36 Amendments of Cristian GHINEA related to 2020/0104(COD)
Amendment 4 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 changed the economic outlook for the years to come in the Union and in the world, calling for an urgent and coordinated response from the Union in order to cope with the enormous economic and social consequences for all Member States. The challenges linked to the demographic context have been amplified by COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic is far more than a health crisis, and while its economic and social impact will vary from country to country, it will most likely increase poverty and inequalities within the European Union. The current COVID-19 pandemic as well as the previous economic and financial crisis have shown that developing sound and resilient economies and financial systems built on strong economic and social structures helps Member States to respond more efficiently to shocks and recover more swiftly from them. The medium and long-term consequences of the COVID-19 crisis will critically depend on how quickly Member States’ economies will recover from the crisis, which in turn depends on the fiscal space Member States have available to take measures to mitigate the social and economic impact of the crisis, and on the resilience of their economies. Reforms and investments to address structural weaknesses of the economies and strengthen their resilience will therefore be essential to set the economies back on a sustainable recovery path and avoid further widening of the divergences in the Union.
Amendment 7 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The implementation of reforms contributing to achieve a high degree of resilience of domestic economies, strengthening adjustment capacity and unlocking growth potential are among the Union’s economic policy priorities. TheyHowever we cannot repeat the mistakes of our response to the last global financial crisis which resulted in a deep and damaging economic and social divergence. The implementation of reforms are therefore crucial to set the recovery on a sustainable path and support the process of upward economic and social convergence. This is even more necessary in the aftermath of the pandemic crisis to pave the way for a swift recovery.
Amendment 12 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Past experiences have shown that investment is often drastically cut during crises. However, it is essential to support investment in this particular situation to speed up the recovery and strengthen long- term growth potential. Investing in green and digital technologies, capacities and processes aimed at assisting clean energy transitionthe transition to clean, affordable and renewable energy, boosting energy efficiency in housing and other key sectors of the economicy are important to achieve sustainable growth and help create jobs. It will also help make the Union more resilient and less dependent by diversifying key supply chains. Among the many inequalities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the digital divide is a serious one, affecting in particular less developed regions, women, elderly people and people living in the Outermost regions and rural, remote and depopulated areas. In times when both work and education are taking place online, the digital divide is undoubtedly threatening to deepen regional inequalities. Digital inequality poses a danger for people that are unable to work remotely and students that are threatened to fall behind due to limited access to education content. Greater investment is needed in digitalisation, digital innovation and digital connectivity, which will enable a fair and equal transition towards a more digital economy and a digital online education system, accessible to all citizens, especially the most vulnerable in society.
Amendment 17 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6 a) As the COVID-19 pandemic has affected regions and municipalities within Member States differently, the involvement of regional and local authorities, economic and social partners and civil society is crucial for the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of crisis repair supported by the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Member States should consult with all partners when drawing up its recovery and resilience plan. Partnership and multi-level governance in Member States should be strengthened and closely monitored by the European Commission.
Amendment 19 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 b (new)
Recital 6 b (new)
(6 b) The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented challenge for healthcare systems in the European Union. It has shown that in the face of rapid socioeconomic transformation, a very important task ahead for the EU is to build resilience, and to use all possible budgetary means in order to strengthen the European health infrastructure. Investment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility should address the widely existing health inequalities throughout the EU, while guaranteeing equal protection with specific attention to the most vulnerable in society.
Amendment 25 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The types of financing and the methods of implementation under this Regulation should be chosen on the basis of their ability to achieve the specific objectives of the actions and to deliver results, taking into account, in particular, the costs of controls, the administrative burden, and the expected risk of non- compliance. This should include consideration of the use of lump sums, flat rates and unit costs, as well as financing not linked to costs as referred to in Article 125(1)(a) of the Financial Regulation. At the same time, the Facility represents a significant amount of additional resources to be spent in a relatively short amount of time, increasing the pressure on control systems. It is therefore encouraged to adopt and apply effective anti-fraud measures through existing anti-fraud agencies at Member States and EU level, such as the EPPO, ECA and OLAF.
