent conflicts, and therefore joint engagement at international level is required to ensure that the Instrument is able to respond to these emerging challenges;
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Recitals D, Da (new), Db (new) and Dc (new)
Recitals D, Da (new), Db (new) and Dc (new)
D. whereas project implementation under the Instrument cannot yet be evaluated fully, as it is still in its early stages; whereas the MTE expected in 2024 should assess whether the Instrument contributes to the EU’s strategic priorities and effectively promotes its values in partner countries, promotes human rights and contributes to poverty and inequalities reduction along with the promotion of the sustainable development of third countries and whether it is allocated based on third countries’ needs and development strategies; Da. whereas the European Court of Auditors concluded in 2023 that there are deficiencies in the methods for allocating funds and impact monitoring and that the wide scope of the Instrument may limit the impact, and that improvements are needed in the way development aid is allocated and monitored; Db. whereas the Instrument should be used to form closer and more effective partnerships with third countries that deliver tangible results, based on mutual interests, strategic priorities, structured and effective cooperation, and clear-long term goals; whereas EU-Africa and Neighbourhood relations are of particular strategic importance; whereas the Instrument should be used to ensure a fair green transition, promoting local added values and respecting the “do no significant harm principle”; whereas efficiency, effectiveness and the development impact of the Instrument are key indicators to track; Dc. whereas since the adoption of the Instrument, geopolitical competition has evolved and increased; whereas this places the Instrument in a new and more urgent light; whereas the Global Gateway is a response to this challenge, aiming to provide a viable and attractive alternative for partner countries that delivers lasting benefits for local communities; whereas there is a need to better communicate and raise the visibility of EU actions in partner countries; whereas, despite the Global Gateway’s focus on the EU’s geopolitical objectives, the Instrument’s ODA must serve long-term sustainable development in partner countries;
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Recitals D, Da (new), Db (new) and Dc (new)
Recitals D, Da (new), Db (new) and Dc (new)
D. whereas project implementation under the Instrument cannot yet be evaluated fully, as it is still in its early stages; whereas the MTE expected in 2024 should assess whether the Instrument contributes to the EU’s strategic priorities and effectively promotes its values in partner countries, promotes human rights and contributes to poverty and inequalities reduction along with the promotion of the sustainable development of third countries and whether it is allocated based on third countries’ needs and development strategies; Da. whereas the European Court of Auditors concluded in 2023 that there are deficiencies in the methods for allocating funds and impact monitoring and that the wide scope of the Instrument may limit the impact, and that improvements are needed in the way development aid is allocated and monitored; Db. whereas the Instrument should be used to form closer and more effective partnerships with third countries that deliver tangible results, based on mutual interests, strategic priorities, structured and effective cooperation, and clear-long term goals; whereas EU-Africa and Neighbourhood relations are of particular strategic importance; whereas the Instrument should be used to ensure a fair green transition, promoting local added values and respecting the “do no significant harm principle”; whereas efficiency, effectiveness and the development impact of the Instrument are key indicators to track; Dc. whereas since the adoption of the Instrument, geopolitical competition has evolved and increased; whereas this places the Instrument in a new and more urgent light; whereas the Global Gateway is a response to this challenge, aiming to provide a viable and attractive alternative for partner countries that delivers lasting benefits for local communities; whereas there is a need to better communicate and raise the visibility of EU actions in partner countries; whereas, despite the Global Gateway’s focus on the EU’s geopolitical objectives, the Instrument’s ODA must serve long-term sustainable development in partner countries;
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission communica’s proposal for a revision of the MFF 2021- 2027 with additional funding for Heading 6, since the current financial programming is insufficient and underfunded for the Instrument that should better reflect the geopolitical ambitions on the mid-term revision of the MFF 2021-2027f the EU and its global commitments; takes note of the additional funds proposed by the Commission for Heading 6 out of which EUR 10,5 billion for responding to external dimension of migration, including external challenges, EUR 3 billion for the Instrument’s emerging challenges and priorities cushion and EUR 2,5 billion for the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve (SEAR);
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission communica’s proposal for a revision of the MFF 2021- 2027 with additional funding for Heading 6, since the current financial programming is insufficient and underfunded for the Instrument that should better reflect the geopolitical ambitions on the mid-term revision of the MFF 2021-2027f the EU and its global commitments; takes note of the additional funds proposed by the Commission for Heading 6 out of which EUR 10,5 billion for responding to external dimension of migration, including external challenges, EUR 3 billion for the Instrument’s emerging challenges and priorities cushion and EUR 2,5 billion for the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve (SEAR);
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the need to review the EU’s external and development policies in the light of geopolitical changes; recogniseslight of the funding gap, the increasing inequalities between and within countries and global food insecurity; recognises the impact of geopolitical changes, in particular Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s new priorities and the enhanced importance of strategic partnerships with partner countries, aligned with the principle of Policy Coherence for Development (PCD), and the specific role of EU investments, which have to reflect both the values and interests of the EU and the interests of our partners; further stresses the need for this review to assess whether the Instrument’s objectives of reduction of poverty and inequalities, promotion of human rights and long-term sustainable development of partner countries are being met;
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the need to review the EU’s external and development policies in the light of geopolitical changes; recogniseslight of the funding gap, the increasing inequalities between and within countries and global food insecurity; recognises the impact of geopolitical changes, in particular Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s new priorities and the enhanced importance of strategic partnerships with partner countries, aligned with the principle of Policy Coherence for Development (PCD), and the specific role of EU investments, which have to reflect both the values and interests of the EU and the interests of our partners; further stresses the need for this review to assess whether the Instrument’s objectives of reduction of poverty and inequalities, promotion of human rights and long-term sustainable development of partner countries are being met;
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine; stresses, however, that this support should not come at the expense of other partners and third countries, whose EU funding should not be cut; calls, therefore, for a thorough evaluation of the Instrument’s resources, which should also assess whether they are sufficient to meet the Instrument’s objectiveIn the face of the ongoing Russian war of aggression, reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine, in all its dimensions, including humanitarian assistance, recovery, reconstruction and modernisation; stresses, however, that this support should not come at the expense of official development assistance (ODA), other partners and third countries who are adversely affected by the Russian war of aggression and whose EU funding should not be cut; calls, therefore, for a thorough evaluation of the Instrument’s resources, which should also assess whether they are sufficient to meet the Instrument’s objectives as per the Regulation and to raise the resources accordingly, as well as ensure that they continue to be relevant in the context of on-going geopolitical challenges and allow the EU to be seen as a trustworthy partner and counteract the influence of other global powers;
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine; stresses, however, that this support should not come at the expense of other partners and third countries, whose EU funding should not be cut; calls, therefore, for a thorough evaluation of the Instrument’s resources, which should also assess whether they are sufficient to meet the Instrument’s objectiveIn the face of the ongoing Russian war of aggression, reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine, in all its dimensions, including humanitarian assistance, recovery, reconstruction and modernisation; stresses, however, that this support should not come at the expense of official development assistance (ODA), other partners and third countries who are adversely affected by the Russian war of aggression and whose EU funding should not be cut; calls, therefore, for a thorough evaluation of the Instrument’s resources, which should also assess whether they are sufficient to meet the Instrument’s objectives as per the Regulation and to raise the resources accordingly, as well as ensure that they continue to be relevant in the context of on-going geopolitical challenges and allow the EU to be seen as a trustworthy partner and counteract the influence of other global powers;
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
Citation 17 a (new)
– having regard to the Council conclusions of 4 May 2023 on corruption as an obstacle to development,
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the consolidation of most of the EU’s external action in a single Instrument, gradually streamlining and harmonising the numerous previous instruments; is of the opinion, however, that although this simplification has enhanced flexibility and efficiency, it has not been accompanied by sufficient levels of effective accountability and transparency; underlines, in this regard, that measures can only be considered effective when this can be proven by clear and comparable monitoring and evaluation mechanisms; recalls the findings of the ECA’s Special Report 14/2023, which points out that, in more than 20% of the sampled indicators, baseline indicators have been missing or unclear and 24% had either no targets or unclear targets, and furthermore data sources in the multiannual indicative programmes (MIPs) were fragmented or missing; calls on the Commission to make the use of ‘Global Europe Results Framework’ (GERF) indicators compulsory, that should be the norm, for measures throughout the entire implementation cycle of MIPs, that is planning, implementation and reporting of results, and to considerably increase EU delegations capacities; emphasises that the Instrument should provide for an efficient, effective, coherent and inclusive implementation, underpinned by the ‘policy first’ principle and in line with the strategic interests and values of the EU and the priorities of partner countries; reiterates its call on the Commission to publish, at least biannually, an aid effectiveness progress report, that consistently includes standardised, comprehensible and comparable indicators, covering joint planning, joint implementation and joint results frameworks; calls on the Commission to present this progress report to Parliament;
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the consolidation of most of the EU’s external action in a single Instrument, gradually streamlining and harmonising the numerous previous instruments; is of the opinion, however, that although this simplification has enhanced flexibility and efficiency, it has not been accompanied by sufficient levels of effective accountability and transparency; underlines, in this regard, that measures can only be considered effective when this can be proven by clear and comparable monitoring and evaluation mechanisms; recalls the findings of the ECA’s Special Report 14/2023, which points out that, in more than 20% of the sampled indicators, baseline indicators have been missing or unclear and 24% had either no targets or unclear targets, and furthermore data sources in the multiannual indicative programmes (MIPs) were fragmented or missing; calls on the Commission to make the use of ‘Global Europe Results Framework’ (GERF) indicators compulsory, that should be the norm, for measures throughout the entire implementation cycle of MIPs, that is planning, implementation and reporting of results, and to considerably increase EU delegations capacities; emphasises that the Instrument should provide for an efficient, effective, coherent and inclusive implementation, underpinned by the ‘policy first’ principle and in line with the strategic interests and values of the EU and the priorities of partner countries; reiterates its call on the Commission to publish, at least biannually, an aid effectiveness progress report, that consistently includes standardised, comprehensible and comparable indicators, covering joint planning, joint implementation and joint results frameworks; calls on the Commission to present this progress report to Parliament;
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. CExpresses deep concern about the escalation of geopolitical turmoil, authoritarian trends and recent global attacks globally on the foundations of democracy and the rule of law; calls for the MTE to evaluate in depth the Instrument’s capacity to achieve the EU’s overall external policy goals, and particularly the objective of contributing to the promotion of multilateralism, sustainable development and of protecting, promoting and advancing democracy, the rule of law and human rights and fundamental freedoms; stresses that the EU's external democracy action, implemented under the Instrument, must adjust to a new geopolitical reality marked by competing governance models, in order to better prevent and respond to democratic backsliding; calls on the Commission to assess through a critical lens with an appropriate level of informative granularity in evaluating the progress in the implementation of the Instrument, across programmes, spending targets and benchmarks, abstaining from repeating shallow policy positions; reaffirms that according to the treaties and the New European Consensus on Development, the primary objective of development cooperation should be the eradication of poverty and to foster sustainable economic, social and environmental development of developing countries; stresses that ‘policy first’ should be guided by the principles and objectives set out in the European Consensus on Development, the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda;
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. CExpresses deep concern about the escalation of geopolitical turmoil, authoritarian trends and recent global attacks globally on the foundations of democracy and the rule of law; calls for the MTE to evaluate in depth the Instrument’s capacity to achieve the EU’s overall external policy goals, and particularly the objective of contributing to the promotion of multilateralism, sustainable development and of protecting, promoting and advancing democracy, the rule of law and human rights and fundamental freedoms; stresses that the EU's external democracy action, implemented under the Instrument, must adjust to a new geopolitical reality marked by competing governance models, in order to better prevent and respond to democratic backsliding; calls on the Commission to assess through a critical lens with an appropriate level of informative granularity in evaluating the progress in the implementation of the Instrument, across programmes, spending targets and benchmarks, abstaining from repeating shallow policy positions; reaffirms that according to the treaties and the New European Consensus on Development, the primary objective of development cooperation should be the eradication of poverty and to foster sustainable economic, social and environmental development of developing countries; stresses that ‘policy first’ should be guided by the principles and objectives set out in the European Consensus on Development, the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda;
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 6 and 6a (new)
Paragraphs 6 and 6a (new)
6. Calls, in particular, for an honest and thorough assessment of the use of Article 42(4) and recital 40 of the Regulation establishing the Instrument, the latter of which states that assistance could be suspended in the event of degradation in democracy, human rights or the rule of law in third countries; calls for ex ante assessments to determine the possible implications and risks of projects with regard to human rights, in line with Article 25 (5) of the Regulation; calls for human rights monitoring throughout the implementation of projects in third countries, especially in relation to projects entailing a high risk of violations; calls for a suspension or modulation of projects that contribute to human rights violations in third countries; calls on the Commission to share all human rights related assessments with Parliament in a proactive manner; underlines the necessity for the EU to take a more principled approach to partner countries that go in the opposite direction when it comes to central values and principles; upholds the suspension of budget support as a good example in this regard; 6a. Worries that the financing of assistance for Ukraine through the mobilisation of the Instrument’s cushion, rather than through the appropriate budgetary instrument, has exhausted much of it, leaving the Instrument with limited ability to respond to unforeseen challenges; welcomes the proposal for establishing the Ukraine Facility, which should ensure sustainable long-term financing for Ukraine while preserving the Instrument’s ability to cope with future challenges;
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 6 and 6a (new)
Paragraphs 6 and 6a (new)
6. Calls, in particular, for an honest and thorough assessment of the use of Article 42(4) and recital 40 of the Regulation establishing the Instrument, the latter of which states that assistance could be suspended in the event of degradation in democracy, human rights or the rule of law in third countries; calls for ex ante assessments to determine the possible implications and risks of projects with regard to human rights, in line with Article 25 (5) of the Regulation; calls for human rights monitoring throughout the implementation of projects in third countries, especially in relation to projects entailing a high risk of violations; calls for a suspension or modulation of projects that contribute to human rights violations in third countries; calls on the Commission to share all human rights related assessments with Parliament in a proactive manner; underlines the necessity for the EU to take a more principled approach to partner countries that go in the opposite direction when it comes to central values and principles; upholds the suspension of budget support as a good example in this regard; 6a. Worries that the financing of assistance for Ukraine through the mobilisation of the Instrument’s cushion, rather than through the appropriate budgetary instrument, has exhausted much of it, leaving the Instrument with limited ability to respond to unforeseen challenges; welcomes the proposal for establishing the Ukraine Facility, which should ensure sustainable long-term financing for Ukraine while preserving the Instrument’s ability to cope with future challenges;
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Requests that the MTE provide legal and political clarity with regard to the listing of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia as beneficiaries under the neighbourhood chapter of the Instrument; notes that these countriesUkraine and the Republic of Moldova have become candidates for accession to the EU andwhile Georgia is considered a potential candidate for EU membership; against this background, underlines that Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia should therefore be listed as beneficiaries with the adequate budgetary transfer of bilateral financial envelopes to the Instrument for Pre- accession Assistance (IPA III) Regulation10 ; welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a Ukraine facility, having a distinctive legal basis and policy framework different from the Instrument and the European Neighbourhood Policy, which would reduce the pressure lying on the Instrument, welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a new and dedicated Ukraine facility by combining future support in a separate single instrument under Heading 6 of the MFF to meet immediate needs, but stresses the importance of using a long- term instrument; __________________ 10 Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 September 2021 establishing the Instrument for Pre-Accession assistance (IPA III) (OJ L 330, 20.9.2021, p. 1).
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Requests that the MTE provide legal and political clarity with regard to the listing of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia as beneficiaries under the neighbourhood chapter of the Instrument; notes that these countriesUkraine and the Republic of Moldova have become candidates for accession to the EU andwhile Georgia is considered a potential candidate for EU membership; against this background, underlines that Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia should therefore be listed as beneficiaries with the adequate budgetary transfer of bilateral financial envelopes to the Instrument for Pre- accession Assistance (IPA III) Regulation10 ; welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a Ukraine facility, having a distinctive legal basis and policy framework different from the Instrument and the European Neighbourhood Policy, which would reduce the pressure lying on the Instrument, welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a new and dedicated Ukraine facility by combining future support in a separate single instrument under Heading 6 of the MFF to meet immediate needs, but stresses the importance of using a long- term instrument; __________________ 10 Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 September 2021 establishing the Instrument for Pre-Accession assistance (IPA III) (OJ L 330, 20.9.2021, p. 1).
