Activities of Thijs BERMAN related to 2011/0406(COD)
Reports (1)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation PDF (1 MB) DOC (885 KB)
Amendments (31)
Amendment 232 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6 a) In order to ensure the visibility of the Union's assistance towards the citizens of the partner countries and those of the Union, there should be proper and targeted communication and information via (inter)national, regional and local media, or by other adequate means, whenever relevant. Minimal and appropriate requirements in this regard should be defined by the Commission in close cooperation with beneficiaries, and compliance with those requirements should be monitored.
Amendment 236 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The Union and the Member States should improve the consistency and the complementarity of their respective policies on development cooperation, in particular by responding to partner countries' and regions' priorities at country and regional level. To ensure that the Union's development cooperation policy and that of the Member States complement and reinforce each other, it isand to ensure cost-effective aid delivery while avoiding overlap as well as gaps, it is both urgent and appropriate to provide for joint programming procedures which should be implemented whenever possible and relevant.
Amendment 240 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The Union should promotesee it as one of its highest priorities to operate with a comprehensive approach in response to crisis and disaster and to conflict-affected and fragile situations, including those of transition. This should in particular build on the Council conclusions on Security and Development on an EU response to situations of fragility on conflict prevention as well as any relevant subsequent conclusion and post-crisis. In those highly unstable situations where needs are most urgent and poverty is most difficult to eradicate, the Union should contribute to strengthening the resilience of vulnerable groups in response to shocks. This should be done by provideing the necessaryappropriate mix of approaches, responses and instruments in particular by ensuring an appropriate balance betweenthat the security- oriented, development and humanitarian approaches, and by linking short-term reaction with the long term supporthumanitarian and development approaches are balanced, consistent and effectively coordinated, in line with the efforts of the Union with regard to strategies concerning the link between relief, rehabilitation and development (LRRD).
Amendment 244 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) In the context of the overarching objective of the Union's development cooperation to contribute to poverty eradication, Union assistance should focus where it has more impact, having regard to its capacity to act on a global scale and respond to global challenges such as poverty eradication,. In particular, the Union's added value results from its capacity and its own experience in supporting sustainable and inclusive development and worldwide, promotion ofng democracy, good governance, human rights and the rule of law worldwide, its long-term and predictable commitment to development assistance and its role in promoting the coordinationg with its Member States, as enshrined in Article 210 TFEU. To ensure such impact, the principle of differentiation should be applied not only at the level of funds allocation, but also at the level of programming, to ensure that bilateralthe Union's development cooperation targets partner countries most in need, including fragile states and states with high vulnerability, and with limited capacity to have access to other sources of financing for supporting their own development, having regard to the potential impact of the Union assistance in partner countries. As a consequence, bilateralcountry-specific programming would target such countries, pursuant to the application of objective criteria based on the needs and capacities of these countries, as well as the impact of EU assistance. the assistance of the Union and its Member States. For countries no longer eligible for country-specific geographical programmes, it should be possible, in duly justified exceptional cases, to phase out assistance through a gradual approach and paying special attention to the needs of particularly vulnerable population groups. The Union should establish a strong political dialogue with these partner countries on its possible contribution to the establishment of national policies aiming at poverty reduction.
Amendment 250 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Fighting climate change and protecting the environment are among the great challenges which face the Union and where the need for international action is urgent. In accordance with the intent stated in Commission Communication ‘A budget for Europe 2020’ of 29 June 2011, tThis Regulation should therefore contribute to the objective of addressing at least 20% of the EU budget to low carbon and climate resilient society, and the global public goods and challenges programme should use at least 25% of its funds to cover climate change and environenvironment and climate change aspects of development. Actions in these two areas should, wherever possible, be mutually supportive in order to reinforce their impacts. The Union and its Member States have committed to providing financing for climate change adaptation and mitigation in developing countries additional to their commitments of 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) to official development assistance (ODA), as provided for in Article 4.3 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Financing for climate change under this Regulation should not undermine or jeopardise the fight against poverty and continued progress towards the MDGs. Funding with the specific objective of mitigating and adapting to climate change should therefore be subject to separate tracking and reporting and the Union should exclude these funds from its contribution to the target of 0.7% of GNI to ODA.
Amendment 265 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 d (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 d (new)
1d. In duly justified exceptional cases, existing country-specific geographic cooperation with non-eligible partner countries may be phased out in close coordination with other donors; ending this type of cooperation will, wherever appropriate, be accompanied by a policy dialogue with the country concerned focusing on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable groups.
Amendment 279 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) commitments and performance, based on criteria and indicators, including political, economic and social progress, progress in good governance and human rights and the effective use of aid, in particular the way a country uses scarce resources for development, beginning with its own resources.
