BETA

50 Amendments of Alexander SELL related to 2024/0258(COD)

Amendment 121 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. The Regulation shall provide assistance to Moldova for the delivery of EU-related reforms, in particular inclusive and sustainable socio-economic reforms and reforms concerning fundamentals of the enlargement process, aligned with Union values, as well as investments to implement Moldova’s Reform Agenda.
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 123 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8
(8) ‘blending operation’ means an operation supported by the Union budget that combines non-repayable forms of support from the Union budget with repayable forms of support from development or other public financial institutions, including export credit agencies, or from commercial finance institutions and investors;deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 124 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
(10) ‘do no significant harm’ means not supporting or carrying out economic activities that do significant harm to any environmental objective, where relevant, within the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852;deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 130 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) accelerate the socio-economic convergence of Moldova’s economy with the Union;
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 131 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) foster good neighbourly relations, as well as people-to-people contact.deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 136 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) further strengthen the fundamentals of the enlargement process, including the rule of law and fundamental rights, the functioning of democratic institutions, including de-polarisation, public administration and fulfil the economic criteria; this includes promoting an independent judiciary, reinforcing security and stability, strengthening the fight against fraud and all forms of corruption, including high-level corruption and nepotism, organised crime, cross-border crime and money laundering as well as terrorism financing, tax evasion and tax fraud, tax avoidance; increasing compliance with international law; strengthening freedom and independence of media and academic freedom; combating hate speech; enabling an environment for civil society, fostering social dialogue; promoting gender equality, gender mainstreaming and the empowerment of women and girls, non- discrimination and tolerance, to ensure and strengthen respect for the rights of refugees and persons belonging to minorities, including national minorities and Roma, as well as rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons;
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 142 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) fight disinformation and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference against the Union and its values;deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 147 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) move towards harmonisation of visa policies with the Union;deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 149 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) reinforce the effectiveness of public administration, build capacities and invest in administrative staff in Moldova; ensure access to information, public scrutiny and the involvement of civil society in decision-making processes; support transparency, accountability, structural reforms and good governance at all levels, including as regards their powers of oversight and inquiry over the distribution of and access to public funds as well as in the areas of public financial management and public procurement and State aid control; support initiatives and bodies involved in supporting and enforcing international justice in Moldova;
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 153 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) accelerate the transition of Moldova to sustainable, climate-neutral and inclusive economy, that is capable of withstanding competitive market pressures of the Union single market, and to a stable investment environment and reduce its strategic dependency;
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 155 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point h
(h) support enhanced integration with the Union single market through improved and sustainable connectivity in line with trans-European networks to reinforce good neighbourly relations, as well as people- to-people contact;
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 157 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point i
(i) accelerate the inclusive and sustainable green transition to climate neutrality by 2050, in accordance with the Paris Agreement and the Green Deal and covering all economic sectors, particularly energy, including the transition towards a de-carbonised, climate-neutral, climate- resilient and circular economy, while ensuring that investments respect the ‘do no significant harm’ principle;deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 163 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point j
(j) promote the digital transformation and digital skills as an enabler of sustainable development and inclusive growth;
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 164 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point k
(k) boost innovation, research, and cooperation between academic institutions and industry in support of the green and digital transitions, promoting local industries with a particular emphasis on locally based, promoting local industries, micro, small and medium- sized enterprises and start-ups;
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 167 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point l
(l) boost quality education, training, reskilling and upskilling at all levels, with a particular focus on youth, including tackling youth unemployment, preventing brain drain and supporting vulnerable communities, including refugees, and support employment policies, including labour rights, in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights, and fighting poverty.