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)
Recital -A (new)
-A. whereas the European Union and the 27 EU Member States together remain the world’s biggest provider of external assistance, responsible for approximately 43% of the total ODA provided by all OECD ODA members to developing countries; whereas external financing instruments are the main mechanism for supporting the EU’s action on the global scene, and whereas the EU’s external action is of increasing importance to European citizens;
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for the MTE to assess, in particular, the extent to which funding has delivered tangible results in Africa, in line with the Instrument’s objectives, the EU- Africa Strategy as well as the outcomes of and priorities set at the 6th AU-EU Summit in 2022, and whether a review of priorities and objectives is necessary; stresses that the analysis of tangible results of the assistance provided, based on clear indicators, is particularly important for adequately assessing the effectiveness of the use of funds; invites the Commission to make better use of the possibility to combine geographic envelopes for the benefit of Pan-African programmes as provided for in Article 4(2), in support of EU-AU commitments; underlines the necessity for the EU to continue to actively support the new African Continental Free Trade Area, also through this Instrument, building on its own experience in developing the European Single Market, to spur sustainable economic development, boost job creation, reduce poverty and increase shared prosperity in Africa; stresses the need to support African partner countries by harnessing its great untapped renewable energy potential and accelerate progress on SDG7 in Africa, which will not only boost economic growth, job creation and social development, but also significantly increase the global share of renewables;
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for the MTE to assess, in particular, the extent to which funding has delivered tangible results in Africa, in line with the Instrument’s objectives, the EU- Africa Strategy as well as the outcomes of and priorities set at the 6th AU-EU Summit in 2022, and whether a review of priorities and objectives is necessary; stresses that the analysis of tangible results of the assistance provided, based on clear indicators, is particularly important for adequately assessing the effectiveness of the use of funds; invites the Commission to make better use of the possibility to combine geographic envelopes for the benefit of Pan-African programmes as provided for in Article 4(2), in support of EU-AU commitments; underlines the necessity for the EU to continue to actively support the new African Continental Free Trade Area, also through this Instrument, building on its own experience in developing the European Single Market, to spur sustainable economic development, boost job creation, reduce poverty and increase shared prosperity in Africa; stresses the need to support African partner countries by harnessing its great untapped renewable energy potential and accelerate progress on SDG7 in Africa, which will not only boost economic growth, job creation and social development, but also significantly increase the global share of renewables;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (‘the Instrument’) entered into force on 14 June 2021 and consolidated a multitude of previous instruments under a single instrument; whereas this instrument, with an overall budget of EUR 79.5 billion, constitutes a historic change in the EU’s external and development policies;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses the importance of meeting all the Instrument’s spending and programmatic targets and calls for detailed information on the progress made in this regard; regrets, in particular, the substantial deficit in reaching the Instrument’s climate target and the substantial deficit in reaching the Instrument’s 30% climate target, in contributing to the 10% biodiversity target under the MFF for 2026 and 2027 as well as in ensuring to fulfil its global financial commitments under the UN framework and in particular the contribution to the Loss and Damage Fund; recalls that climate change will increasingly put pressure on food production and access, especially in vulnerable regions, undermining food security and nutrition; further recalls that biodiversity is a crucial factor in combatting climate change and that the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services will undermine progress in approximately 80% of the assessed targets for the SDGs; calls for a detailed plan outlining how the Commission intends to meet the climatespending and gender targets by the end of the MFF;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses the importance of meeting all the Instrument’s spending and programmatic targets and calls for detailed information on the progress made in this regard; regrets, in particular, the substantial deficit in reaching the Instrument’s climate target and the substantial deficit in reaching the Instrument’s 30% climate target, in contributing to the 10% biodiversity target under the MFF for 2026 and 2027 as well as in ensuring to fulfil its global financial commitments under the UN framework and in particular the contribution to the Loss and Damage Fund; recalls that climate change will increasingly put pressure on food production and access, especially in vulnerable regions, undermining food security and nutrition; further recalls that biodiversity is a crucial factor in combatting climate change and that the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services will undermine progress in approximately 80% of the assessed targets for the SDGs; calls for a detailed plan outlining how the Commission intends to meet the climatespending and gender targets by the end of the MFF;
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 10, 10a (new) and 10b (new)
Paragraphs 10, 10a (new) and 10b (new)
10. RStrongly reaffirms the commitment set out in the Instrument to eradicating poverty, fighting inequalities and discrimination and promoting human developmente poverty, fight climate change and food insecurity, fight inequalities and discrimination and promote sustainable human development; recalls the commitment made by the EU and the Member States to increase their ODA to 0.7% of gross domestic product by 2030, including contributing with the NDICI- GE to at least 20% of the ODA funded under the Instrument to social inclusion and human development, such as in health, education, nutrition and social protection, and 0.2% of the EU’s gross national income for ODA to the least developed countries; underlines that the EFSD+ should aim to support investments as a means of contributing to the achievement of the SDGs; emphasises the importance of following a holistic approach to human security as a new guiding paradigm; calls, in the context of the forthcoming programming process, for the full implementation of the EU Gender Action Plan III, with a strong commitment on gender perspective and mainstreaming, as well as the operationalisation of the EU Global Health Strategy and the Youth Action Plan in EU external action; underlines the need to enhance the Union’s efforts to promote and protect human rights in its external action, welcoming the mid-term review of the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy; highlights the importance of a strong anti-corruption perspective in all EU development efforts and supports the Council conclusions of 4 May on corruption as an obstacle to development; 10a. Stresses that investments in human development are crucial for the fight against inequalities and for education, including vocational training, should remain a clear priority in the forthcoming programming process, given that it enables developing partner countries to unlock the human capital potential of their young populations and boost human development, economic growth and employment in their countries; calls on the Commission to introduce a child policy marker that builds on existing methodology developed in the areas of gender, climate, migration and digitalisation, in order to allow EU institutions and partners to measure and monitor investments in children; stresses that tracking and monitoring of the EU's investment in children is fundamental to show the EU's added value and effectiveness; underlines that COVID-19 was a wake-up call for low- and middle- income countries (LMICs) to accelerate progress towards building universal, publicly financed health systems; requests that grants and public sector promotion are prioritised in the health sector to assure development aid reaches people first in the programming of the Instrument; stresses the importance of continuing to commit enough budget for improving social outcomes and addressing systemic issues; 10b. Expresses concern about the state of LGBTIQ+ rights worldwide as well as the general backlash against women’s rights, gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in developing countries; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to address the setback in the recognition and protection of these rights; underlines, in this regard, that targeted support to CSOs and communities advocating for the respect of SRHR, women’s rights, gender equality and the LGBTIQ+ community and other marginalised populations, including enhanced measures to decriminalise homosexuality, should be prioritised; recalls that at least 85% of new actions implemented under the Instrument should have gender equality as a principal or a significant objective and at least 5% of these actions should have gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights and empowerment as a principal objective;
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 10, 10a (new) and 10b (new)
Paragraphs 10, 10a (new) and 10b (new)
10. RStrongly reaffirms the commitment set out in the Instrument to eradicating poverty, fighting inequalities and discrimination and promoting human developmente poverty, fight climate change and food insecurity, fight inequalities and discrimination and promote sustainable human development; recalls the commitment made by the EU and the Member States to increase their ODA to 0.7% of gross domestic product by 2030, including contributing with the NDICI- GE to at least 20% of the ODA funded under the Instrument to social inclusion and human development, such as in health, education, nutrition and social protection, and 0.2% of the EU’s gross national income for ODA to the least developed countries; underlines that the EFSD+ should aim to support investments as a means of contributing to the achievement of the SDGs; emphasises the importance of following a holistic approach to human security as a new guiding paradigm; calls, in the context of the forthcoming programming process, for the full implementation of the EU Gender Action Plan III, with a strong commitment on gender perspective and mainstreaming, as well as the operationalisation of the EU Global Health Strategy and the Youth Action Plan in EU external action; underlines the need to enhance the Union’s efforts to promote and protect human rights in its external action, welcoming the mid-term review of the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy; highlights the importance of a strong anti-corruption perspective in all EU development efforts and supports the Council conclusions of 4 May on corruption as an obstacle to development; 10a. Stresses that investments in human development are crucial for the fight against inequalities and for education, including vocational training, should remain a clear priority in the forthcoming programming process, given that it enables developing partner countries to unlock the human capital potential of their young populations and boost human development, economic growth and employment in their countries; calls on the Commission to introduce a child policy marker that builds on existing methodology developed in the areas of gender, climate, migration and digitalisation, in order to allow EU institutions and partners to measure and monitor investments in children; stresses that tracking and monitoring of the EU's investment in children is fundamental to show the EU's added value and effectiveness; underlines that COVID-19 was a wake-up call for low- and middle- income countries (LMICs) to accelerate progress towards building universal, publicly financed health systems; requests that grants and public sector promotion are prioritised in the health sector to assure development aid reaches people first in the programming of the Instrument; stresses the importance of continuing to commit enough budget for improving social outcomes and addressing systemic issues; 10b. Expresses concern about the state of LGBTIQ+ rights worldwide as well as the general backlash against women’s rights, gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in developing countries; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to address the setback in the recognition and protection of these rights; underlines, in this regard, that targeted support to CSOs and communities advocating for the respect of SRHR, women’s rights, gender equality and the LGBTIQ+ community and other marginalised populations, including enhanced measures to decriminalise homosexuality, should be prioritised; recalls that at least 85% of new actions implemented under the Instrument should have gender equality as a principal or a significant objective and at least 5% of these actions should have gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights and empowerment as a principal objective;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the Commission is responsible for the identification, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of EU assistance; whereas the EEAS has the responsibility to ensure the continuity and coherence of EU external policies in line with the integrated approach which includes this Instrument; whereas Parliament is responsible for democratic oversight and scrutiny and as co-legislator under the co- decision procedure; whereas the creation of the Team Europe approach should contribute to a single strategic coordination framework for the EU’s external response to major challenges; whereas this approach enables further cooperation between the EU institutions, the Member States and the EIB, continuously increasing the EU’s collective effectiveness and visibility;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 11 and 11a (new)
Paragraphs 11 and 11a (new)
11. Reaffirms the commitment outlined in the Instrument to addressing the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement; is of the opinion that, without prejudice to unforeseen circumstances, the commitment within the Instrument to dedicate an indicative 10 % of the Instrument’s financial envelope to actions supporting the management and governance of migration and forced displacement within the objectives of the Instrument should be respected and that this clause should not be reopened; notes, however, that 14% of the funds committed in 2021 contributed to the migration spending target; expects to receive regular substantial updates on the state of play; 11a. Regrets that the current use of the rapid response pillar does not visibly and effectively contribute to promoting EU interests in the world; therefore requests to reconsider re-establishing programmatic support to EU’s foreign and security policy objectives during the 2024 MTE;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 11 and 11a (new)
Paragraphs 11 and 11a (new)
11. Reaffirms the commitment outlined in the Instrument to addressing the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement; is of the opinion that, without prejudice to unforeseen circumstances, the commitment within the Instrument to dedicate an indicative 10 % of the Instrument’s financial envelope to actions supporting the management and governance of migration and forced displacement within the objectives of the Instrument should be respected and that this clause should not be reopened; notes, however, that 14% of the funds committed in 2021 contributed to the migration spending target; expects to receive regular substantial updates on the state of play; 11a. Regrets that the current use of the rapid response pillar does not visibly and effectively contribute to promoting EU interests in the world; therefore requests to reconsider re-establishing programmatic support to EU’s foreign and security policy objectives during the 2024 MTE;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that under no circumstances should the 2024 MTR of the MFF result in the Instrument’s funds being cut or reallocated between programmes; underlines the key role of the Instrument, the EFSD+ and the EAG in providing a strategic framework for blended finance, de-risking investments and guarantees and in mobilising resources from the private sector with the support of the EU budget, particularly in the light of increasing geopolitical and economic competitionthe long-term thematic and geographic programmes dedicated to sustainable development; worries that the Instrument was underfunded since the start of the MFF 2021-2027 and that its geographisation has come at the expense of important thematic funding lines, such as the people’s Global Challenges budget line, which was even more under pressure due to COVID-19, leaving little to no room for manoeuvre to fully honour the EU’s commitments to supporting multilateral health initiatives in the coming years; underlines that the lack of funds creates a dangerous gap between the EU’s ambition and its ability to deliver on its promises; recalls that insufficient funding will also create damaging competition between short-term needs and long term investments, and between core development sectors, ultimately hampering the effectiveness of EU aid and its contribution to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda; underlines the key role of the Instrument, the EFSD+ and the EAG in providing a strategic framework for blended finance, de-risking investments and guarantees and in mobilising resources from the private sector with the support of the EU budget, particularly in light of increasing geopolitical and economic competition; stresses that blended finance projects and effective partnerships with the private sector in developing countries must focus on maximising development outcomes and be consistent with the SDGs, the Paris agreement and national development priorities; recalls that private sector is an addition, rather than a replacement, to public investments, in particular in critical services, such as health, education and social protection, which provide crucial long-term prospects for the graduation from poverty; calls for the EFSD+ not to finance investments that have a negative impact on the SDGs, particularly as regards combating climate change; asks that the long-term budget must be adapted to protect the EU’s positive impact, influence and credibility on the global stage;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that under no circumstances should the 2024 MTR of the MFF result in the Instrument’s funds being cut or reallocated between programmes; underlines the key role of the Instrument, the EFSD+ and the EAG in providing a strategic framework for blended finance, de-risking investments and guarantees and in mobilising resources from the private sector with the support of the EU budget, particularly in the light of increasing geopolitical and economic competitionthe long-term thematic and geographic programmes dedicated to sustainable development; worries that the Instrument was underfunded since the start of the MFF 2021-2027 and that its geographisation has come at the expense of important thematic funding lines, such as the people’s Global Challenges budget line, which was even more under pressure due to COVID-19, leaving little to no room for manoeuvre to fully honour the EU’s commitments to supporting multilateral health initiatives in the coming years; underlines that the lack of funds creates a dangerous gap between the EU’s ambition and its ability to deliver on its promises; recalls that insufficient funding will also create damaging competition between short-term needs and long term investments, and between core development sectors, ultimately hampering the effectiveness of EU aid and its contribution to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda; underlines the key role of the Instrument, the EFSD+ and the EAG in providing a strategic framework for blended finance, de-risking investments and guarantees and in mobilising resources from the private sector with the support of the EU budget, particularly in light of increasing geopolitical and economic competition; stresses that blended finance projects and effective partnerships with the private sector in developing countries must focus on maximising development outcomes and be consistent with the SDGs, the Paris agreement and national development priorities; recalls that private sector is an addition, rather than a replacement, to public investments, in particular in critical services, such as health, education and social protection, which provide crucial long-term prospects for the graduation from poverty; calls for the EFSD+ not to finance investments that have a negative impact on the SDGs, particularly as regards combating climate change; asks that the long-term budget must be adapted to protect the EU’s positive impact, influence and credibility on the global stage;
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Instrument’s external investment framework brings together blended finance and guarantees under the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) External Action Guarantee (EAG), which is to be implemented by eligible partners in an open and collaborative approach, with a specific role for the European Investment Bank (EIB); whereas the EFSD+ considerably expands the financial envelope of its predecessor, the EFSD, and will be able to guarantee operations up to EUR 53.4 billion through EAG; whereas the ‘policy first’ principle must result in a cooperation driven by policy objectives and ensure that the European financial architecture for development is aligned in this regard;
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recognises the specific role of EU investments, which must reflect the strategic interests and development objectives of both the EU and our partner countries as well as the EU's values, and underlines the important part played by the budgetary guarantees in delivering them under the ‘policy first’ principle as referred above; highlights the importance of ensuring that the guarantees counterbalance the risk involved in the highest-risk countries for investment so that relevant investment is also directed to them; stresses that the EU should lead by example in this regard, in view of the ongoing debate on the reform of multilateral development banks;
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recognises the specific role of EU investments, which must reflect the strategic interests and development objectives of both the EU and our partner countries as well as the EU's values, and underlines the important part played by the budgetary guarantees in delivering them under the ‘policy first’ principle as referred above; highlights the importance of ensuring that the guarantees counterbalance the risk involved in the highest-risk countries for investment so that relevant investment is also directed to them; stresses that the EU should lead by example in this regard, in view of the ongoing debate on the reform of multilateral development banks;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes the specific role played by the EIB in the European financial architecture for development, as set out in Article 209 of the TFEU and in Article 36 of the Regulation establishing the Instrument, and acknowledges the EIB’s potential to mobilise additional funding that contributes to the Instrument’s objectives; welcomes the creation of EIB Global, which has been operational since 1 January 2022 and sets out to increase the bank’s presence and expertise in developing countries; notes that, since the setting up of the new development branch, the EIB Global has made record use of the dedicated investment window provided by the Instrument, delivering over EUR 10 billion in 2022, notably in support of Ukraine and the Global Gateway; recalls the importance of the EU budget as the sole guarantor for the EIB’s to provide loans outside the EU in support of EU policies; calls for an increase in the guarantees granted to the EIB by the EU budget in order to allow the EU bank to continue to deliver vital public and private sector operations in Ukraine and to expand its activities in the Global South; calls on the EIB to use its position to mobilise investments for sustainable development in line with the purpose and criteria established by the EFSD+; highlights the important role of the EIB in partnering with the Commission to deliver EUR 100 billion of the EUR 300 billion commitment under the Global Gateway strategy; calls on the EIB to prioritise a sustainable development agenda; calls on the EIB to take higher risk in financing projects with high social returns; calls on the EIB to continue strengthening its presence in the field by building on the current approach of co- location within EU delegations, while further exploiting possible synergies with the EBRD and other European DFIs; encourages the EIB to continue to actively engage in developing planning, monitoring and evaluation at country level, hand in hand with the EU delegations and through co-financing with development finance institutions; calls for stronger coordination between the Commission and the EEAS and EU delegations to facilitate discussions and cooperation with relevant actors on the ground in order to identify projects which best meet development effectiveness objectives;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes the specific role played by the EIB in the European financial architecture for development, as set out in Article 209 of the TFEU and in Article 36 of the Regulation establishing the Instrument, and acknowledges the EIB’s potential to mobilise additional funding that contributes to the Instrument’s objectives; welcomes the creation of EIB Global, which has been operational since 1 January 2022 and sets out to increase the bank’s presence and expertise in developing countries; notes that, since the setting up of the new development branch, the EIB Global has made record use of the dedicated investment window provided by the Instrument, delivering over EUR 10 billion in 2022, notably in support of Ukraine and the Global Gateway; recalls the importance of the EU budget as the sole guarantor for the EIB’s to provide loans outside the EU in support of EU policies; calls for an increase in the guarantees granted to the EIB by the EU budget in order to allow the EU bank to continue to deliver vital public and private sector operations in Ukraine and to expand its activities in the Global South; calls on the EIB to use its position to mobilise investments for sustainable development in line with the purpose and criteria established by the EFSD+; highlights the important role of the EIB in partnering with the Commission to deliver EUR 100 billion of the EUR 300 billion commitment under the Global Gateway strategy; calls on the EIB to prioritise a sustainable development agenda; calls on the EIB to take higher risk in financing projects with high social returns; calls on the EIB to continue strengthening its presence in the field by building on the current approach of co- location within EU delegations, while further exploiting possible synergies with the EBRD and other European DFIs; encourages the EIB to continue to actively engage in developing planning, monitoring and evaluation at country level, hand in hand with the EU delegations and through co-financing with development finance institutions; calls for stronger coordination between the Commission and the EEAS and EU delegations to facilitate discussions and cooperation with relevant actors on the ground in order to identify projects which best meet development effectiveness objectives;
