Activities of Marjan ŠAREC
Plenary speeches (2)
The devastating floods in Central and Eastern Europe, the loss of lives and the EU’s preparedness to act on such disasters exacerbated by climate change (debate)
Preparation of the EU-Western Balkans Summit (debate)
Institutional motions (1)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the devastating floods in central and eastern Europe, the loss of lives and the EU’s preparedness to act on such disasters exacerbated by climate change
Amendments (22)
Amendment 5 #
2024/2031(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. NoteRegrets that the implementation rate for the 2023 operational payment appropriations under the Horizon Europe programme decreased to 51 %, primarily due to the slower start of the CAJU’s technically complex activities and delays in ongoing Horizon 2020 activities; notes that in 2023, CAJU requested EUR 178 million in additional EU financial contributions, exceeding the cash needs and resulting in a EUR 237 million cash surplus, which indicates shortcomings in its cash planning.
Amendment 6 #
2024/2031(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 3 – point 1 (new)
(1) 4. Notes that it is important that the accumulated cash surplus is used for the any other urgent needs of the EU; therefore, calls on CAJU to define its goals and future financial resource needs more clearly, to avoid this kind of situations in the future.1a _________________ 1a Annual report on EU Joint Undertakings for the financial year 2023, Section 3.3.17 "Accumulation of unused EU financial contributions", pp. 62, 66.
Amendment 9 #
2024/2031(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. NoteRegrets that at the end of 2023, SESAR 3 JU still lacked a policy on the management of sensitive functions, essential to prevent or mitigate the risk of inappropriate actions and corruption, in accordance with the European Commission’s Internal Control Principles.
Amendment 10 #
2024/2031(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 3 – point 1 (new)
(1) 4. Notes that in 2023, the Commission’s Internal Audit Service observed that the JUs business continuity plan (BCP) and the related disaster recovery plan (DRP) had not been updated since 2016; calls on SESAR 3 JU to regularly update its BCP and DRP.1b _________________ 1b Annual report on EU Joint Undertakings for the financial year 2023, Section 3.2.18 "Out-of-date business continuity plan and disaster recovery plan", p. 54.
Amendment 15 #
2024/2031(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Remarks that although the 2023 implementation rate for operational payment appropriations of Horizon 2020 programme increased to 67 % (from 47 % in 2022), it remained below expectations; points out that EU Rail postponed final payments to 2024 due to technical issues experienced by beneficiaries; takes notice of the several projects that did not fully claim their budgets, reducing the need for operational payments by approximately EUR 4,1 million; calls on EU Rail to take action to improve the implementation rate for operational payment appropriations and elaborate a plan to improve the accounting reporting obligatories.1c _________________ 1c Annual report on EU Joint Undertakings for the financial year 2023, Section 3.8.13 "Implementation of the Horizon 2020 programme", pp. 108, 110.
Amendment 3 #
2024/2030(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. TNotes with satisfaction that the revenue and payments underlying EASA's accounts for the year that ended on 31 December 2023 are legal and regular in all material respects; however, takes notice of the Court’s observation concerning the Agency’s public procurement shortcomings; notes with satisfaction that the Court did not identify any non-procurement weaknesses in its control and management or budgetary management systems; with regard to the follow-up of the Court’s previous years’ observations, remarks that at the end of 2023, 3 out of 5 observations remained open;
Amendment 4 #
2024/2030(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Takes notice of the Court’s observation concerning the Agency’s public procurement shortcomings; notes with satisfaction that those shortcomings have been addressed in the meantime and that the Court did not identify any non- procurement weaknesses in its control and management or budgetary management systems; with regard to the follow-up of the Court’s previous years’ observations, remarks that at the end of 2023, 3 out of 5 observations remained open;
Amendment 5 #
2024/2030(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Takes notice of the adoption of the ReFuelEU Aviation legislation in October 2023 and of the new set of specific tasks that the Agency would be charged with in this framework, including the development of the European Environmental Labelling for Aviation scheme and the reinforced role of the Agency in promoting and measuring the usage of sustainable aviation fuels and the associated reductions in CO2 emissions., including through the Sustainability Portal and the annual technical report prescribed by Article 13 of the RefuelEU Aviation Regulation; calls for sufficient financial and personnel resources in order to fulfil these tasks;
Amendment 11 #
2024/2030(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. TNotes with satisfaction that the revenue and payments underlying EMSA's accounts for the year that ended on 31 December 2023 are legal and regular in all material respects; takes notice of the Court’s observation identifying irregularities in the Agency’s management and control systems, noting however that these irregularities did not affect the payments; points out that EMSA took action to address the shortcomings identified;
Amendment 21 #
2024/2030(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. TNotes with satisfaction that the revenue and payments underlying ERA’s accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023 are legal and regular in all material respects; takes notice of the Court’s observations that identified the weaknesses concerning the Agency’s public procurement, management and control systems as well as various aspects of its budgetary management; observes that the frequency of the Agency’s late payments in 2023 reached 13 % (148 payments out of 1 101); notes that while the total amount of late payment interest was immaterial, the significant frequency is detrimental to the Agency’s reputation; calls on ERA to improve its compliance with the legal time limits for payments;expects that ERA will properly define the selection criteria in procurement procedures and appropriately assess cases of abnormally low bids.1a _________________ 1a Annual report on EU agencies for the financial year 2023, Section 3.11.10 "Observations on management and control systems", pp. 132-133, 137.