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 177 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 6
6. Activities under the Facility shall mainstream and promote democracy, human rights and gender equality, progressively align with the social, climate and environmental standards of the Union, mainstream climate change mitigation and adaptation, where relevant, disaster risk reduction, environmental protection and biodiversity conservation, including through, where appropriate, environmental impact assessments, and shall support progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, promoting integrated actions that can create co-benefits and meet multiple objectives in a coherent way. Those activities shall avoid stranded assets, and shall be guided by the principles of ‘do no significant harm’ and of ‘leaving no one behind’, as well as by the sustainability mainstreaming approach underpinning the European Green Deal. At least 37 % of the non-repayable financial support, including provisioning, provided to investment projects approved under the Neighbourhood Investment Platform (NIP) should account to climate objectives.deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 183 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 7
7. Moldova and the Commission shall ensure that gender equality, gender mainstreaming and the integration of a gender perspective are taken into account and promoted throughout the preparation of the Reform Agenda and the implementation of the Facility. Moldova and the Commission shall take appropriate steps to prevent any discrimination based upon gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The Commission shall report on these measures in the context of its regular reporting under the Gender Action Plans.deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 186 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 8
8. The Facility shall not support activities or measures which are incompatible with Moldova’s Energy and Climate Plans, their Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, and ambition to reach climate-neutrality by 2050 at the latest or that promote investments in fossil fuels, or that cause significant adverse effects on the environment, the climate or biodiversity.deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 193 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 9
9. In line with the principle of inclusive partnership, the Commission shall strive to ensure, as appropriate, democratic scrutiny in the form of consultation by Moldova’s government of its parliament as well as of relevant stakeholders, including local and regional authorities, social partners and civil society, including vulnerable groups, refugees, and all minorities and communities, as relevant, so as to allow them to participate in shaping the design and the implementation of activities eligible for funding under the Facility and in the related monitoring, scrutiny and evaluation processes, as relevant. That consultation shall seek to represent the pluralism of Moldova’s society.
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 197 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. Preconditions for the support under the Facility shall be that Moldova upholds and respects effective democratic mechanisms, including a multi-party parliamentary system, free and fair elections, pluralistic media, an independent judiciary and the rule of law, and guarantee respect for all human rights obligations, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 201 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. The Facility shall be supported with resources from the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe amounting to EUR 420 million and a maximum amount of EUR 1 500 million in loans. The amount for loans shall not constitute part of the amount of the External Action Guarantee within the meaning of Article 31(4) of Regulation (EU) 2021/947.
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 202 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The non-repayable financial support shall be financed for the period from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027 from the envelope allocated to the Neighbourhood geographic programme under Article 6(2), point (a) of Regulation (EU) 2021/947. It shall cover provisioning for loans amounting to EUR 135 million, support provided by the Union for projects approved under the NIP, as referred to in Article 18(2)and complementary support, including support to civil society organisations and technical assistance. That funding shall be implemented in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/947.deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 211 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 5
5. An amount of up to 1% of the non- repayable support referred to in paragraph 20,5 % may be used for technical and administrative assistance for the implementation of the Facility, such as preparatory actions, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities, which are required for the management of the Facility and the achievement of its objectives, in particular studies, meetings of experts, training consultations with Moldova’s authorities, conferences, consultation of stakeholders, including local and regional authorities and civil society organisations, information and communication activities, including inclusive outreach actions, and the corporate communication of the political priorities of the Union, insofar as they are related to the objectives of this Regulation, expenses linked to IT networks focusing on information processing and exchange, corporate information technology tools, as well as all other expenditure at headquarters and Union delegation for the administrative and coordination support required for the Facility. Expenses may also cover the costs of activities supporting transparency and of other activities such as quality control and monitoring of projects or programmes on the ground. Expenses may also cover the costs of activities supporting transparency and the costs of peer counselling and experts for the assessment and implementation of reforms and investments.
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 215 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) countries which provide a level of support to Moldova comparable to that provided by the Union, taking into account the size of their economy, and for which reciprocal access to external assistance in Moldova is established by the Commission.deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 216 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The reciprocal access referred to in paragraph 1, point (b), may be granted for a limited period of at least one year where a country grants eligibility on equal terms to entities from the Union and from countries eligible under the Facility.deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 217 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. All supplies and materials financed and procured under this Facility shall originate from any country referred to in paragraph 1, points (a) and (b), unless those supplies and materials cannot be sourced under reasonable conditions in any of those countries. In addition, the rules on restrictions laid down in paragraph 6 shall apply.
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 220 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. In order to receive any support under this Regulation, Moldova shall submit to the Commission a Reform Agenda for 2025-2027 based on the key principles and objectives of socio- economic and fundamental reforms set out in the EU- Moldova Association Agreement, agreed under the European Neighbourhood Policy, and the enlargement policy framework.
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 221 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4
4. The Reform Agenda shall be consistent with and support the reform priorities identified in the context of Moldova’s accession path, and in other relevant documents, the Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement and the ambition to reach climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest.
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 222 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 6
6. The Reform Agenda shall be prepared in an inclusive and transparent manner, in consultation with social partners and civil society organisations.
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 226 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. The Regulation shall provide incentives for the implementation of the Reform Agenda by setting payment conditions on the release of funds. Those payment conditions shall apply to funds under Article 6(1), with the exception of complementary support including support to civil society organisations and technical assistance. Those payment conditions shall take the form of measurable qualitative or quantitative steps. Such steps shall reflect progress on specific socio-economic reforms and on the fundamentals of the enlargement process linked to the achievement of the objectives of the Facility set out in Article 3, consistent with the enlargement policy framework.
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 229 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) an explanation of how the measures are expected to further strengthen the fundamentals of the enlargement process as referred to in Article 3(2), point (n), including the rule of law, fundamental rights and the fight against corruption;
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 230 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) an explanation of the extent to which the measures are expected to contribute to climate and environmental objectives and their compatibility with the principle ‘do no significant harm’;deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 233 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) an explanation of the extent to which the measures are expected to contribute to education, training and employment and social objectives;
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 234 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) an explanation of the extent to which the measures are expected to contribute to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, and the promotion of women and girls’ rights;deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 236 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point m
(m) for the preparation and, where available, for the implementation of the Reform Agenda, a summary of the consultation process, conducted in accordance with Moldova’s legal framework, of relevant stakeholders, including Moldova’s parliament, local and regional representative bodies and authorities, social partners and civil society organisations, and how the input of those stakeholders is reflected in the Reform Agenda;
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 239 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 4 – point c
(c) whether the Reform Agenda can be expected to accelerate progress towards bridging the socio-economic gap between Moldova and the Union, and thereby enhances their economic, social and environmental development and supports the convergence towards the Union’s standards, reduces inequalities and reinforces social cohesion;
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 241 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 4 – point e
(e) whether the Reform Agenda can be expected to accelerate the transition of Moldova towards sustainable, climate- neutral and climate resilient and inclusive economy by improving connectivity, making progress on the twin transition of green and digital, including biodiversity, reducing strategic dependencies and boosting research and innovation, education, training, employment and skills and the wider labour market, with particular attention on youth;deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 243 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 4 – point f
(f) whether the measures included in the Reform Agenda are compatible with the principles of ‘do no significant harm’ and of ‘leaving no one behind’;deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 252 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) the breakdown by instalment of financing between loan support and non- repayable support;deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 262 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. Provisioning for the loans shall be constituted at the rate of 925 % from the envelope allocated to the Neighbourhood geographic programme under Article 6(2), point (a) of Regulation (EU) 2021/947 and shall be used as part of provisions supporting similar risks.
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 265 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1
1. Following the submission of the Reform Agenda to the Commission, Moldova may request the release of a pre- financing of up to 72,5 % of the total amount foreseen under this Facility in accordance with Article 6(1), after deduction of complementary support, including support to civil society organisations and technical assistance, and provisioning for loans.
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 272 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2
2. Following satisfactory fulfilment of payment conditions, the Commission will adopt a decision authorising a release of funds, as referred to in Article 19(3). This decision shall, in accordance with Article 6(1), set the amount of funds to be made available in the form of non-repayable support provided by the Union for projects approved under the NIP, and the amount of financial assistance in the form of loan support to be released to Moldova. This decision shall also set out, in accordance with the ratio set in the Facility Agreement as referred to in Article 8(5)(c), the share of this loan support to be made available by Moldova as co-financing for projects approved under the NIP.
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 275 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 5
5. Where the Commission concludes that Moldova has not taken the necessary measures within a period of 12 months from the initial negative assessment referred to in paragraph 4, the Commission shall reduce the amount of the non- repayable financial support and of the loan proportionately to the part corresponding to the relevant payment conditions. During the first year of implementation, a deadline of 24 months shall apply, calculated from the initial negative assessment referred to in paragraph 4. Moldova may present its observations within two months from the communication to them of the Commission’s conclusions.
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 278 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 7
7. The Commission may reduce the amount of the non-repayable financial support and recover from Moldova, including by offsetting, any amount spent to achieve the objectives of the Facility, or to reduce the amount of the loan to be disbursed to Moldova or request early repayment of the loan in accordance with the loan agreement, in the event of funds unduly paid, identified cases of, or serious concerns in relation to, irregularities, fraud, corruption and conflicts of interest affecting the financial interests of the Union that have not been corrected by Moldova, or of a reversal of qualitative or quantitative steps or in cases it is found, after the payment has taken place, that steps were not satisfactorily fulfilled, or of a serious breach of an obligation resulting from the Facility Agreements or from the loan agreements-, including on the basis of information provided by OLAF or of the Court of Auditors’ reports. The Commission shall inform the European Parliament and the Council prior to taking any decision of such reductions.
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 281 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 3
3. The information referred to in paragraph 2 shall not be published where disclosure risks threatening the rights and freedoms of the final recipients concerned or seriously harming their commercial interests. Such information shall be made available to the Commission.deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 282 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 4
4. Moldova shall transmit electronically to the Commission at least once a yearevery three months the data on the final recipients referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, in a machine-readable format to be defined in the Facility Agreement, as referred to in Article 8(5)(l).
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 286 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 3
3. The Facility Agreement shall also provide for the right of the Commission to reduce proportionately the amount of the non-repayable financial support provided under the Facility and to recover from Moldova, including by offsetting, any amount spent to achieve the objectives of the Facility and to reduce the amount of the loan to be disbursed to the Beneficiary or request early repayment of the loan in accordance with the loan agreement, in the event of funds unduly paid, identified cases of, or serious concerns in relation to, irregularities, fraud, corruption and conflicts of interest affecting the financial interests of the Union that have not been corrected by Moldova, or in cases it is found, after the payment has taken place, that steps were not satisfactorily fulfilled, or of a serious breach of an obligation resulting from the Facility Agreement or from the loan agreement When deciding on the amount of the recovery and reduction, or the amount to be repaid early, the Commission shall respect the principle of proportionality and shall take into account the seriousness of the irregularity, fraud, corruption or conflict of interest affecting the financial interests of the Union, or of a breach of an obligation. Moldova shall be given the opportunity to present its observations before the reduction is made or early repayment is requested.
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 287 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1
1. For the part of the Facility funding made available as financial assistance, the Commission can rely on the audit authorities established by Moldova for the purpose of controlling public expenditure. As appropriate, the Commission shall also rely on further democratic scrutiny as referred to in Article 4(9).
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 289 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall, to an appropriate extent, associate all relevant stakeholders, including Moldova, social partners, civil society organisations, in the evaluation process of the Union’s funding provided under this Regulation, and may, where appropriate, seek to undertake joint evaluations with the Member States and other partners with close involvement of Moldova.deleted
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG
Amendment 291 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1
1. The beneficiary shall report once a yearevery three months in the context of the Economic and Financial Dialogue on the progress made in the achievement of the reform-related part of its Reform Agenda.
2024/12/20
Committee: AFETBUDG