Activities of Carl HAGLUND related to 2011/2019(BUD)
Plenary speeches (2)
2012 draft budget trilogue (debate)
2012 draft budget trilogue (A7-0230/2011 - Francesca Balzani)
Amendments (38)
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is deeply concerned, against this background, by the alarming drop in public investment in the Member States in some of these areas and firmly believes that this trend must be reversed if the EU as a whole is to deliver on the EU 2020 strategy; is of the opinion that the EU budget has an role to play as a leverage tool for Member States’ recovery policies by triggering and supporting national investment to reinforce growth and employment, particularly in the field of R&D; emphasises that this is fully in line with the dynamics of the European Semester, which, as a new mechanism for enhanced European economic governance, aims at increasing consistency, synergies and complementarities between the EU and the national budgets in delivering on the jointly agreed Europe 2020 goals;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights the fact that the proposed figures in the 2012 EU annual budget are consistent with the profile of EU expenditure set in the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2007-2013, provided an agreement of the budgetary authority can be found to a revision of the MFF accommodating the additional financing needs of ITER; emphasises that any increase (or decrease) compared to Budget 2011 must therefore be assessed bearing in mind its impact on the delivery of the multiannual programmes; stresses that this is a question of institutional credibility and coherence of the EU project when EU responsibilities and commitments keep on growing; deeply regrets from this point of view that the Commission did not propose endowing policies and new competencies established at EU level following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty with meaningful and visible financial capacity;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Observes that according to the DB 2012 there is an overall margin of EUR 1 603 million in CA under the 2012 ceiling agreed in the MFF; is determined to make full use of this available margin as well as – if necessary – of other flexibility mechanisms foreseen by the current IIA to support and strengthen certain targeted political objectives, which have not been included in the current MFF; expects Council’s full cooperation as regards the use of these mechanisms;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that a first round of discussions on budgetary priorities has already staken placerted in Parliament in the form of the extensive consultation of its specialised committees by its general rapporteur for the Budget 2012; emphasises that the process must now be fine-tuned in each committee for its respective field of competence so as to identify the positive and negative priorities for the Budget 2012;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes the Commission’s estimate that all in all 43.5% of the DB 2012 (in CA) contributes to the objectives of the EU 2020 strategy; finds this estimate positive but not sufficient; acknowledges that the priorities set by the Commission therefore seem consistent with those defined by Parliament in its resolution on general guidelines for the 2012 Budget, but calls for a more ambitious approach to the funding of the Europe 2020 strategy; is, however, determined to further analyse these figures in full association with all its specialised committees;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Takes the view that, besides the delivery of the EU 2020 strategy, appropriations in the EU 2012 Budget should be kepset at an appropriate level to ensure the continuation of EU policies and the achievement of EU objectives; underlines in particular the need to allow the EU to shoulder its global responsibility, especially in the wake of the Arab Spring and the unrest in the Middle East;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Observes that the Commission has made a first endeavour to identify negative priorities and savings in some policy areas as compared with what was initially foreseen in the financial programming, particularly in those characterised by poor performance and low implementation rates in the recent past; asks the Commission to provide additional information supporting its assessments; notes also that, contrary to previous years, the Commission has frequently departed from its indicative financial programming presented in January 2011; is determined to further check and analyse these proposals before endorsing them and is also willing to assess the possibility for further savings and re-allocations;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes the proposed increase in PA of 4.9% compared to 2011; is convinced that the Commission is proposing such figures on the basis of a careful and critical analysis of forecasts provided by Member States, which themselves co-manage 80% of the EU budget; notes that the bulk of this increase is linked to legal needs arising in relation to the 7th Research Programme and the Structural and Cohesion Funds; is convinced that the proposed level of payments represents the bare minimum required to honour EU legal commitments made in previous years and that it is the EU’s duty to comply with the legal obligations deriving from these commitments; strongly urges the Council, therefore, to refrain from cutting the proposed level of payments;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Observes, moreover, that the overall margin in PA under the ceiling of the MFF remains highamounts at EUR 8 815 million; highlights the fact that any decrease below the figure proposed by the Commission would in turn worsen the situation in relation to the urgent need to reduce the unprecedented level of outstanding commitments (RALs) and to ensure the correct implementation of EU policies and programmesReminds the non-respect by Council of the inter- institutional declaration on payments agreed in December 2010 related to the implementation of Budget 2011; In this context recalls that the draft amending budget 03/2011 shows a budgetary surplus of 4.9 bn Euro in payments in 2010; Deplores the Commission’s proposal to lower the Member States’ contributions by this amount; is of the opinion that such an approach is not good budgeting and will have no impact on the overall deficit level of Member States, while this amount can make a clear difference to the EU’s annual budget; therefore is not ready to give its agreement to the draft amending budget 03/2011;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. WelcomesTakes note of the Commission’s proposal in the DB 2012 to increase CA by 12.6% (to EUR 15 223 million) and PA by 8.1% (to EUR 12 566 million) as compared to Budget 2011, since Heading 1a is the key heading of the MFF 2007-2013 in terms of reaching the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy, thanks to its direct or indirect contribution to the financing of all its five headline targets and the seven flagship initiatives;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Notes with concern, in addition to the proposed EUR 100 million redeployment for ITER, the extra cuts of EUR 64 million made to EC FP7 as compared to the financial programming; regretdemands that the Commission is not proposinges to use all the savings (amounting in total to EUR 190 million) to be made in 2012 thanks to re- assessment of staffing needs and the reduced financial contributions to some Joint Undertakings for the benefit of operational expenditure under the EC FP7;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Points out in this regard to the need to improve the funding conditions for the sustainable energy priorities, energy storage technologies and other priorities under the newly introduced Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan), including energy efficiency, which are vital for meeting the economic, energy and climate challenges; believes that clear goals for sustainable energy policy and energy efficiency can deliver cost-efficient solutions from which the European economy as a whole could benefit; notes also that additional innovative ways of leveraging investments and fostering research and innovation, such as the Risk Sharing Finance Facility (RSFF), could be explored in the frame of the 2012 budgetary procedure;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Stresses that the European Supervisory Authorities have a crucial role to play in safeguarding market stability and that they need to be adequately funded in order for regulatory reforms to be effective; reiterates that one single supervisory authority would be more cost-efficient; welcomes the budget increases proposed for all three authorities as important steps in their build-up procedures, while calling for additional resources for the joint committee; emphasises that any additional tasks entrusted to these authorities must be swiftly accompanied by the corresponding allocation of supplementary resources; underlines, inter alia, that the new responsibilities planned for the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) in the areas of short-selling and derivatives must be promptly reflected in the 2012 budget procedure as soon as the legal bases are in place;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Regrets that with the limited increase foreseen for the PROGRESS programme in the DB 2012 as compared to Budget 2011, the Commission will not be able to reinstate the amount of EUR 20 million for the period 2011-2013 to which it had committed itself in 2010 in order to compensate partially for the redeployment of PROGRESS in favour of the Microfinance Facility; recalls that the PROGRESS programme is an essential pillar of the Europe 2020 strategy, owing in particular to its contribution to the twocontribution of the PROGRESS programme to the two EU 2020 strategy flagship initiatives ‘European Platform against Poverty’ and ‘Youth on the Move’;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes the increase (+ EUR 5.7 million) in the overall level of commitment appropriations for the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework programme compared to what was initially foreseen; hopes that this increase will contribute to improving the access of SMEs to this programme and to developing specific programmes and innovative financial mechanisms; supports, in particular, the sharp increase in payments proposed for the CIP-EIP programme as an indispensable reaction to the positive trend of SMEs recovering from the crisis; notes that the present budgetary request – being based on very recent developments – is to be seen as provisional; stresses, therefore, that there should be a preparedness throughout the 2012 budget process to further increase the payments in this programme if the recovery over the coming months turns out to be stronger than currently foreseen;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Takes the view that, given its high European added value, support for the Lifelong Learning programme should be continued and increased in 2012, because of its strong contribution to the flagship initiatives ‘Youth on the Move’ and ‘Innovation Union’; stresses in particular that, given the growing number of people in adult education in Europe, Grundtvig, which currently represents only 4% of the allocations in the Lifelong Learning Programme, should be reinforced;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Takes the view that, given its high European added value, support for the Lifelong Learning programme should be continued and may be increased in 2012, because of its strong contribution to the flagship initiative ‘Youth on the Move’; stresses in particular that, given the growing number of people in adult education in Europe, Grundtvig, which currently represents only 4% of the allocations in the Lifelong Learning Programme, should be reinforced;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Is concerned about the proposed reduction in appropriations for the Union Statistical Programme and the very limited – below the rate of inflation – increase in staff expenditure in the ‘Statistics’ policy area; emphasises that there is a strong need to continuously make sure that the resources of Eurostat match the expanding workload and the enhanced quality demands in the key area of economic and financial statistics;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Notes that the crisis has clearly highlighted the importance for the strength of government finances of having effective and fraud-proof tax collection systems; stresses that the fight against tax fraud and evasion must be highly prioritised and that the appropriations for Fiscalis must enable the programme to respond to this ambition;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. WelcomesTakes note of the Commission’s decision to include in the DB for the second consecutive year payment appropriations (EUR 50 million) for the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF); underlines the fact that this not only gives higher visibility to the fund but also avoids transfers from other budget lines pursuing different aims and covering different needs; eagerly awaits the presentation of the mid-term review of the EGF Regulation by the Commission as a means of identifying ways to speed up the procedure for mobilising the fund and of simplifying its management rules;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. WelcomesTakes note of the 8.4% increase in PA to EUR 45 134 million proposed for 2012 as compared to 2011, and believes that this increase will allow for programme implementation to catch up quickly following; reminds the very slow start-up of programmes at the beginning of the 2007- 13 period; emphasises that thisany increase should also make it possible to address additional payment needs stemming from the recent legislative changes, the approval of all management and control systems and the closure of the 2000-2006 programmes;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Stresses therefore that thise level of payments is a bare minimum andhas to compliesy fully with realistic budgeting, taking due account of the general payment profile over the period, the Member States’ available forecast in respect of payment claims to be sent to the Commission, and the need to fill the gap between commitments and payments; underlines the fact that these cash flows will also help accelerate the recovery of the European economy and contribute to the Europe 2020 strategy in the regions; will therefore strictly oppose any possible decrease in the level of payments compared to the one proposed by the Commission in its Draft Budget, particularly in view ofreminds Council’s early 2011 reluctance to honour its formal commitment of December 2010 to providing fresh appropriations in case of need;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Asks the Commission to collect demographic data of the beneficiaries of the cohesion policy, the European Social Fund notably, in order to monitor the real impact of the funds provided for human capital development and job market insertion, keeping in mind the particularly worrying problem of youth unemployment;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Asks the Commission to keep on working closely with those Member States with a low absorption rate in order to further improve absorption on the ground; calls, therefore, for the further promotion of mutual learning, exchange of best practices and reinforcement of administrative capacities in certain Member States as well as in candidate countries through paying attention to the proper functioning of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance supporting the countries preparations for the implementation of Community programmes;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Is determined to deeply assess the proposed appropriations for this subheading with regard to the past implementation and absorption rate;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Notes that the DB 2012 proposes to increase commitment appropriations by 2.6% to EUR 60 158 million and payment appropriations by 2.8% to EUR 57 948 million as compared with Budget 2011; underlines that these increases remain below the increase proposed by the Commission for the budget as a whole;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Emphasises that energy efficiency, the fight against climate change and the promotion of renewable energy are transversal priorities that can be financed under several headings of the EU budget, and that Parliament will pay specific attention to their funding, by budget line and overall; urges the Commission to further mainstream such priorities in other policies, including EU financial support to developing countries; takes the view that the proper implementation of the existing legislation on these topics is crucial and therefore asks the Commission to carefully analyse whether more resourcesreallocation of funding in this heading are required in order to examine seriously the implementation of EU environmental legislation, and to report back to Parliament;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Points out that, owing to its political importance, the financing and existing actionsthe overfishing of more than 70 % of European fish stocks, a fundamental reform of the Common Fisheries Policy should be pneeds to be financed; stresserved, not least given its upcoming reforms that it essential for EU and national fisheries funding to be channelled, in a flexible manner, only into activities and measures which are based on ecologically, economically and socially sustainable fisheries; takes the view that the funding of the integrated maritime policy should not be detrimental to that of other fisheries actions and programmes under Heading 2; further considers it crucial to keep on monitoring the size of the European fishing fleet and in particular combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU);
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 a (new)
Paragraph 45 a (new)
45a. Considers putting part of the expenditure related to staff in active employment in the ‘Home Affairs’ policy area in reserve until all elements of the TFTP Agreement have been implemented according to its provisions;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
Paragraph 51
51. Welcomes the ambitionsTakes due note of the Commission in’s proposingal to increase by EUR 8 million, as compared to the initial financial programming, the 2012 allocations for Youth in Action (EUR 134.6 million foreseen in 2012), stresses that thisa programme which constitutes one of the main tools of the ‘Youth on the Move’ flagship initiative and provides support for non-formal learning experiences and the development of active citizenship for young people;
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. RegretNotes that similar efforts are not being proposed for programmes such as MEDIA and Culture 2007, although theywhich contributes greatly to the richness and diversity of European culture and give support to actions which would not be funded by Member States alone;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58
Paragraph 58
58. Is very concerned from this point of view that the proposed margin of EUR 246.7 million for Heading 4, while far above that foreseen by the January 2011 update of the financial programming (EUR 132.2 million), may be insufficient to address the increasingnew needs under Heading 4, since it seems to be based on cuts to some major EU programmes; is determined to further check and analyse the impact of these cuts;
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 a (new)
Paragraph 60 a (new)
60a. Stresses that there is a continuous need for resources to fund the external dimension of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region; reminds that all funds initially foreseen for this purpose in the original DB 2011 were excluded in the second DB;
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63
Paragraph 63
63. Recalls that it will firmly reject any systematic, quasi-automatic and sometimes unconsidered cuts by the other branch of the budgetary authorityIs not opposed by principle to possible savings in administrative expenditure under Heading 4 forat the sole sake of decreasing appropriations, sincecondition that this would not deprive the EU of its means to properly and efficiently implement its programmes;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
Paragraph 67
67. Acknowledges the Commission’s great effort to freeze its own administrative expenditure in nominal terms; notes that this was rendered possible through the offsetting of the increases linked to statutory and contractual obligations against other drastic cuts in other administrative expenditure; is nevertheless concerned about the possible consequences of the latter, for instance those related to training (-11%) and publications (-17% and -2.1% for the Publication Office);
Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69
Paragraph 69
69. Acknowledges the Commission’s efforts not to request any additional posts, but views with scepticism its commitment to meet all its needs, including those relating to new priorities and to the entry into force of the TFEU, merely by means of internal redeployment of existing human resources; wonders in particular where the 230 additional posts for the monitoring of Member States’ economic and financial situation within DG ECFIN are to be redeployed from and what the impact of 70 fewer posts for administrative support and programmes management will be, following redeployments within specific Directorates-Generalmerely by means of internal redeployment of existing human resources;
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69
Paragraph 69
69. Acknowledges the Commission’s efforts not to request any additional posts, but views with scepticism its commitment to meet all its needs, including those relating to new priorities and to the entry into force of the TFEU, merely by means of internal redeployment of existing human resources; wonders in particular where the 230 additional posts for thneeded to ensure the appropriate monitoring of Member States’ economic and financial situation within DG ECFIN are to be redeployed from and what the impact of 70 fewer posts for administrative support and programmes management will be, following redeployments within specific Directorates-General; stresses that the human resources issue is made all the more important by the fact that DG ECFIN may have to be further strengthened to cope with vital additional tasks as soon as the economic governance package has been adopted;
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 76
Paragraph 76
76. Stresses that EU agencies’ budget allocations are far from consisting in administrative expenditure alone, but instead contribute to achieving the Europe 2020 goals and EU objectives in general, as decided by the legislative authority; endorses therefore, in times of austerity, the Commission’s restrictive approach to determining EU decentralised agencies’ subsidies from the EU budget, but disapproves of the use of assigned revenue to reduce the EU Budget contribution to fee-dependent agencies, whichen this is used by the Commission to increase margins artificially;