21 Amendments of Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ related to 2020/0101(COD)
Amendment 22 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) An additional exceptional amount of EUR 58 272 800 000 (in current prices) for budgetary commitment from the Structural Funds under the Investment for growth and jobs goal, for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 should be made available to support Member States and regions most impacted in crisis repair in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic or preparing a green, digital and resilient recovery of the economy, with a view to deploying resources quickly to the real economy through the existing operational programmes. Resources for 2020 stem from an increase of EUR 5 billion in commitment appropriations in the resources available for economic, social and territorial cohesion in the multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020 whereas resources for 2021 and 2022 stem from the European Union Recovery Instrument. Part of the additional resources should be allocated to technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission. The Commission should set out the breakdown of the remaining additional resources for each Member State on the basis of an allocation method based on the latest available objective statistical data concerning Member States’ relative prosperity and the extent of the effect of the current crisis on their economies and societies. The allocation method should include a dedicated additional amount for the outermost regions given the specific vulnerability of their economies and societies. In order to reflect the evolving nature of the effects of the crisis, the breakdown should be revised in 2021 on the basis of the same allocation method using the latest statistical data available by 19 October 2021 to distribute the 2022 tranche of the additional resources.
Amendment 27 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) In the context of economic recovery from the crisis provoked by COVID 19, economically disadvantaged local areas, particularly in rural areas, face serious difficulty in implementing the EU funds. It is therefore essential that the Commission provides technical and administrative assistance to the areas that have been most severely hit by the crisis, so as to ensure that the implementation of the EU financing under REACT-EU is done both efficiently and effectively. Such assistance will also serve as a safeguard preventing the involvement of domestic political factors in the performance of cohesion policy.
Amendment 29 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Horizontal financial rules adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on the basis of Article 322 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union apply to this Regulation. These rules are laid down in the Financial Regulation and determine in particular the procedure for establishing and implementing the budget through grants, procurement, prizes, indirect implementation, and provide for checks on the responsibility of financial actors. Rules adopted on the basis of Article 322 TFEU also concern the protection of the Union's budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States, as the respect for the rule of law is an essential precondition for sound financial management and effective EU funding. Furthermore, the flexibility of spending of the allocations under REACT-EU demands specific spending control that goes beyond the self-assessment by the Member States and needs therefore to be subjected to the oversight by the Commission, OLAF, EPPO and the Court of Auditors.
Amendment 32 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) In order to allow maximum flexibility to Member States for tailoring crisis repair actions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic or preparing a green, digital and resilient recovery of the economy, allocations should be established by the Commission at Member StateNUTS-2 regional level. Furthermore, the possibility for using any additional resources to support aid for the most deprived should also be provided for. In addition, it is necessary to establish ceilingsallow flexibility concerning the allocation to technical assistance at the initiative of the Member States while also allowing maximum flexibility to the Member States as to its allocation within operational programmes supported by the ERDF or the ESF. It should be clarified that there is no need to respect the ESF minimum share for the additional resources. Taking account of the expected quick spending of the additional resources, the commitments linked to those additional resources should only be decommitted at the closure of the operational programmes.
Amendment 34 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) In order to complement the actions already available under the scope of support of the ERDF, as extended by Regulations (EU) 2020/460 and (EU) 2020/558 of the European Parliament and of the Council5 , Member States should continue to be allowed to use the additional resources primarily for investments in products and services for health services, for providing support in the form of working capital or investment support to SMEs, in operations contributing to the transition towards a digital and green economy, infrastructure providing basic services to citizens or economic support measures for those regions most dependent on sectors most affected by the crisis. Technical assistancend administrative assistance in the implementation process should also be supported. It is appropriate that the additional resources are focused exclusively under the new thematic objective “Fostering crisis repair in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing a green, digital and resilient recovery of the economy”, which should also constitute a single investment priority, to allow for simplified programming and implementation of the additional resources. _________________ 5 Regulation (EU) 2020/460 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 March 2020 amending Regulations (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013 and (EU) No 508/2014 as regards specific measures to mobilise investments in the healthcare systems of Member States and in other sectors of their economies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak (Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative) (OJ L99, 31.3.2020, p. 5); Regulation (EU) 2020/558 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2020 amending Regulations (EU) No 1301/2013 and (EU) No 1303/2013 as regards specific measures to provide exceptional flexibility for the use of the European Structural and Investments Funds in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, (OJ L 130, 23.4.2020, p. 1).
Amendment 35 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) In order to complement the actions already available under the scope of support of the ERDF, as extended by Regulations (EU) 2020/460 and (EU) 2020/558 of the European Parliament and of the Council5 , Member States should continue to be allowed to use the additional resources primarily for investments in products and services for health services, for providing support in the form of working capital or investment support to SMEs, in operations contributing to the transition towards a digital and green economy, infrastructure providing basic services to citizens or economic support measures for those regions most dependent on sectors most affected by the crisis. Technical assistancend administrative assistance in the implementation process should also be supported. It is appropriate that the additional resources are focused exclusively under the new thematic objective “Fostering crisis repair in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing a green, digital and resilient recovery of the economy”, which should also constitute a single investment priority, to allow for simplified programming and implementation of the additional resources. _________________ 5 Regulation (EU) 2020/460 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 March 2020 amending Regulations (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013 and (EU) No 508/2014 as regards specific measures to mobilise investments in the healthcare systems of Member States and in other sectors of their economies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak (Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative) (OJ L99, 31.3.2020, p. 5); Regulation (EU) 2020/558 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2020 amending Regulations (EU) No 1301/2013 and (EU) No 1303/2013 as regards specific measures to provide exceptional flexibility for the use of the European Structural and Investments Funds in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, (OJ L 130, 23.4.2020, p. 1).
