Activities of Tamás DEUTSCH
Plenary speeches (5)
Continued financial and military support to Ukraine by EU Member States (debate)
Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency (debate)
General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025 – all sections (debate)
The devastating floods in Spain, the urgent need to support the victims, to improve preparedness and to fight the climate crisis (debate)
2025 budgetary procedure: Joint text (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the nomination of Iliana Ivanova as a Member of the Court of Auditors
Institutional motions (2)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the devastating floods in Central and Eastern Europe, the loss of lives and the EU’s preparedness to act on such disasters exacerbated by climate change
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on election of the Commission
Written questions (1)
Preliminary findings against X on breaching the Digital Services Act and a secret deal with other platforms
Individual motions (1)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on enabling Member States to opt-out of EU migration policy
Amendments (1523)
Amendment 31 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes with concern that while inflation has begun to subside compared to previous years’ peaks, its longer term impact on the cost of living, energy and food prices continues to be a burden on households’ purchasing power and companies’ competitiveness and productivity; stresses that, against this background, a combination of policy responses comprising regulatory, fiscal and budgetary measures will have to be deployed to adequately address the broad range of challenges; reminds that the Union budget, in complementarity with the national budgets of the Member States and private finance should play a central rolethat the European Commission failed to adequately address the broad range of challenges; reminds that some Member States already introduced effective policies in this regard; recalls that the EU budget is an investment budget in line with Union’s political priorities and programmes which generates a return on investment and growth possibilities; emphasises that the 2024 European Parliament elections have sent a clear message for more solidarity between Member States and more investments in policies and programmes which improve people’s livechange in EU institutions; highlights that this call mustwas not be answered by ever more budgetary cuts and by a reduction in badly needed resourcesthe European Commission, which clearly failed to help people go through these difficult times;
Amendment 36 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights that the Budget 2025 procedure takes place in a context of institutional changeover where the next Commission’s policy priorities, strategic focus and legislative initiatives and their budgetary implications are not yet know in any detail; stresses that most expenditure programmes of the 2021-2027 financial programming period are finally being executed according to plan and thatexecuted with delays, contrary to the obligation to implement multiannual programmes in a reliable and predictable manner must be squared with; the European Commission failed to address the necessity to swiftly respond to new developments and unforeseen events and crises; highlights that, given the new institutional cycle, cooperation across the institutional settings is crucial as investments and political decisions taken today will shape the EU’s agenda for the next decades and beyond;
Amendment 51 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes note that the Council, in its position which it calls “prudent”, proposes to cut commitment appropriations by EUR 1.52 billion across the MFF headings, leaving a total of EUR 191,527 billion, and reduces payment appropriations by EUR 876 million across the MFF headings; stresses that, by cutting across headings on programme lines to generate additional unallocated margins, the Council’s position may convey an ambiguous message of creating additional availabilities for 2025; underlines that this approach, however, is not in accordance with the reality of current budgetary needs, as these margins are not intended for use in the annual budget 2025;
Amendment 84 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. RegretNotes the Council’s approach to opt for what it calls “prudent” budgeting, creating artificial margins under the MFF ceilings; notes that the Council, in its position on the 2025 budget, and similar to 2024, reduces appropriations dedicated for EURI borrowing costs; points out that the Council’s position to cover only around 35% of the overrun costs by the EURI Special Instrument runs counter to the 50:50 benchmark that the Council itself insisted on during the MFF negotiations; alerts that in order to finance the difference and create additional unallocated margin (mostly in H2b but also in other headings, presumably in view of using it in future years through the SMI), sizeable reductions to a number of flagship programme envelopes have been proposed that have repercussions in 2025 as well as in 2026 and 2027; recalls that the most affected programmes, Horizon Europe, CEF digital and Erasmus, are well-established priorities for the European Parliament and flagship programmes of the Union; highlights that the Council targets for reductions are across several headings and even touch some programmes that were already subject to the MFF redeployments, such as Horizon, reduced by 400 million; or lines that were topped up in previous years, such as Erasmus+, reduced by 295 million, EU4Health or LIFE;
Amendment 92 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Intends, therefore, to restore some of the cuts proposed by Council; to ensure that programmes are properly resourced and that the budget’s flexibility and response capacity are maintained throughout the annual budgetary procedure; insists on the need for the Commission to provide reliable, timely and accurate information on NGEU borrowing costs and on expected Recovery and Resilience Facility disbursements throughout the budgetary procedure; recalls that Parliament is deeply concerned about the impact of the inherent uncertainty for the EURI interest line and questions the forecast from the Commission on NGEU borrowing costs and expected Recovery and Resilience Facility disbursements throughout the budgetary procedure;
Amendment 110 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Condems, that in December 2022 the European Commission decided to exclude the Hungarian universities from the Horizon Europe program, which is inexplicable and devastating, Hungarian students and researchers suffer a competitive disadvantage compared to others; highlights in this regard, that the use and accountability of EU funds has been transparent for decades at Hungarian universities; regrets that Hungarian universities have suffered enormous loss both in reputation and financially due to the inability to contract for tenders already won or submitted; calls on the European Commission to immediately withdraw its discriminative decision;
Amendment 140 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28 a. Highlight that the Hungarian Government conducted a series of negotiations with the European Commission in order for Hungary to be able to access the cohesion funds it is rightfully entitled to; notes that, as a result of the dialogue, Hungary undertook to fulfill a package of measures; condems, that the EC imposes more and more conditions to transfer development funds to Hungary; demands, that the Hungarian cohesion envelope must be protected from the risk of redirecting to other policies or countries and the EC must disburse the financial resources immediately; expects the new European Commission to review the application of the rule of law conditionality rules and to stop the politically selected ideological blackmailing of the Member States.
Amendment 151 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Recalls that programmes under Heading 2b play a key role in ensuring resilience and values by providing support and opportunities for young people through Erasmus+, including the Special Olympics World Games (SOWG) 2025, and through the European Solidarity Corps; reinforcing support for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme; investing in preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer diseases affecting children and improving mental health by increasing EU4Health; investing in skills development; ensuring social security coordination in order to facilitate labour mobility and easier transfer of social security benefits; supporting vulnerable communities, as well as rural, isolated and mountainous areas, social dialogue and trade unions, cultural and creative industries;
Amendment 154 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
Amendment 178 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35 a. Condems, that in December 2022 the European Commission decided to exclude the Hungarian universities, students, teachers and researchers from the mobility programs; highlights that reinforcing mobility opportunities is a clear policy priority in order to solidify Europe’s long-term competitiveness and according to Article 165 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the Union's action in the field of education aims to encourage the mobility of students and teachers and to promote cooperation between educational institutions; regrets that the realization of this goal is obviously opposed by EU decisions that exclude the vast majority of students from a Member State from mobility; calls on the European Commission to immediately withdraw its discriminative decision;
Amendment 183 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
Amendment 201 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Recalls the important role played by the decentralised agencies under Heading 2b; reinforcing funding and staffing levels for the Fundamental Rights Agency, for the European Institute for Gender Equality, the European Labour Authority and the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation in line with the agencies’ identified needs; proposes, furthermore, to reinforce the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in terms of financing and staff to allow the body to fulfil its duties and protect the Union’s financial interests;
Amendment 202 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
Amendment 203 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41 a. Demands that appropriations must be cut for EU propaganda against national sovereignty of Member States and while supports culture and creativity in general, opposes the spread of 'woke' ideology by several media companies across Europe financed by EU funds;
Amendment 238 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Notes that additional financing is needed under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in order to ensure appropriate and speedy implementation of the Asylum and MigratioUnderlines the failure of Union policies in preventing migration flows and human trafficking; reiterates its concerns about the role played by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, which should guarantee the proper implementation of a rigorous asylum policy in Pact; decides, therefore, to reinforce the AMIF by EUR 25 million above DB in 2025 given AMIF’s positive contribution in providing immediate support to refugeescordance with international standards, while blocking illegal immigration and ensuring border controls and an adequate repatriation policy;
Amendment 239 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 a (new)
Paragraph 50 a (new)
50 a. Expects that the AMIF should primarily focus on the strengthening of cooperation with third countries to reduce illegal migratory flows as well as countering irregular migration and ensuring effectiveness of return to and readmission in third countries; Demands that policies linked to legal migration and integration shall be managed at national level;
Amendment 246 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 a (new)
Paragraph 51 a (new)
51 a. Calls on the Commission to immediately mobilise substantial Union funds and means to support Member States in reinforcing external borders protection capabilities and infrastructure such as walls, means of surveillance, including aerial surveillance, and equipment; proposes an increase that shall cover the costs to build physical border barriers that are an essential part of a comprehensive migration policy, which should aim at preventing illegal entry, human smuggling and hybrid attacks, and detaining asylum seekers at the external borders;
Amendment 249 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 b (new)
Paragraph 51 b (new)
51 b. Recognises that some Members States have already spent EUR billions on protecting the EU's external borders, in the case of Hungary this amounts to 2 billion euros, requests these costs to be reimbursed; regrets that while Hungary protects the EU's external border against illegal migration, the European Court of Justice imposed a fine on the country for not letting migrants enter Hungary before a final decision is made on their application; requests the European Commission to use part of the EUR 2 billion due for border protection for Hungary to finance the fine imposed on Hungary by the European Court of Justice.
Amendment 261 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
Paragraph 55
55. Recalls the highly unstable geopolitical situation and international environment around the Union giving rise to greater security and defence challenges since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; is of the conviction that there is no military solution to the conflict and that peace is the only viable and sustainable solution; urges the parties to open diplomatic channels, with the aim of concluding a lasting peace agreement
Amendment 269 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
61. Stresses the importance of the Southern Neighbourhood line in supporting political, economic and social reforms in the region; taking into consideration the increasing humanitarian needs in the region as well as other purposes of regional cooperation in providing assistance to refugees, in particular Syrian and Palestinian refugees, and in enabling support along the southern migration routes; proposes to increase appropriations for the line by EUR 60 milldemands that EU funding in the Palestine territories should have humanitarian relief as primary objective; underlines that beneficiaries of EU support cannot be compromised by terrorist organisations above the DB, including to reinforce funding for UNRWA based on EU regulations and valund extremist groups, and funding should not go to EU- listed terrorist organizations such as Hamas in Gaza; in this context, highlights the need to re-think the role of UNRWA and work on the gradual transition of humanitarian and development activities to non-compromised, impartial organisations and local authorities;
Amendment 286 #
2024/0176(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64 a (new)
Paragraph 64 a (new)
64 a. expects that EU humanitarian assistance shall be able to tackle new challenges, protracted crises requires more financial resources available in order to assist local and support people to stay in their home region; highlights in this context the particular importance to maintain support for education in emergencies, nutrition and access to clean water; demands that EU funding shall enhance cohesion of local societies and mitigate migration, therefore the implementation of EU humanitarian budget needs to involve local actors, providing lifesaving and essential social services in emergency settings;
Amendment 4 #
2024/0089(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 5 #
2024/0089(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. WelcomNotes the fact that the 2023 surplus is considerably lower than the 2022 surplus, pointing to improved budgetary forecasting and management byexistence of a surplus which reflects poor budgetary planning on the part of the Commission;
Amendment 7 #
2024/0089(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Takes note of the calculation of the adjusted annual GNI lump-sum reductions for the five beneficiary Member States, which amount to around EUR 5,4 billion net; highlights the fact that these rebates are inflation-linked and have therefore increased at a higher rate than the MFF ceilings, which are adjusted annually on the basis of the 2 % deflator; stresses that this anomaly increases the burden on the otherCalls for a review of flat-rate reductions to ensure a fairer distribution of the burden between all Member States;
Amendment 11 #
2022/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the robustness of the labour market; highlights the stabilising effect of national short-time work schemes supported by the European instrument for temporary support to mitigate unemployment risks in an emergency (SURE); welcomes the fact that the recovery and resilience facility is mitigating those consequences and contributing to the Union’s competitive sustainability; stresses that its successful implementation requires the completion of milestones and targets, in particular compliance with the rule of law and the general regime of conditionality, to be monitored transparently and thoroughly; welcomes the Commission’s proposal to include a REPowerEU chapter in the national recovery and resilience plans; insists that the financing of REPowerEU must not divert resources away from other EU priorities;
Amendment 27 #
2022/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is concerned at the economic impact of the aforementioned crises on the Union and on national budgets; stresses that crisis response has led Member States to adopt extensive economic measures; highlights the long-term impact of these measures on economic sustainability, but considers that it should be possible to return to a state of economic discipline in the long run; is also concerned at the Union’s increasing debt repayment obligations if not appropriately handled; stresses that no further Union borrowing should not increase further as long as there are no new own resources to cater for debt repaymentbe allowed.
Amendment 35 #
2022/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Expresses its concerns that the EU economic governance framework as a whole is losing its original scope as over the years the European Semester has been overloaded by policies out of its original scope, leading to debates of non-economic nature.
Amendment 39 #
2022/2150(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Highlights the need for better focusing the country specific recommendations, remaining within the remit of EU competences and avoiding double standards. Emphasises the importance of pursuing genuine dialogue between the Commission and the Member States during the entire semester process. This is a pre-condition of ownership and better implementation.
Amendment 6 #
2022/2051(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point 2
Paragraph 1 – point 2
2. Calls therefEmphasises, however, that the frameworek for the revisformulation of the TFEU, in particular its Title II, to ensure that the UnEU’s budgetary policy, its institution is able to react agilely and effectively to challenges and to achieve better democratic accountability of the Union budget, notably by reinforcing Parliament’s role in budgetary decision-making and scrutinynd its instruments should be aligned with the framework provided by the current Treaties;
Amendment 12 #
2022/2051(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new)
2a. Calls for respecting the Treaties and strengthening the adherence to the principles of conferral, subsidiarity and proportionality;
Amendment 13 #
2022/2051(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point 2 b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point 2 b (new)
2b. Calls for the disclosure of all costs incurred to date in organising the Conference on the Future of Europe, the EU budget lines from which the funds were drawn and the way in which they were distributed among the institutions concerned, as well as all costs related to the follow-up to the Conference, including the feedback event;
Amendment 17 #
2022/2051(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 – point 3
Paragraph 2 – point 3
Amendment 23 #
2022/2051(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 – point 4
Paragraph 2 – point 4
Amendment 34 #
2022/2051(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 – point 5
Paragraph 2 – point 5
Amendment 39 #
2022/2051(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 – point 6
Paragraph 2 – point 6
Amendment 18 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that the budget should ensure appropriate financial support for the economies of Ukraine and the Union in the context of the war in order to make the economies and financial systems more resilient, while maintaining funding for the Union's traditional policies, namely the Common Agricultural Policy and Cohesion Policy;
Amendment 24 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for the provision of adequate resources for the coordination and surveillance of macroeconomic policies, for the fight against financial crime, money laundering and tax evasion, for the implementation of the OECD agreement on corporate taxation, for the enforcement of competition law, and for compliance with the economic governance framework;
Amendment 51 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the need to respond to the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic at Union level; recalls that cohesion and agriculture policy cannot be the main source of the financing of urgent priorities, jeopardising the implementation of long-term objectives; calls, on the Commission, in light of limited resources from the Union budget to respond to high energy prices, to analyse potential flexibilities in order in order to support SMEs and vulnerable households;
Amendment 82 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Urges the Commission to finalise the adoption of partnership agreements and programmes; reminds in this respect of the high inflation rates and increasing energy prices, as well as an economic crisis threatening the European Union; calls for all EU funds to be transferred immediately to the Member States without conditions.
Amendment 86 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Reiterates that, despite Parliament’s demands to place the EURI over and above the ceilings, the refinancing costs are paid from within Heading 2b; notes that, in a context of rising interest rates, the line dedicated to the EURI financing costs is likely to be needed in full and needs may well exceed the budgeted amount; deplores the fact that this has a de facto impact on programmes under the same heading by constraining the Commission’s ability to propose above-financial programming reinforcements where they are needed; notes that EURI financing costs should not be taken from special instruments, which are intended to tackle unforeseen challenges, such as the consequences of the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis; reminds in this respect, that cohesion and Common Agricultural Policy cannot be the source of the financing, since this would endanger the implementation of long-term objectives;
Amendment 88 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Points out that implementation of NextGenerationEU programmes after three years of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic is still lagging behind, e.g. only 100 billion euros have been allocated from the Recovery and Resilience Facility; reminds again in this respect of the high inflation rates and increasing energy prices, as well as an economic crisis threatening the European Union; urges the European Commission to accept and immediately start financing the implementation of national recovery plans; calls in this respect for all EU funds to be transferred immediately to the Member States without conditions.
