29 Amendments of Helmut SCHOLZ related to 2017/0007(COD)
Amendment 3 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) In support of the new reform path, a Roadmap for Priority Reforms was agreed between the EU and Moldova following the Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions of 15 February 2016. There has been substantial progress with the implementation of this Roadmap by Moldova, but serious shortcomings still exist with regard to the obligations assumed by mutual agreement under the arrangements for cooperation.
Amendment 6 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Moldova's economic performance improved significantly in 2016 on the basis of stable domestic demand and increased exports to the EU. However, in view of the unsolved problems of corruption in banking, private investment is stagnating. As a result of a restrictive interest rate policy and frozen donor funds, there is still very little room for manoeuvre in public finances. Given that there is still a significant residual external financing gap in Moldova's balance of payments over and above the resources provided by IMF and other multilateral institutions, the Union macro-financial assistance to be provided to Moldova is, under the current exceptionconomic and political circumstances, considered to be an appropriate response to Moldova's request for support to the economic stabilisation, in conjunction with the IMF programme. The Union's macro- financial assistance would support the economic stabilisation and the structural reform agenda of Moldova, supplementing resources made available under the IMF's financial arrangement.
Amendment 8 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The Commission should ensure that the Union's macro-financial assistance is legally and substantially in line with the key principles, objectives and measures taken within the different areas of external action and other relevant Union policies and that the award of grants is conditional on measurable progress in implementing, in particular, the common objectives and reforms referred to in Articles 1 to 4 of the Association Agreement with Moldova.
Amendment 9 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) The Union's macro-financial assistance should support Moldova's commitment to values shared with the Union, including democracy, the rule of law, good governance, respect for human rights, sustainable development and poverty reduction, as well as its commitment to the principles of open, rules-based and fair trade, and should at the same time be conditional on practical results in their implementation within Moldova, inter alia with regard to the creation of transparency concerning decision-making processes in politics and administration, and immediate termination of protracted court cases against political opponents in the country.
Amendment 11 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) A pre-condition for granting the Union's macro-financial assistance should be that Moldova respects effective democratic mechanisms – including a multi-party parliamentary system – and the rule of law, and guarantees respect for human rights. In addition, the specific objectives of the Union's macro-financial assistance should strengthen the efficiency, transparency and accountability of the public finance management systems, ensure an effective fight against corruption and money laundering, the governance and supervision of the financial and banking sector in Moldova and promote structural reforms aimed at supporting sustainable and inclusive growth, employment creation and fiscal consolidation. The Union's macro- financial assistance to Moldova should also include measures to support the implementation of the Association Agreement, including the DCFTA. To ensure that such conditions are properly assessed, it is crucial that they are set out in a verifiable and measurable manner. Both the fulfilment of the preconditions and the achievement of those objectives should be regularly monitored by the Commission and the European External Action Service.
Amendment 12 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) In support of the new reform path, a Roadmap for Priority Reforms was agreed between the EU and Moldova following the Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions of 15 February 2016. There has been substantial progress with the implementation of this Roadmap by Moldova, but serious shortcomings still exist with regard to the obligations assumed by mutual agreement under the arrangements for cooperation.
Amendment 13 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) In order to ensure that the Union’s financial interests linked to the Union’s macro-financial assistance are protected efficiently, Moldova should take appropriate measures relating to the prevention of, and fight against, fraud, corruption and any other irregularities linked to the assistance. In addition, provision should be made for the Commission to carry out checks and for the Court of Auditors to carry out audits and, if the aims and principles of the Association Agreement are disregarded or no practical results are achieved in implementing agreed reforms, for the Commission to make provision for temporary suspension of aid.
Amendment 15 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Moldova's economic performance improved significantly in 2016 on the basis of stable domestic demand and increased exports to the EU. However, in view of the unsolved problems of corruption in banking, private investment is stagnating. As a result of a restrictive interest rate policy and frozen donor funds, however, there is still very little room for manoeuvre in public finances. Given that there is still a significant residual external financing gap in Moldova's balance of payments over and above the resources provided by IMF and other multilateral institutions, the Union macro-financial assistance to be provided to Moldova is, under the current exceptionconomic and political circumstances, considered to be an appropriate response to Moldova's request for support to the economic stabilisation, in conjunction with the IMF programme. The Union's macro-financial assistance would support the economic stabilisation and the structural reform agenda of Moldova, supplementing resources made available under the IMF's financial arrangement.