Amendment 49 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) To ensure its contribution to the objectives of the Facility, the recovery and resilience plan should comprise measures for the implementation of reforms and public investment projects through a coherent recovery and resilience plan. The recovery and resilience plan should be consistent with the relevant country- specific challenges and priorities identified in the context of the European Semester, with the national reform programmes, the national energy and climate plans, the just transition plans, and the partnership agreements and operational programmes adopted under the Union funds, while they shall allow additional investment in national health services to support the modernisation of health infrastructure and to improve the efficiency of health systems in the EU. To boost actions that fall within the priorities of the European Green Deal and the Digital Agenda, the plan should also set out measures that are relevant for the green and digital transitions. The measures should enable a swift delivery of targets, objectives and contributions set out in national energy and climate plans and updates thereof. All supported activities shouldall be pursued in full respect of the climate and environmental priorities of the Union. In order to protect citizens, support local economies, make local communities resilient to crises and create a sustainable future, Member States shall prepare their recovery and resilience plan together with local and regional authorities, as well as relevant bodies representing civil society, in accordance with the partnership principle. Attention should be paid both to urban areas as drivers of green and digital transformation and to regions suffering from natural or demographic handicaps.
Amendment 57 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) In order to ensure a meaningful financial contribution commensurate to the actual needs of Member States to undertake and complete the reforms and investments included in the recovery and resilience plan, it is appropriate to establish a maximum financial contribution available to them under the Facility as far as the financial support (i.e. the non- repayable financial support) is concerned. That maximum contribution should be calculated on the basis of the population, the inverse of the per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the relative unemployment rate of each Member State, in particular the percentage of young people neither in employment nor in education or training (NEET), the territorial inequalities within Member States and the at-risk-of-poverty rate of each Member State.
Amendment 62 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) It is necessary to establish a process for the submission of proposals for recovery and resilience plans by the Member States, and the content thereof. With a view to ensuring the expediency of procedures, a Member State should submit a recovery and resilience plan at the latest by 30 April, in the form of a separate annex of the National Reform Programme. To ensure a fast implementation, Member States should be able to submit a draft plan together with the draft budget of the forthcoming year, on 15 October of the preceding year. Recovery and resilience plans submitted by Member States shall be publicly available.
Amendment 64 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) In order to ensure the national ownership and a focus on relevant reforms and investments, Member States wishing to receive support should submit to the Commission a recovery and resilience plan that is duly reasoned and substantiated. The European Parliament should have access to all information on the negotiations between Commission and member states on individual recovery and resilience plans at all stages of the process, including timely access to the draft cost estimates for reforms and investments. The recovery and resilience plan should set out the detailed set of measures for its implementation, including targets and milestones, and the expected impact of the recovery and resilience plan on growth potential, job creation and economic and social resilience, as well as on the promotion of gender equality and intergenerational equality; it should also include measures that are relevant for the green and the digital transitions; it should also include an explanation of the consistency of the proposed recovery and resilience plan with the relevant country- specific challenges and priorities identified in the context of the European Semester. Close cooperation between the Commission and the Member States should be sought and achieved throughout the process.
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) For the purposes of transparency, the recovery and resilience plans adopted by the Commission should, as well as a full list of final beneficiaries shall be communicated to the European Parliament and the Council, and communication activities should be carried out by the Commission as appropriate.
Amendment 91 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36
Recital 36
(36) Pursuant to paragraphs 22 and 23 of the Interinstitutional Agreement for Better Law- Making of 13 April 2016, there is a need to evaluate the Recovery and Resilience Facility established by this Regulation on the basis of information collected through specific monitoring requirements, while avoiding overregulation and administrative burdens, in particular on Member States. These requirements, where appropriate, should include measurable indicators, as a basis for evaluating the effects of the instruments on the ground. The Commission shall include the list of indicators used for the evaluation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility in the guidelines, annexed to this Regulation.