Amendment 44 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Member States should have the flexibility to allocate the additional resources to new dedicated operational programmes or new priority axes within existing programmes following the consultation with regional and local authorities. In order to allow quick implementation, only already designated authorities of existing operational programmes supported by the ERDF, the ESF, or the Cohesion Fund are allowed to be identified for new dedicated operational programmes. An ex ante evaluation by the Member States should not be required and the elements required for the submission of the operational programme to the Commission’s approval should be limited.
Amendment 48 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) In order to enable Member States to deploy the additional resources for crisis repair quickly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing a green, digital and resilient recovery of the economy within the current programming period, it is justified to exempt, on an exceptional basis, Member States from the need to comply with ex ante conditionalities and requirements on the performance reserve and application of the performance framework, on thematic concentration, also in relation to the thresholds established for sustainable urban development for the ERDF, and requirements on preparation of a communication strategy for the additional resources. It is nevertheless necessary that Member States carry out at least one evaluation by 31 December 2024 to assess the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of the additional resources as well as how they contributed to achieving the goals of the new dedicated thematic objective. To facilitate the availability of comparable information at Union level, Member States are encouraged to make use of the programme-specific indicators made available by the Commission. In addition, wWhile carrying out their responsibilities linked to information, communication and visibility, Member States and managing authorities should enhance the visibility of the exceptional measures and resources introduced by the Union, in particular by ensuring that potential beneficiaries, beneficiaries, participants, final recipients of financial instruments and the general public are aware of the existence, volume and additional support stemming from the additional resources.
Amendment 53 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) With a view to allow the targeting of these additional resources to the geographic areas where they are most needed, as an exceptional measure and without prejudice to the general rules for allocating Structural Funds resources, the additional resources allocated to the ERDF and the ESF are not to be broken down per category of region. However, Member States are expected to take into account the different regional needs and development levels in order to ensure that focus is maintained on less developed regions, in accordance with the objectives of economic, social and territorial cohesion set out in Article 173 TFEU. Member States should also involve local and regional authorities, as well as relevant bodies representing civil society, in accordance with the partnership principles. In its assessment of the REACT-EU implementation, the Commission will evaluate the level of coordination between national authorities and local and regional authorities in defining the scope and the amount of assistance requested under REACT-EU.
Amendment 59 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 92 a – paragraph 2
Article 92 a – paragraph 2
These additional resources for 2021 and 2022 shall constitute external assigned revenues in accordance with Article 21(5) of the Financial Regulation. Based on the statistics and future developments related to recovery from the economic crisis provoked by COVID-19, the decision can be taken to prolong the flexibility measures under REACT-EU to the years 2023 and 2024.
Amendment 64 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
— 2021: EUR 42 43410 820 400 000;
Amendment 66 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 92 b – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – indent 3
Article 92 b – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – indent 3
— 2022: EUR 10 82042 434 400 000.
Amendment 69 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 92 b – paragraph 3
Article 92 b – paragraph 3
3. A minimum of 0.35% of the additional resources shall be allocated to technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission.
Amendment 73 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 92 b – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 6
Article 92 b – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 6
Each Member State shall allocate the additional resources available for programming under the ERDF and the ESF to operational programmes following the consultation with regional and local authorities.
Amendment 76 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 92 b – paragraph 6
Article 92 b – paragraph 6
6. Up to 4% of the totalWhere necessary additional resources under the ERDF and the ESF may be allocated to technical assistance under any existing operational programme supported from the ERDF or the ESF or the new operational programme referred to in paragraph 11. Such additional technical and administrative assistance will serve i.e. as a prevention measure against cohesion policy efforts being compromised by domestic political factors.
Amendment 77 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 92 b – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2
Article 92 b – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2
For the purpose of applying Article 134(2) for the annual pre-financing in the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2023,4 the amount of the support from the Funds for the whole programming period to the operational programme shall include the additional resources.
Amendment 78 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 92 b – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 2
Article 92 b – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 2
Member States may allocate the additional resources either to one or more separate priority axes within an existing operational programme or programmes or to a new operational programme referred to in paragraph 11. By way of derogation from Article 26(1), the programme shall cover the period until 31 December 2022, subject to paragraph 4 above.
Amendment 79 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 92 b – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 3
Article 92 b – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 3
For the ERDF, the additional resources shall primarily be used to support investment in products and services for health services, to provide support in the form of working capital or investment support to SMEs, investments contributing to the transition towards a digital and green economy, investments in infrastructure providing basic services to citizens, and economic measures in the regions which are most dependent on sectors most affected by the crisis. In this context, specific attention must be given to the repairing and building of critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and roads, as a means to accelerate economic recovery and enhance the utility of investments in cohesion policy.
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 92 b – paragraph 10 – subparagraph 3
Article 92 b – paragraph 10 – subparagraph 3
Where such a new operational programme is established, only authorities designated under on-going operational programmes supported by the ERDF, the ESF and the Cohesion Fund may be identified by the Member States for the purposes of point (a) of Article 96(5) following the consultation with regional and local authorities.
Amendment 85 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 92 b – paragraph 11 – subparagraph 2
Article 92 b – paragraph 11 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 96 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1
Annex I – paragraph 1
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Annex VII a – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Annex VII a – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
2. The rules described in paragraph 1 shall not result in allocations per Member State for the whole period 2020 to 20224 higher than