Amendment 118 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Amendment 146 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Emphasises the need to increase funding for Western Balkan countries in the framework of the Instrument for Pre- Accession Assistance to support economic growth and employment and also as a geopolitical priority, especially in the context of Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, which resonated strongly across the region, but insists on the conditionality requirements regarding rule of law for every euro committed in the 2023 budget;
Amendment 31 #
2021/2251(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights that the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is an unprecedented instrument of solidarity and a cornerstone of the NextGenerationEU (NGEU) instrument, ending in 2026, as the main tool in the EU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to prepare the economies of the EU to face the new challenges; reminds that this instrument of solidarity could also be effectively used, in the current Ukrainian crisis situation, by those countries which bear the heaviest burden of the reception of refugees;
Amendment 45 #
2021/2251(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the fact that even if the economic effects of the RRF cannot be fully disentangled from other developments, it seems fair to conclude that, so far, the RRF has had positive effects on gross domestic product (GDP) and that its effective implementation will be key for the EU’s economic growth; recognises that the RRF has helped to cushion EU economies and citizens from the most acute impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and is positively contributing to the EU’s recovery and resilience; reminds in this regard that two countries, namely Poland and Hungary have excelled in terms of GDP growth in 2022; recognizes that Poland's GDP growth was 7,7%,while Hungary's economy grew by 7,1% in this period; highlights that this growth could be even higher, if the NRRP's of these two countries were not blocked because of political reasons;
Amendment 120 #
2021/2251(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Is concerned, howeverTakes note, that only seven Member States have requested loans amounting to a total of EUR 166 billion out of the EUR 385.8 billion available for loans, leaving a considerable amount available should Member States require loans at a later stage; is preoccupied that the limited interest for the loan component may lead to lost opportunities and prevent the RRF from reaching its full potentialreminds in this regard, that some Member States have access to loans with better conditions from international markets;
Amendment 137 #
2021/2251(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Tasks the Commission with analysing the reasons why the Member States have not requested loans to the full extent of their allocation; such analyses should focus on comparing the conditions of loans from international market with RRF conditions, which might be exaggerated;
Amendment 175 #
2021/2251(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the fact that 22 NRRPs have been approved and observes that as of early February 2022, one Member State had not yet put forward its NRRP; further notes that four NRRPs are pending assessment by the Commission; deplores the fact that the adoption of two NRRPs, namely the Polish and Hungarian, are blocked because of political reasons;
Amendment 179 #
2021/2251(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes the fact that the Commission’s assessments concluded that all approved NRRPs address all six pillars of the RRF and satisfactorily fulfil all assessment criteria as set out in RRF Regulation and represent a balanced package of reforms and investments; considers that Member States could have better aligned their NRRPs to the six RRF pillars and the requirements of the RRF Regulationreminds that these criteria are also fulfilled by the Polish and Hungarian RRP's, however their approval is pending on political blackmailing by the European left; deplores that this political blackmailing is damaging the level playing field amongst Member States' economies;
Amendment 187 #
2021/2251(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Reminds the Commission that the rule of law conditionality mechanism is an essential component of the RRF; calls on it to refrain from approving the NRRPs of Poland and Hungary as long as concerns regarding the observance ofstresses that the situation with regard to Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic means that the rRule of lLaw and the prevention and detection of and fight against fraud, conflicts of interest and corruption persist in those counConditionality Mechanism should not be applied; stries, and to ensure that all the measures set out in their plans comply with EU values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Unionses further that all remaining national plans under the Recovery and Resilience Facility should be approved as a matter of urgency;
Amendment 195 #
2021/2251(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Urges the Commission to monitor very carefully the risks to EU financial interests in the implementation of the RRF and any breach or potential breach of the principles of the rule of law; notes that the CJEU has explicitly stated that the Conditionality Regulation is not intended to protect the rule of law, but to protect the EU budget;
Amendment 20 #
2021/2180(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that judicial accountability and prosecutorial and judicial independence are crucial components of the rule of law; calls on the Commission to enforce these core EU values when they are infringed by Member States, while respecting certain legality requirements (such as necessity and proportionality) and the competence of Member States, in order to increase citizens’ trust in the judiciary;
Amendment 33 #
2021/2180(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that emergency regimes and decree-laws were urgently instated by governments in several Member States because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that this has affected the functioning of the national justice systems and the activity of the courts; draws attention to the lack of participation and the non-involvement of certain national parliaments in the decision- making and the closure of parliaments during the pandemic, which has increased the power of governments and has led to a lack of accountability and transparency;
Amendment 38 #
2021/2180(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 91 #
2021/2180(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 33 #
2021/2162(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the number and scope of off-budget instruments have grown significantly in the past decade, and that NGEU has taken this practice to the next level, by greatly, if temporarily, increasing the magnitude of the EU budget in the form of external assigned revenue, and creating liabilities until 2058 through borrowing for lending and borrowing for direct EU expenditure; warnsis of the opinion that these developments may put at risk central budgetary principles such as unity and budgetary accuracy, equilibrium and universality;
Amendment 40 #
2021/2162(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is concerned that these mechanisms pose a serious challenge to the ability of the Parliament to fulfil its decision-making, scrutiny and discharge functions; strongly believes that EU financial rules must be updated as regards the role of the budgetary authority in relation to these mechanisms, in order to bring them closer to the principles and responsibilities set out in the Treaties;
Amendment 49 #
2021/2162(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that Parliament, as one arm of the budgetary authority, should be able to scrutinise and authorise as appropriateinformed in due time about the Commission’s plans with respect to the management of external assigned revenue and of its borrowing and lending operations; suggests that relevant articles of the Financial Regulation, including Articles 7, 46 and 56, be revised to clarify that assets and liabilities linked to borrowing and lending operations are included in the EU budget;
Amendment 54 #
2021/2162(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 60 #
2021/2162(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls forRecommends the revision of reporting requirements on the Commission’s debt management strategy, including maturity and schedule of payments, to adapt them to the increased complexity and risk of borrowing and lending operations;
Amendment 63 #
Amendment 65 #
2021/2162(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
Amendment 81 #
2021/2162(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that it is important to know who benefits from EU funds in order to protect the financial interests of the EU and to detect fraud, corruption and conflicts of interest in particular; notes that data for identifying economic operators and their beneficial owners is not easily, or not at all, accessible12 ; considers that the centralisaggregation of the information in a single, interoperable EU database with information on direct and ultimate beneficiaries would overcome the identified fragmentation and lack of transparency; _________________ 12Study on the largest 50 beneficiaries in each EU Member State of CAP and Cohesion Funds, requested by the CONT Committee, PE 679.107 - May 2021.
Amendment 104 #
2021/2162(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Insists that gender mainstreamingequality between men and women be better reflected in the drafting and implementation of the budget, including through targeted incentives; calls for the systematic and comprehensive collection of data in the context of all EU policies and programmes in order to measure the impact on gender equality between men and women, while avoiding any unnecessary administrative burden; expects the Commission to develop a methodology to measure the relevant expenditure at programme level in the MFF 2021-2027, in line with the IIA; calls on the Commission to consider the integrateion of gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting in the relevant provisions of the Financial Regulation;
Amendment 49 #
2021/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Believes that in contrast to the negative image associated with initiatives taken during the euro crisis of the early 2010s, the response to NGEU shows the merits of a more ambitious, collective and democratic crisis response at EU level; calls on all EU institutions, therefore, to ensure that the political signal given by NGEU lives on, by demonstrating that the EU delivers on its promises and by offering a longer-term political vision;
Amendment 58 #
2021/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines that further investments in EU policies will be necessary to strengthen EU competitiveness and strategic autonomy, in particular regarding industry and climate action; considers, in this regard, that NGEU is a good example of a viable architecture for funding above the MFF ceilings;
Amendment 69 #
2021/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Insists on the need to involve the budgetary authority at all stages of this process; rRecalls that under the Own Resources Decision, the Commission is required to publish a regularly updated plan of expected principal and interest payments, to be discussed with Parliament and Council in the regular interinstitutional meetings on the topic of NGEU;
Amendment 76 #
2021/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Firmly believes that the success of NGEU, and in particular the credibility and sustainability of its financing, will also be assessed against the Union’s ability to repay the common debt with new own resources in the environmental and corporate sector, rather than with increased gross national income-based contributions from the Member Statesmaintain the financing of its traditional policies, namely the Common Agricultural Policy and the Cohesion Policy;
Amendment 78 #
2021/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
Amendment 15 #
2021/0375(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) European political parties and their affiliated European political foundations wishing to obtain recognition as such at Union level by virtue of European legal status and to receive public funding from the general budget of the European Union should respect certain principles and fulfil certain conditions. In particular, it is necessary for European political parties, and their affiliated European political foundations and their respective members in the Union to observe the values on which the Union is founded, as expressed in Article 2 TEU. European political parties and their affiliated European political foundations should also ensure that their member parties and member organisations observe such values.
Amendment 16 #
2021/0375(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) For the purpose of its decisions to register, in order to ascertain that a European political party or a European political foundation complies with its obligations to observe the values on which the Union is founded, as expressed in Article 2 TEU, and that it ensures that its members observe such values, the Authority should rely on a written declaration to be issued by the European political party or European political foundation by using a template attached to this Regulation. The power of the Authority, upon request from the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission, to verify the compliance with such values should however not extend to possible breaches of those values by member parties or member organisations.
Amendment 17 #
2021/0375(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
Recital 30
Amendment 24 #
2021/0375(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
Recital 39
(39) In order to reach out to their members and constituencies across the Union, European political parties should have the right to use their funding for cross-border political campaigns. The funding and limitation of election expenses for parties and candidates in those campaigns should be governed by the rules applicable in each Member State.
Amendment 26 #
2021/0375(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41
Recital 41
(41) European political parties should not fund, directly or indirectly, other political parties and, in particular, national parties or candidates. European political foundations should not fund, directly or indirectly, European or national political parties or candidates. The prohibition of indirect funding should however not prevent European political parties from publicly supporting and engaging with their member parties in the Union on issues of relevance for the Union, or to support political activities in the common interest, to be able to fulfil their mission under Article 10(4) TEU. Moreover, European political parties and their affiliated European political foundations should onlynot finance activities in the context of national referendum campaigns when they concern the implementation of the TEU and the TFEU. These principles reflect Declaration No 11 on Article 191 of the Treaty establishing the European Community annexed to the Final Act of the Treaty of Nice.
Amendment 42 #
2021/0375(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e
Amendment 43 #
2021/0375(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d
Amendment 44 #
2021/0375(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point j
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point j
Amendment 47 #
2021/0375(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 4
Article 21 – paragraph 4
Amendment 51 #
2021/0375(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 5 – introductory part
Article 23 – paragraph 5 – introductory part
5. For all donations the value of which exceeds EUR 3 01 500, European political parties and European political foundations shall request donors to provide the necessary information for their proper identification. European political parties and European political foundations shall transmit the information received to the Authority upon its request.
Amendment 63 #
2021/0375(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2
Article 24 – paragraph 2
Amendment 65 #
2021/0375(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 3
Article 24 – paragraph 3
3. Expenditure linked to the campaigns referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be clearly identified as such by the European political parties in their annual financial statements.
Amendment 69 #
2021/0375(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2 – point a – point ii
Article 30 – paragraph 2 – point a – point ii
(ii) in the event of non-compliance with the commitments entered into and the information provided by a European political party or European political foundation in accordance with Article 4(1), points (a), (b), (d), (e), (f), (i) and (ji) and with Article 6(1), points (a), (b), (d) and (e);
Amendment 70 #
2021/0375(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2 – point a – point ix
Article 30 – paragraph 2 – point a – point ix
Amendment 78 #
2021/0375(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Annex I – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
[name of the European political party or European political foundation] and its members having their seat inside the European Union areis committed to comply with the conditions for registration laid down in Article 3(1), points (d) and (e), or Article 3(2), points (c) and (d), of [this Regulation], i.e. to observe, in particular in its programme and in its activities, the values on which the Union is founded, as expressed in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, namely respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.
Amendment 79 #
2021/0375(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Annex I – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 7 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) As long as a significant number of the Union’s international partners have policy approaches that do not result inachieve the same level of climate ambition, there is a risk of carbon leakage, which would undermine the Union’s competitiveness. Carbon leakage occurs if, for reasons of costs related to climate policies, businesses in certain industry sectors or subsectors were to transfer production to other countries or imports from those countries would replace equivalent but less GHG emissions intensive products on the internal market, as well as export markets, or investment into such sectors and subsectors would predominantly flow to such countries and not the Union. That cwould lead to an increase in their total emissions globally, thus jeopardising the reduction of GHG emissions that is urgently needed if the world is to keep the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre- industrial levels.
Amendment 9 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The initiative for a carbon border adjustment mechanism (‘CBAM’) is a part of the ‘Fit for 55 Package’. That mechanism is to serve as an essential element of the EU toolbox to meet the objective of a climate-neutral Union by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement by addresspreventing risks of carbon leakage resulting from the increased Union climate ambition. on the internal market, export markets as well as investment leakage.
Amendment 11 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Existing mechanisms to address the risk of carbon leakage in sectors or sub- sectors at risk of carbon leakage are the transitional free allocation of EU ETS allowances and financial measures to compensate for indirect emission costs incurred from GHG emission costs passed on in electricity prices respectively laid down in Articles 10a(6) and 10b of Directive 2003/87/EC. However, free allocation under the EU ETS weakens the price signal that the system provides for the installations receiving it compared to full auctioning and thus affects the incentives for investment into further abatement of emissions.
Amendment 12 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The CBAM seeks to progressively replace these existing mechanisms by addressing the risk of carbon leakage in a different way, namely by ensuring equivalent carbon pricing for imports and domestic products. The legislative framework should cumulatively ensure that a mechanism is included to provide effective carbon leakage protection, also addressing export markets, as well as a net positive impact on global GHG emissions rather than EU emissions only. To ensure a gradual transition from the current system of free allowances to the CBAM, the CBAM should be progressively phased in while free allowances in sectors covered by the CBAM are phased out, but this transition shall not start before 2030 and only after the EC has tested and verified the effectiveness of the CBAM regulation in terms of protection from the risk of carbon leakage. The combined and transitional application of EU ETS allowances allocated free of charge and of the CBAM should in no case result in more favourable treatment for Union goods compared to goods imported into the customs territory of the Union.
Amendment 15 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) While the objective of the CBAM is to prevent the risk of carbon leakage, from the internal market, export markets, and investment leakage, this Regulation would alsot the same time encourage the use of more GHG emissions-efficient technologies by producers from third countries, so that less emissions per unit of output are generated. Encouraging emission reductions in third countries is the most effective way of avoiding the risk of carbon leakage.
Amendment 23 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) The GHG emissions to be regulated by the CBAM should correspond to those GHG emissions covered by Annex I to the EU ETS in Directive 2003/87/EC, namely carbon dioxide (‘CO2’) as well as, where relevant, nitrous oxide (‘N2O’) and perfluorocarbons (‘PFCs’). The CBAM should initially apply to direct emissions of those GHG from the production of goods up to the time of import into the customs territory of the Union, and after the end of a transitional period and upon further assessment, as well to indirect emissions, mirroring the scope of the EU ETS, once the impact on all aspects of carbon leakage for energy- intensive sectors of applying CBAM to indirect emissions with eventual withdrawal of indirect EU ETS compensation is fully analysed and measures to avoid such leakage are securely in place.
Amendment 26 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
Recital 33
(33) Similar technical constraints apply to refinery products, for which it is not possible to unambiguously assign GHG emissions to individual output products. At the same time, the relevant benchmark in the EU ETS does not directly relate to specific products, such as gasoline, diesel or kerosene, but to all refinery output. Due to these constraints, refinery products should be eligible to be included in the scope only if an unambiguous, verifiable and effective methodology is developed in close cooperation with all stakeholders concerned.
Amendment 27 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38 a (new)
Recital 38 a (new)
(38 a) The Commission should prepare a report before the end of the transitional period on the impact of CBAM on downstream sectors, in particular regarding the potential increase in costs of production and increase of cost of input materials and the ability of such sectors to pass any such increases to their customers. The Commission should propose measures to address any negative impact of CBAM on the competitiveness of the Union downstream sectors.
Amendment 37 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
3. The mechanism will progressively become an alternative toCBAM can complement the mechanisms established under Directive 2003/87/EC to prevent the risk of carbon leakage, notably the allocation of allowances free of charge in accordance with Article 10a of that Directive.
Amendment 42 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 6
Article 7 – paragraph 6
6. The Commission is empowered toshall adopt implementing acts concerning detailed rules regarding the elements of the calculation methods set out in Annex III, including determining system boundaries of production processes, emission factors, installation- specific values of actual emissions and default values and their respective application tocountry-specific default values for individual goods in Annex I as well as laying down methods to ensure the reliability of data on the basis of which the actual emissions and default values shall be determined, including the level of detail and the verification of the data. Adoption of the implementing acts shall be preceded by public consultations with exporters, importers, third country governments, and other relevant stakeholders. Where necessary, those acts shall provide that the default values can be adapted to particular areas, regions or countries to take into account specific objective factors such as geography, natural resources, market conditions, prevailing energy sources, or industrial processes. The implementing acts shall build upon existing legislation for the verification of emissions and activity data for installations covered by Directive 2003/87/EC, in particular Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2018/2067.
Amendment 53 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 a (new)
Article 29 a (new)
Article 29 a Article 29 a Measures in case of unforeseen damages The Commission shall in a timely manner establish an effective compensation mechanism, according to the procedures established in articles 28 and 29, for damages caused by unforeseen reactions of third countries as a result of the implementation of the CBAM regulation.
Amendment 55 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2
Article 30 – paragraph 2
2. Before the end of the transitional period, the Commission shall present a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of this Regulation. The report shall contain, in particular, an in-depthe assessment - developed in close cooperation with the stakeholders concerned, of the possibilities to further extend the scope of embedded emissions to indirect emissions and to other goods at risk of carbon leakage than those already covered by this Regulation, as well as an assessment of the governance system. It shall also contain the assessment of the possibility to further extend the scope to embedded emissions of transportation services as well as to goods further down the value chain and services that may be subject to the risk of carbon leakage in the future.
Amendment 56 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 a (new)
Article 30 a (new)
Article 30 a 1. For the years from 2026 to 2030 the Commission shall set forth an adequate monitoring and reporting system to collect data allowing to test the effectiveness of the CBAM in ensuring an equivalent treatment for imports and domestic goods and protecting from the risk of carbon leakage. For the same years the Commission shall also assess, in cooperation with the industrial sectors exposed to carbon leakage, different possible mechanisms to address the export exposure of the EU products. 2. In 2029 the Commission shall present a report to the European Parliament and the Council regarding the effectiveness of the CBAM. The report shall also include the selected option to address the export exposure. 3. The report by the Commission shall, if appropriate, be accompanied by a legislative proposal to include the selected option for export.
Amendment 9 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The EU ETS should incentivise production from installations that partly or fully reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the description of some categories of activities in Annex I to Directive 2003/87/EC should be amended to ensure an equal treatment of installations in the sectors concerned. In addition, free allocation for the production of a product should be independent of the nature of the production process. It is therefore necessary to modify the definition of the products and of the processes and emissions covered for some benchmarks to ensure a level playing field for new and existing technologies. It is also necessary to decouple the update of the benchmark values for refineries and for hydrogen to reflect the increasing importance of production of hydrogen outside the refineries sector.
Amendment 12 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) Achieving the increased climate ambition will require substantial public resources in the EU as well as national budgets to be dedicated to the climate transition. To complement and reinforce the substantial climate-related spending in the EU budget, all auction revenues that are not attributed to the Union budget should be used for climate-related purposes. This includes the use for financial support to address social aspects in lower- and middle-income households by reducing distortive taxes. Further, to address distributional and social effects of the transition in low-income Member States, an additional amount of 2,54 % of the Union-wide quantity of allowances from [year of entry into force of the Directive] to 2030 should be used to fund the energy transition of the Member States with a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita below 65 % of the Union average in 2016- 2018, through the Modernisation Fund referred to in Article 10d of Directive 2003/87/EC.