Amendment 92 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37
Recital 37
(37) It is opportune that tThe Commission providesshall present an annual report to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the Facility set out in this Regulation. This report should include information on the progress made by each Member States under the recovery and resilience plans approved; it should also include information on the volume of the proceeds assigned to the Facility under the European Union Recovery Instrument in the previous year, broken down by budget line, and the contribution of the amounts raised through the European Union Recovery Instrument to the achievements of the objectives of the Facility. The Parliament shall adopt a resolution on the annual report published by the Commission. For the purposes of transparency, the Commission shall publish a full list of final beneficiaries.
Amendment 93 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
Recital 39
(39) The recovery and resilience plans to be implemented by the Member States and the corresponding financial contribution allocated to them should be established by the Commission by way of implementing act. In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. The implementing powers relating to the adoption of the recovery and resilience plans and to the payment of the financial support upon fulfilment of the relevandelegated act. Following the Commission’s approval of recovery and resilience plans, the Parliament will either adopt a resolution specifying that it mwilestones and targets should be exercised by the Commission in accordancl not object to the Commission’s decision or exercise with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council, under the examination procedure thereof13 s veto against the delegated act. After the adoption of an implementing delegated act, it should be possible for the Member State concerned and the Commission to agree on certain operational arrangements of a technical nature, detailing aspects of the implementation with respect to timelines, indicators for the milestones and targets, and access to underlying data. To allow the continuous relevance of the operational arrangements in respect of the prevailing circumstances during the implementation of the recovery and resilience plan, it should be possible that the elements of such technical arrangements may be modified by mutual consent. Horizontal financial rules adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on the basis of Article 322 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union apply to this Regulation. These rules are laid down in the Financial Regulation and determine in particular the procedure for establishing and implementing the budget through grants, procurement, prizes, indirect implementation, and provide for checks on the responsibility of financial actors. Rules adopted on the basis of Article 322 TFEU also concern the protection of the Union’s budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States, as the respect for the rule of law is an essential precondition for sound financial management and effective EU funding. _________________ 13 Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13).
Amendment 94 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39 a (new)
Recital 39 a (new)
(39 a) Horizontal financial rules adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on the basis of Article 322 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union apply to this Regulation. These rules are laid down in the Financial Regulation and determine in particular the procedure for establishing and implementing the budget through grants, procurement, prizes, indirect implementation, and provide for checks on the responsibility of financial actors. Rules adopted on the basis of Article 322 TFEU also concern the protection of the Union’s budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States, as the respect for the rule of law is an essential precondition for sound financial management and effective EU funding, while the protection of final beneficiaries is crucial to enable public investments and reforms to make them more resilient, and better prepared for the future. Local and regional authorities, civil society organisations, NGOs or SMEs cannot lose their funding as a consequence of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States. If necessary, the European Commission should, on agreement with the European Parliament and the Council, temporarily, directly - or indirectly- manage funds with recipients without the involvement of national governments violating the rule of law.
