Activities of Carolina PUNSET related to 2016/0325(COD)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the participation of the European Union in a Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) jointly undertaken by several Member States
Amendments (22)
Amendment 44 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Public-public partnerships should aim to develop closer synergies, increase coordination and avoid unnecessary duplication and fragmentation with Union, international, national and regional research programmes, and should fully respect the Horizon 2020 general principles, in particular those relating to openness and transparency.
Amendment 52 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 acknowledges that international cooperation with third countries is necessary to address effectively common challenges. International cooperation in research, science and innovation is a key aspect of the Union’s global commitments and has an important role to play in the Union’s partnership with neighbourhood countries. This cooperation follows the approach taken in the European neighbourhood policy to differentiate the level of cooperation with each country in the neighbourhood based on their commitment towards the Union.
Amendment 57 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) PRIMA aims at implementing a joint programme for the development and the adoption of innovative, multi- dimensional and integrated common solutions for improving the efficiency, safety, security and sustainability of food production and water provision, treatment and reuse in the Mediterranean area based on principles of co-ownership, mutual interest and shared benefit. PRIMA should contribute to the achievement of the recently agreed Sustainable Development Goals and to the forthcoming European Sustainable Development Strategy.
Amendment 64 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) On 23 December 2014, a group of 19 countries of the Mediterranean Area submitted to the Commission a proposal for a Joint Programme initiative 'Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area' (PRIMA). Among these countries, 14 countries have agreed to jointly undertake the PRIMA initiative by committing financial contributions: Cyprus, Czech RepublicGermany, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal and Spain, Member States of the Union; Israel and Tunisia, third countries associated to Horizon 2020; Egypt, Lebanon and Morocco, third countries not associated to Horizon 2020.
Amendment 66 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) PRIMA aims at implementing a joint programme for the development and the adoption of innovative and integrated solutions for improving the efficiency, safety, security and sustainability of food production and water provisionagro- food systems as well as minimization of food losses and agro-food waste and water provision including reuse and treatment of waste water in the Mediterranean area. PRIMA should contribute to the achievement of the recently-agreed Sustainable Development Goals and to the forthcoming European Sustainable Development Strategy.
Amendment 71 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11a) The PRIMA partnership should cover the whole chain from research to innovation, mobilising universities, research and technology institutions, industry, and innovation-driven SMEs.
Amendment 74 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) In order to ensure the joint implementation of PRIMA, an implementation structure should be set up ('PRIMA-IS'). The PRIMA-IS should be the recipient of the Union’s financial contribution and it should ensure the efficient and transparent implementation of PRIMA.
Amendment 78 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) A ceiling should be established for the Union’s contribution in PRIMA with funding from Horizon 2020. Within that ceiling, the Union contribution should be equal to the contribution of the Participating States to PRIMA in order to achieve a high leverage effect and ensure a stronger integration of the Participating States' programmes. It should be possible to use a limited part of the Union contribution to cover administrative costs of the PRIMA-IS. An efficient administration of the programme should be ensured and administrative costs should be kept at minimum.
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) The objective of this Decision is to strengthen the integration and alignment of research and innovation systems and activities in the Mediterranean countries in the fields of water provision and, treatment and reuse, and of food systems. The scale of the research and innovation necessary to address the challenges in the Mediterranean area is immense due to the systemic character of the major bottlenecks. The scope of research and innovation is complex, multidisciplinary and requires a multi-actor and cross-border approach. A collaborative approach with a wide set of Participating States can help to increase the required scale and scope, by pooling financial and intellectual resources. Since the objective can therefore be better achieved at Union level by integrating national efforts into a consistent Union approach, by bringing together compartmentalised national research programmes, by helping design common research and funding strategies across national borders, and by achieving the critical mass of actors and investments required, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Decision does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.
Amendment 91 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 17 a (new)
Recital 17 a (new)
(17a) In achieving its objectives, and in line with the applicable rules and principles, such as the principle of scientific excellence, PRIMA-IS should aim at an appropriate share of around 25% of Union funding reflecting the commitment of Mediterranean partner countries to the programme being provided to legal entities established in targeted third countries considered as Participating States.
Amendment 92 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 17 a (new)
Recital 17 a (new)
(17a) As regards the nature of the research and innovation entities, participation in the programme should be non-discriminatory. Participation of clusters of universities, research centres and SMEs should be promoted.
Amendment 94 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of PRIMA is to develop and promote the adoption of the fully piloted and demonstrated common innovative solutions for water provision and, treatment and reuse, and for food systems in the Mediterranean region, to make them more climate resilient, efficient by reducing losses and waste, cost-effective and ecologically sustainable, and to contribute to solving nutrition, health, well- being and migration problems upstream.
Amendment 94 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) Calls for proposals and reasoned decisions regarding the selection of projects managed by the PRIMA-IS should also be published on the single portal for participants, as well as through other Horizon 2020 electronic means of dissemination managed by the Commission.
Amendment 96 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point i
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point i
(i) the formulation of a stable, long- term, common strategic agenda in the area of water provision and, treatment and reuse, and in the area of food systems;
Amendment 97 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 18 a (new)
Recital 18 a (new)
(18a) The PRIMA-IS should be continuously measuring the effects of projects implemented.
Amendment 101 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) In order to protect the Union's financial interests, the Commission should have the right to reduce, or suspend or terminate the Union’s financial contribution if PRIMA is implemented inadequately, partially or late, or if the Participating States do not contribute, or contribute partially or late, to the financing of PRIMA.
Amendment 103 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) For the purpose of simplification, administrative burden should be reducedstrictly proportionate to the foreseen effects for all parties. Double audits and disproportionate documentation and reporting should be avoided. Harmonised methodology for data collection from the participating states should be set. When audits are conducted, the specificities of the national programmes should be taken into account, as appropriate.
Amendment 106 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) The objective of this Decision is to strengthen the integration and alignment of research and innovation systems and activities in the Mediterranean countries in the fields of water provision and food systemsagro-food systems, minimisation food losses and agro-food waste and water provision including reuse and treatment of waste water. The scale of the research and innovation necessary to address the challenges in the Mediterranean area is immense due to the systemic character of the major bottlenecks. The scope of research and innovation is complex, multidisciplinary and requires a multi-actor and cross-border approach. A collaborative approach with a wide set of Participating States can help to increase the required scale and scope, by pooling financial and intellectual resources. Since the objective can therefore be better achieved at Union level by integrating national efforts into a consistent Union approach, by bringing together compartmentalised national research programmes, by helping design common research and funding strategies across national borders, and by achieving the critical mass of actors and investments required, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Decision does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.
Amendment 109 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. The Union shall participate in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area ('PRIMA') jointly undertaken by [Cyprus, Czech RepublicGermany, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia] ('Participating States'), in accordance with the conditions laid down in this Decision.
Amendment 117 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of PRIMA is to develop the fully piloted and demonstrated common innovative solutions for water provision and food systemsincluding reuse and treatment of waste water and agro-food systems as well as minimization of food losses and agro-food waste in the Mediterranean region, to make them more climate resilient, efficient, cost-effective and sustainable, and to contribute to solving nutrition, health, well-being and migration problems upstream.
Amendment 121 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point i
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point i
(i) the formulation of a stable, long- term, common strategic agenda in the area of water provision and food systemsincluding reuse and treatment of waste water and food systems as well as minimization of food losses and agro-food waste;
Amendment 187 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Where financial guarantees are provided by the Participating States, each one of them shall be liable for a maximum amount less or equal to its financial commitment to the PRIMA programme. The total recovery shall be limited to the maximum amount of EUR 200 000 000.