Amendment 20 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), established under Regulation (EU) […./..] of the European Parliament and of the Council51 , is an alternative to free allocation to address the risk of carbon leakage. To the extent that sectors and subsectors are covered by that measure, they should not receive free allocation. However, a transitional phasing-out of free allowances is needed to allow producers, importers and traders to adjust to the new regime. The reduction of free allocation should be implemented by applying a factor to free allocation for CBAM sectors, while the CBAM is phased in. Sufficient safeguards should nevertheless be provided for the products intended for exports and their producers. This percentage (CBAM factor) should be equal to 100 % during the transitional period between the entry into force of [CBAM Regulation] and 2025, 90 % in 2026 and should be reduced by 10 percentage points each year to reach 0 % and thereby eliminate free allocation by the tenth year. The relevant delegated acts on free allocation should be adjusted accordingly for the sectors and subsectors covered by the CBAM taking into account the need to maintain free allowances for the products that are exported. The free allocation no longer provided to the CBAM sectors based on this calculation (CBAM demand) must be auctioned and the revenues will accrue to the Innovation Fund, so as to support innovation in low and zero carbon technologies, carbon capture and utilisation (‘CCU’), carbon capture and geological storage (‘CCS’), renewable energy and energy storage, in a way that contributes to mitigating climate change. Special attention should be given to projects in CBAM sectors. To respect the proportion of the free allocation available for the non- CBAM sectors, the final amount to deduct from the free allocation and to be auctioned should be calculated based on the proportion that the CBAM demand represents in respect of the free allocation needs of all sectors receiving free allocation. _________________ 51 [please insert full OJ reference]
Amendment 22 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 33
Recital 33
(33) The scope of the Innovation Fund referred to in Article 10a(8) of Directive 2003/87/EC should be extended to support innovation in low-carbon technologies and processes that concern the consumption of fuels in the sectors of buildings and road transport. In addition, the Innovation Fund should serve to support investments to decarbonise the maritime transport sector, including investments in sustainable alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and ammonia that are produced from renewables, as well as zero-emission propulsion technologies like wind technologies. Considering that revenues generated from penalties raised in Regulation xxxx/xxxx [FuelEU Maritime]52 are allocated to the Innovation Fund as external assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(5) of the Financial Regulation, the Commission should ensure that due consideration is given to support for innovative projects aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of renewable and low carbon fuels in the maritime sector, as specified in Article 21(1) of Regulation xxxx/xxxx [FuelEU Maritime]. To ensure sufficient funding is available for innovation within this extended scope, the Innovation Fund should be supplemented with 50 million allowances, stemming partly from the allowances that could otherwise be auctioned, and partly from the allowances that could otherwise be allocated for free, in accordance with the current proportion of funding provided from each source to the Innovation Fund. Projects supported from the Innovation Fund should respect the principle of geographical balance. _________________ 52 [add ref to the FuelEU Maritime Regulation].
Amendment 23 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 35
Recital 35
(35) Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCDs) are an important element to trigger emission reductions in industry, offering the opportunity to guarantee investors in innovative climate-friendly technologies a price that rewards CO2 emission reductions above those induced by the current price levels in the EU ETS. The range of measures that the Innovation Fund can support should be extended to provide support to projects through price- competitive tendering, such as CCDs and respect the principle of geographical balance. The Commission should be empowered to adopt delegated acts on the precise rules for this type of support.
Amendment 24 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 38
Recital 38
(38) The scope of the Modernisation Fund should be aligned with the most recent climate objectives of the Union by requiring that investments are consistent with the objectives of the European Green Deal and Regulation (EU) 2021/1119, and eliminating the support to any investments related to solid fossil fuels. In addition, the percentage of the Modernisation Fund that needs to be devoted to priority investments should be increased to 80 %; energy efficiency should be targeted as a priority area at the demand side; and support of households to address energy poverty, including in rural and remote areas, should be included within the scope of the priority investments.
Amendment 25 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 43
Recital 43
Amendment 29 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 47
Recital 47
Amendment 31 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 48
Recital 48
Amendment 32 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 49
Recital 49
Amendment 33 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 50
Recital 50
Amendment 34 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 51
Recital 51
Amendment 38 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 52
Recital 52
(52) The introduction of the carbon price in road transport and buildingscreased costs of the green transition should be accompanied by effective social compensation, especially in view of the already existing levels of energy poverty. About 34 million Europeans reported an inability to keep their homes adequately warm in 2018, and 6,9 % of the Union population have said that they cannot afford to heat their home sufficiently in a 2019 EU-wide survey60 . To achieve an effective social and distributional compensation, Member States should be required to spend the auction revenuesreceive additional funding to spend on the climate and energy-related purposes already specified for the existing emissions trading, but also for measures added specifically to address related concerns for the new sectors of road transport and buildings, including related policy measures under Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council61 . Auction revenuThese resources should be used to address social aspects of the emission trading for the new sectorsgreen transition with a specific emphasis in vulnerable households, micro-enterprises and transport users. In this spirit, a new Social Climatestrengthened and expanded Modernisation Fund willould provide dedicated funding to Member States to support the European citizens most affected or at risk of energy or mobility poverty. This Fund willwill further promote fairness and solidarity between and within Member States while mitigating the risk of energy and mobility poverty during the transition. It will build on and complement existing solidarity mechanisms. The resources of the new Fund will in principle correspond to 25 % of the expected revenues from new emission trading in the period 2026-2032, and will be implemented on the basis of the Social Climate Plans thatIn addition, each Member States should put forward under Regulation (EU) 20…/nn of the European Parliament and the Council62 . In addition, each Member State should use their auction revenuesuse their resources as well inter alia to finance a part of the costs of their Social Climate Plansrelated to the green transition. _________________ 60 Data from 2018. Eurostat, SILC [ilc_mdes01]. 61 Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC (OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, p. 1–56). 62 [Add ref to the Regulation establishing the Social Climate Fund].
Amendment 42 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 54
Recital 54
Amendment 44 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 55
Recital 55
Amendment 46 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 56
Recital 56
(56) For emissions trading in the buildings and road transport sectors to bTo ensure effectiveness, it should be possible to monitor emissions with high certainty and at reasonable cost. Emissions should be attributed to regulated entities on the basis of fuel quantities released for consumption and combined with an emission factor. Regulated entities should be able to reliably and accurately identify and differentiate the sectors in which the fuels are released for consumption, as well as the final users of the fuels, in order to avoid undesirable effects, such as double burden. To have sufficient data to establish the total number of allowances for the period from 2028 to 2030, the regulated entities holding a permit at the start of the system in 2025 should report their associated historical emissions for 2024.
Amendment 47 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 57
Recital 57
Amendment 48 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 58
Recital 58
Amendment 49 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 59
Recital 59
Amendment 50 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 60
Recital 60
(60) In order to adopt non-legislative acts of general application to supplement or amend certain non-essential elements of a legislative act, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of Articles 10(4) and 10a(8) of that Directive. Moreover, to ensure synergies with the existing regulatory framework, the delegation in Articles 10(4) and 10a(8) of Directive 2003/87/EC should be extended to cover the sectors of road transport and buildings. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. In accordance with the Joint Political Declaration of 28 September 2011 of Member States and the Commission on explanatory documents66 , Member States have undertaken to accompany, in justified cases, the notification of their transposition measures with one or more documents explaining the relationship between the components of a directive and the corresponding parts of national transposition instruments. With regard to this Directive, the legislator considers the transmission of such documents to be justified _________________ 66 OJ C 369, 17.12.2011, p. 14.
Amendment 51 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 63
Recital 63
(63) Furthermore, in order to ensure that the level of allowances that remains in the Market Stability Reserve after the invalidation is predictable, the invalidation of allowances in the reserve should no longer depend on the auction volumes of the previous year. The number of allowances in the reserve should, therefore, be fixed at a level of 42000 million allowances, which corresponds to the lower threshold for the value of the TNAC.
Amendment 52 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 66
Recital 66
Amendment 53 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10a
Article 10a
1. This Directive shall apply to the activities listed in Annexes I and III, and to the of greenhouse gases listed in Annex II. Where an installation that is included in the scope of the EU ETS due to the operation of combustion units with a total rated thermal input exceeding 20 MW changes its production processes to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and no longer meets that threshold, it shall remain in the scope of the EU ETS until the end of the relevant five year period referred to in Article 11(1), second subparagraph, following the change to its production process.
Amendment 54 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
(1 a) In Article 1, paragraph 5a is replaced by the following: "5a. Unless otherwise decided in the first review carried out in accordance with Article 3, from 2023 allowances held in the reserve above 2000 million allowances shall no longer be valid.
Amendment 55 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point a
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10a
Article 10a
In addition, 2,54 % of the total quantity of allowances between [year following the entry into force of the Directive] and 2030 shall be auctioned for the Modernisation Fund. The beneficiary Member States for this amount of allowances shall be the Member States with a GDP per capita at market prices below 65 % of the Union average during the period 2016 to 2018. The funds corresponding to this quantity of allowances shall be distributed in accordance with Part B of Annex IIb.
Amendment 58 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point a
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10a
Article 10a
Amendment 65 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point b a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point b a (new)
(b a) The ban on giving free allocation to the production of these products, set out in the first subparagraph shall not apply to any part of the production of these products that is exported to third countries that do not have a carbon pricing mechanism similar or equivalent to the EU ETS.
Amendment 66 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point g
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point g
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10a Paragraph 8
Article 10a Paragraph 8
The Innovation Fund shall cover the sectors listed in Annex I and Annex III, including environmentally safe carbon capture and utilisation (“CCU”) that contributes substantially to mitigating climate change, as well as products substituting carbon intensive ones produced in sectors listed in Annex I, and to help stimulate the construction and operation of projects aimed at the environmentally safe capture and geological storage (“CCS”) of CO2, as well as of innovative renewable or low carbon energy and energy storage technologies; in geographically balanced locations. The Innovation Fund may also support break- through innovative technologies and infrastructure to decarbonise the maritime sector and for the production of low- and zero-carbon fuels in aviation, rail and road transport. Special attention shall be given to projects in sectors covered by the [CBAM regulation] to support innovation in low carbon technologies, CCU, CCS, renewable energy and energy storage, in a way that contributes to mitigating climate change.
Amendment 67 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point g
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point g
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10a
Article 10a
Amendment 68 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point g
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point g
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10a
Article 10a
The Commission shall ensure that the allowances destined for the Innovation Fund are auctioned in accordance with the principles and modalities laid down in Article 10(4), as well as with the principle of geographical balance. Proceeds from the auctioning shall constitute external assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(5) of the Financial Regulation. Budgetary commitments for actions extending over more than one financial year may be broken down over several years into annual instalments.
Amendment 69 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 14 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 14 – point a
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10d
Article 10d
The investments supported shall be consistent with the aims of this Directive, as well as the objectives of the Communication from the Commission of 11 December 2019 on The European Green Deal (*) and Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council (**) and the long-term objectives as expressed in the Paris Agreement. No support from the Modernisation Fund shall be provided to energy generation facilities that use solid fossil fuels.”;
Amendment 71 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 14 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 14 – point b
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10d Paragraph 2
Article 10d Paragraph 2
(a) the generation and use of electricity from renewable sources and from low- carbon fuels where it is replacing a more carbon-intensive system;
Amendment 72 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 14 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 14 – point b
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10d Paragraph 2
Article 10d Paragraph 2
(b) heating and cooling from renewable sources and from low-carbon fuels when it is replacing a more carbon-intensive system ;
Amendment 73 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 20 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 20 a (new)
(20 a) Article 29a of Directive 2003/87/EC is replaced by the following: "Article 29a Measures in the event of excessive price fluctuations If in a calendar month the average allowance price on the European carbon market is more than two times the average price of allowances during the five months period centred by the month two years prior to that month, 150 million allowances shall be automatically released from the market stability reserve established by Decision (EU) 2015/1814 and shall be auctioned according to Article 10 of this Directive during the second, third and fourth months following the month in which that criteria was met. The respective auctioning amounts for each of the three months shall be evenly distributed. If the amount of the allowances contained in the reserve is less than 150 million, all allowances in the reserve shall be released.
Amendment 74 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 21
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 21
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 30
Article 30
Amendment 27 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Those amendments have differing economic and social impacts on the different sectors of the economy, on the citizens, and the Member States. In particular, the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and road transport into the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and the Council31 should provide an additional economic incentive to invest into the reduction of fossil fuel consumption and thereby accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Combined with other measures, this should, in the medium to long term, reduce the costs for buildings and road transport, and provide new opportunities for job creation and investment. _________________ 31 Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a system for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Union (OJ L 275, 25.10.2003, p. 32)Combined with other measures, this should, in the medium to long term, provide necessary resources for Member States to achieve the increased climate targets and provide new opportunities for job creation and investment.
Amendment 30 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) However, resources are needed to finance those investments. In addition, before they have taken place, the cost supported by households and transport users for heating, cooling and cooking, as well as for road transport, is likely to increase as fuel suppliers subject to the ob related to the increased cligmations under the emission trading for buildings and road transport pass on costs on carbon to the consumerse ambition.
Amendment 33 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
Amendment 39 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) A Social Climate (‘the Fund’) should therefore be established to provide funds to the Member States to support their policies to address the social impacts of the emissions trading for buildings and road transport on vulnerable households, vulnerable micro-enterprises and vulnerable transport usersincreased climate ambition. This should be achieved notably through temporary income support and measures and investments intended to reduce reliance on fossil fuels through increased energy efficiency of buildings, decarbonisation of heating and cooling of buildings, including the integration of energy from renewable sources, and granting improved access to zero- and low-emission mobility and transport to the benefit of vulnerable households, vulnerable micro-enterprises and vulnerable transport users.
Amendment 50 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Ensuring that the measures and investments are particularly targeted towards energy poor or vulnerable households, vulnerable micro-enterprises and vulnerable transport users is key for a just transition towards climate neutrality. Support measures to promote reductions in greenhouse gas emissions should help Member States to address the social impacts arising from the emissions trading for the sectors of buildings and road transportincreased climate ambition.
Amendment 54 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) Pending the impact of those investments on reducing costs and emissions, well targeted direct income support for the most vulnerable would help the just transition. Such support should be understood to be a temporary measure accompanying the decarbonisation of the housing and transport sectors. It would not be permanent as it does not address the root causes of energy and transport poverty. Such support should only concern direct impacts of the inclusion of building and road transport into the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC, not electricity or heating costs related to the inclusion of power and heat production in the scope of that Directivederiving from the increased climate ambition. Eligibility for such direct income support should be limited in time.
Amendment 58 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) Taking into account the importance of tackling climate change in line with Paris Agreement commitments, and the commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the actions under this Regulation should contribute to the achievement of the target that 30% of all expenditure under the 2021- 2027 multiannual financial framework should be spent on mainstreaming climate objectives and should contribute to the ambition of providing 10% of annual spending to biodiversity objectives in 2026 and 2027, while considering the existing overlaps between climate and biodiversity goals. For this purpose, the methodology set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council33 should be used to tag the expenditures of the Fund. The Fund should support activities that fully respect the climate and environmental standards and priorities of the Union and comply with the principle of ‘do no significant harm’ within the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council34 . Only such measures and investments should be included in the Plans. Direct income support measures should as a rule be considered as having an insignificant foreseeable impact on environmental objectives, and as such be considered compliant with the principle of ‘do no significant harm’. The Commission intends to issue technical guidance to the Member States well ahead of the preparation of the Plans. The guidance will explain how the measures and investments must comply with the principle of ‘do no significant harm’ within the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852. The Commission intends to present in 2021 a proposal for a Council Recommendation on how to address the social aspects ofReplacing coal- fired boilers with less emitting gas-boilers or hybrid heat pumps as the most cost- effective method of reducing emissions in the group of poorest households in certain Member States should also be considered as not having a significant impact on these objectives and deemed compliant with the gaforemen transitiontioned principle. _________________ 33 Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159). 34 Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2020 on the establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment, and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 (OJ L 198, 22.6.2020, p. 13).
Amendment 62 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) Women are particularly affected by carbon pricing as they represent 85% of single parent families. Single parent families and large families have a particularly high risk of child poverty. Gender equality and equal opportunities for all, and the mainstreaming of those objectives, as well as questions of accessibility for persons with disabilities should be taken into account and promoted throughout the preparation and implementation of Plans to ensure no one is left behind.
Amendment 68 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) The Union should support Member States with financial means to implement their Plans through the Social Climate Fund. Payments from the Social Climate Fund should be made conditional onlead to the achievement of the milestones and targets included in the Plans. This would allow efficiently taking into account national circumstances and priorities while simplifying financing and facilitating its integration with other national spending programmes while guaranteeing the impact and the integrity of EU spending.
Amendment 75 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) The financial envelope of the Fund should, in principle, be commensurate to amounts corresponding to 25% of the expected revenues from the inclusion of buildings and road transport into the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC in the period 2026-2032. Pursuant to Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2020/205341, Member States should make those revenues available to the Union budget as own resources. Member States are to finance 50% of the total costs of their Plan themsel' contribution should be based on a thorough impact assessment taking into consideration their different starting points and income levels. For this purpose, as well as for investment and measures to accelerate and alleviate the required transition for citizens negatively affected, Member States should inter alia use their expected revenues from emissions trading for buildings and road transport under Directive 2003/87/EC for that purposeadditional funding should be provided. _________________ 41 Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2020/2053 of 14 December 2020 on the system of own resources of the European Union and repealing Decision 2014/335/EU, Euratom (OJ L 424, 15.12.2020, p. 1).
Amendment 85 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) Horizontal financial rules adopted by the European Parliament and the Council pursuant to Article 322 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union apply to this Regulation. Those rules are laid down in Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 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 pursuant to Article 322 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union also include a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union’s budget.
Amendment 88 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
The measures and investments supported by the Fund shall benefit households, micro-enterprises and transport users, which are vulnerable and particularly affected by the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and road transport into the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC, especially households in energy poverty and citizens without public transport alternative to individual cars (in remote and rural areas)increased by climate ambition.
Amendment 95 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 4
Article 1 – paragraph 4
The general objective of the Fund is to contribute to the transition towards climate neutrality by addressing the social impacts of the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and road transport into the scope of Directive 2003/87/ECreased climate ambition. The specific objective of the Fund is to support vulnerable households, vulnerable micro- enterprises and vulnerable transport users through temporary direct income support and through measures and investments intended to increase energy efficiency of buildings, decarbonisation of heating and cooling of buildings, including the integration and storage of energy from renewable sources, and granting improved access to zero- and low-emission mobility and transport.