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the ‘open architecture’ of the EFSD+, which was established to support private-sector investments, and calls on the Commission, the EIB, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Member States and development finance institutions (DFIs) to fully utilise the options provided by the EAG and the relevant investment windows to promote sustainable private-sector investments; underlines the need to leverage private sector financing, with a particular focus on SMEs, and calls for increased efforts to address bottlenecks and obstacles to investment; recognises additionally the important role of the private sector in generating new investments, employment and financing for development where possible; recalls Parliament's power of scrutiny and the need for transparency in the implementation of the EFSD+;
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the ‘open architecture’ of the EFSD+, which was established to support private-sector investments, and calls on the Commission, the EIB, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Member States and development finance institutions (DFIs) to fully utilise the options provided by the EAG and the relevant investment windows to promote sustainable private-sector investments; underlines the need to leverage private sector financing, with a particular focus on SMEs, and calls for increased efforts to address bottlenecks and obstacles to investment; recognises additionally the important role of the private sector in generating new investments, employment and financing for development where possible; recalls Parliament's power of scrutiny and the need for transparency in the implementation of the EFSD+;
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the Global Gateway strategy aims at increasing EU’s geopolitical weight in the global arena, by boosting smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport and strengthening health, education and research systems across the world, in the framework of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its SDGs;
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes the Team Europe approach and its aim of increasing the coherence, impact and visibility of EU development projects, and calls for more joint actions with the Member States, in particular Team Europe Initiatives (TEIs); recalls the Court of Auditors’ observation that individual Member States’ contributions to TEIs are not indicated in the MIPs, bringing uncertainty over the Member States’ financial support which contributes to making the future of TEIs unclear as a collective initiative; calls on the Commission and Member States to review the effectiveness of the approach and to inform Parliament of its findings; calls on the Commission to clarify the roles surrounding the Team Europe approach and to propose a mechanism that increases the transparency and democratic scrutiny of the initiatives; further calls for joint action by the EU and Member States to increase effectiveness and maximise resources; encourages the Member States and development financing institutions as well as the EIB and EBRD to play a more active role in Team Europe with financial commitments and joint actions, steered by the Commission;
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes the Team Europe approach and its aim of increasing the coherence, impact and visibility of EU development projects, and calls for more joint actions with the Member States, in particular Team Europe Initiatives (TEIs); recalls the Court of Auditors’ observation that individual Member States’ contributions to TEIs are not indicated in the MIPs, bringing uncertainty over the Member States’ financial support which contributes to making the future of TEIs unclear as a collective initiative; calls on the Commission and Member States to review the effectiveness of the approach and to inform Parliament of its findings; calls on the Commission to clarify the roles surrounding the Team Europe approach and to propose a mechanism that increases the transparency and democratic scrutiny of the initiatives; further calls for joint action by the EU and Member States to increase effectiveness and maximise resources; encourages the Member States and development financing institutions as well as the EIB and EBRD to play a more active role in Team Europe with financial commitments and joint actions, steered by the Commission;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 17 and 17a (new)
Paragraphs 17 and 17a (new)
17. Welcomes the Global Gateway strategy as a concerted EU response to global challenges; regrets, however, the lack of transparency and of a regulatory framework for the strategy’s governance and implementation within the Instrument’s objectives and prioritiesis of the opinion that in times of new geostrategic challenges, EU foreign policy and security policy and development cooperation actors have to better coordinate to increase the EU’s presence and visibility worldwide by means of infrastructure investment that creates national value in partner countries, in line with the SDGs; recalls that Global Gateway is to be understood as a strategic concept in which foreign, economic and development policy are integrated; stresses that massive investments are required in both hard and soft infrastructure in developing countries, from digital, transport and energy networks to health, education and food systems; regrets, however, the lack of transparency and of a regulatory framework for the strategy’s governance and implementation within the Instrument’s objectives and priorities; stresses the need for adequate parliamentary involvement and scrutiny as well as consultation with the business sector and CSOs through a light governance framework that would quickly deliver a boost of investment and visibility of EU in partner countries at the backdrop of a complex geopolitical context; calls on the Commission to update the joint communication to clarify the governance framework, including Parliament’s scrutiny role, and to provide a clear definition of what a global gateway project is and how to distinguish it from other investment projects; calls for clarity as to how the EU financial regulation and public procurement rules apply; calls for a faster pace of implementation of the strategy in light of existing and emerging global challenges; 17a. Regrets the lack of clarity on the financing for the Global Gateway strategy and recalls that such new initiatives should be financed through fresh appropriations and the related upward revision of the Heading 6 ceiling; calls on the Commission to involve CSOs more systematically in Global Gateway and TEIs and to consider actively involving local CSOs under each country programming;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 17 and 17a (new)
Paragraphs 17 and 17a (new)
17. Welcomes the Global Gateway strategy as a concerted EU response to global challenges; regrets, however, the lack of transparency and of a regulatory framework for the strategy’s governance and implementation within the Instrument’s objectives and prioritiesis of the opinion that in times of new geostrategic challenges, EU foreign policy and security policy and development cooperation actors have to better coordinate to increase the EU’s presence and visibility worldwide by means of infrastructure investment that creates national value in partner countries, in line with the SDGs; recalls that Global Gateway is to be understood as a strategic concept in which foreign, economic and development policy are integrated; stresses that massive investments are required in both hard and soft infrastructure in developing countries, from digital, transport and energy networks to health, education and food systems; regrets, however, the lack of transparency and of a regulatory framework for the strategy’s governance and implementation within the Instrument’s objectives and priorities; stresses the need for adequate parliamentary involvement and scrutiny as well as consultation with the business sector and CSOs through a light governance framework that would quickly deliver a boost of investment and visibility of EU in partner countries at the backdrop of a complex geopolitical context; calls on the Commission to update the joint communication to clarify the governance framework, including Parliament’s scrutiny role, and to provide a clear definition of what a global gateway project is and how to distinguish it from other investment projects; calls for clarity as to how the EU financial regulation and public procurement rules apply; calls for a faster pace of implementation of the strategy in light of existing and emerging global challenges; 17a. Regrets the lack of clarity on the financing for the Global Gateway strategy and recalls that such new initiatives should be financed through fresh appropriations and the related upward revision of the Heading 6 ceiling; calls on the Commission to involve CSOs more systematically in Global Gateway and TEIs and to consider actively involving local CSOs under each country programming;
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 19 and 19a (new)
Paragraphs 19 and 19a (new)
19. Recalls Parliament’s functions of political control and consultation and stresses the role of the high-level geopolitical dialogue in providing general orientations for the implementation of the Instrumentpowers of political and budgetary control and consultation and stresses the role of the high-level geopolitical dialogue in providing general orientations for the implementation of the Instrument; stresses the importance of having detailed information on the budget executed, or to be executed; underlines that Parliament needs full and timely access to documents and has to be able to monitor the impact and progress of projects in order to better evaluate their scope and impact, which is why it needs full access to standardised baseline and target indicators, as well as data sources; calls on the Commission to provide a consistent inter-institutional information flow with the Parliament being kept informed about investment projects including Global Gateway projects and to make the Result Management Framework (ReMF) fully available; reiterates that Parliament’s positions need to be fully taken into consideration; also reiterates that European Parliament resolutions constitute part of the overall policy framework for the implementation of the Instrument; urges the Commission to significantly improve the timely provision of documentation to Parliament in advance of the high-level geopolitical dialogue, as well as the way in which it takes into account the EP’s recommendations, notably by engaging in a written procedure after each dialogue indicating the follow-up on each specific EP recommendation; 19a. Calls on the Commission to take advantage of the MFF revision to refine the nomenclature of the NDICI-Global Europe by including more budget lines in order to allow the budgetary authority to exercise its scrutiny powers, particularly as regards the neighbourhood budget lines, to strengthen the transparency to achieve a data-driven policy which can be audited regarding its objectives, and to reflect better a strategic approach, as well as to improve long-term programming; points out that the overlap of financial instruments, for example in the context of guarantees, makes scrutiny difficult; calls on the Commission to provide after consultations with the Parliament a comprehensible, clear and complete overview in a single document about the financial instruments, their relations with each other and the different actors, as well as a complete and precise overview about grants and guarantees and how they are covered; calls on the Commission to provide the budgetary authority with quarterly updates, including on the use and amounts of budgetary guarantees together with the estimated provisioning and future forecasts, as well as the state of play as regards the spending and programmatic targets;
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 19 and 19a (new)
Paragraphs 19 and 19a (new)
