30 Amendments of Younous OMARJEE related to 2015/2132(BUD)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
- having regard to Articles 174 to 178 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union;
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that Parliament's reading of the 2016 budget fully reflects the political priorities adopted by an overwhelming majority in its abovementioned resolutions of 11 March 2015 on general guidelines and of 8 July 2015 on a mandate for the trilogue; recalls that those consist in internal and external solidarity, in particular an effective tackling of the migration and refugee crisis, as well as in boosting competitiveness throughthe creation of decent and quality employment, in particular by prioritising the 3 axes: employment, enterprises and entrepreneurship (the “three Es”);
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes with great concern the decrease of payment appropriations under heading 1b to EUR 49 billion (-4% as compared to 2015), and questions whetherconsiders that the amounts proposed in the Draft Budget (DB) 2016 for heading 1b are indeed sufficient to face the current unprecedented level of payments needed under this heading;
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that the Union is currently facing a number of serious emergencies, notably the unprecedented migration and refugee crisis; is convinced that the necessary financial resourca comprehensive and human rights-based approach linking migration with development and guaranteeing the integration of migrant workers and asylum seekers and refugees needs to be deployedcarried out in conjunction with the deployment of the necessary financial resources in the Union budget, in order to match the political challenges and allow the Union to deliver and effectively respond to those crises, as a matter of utmost urgency and priority; considers that extraordinary times require extraordinary measures and that a strong political commitment is needed to secure fresh appropriations for this purpose;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Strongly disagrees with the institutionalisation of the link between cohesion policy and the Stability and Growth Pact, the logic and objectives of which are diametrically opposed; emphasises that the purpose of cohesion policy should not be to impose stringent performance measures and macroeconomic and financial conditions necessitating austerity measures or to penalise Member States and regions; stresses that, on the contrary, cohesion policy aims to ensure balanced growth and eliminate inequalities in order to achieve real economic, social and territorial cohesion; points out that financing for European regions must not be suspended in the event of failure by the Member States to comply with macroeconomic conditions and that the suspension of financing for Member States experiencing difficulties would exacerbate their situation;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Recalls that the conclusions of the sixth report on economic, social and territorial cohesion highlighted the fact that regional disparities had increased since 2008; emphasises the crucial role played by the EU budget in triggering investment, given that, by supplementing public and private financing at national and international level, its leverage effect helps reinforce growth and ensure economic, social and territorial cohesion in the EU;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Notes that the EU draft budget for 2016 foresees commitments amounting to EUR 153 500 billion (a 5.3% reduction as compared with 2015) and payment appropriations of EUR 143.5 billion (a 1.6% increase over 2015);
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls the need for sufficient resources to ensure the intended impact of the programmes, on the one hand, and of their multiannual operation, on the other, which together call for appropriate and definitive measures in order to minimise the risk of recurrence of the backlog of payments in later stages of the cohesion policy implementation; underlines the negative impact of payment deadlines for local, regional and national authorities, especially those with social, economic and financial problems; recalls the urgent need to strengthen the fight against poverty, unemployment, social exclusion and inequality by means of cohesion policy;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Acknowledges that a lot more effort needs to be undertaken to address the shortcomings in the Union economy by boosting competitiveness, growth and quality jobs; emphasises the key role played by micro, small and, medium-sized and social enterprises in this regard; reinforces therefore the COSME programme by EUR 16,5 million; decides also to propose new commitments in 2016 for the continuation of the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), whose entire financial envelope was frontloaded in the years 2014-2015; acknowledges the significant contribution of this programme to the fight against unemployment and is determined to ensure that the necessary appropriations are made available in order to prevent a funding gap in its implementation; adopts, therefore, a EUR 473,2 million increase for 2016, corresponding to the original instalment that was foreseen for the YEI on a yearly basis;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Recalls that the outermost region of Mayotte is the only region in the EU to have been granted a one-off allocation, contrary to the general regulations governing the funds; therefore calls on the Commission to perform a mid-term re- evaluation of the allocation to be granted to Mayotte in accordance with the calculation rules for all regions in the EU;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Reiterates its conviction that the Union budget should not finance new initiatives to the detriment of existing Union programmes and policies and disregard political commitments already made; while fully confirming itsacknowledges the large political and financial support to the launching of European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI), and intends to deliver on the commitment that it made during the EFSI negotiations, namely to minimise to the maximum the impact on Horizon 2020 and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) in the frame of the annual budgetary procedure; proposes, therefore, to fully offset the cuts of these two programmes - due to the provisioning of the EFSI Guarantee Fund - in 2016 (EUR 1 326 million), in order to allow them to fully accomplish the objectives agreed only two years ago with the adoption of their respective legal bases;
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Acknowledges that a lot more effort needs to be undertaken to address the shortcomings in the Union economy, in particular ensuring adequate levels of financing to the SME sector in particular, in spite of the state capitalisation of several credit institutions from the outset of the economic crisis; believes that public Banking Structures, especially innovative ones, can now play a crucial role in the Member States' economic recovery, in particular as these focus on the regional economy, on cooperation between constituent banks, and on sustainable and local lending to the SME sector; believes that such structures, due to their specific organisation, objectives and proximity to the potential beneficiaries, in particular to SMEs, which can be furthermore enhanced within the framework of the EFSI, can now offer added stability and promote regional development in recovering economies and should be further supported;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Is concerned that, in certain cases, the Member States will disburse funding quickly to avoid losing funds which have been committed, a procedure which would increase the risk of irregularities and might lead to financial corrections, and that a situation would arise whereby funds which had not been absorbed at the end of the programming period were subject to automatic decommitment;
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Concludes that, for the purpose of adequately financing these pressing needs, and considering the very tight MFF margins in 2016, all means available in the MFF Regulation in terms of flexibility, including the full mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument, will need to be deployed; expects that the Council will share this approach and that an agreement will easily be reached in conciliation, allowing the Union to rise to the occasion and effectively respond to the challenges ahead; insists that to attain the Union objectives of smart, green-sustainable inclusive growth, to boost quality job creation while enhancing the levels of social, health, environmental protection, economic, social and territorial cohesion in the Union the process of the MFF 2014-2020 review/revision needs to be launched next year;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. NoteDeeply regrets that, again this year, Heading 1a is severely affected by the Council's cuts with a reduction of EUR 140,9 million in commitments and EUR 435,4 million in payments as compared to the DB; highlights that around half of these cuts are targeted at Horizon 2020, which results in a further reduction for this programme in 2016 after that part of its appropriations have been redeployed to EFSI;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Underlines that, for the sake of a coherent approach, several cuts applied by the Council on the ground of a low absorption capacity on many Heading 1a programmes in June 2015 have now to be reversed due the strong acceleration in these programmes' implementation in September 2015, in particular programmes which support education, research, training and culture, especially those dedicated to the youth; notes that this is a general trend, in line with the life cycle of these programmes; decides therefore to restore the DB level on the lines cut by the Council both in commitments and in payments;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Highlights that the Union austerity policies have created a downward pressure on real wages in Member States and that this will prolong impact of the economic and social crisis; underlines that the Union budget shall be used to underpin efforts to increase real wages as well as to fight social dumping in the Member States;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Confirms itsTakes note of the support for the ITER programme and isthe committedments to securinge its appropriate financing; is concerned, however, about possible further delays and additional costs of this programme as well as the related potential repercussions on the Union budget; deeply regrets, therefore, that it was unable to assess the level of the 2016 ITER appropriations against the updated payment plan and schedule, which is only due to be presented in the ITER Council in November 2015; expects, however, that this revised plan will provide sufficient evidence that Parliament's recommendations, as set out in the relevant 2013 discharge resolution8 , have been properly taken into account and that financial soundness and spending efficiency will be ensured; intends to raise this matter in the 2016 budgetary conciliation; __________________ 8 European Parliament resolution of 29 April 2015 with observations forming an integral part of the decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget for the Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy for the financial year 2013 (Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0168).
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Disapproves of Council's proposed cuts of EUR 3,1 million in commitments and, more importantly, EUR 220,1 million in payments under subheading 1b, including on completion lines; calls on the Council to explain how these cuts are compatible with the objective, on the one hand, of reducing the backlog of outstanding payment claims for the 2007-2013 cohesion programmes to around EUR 2 billion by the end of 2016 and, on the other hand, of avoiding negative repercussions and unnecessary delays for the implementation of the 2014- 2020 programmes; recalls that according to Article 310 TFEU, the revenue and expenditure shown in the Union budget shall be in balance; underlines the negative impact caused by the delays in payments to local, regional and national authorities, in particular those which are facing social, financial and economic constraints;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Recalls that cohesion policy represents the main Union investment policy and its legal objective of reducing disparities between European regions by strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Expresses its disapproval for the institutionalisation of the principles of macroeconomic conditionality and performance reserve and the link between cohesion policy and Structural Funds on the one hand and Stability and Growth Pact, package of economic governance and any economic agreement of Member States, on the other; believes that the assumptions underlying them are undeniably different and their objectives diametrically opposed; emphasises that the purpose of cohesion policy should not be to impose stringent macroeconomic and financial conditions necessitating austerity measures or to penalise Member States and regions; stresses that cohesion policy is designed to ensure balanced growth and eliminate inequalities with a view to achieving genuine convergence; indicates that funding for European regions cannot be suspended for non- compliance by Member States with macroeconomic conditions and suspending funding for Member States in difficulties will make the situation worse;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Insists on the need to improve the active management of payments by the Commission while accelerating the calls for proposals and in particular increasing the pre-financing available; believes that the postponement of such measures will aggravate discrepancies and jeopardise the objectives of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, quality job creation, economic, social and territorial cohesion; recalls in this respect the conclusions of the 6th Cohesion Report, in particular that regional disparities in the Union widened dramatically during the period 2008-2011, and insists that the cohesion policy needs to be significantly increased;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Recalls that the Student Loan Guarantee Facility should be implemented on favourable terms for students, regardless of their social background and that this additional and innovative tool for learning mobility should neither replace any current, nor impede the development of any future grant or loan system supporting student mobility at local, national or Union level;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 c (new)
Paragraph 22 c (new)
22c. Underlines that instruments such as the ESF, the ERDF, the Cohesion Fund or the Youth Employment Initiative are crucial to support the creation of quality and sustainable jobs, to ensure investment for targeted social and cohesion policies, to foster convergence and narrow the development gap while reducing social, economic, local, regional and national disparities; recalls the need to enhance the fight against poverty, unemployment, social exclusion and inequalities (income) through instruments such as the Aid to the most Deprived and Fruit and Milk for Schools; insists, therefore, on the need to increase the proposed payment appropriations to the bare minimum needed in this subheading;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Insists on the need for added support to small farms as these keep many direct jobs in rural areas and are necessary to maintain the occupied territory and care; insists on the prioritisation of the promotion and advertisement of local markets and activities which raise awareness of their contribution to local economies; calls on the Commission and the Member States to prioritise public policies which phase out the causes that provoke price volatility of agricultural products, which occurs more frequently and has adverse effects on farmers' incomes;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Believes that the Union budget can be instrumental in reaching out to people in need and insists that a budgetary shift away from military and security spending and towards a civil and development oriented foreign policy is needed in order to reduce long-term military spending; reiterates its position that funds under this heading must be committed to a peaceful and civil foreign policy, which ensures that the Union's commitments to poverty eradication, sustainable development, MDGs, arms-control, NPT-regime, and nuclear disarmament are upheld; notes that this demonstrates a high level of solidarity with third countries while insisting on the need to adopt a comprehensive and human rights-based approach linking migration with development and guaranteeing the integration of migrant workers and asylum seekers and refugees; recalls the need to implement further measures to enhance an endogenous development to boost a sound mutually beneficial relationship and promoting European fundamental values;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Calls for these extra appropriations to be used in particular to increase the funding for the Union Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis and for the Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa, as well as for immediate assistance via the UNHCR and the World Food Programme; reiterates the need to adopt a comprehensive and human rights-based approach linking migration with development and guaranteeing the integration of migrant workers and asylum seekers and refugees while supporting a new political and budgetary commitment towards countries of origin and transit; calls on the individual Member States to bring additional contributions to the Trust Funds and to the UN agencies without further delay; notes that the pipeline of projects potentially funded by the Trust Funds further weakens the Council’s case for an alleged lack of absorption capacity in Heading 4;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Reinforces by EUR 40 million the budget line for support for the peace process and financial assistance to Palestine and to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA); notunderlines that UNRWA plays an effective role in supporting the growing number of Palestinian refugees suffering directly from the Syrian crisis, which poses an additional burden on the agency; is deeply concerned about the funding gaps faced by UNRWA and calls for those additional appropriations to be channelled to its General Fund in support of basic education, social and health services;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)
Paragraph 44 a (new)
44a. Recommends that, while complying with the best management and accountability criteria, Union institutions must ensure that third contract parties conform with labour law provisions, in particular the fundamental right of workers to negotiate and agree on working conditions and wages with their employer, therefore the institutions should as far as possible make use of airlines which recognise trade unions and which have a good repute with respect to workers' rights;