Amendment 98 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) ‘building renovation’ means all kinds of energy-related building renovation, including the insulation of the building envelope, that is to say walls, roof, floor, the replacement of windows, the replacement of heating, cooling and cooking appliances, and the installation of on-site production of energy from renewable sources as well as its storage;
Amendment 99 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
(2) ‘energy poverty’ means energy poverty as defined in point [(49)] of Article 2 of Directive (EU) [yyyy/nnn] of the of the European Parliament and of the Council50 ; in line with the latter definition, Member States determine their respective range and proportion of vulnerable consumer groups affected by energy poverty within their territory, based on national specificities. _________________ 50 [Directive (EU) [yyyy/nnn] of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ C […], […], p. […]).] [Proposal for recast of Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency]
Amendment 100 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 11
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 11
(11) ‘vulnerable households’ means households in energy poverty or households, including lower middle- income ones, that are significantly affected by the price impacts of the inclusion of buildings into the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC and lack the means to renovate the building they occupyincreased climate ambition;
Amendment 102 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 12
(12) ‘vulnerable micro-enterprises’ means micro-enterprises that are significantly affected by the price impacts of the inclusion of buildings into the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC and lack the means to renovate the building they occupyclimate ambition;
Amendment 104 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13
(13) ‘vulnerable transport users’ means transport users, including from lower middle-income households, that are significantly affected by the price impacts of the inclusion of road transport into the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC and lack the means to purchase zero- and low- emission vehicles or to switch to alternative sustainable modes of transport, including public transport, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Amendment 111 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The Plan may include national measures providing temporary direct income support to vulnerable households and households that are vulnerable transport users to reduce the impact of the increase in the price of fossil fuels resulting from the inclusion of buildings and road transport into the scope of Directive 2003/87/ECincreased climate ambition.
Amendment 116 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) finance measures and investments to increase energy efficiency of buildings, to implement energy efficiency improvement measures, to carry out building renovation, and to decarbonise heating and cooling of buildings, including the integration of energy production, as well as its storage, from renewable energy sources;
Amendment 126 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) an estimate of the likely effects of that increase in prices on households, and in particular on incidence of energy poverty, on micro-enterprises and on transport users, comprising in particular an estimate and the identification of vulnerable households, vulnerable micro- enterprises and vulnerable transport users; emphasizing that the increased costs of the higher Union climate ambition cannot be borne by the people instead of the big polluters, the companies, as this would increase the risk of energy poverty; these impacts are to be analysed with a sufficient level of regional disaggregation, taking into account elements such as access to public transport and basic services and identifying the areas mostly affected, particularly territories which are remote and rural;
Amendment 132 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point h
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) an explanation of how the Plan ensures that no investment or measure, included in the Plan does significant harm to environmental objectives within the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852; the Commission shall provide technical guidance to the Member States targeted to the scope of the Fund to that effect; no explanation is required for the measures referred to in Article 3(2);
Amendment 139 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Payment of support shall be conditional uponlead to achieving the milestones and targets for measures and investments set out in the Plans. Those milestones and targets shall be compatible with the Union’s climate targets and cover in particular:
Amendment 144 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. Member States may include the costs of measures providing temporary direct income support to vulnerable households and vulnerable households that are transport users to absorb the increase in road transport and heating fuel prices. Such support shall decrease over time and be limited to the direct impact of the emission trading for buildings and road transport. Eligibility for such direct income support shall cease within the time limits identified under Article 4(1) point (d).
Amendment 148 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
(fa) support, in particular, the vulnerable households and vulnerable micro-enterprises by introducing measures related to natural gas-based boilers and heating systems, and related to distribution infrastructure.
Amendment 149 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 2
2. Where it is proven by the Member State concerned in its Plan that the public interventions referred to in paragraph 1 do not fully off-set the price increase resulting from the inclusion of the sectors of buildings and road transport into the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC, direct income support may be included in the estimated total costs in the limits of the price increase not fully off-setreased climate ambition.
Amendment 160 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3
Article 10 – paragraph 3
3. Member States may include in their Plan, as part of the estimated total costs, the payments for additional technical support pursuant to Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 2021/240 and the amount of the cash contribution for the purpose of the Member State compartment pursuant to the relevant provisions of Regulation (EU) 2021/523. Those costs shall not exceed 4 % of the financial total allocation for the Plan, and the relevant measures, as set out in the Plan, shall comply with this Regulation. In addition, where necessary, the Member State may propose additional technical assistance measures to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of public authorities and bodies, beneficiaries and relevant partners necessary for the effective management and use of the Funds.
Amendment 161 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
The Fund shall be implemented by the Commission in directshared management in accordance with the relevant rules adopted pursuant to Article 322 TFEU, in particular Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 and Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council59 . _________________ 59 Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget (OJ L 433I, 22.12.2020, p. 1).
Amendment 165 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall' contribute at least to 50 percent of the total estimated costs of their Planion should be based on a thorough impact assessment taking into consideration their different starting points and income levels.
Amendment 168 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point a – point i
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point a – point i
(i) whether the Plan represents a response to the social impact on and challenges faced by vulnerable households, vulnerable micro-enterprises and vulnerable transport users in the Member State concerned from establishing the emission trading system for buildings and road transport established pursuant to Chapter IVa of Directive 2003/87/ECthe increased climate ambition, especially households in energy poverty, duly taking into account the challenges identified in the assessments of the Commission of the update of the concerned Member State’s integrated national energy and climate plan and of its progress pursuant to Article 9(3), and Articles 13 and 29 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, as well as in the Commission recommendations to Member States issued pursuant to Article 34 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in view of the long-term objective of climate neutrality in the Union by 2050. This shall take into account the specific challenges and the financial allocation of the Member State concerned;
Amendment 173 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point a – point iii
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point a – point iii
(iii) whether the Plan contains measures and investments addressing the social impacts that contribute to the green transition, including to addressing the challenges resulting therefrom and in particular to the achievement of the 2030 climate and energy objectives of the Union and the 2030 milestones of the Mobility Strategy.
Amendment 183 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
1. Where a Social Climate Plan, including relevant milestones and targets, is no longer achievable, either in whole or in part, by the Member State concerned because of objective circumstances, in particular because of the actual direct effects of the emission trading system for buildings and road transport established pursuant to Chapter IVa of Directive 2003/87/ECincreased climate ambition, the Member State concerned may submit to the Commission an amendment of its Plan to include the necessary and duly justified changes. Member States may request technical support for the preparation of such request.
Amendment 185 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 5
Article 17 – paragraph 5
5. By 15 March 2027 each Member State concerned shall assess the appropriateness of its Plans in view of the actual direct effects of the emission trading system for buildings and road transport established pursuant to Chapter IVa of Directive 2003/087/ECincreased climate ambition. Those assessments shall be submitted to the Commission as part of the biennial progress reporting pursuant to Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.
Amendment 193 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) in 2027, an assessment of the Plan referred to in Article 17(5) in view of the actual direct effects of the emission trading system for buildings and road transport established pursuant to Chapter IVa of Directive 2003/087/ECincreased climate ambition;
Amendment 199 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 3
Article 24 – paragraph 3
3. The evaluation report shall, in particular, assess to which extent the objectives of the Fund laid down in Article 1 have been achieved, the efficiency of the use of the resources and the Union added value. It shall consider the continued relevance of all objectives and actions set out in Article 6 in light of the impact on greenhouse gas emissions from the emission trading system for buildings and road transport pursuant to Chapter IVa of Directive 2003/87/EC and from the national measures taken to meet the binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by Member States pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and of the Council63 . It shall also consider the continued relevance of the financial envelope of the Fund in relation to possible developments concerning the auctioning of allowances under the emission trading system for buildings and road transport pursuant to Chapter IVa of Directive 2003/87/EC and other relevant considerations. _________________ 63 Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by Member States from 2021 to 2030 contributing to climate action to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement and amending Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 26-42).
Amendment 37 #
2020/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Considers that the existing regulatory environment, including Member State and Community rules against trusts, monopolies and cartels, and the rules on the exclusion of valid economic and political conflicts of interest, provided an appropriate legal environment until it became necessary for certain groups to seek to shape EU financial regulations to achieve political ends, driven by obvious political will and even using undemocratic means and disregarding the Treaty;
Amendment 45 #
2020/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Stresses that no financial control instrument or rule should become a political instrument, that they should be applied in a regulatory way, based solely on objective criteria, and that no new legal approach should be used to discriminate against individuals or groups on the basis of objective or political criteria;
Amendment 53 #
2020/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Considers that better enforcement of the EU’s existing financial rules and enhanced application of its existing control tools, as well as wider use of various digital tools such as the EDES and IMS systems, could also help to enforce compliance with conflict of interest rules;
Amendment 92 #
2020/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Notes that five Member States do not currently participate in the EPPO; welcomes the conclusion of working arrangements between the EPPO and Hungary; calls on the other non- participating Member States to establish working arrangements with the EPPO in order to avoid gaps in the detection of organised crime and fraud;
Amendment 96 #
2020/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Underlines that the Commission should use all the instruments available under EU financial legislation and the applicable sector-specific and financial rules to effectively protect the EU budget, including interruption of payment deadlines, suspension of payments, financial corrections or exclusion of expenditure from EU financing, infringement proceedings under Article 258 TFEU, checks and audits or, in duly justified cases, the application of Article 7 TEU addressing risks to the foundational values of the EU in the Member States, as has recently been done in the cases of Poland and Hungary;
Amendment 100 #
2020/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for the use of the Early Detection and Exclusion System (EDES) to be made compulsory under shared management; further notes that the EDES does not distinguish between subsidiaries of larger corporations; calls for the mandatoryextensive use of the Arachne data mining and data enrichment tool by Member States in order to achieve more transparency on the beneficiaries of CAP funds;
Amendment 108 #
2020/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
Amendment 110 #
2020/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
Amendment 120 #
2020/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Notes that the first priority should be to reform the current control mechanisms and instruments, to make them more effective and to extend their scope, and considers that new rules and instruments should be introduced only when existing structures have proved inadequate to combat fraud and conflicts of interest;
Amendment 135 #
2020/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Warns against any initiative to create new instruments or control systems, especially those that could lead to the duplication of existing structures, the creation of parallel structures and excessive budgetary expenditure, as well as unnecessary administrative burdens;
Amendment 140 #
2020/2126(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Concludes that even though the new MFF uses certain tools such as increased amounts budgeted for special instruments and a budgetary mechanism to uphold the rule of law, there is still space for additional tools to strengthen anti-oligarch practices which could be addressed in the framework of the upcoming revision of the Financial Regulation;
Amendment 7 #
2020/2098(REG)
Proposal for a decision
Citation -1 (new)
Citation -1 (new)
-1 having regard to Parliament's roles, functions and competences laid down in the Treaties,
Amendment 8 #
2020/2098(REG)
Proposal for a decision
Citation -1 a (new)
Citation -1 a (new)
-1a having regard to the primary obligation of the institutions of the European Union to safeguard the rule of law also in their own functioning,
Amendment 9 #
2020/2098(REG)
Proposal for a decision
Citation -1 b (new)
Citation -1 b (new)
-1b having regard to the rights of persons with disabilities and to the European Parliament resolution of 7 July 2016 on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with special regard to the Concluding Observations of the UN CRPD Committee1a ; _________________ 1a OJ C 101, 16.3.2018, p. 138.
Amendment 12 #
2020/2098(REG)
Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Takes note of the temporary measures adopted by its President and its governing bodies in order to cope with such extraordinary circumstances; underlines that those measures were needed to guarantee the continuity of Parliament’s business, which is required by the Treaties, allowing Parliament to carry out its legislative, budgetary and political control functions during the crisis;
Amendment 14 #
2020/2098(REG)
Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recognises that those temporary measures were fully justified and ensured the validity of all votes taken during their period of applicatione motive and necessity of those temporary measures were tackling the circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic;
Amendment 15 #
2020/2098(REG)
Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Expresses its desire to restore Parliament's full operation in compliance with its own rules, as laid down in the Treaties;
Amendment 16 #
2020/2098(REG)
Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Recalls that the European Union is a community of values that cherishes and holds the principle of the rule of law in high esteem and therefore instructs its President to initiate a review procedure in accordance with Article 263 of the TFEU to ensure the legality of those amendments to the Rules of Procedure within two months of their adoption;
Amendment 22 #
2020/2098(REG)
Title XIII a (new) – rule 237 a (new)
Amendment 29 #
2020/2098(REG)
Title XIII a (new) – rule 237 b (new)
Amendment 35 #
2020/2098(REG)
Title XIII a (new) – rule 237 c (new)
Amendment 38 #
2020/2098(REG)
Title XIII a (new) – rule 237 d (new)
Rule 237d Holding of the plenary session in separate meeting rooms Where the President decides in accordance with Rule 237a(3), point (c), to allow a plenary session of Parliament to be held in whole or in part in more than one meeting room, including, where appropriate, the hemicycle, the following rules shall apply: – the meeting rooms used in this context shall be considered to collectively constitute the Chamber; – the President may, if necessary, determine the manner in which the respective meeting rooms can be used, in order to ensure that physical distancing requirements are respected.
Amendment 40 #
2020/2098(REG)
Title XIII a (new) – rule 237 e (new)
Rule 237e Parliamentary business during a period of extraordinary circumstances 1. Without delay after the adoption of a decision by the President under Rule 237a(2), the Conference of Presidents shall identify those activities which are essential and urgent for Parliament during the period of extraordinary circumstances referred to in Rule 237a(1), taking into account the opinion of the Conference of Committee Chairs. Those activities shall include measures that need to be taken with regard to the extraordinary circumstances, to budgetary matters, to urgent legislative procedures, or to major political events. 2. During the period of validity of a decision adopted under Rule 237a(2), the parliamentary business conducted in part- sessions and committee meetings shall be limited to the consideration and adoption of measures identified as essential and urgent by the Conference of Presidents taking into account the opinion of the Conference of Committee Chairs in accordance with paragraph 1. 3. Within two months after the adoption or modification of the rules regarding extraordinary circumstances under Title XIIIa, the President of the European Parliament shall initiate the procedure of Article 263 TFEU to review the legality of the modification of the Rules of Procedure and ensure that the modification is in line with the principle of the rule of law and democracy.
Amendment 42 #
2020/2098(REG)
Title XIII a (new) – rule 237 f (new)
Rule 237f Members with disabilities The European Parliament, to the best of its capabilities, shall ensure reasonable accommodation for Members with disabilities and their staff in the course of operating under extraordinary circumstances described in this Title.
Amendment 8 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recognises the need for the EU budget to continue to support recovery, convergence, fair and inclusive sustainable growth and competitiveness of the European economy and other EU priorities such as social, economic and territorial cohesion and regional development, climate action, digitalisation and innovation, security and the management of migration, while acknowledging that the COVID-19 pandemic has provided a new and unexpected challenge that the EU and its Member States need to respond determinedly and provide solutions at the EU level;
Amendment 318 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The Facility’s general objective should be the promotion of economic, social and territorial cohesion and reducing the infrastructural gap. For that purpose, it should contribute to improving the resilience and adjustment capacity of the Member States, mitigating the social and economic impact of the crisis, and supporting the green and digital transitions aimed at achieving a climate neutral Europe by 2050, thereby restoring the growth potential of the economies of the Union in the aftermath of the crisis, fostering employment creation and to promoting sustainable growth.
Amendment 434 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) The Commission should assess the recovery and resilience plan proposed by the Member States and should act in close cooperation with the Member State concerned. The Commission will fully respect the national ownership of the process and will therefore take into account the justification and elements provided by the Member State concerned and assess whether the recovery and resilience plan proposed by the Member State is expected to contribute to effectively address challenges identified in the relevant country-specific recommendation addressed to the Member State concerned or in other relevant documents officially adopted by the Commission in the European Semester, such as the National Reform Programmes; whether the plan contains measures that effectively contribute to the green and the digital transitions and to addressing the challenges resulting from them; whether the plan is expected to have a lasting impact in the Member State concerned; whether the plan is expected to effectively contribute to strengthen the growth potential, job creation and economic and social resilience of the Member State, mitigate the economic and social impact of the crisis and contribute to enhancing economic, social and territorial cohesion and the reduction of the infrastructural gap; whether the justification provided by the Member State of the estimated total costs of the recovery and resilience plan submitted is reasonable and plausible and is commensurate to the expected impact on the economy and employment; whether the proposed recovery and resilience plan contains measures for the implementation of reforms and public investment projects that represent coherent actions; and whether the arrangement proposed by the Member State concerned are expected to ensure effective implementation of the recovery and resilience plan, including the proposed milestones and targets, and the related indicators.
Amendment 451 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) The Council should approve the assessment of the recovery and resilience plans by means of an implementing decision, based on a proposal by the Commission, and which it should endeavour to adopt within four weeks of the proposal. Provided that the recovery and resilience plan satisfactorily addresses the assessment criteria, the Member State concerned should be allocated the maximum financial contribution where the estimated total costs of the reform and investment included in the recovery and resilience plan is equal to, or higher than, the amount of the maximum financial contribution itself. The Member State concerned should instead be allocated an amount equal to the estimated total cost of the recovery and resilience plan where such estimated total cost is lower than the maximum financial contribution itself. No financial contribution should be awarded to the Member State if the recovery and resilience plan does not satisfactorily address the assessment criteria.
Amendment 471 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29
Recital 29
(29) The request for a loan should be justified by the financial needs linked to additional reforms and investments included in the recovery and resilience plan, notably relevant for the green and digital transitions, and by therefore, by a higher cost of the plan than the maximum financial contribution (to be) allocated via the non-repayable contribution. It should be possible to submit the request for a loan together with the submission of the plan. In case the request for loan is made at a different moment in time, it should be accompanied by a revised plan with additional milestones and targets. To ensure frontloading of resources, Member States should request a loan support at the latest by 31 August 2024. For the purposes of sound financial management, the total amount of all the loans granted under this Regulation should be capped. In addition, the maximum volume of the loan for each Member State should not exceed 4.7% of its Gross National Income. An increase of the capped amount should be possible in exceptional circumstances subject to available resources. For the same reasons of sound financial management, it should be possible to pay the loan in instalments against the fulfilment of results. The Commission should assess the request for a loan support within two months. The Council should be able to approve this assessment by qualified majority on a Commission proposal through an implementing decision which the Council shall endeavour to adopt within four weeks of the proposal.
Amendment 483 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) A Member State should have the possibility to make a reasoned request to amend the recovery and resilience plan within the period of implementation, where objective circumstances justify such a course of action. TWhere the Commission should assess the reasoned request and take a new decision within four monthsconsiders that the reasons put forward by the Member State concerned justify such an amendment, it should assess the new plan within two months. The Member State concerned and the Commission may agree to extend this deadline by a reasonable time period if necessary. The Council should approve the assessment of the new plan by means of an implementing decision, based on a proposal by the Commission.