Amendment 22 #
2024/2030(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Observes that the frequency of the Agency’s late payments in 2023 reached 13 % (148 payments out of 1 101); notes that while the total amount of late payment interest was immaterial, the significant frequency is detrimental to the Agency’s reputation; calls on ERA to improve its compliance with the legal time limits for payments, also noting that 14% of invoices were issued late; urges ERA, following the review of Regulation 2018/764, to continue with all necessary actions to reduce delays with invoicing.1b _________________ 1b Annual report on EU agencies for the financial year 2023, Section 3.11.11 "Observations on budgetary management", pp. 133, 137.
Amendment 29 #
2024/2030(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Recalls that ERA has the smallest budget among the transport agencies despite the outstanding environmental benefits of rail prioritized by Commission; while commending the 9% budget increase in 2023, calls for a more significant appropriation to ensure the Agency has essential resources to function as an efficient authority and effectively fulfil its tasks;
Amendment 3 #
2024/2024(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights that recent events, notably Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have brought EU foreign policy and its implementation to the forefront of concerns among the EU Member States and institutions; underlines the central role played by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and its delegations in conducting the Union’s external policy and in fighting foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI); stresses the importance of the EEAS for the EU’s relations with the 25 to 30 million EU citizens living outside the Union;
Amendment 26 #
2024/2024(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that that the EEAS is committed to make itself more cost- effective while continuing to face significant budgetary constraints in 2023; acknowledgeregrets that the EAAS has substantially cut mission and representation budget, reducing non- compulsory expenditure and freezing and postponing building maintenance, infrastructure and IT projects; expresses concern that, in these times of global challenges, such budgetary constraints could lead to excessive closures of EU embassies, which are crucial for defending EU values and interests around the world;
Amendment 32 #
2024/2024(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Underlines the extremely vulnerable situation of children in the world, specifically in armed conflict; expresses serious concern about the tens of thousands of children that were affected by armed conflict across the globe and suffered abhorrent abuses and violations of their most basic rights in 2023; calls on the EEAS to put children's rights at the centre of their efforts;
Amendment 39 #
2024/2024(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. 6. Recalls the dire situation of women’s rights and LGBTQI+ rights in many parts of the world; stresses the urgent need to better protect these rights; highlights the central role of the EEAS in advancing human rights around the world; calls on the EEAS to enhance their efforts in this regard;
Amendment 2 #
2024/2019(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Points out to the unprecedented challenges in the global environment, peace and geopolitical instability in the current year of audit; recalls that since Russian’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU has provided economic, humanitarian and military support for Ukraine worth over €88 billion; emphasizes, in light of President Zelenskyy's mention of a potential peace process in 2025, the continued importance of providing military support to Ukraine and preparing to assist with the reconstruction of the country;
Amendment 2 #
2024/2019(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Takes notice of the opinion of the European Court of Auditors (‘the Court’) that the consolidated accounts of the Union for 2023 present fairly, in all material respects, the Union’s financial position, the results of its operations, its cash flows and the changes in its net assets; regretsis concerned that the level of error for the 2023 budget expenditure increased from 4,2 % to 5,6 %, noting that, in line with the Court’s assessment, the errors are both material and pervasive;
Amendment 17 #
2024/2019(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that the Union budget must continue to provide support to build peace and stability in the Middle East region, to combat hate and fundamentalism and to promote human rights, to promote human rights, and to fight impunity and strengthen adherence to the rule of law, including the rulings of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Advisory Opinions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ); recalls the ongoing issue of the destruction of EU-funded projects in Gaza and the West Bank and calls for greater accountability and safeguards in this context; notes that following the heinous terror attacks of 7 October 2023 by Hamas and serious allegations of misuse of EU funds for terrorism, a funding review was conducted which found that generally EU funds are being well implemented, but certain additional safeguards were deemed necessary;
Amendment 18 #
2024/2019(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Appreciates that supporting Ukraine remained a key priority for the Commission in 2023; takes notice of the close involvement of DG MOVE in development of the new transport-related sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian regimes; acknowledgwelcomes its contribution to the preparatory work that resulted in the European Council decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova;
Amendment 31 #
2024/2019(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. 4. Underlines the extremely vulnerable situation of children in the world, specifically in armed conflict; expresses serious concern about the tens of thousands of children that were affected by armed conflict across the globe and suffered abhorrent abuses and violations of their most basic rights in 2023; urges the Commission to put children's rights at the top of the foreign affairs agenda;
Amendment 36 #
2024/2019(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. 5. Recalls the dire situation of women’s rights and LGBTQI+ rights in many parts of the world; stresses the urgent need to better protect these rights and to ensure that EU funds and policies actively promote, gender equality, combat discrimination, and uphold the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals;