50 Amendments of Alexander SELL related to 2024/0258(COD)
Amendment 121 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
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.
Amendment 123 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Amendment 124 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Amendment 130 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) accelerate the socio-economic convergence of Moldova’s economy with the Union;
Amendment 131 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
Amendment 136 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
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;
Amendment 142 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
Amendment 147 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d
Amendment 149 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point e
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;
Amendment 153 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point f
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;
Amendment 155 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point h
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;
Amendment 157 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point i
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point i
Amendment 163 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point j
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point j
(j) promote the digital transformation and digital skills as an enabler of sustainable development and inclusive growth;
Amendment 164 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point k
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;
Amendment 167 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point l
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.
Amendment 177 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 6
Article 4 – paragraph 6
Amendment 183 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 7
Article 4 – paragraph 7
Amendment 186 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 8
Article 4 – paragraph 8
Amendment 193 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 9
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.
Amendment 197 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
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.
Amendment 201 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
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.
Amendment 202 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 211 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 5
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.
Amendment 215 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b
Amendment 216 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 217 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
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.
Amendment 220 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
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.
Amendment 221 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4
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.
Amendment 222 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 6
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.
Amendment 226 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
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.
Amendment 229 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point c
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;
Amendment 230 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point e
Amendment 233 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point g
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;
Amendment 234 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point h
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point h
Amendment 236 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point m
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;
Amendment 239 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 4 – point c
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;
Amendment 241 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 4 – point e
Article 12 – paragraph 4 – point e
Amendment 243 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 4 – point f
Article 12 – paragraph 4 – point f
Amendment 252 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 13 – paragraph 3 – point b
Amendment 262 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
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.
Amendment 265 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1
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.
Amendment 272 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2
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.
Amendment 275 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 5
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.
Amendment 278 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 7
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.
Amendment 281 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 3
Article 20 – paragraph 3
Amendment 282 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 4
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).
Amendment 286 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 3
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.
Amendment 287 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1
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).
Amendment 289 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 4
Article 25 – paragraph 4
Amendment 291 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1
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.