Amendment 556 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
Recital 39
(39) The recovery and resilience plans to be implemented by the Member States and the corresponding financial contribution allocated to them should be establishadopted by the Commission by way of implementing actuncil by means of an implementing decision, on a proposal from the Commission. In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. The implementing powers relating to the adoption of the recovery and resilience plans and to the payment of the financial support upon fulfilment of the relevant milestones and targets should be exercised by the Commission in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council, under the examination procedure thereof13 . After the adoption of an implementing act, decision, it should be possible for the Member State concerned and the Commission to agree on certain operational arrangements of a technical nature, detailing aspects of the implementation with respect to timelines, indicators for the milestones and targets, and access to underlying data. To allow the continuous relevance of the operational arrangements in respect of the prevailing circumstances during the implementation of the recovery and resilience plan, it should be possible that the elements of such technical arrangements may be modified by mutual consent. 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. __________________ 13 Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13).
Amendment 1105 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) whether the recovery and resilience plan is expected to contribute to effectively address challenges identified in the relevant country-specific recommendations addressed to the Member State concerned orand in other relevant documents officially adopted by the Commission in the European Semester National Reform Programmes;
Amendment 1200 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point g a (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – point g a (new)
(g a) whether the recovery and resilience plan contributes to key infrastructure development, especially in Member States where GDP/capita is below the EU average and the level of public debt is sustainable;
Amendment 1216 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – title
Article 17 – title
Commission proposal and Council implementing decision
Amendment 1223 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall adopt a decision within four months of the official submissionOn a proposal from the Commission, the Council shall approve by means of an implementing decision, the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan as submitted by the Member State, by means of an implementing act. In the event that the Commission gives a positive assessment to a recovery and resilience plan, thate Commission proposal for a Council implementing decision shall set out the reforms and investment projects to be implemented by the Member State, including the milestones and targets, and the financial contribution allocated in accordance with Article 11.
Amendment 1234 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2
Article 17 – paragraph 2
2. In case the Member State concerned requests a loan support, the Commission proposal for a Council implementing decision shall also set out the amount of the loan support as referred to in Article 12(4) and (5) and the additional reforms and investment projects to be implemented by the Member State covered by that loan support, including the additional milestones and targets.
Amendment 1301 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 7
Article 17 – paragraph 7
7. The Council shall adopt the implementing actdecisions referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 27(2)by qualified majority, as a rule, within four weeks of the adoption of the Commission proposal.
Amendment 1405 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – title
Article 21 – title
Information to the European Parliament and the Council and communication on the Member States’ recovery and resilience plans
Amendment 1411 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1
Article 21 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall transmit the assessment of the recovery and resilience plans as approved in the implementing act of the Commission in accordance with Article 17 to the European Parliament and the Council without undue delay. The Member State concerned may request the Commission to redact sensitive or confidential information, the disclosure of which would jeopardise public interests of the Member State.
Amendment 1482 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 4
Article 24 – paragraph 4
4. For the purpose of the reporting on the activities referred to in paragraph 2, the Commission may use the content of the relevant documents officially adopted by the Commission under the European Semesterunder the European Semester, such as the National Reform Programmes, as appropriate.
Amendment 121 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) The Commission, in its Communication ‘The European Green Deal’, announced its intention to assess and make proposals for increasing the Union’s greenhouse gas emission reduction target for 2030 to ensure its consistency with the climate-neutrality objective for 2050. In that Communication, the Commission underlined that all Union policies should contribute to the climate-neutrality objective and that all sectors should play their part. By September 2020, the Commission should, based on a comprehensive impact assessment with a breakdown per Member State, evaluating expected impacts at Member States' level and taking into account its analysis of the integrated national energy and climate plans submitted to the Commission in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council36 , review the Union’s 2030 target for climate and explore options for a new 2030 target of 50 to 55 % emission reductions compared with 1990 levels; in order to reach this target, all Member States should commit to reduce their emission levels by minimum 40% until 2030. Where it considers necessary to amend the Union’s 2030 target, it should make proposals to the European Parliament and to the Council to amend this Regulation as appropriate. In addition, the Commission should, by 30 June 2021, assess how the Union legislation implementing that target would need to be amended in order to achieve emission reductions of 50 to 55 % compared to 1990. _________________ 36Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, amending Regulations (EC) No 663/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directives 94/22/EC, 98/70/EC, 2009/31/EC, 2009/73/EC, 2010/31/EU, 2012/27/EU and 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 2009/119/EC and (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1).
Amendment 146 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
Amendment 187 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 3
Article 2 – paragraph 3
3. By September 2020, the Commission shall review the Union’s 2030 target for climate referred to in Article 2(11) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in light of the climate-neutrality objective set out in Article 2(1), and explore options for a new 2030 target of 50 to 55% emission reductions compared to 1990. Where the Commission considers that it is necessary to amend that target, it shall make proposals to the European Parliament and to the Council as appropriate. To achieve the EU wide 2030 emissions reduction target, each Member State should commit to reduce their emissions by minimum 40% by 2030 compared to 1990 level.
Amendment 206 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Amendment 222 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. When setting a trajectory in accordance with paragraph 1, the Commissionfollowing shall be consider the followinged:
Amendment 235 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point c
(c) best available technology, respecting technology neutrality and sovereignty of the national energy mix;
Amendment 272 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Member States' rights in determining their scenario for achieving climate goals and climate neutrality;
Amendment 335 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9
Article 9
Amendment 34 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
Amendment 209 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Annex I – paragraph 1 – introductory part
For each Member State, the financial envelope is determined in accordance with the following steps: An amount of 6.5 billion EUR of the Just Transition Fund resources is shared amongst Member States as follows:
Amendment 218 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 2 a (new)
Annex I – paragraph 2 a (new)
The remaining 1 billion EUR of the Just Transition Fund resources should serve as a compensation mechanism for Member States that achieved at least 30% gross greenhouse gas emission reduction by 2017 based on their national inventories compared to the 1990 emission levels, thus outperforming the 2020 EU emission reduction target by at least 150%. The 1 billion EUR is shared amongst these Member States based on the ratio of their 2017 gross greenhouse gas emissions.
Amendment 4 #
2019/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that the European Union needs a more sustainable growth model in order to respond to environmental, digital and demographic challenges; welcomes the European Green Deal as the new green growth strategy for Europe with sustainability, citizen well-being and fairness at its core; therefore calls on the Commission urgently to start work on the creation of its own coordination mechanism in the EU to ensure that Europe is able to become the first climate- neutral continent by 2050;
Amendment 6 #
2019/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges that Europe’s economy is showing signs of less dynamic growth; highlights that more must be done to support Member States which are experiencing slower growth and high unemployment, particularly where young people are concerned; emphasizes that investments are needed to facilitate the integration of young people and the long- term unemployed into the labour market;
Amendment 18 #
2019/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 24 #
2019/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines the importance of the European Semester as an instrument to ensure policy coordination; welcomes the increased focus on environmentconsiders that keeping the original purpose and function of the European Semester is crucial, sustainability and on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Country Reportsince it was established to provide a framework for the coordination of economic policies across the European Union and promoting sustainable growth in a sustainable manner means to promote responsible fiscal policies, structural reforms and investment;
Amendment 35 #
2019/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that the European Semester must consistentlycan also contribute to the elimination of social, economic and territorial inequalities and disparities between EU regions;
Amendment 36 #
2019/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 63 #
2019/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates the crucial role of cohesion policy, as the main investment policy in Europe, in the recovery process; underlines the need to increase themaintain the current budget ofor cohesion policy for the 2021-2027 period, in order to maintainguarantee its European added value, thus contributing to economic growth, social inclusion, innovation and environmental protection;
Amendment 69 #
2019/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. WelcomesTakes note of the inclusion of the Sustainable Development Goals in the European Semester, with the aim of putting people, their health and the planet at the centre of economic policy; notes that, in this respect, special attention must be paid to the labour market, by safeguarding existing jobs and creating new onesbut considers that this cannot override the original purpose and function of the semester, since it was established as a framework for economic governance. Promoting growth in a sustainable manner should go in parallel with preserving macro- economic stability and budgetary balance. Points out that supporting digitalisation and technological development greatly contributes to sustainable growth; notes that, in this respect, special attention must be paid to the labour market, by safeguarding existing jobs and creating new ones; underlines that SMEs play a decisive role in creating employment and the administrative burdens hindering their efficient functioning should be reduced;
Amendment 98 #
2019/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that the best response to citizens’ concerns is to support an increase in real earnings, seek greater investment in quality jobs, boost domestic demand and ensure a fairer distribution of the wealth generated; considers that the flexibility in the Stability and Growth Pact should be morade flexibleull use of so as to take into account cyclical conditions, structural reforms and government investment;
Amendment 109 #
2019/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Believes that the relationship between cohesion policy and economic governance processes under the European Semester should be balanced, reciprocal and focused to the extent possible on positive incentives; supportsconsiders that further recognition of the territorial dimension, which would be beneficial for the European Semester.
Amendment 12 #
2019/2055(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Takes note that the source of those errors is mainly a result of reimbursements of ineligible costs, infringements of internal market rules and lack of support documentation, but is also due to the previous year’s overall low rates of reimbursement and payments as well as fewer financial instruments having been included in the audit; reminds that simplification of rules in general can greatly contribute to the more effective use of funds and to the reduction of the error rate;
Amendment 20 #
2019/2055(DEC)
3. Draws attention to the fact that high-risk expenditures are often subject to complex rules and eligibility conditions which lead to errors and that a number of these errors are compounded by a supplemental layer added by national authorities; recalls that simpler national eligibility rules might help reduce this source of error and result in a smaller administrative burden for beneficiaries; highlights that flexibility can be conducive to a more rapid and efficient uptake of funds;
Amendment 30 #
2019/2055(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that the reasons behind this low absorption rate not only lie in the decommitment methodology (the so-called “n+3 rule”), but also in the late adoption of the legislative framework enabling the implementation of the cohesion policy; therefore, which is a situation that needs to be averted in the future; therefore calls on the Council and its successive presidencies to match the Parliament's speed and focus in the ongoing legislative procedure concerning adoption of the MFF and cohesion policy regulations for the next programming period 2021 -2027; further calls on the Commission and the Council to ensure proper measures in the (next programming period) 2021-2027 programming period in order to avoid the repetition of delayed implementation of ESI Funds and its domino effect.;
Amendment 41 #
2019/0183(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a
For the purpose of this Regulation, for expenditures related to the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework, the notion of “major disasters” covers natural disasters as well as situations where serious financial burden is inflicted on a Member State as a direct consequence of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union without an agreement..
Amendment 66 #
2019/0183(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002
Article 3 b – paragraph 6 a (new)
Article 3 b – paragraph 6 a (new)
(6 a) Expenditure eligible for financing under the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund shall not be financed under this Regulation.
Amendment 74 #
2019/0183(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002
Article 4 a – paragraph 2
Article 4 a – paragraph 2
(2) The Commission shall prepare guidance by 31 December 2019 on how to access and implement the Fund effectively. The guidance shall provide detailed information on the preparation of the application, and the information to be submitted to the Commission, including on the evidence to be provided concerning the financial burden inflicted. The guidance shall be made public on the websites of the relevant Directorate Generals of the Commission and the Commission shall ensure its wider dissemination to the Member States.
Amendment 18 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Encourages the EIB to strengthen its presence and activities in the Western Balkan countries, as they are strategically important for the EU and boosting credit and investment activities in the region is crucial;
Amendment 36 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 38 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Is concerned at the findings set out in the annual report of the European Court of Auditors, according to which serious flaws have been uncovered regarding the European Investment Fund: the Court of Auditors points out a regulatory irregularity whereby Member State audit authorities were obliged to audit SME initiatives yet did not have the right, under the legislation in force, to carry out on- the-spot checks;
Amendment 37 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. In the 30 investments examined by the Court of Auditors, financial intermediaries had approved loans to five recipients without confirming their SME status; these projects were not deemed eligible by the European Court of Auditors, while another four loans were taken up by the beneficiaries either partially or in full for non-eligible activities;
Amendment 38 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 b (new)
Paragraph 38 b (new)
38b. Welcomes the fact that the problems uncovered by the Court of Auditors have, in theory, been solved by the amended Financial Regulation; calls on the EIB to cover issues connected to the regulatory flaws in its next annual report and ensure that the amended Financial Regulation enables Member State audit authorities to carry out audits even at final beneficiary level;
Amendment 54 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 – point b
Paragraph 47 – point b
b) prevention of conflict of interests especially of the members of the EFSI Investment Committee and the EIB Board of Directors and provision of more stringent rules on conflicts of interest in the relevant Code of Conducts and especially of that of the Management Board and the Board of Directors;
Amendment 3 #
2018/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights the vital role of education and training as the best investment in the EU’s future; whereas education has a strategic importance for employability, growth, innovation and social cohesion; strongly believes that digital transformation has a great impact on education systems; stresses that digital competencies are of growing importance for every individual and underlines that in the future, nearly all jobs will require digital skills;
Amendment 13 #
2018/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the Commission communication of 17 January 2018 on the Digital Education Action Plan (COM(2018)0022) and recalls the importance of completing the digital single market; by making full use of new technologies as tools for boosting innovation in Europe’s education systems and stresses the need for the effective development of digital competences; points out that digitalisation has a twofold impact on education systems: firstly, citizens should be prepared for lifelong learning in a world that is becoming increasingly digitalised, and secondly, digital transformation should also be applied to education systems themselves;
Amendment 23 #
2018/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines the importance of education in helping use effectively ICT technologies and in preparing for rapid adaptation to changes due to digitalisation and for taking an active part in shaping the process of digitalisation; further underlines that sufficient infrastructure offering high-quality and accessible connectivity is of great importance; highlights the need to close the digital divide by creating an investment- friendly environment and fostering digital infrastructure such as high-capacity broadband networks;
Amendment 35 #
2018/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the vital role of high- capacity broadband networks, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence as the backbone of future education and training schemes; underlines the importance of introducing coding classes in all schools and encouraging schools to participate in the EU Code Week; calls for sufficient investments in research and innovation e.g. in 5G, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, as those has not yet unleashed its full potentials;
Amendment 45 #
2018/2090(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the urgent need to develop the full range of digital skills that individuals and companies will require in an increasingly digital economy; underlines the need to strengthen connections between education and employmentstresses the importance of designing special training solutions for people working in small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs) and of re-training unemployed people; underlines the need to strengthen connections between education and employment; given that digital transformation will be a factor why some of today’s jobs will disappear and new jobs will emerge; recalls the need to encourage young people to pursue ICT studies; emphasises that recommendations for a minimum level of digital competencies that students should acquire during their studies should be drawn up.
Amendment 1 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines the importance of cohesion policy as the main investment policy of the Union that helps to reduce economic, social and territorial disparities between and within EU regions, enhances smart, sustainable and inclusive economic growthgrowth, creates new jobs and fights unemployment, fosters innovation in urban and rural areas and encourages local and regional authorities to make the transition towards a carbon free economy; notes that every 1 Euro invested in cohesion policy has a proven return on investment by 174%1 and less investment would mean less growth and jobs for citizens; underlines that cohesion policy is beneficial for all Member States; calls for cohesion funds to maintain their role as the main investment policy of the European Union with a budget that is commensurate with the ambitious goals of cohesion policy; _________________ 1 Commission Staff Working Document of 19 September 2016 entitled ‘Ex post evaluation of the ERDF and Cohesion Fund 2007-13’ (SWD(2016)0318).
Amendment 4 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that cohesion policy is one of the most important instruments to tackle the main priorities defined in the Commission’s draft budget for 2019 - building a stronger and more resilient European economy; bringing solidarity and security within and beyond EU borders; and ensuring a proper implementation of the EU budget; highlights the importance of improving the visibility of EU funds and better communicating the results of cohesion policy;
Amendment 8 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes the proposed 1,1 % rise in the level of payment appropriations, with decreases of 8,9 % and 3,6 % respectively for Cohesion fund and European territorial cooperation, as well as the 2,8 % increase in commitment appropriations under Heading 1b in the 2019 draft budget compared to the previous budget; is concerned that those amounts may not be sufficient to match the pace of implementation of the programmes under that heading and to prevent the reconstitution of a backlog of unpaid claims, which would undermine the credibility of cohesion policy; stresses therefore the need of a higher level of payment appropriations to fulfil commitments;
Amendment 298 #
2018/0229(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) In order to ensure that interventions under the EU compartment of the InvestEU Fund focus on market failures and sub- optimal investment situations at Union level, but, at the same time, satisfy the objectives of best possible geographic outreach, the EU guarantee should be allocated to implementing partners, which alone or together with other implementing partners, can cover at least three Member States. However, it is expected that around 75 % of the EU guarantee under the EU compartment would be allocated to implementing partner or partners that can offer financial products under the InvestEU Fund in all Member States. At the end of the investment period, the share of investment in any three Member States' national promotional banks or institutions together should not exceed 45% of the total portfolio, measured by signed loans or investment amounts.
Amendment 559 #
2018/0229(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. At the end of the investment period, the share of investment in any three Member States' national promotional banks or institutions together should not exceed 45% of the total portfolio, measured by signed loans or investment amounts.
Amendment 36 #
2018/0225(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 6
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 6
Research and Innovation activities in this Global Challenge will be overall aligned with the Commission's priorities on Democratic Change; Jobs, Growth and Investment; Justice and Fundamental Rights; Migration; A Deeper and Fairer European Monetary Union; Digital Single Market. It will respond to the commitment of the Rome Agenda to work towards: "a social Europe" and "a Union which preserves our cultural heritage and promotes cultural diversity". I, and it will also support the European Pillar of Social Rights, and the Global Compact for safe, orderly and regular migration. Security research responds to the commitment of the Rome Agenda to work towards "a safe and secure Europe", contributing to a genuine and effective Security Union. Synergies with the Justice Programme and with the Rights and Values Programme, which support activities in the area of access to justice, victims' rights, gender equality, non-discrimination, data protection and promotion of the European citizenship will be exploited.
Amendment 52 #
2018/0225(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.2 – point 2.2.3 – paragraph 2 – indent 6
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.2 – point 2.2.3 – paragraph 2 – indent 6
– Human mobility in the global and local contexts for better migration governance, integration of migrants including refugees; respect of international commitments and human rights; greater, improved access to quality education, training, support services, active and inclusive citizenship especially for the vulnerable;
Amendment 23 #
2018/0202(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Globalisation and technological change is likely to further increase the interconnectedness and interdependence of world economies. Labour reallocation is an integral and inevitable part of such economic change. If the benefits of change are to be distributed fairly, offering assistance to displaced workers and those threatened by displacement is of utmost importance. The ‘EU Quality Framework for anticipation of change and restructuring’22 , is the Union policy instrument that sets the framework of best practice for anticipating and dealing with corporate restructuring. It offers a comprehensive framework on how the challenges of economic adjustment and restructuring and their employment and social impact should be addressed by adequate policy means. It also calls upon Member States to use EU and national funding in a way to ensure that the social impact of restructuring, especially the adverse effects on employment, can be cushioned more effectively. The main Union instruments to assist workers affected are the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), which is designed to offer assistance in an anticipatory way, and the EGF, which is designed to offer assistance in the case of unexpected major restructuring events in a reactive manner. As part of a more proactive approach, the EGF may be used to help workers who are still employed but will be displaced within a certain period of time. _________________ 22 COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS EU Quality Framework for anticipation of change and restructuring, (COM(2013)882 final, 13.12.2013).
Amendment 52 #
2018/0202(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) Member States should pay particular attention to disadvantaged beneficiaries, including young and older unemployed persons, the low-skilled and those at risk of poverty, when designing the coordinated package of active labour market policy measures, given that those groups experience particular problems in re- entering the labour market. Notwithstanding, the principles of gender equality and of non-discrimination, which are among the Union’s core values and are enshrined in the European Pillar of Social Rights, should be respected and promoted when implementing the EGF.
Amendment 93 #
2018/0202(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) the cessation of activity of more than 2150 displaced workers or self- employed persons, over a reference period of six months, particularly in SMEs, where all operate in the same economic sector defined at NACE Revision 2 division level andor located in one region or two contiguous regions defined at NUTS 2 level or in more than two contiguous regions defined at NUTS 2 level provided that there are more than 2150 workers or self-employed persons affected in two of the regions combined;
Amendment 120 #
2018/0202(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 5 – point f
Article 9 – paragraph 5 – point f
(f) a detailed description of the coordinated package of personalised services and related expenditure, including, in particular, any measures in support of employment initiatives for disadvantaged, low-skilled, older and young beneficiaries;
Amendment 31 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 5
Article 14 – paragraph 5
(5) Under external cross-border and component 2 and 3 Interreg programmes the ERDF and, where applicable, the external financing instruments of the Union shall also contribute to the external Interreg-specific objective 'a safer and more secure Europe', in particular by actions in the fields of border crossing management and mobility and migration management, including the protection of migrants.
Amendment 57 #
2018/0198(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
(1) This Regulation sets up a mechanism to allow for th, in the event of commitment, for the possible application in one Member State, with regard to a cross- border region, of the legal provisions from another Member State, where the application of the legal provisions of the former would constitute a legal obstacle hampering the implementation of a joint Project (‘the Mechanism’). In the case of a declaration, the rules of procedure for the Mechanism are applicable.
Amendment 71 #
2018/0198(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
(1) Member State shall either opt for the Mechanism or opt for existingother ways to resolve legal obstacles hampering the implementation of a joint project in cross- border regions on a specific border with one or more neighbouring Member States in respect of the commitment.
Amendment 72 #
2018/0198(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
(2) A Member State may also decide, with regard to a specific border with one or more neighbouring Member States, to join an existing effective way set up formally or informally by one or more neighbouring Member States or shall apply the mechanism in respect of the declaration.
Amendment 287 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point vii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point vii
(vii) enhancing biodiversity, green infrastructure in the urban environment, and reducing pollution, promoting zero emissions urban mobility, reducing pollution, protecting and promoting natural heritage;
Amendment 364 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iii
(iii) increasing the socioeconomic integration of marginalised communities, migrants and disadvantaged groups, through integrated measures including housing –in justified cases in private ownership- and social services;
Amendment 399 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e – point i
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e – point i
(i) fostering the integrated social, economic and environmental development, culture, natural heritage, sustainable tourism and security in urban areas;
Amendment 406 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e – point ii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e – point ii
(ii) fostering the integrated social, economic and environmental local development, culture, natural heritage, sustainable tourism and security, all at local level, cultural heritage and security, including for mountainous, rural and coastal areas, also through community-led local developmentnd areas that have difficulty accessing basic services, through territorial and local development strategies, through the forms set out in points (a) (b) and (c) of Article 22 of Regulation (EU) 2018/xxxx [new CPR].
Amendment 590 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Member States shall ensure an appropriate balance between investments under points (a) and (b), based on the investments and specific requirements of each Member State.
Amendment 43 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) a smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and more effective public administration;
Amendment 46 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) a more social Europe implementingtaking into account the European Pillar of Social Rights;
Amendment 49 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4
Article 4 – paragraph 4
Amendment 52 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Each Member State shall organise a partnership with the competent regional and local authorities. That partnership shall include at least the following partners:The European code of conduct on partnership for Partnership Agreements and programmes supported by the European Structural and Investment Funds shall be applied in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/2014
Amendment 53 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a
Amendment 54 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b
Amendment 55 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
Amendment 56 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Amendment 57 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Amendment 58 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 4
Article 6 – paragraph 4
Amendment 59 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. Each Member State shallmay prepare a Partnership Agreement which sets out arrangements for using the Funds in an effective and efficient way for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027.
Amendment 60 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Amendment 61 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the selected policy objectives indicating by which of the Funds and programmes they will be pursued and a justification thereto, and where relevant, a justification for using the delivery mode of the InvestEU, taking into account relevant country-specific recommendationand the national and regional development strategies of the Member States;
Amendment 63 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
(iii) complementarities between the Funds and other Union instruments, including LIFE strategic integrated projects and strategic nature projects;
Amendment 64 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) where relevant, the breakdown of financial resources by category of regions drawn up in accordance with Article 102(2) and the amounts of allocations proposed to be transferred between categories of regions pursuant to Article 105;
Amendment 65 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) the amounts to be contributed to InvestEU by Fund and by category of regions;
Amendment 66 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(g a) (h) a description of the territorial approach to be applied by the Member State, including territorial challenges and related national or regional strategies, territorial approach in relation to the 5 POs, links with EAFRD investments in rural areas, territorial instruments.
Amendment 67 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall assess the Partnership Agreement and its compliance with this Regulation and with the Fund- specific rules. In its assessment, the Commission shall, in particular, take into account relevant country-specific recommendations.
Amendment 68 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4
Article 9 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall adopt a decision by means of an implementing act approving the Partnership Agreement no later than four months after the date of the first submission of that Partnership Agreement by the Member State concerned. The Partnership Agreement shall not be amended.
Amendment 69 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 5
Article 9 – paragraph 5
5. If, pursuant to Article 7(4), the Partnership Agreement is included in a programme, the Commission shall adopt a decision by means of an implementing act approving that programme no later than six months after the date of the first submission of that programme by the Member State concerned.
Amendment 89 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
1. Each programme shall set out a strategy for the programme's contribution to the policy objectives and, except for priorities or programmes implemented in accordance with Article 22, and a strategy for the communication of its results.
Amendment 90 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
A programme shall consist of priorities. Each priority shall correspond to a singlone or more policy objectives or to technical assistance and may use support from one or more funds. A priority corresponding to a policy objective shall consist of one or more specific objectives. More than one priority may correspond to the same policy objective.
Amendment 93 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point i
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point i
(i) economic, social and territorial disparities, identified in national and regional development, strategies except for programmes supported by the EMFF;
Amendment 94 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point iii
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point iii
(iii) challenges identified in relevant country-specific recommendations and other relevant Union recommendations addressed to the Member State;
Amendment 95 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point v
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point v
Amendment 96 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Amendment 97 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) for each priority, except for technical assistance, specific objectives, indicative types of intervention and an indicative breakdown of the programmed resources by type of intervention or area of support;
Amendment 98 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point d – point i
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point d – point i
(i) the related types of actions, including a list of planned operations of strategic importance, and their expected contribution to those specific objectives and to macro-regional strategies and sea- basin strategies, where appropriate;
Amendment 100 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point d – point vii
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point d – point vii
Amendment 101 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point h
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point h
Amendment 102 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point i
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point i
Amendment 103 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point j
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point j
(j) the managing authority, the audit authority and the body which receives payments from the Commissif applicable, the certifying authority or the body fulfilling the accounting function.
Amendment 104 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 5
Article 17 – paragraph 5
5. Types of intervention shall be based on a nomenclature set out in Annex I. For programmes supported by the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, types of intervention shall be based on a nomenclature set out in the Fund-specific Regulations. Member States shall provide information on the support for environment and climate objectives using a the methodology based on types of intervention for each of the Funds shall consists of weighting to the support provided at a level which reflects the extent to which such support makes a contribution to environmental objectives and to climate objectives in the case of the ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund.
Amendment 105 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 17 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. A Member State may propose in its operational programme that a coefficient of 40 % be assigned to a measure weighed with a coefficient of 0 % in Annex I to this Regulation, provided that it can demonstrate the relevance of that measure or both to climate change mitigation or adaptation or environmental objectives.
Amendment 106 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 6
Article 17 – paragraph 6
Amendment 107 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall assess the programme and its compliance with this Regulation and with the Fund-specific Regulations, as well as if applicable, its consistency with the Partnership Agreement. In its assessment, the Commission shall, in particular, take into account relevant country-specific recommendations, challenges identified in national and regional development strategies and, where applicable, findings and recommendations of ex-ante evaluations.
Amendment 108 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 4
Article 18 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall adopt a decision by means of an implementing act approving the programme no later than six months after the date of the first submission of the programme by the Member State.
Amendment 109 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1
Article 19 – paragraph 1
1. The Member State may submit a motivated request for an amendment of a programme together with the amended programme setting out the expected impact of that amendment on the achievement of the objectives.
Amendment 110 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2
Article 19 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall assess the amendment and its compliance with this Regulation and with the Fund-specific Regulations, including requirements at national level, and may make observations within three months of the submission of the amended programme.
Amendment 111 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 4
Article 19 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall approve the amendment of a programme no later than six months after its first submission by the Member State.
Amendment 112 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
Article 19 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
The Member State may transfer during the programming period an amount of up to 15 % of the initial allocation of a priority and no more than 310 % of the programme budget to another priority of the same Fund of the same programme. For the programmes supported by the ERDF and ESF+, the transfer shall only concern allocations for the same category of region.
Amendment 113 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2
Article 20 – paragraph 2
2. The ERDF and the ESF+ may finance, in a complementary manner and subject to a limit of 105 % of support from those Funds for each priority of a programme, all or part of an operation for which the costs are eligible for support from the other Fund on the basis of eligibility rules applied to that Fund, provided that such costs are necessary for the implementation.
Amendment 116 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1
Article 21 – paragraph 1
1. Member States may request the transfer of up to 5 % of programme financial allocations from any of the Funds to any other Fund under shared managementto any other Fund or to any instrument under direct or indirect management.
Amendment 118 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 21 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. 2. Funds under shared management may receive a transfer of up to 5 % of their financial allocation from any Fund or any instrument under direct or indirect management.
Amendment 119 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 3
Article 21 – paragraph 3
3. Requests under paragraph 1 shall set out the total amount transferred for each year by Fund and by category of region, where relevant, shall be duly justified and shall be accompanied by the revised programme or programmes, from which the resources are to be transferred in accordance with Article 19 indicating to which other Fund or instrument the amounts are transferred.
Amendment 120 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 4
Article 21 – paragraph 4
4. TWhe Commission may object to a request forre a transfer has not been fully implemented within two years from the transfer in, the related programme amendment where this would undermine the achievement of the objectives of the programme from which the resources are to be transferredMember State or the Commission may request that amount of the transfer, which is not covered by commitment, to be transferred to the corresponding Fund or instrument. Following such a request, the transfer- back shall be implemented within 3 months after the request.
Amendment 121 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The Member State shallmay support integrated territorial development through territorial and local development strategies in any of the following forms:
Amendment 122 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) another territorial tool supporting initiatives designed by the Member State for investments programmed for the ERDF under the policy objective referred in Article 4(1)(e).
Amendment 124 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2
Article 24 – paragraph 2
Amendment 125 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1
Article 25 – paragraph 1
1. The ERDF, the ESF+ , the EAFRD as referred to in Regulation XX/XXX and the EMFF may support community-led local development.
Amendment 127 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 4
Article 25 – paragraph 4
4. Where the implementation of such a strategy involves support from more than one Ffund referred to in paragraph 1, the relevant managing authorities may choose one of those Ffunds concerned as the Lead Fund.
Amendment 128 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 3
Article 26 – paragraph 3
3. The relevant managing authorities shall complete the first round of selection of strategies and ensure the local action groups selected can fulfil their tasks set out in Article 27(3) within 12 months of the date of the approval of the relevant programme or, in the case of strategies supported by more than one Fund, within 124 months of the date of the approval of the last programme concerned.
Amendment 129 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 3 – point d
Article 27 – paragraph 3 – point d
(d) selecting operations in accordance with their Local Development Strategy and fixing the amount of support and presenting the proposals to the body responsible for final verification of eligibility before approval;
Amendment 130 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 2
Article 29 – paragraph 2
2. Such actions may cover future and previousprevious and future programming periods.
Amendment 131 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 1
Article 31 – paragraph 1
1. Technical assistance to each programme shallmay be reimbursed as a flat- rate by applying the percentages set out in paragraph 2 to the eligible expenditure included in each payment application pursuant to Article 85(3)(a) or (c) as appropriate.
Amendment 132 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) for the ERDF support under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, and for the Cohesion Fund support: 2,54 %;
Amendment 136 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) the Commission shall give at least 120 working days’ notice for the audit to the competent programme authority, except in urgent cases. Officials or authorised representatives of the Member State may take part in such audits.
Amendment 137 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) the Commission shall transmit the preliminary audit findings, in at least one of the official languages of the Union, no later than 32 months after the last day of the audit, to the competent Member State authority.
Amendment 138 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) the Commission shall transmit the audit report, in at least one of the official languages of the Union, no later than 32 months from the date of receiving a complete reply from the competent Member State authority to the preliminary audit findings.
Amendment 139 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
The Commission may extend the time limits referred in points (c) and (d) by an additional threewo months.
Amendment 140 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 65 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. 1 a. The Member State may identify a certifying authority. The Member State may, at its own initiative, designate a coordinating body whose responsibility shall be to liaise with and provide information to the Commission, to coordinate activities of the other relevant bodies and to promote the harmonized application of the applicable law.
Amendment 140 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) In order to further develop a coordinated and harmonised implementation of Union Funds implemented under shared management namely the European Regional Development Fund ('ERDF'), the European Social Fund Plus ('ESF+'), the Cohesion Fund, and measures financed under shared management in the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund ('EMFF'), the Asylum and Migration Fund ('AMIF'), Internal Security Fund ('ISF') and Integrated Border Management Fund ('BMVI'), financial rules based on Article 322 of the TFEU should be established for all these Funds ('the Funds'), clearly specifying the scope of application of the relevant provisions. In addition, common provisions based on Article 177 of the TFEU should be established to cover policy specific rules for the ERDF, the ESF+, the Cohesion Fund and the EMFF.
Amendment 141 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 2
Article 66 – paragraph 2
2. The Member State may entrust the accounting function referred to in Article 70 to the managing authority, to the certifying authority or to another body.
Amendment 142 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 4
Article 66 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall adopt an implementing act in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 109(2) in order to ensure uniform conditions for the electronic data to be recorded and stored referred to in point (e) of paragraph 1. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 109(2).
Amendment 143 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 2
Article 67 – paragraph 2
Amendment 144 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 3 – point i
Article 67 – paragraph 3 – point i
Amendment 145 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 67 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Member States shall draw up and adopt rules of procedure for providing such support in accordance with the institutional, legal and financial framework of the Member State concerned.
Amendment 146 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point g
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point g
Amendment 147 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 68 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Management verifications referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1 shallmay be risk-based and proportionate to the risks identified as defined in a risk management strategy.
Amendment 148 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) (d) certifying the completeness, accuracy and veracity of the accounts and that the expenditure entered in the accounts complies with applicable law and has been incurred in respect of operations selected for funding in accordance with the criteria applicable to the operational programme and complying with applicable law;
Amendment 149 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c b (new)
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c b (new)
(c b) (e) ensuring, for the purposes of drawing up and submitting payment applications, that it has received adequate information from the managing authority on the procedures and verifications carried out in relation to expenditure;
Amendment 150 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c c (new)
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c c (new)
(c c) (f) taking account when drawing up and submitting payment applications of the results of all audits carried out by, or under the responsibility of, the audit authority;
Amendment 151 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c d (new)
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c d (new)
(c d) (g) maintaining, in a computerised form, accounting records of expenditure declared to the Commission and of the corresponding public contribution paid to beneficiaries;
Amendment 152 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 71 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 71 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Where programmes are grouped for the purpose of audits of operations pursuant to Article 73(2), the information required under paragraph (3)(b) may beis grouped in a single report.
Amendment 153 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 74 – paragraph 2
Article 74 – paragraph 2
2. For programmes for which the Commission concludes that the opinion of the audit authority is reliable and the Member State concerned participates in the enhanced cooperation on the European Public Prosecutor's Office, the Commission's own audits shall be limited to auditing the work of the audit authority.
Amendment 154 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 74 – paragraph 4
Article 74 – paragraph 4
Amendment 155 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 74 – paragraph 5 – point a
Article 74 – paragraph 5 – point a
(a) there is a specific risk of irregularity or an indication of fraud;
Amendment 156 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 78 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 78 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The Member State may apply the enhanced proportionate arrangements set out in Article 77 at any time during the programming period, where the Commission has confirmed in its published annual activity reports for the last two years preceding the Member State's decision to apply the provisions of this Article, that the programme's management and control system is functioning effectively and that the total error rate for each year is below 2 %. When assessing the effective functioning of the programme's management and control system, the Commission shall take into account the participation of the Member State concerned in the enhanced cooperation on the European Public Prosecutor's Office.
Amendment 163 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) the Commission shall give at least 120 working days’ notice for the audit to the competent programme authority, except in urgent cases. Officials or authorised representatives of the Member State may take part in such audits.
Amendment 164 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) the Commission shall transmit the preliminary audit findings, in at least one of the official languages of the Union, no later than 32 months after the last day of the audit, to the competent Member State authority.
Amendment 165 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) the Commission shall transmit the audit report, in at least one of the official languages of the Union, no later than 32 months from the date of receiving a complete reply from the competent Member State authority to the preliminary audit findings.
Amendment 166 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
The Commission may extend the time limits referred in points (c) and (d) by an additional threewo months.
Amendment 167 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 65 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The Member State may identify a certifying authority. The Member State may, at its own initiative, designate a coordinating body whose responsibility shall be to liaise with and provide information to the Commission, to coordinate activities of the other relevant bodies and to promote the harmonized application of the applicable law.
Amendment 168 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) In order to contribute to Union priorities, the Funds should focus their support on a limited number of policy objectives in line with their Fund-specific missions pursuant to their Treaty-based objectives. The policy objectives for the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI should be set out in the respective Funds-specific regulations.
Amendment 168 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 2
Article 66 – paragraph 2
2. The Member State may entrust the accounting function referred to in Article 70 to the managing authority, to the certifying authority or to another body.
Amendment 169 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 4
Article 66 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall adopt an implementing act in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 109(2) in order to ensure uniform conditions for the electronic data to be recorded and stored referred to in point (e) of paragraph 1. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 109(2).
Amendment 170 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 2
Article 67 – paragraph 2
Amendment 171 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 3 – point i
Article 67 – paragraph 3 – point i
Amendment 172 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 67 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Member States shall draw up and adopt rules of procedure for providing such support in accordance with the institutional, legal and financial framework of the Member State concerned.
Amendment 173 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point g
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point g
Amendment 174 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 68 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Management verifications referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1 shallmay be risk-based and proportionate to the risks identified as defined in a risk management strategy.
Amendment 175 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) certifying the completeness, accuracy and veracity of the accounts and that the expenditure entered in the accounts complies with applicable law and has been incurred in respect of operations selected for funding in accordance with the criteria applicable to the operational programme and complying with applicable law;
Amendment 176 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c b (new)
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c b (new)
Amendment 177 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c c (new)
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c c (new)
(cc) taking account when drawing up and submitting payment applications of the results of all audits carried out by, or under the responsibility of, the audit authority;
Amendment 178 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c d (new)
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c d (new)
(cd) maintaining, in a computerised form, accounting records of expenditure declared to the Commission and of the corresponding public contribution paid to beneficiaries;
Amendment 179 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 71 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 71 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Where programmes are grouped for the purpose of audits of operations pursuant to Article 73(2), the information required under paragraph (3)(b) may beis grouped in a single report.
Amendment 180 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 74 – paragraph 2
Article 74 – paragraph 2
2. For programmes for which the Commission concludes that the opinion of the audit authority is reliable and the Member State concerned participates in the enhanced cooperation on the European Public Prosecutor's Office, the Commission's own audits shall be limited to auditing the work of the audit authority.
Amendment 181 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 74 – paragraph 4
Article 74 – paragraph 4
Amendment 182 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 74 – paragraph 5 – point a
Article 74 – paragraph 5 – point a
(a) there is a specific risk of irregularity or an indication of fraud;
Amendment 183 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 78 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 78 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The Member State may apply the enhanced proportionate arrangements set out in Article 77 at any time during the programming period, where the Commission has confirmed in its published annual activity reports for the last two years preceding the Member State's decision to apply the provisions of this Article, that the programme's management and control system is functioning effectively and that the total error rate for each year is below 2 %. When assessing the effective functioning of the programme's management and control system, the Commission shall take into account the participation of the Member State concerned in the enhanced cooperation on the European Public Prosecutor's Office.
Amendment 236 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) To ensure the necessary prerequisites for the effective and efficient use of Union support granted by the Funds, a limited list of enabling conditions as well as a concise and exhaustive set of objective criteria for their assessment should be established. Each enabling condition should be linked to a specific objective and should be automatically applicable where the specific objective is selected for support. Where those conditions are not fulfilled, expenditure related to operations under the related specific objectives should not be included in payment applications.. In order to maintain a favourable investment framework, the continued fulfilment of the enabling conditions should be monitored regularly. It is also important to ensure that operations selected for support are implemented consistently with the strategies and planning documents in place underlying the fulfilled enabling conditions, thus ensuring that all co- financed operations are in line with the Union policy framework.
Amendment 240 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) The Member State should carry out a mid-term review of each programme supported by the ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund. That review should provide a fully-fledged adjustment of programmes based on programme performance, while also providing an opportunity to take account of new challenges and relevant CSRs issued in 2024. In parallel, in 2024 the Commission should, together with the technical adjustment for the year 2025, review all Member States' total allocations under the Investment for jobs and growth goal of cohesion policy for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027, applying the allocation method set out in the relevant basic act. That review together with the outcome of the mid-term review should result in programme amendments modifying the financial allocations for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027.
Amendment 304 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47
Recital 47
Amendment 325 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 63
Recital 63
Amendment 340 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) financial rules for the European Regional Development Fund ('ERDF'), the European Social Fund Plus ('ESF+'), the Cohesion Fund,, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund ('EMFF'), the Asylum and Migration Fund ('AMIF'), the Internal Security Fund ('ISF') and the Border Management and Visa Instrument ('BMVI') ('the Funds');
Amendment 350 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. This Regulation shall not apply to the Employment and Social Innovation and the Health strands of the ESF+ and to the direct or indirect management components of the EMFF, the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, except for technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission.
Amendment 352 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Amendment 354 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 6 – point e
Article 1 – paragraph 6 – point e
Amendment 355 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 6 – point f
Article 1 – paragraph 6 – point f
Amendment 356 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 6 – point g
Article 1 – paragraph 6 – point g
Amendment 361 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5
(5) 'priority' in the context of the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, means a specific objective; in the context of the EMFF it means a 'type of areas of support' as referred to in the nomenclature laid down in Annex III of the EMFF Regulation;
Amendment 396 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) a smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and more effective public administration;
Amendment 426 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) a more social Europe implementingtaking into account the European Pillar of Social Rights;
Amendment 442 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4
Article 4 – paragraph 4
Amendment 452 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. If operations financed from the programmes within the scope of this Regulation contain State aid, the State aid shall automatically qualify as compliant with State aid rules if granted under the block-exempted aid category specific to this Regulation as included in Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014.
Amendment 480 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Each Member State shall organise a partnership with the competent regional and local authorities. That partnership shall include at least the following partners:The European code of conduct on partnership for Partnership Agreements and programmes supported by the European Structural and Investment Funds shall be applied in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No240/2014;
Amendment 489 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a
Amendment 499 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b
Amendment 502 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
Amendment 514 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Amendment 523 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Amendment 529 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 4
Article 6 – paragraph 4
Amendment 550 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. Each Member State shallmay prepare a Partnership Agreement which sets out arrangements for using the Funds in an effective and efficient way for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027.
Amendment 557 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Amendment 581 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the selected policy objectives indicating by which of the Funds and programmes they will be pursued and a justification thereto, and where relevataking int,o a justification for using the delivery mode of the InvestEU, taking into account relevant country-specific recommendationccount the national and regional development strategies of the Member States;
Amendment 590 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
(i) a summary of the policy choices and the main results expected for each of the Funds, including where relevant, through the use of InvestEU;
Amendment 599 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
(iii) complementarities between the Funds and other Union instruments, including LIFE strategic integrated projects and strategic nature projects;
Amendment 605 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) where relevant, the breakdown of financial resources by category of regions drawn up in accordance with Article 102(2) and the amounts of allocations proposed to be transferred between categories of regions pursuant to Article 105;
Amendment 607 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point e
Amendment 621 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(g a) (h) a description of the territorial approach to be applied by the Member State, including territorial challenges and related national or regional strategies, territorial approach in relation to the 5 POs, links with EAFRD investments in rural areas, territorial instruments.
Amendment 641 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall assess the Partnership Agreement and its compliance with this Regulation and with the Fund- specific rules. In its assessment, the Commission shall, in particular, take into account relevant country-specific recommendations.
Amendment 658 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4
Article 9 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall adopt a decision by means of an implementing act approving the Partnership Agreement no later than four months after the date of the first submission of that Partnership Agreement by the Member State concerned. The Partnership Agreement shall not be amended.
Amendment 662 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 5
Article 9 – paragraph 5
5. If, pursuant to Article 7(4), the Partnership Agreement is included in a programme, the Commission shall adopt a decision by means of an implementing act approving that programme no later than six months after the date of the first submission of that programme by the Member State concerned.
Amendment 665 #
Amendment 709 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. When preparing a programme or introducing a new specific objective as part of a programme amendment, the Member State shall assess whether the enabling conditions linked to the selected specific objective are fulfilled. An enabling condition is fulfilled where all the related criteria are met. The Member State shall identify in each programme or in the programme amendment the fulfilled and non-fulfilled enabling conditions and where it considers that an enabling condition is fulfilled, it shall provide justification.
Amendment 710 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3
Article 11 – paragraph 3
3. Where an enabling condition is not fulfilled at the time of approval of the programme or the programme amendment, the Member State shall report to the Commission as soon as it considers the enabling condition fulfilled with justification.
Amendment 715 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
That assessment of applicability by the Commission shall take account of the principle of proportionality having regard to the level of support allocated, where appropriate. The assessment of fulfilment by the Commission shall be limited to the criteria laid down in the Fund-specific rules and in Annex III, and shall respect national and regional competences to decide on the specific and adequate policy measures including the content of strategies.
Amendment 722 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Paragraph 5 shall not apply in the event of agreement between the Commission and the Member State on the non- applicability of an enabling condition or on the fact that an applicable enabling condition has been fulfilled, as indicated by the approval of the programme and the Partnership Agreement, or in the absence of Commission observations within 60 days of the submission of the relevant report referred to in paragraph 3.
Amendment 724 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 726 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
The Commission shall without delay lift the suspension of interim payments for a specific objective where a Member State has completed actions related to the fulfilment of the enabling conditions applicable to the programme concerned which had not been fulfilled at the time of the decision of the Commission on the suspension. It shall also without delay lift the suspension where, following amendment of the programme related to the priority concerned, the enabling condition concerned is no longer applicable.
Amendment 728 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 756 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point a
Amendment 779 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The Member State shallmay submit to the Commission by 31 March 2025 a request for the amendment of each programme in accordance with Article 19(1). The Member State shall justify the amendment on the basis of the elements set out in paragraph 1.
Amendment 780 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 789 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 3
Article 14 – paragraph 3
Amendment 808 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 6
Article 15 – paragraph 6
Amendment 818 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 15 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
The Commission shall make a proposal to the Council to suspend all or part of the commitments or payments for one or more of the programmes of a Member State in the following cases:
Amendment 820 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 825 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 1
A proposal by the Commission for the suspension of commitments shall be deemed adopted by the Council unless the Council decides, by means of an implementing act, to reject such a proposal by qualified majority within onthree months of the submission of the Commission proposal.
Amendment 828 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 3
Article 15 – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 3
Amendment 836 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 9
Article 15 – paragraph 9
9. The scope and level of the suspension of commitments or payments to be imposed shall be proportionate, shall respect the equality of treatment between Member States and shall take into account the economic and social circumstances of the Member State concerned, in particular the level of unemployment, the level of poverty or social exclusion of the Member State concerned in relation to the Union average and the impact of the suspension on the economy of the Member State concerned. The impact of suspensions on programmes of critical importance to address adverse economic or social conditions shall be a specific factor to be taken into account.
Amendment 841 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 10 – subparagraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 10 – subparagraph 2
In case of persistent non-compliance, the suspension of commitments may exceedis subject to a ceiling of twice the maximum percentages set out in the first sub-paragraph.
Amendment 846 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 11 – subparagraph 5
Article 15 – paragraph 11 – subparagraph 5
Amendment 849 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 11 – subparagraph 5 a (new)
Article 15 – paragraph 11 – subparagraph 5 a (new)
The procedure set out in paragraphs 7 to 11 shall be applied only where: (a) economic governance tools have already been deployed, (b) those tools have proven insufficient to improve macroeconomic and fiscal stability, and (c) one of the cases referred to in points (a) to (e) of paragraph 7 is putting cohesion policy expenditure at risk in that Member State.
Amendment 869 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 870 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
1. Each programme shall set out a strategy for the programme's contribution to the policy objectives and, except for priorities or programmes implemented in accordance with Article 22, and a strategy for the communication of its results.
Amendment 874 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
A programme shall consist of priorities. Each priority shall correspond to a singlone or more policy objectives or to technical assistance and may use support from one or more funds. A priority corresponding to a policy objective shall consist of one or more specific objectives. More than one priority may correspond to the same policy objective.
Amendment 877 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
Amendment 880 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point i
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point i
(i) economic, social and territorial disparities, identified in national and regional development strategies, except for programmes supported by the EMFF;
Amendment 895 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point iii
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point iii
(iii) challenges identified in relevant country-specific recommendations and other relevant Union recommendations addressed to the Member State;
Amendment 901 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point v
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point v
Amendment 906 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point vii
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point vii
Amendment 910 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Amendment 915 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) for each priority, except for technical assistance, specific objectives, indicative types of intervention and an indicative breakdown of the programmed resources by type of intervention or area of support;
Amendment 919 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point d – point i
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point d – point i
(i) the related types of actions, including a list of planned operations of strategic importance, and their expected contribution to those specific objectives and to macro-regional strategies and sea- basin strategies, where appropriate;
Amendment 939 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point d – point vii
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point d – point vii
Amendment 941 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point f – point iv
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point f – point iv
Amendment 945 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point h
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point h
Amendment 946 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point i
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point i
Amendment 954 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point j
Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point j
(j) the managing authority, the audit authority and the body which receives payments from the Commiss, if applicable, the certifying authority or the body fulfilling the accounting function.
Amendment 958 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 4
Article 17 – paragraph 4
Amendment 962 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 5
Article 17 – paragraph 5
5. Types of intervention shall be based on a nomenclature set out in Annex I. For programmes supported by the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, types of intervention shall be based on a nomenclature set out in the Fund-specific Regulations.
Amendment 963 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 17 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. A Member State may propose in its operational programme that a coefficient of 40 % be assigned to a measure weighed with a coefficient of 0 % in Annex I to this Regulation, provided that it can demonstrate the relevance of that measure or both to climate change mitigation or adaptation or to environmental objectives.
Amendment 964 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 6
Article 17 – paragraph 6
Amendment 975 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall assess the programme and its compliance with this Regulation and with the Fund-specific Regulations, as well as, if applicable, its consistency with the Partnership Agreement. In its assessment, the Commission shall, in particular, take into account relevant country-specific recommendations, challenges identified in national and regional development strategies and, where applicable, findings and recommendations of ex-ante evaluations.
Amendment 1001 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 4
Article 18 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall adopt a decision by means of an implementing act approving the programme no later than six months after the date of the first submission of the programme by the Member State.
Amendment 1008 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1
Article 19 – paragraph 1
1. The Member State may submit a motivated request for an amendment of a programme together with the amended programme setting out the expected impact of that amendment on the achievement of the objectives.
Amendment 1024 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 4
Article 19 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall approve the amendment of a programme no later than six months after its first submission by the Member State.
Amendment 1036 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
Article 19 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
The Member State may transfer during the programming period an amount of up to 15 % of the initial allocation of a priority and no more than 310 % of the programme budget to another priority of the same Fund of the same programme. For the programmes supported by the ERDF and ESF+, the transfer shall only concern allocations for the same category of region.
Amendment 1069 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2
Article 20 – paragraph 2
2. The ERDF and the ESF+ may finance, in a complementary manner and subject to a limit of 105 % of support from those Funds for each priority of a programme, all or part of an operation for which the costs are eligible for support from the other Fund on the basis of eligibility rules applied to that Fund, provided that such costs are necessary for the implementation.
Amendment 1085 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1
Article 21 – paragraph 1
1. Member States may request the transfer of up to 5 % of programme financial allocations from any of the Funds to any other Fund under shared management or to any instrument under direct or indirect managementthe European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus or the Cohesion Fund.
Amendment 1086 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 21 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Funds under shared management may receive a transfer of up to 5 % of their financial allocation from any Fund or any instrument under direct or indirect management.
Amendment 1092 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 3
Article 21 – paragraph 3
3. Requests under paragraph 1 shall set out the total amount transferred for each year by Fund and by category of region, where relevant, shall be duly justified and shall be accompanied by the revised programme or programmes, from which the resources are to be transferred in accordance with Article 19 indicating to which other Fund or instrument the amounts are transferred.
Amendment 1094 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 4
Article 21 – paragraph 4
4. TWhe Commission may object to a request for transfer in the related programme amendment where this would undermine the achievement of the objectives of the programme from which the resources are to be transferredre a transfer has not been fully implemented within two years, the Member State or the Commission may request that amount of the transfer which is not covered by commitments to be transferred to the corresponding Fund or instrument. Following such a request, the transfer back shall be implemented within 3 months of the request.
Amendment 1100 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The Member State shallmay support integrated territorial development through territorial and local development strategies in any of the following forms:
Amendment 1106 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) another territorial tool supporting initiatives designed by the Member State for investments programmed for the ERDF under the policy objective referred in Article 4(1)(e).
Amendment 1150 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2
Article 24 – paragraph 2
Amendment 1152 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1
Article 25 – paragraph 1
1. The ERDF, the ESF+, the EAFRD as referred to in Regulation XX/XXX, and the EMFF may support community-led local development.
Amendment 1168 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 4
Article 25 – paragraph 4
4. Where the implementation of such a strategy involves support from more than one Fund referred to in paragraph 1, the relevant managing authorities may choose one of those Funds concerned as the Lead Fund.
Amendment 1187 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 3
Article 26 – paragraph 3
3. The relevant managing authorities shall complete the first round of selection of strategies and ensure the local action groups selected can fulfil their tasks set out in Article 27(3) within 12 months of the date of the approval of the relevant programme or, in the case of strategies supported by more than one Fund, within 124 months of the date of the approval of the last programme concerned.
Amendment 1193 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 3 – point d
Article 27 – paragraph 3 – point d
(d) selecting operations in accordance with their Local Development Strategy and fixing the amount of support and presenting the proposals to the body responsible for final verification of eligibility before approval;
Amendment 1201 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 2
Article 29 – paragraph 2
2. Such actions may cover future and previousprevious and future programming periods.
Amendment 1212 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 1
Article 31 – paragraph 1
1. Technical assistance to each programme shallmay be reimbursed as a flat- rate by applying the percentages set out in paragraph 2 to the eligible expenditure included in each payment application pursuant to Article 85(3)(a) or (c) as appropriate.
Amendment 1228 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) for the ERDF support under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, and for the Cohesion Fund support: 2,54 %;
Amendment 1247 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point d
Amendment 1280 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 1 – point h
Article 35 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) the fulfilment of enabling conditions and their application throughout the programming periodat the date of the submission of the Partnership Agreement and operational programme;
Amendment 1297 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 2
Article 36 – paragraph 2
Amendment 1299 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 6
Article 36 – paragraph 6
6. For programmes supported by the EMFF, the AMF, the ISF and the BMVI, the Member State shall submit an annual performance report in accordance with the Fund-specific Regulations.