Amendment 96 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 40
Recital 40
(40) In accordance with the Financial Regulation, Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council14 , Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2988/9515 ,Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/9616 and Council Regulation (EU) 2017/193917 , the financial interests of the Union are to be protected through proportionate measures, including the prevention, detection, correction and investigation of irregularities and fraud, the recovery of funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used and, where appropriate, the imposition of administrative sanctions. In particular, in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 and Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) may carry out administrative investigations, including on- the-spot checks and inspections, with a view to establishing whether there has been fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the financial interests of the Union. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) may investigate and prosecute fraud and other criminal offences affecting the financial interests of the Union as provided for in Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council18 . In accordance with the Financial Regulation, any person or entity receiving Union funds is to fully cooperate in the protection of the Union’s financial interests, to grant the necessary rights and access to the Commission, OLAF, the EPPO and the European Court of Auditors and to ensure that any third parties involved in the implementation of Union funds grant equivalent rights to the Commission, OLAF, the EPPO and the European Court of Auditors. At the same time, strong mechanisms to avoid possible fraud and corruption shall be put in place by Member States such as enhanced cooperation with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. _________________ 14Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 September 2013 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999,(OJ L248, 18.9.2013, p. 1) 15 Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Communities financial interests (OJ L 312, 23.12.95, p.1) 16 Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities (OJ L292,15.11.96, p.2) 17Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of 12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (‘the EPPO’) (OJ L283, 31.10.2017,, p.1) 18 Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2017 on the fight against fraud to the Union’s financial interests by means of criminal law (OJ L 198, 28.7.2017, p. 29)
Amendment 106 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of the Recovery and Resilience Facility shall be to promote the Union’s economic, social and territorial cohesion by improving the resilience and adjustment capacity of the Member States, mitigating the social and economic impact of the crisis, while tackling social inequalities and supporting the green and digital transitions, thereby contributing to restoring the growth potential of the economies of the Union, fostering employment creation in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis, and promoting sustainable growth.
Amendment 126 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. In the event of significant non- compliance in relation to any of the cases laid down in Article 15(7) of the Regulation laying down common provisions on the […)][CPR], the Council shall, on a proposal from the Commission, shall adopt a decision by means of an implementing act to suspend the time period for the adoption of the decisions referred to in Articles 17(1) and 17(2) or to suspend payments under the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
Amendment 129 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
A maximum financial contribution shall be calculated for each Member State for the allocation of the amount referred to in Article 5(1)(a), using the methodology set out in Annex I, based on the population, the inverse of the per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the relative unemployment rate of each Member State, in particular the percentage of young people neither in employment nor in education or training (NEET), the territorial inequalities within Member States and the at-risk-of-poverty rate of each Member State.
Amendment 144 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The Recovery and Resilience Facility is intended to help the EU tackle the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, implying a territorial diversification of investments, therefore regional authorities, professional associations and NGOs are essential to identify and assess specific investment needs in the recovery and resilience plans. The Commission shall put forward a Code of Conduct on partnership setting minimum standards for the involvement of the competent local and regional authorities, professional and relevant civil society organisations, in line with the partnership principle.
Amendment 145 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2
Article 14 – paragraph 2
2. The recovery and resilience plans shall be consistent with the relevant country-specific challenges and priorities identified in the context of the European Semester, in particular those relevant for or resulting from the green and digital transition, including investment in digitalisation, digital innovation and digital connectivity in particular internet connectivity to keep all citizens connected, especially the most vulnerable in society, while in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, they shall allow additional investment in national health services in order to support the modernisation of health infrastructure and to improve the efficiency of health systems in the EU. Investment in the health care system will help Member States become more resilient and strengthen the entire stability of the Union. The recovery and resilience plans shall also be consistent with the information included by the Member States in the national reform programmes under the European Semester, in their national energy and climate plans and updates thereof under the Regulation (EU)2018/199921 , in the territorial just transition plans under the Just Transition Fund22 , and in the partnership agreements and operational programmes under the Union funds. _________________ 21Regulation (EU)2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action. 22 […] 22[…]
Amendment 148 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The Commission and Member States shall ensure that recovery and resilience plans as well as any future programmes financed under the Facility contribute to the respect and the promotion of equality between women and men in accordance with Article 8 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Evaluations have shown the importance of taking the gender equality objectives aspect into account in all dimensions and in all stages of the preparation, monitoring, implementation and evaluation of operational programmes, in a timely and consistent manner while ensuring that specific actions are taken to promote gender equality and the principle of equal pay for equal work of equal value, the economic independence of women, education and skills upgrading and the reintegration of female victims of violence into the labour market and into society.
Amendment 154 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2
2. The recovery and resilience plan presented by the Member State concerned shall constitute an annex to its National Reform Programme and shall be officially submitted at the latest by 30 April. A draft plan mayshall be submitted by Member States starting from 15 October of the preceding year, together with the draft budget of the subsequent year.