Amendment 16 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) The Union's macro-financial assistance should be subject to political and economic policy conditions in accordance with Articles 1 to 4 of the Association Agreement, to be laid down in a Memorandum of Understanding. In order to ensure uniform conditions of implementation and for reasons of efficiency, the Commission should be empowered to negotiate such implementation conditions with the Moldovan authorities under the supervision of the committee of representatives of the Member States in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. Under that Regulation, the advisory procedure should, as a general rule, apply in all cases other than as provided for in that Regulation. Considering the potentially important impact of assistance of more than EUR 90 million, it is appropriate that the examination procedure be used for operations above that threshold. Considering the amount of the Union's macro-financial assistance to Moldova, the examination procedure should apply to the adoption of the Memorandum of Understanding, and to any reduction, suspension or cancellation of the assistance,
Amendment 17 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The Commission should ensure that the Union's macro-financial assistance is legally and substantially in line with the key principles, objectives and measures taken within the different areas of external action and other relevant Union policies and that the award of grants is conditional on measurable progress in implementing, in particular, the common objectives and reforms referred to in Articles 1 to 4 of the Association Agreement with Moldova.
Amendment 17 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. The Union shall make macro- financial assistance of a maximum amount of EUR 100 million available to Moldova ("the Union's macro-financial assistance"), with a view to supporting Moldova's economic stabilisation and a substantive reform agenda. Of that maximum amount, up to EUR 650 million shall be provided in the form of loans and up to EUR 450 million in the form of grants. The release of the Union's macro-financial assistance is subject to the approval of the Union budget for the relevant year by the European Parliament and the Council. The assistance shall contribute to covering Moldova's balance of payments needs as identified in the IMF programme.
Amendment 18 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
The release of the Union's macro-financial assistance shall be managed by the Commission in a manner consistent with the agreements or understandings reached between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Moldova, and with the key principles and objectives of economic reforms set out in the EU- Moldova Association Agreement, including the DCFTA, agreed under the European Neighbourhood Policy.
Amendment 19 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
The Commission shall regularly inform the European Parliament and the Council of developments regarding compliance with the agreed conditions for the Union's macro-financial assistance, including disbursements thereof and the use made of them, and shall provide those institutions with the relevant documents in due time.
Amendment 20 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. A pre-condition for granting the Union's macro-financial assistance shall be that Moldova respects effective democratic mechanisms – including a multi-party parliamentary system – and the rule of law, and guarantees respect for human rights, transparency of decision-making processes in politics and administration, takes effective action against the widespread corruption in the country and, as a first step towards the independent administration of justice, ends the protracted court cases against political opponents in the country.
Amendment 21 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission, in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 7(2) and with Articles 1 to 4 of the Association Agreement, shall agree with the Moldovan authorities on clearly defined economic policy and financial conditions, focusing on structural reforms and soundconditions geared to political reforms and stabilisation of the public finances, to which the Union's macro- financial assistance is to be subject, to be laid down in a Memorandum of Understanding ("the Memorandum of Understanding") which shall include a timeframe for the fulfilment of those conditions. The economic policy and financial conditions set out in the Memorandum of Understanding shall be consistent with the agreements or understandings referred to in Article 1(3), including the macroeconomic adjustment and structural reform programmes implemented by Moldova with the support of the IMF.
Amendment 22 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The conditions referred to in paragraph 1 shall aim, in particular, at enhancing the efficiency, transparency and accountability of the public finance management systems in Moldova, including for the use of the Union's macro- financial assistance. PNot only progress in mutual market opening, the development of rules- based and fair trade, and other priorities in the context of the Union's external polic but above all also practical progress with the implementation of social reforms and practical measures to combat corruption, with transparency of decision- making processes in politics and administration and with ending protracted court cases against political opponents in the country shall also be duly taken into account when designing the policy measures. Progress in attaining those objectives shall be regularly monitored by the Commission.
Amendment 23 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) The Union's macro-financial assistance should support Moldova's commitment to values shared with the Union, including democracy, the rule of law, good governance, respect for human rights, sustainable development and poverty reduction, as well as its commitment to the principles of open, rules-based and fair trade, and should at the same time be conditional on practical results in their implementation within Moldova, inter alia with regard to the creation of transparency concerning decision-making processes in politics and administration, and immediate termination of protracted court cases against political opponents in the country.
Amendment 23 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) the satisfactory implementation of the political, economic policy and financial conditions agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding, as assessed using measurable criteria.