Amendment 286 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3
Article 3 – paragraph 3
3. The following cross-cutting issues shall be mainstreamed in all programmes: the promotion of human rights, gender equality, women empowerment of women, non- discrimination, democracy, good governance, peace and the prevention of violent conflict, the rights of the child and, indigenous peoples' rights, social inclusion and decent work, the rights of persons with disabilities, environmental sustainability including addressing climate change and combating HIV/AIDS.
Amendment 296 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Relations between the Union and its Member States on the one hand and partner countries on the other hand are based on and will promote the shared values of human rights, democracy and rule of law as well as the principles of ownership and of mutual accountability. Furthermore, relations with partner countries shall take into account their commitment and track record in implementing international agreements and contractual relations with the Union.
Amendment 298 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 8 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 8 – introductory part
8. The Union shall promote effective cooperation with partner countries and regions in line with international best practice. It shall increasingly align its support with partners' national or regional development strategies, reform policies and procedures, wherever possible. It shall contribute to strengthening the process of mutual accountability between partner governments and institutions and donors and promote local expertise and local employment and to deepening the democratic ownership of development policies and processes. To that end, it shall promote:
Amendment 300 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 8 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 8 – point a
(a) a development process that is partner country or region led and owned, transparent, and respects the roles of national and regional parliaments, local authorities and other relevant public institutions, as well as civil society, in ensuring participation, oversight and accountability;
Amendment 309 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) bilaterally withof a country-specific nature, with partner countries set out in Annex III, and - in duly justified exceptional cases, where appropriate, for a transitional period which shall not, in principle, exceed four years - with other partner countries set out in Annex III.
Amendment 316 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. The objective of Union assistance under the programme ‘'Global public goods and challenges’' shall be to support actions in areas such as thefrom among the following subthemes: environment and climate change, sustainable energy, human development, food security,and nutrition security, sustainable agriculture and migration and asylum.
Amendment 328 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 4
Article 10 – paragraph 4
4. Funds may be left unallocated. Subject to their subsequent allocation or re- allocation as provided forIn order to ensure an appropriate Union response in the event of unforeseen circumstances, as well as to allow for the synchronisation with partner countries strategy cycles and the modification of indicative allocations as a result of reviews, funds may be left unallocated. In crisis, post-crisis and fragility situations, these funds shall be primarily used in support of a specific strategy to ensure a smooth transition from emergency aid to long-term development. At the level of the instrument, the part of funds left unallocated shall not exceed 5%. In addition, at the level of each programme, the part of funds left unallocated shall not exceed 5%, except for the purpose of synchronisation and for countries referred to in Articles 11(5) and 13, the use of these funds shall be decided later in accordance with the Common Implementing Regulation. 2(1). The subsequent allocation and reallocation shall be decided later in accordance with Article 11(5), Article 13, and Article 14(1).
Amendment 340 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 5
Article 11 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 5
Amendment 348 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 a (new)
Article 13 a (new)
Article 13 a Programming documents for the Pan- African Programme 1. The Union documents referred to in this Article shall be considered strategic programming documents within the meaning of Article 2 of the Common Implementing Regulation and shall be adopted by means of a delegated act in accordance with Article 17 and 18. 2. The preparation, implementation and review of the programming documents under this Article shall comply with the principles of aid effectiveness: democratic ownership, partnership, coordination, harmonisation, transparency, mutual accountability and results orientation as laid down in Article 3(5) to (8). Programming shall be based on the dialogue undertaken in the context of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy and its working arrangements, involving all relevant stakeholders, including the Pan-African Parliament and the European Parliament. The multiannual indicative programme for the Pan-African programme, taking into account the Joint Africa-EU Strategy, shall set out the priorities jointly selected for financing by the Union, the specific objectives, the expected results, the performance indicators, the activities of the main partners. Where applicable, resources and intervention priorities shall be laid down for participation in global initiatives. Multiannual indicative programmes shall be coherent with geographic and thematic programmes under this Regulation and consistent with the documents referred to in Article 11(3), and shall be drawn up in accordance with a human rights-based approach. 3. The multiannual indicative programme shall give the indicative financial allocation, both overall and by priority area. Where appropriate, that allocation may be given in the form of a range. The multiannual indicative programme shall be reviewed at mid-term, and ad-hoc where necessary to respond to unforeseen challenges or implementation problems, and to take into account any review of the Joint Africa-EU strategy. The multiannual indicative programme shall include a chapter on aid effectiveness, describing the steps undertaken to enhance donor coordination, in particular between the Union and Member States.
Amendment 350 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Without prejudice to the provisions on suspension of aid in partnership and cooperation agreements with partner countries and regions, where a partner country fails to observe the principles referred to in Article 3(1), the Union shall invite the partner country to hold consultations in view of finding a solution acceptable to both parties, except in cases of special urgency. Where consultations with the partner country do not lead to a solution acceptable to both parties, or if consultations are refused or in cases of special urgency, the Council may take appropriate measures in accordance with Article 215(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which may include full or partial suspension of Union assistance. In case assistance to the partner country government is suspended, the Union will, to the extent possible, support civil society organisations with regard to measures aimed at supporting populations directly, in line with Article 2, and promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Before adopting appropriate measures, the Union may conduct any consultations with the partner country or territory concerned.
Amendment 353 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 b (new)
Article 20 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 b (new)
Funding derived from this Instrument to the financing of actions covered by the "Erasmus for All" Regulation shall be used for actions in the partner countries covered by this Regulation. The provisions of the "Erasmus for All" Regulation shall apply to the use of those funds, while ensuring conformity with this Regulation. The Commission shall ensure that, for mobility actions: - nationals of developing countries study or carry out research in areas that are relevant to the problems of developing countries - researchers from Union universities carry out research or teaching in areas that are relevant to the problems of developing countries, - mechanisms are put in place which ensure that the selection criteria are based on merit and prioritise the assignation of scholarships to socio-economically disadvantaged groups and populations in vulnerable situations, - mechanisms are put in place to encourage nationals of developing countries to return to their countries of origin on the expiry of their periods of study or research to allow them to contribute to the economic development and welfare of the developing country concerned; - the evaluation includes follow-up with the nationals of developing countries following expiry of their periods of study or research in the Union to assess their subsequent contribution to the economic development and welfare of their country of origin.
Amendment 360 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph I – point a
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph I – point a
(a) Democracy, human rights and the rule of law; - supporting democratisation and strengthening democracy, strengthening of the role of parliaments, - supporting the transparent and accountable functioning of institutions, decentralisation; promoting a participatory in-country dialogue on governance, - promoting media freedom, including for modern media, - promoting and protecting political and civil as well as social, economic and cultural rights and protection of minorities and most vulnerable groups, - strengthening the rule of law and judicial and protection systems and ensuring access to justice and protection.
Amendment 366 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph I – point b
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph I – point b
(b) Gender equality and the empowerment of women; - promoting gender equality and equity, - protecting the rights of women and girls, including actions against any form of violence against women and girls and support for victims of gender-based violence, - promoting civil registration, especially birth registration; - promoting empowerment of women, including in their roles as development actors and peace-builders.
Amendment 367 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph I – point c
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph I – point c
(c) Public sector management; , transparency and anti-corruption; - supporting development of the public sector for enhancing universal and non- discriminatory access to basic services, including at local and regional level, - supporting programmes to improve policy formulation, public financial management, including the setting up and reinforcement of audit, control and anti- fraud bodies and measures, and institutional development, including human resource management, - assisting partner countries in tackling all forms of corruption and tax evasion, through governance programmes that support advocacy, awareness-raising and reporting, and increasing the capacity of control and oversight bodies and the judiciary, - strengthening technical expertise of parliaments, enabling them to assess and contribute to the formulation and oversight of national budgets, including on domestic revenues from resource extraction and tax matters.
Amendment 368 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph I – point c
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph I – point c
(c) Public sector management;, transparency and anti-corruption; - supporting development of the public sector for enhancing universal and non- discriminatory access to basic services, including at local and regional level, - supporting programmes to improve policy formulation, public financial management, including the setting up and reinforcement of audit, control and anti- fraud bodies and measures, and institutional development, including human resource management, - assisting partner countries in tackling all forms of corruption, through governance programmes that support advocacy, awareness-raising and reporting, - strengthening technical expertise of parliaments, enabling them to assess and contribute to the formulation and oversight of national budgets.
Amendment 373 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph I – point d
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph I – point d
(d) Tax policy and administration; - supporting the building up or strengthening of fair, transparent, effective, progressive and sustainable domestic tax systems which promote equity, poverty reduction and social cohesion, - strengthening monitoring capacities in developing countries in the fight against tax evasion and illicit financial flows, - supporting national oversight bodies, parliaments and civil society organisations, to produce and disseminate work on tax fraud and its impact, - supporting multilateral and regional initiatives on tax administration and tax reforms, - supporting developing countries to participate more effectively in international tax cooperation structures and processes, allowing them to negotiate relevant agreements, improve tax information exchange, - promoting country by country and project-by-project reporting to enhance financial transparency.
Amendment 394 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph II – point c
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph II – point c
(c) Sustainable agriculture and energy. , food security, nutrition and sustainable energy; - helping build developing countries' resilience to shocks (such as scarcity of resources and supply, price volatility) and tackling inequalities, by giving poor people better access to land, food, water, energy and finance without harming the environment, - supporting sustainable agricultural practices and relevant agricultural research, including the safeguarding of ecosystem services, giving priority to locally-developed practices and focusing on smallholder agriculture and rural livelihoods, formation of producer groups, the supply and marketing chain, and supporting women in agriculture, - supporting government efforts to facilitate responsible private investment, as well as to adopt responsible rules on large scale land acquisitions, - supporting strategic approaches to food security, with a focus on food availability, access (including markets, safety nets and gender awareness), nutrition, with a focus on combating malnutrition in the early ages, and stability, - addressing food insecurity in situations of transition and fragility, by supporting interventions to protect, maintain and recover productive and social assets vital for food security, to facilitate economic integration and longer-term rehabilitation, - supporting country-led, participatory, decentralised and environmentally sustainable territorial development, aimed at involving beneficiaries in the identification of investments, - improving access to modern, affordable, sustainable, efficient, clean (including renewable) energy services, with a priority for local and regional sustainable energy solutions, and decentralised energy production, so as to bring development priorities in line with environmental concerns, while prioritising the delivery of energy access for the poor.
Amendment 401 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph III – point c
Annex IV – Chapter A – paragraph III – point c
(c) Transition from humanitarian aid and crisis response to long-term development cooperation; - reconstructing and rehabilitating, in the medium and long term, regions and countries affected by conflict, manmade and natural disasters, including support for demobilisation and reintegration actions, - carrying out medium- and long-term activities aimed at the self-sufficiency and integration or reintegration of uprooted people, ensuring that an integrated and consistent approach between humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, aid to uprooted people and development cooperation is pursued, - in situations of fragility, supporting the delivery of basic services and building legitimate, effective and resilient state institutions and an active and organised civil society, in partnership with the country concerned so as to maximise national ownership both at state and local levels, - in situations of fragility, supporting the delivery of basic services and building legitimate, effective and resilient state institutions and an active and organised civil society, in partnership with the country concerned so as to maximise national ownership both at state and local levels, - contributing to a prevention approach to state fragility, conflict, natural disasters and other types of crises by assisting partner countries' and regional organizations' efforts to strengthen early warning systems and democratic governance and institutional capacity building, -supporting disaster risk reduction, preparedness and prevention and the management of the consequences of such disasters.
Amendment 408 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – Chapter B – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Annex IV – Chapter B – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(b a) Strengthening social cohesion in particular with the setting- up/strengthening of sustainable social protection systems, including social insurance, and fiscal reform, strengthening the capacity of tax systems and the fight against fraud and tax evasion which contributes to enhancing equality and wealth distribution.
Amendment 409 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – Chapter B – paragraph 2 – point b
Annex IV – Chapter B – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) establishing inclusivedevelopment-oriented partnerships around private sector development, trade, investment, aid, migration, research, innovation and technology and the provision of public goods, aiming at poverty reduction and social inclusion;
Amendment 414 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – Chapter B – paragraph 3 – point -a (new)
Annex IV – Chapter B – paragraph 3 – point -a (new)
(-a) as overarching objectives, contributing to sustainable and inclusive economic and social development, social cohesion and democracy;
Amendment 425 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – Chapter A – introductory part
Annex V – Chapter A – introductory part
In compliance with the conditions laid down in Article 6, the Global public goods and challenges programme aims at strengthening cooperation, exchange of knowledge and experience and partner countries' capacities with a view to adopting policies which contribute to poverty eradication, social cohesion and sustainable development. The programme mayshall be drawn inter alia from the following areas of cooperation, ensuring a maximum synergy amongst them in light of their strong interconnection:.
Amendment 445 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – Chapter A – paragraph 3 – point b – point ii
Annex V – Chapter A – paragraph 3 – point b – point ii
(ii) strengthening social cohesion in particular with the setting-up/strengthening of sustainable social protection systems, including related fiscal reformsocial insurance, and with fiscal reform, strengthening the capacity of tax systems and the fight against fraud and tax evasion, which contributes to enhancing equality and wealth distribution;
Amendment 484 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex VI – paragraph 1 a (new)
Annex VI – paragraph 1 a (new)
Areas of cooperation: - Peace and security - Democratic governance and human rights - Trade, regional integration and infrastructure (including transport) - MDGs and subsequent internationally agreed development targets - Energy - Climate change and environment - Migration, mobility and employment - Science, information society and space - Technical assistance