Amendment 159 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) an explanation of how the plan strengthens the growth potential, job creation and economic and social resilience of the Member State concerned, mitigates the economic and social impact of the crisis, and itsstrengthens equality, in particular the equality between women and men and intergenerational equality, fights discrimination and contributiones to enhanced economic, social and territorial cohesion and convergence, including how territories with geographical specificities will be targeted;
Amendment 171 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – point d
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – point d
(d) envisaged milestones, targets and indicators which allow the measurement of those targets and an indicative timetable for the implementation of the reforms over a maximum period of four years, and of the investments over a maximum period of seven years;
Amendment 179 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. When assessing the recovery and resilience plan, the Commission shall act in close cooperation with the Member State concerned, including/and consulting the local and regional authorities and professional and relevant civil society organisations. The Commission may make observations or seek additional information. The Member State concerned shall provide the requested additional information and may revise the plan if needed, prior to its official submission.
Amendment 181 #
2. When assessing the recovery and resilience plan and in the determination of the amount to be allocated to the Member State concerned, the Commission shall take into account the analytical information on the Member State concerned available in the context of the European Semester including the information available on the level of corruption as well as the justification and the elements provided by the Member State concerned, as referred to in Article 15(3), and any other relevant information including, in particular, the one contained in the National Reform Programme and the National Energy and Climate Plan of the Member State concerned and, if relevant, information from technical support received via the Technical Support Instrument.
Amendment 187 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) whether the recovery and resilience plan is expected to contribute to effectively address challenges identified in the relevant country-specific recommendations, including those on rule of law and corruption addressed to the Member State concerned or in other relevant documents officially adopted by the Commission in the European Semester;
Amendment 192 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point d
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point d
(d) whether the recovery and resilience plan is expected to effectively contribute to strengthen the growth potential, job creation, and economic and social resilience of the Member State, to promote equality in particular between women and men, as well as intergenerational equality, to fight discrimination and mitigate the economic and social impact of the crisis, and contribute to enhance economic, social and territorial cohesion;
Amendment 201 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall adopt a decision within fourone months of the official submission of the recovery and resilience plan by the Member State, by means of an implementing delegated act. In the event that the Commission gives a positive assessment to a recovery and resilience plan, that decision shall set out the reforms and investment projects to be implemented by the Member State, including the milestones and targets, and the financial contribution allocated in accordance with Article 11.
Amendment 214 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 19 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
The suspension shall be lifted where the Member State has taken the necessary measures to ensure a satisfactory implementation of the milestones and targets referred to in Article 17(1) and guaranteed that funds spent in a non- satisfactory manner will be reimbursed.
Amendment 223 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1
Article 21 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall transmit the recovery and resilience plans as approved in the implementing act of the Commission in accordance with Article 17 to the European Parliament and the Council without undue delay. The Member State concerned may request the Commission to redact sensitive or confidential information, the disclosure of which would jeopardise public interests of the Member State. Such a request shall not be interpreted extensively.
Amendment 224 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 2
Article 21 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission may engage in communication activities to ensure the visibility of the Union funding for the financial support envisaged in the relevant recovery and resilience plan, including through joint communication activities with the national authorities concerned, regional and local authorities as well as with professional and relevant civil society organisations.
Amendment 228 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2
Article 23 – paragraph 2
2. The performance reporting system shall ensure that data for monitoring the implementation of the activities and results are collected efficiently, effectively, and in a timely manner. In order to address the widely existing gender data gap in the field of cohesion policy and urban planning, Member States should introduce data collection methods corresponding to gender data. To that end, proportionate reporting requirements shall be imposed on recipients of Union funding.
Amendment 232 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 26 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Amendment 233 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Article 26 – paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. In its communication activities, the Commission should leverage local stakeholder networks to ensure that funds swiftly reach beneficiaries in need, and eliminate any barriers to information about available funds under the facility.