Amendment 24 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) A pre-condition for granting the Union's macro-financial assistance should be that Moldova respects effective democratic mechanisms – including a multi-party parliamentary system – and the rule of law, - including independent administration of justice and effective measures against the widespread corruption in the country - and guarantees respect for human rights. In addition, the specific objectives of the Union's macro- financial assistance should strengthen the efficiency, transparency and accountability of the public finance management systems, the governance and supervision of the financial sector in Moldova and promote structural reforms aimed at supporting sustainable and inclusive growth, employment creation and fiscal consolidation. Both the fulfilment of the preconditions and the achievement of those objectives should be regularly monitored by the Commission and the European External Action Service.
Amendment 24 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) indicate the connection between the political and economic policy conditions laid down in the Memorandum of Understanding, Moldova’s on-going social, economic and fiscal performance and the Commission’s decisions to release the instalments of the Union's macro-financial assistance.
Amendment 29 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) In order to ensure that the Union’s financial interests linked to the Union’s macro-financial assistance are protected efficiently, Moldova should take appropriate measures relating to the prevention of, and fight against, fraud, corruption and any other irregularities linked to the assistance. In addition, provision should be made for the Commission to carry out checks and for the Court of Auditors to carry out audits and, if the aims and principles of the Association Agreement are disregarded or no practical results are achieved in implementing agreed reforms, for the Commission to make provision for temporary suspension of aid.
Amendment 31 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) The Union's macro-financial assistance should be subject to political and economic policy conditions in accordance with Articles 1 to 4 of the Association Agreement, to be laid down in a Memorandum of Understanding. In order to ensure uniform conditions of implementation and for reasons of efficiency, the Commission should be empowered to negotiate such implementation conditions with the Moldovan authorities under the supervision of the committee of representatives of the Member States in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. Under that Regulation, the advisory procedure should, as a general rule, apply in all cases other than as provided for in that Regulation. Considering the potentially important impact of assistance of more than EUR 90 million, it is appropriate that the examination procedure be used for operations above that threshold. Considering the amount of the Union's macro-financial assistance to Moldova, the examination procedure should apply to the adoption of the Memorandum of Understanding, and to any reduction, suspension or cancellation of the assistance,
Amendment 37 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
The release of the Union's macro-financial assistance shall be managed by the Commission in a manner consistent with the agreements or understandings reached between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Moldova, and with the key principles and objectives of economic reforms set out in the EU- Moldova Association Agreement, including the DCFTA, agreed under the European Neighbourhood Policy.
Amendment 39 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
The Commission shall regularly inform the European Parliament and the Council of developments regarding compliance with the agreed conditions for the Union's macro-financial assistance, including disbursements thereof and the use made of them, and shall provide those institutions with the relevant documents in due time.
Amendment 46 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. A pre-condition for granting the Union's macro-financial assistance shall be that Moldova respects effective democratic mechanisms – including a multi-party parliamentary system – and the rule of law, and guarantees respect for human rights, transparency of decision-making processes in politics and administration, takes effective action against the widespread corruption in the country and, as a first step towards the independent administration of justice, ends the protracted court cases against political opponents in the country.
Amendment 51 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The conditions referred to in paragraph 1 shall aim, in particular, at enhancing the efficiency, transparency and accountability of the public finance management systems in Moldova, including for the use of the Union's macro- financial assistance. PNot only progress in mutual market opening, the development of rules- based and fair trade, and other priorities in the context of the Union's external polic but above all also practical progress with the implementation of social reforms and practical measures to combat corruption, with transparency of decision- making processes in politics and administration and with ending protracted court cases against political opponents in the country shall also be duly taken into account when designing the policy measures. Progress in attaining those objectives shall be regularly monitored by the Commission.
Amendment 52 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission, in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 7(2) and with Articles 1 to 4 of the Association Agreement, shall agree with the Moldovan authorities on clearly defined economic policy and financial conditions, focusing on structural reforms and soundconditions geared to political reforms and stabilisation of the public finances, to which the Union's macro- financial assistance is to be subject, to be laid down in a Memorandum of Understanding ("the Memorandum of Understanding") which shall include a timeframe for the fulfilment of those conditions. The economic policy and financial conditions set out in the Memorandum of Understanding shall be consistent with the agreements or understandings referred to in Article 1(3), including the macroeconomic adjustment and structural reform programmes implemented by Moldova with the support of the IMF.
Amendment 56 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) the satisfactory implementation of the political, economic policy and financial conditions agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding, as assessed using measurable criteria.
Amendment 66 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) indicate the connection between the political and economic policy conditions laid down in the Memorandum of Understanding, Moldova’s on-going social, economic and fiscal performance and the Commission’s decisions to release the instalments of the Union's macro-financial assistance.