19. Recalls Parliament’s functions of political control and consultation and stresses the role of the high-level geopolitical dialogue in providing general orientations for the implementation of the Instrumentpowers of political and budgetary control and consultation and stresses the role of the high-level geopolitical dialogue in providing general orientations for the implementation of the Instrument; stresses the importance of having detailed information on the budget executed, or to be executed; underlines that Parliament needs full and timely access to documents and has to be able to monitor the impact and progress of projects in order to better evaluate their scope and impact, which is why it needs full access to standardised baseline and target indicators, as well as data sources; calls on the Commission to provide a consistent inter-institutional information flow with the Parliament being kept informed about investment projects including Global Gateway projects and to make the Result Management Framework (ReMF) fully available; reiterates that Parliament’s positions need to be fully taken into consideration; also reiterates that European Parliament resolutions constitute part of the overall policy framework for the implementation of the Instrument; urges the Commission to significantly improve the timely provision of documentation to Parliament in advance of the high-level geopolitical dialogue, as well as the way in which it takes into account the EP’s recommendations, notably by engaging in a written procedure after each dialogue indicating the follow-up on each specific EP recommendation; 19a. Calls on the Commission to take advantage of the MFF revision to refine the nomenclature of the NDICI-Global Europe by including more budget lines in order to allow the budgetary authority to exercise its scrutiny powers, particularly as regards the neighbourhood budget lines, to strengthen the transparency to achieve a data-driven policy which can be audited regarding its objectives, and to reflect better a strategic approach, as well as to improve long-term programming; points out that the overlap of financial instruments, for example in the context of guarantees, makes scrutiny difficult; calls on the Commission to provide after consultations with the Parliament a comprehensible, clear and complete overview in a single document about the financial instruments, their relations with each other and the different actors, as well as a complete and precise overview about grants and guarantees and how they are covered; calls on the Commission to provide the budgetary authority with quarterly updates, including on the use and amounts of budgetary guarantees together with the estimated provisioning and future forecasts, as well as the state of play as regards the spending and programmatic targets;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses the importance of the programming process, underlining the crucial role of the EEAS and EU delegations in this regard, as well as in ensuring the proper inclusion of partner countries and other development actors throughout the process, including by fostering close and transparent consultation of and association with regional and local authorities, in order to identify common priorities and enhance partner countries’ sense of ownership; stresses, furthermore, the important role of civil society organisations in the programming processunderlines the importance of guaranteeing an effective needs-based and people-centred approach in the EU’s external action and highlights the essential role that local partners and civil society should have in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes; stresses the importance of CSOs and, where relevant, the private sector in the implementation of the Instrument, in particular in the programming process; reaffirms the need to step up support to civil society worldwide;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses the importance of the programming process, underlining the crucial role of the EEAS and EU delegations in this regard, as well as in ensuring the proper inclusion of partner countries and other development actors throughout the process, including by fostering close and transparent consultation of and association with regional and local authorities, in order to identify common priorities and enhance partner countries’ sense of ownership; stresses, furthermore, the important role of civil society organisations in the programming processunderlines the importance of guaranteeing an effective needs-based and people-centred approach in the EU’s external action and highlights the essential role that local partners and civil society should have in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes; stresses the importance of CSOs and, where relevant, the private sector in the implementation of the Instrument, in particular in the programming process; reaffirms the need to step up support to civil society worldwide;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 21 and 21a (new)
Paragraphs 21 and 21a (new)
21. Regrets the rushed programming process that took place in the second half of 2021, preventing adequate scrutiny by Parliament; notes with concern the findings of the ECA’s Special Report 14/2023, which concluded that the programming process could be improved; expects the Commission and the EEAS to act on the recommendation made by ECA and draw the lessons learnt for the next programming exercise; calls on the Commission to ensure a more predictable and transparent programming exercise, to develop a standardised, comparable and transparent methodology for allocating funds to neighbourhood countries, to ensure rigorous application for non- neighbourhood countries and to clarify the methodology for assessing the impact of EU’s support and ensure its relevance in a developing geopolitical context; 21a. Welcomes the recent Macro- financial assistances adopted to support several countries and notably Ukraine to face the consequences of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine; regrets the lack of information given to the budgetary authorities on the management of the financing of the interest costs of the MFA; worries that the current financing of the interest costs of the MFA through the mobilisation of the emerging challenges and priorities cushion, rather than through fresh appropriations, risks to exhaust most of it, if not all, for the remaining period, leaving the Instrument with no ability to respond to unforeseen challenges, and therefore, underlines the need to find sustainable long-term financing solutions, while preserving the ability to cope with future challenges;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 21 and 21a (new)
Paragraphs 21 and 21a (new)
21. Regrets the rushed programming process that took place in the second half of 2021, preventing adequate scrutiny by Parliament; notes with concern the findings of the ECA’s Special Report 14/2023, which concluded that the programming process could be improved; expects the Commission and the EEAS to act on the recommendation made by ECA and draw the lessons learnt for the next programming exercise; calls on the Commission to ensure a more predictable and transparent programming exercise, to develop a standardised, comparable and transparent methodology for allocating funds to neighbourhood countries, to ensure rigorous application for non- neighbourhood countries and to clarify the methodology for assessing the impact of EU’s support and ensure its relevance in a developing geopolitical context; 21a. Welcomes the recent Macro- financial assistances adopted to support several countries and notably Ukraine to face the consequences of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine; regrets the lack of information given to the budgetary authorities on the management of the financing of the interest costs of the MFA; worries that the current financing of the interest costs of the MFA through the mobilisation of the emerging challenges and priorities cushion, rather than through fresh appropriations, risks to exhaust most of it, if not all, for the remaining period, leaving the Instrument with no ability to respond to unforeseen challenges, and therefore, underlines the need to find sustainable long-term financing solutions, while preserving the ability to cope with future challenges;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 22, 22a (new) and 22b (new)
Paragraphs 22, 22a (new) and 22b (new)
22. Regrets the Commission’s failure to always notify Parliament before the cushion is mobilised and deplores the practice of sending letters that arrive after mobilisation; calls on the Commission to always inform Parliament in detail before the cushion funds are mobilised and to take its observations into account, de facto undermining Parliament’s right of scrutiny and impeding the Commission from fully taking into consideration its observations on the nature, objectives and financial amounts envisaged; calls on the Commission to always inform Parliament in detail before the cushion funds are mobilised and to take its observations into account, in line with Recital 71 of the Regulation; 22a. Regrets that the Commission’s use of the cushion does not respect the spirit of Article 17 of the regulation, in particular as concerns the financing of new legislative initiatives; worries that already 80% of the funding available in the Instrument’s cushion for 2021-2027 has been earmarked, with only EUR 1.9 billion (21%) left until 2027; regrets the pre-allocation of 60% of funds for the remaining cushion without considering future anticipated needs has not been taken into account yet, such as the Syrian refugee package; 22b. Recalls the condition of better involvement of Parliament at all stages of governance and implementation of the Instrument laid out for accepting the merge of previous EFIs under the Instrument (2018 Schaake report and 2019 NDICI-Global Europe negotiating mandate); recalls that the Instrument offers the possibility to make legislative amendments to the Regulations, and suggests an in-depth assessment of Parliament’s role in providing strategic steer and scrutiny, or with regard to Parliament’s insufficient involvement in suspension of aid or use of the cushion, as well as regular comitology, which have unrealised potential;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 22, 22a (new) and 22b (new)
Paragraphs 22, 22a (new) and 22b (new)
22. Regrets the Commission’s failure to always notify Parliament before the cushion is mobilised and deplores the practice of sending letters that arrive after mobilisation; calls on the Commission to always inform Parliament in detail before the cushion funds are mobilised and to take its observations into account, de facto undermining Parliament’s right of scrutiny and impeding the Commission from fully taking into consideration its observations on the nature, objectives and financial amounts envisaged; calls on the Commission to always inform Parliament in detail before the cushion funds are mobilised and to take its observations into account, in line with Recital 71 of the Regulation; 22a. Regrets that the Commission’s use of the cushion does not respect the spirit of Article 17 of the regulation, in particular as concerns the financing of new legislative initiatives; worries that already 80% of the funding available in the Instrument’s cushion for 2021-2027 has been earmarked, with only EUR 1.9 billion (21%) left until 2027; regrets the pre-allocation of 60% of funds for the remaining cushion without considering future anticipated needs has not been taken into account yet, such as the Syrian refugee package; 22b. Recalls the condition of better involvement of Parliament at all stages of governance and implementation of the Instrument laid out for accepting the merge of previous EFIs under the Instrument (2018 Schaake report and 2019 NDICI-Global Europe negotiating mandate); recalls that the Instrument offers the possibility to make legislative amendments to the Regulations, and suggests an in-depth assessment of Parliament’s role in providing strategic steer and scrutiny, or with regard to Parliament’s insufficient involvement in suspension of aid or use of the cushion, as well as regular comitology, which have unrealised potential;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 24 and 24a (new)
Paragraphs 24 and 24a (new)
24. Considers that the current arrangements for reporting on what the EU is doing in any given country, region or thematic area are insufficient and excessively legalistic; calls for pragmatic and swift improvements with regard to updating useful data and for examples of best practices in implementation to be provided to Parliament flexibly and in good time, applying appropriate confidentiality rules where needed; considers the public projects database not to be user friendly and not to help with updated information; underlines that EU investment projects should be subject to evaluation, monitoring and reporting in order to determine their effectiveness and avoid unintended negative impacts; 24a. Calls on the Commission, together with EIB, EBRD and other European DFIs to develop standardised procedures, including ex ante and ex post evaluations and by applying the Commission’s Result Management Framework (ReMF); urges the Commission to publish this Framework and to make sure that DFIs using their own indicators to clearly define them and explain their application and comparability with the ReMF; calls on the Commission to follow-up environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards of all investment projects; calls on the Commission to make the EFSD+ Results Management Framework accessible in order to facilitate scrutiny on progress towards more accountable development finance;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraphs 24 and 24a (new)
Paragraphs 24 and 24a (new)
24. Considers that the current arrangements for reporting on what the EU is doing in any given country, region or thematic area are insufficient and excessively legalistic; calls for pragmatic and swift improvements with regard to updating useful data and for examples of best practices in implementation to be provided to Parliament flexibly and in good time, applying appropriate confidentiality rules where needed; considers the public projects database not to be user friendly and not to help with updated information; underlines that EU investment projects should be subject to evaluation, monitoring and reporting in order to determine their effectiveness and avoid unintended negative impacts; 24a. Calls on the Commission, together with EIB, EBRD and other European DFIs to develop standardised procedures, including ex ante and ex post evaluations and by applying the Commission’s Result Management Framework (ReMF); urges the Commission to publish this Framework and to make sure that DFIs using their own indicators to clearly define them and explain their application and comparability with the ReMF; calls on the Commission to follow-up environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards of all investment projects; calls on the Commission to make the EFSD+ Results Management Framework accessible in order to facilitate scrutiny on progress towards more accountable development finance;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Requests that the MTE be used to the fullest extent possible in order to update either the Instrument or its delegated acts on priority areas and to reassess the validity of the geographic and thematic MIPs, including more prominent conditions relating to compliance with international law, human rights, rule of law and democracy and alignment with the EU’s foreign policy and the application of the associated suspension mechanism, as a last resort, where the foreign policy of an Instrument beneficiary country diverges completely from EU foreign policy; stresses the importance of increasing the visibility of EU actions, notably for its development cooperation efforts; calls therefore for equipping the EEAS and EU delegations with the tools to develop their strategic communication capabilities to better explain EU actions to decision makers and the general public in third countries, and to counter disinformation; calls on the EU to oppose any support to aggressor states and their policies, in particular the Russian Federation in its war of aggression against Ukraine;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Requests that the MTE be used to the fullest extent possible in order to update either the Instrument or its delegated acts on priority areas and to reassess the validity of the geographic and thematic MIPs, including more prominent conditions relating to compliance with international law, human rights, rule of law and democracy and alignment with the EU’s foreign policy and the application of the associated suspension mechanism, as a last resort, where the foreign policy of an Instrument beneficiary country diverges completely from EU foreign policy; stresses the importance of increasing the visibility of EU actions, notably for its development cooperation efforts; calls therefore for equipping the EEAS and EU delegations with the tools to develop their strategic communication capabilities to better explain EU actions to decision makers and the general public in third countries, and to counter disinformation; calls on the EU to oppose any support to aggressor states and their policies, in particular the Russian Federation in its war of aggression against Ukraine;
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Stresses that the MTE should be accompanied by the necessary legislative changes to the Instrument and the IPA III so that the relevant regulations reflect Ukraine and Moldova’s new status as EU candidate countries, and by a new delegated act setting out the specific objectives and priority areas of cooperation for each region; stresses the importance of providing funding through development financing institutions and EIB that targets access to critical raw materials and related actions on skills, infrastructure and regulatory framework in compliance with EIB’s environmental and social standards, as part of shared planning for the development of renewable energies between Europe and its partners in the context of achieving the SDGs;
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Stresses that the MTE should be accompanied by the necessary legislative changes to the Instrument and the IPA III so that the relevant regulations reflect Ukraine and Moldova’s new status as EU candidate countries, and by a new delegated act setting out the specific objectives and priority areas of cooperation for each region; stresses the importance of providing funding through development financing institutions and EIB that targets access to critical raw materials and related actions on skills, infrastructure and regulatory framework in compliance with EIB’s environmental and social standards, as part of shared planning for the development of renewable energies between Europe and its partners in the context of achieving the SDGs;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened the already significant SDGs financing gap and caused an overall decline in resources of USD 700 billion, and at the same time a significant increase is needed to respond to the pre- pandemic gap in developing countries; whereas 80% of the cushion has already been used and an increase of it should be considered; whereas the current political and financial leadership of and efforts by the EU are not sufficient for achieving the European Consensus on Development, SDGs, and the goals of the Paris Agreement and addressing other acute global challenges, in particular worsening climate change, the consequences of COVID-19 and violent conflicts, and therefore joint engagement at international level is required to ensure that the Instrument is able to respond to these emerging challenges;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Considers that the geopolitical challenges that emerged with the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the growing malign influence and assertiveness of the People’s Republic of China require the Instrument’s budget to be increased considerably; highlights that the challenges are spread all over the world, meaning the EU must increase its geopolitical influence while remaining committed to its values and principles; stresses that it will only be possible to respond to these challenges in a balanced way if the proportion of allocations for each area of the Instrument is kept the same; expresses concern that the EU is losing influence and visibility to alternative offers made by China and Russia; urges the EU to respond to the expectations of and deliver quickly on the political agreements made with partner countries, such as on the Post-Cotonou Agreement, to reinforce its status as a reliable ally in development cooperation and to demonstrate that the international rules-based system can meet contemporary challenges;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Considers that the geopolitical challenges that emerged with the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the growing malign influence and assertiveness of the People’s Republic of China require the Instrument’s budget to be increased considerably; highlights that the challenges are spread all over the world, meaning the EU must increase its geopolitical influence while remaining committed to its values and principles; stresses that it will only be possible to respond to these challenges in a balanced way if the proportion of allocations for each area of the Instrument is kept the same; expresses concern that the EU is losing influence and visibility to alternative offers made by China and Russia; urges the EU to respond to the expectations of and deliver quickly on the political agreements made with partner countries, such as on the Post-Cotonou Agreement, to reinforce its status as a reliable ally in development cooperation and to demonstrate that the international rules-based system can meet contemporary challenges;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas project implementation under the Instrument cannot yet be evaluated fully, as it is still in its early stages; whereas the MTE expected in 2024 should assess whether the Instrument contributes to the EU’s strategic interests and effectively promotes its values in partner countries;
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the European Court of Auditors concluded in 2023 that there are deficiencies in the methods for allocating funds and impact monitoring and that the wide scope of the Instrument may limit the impact, and that improvements are needed in the way development aid is allocated and monitored;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas the Instrument should be used to form closer and more effective partnerships with third countries that deliver tangible results, based on mutual interest, strategic priorities, structured and effective cooperation, and clear-long term goals; whereas EU-Africa and Neighbourhood relations are of particular strategic importance; whereas efficiency, effectiveness and the development impact of the Instrument are key indicators to track;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas since the adoption of the Instrument, geopolitical competition has evolved and increased; whereas this places the Instrument in a new and more urgent light; whereas the Global Gateway is a response to this challenge, aiming to provide a viable and attractive alternative for partner countries that delivers lasting benefits for local communities; whereas there is a need to better communicate and raise the visibility of EU actions in partner countries;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the consolidation of most of the EU’s external action in a single Instrument, gradually streamlining and harmonising the numerous previous instruments; is of the opinion, however, that although this simplification has enhanced flexibility and efficiency, it has not been accompanied by sufficient levels of effective accountability; emphasises that the Instrument should provide for an efficient, effective, coherent and inclusive implementation, underpinned by the ‘policy first’ principle and in line with the strategic interests and values of the EU; reiterates its call on the Commission to publish, at least biannually, an aid effectiveness progress report, covering joint planning, joint implementation and joint results frameworks; calls on the Commission to present this progress report to Parliament;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for the MTE to evaluate in depth the Instrument’s capacity to achieve the EU’s overall external policy goals, and particularly the objective of contributing to the promotion of multilateralism and of protecting, promoting and advancing democracy, the rule of law and human rights and fundamental freedoms; calls on the Commission to assess through a critical lens with an appropriate level of informative granularity in evaluating the progress in the implementation of the Instrument, across programmes, spending targets and benchmarks, abstaining from repeating shallow policy positions; stresses that ‘policy first’ should be guided by the principles and objectives set out in the European Consensus on Development, the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for the MTE to evaluate in depth the Instrument’s capacity to achieve the EU’s overall external policy goals, and particularly the objective of contributing to the promotion of multilateralism and of protecting, promoting and advancing democracy, the rule of law and human rights and fundamental freedoms; expresses deep concern about the escalation of geopolitical turmoil, authoritarian trends and recent global attacks globally on the foundations of democracy and the rule of law; stresses that the EU's external democracy action, implemented under the Instrument, must adjust to a new geopolitical reality marked by competing governance models, in order to better prevent and respond to democratic backsliding;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls, in particular, for an honest assessment of the use of Article 42(4) and recital 40 of the Regulation establishing the Instrument, the latter of which states that assistance could be suspended in the event of degradation in democracy, human rights or the rule of law in third countries; underlines the necessity for the EU to take a more principled approach to partner countries that go in the opposite direction when it comes to central values and principles; upholds the suspension of budget support for Ethiopia as a good example in this regard;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Worries that the current financing of assistance for Ukraine through the mobilisation of the Instrument’s cushion, rather than through the appropriate budgetary instrument, risks to exhaust most of it, leaving the Instrument with no ability to respond to unforeseen challenges, and therefore, underlines the need to find sustainable long-term financing solutions, while preserving the ability to cope with future challenges;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Requests that the MTE provide legal and political clarity with regard to the listing of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia as beneficiaries under the neighbourhood chapter of the Instrument; notes that these countries have become candidates for accession to the EU and should therefore be listed as beneficiaries with the adequate budgetary transfer of bilateral financial envelopes to the Instrument for Pre- accession Assistance (IPA III) Regulation10 , having a distinctive legal basis and policy framework different from the Instrument and the European Neighbourhood Policy, which would reduce the pressure lying on the Instrument; welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a Ukraine facility to meet immediate needs, but stresses the importance of using a long- term instrument; _________________ 10 Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 September 2021 establishing the Instrument for Pre-Accession assistance (IPA III) (OJ L 330, 20.9.2021, p. 1).
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for the MTE to assess, in particular, the extent to which funding has delivered tangible results in Africa; invites the Commission to make better use of the possibility to combine geographic envelopes for the benefit of Pan-African programmes as provided for in Article 4(2), in support of EU-AU commitments; underlines the necessity for the EU to continue to actively support the new African Continental Free Trade Area, also through this Instrument, to spur sustainable economic development, boost job creation, reduce poverty and increase shared prosperity in Africa;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for the MTE to assess, in particular, the extent to which funding has delivered tangible results in Africa; stresses the need to support African partner countries with harnessing the great untapped renewable energy potential on the continent, to accelerate progress on SDG7 in Africa, which will not only boost economic growth, job creation and social development, but also significantly increase the global share of renewables;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Reaffirms the commitment set out in the Instrument to eradicating poverty, fighting inequalities and discrimination and promoting human development; calls in this regard for the full implementation of the EU Gender Action Plan III, as well as the operationalisation of the EU Global Health Strategy and the Youth Action Plan in EU external action; underlines the need to enhance the Union’s efforts to promote and protect human rights in its external action, in view of the mid-term review of the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Stresses that education, including vocational training, should remain a clear priority in the forthcoming programming process, given that it enables developing partner countries to unlock the human capital potential of their young populations and boost not only the human development but also the economic growth, employment and social development of their countries;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Expresses concern about the state of LGBTI rights worldwide; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to intensify efforts to promote and protect the rights of LGBTI persons, including enhanced measures to decriminalise homosexuality;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Reaffirms the commitment outlined in the Instrument to addressing the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement; is of the opinion that, without prejudice to unforeseen circumstances, the commitment within the Instrument to dedicate an indicative 10 % of the Instrument’s financial envelope to actions supporting the management and governance of migration and forced displacement within the objectives of the Instrument should be respected and that this clause should not be reopened; notes, however, that 14% of the funds committed in 2021 contributed to the migration spending target; expects to receive regular substantial updates on the state of play;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls on the Commission to introduce a child policy marker that builds on existing methodology developed in the areas of gender, climate, migration and digitalisation, in order to allow EU institutions and partners to measure and monitor investments in children; stresses that tracking and monitoring of the EU's investment in children is fundamental to show the EU's added value and effectiveness;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Recalls that at least 85 % of new actions implemented under the Instrument should have gender equality as a principal or a significant objective and at least 5 % of these actions should have gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights and empowerment as a principal objective;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Regrets that the current use of the rapid response pillar does not visibly and effectively contribute to promoting EU interests in the world; therefore, requests to consider re-establishing programmatic support to EU’s foreign and security policy objectives during the 2024 MTE;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recognises the specific role of EU investments, which must reflect the strategic interests of both the EU and our partner countries, and underlines the important part played by the budgetary guarantees in delivering them under the ‘policy first’ principle; highlights the importance of ensuring that the guarantees counterbalance the risk involved in the highest-risk countries for investment so that relevant investment is also directed to them; stresses that the EU should lead by example in this regard, in view of the ongoing debate on the reform of multilateral development banks;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recognises the specific role of EU investments, which must reflect the strategic interests of both the EU and our partner countries, and underlines the important part played by the budgetary guarantees in delivering them under the ‘policy first’ principle as referred above; highlights the importance of ensuring that the guarantees counterbalance the risk involved in the highest-risk countries for investment so that relevant investment is also directed to them;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes the specific role played by the EIB in the European financial architecture for development, as set out in Article 209 of the TFEU and in Article 36 of the Regulation establishing the Instrument, and acknowledges the EIB’s potential to mobilise additional funding that contributes to the Instrument’s objectives; welcomes the creation of EIB Global, which has been operational since 1 January 2022 and sets out to increase the bank’s presence and expertise in developing countries; notes that, since the setting up of the new development branch, the EIB Global has made record use of the dedicated investment window provided by the Instrument, delivering over EUR 10 billion in 2022, notably in support of Ukraine and the Global Gateway; recalls the importance of the EU budget as the sole guarantor for the EIB’s to provide loans outside the EU in support of EU policies; calls for an increase in the guarantees granted to the EIB by the EU budget in order to allow the EU bank to continue to deliver vital public and private sector operations in Ukraine and to expand its activities in the Global South; calls on the EIB to use its position to mobilise investments for sustainable development in line with the purpose and criteria established by the EFSD+; highlights the important role of the EIB in partnering with the Commission to deliver EUR 100 billion of the 300 billion commitment under the Global Gateway strategy; calls on the EIB to continue to strengthen its presence in the field by building on the current approach of co- location within EU delegations, while further exploiting possible synergies with the EBRD and other European DFIs;
Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Encourages the EIB to continue to actively engage in developing planning, monitoring and evaluation at country level, hand in hand with the EU delegations and through co-financing with development finance institutions; calls for stronger coordination between the Commission and the EEAS and EU delegations to facilitate discussions and cooperation with relevant actors on the ground in order to identify projects which best meet development effectiveness objectives;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the ‘open architecture’ of the EFSD+, which was established to support private-sector investments, and calls on the Commission, the EIB, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Member States and development finance institutions (DFIs) to fully utilise the options provided by the EAG and the relevant investment windows to promote sustainable private-sector investments; recognises additionally the important role of the private sector in generating new investments, employment and financing for development;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the ‘open architecture’ of the EFSD+, which was established to support private-sector investments, and calls on the Commission, the EIB, the Member States and development finance institutions (DFIs) to fully utilise the options provided by the EAG and the relevant investment windows to promote sustainable private-sector investments; underlines the need to leverage private sector financing, with a particular focus on SMEs, and calls for increased efforts to address bottlenecks and obstacles to investment;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the Global Gateway strategy as a concerted EU response to global challenges; regrets, however, the lack of transparency and of a regulatory framework for the strategy’s governance and implementation within the Instrument’s objectives and prioritiesstresses that massive investments are required in both hard and soft infrastructure in developing countries, from digital, transport and energy networks to health, education and food systems; regrets, however, the lack of transparency and of a regulatory framework for the strategy’s governance and implementation within the Instrument’s objectives and priorities; stresses the need for adequate parliamentary involvement and scrutiny as well as consultation with the business sector and CSOs through a light governance framework that would quickly deliver a boost of investment and visibility of EU in partner countries at the backdrop of a complex geopolitical context;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Calls for clarity as to how the EU financial regulation and public procurement rules apply in the funding of Global Gateway for joint projects in partner developing countries; calls to ensure that the prerogative is always given to the EU and local partner or like- minded countries companies;
Amendment 185 #
17b. Regrets the lack of clarity on the financing for the Global Gateway strategy and recalls that such new initiatives should be financed through fresh appropriations and the related upward revision of the Heading 6 ceiling;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls for joint action by the EU and Member States to increase effectiveness and maximise resources; encourages the Member States and development financing institutions as well as the EIB and EBRD to play a more active role in Team Europe with financial commitments and joint actions, steered by the European Commission;
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Recalls Parliament’s functions of political control and consultation and stresses the role of the high-level geopolitical dialogue in providing general orientations for the implementation of the Instrument; reiterates that Parliament’s positions need to be fully taken into consideration; also reiterates that European Parliament resolutions constitute part of the overall policy framework for the implementation of the Instrument;
Amendment 198 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Notes with concern the findings of the European Court of Auditors in Special Report 14/2023, which concluded that there are deficiencies in the programming process; expects the Commission and the EEAS to act on the recommendation made by ECA, in order to improve the effectiveness of the Instrument;
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Regrets the Commission’s failure to always notify Parliament before the cushion is mobilised and deplores the practice of sending letters that arrive after mobilisation; calls on the Commission to always inform Parliament in detail before the cushion funds are mobilised and to take its observations into account, in line with Recital 71 of the Regulation;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Recalls the condition of better involvement of Parliament at all stages of governance and implementation of the Instrument laid out for accepting the merge of previous EFIs under the Instrument (2018 Schaake report and 2019 NDICI-Global Europe negotiating mandate); recalls that the Instrument offers the possibility to make legislative amendments to the Regulations, and suggests an in-depth assessment of Parliament’s role in providing strategic steer and scrutiny, or with regard to Parliament’s insufficient involvement in suspension of aid or use of the cushion, as well as regular comitology, which have unrealised potential;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Considers that the current arrangements for reporting on what the EU is doing in any given country, region or thematic area are insufficient and excessively legalistic; calls for pragmatic improvements with regard to updating useful data and for examples of best practices in implementation to be provided to Parliament flexibly and in good time, applying appropriate confidentiality rules where needed; considers the public projects database to be useless in this regard as it is not user friendly and does not help with updated information provision;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Requests that the MTE be used to the fullest extent possible in order to update either the Instrument or its delegated acts on priority areas and to reassess the validity of the geographic and thematic MIPs, including more prominent conditions relating to compliance with international law, alignment with the EU’s foreign policy and the application of the associated suspension mechanism, as a last resort, where the foreign policy of an Instrument beneficiary country diverges completely from EU foreign policy; stresses the importance of increasing the visibility of EU actions, notably for its development cooperation efforts; calls therefore for equipping the EEAS and EU delegations with the tools to develop their strategic communication capabilities to better explain EU actions to decision makers and the general public in third countries, and to counter disinformation;
Amendment 217 #
26a. Stresses the importance of supporting partner countries efforts to build robust domestic resource mobilisation systems, in order to secure increased domestic funding for development and unlock the potential of developing countries economic development, contributing to poverty reduction and job creation; recognises that corruption in public finance management is a significant obstacle to DRM; supports therefore the Council conclusions of 4 May 2023 on corruption as an obstacle to development, which highlight the importance of incorporating a strong anti-corruption perspective in all EU development efforts;
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Stresses the importance of providing funding through development financing institutions and EIB that targets access to critical raw materials and related actions on skills, infrastructure and regulatory framework;