Amendment 1335 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 5
Article 39 – paragraph 5
5. The managing authority or the Member State shall draw up an evaluation plan. That evaluation plan may cover more than one programme. For the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, that plan shall include a mid-term evaluation to be completed by 31 March 2024.
Amendment 1362 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 45 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
Article 45 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
(ii) operations supported by the ESF+, the EMFF, the ISF, the AMIF and the BMVI the total cost of which exceeds EUR 100 000.
Amendment 1376 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 48 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 48 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Where the total cost of an operation does not exceed EUR 200 000, the contribution provided to the beneficiary from the ERDF, the ESF+, the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI shall take the form of unit costs, lump sums or flat rates, except for operations for which the support constitutes State aid. Where flat-rate financing is used, only the categories of costs to which the flat-rate applies may be reimbursed in accordance with point (a) of the first sub-paragraph.
Amendment 1383 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 50 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 50 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 1392 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 51 – paragraph 2
Article 51 – paragraph 2
2. For operations supported by the AMIF, the ISF, the BMVI, the ESF+ and the ERDF, salaries and allowances paid to participants shall be considered additional eligible costs not included in the flat rate.
Amendment 1437 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 57 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2
Article 57 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2
For the ERDF, the Cohesion Fund, that shall be the case where a new type of intervention referred to in Table 1 of Annex I or, for the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI, in the Fund-specific Regulations is added in the programme.
Amendment 1439 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 58 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 58 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Amendment 1487 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 63 – paragraph 11 a (new)
Article 63 – paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. The Member State shall provide forecasts of the amount for payment applications to be submitted for the current and subsequent calendar years by 31 January and 31 July, in accordance with Annex VII.
Amendment 1496 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) the Commission shall give at least 120 working days’ notice for the audit to the competent programme authority, except in urgent cases. Officials or authorised representatives of the Member State may take part in such audits.
Amendment 1499 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) the Commission shall transmit the preliminary audit findings, in at least one of the official languages of the Union, no later than 32 months after the last day of the audit, to the competent Member State authority.
Amendment 1502 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) the Commission shall transmit the audit report, in at least one of the official languages of the Union, no later than 32 months from the date of receiving a complete reply from the competent Member State authority to the preliminary audit findings.
Amendment 1505 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
The Commission may extend the time limits referred in points (c) and (d) by an additional threewo months.
Amendment 1507 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 65 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The Member State may identify a certifying authority. The Member State may, at its own initiative, designate a coordinating body whose responsibility shall be to liaise with and provide information to the Commission, to coordinate activities of the other relevant bodies and to promote the harmonised application of the applicable law.
Amendment 1516 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 2
Article 66 – paragraph 2
2. The Member State may entrust the accounting function referred to in Article 70 to the managing authority, to the certifying authority or to another body.
Amendment 1517 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 3
Article 66 – paragraph 3
Amendment 1519 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 4
Article 66 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall adopt an implementing act in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 109(2) in order to ensure uniform conditions for the electronic data to be recorded and stored referred to in point (e) of paragraph 1. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 109(2).
Amendment 1524 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 2
Article 67 – paragraph 2
Amendment 1539 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 3 – point i
Article 67 – paragraph 3 – point i
Amendment 1555 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 67 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Member States shall draw up and adopt rules of procedure for providing such support in accordance with the institutional, legal and financial framework of the Member State concerned.
Amendment 1567 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point g
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point g
Amendment 1569 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 68 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Management verifications referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1 shallmay be risk-based and proportionate to the risks identified as defined in a risk management strategy.
Amendment 1575 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Amendment 1579 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c b (new)
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c b (new)
(cb) ensuring, for the purposes of drawing up and submitting payment applications, that it has received adequate information from the managing authority on the procedures and verifications carried out in relation to expenditure;
Amendment 1580 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c c (new)
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c c (new)
(cc) taking into account, when drawing up and submitting payment applications, the results of all audits carried out by, or under the responsibility of, the audit authority.
Amendment 1581 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c d (new)
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point c d (new)
(cd) maintaining, in a computerised form, accounting records of expenditure declared to the Commission and of the corresponding public contribution paid to beneficiaries.
Amendment 1584 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 71 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 71 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Where programmes are grouped for the purpose of audits of operations pursuant to Article 73(2), the information required under paragraph (3)(b) mayshall be grouped in a single report.
Amendment 1585 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 71 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Article 71 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 1594 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 73 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
Article 73 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
Amendment 1599 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 74 – paragraph 2
Article 74 – paragraph 2
2. For programmes for which the Commission concludes that the opinion of the audit authority is reliable and the Member State concerned participates in the enhanced cooperation on the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Commission’s own audits shall be limited to auditing the work of the audit authority.
Amendment 1600 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 74 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 74 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Operations for which the total eligible expenditure does not exceed EUR 400 000 for the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, EUR 300 000 for the ESF+, EUR 200 000 for the EMFF, the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI shall not be subject to more than one audit by either the audit authority or the Commission prior to the submission of the accounts for the accounting year in which the operation is completed.
Amendment 1601 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 74 – paragraph 4
Article 74 – paragraph 4
Amendment 1602 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 74 – paragraph 5 – point a
Article 74 – paragraph 5 – point a
(a) there is a specific risk of irregularity or an indication of fraud;
Amendment 1617 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 78 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 78 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The Member State may apply the enhanced proportionate arrangements set out in Article 77 at any time during the programming period, where the Commission has confirmed in its published annual activity reports for the last two years preceding the Member State’s decision to apply the provisions of this Article, that the programme’s management and control system is functioning effectively and that the total error rate for each year is below 2 %. When assessing the effective functioning of the programme’s management and control system, the Commission shall take into account the participation of the Member State concerned in the enhanced cooperation on the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Amendment 1624 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 84 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 84 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) 2021: 01.5 %;
Amendment 1642 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 84 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 84 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) 2022: 01.5 %;
Amendment 1668 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 84 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 84 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) 2023: 0.52 %;
Amendment 1698 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 84 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Article 84 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) 2024: 0.52 %;
Amendment 1706 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 84 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Article 84 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e
(e) 2025: 02.5 %;
Amendment 1727 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 84 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point f
Article 84 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point f
(f) 2026: 02.5 %
Amendment 1743 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 85 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 85 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The Member State shall submit a maximum of four payment applications per programme, per Fund and per accounting year. Every year the time limit for each payment application shall be 30 April, 31 July, 31 October and 26 Decembepayment application for the accounting year that has ended on 30 June shall be submitted by 31 July of the same calendar year.
Amendment 1746 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 85 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 85 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 1748 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 85 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 85 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. By way of derogation from paragraph 3, in the case of state aid, the payment application may include advances paid to the beneficiary by the body granting the aid under the following cumulative conditions: (a) those advances are subject to a guarantee provided by a bank or other financial institution established in the Member State or covered by a facility provided as a guarantee by a public entity or by the Member State; (b) those advances do not exceed 40% of the total amount of the aid to be granted to a beneficiary for a given operation; (c) those advances are covered by expenditure paid by beneficiaries in implementing the operation and supported by receipted invoices or accounting documents of equivalent probative value at the latest within three years following the year of the payment of the advance or by 31 December 2030, whichever is earlier, failing which the next payment application shall be corrected accordingly.
Amendment 1777 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 92 – paragraph 7
Article 92 – paragraph 7
7. As part of the assurance package, the Member State shall submit for the last accounting year the final performance report referred to in Article 38 or the last annual implementation report for the EMFF, the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI.
Amendment 1801 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 99 – paragraph 2
Article 99 – paragraph 2
Amendment 1810 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 101 – paragraph 2
Article 101 – paragraph 2
2. The Member State shall have onetwo months to agree to the amount to be decommitted or to submit its observations.
Amendment 1820 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 103 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 103 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The resources for economic, social and territorial cohesion available for budgetary commitment for the period 2021-2027 shall be EUR 330 624 388 6372 197 000 000 in 2018 prices.
Amendment 1913 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 106 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 106 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) 7085 % for the less developed regions;
Amendment 1939 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 106 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 106 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) 5560 % for the transition regions;
Amendment 1958 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 106 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 106 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) 450 % for the more developed regions.
Amendment 1970 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 106 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
Article 106 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
The co-financing rate for the Cohesion Fund at the level of each priority shall not be higher than 7085 %.
Amendment 1992 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 106 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 106 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
The co-financing rate for Interreg programmes shall be no higher than 7085 %.
Amendment 2010 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – point 5 – paragraph 4
Annex II – point 5 – paragraph 4
Amendment 2012 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – point 6 – paragraph 3
Annex II – point 6 – paragraph 3
*Policy objectives according to Article 4(1), CPR. For ERDF, CF and ESF+ years 2021-2025; for EMFF for 2021- 2027.
Amendment 2014 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – point 2 – paragraph 3 – point 2.1 – point 2.1.1 – point 2.1.1.3 – introductory part
Annex V – point 2 – paragraph 3 – point 2.1 – point 2.1.1 – point 2.1.1.3 – introductory part
2.1.1.3 Indicative breakdown of the programme resources (EU) by type of intervention56 (not applicable to the EMFF) _________________ 56 Prior to the mid-term review in 2025 for the ERDF, the ESF+ and the CF, breakdown for the years 2021 to 2025 only.
Amendment 2018 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex VII – subheading 1
Annex VII – subheading 1
Amendment 2019 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex XIX – point 1 – point 1.4
Annex XIX – point 1 – point 1.4
1.4 Identification of the programme(s) covered by the report and of its/their managing authority/ies. Where the report covers more than one programme or Fund, the information shall be broken down by programme and by Fund, identifying in each Section the information that is specific for the programme and/or the Fund.
Amendment 2020 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex XX – point 3 – point 3.2 – paragraph 3 – point a
Annex XX – point 3 – point 3.2 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) quality and quantity of the administrative and on-the-spot management verifications in respect of public procurement rules, State aid rules, environmental requirements and other applicable law;
Amendment 2021 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex XX – point 3 – point 3.2 – paragraph 3 – point d
Annex XX – point 3 – point 3.2 – paragraph 3 – point d
(d) functioning and security of electronic systems, and their interoperability with type of access to the electronic data exchange system of the Commission.
Amendment 2099 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 1 – row 010
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 1 – row 010
010 Digitizing SMEs (including e- 40% 0% Commerce, e-Business and networked business processes, digital innovation hubs, living labs, web entrepreneurs and ICT start-ups, B2B)
Amendment 2100 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 1 – row 011
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 1 – row 011
011 Government ICT solutions, e-services, 40% 0% applications
Amendment 2101 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 1 – row 012
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 1 – row 012
012 IT services and applications for digital 40% 0% skills and digital inclusion
Amendment 2102 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 1 – row 013
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 1 – row 013
013 e-Health services and applications 40% 0% (including e-Care, Internet of Things for physical activity and ambient assisted living)
Amendment 2106 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 1 – row 023
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 1 – row 023
023 Research and innovation processes, 4 100% 100% technology transfer and cooperation between enterprises focusing on circular economy
Amendment 2111 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 2 – row 042
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 2 – row 042
042 Household waste management: 40% 100% prevention, minimisation, sorting, recycling measures
Amendment 2114 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 2 – row 043
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 2 – row 043
043 Household waste management: 40% 100% mechanical biological treatment, thermal treatment
Amendment 2115 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 2 – row 044
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 2 – row 044
044 Commercial, industrial or hazardous 40% 100% waste management
Amendment 2116 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 2 – row 045
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 2 – row 045
045 Promoting the use of recycled materials 40% 100% as raw materials
Amendment 2117 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 2 – row 046
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 2 – row 046
046 Rehabilitation of industrial sites and 40% 100% contaminated land
Amendment 2119 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 3 – row 051
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 3 – row 051
051 ICT: Very High-Capacity broadband 40% 0% network (backbone/backhaul network)
Amendment 2120 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 3 – row 052
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 3 – row 052
Amendment 2121 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 3 – row 053
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 3 – row 053
053 ICT: Very High-Capacity broadband 40% 0% network (access/local loop with a performance equivalent to an optical fibre installation up to the distribution point at the serving location for homes and business premises)
Amendment 2122 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 3 – row 054
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 3 – row 054
054 ICT: Very High-Capacity broadband 40% 0% network (access/local loop with a performance equivalent to an optical fibre installation up to the base station for advanced wireless communication)
Amendment 2123 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 3 – row 055
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 3 – row 055
055 ICT: Other types of ICT infrastructure 40% 0% (including large-scale computer resources/equipment, data centres, sensors and other wireless equipment)
Amendment 2131 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 3 – row 067
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 3 – row 067
067 Reconstructed or improved railways - 40% 40% TEN-T core network
Amendment 2132 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 3 – row 068
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 3 – row 068
068 Reconstructed or improved railways - 40% 40% TEN-T comprehensive network
Amendment 2133 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 3 – row 069
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 3 – row 069
069 Other reconstructed or improved 40% 40% railways
Amendment 2142 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 5 – row 130
Annex I – Table 1 – Policy objective 5 – row 130
130 Protection, development and promotion 40% 100% of natural heritage and eco-tourism
Amendment 2144 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Point 5 – Table 4 – row 8 – column 1
Annex II – Point 5 – Table 4 – row 8 – column 1
Amendment 2145 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Point 6 – Table 6 – row 7
Annex II – Point 6 – Table 6 – row 7
Amendment 2146 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Point 6 – Table 6 – row 8
Annex II – Point 6 – Table 6 – row 8
Amendment 2147 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – Point 6 – Table 6 – row 9
Annex II – Point 6 – Table 6 – row 9
Amendment 2 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas cohesion policy has a proven record of achieving good results in terms of jobs and growth, growth and competitiveness and generates EUR 2.74 of additional GDP for each euro of taxpayers’ money invested;
Amendment 18 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers the proposed cut of 10 % to the allocations for cohesion policy unacceptable; reiterates its position that the 2021-2027 MFF needs to secure at least the same level of funding for cohesion policy, in constant prices, as under the current MFF; deplores that the proposed cuts to allocations affect mainly those regions which made the best use of EU funds and certain Member States would have to cope with a reduction of more than 20%;
Amendment 38 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 4
4. Declares, moreover, its opposition to any reduction in the level of key EU policies, such as the EU cohesion policy and the common agricultural policy (CAP); is particularly opposed to any radical cuts that will adversely impact on the very nature and objectives of these policies, such as the cuts proposed for the ERDF, the Cohesion Fund or for the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development; opposes, in this context, the proposal to reduce the European Social Fund despite its enlarged scope and the integration of the Youth Employment Initiative;
Amendment 39 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for EUR 20 billion from the proposed financial allocation for the Reform Delivery Tool to Support Structural Reforms to be used instead, in order to increase the financial allocation for cohesion policy, and the Interreg envelope within it; calls for EUR 5 billionpart of this amount to be used to increase the budget of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) programme;
Amendment 44 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines, furthermore, the importance of the horizontal principles that should underpin the MFF and all related EU policies; reaffirms, in this context, its position that the EU must deliver on its commitment to be a frontrunner in implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and deplores the lack of a clear and visible commitment to that end in the MFF proposals; requests, therefore, the mainstreaming of the SDGs into all EU policies and initiatives of the next MFF; further emphasises that the elimination of discrimination is vital to fulfil the EU’s commitments towards an inclusive Europe and deplores the lack of gender mainstreaming and gender equality commitments in EU policies, as presented in the MFF proposals; underlines also its position that, following the Paris Agreement, climate-related spending should be significantly increased in comparison with the current MFF and reach 30 % as soon as possible and at the latest by 2027, reminds that the EU shall combat social exclusion and discrimination, and shall promote social justice and protection, equality between women and men, solidarity between generations and protection of the rights of the child;
Amendment 48 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes that lower EU co-financing rates mightay result in difficulties for beneficiaries in the regions to access EU funding; recommends therefore the maintenance of current co-financing levels;
Amendment 69 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that, following the Paris Agreement, climate-related spending should be significantly increased compared to the current MFF and should reach 30 % as soon as possible and, at the latest, by 2027.
Amendment 72 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 8
8. Expects, therefore, that the MFF will be placed at the top of Council’s political agenda and regrets that no tangible progress is observed so far; believes that the regular meetings between the successive Council presidencies and Parliament’s negotiating team should intensify and pave the way to official negotiations; expects that a good agreement is reached before the 2019 European Parliament elections, in order to avoid the serious setbacks for the launch of the new programmes due to the late adoption of the financial framework, as experienced in the past; underlines that this timetable does not prevent the newly elected European Parliament from adjusting the 2021-2027 MFF during the mandatory mid-term revisionew;
Amendment 73 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 9
Amendment 88 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. In case of enlargement of the EU and accession of a new Member State, the MFF shall be revised in order to take into account the expenditure needs resulting from it;
Amendment 108 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 14 – point xi
Amendment 116 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 14 – point xv
xv. Reinstate at least the 2020 level for all agenciesSufficient level for all agencies, taking into account the effects of Brexit;
Amendment 136 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 16
16. Intends to defend the Commission proposal on securing a sufficient level of funding for a strong, efficient and high- quality European public administration at the service of all Europeans; recalls that, during the current MFF, the EU institutions have implemented a 5% reduction in staff and beli; reminds howevesr, that they should not be subject to any further reduction that would jeopardise directly the delivery of Union policieEU institutions must reflect to the effects of Brexit in their further staff reductions;
Amendment 143 #
Amendment 146 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 18 – point i
i. A compulsory and legally bindingvoluntary mid -term revisionew, following a review of the functioning of the MFF;
Amendment 148 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 18 – point ii
ii. The relevant Commission proposal to be presented in time for the next Parliament and Commission to conduct a meaningfuif necessary a technical adjustment of the 2021-2027 framework, and no later than 1 January 2023;
Amendment 152 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the Commission proposals on flexibility that represent a good basis for the negotiations; strongly supports the clear provision that both commitment and payment appropriations deriving from the use of special instruments should be entered in the budget over and above the relevant MFF ceilings, as well as the removal of any capping to the adjustments flowing from the global margin for payments; calls for a number of additional improvements to be introduced, inter alia the following: i. Reserve with an amount equivalThe replenishment tof the revenue resulting from fines and penalties; ii. decommitments made during year n-2, including those resulting from commitments made in the current MFF;Union The immediate re-use of iii. The lapsed amounts of special instruments to be made available for all special instruments, and not just the Flexibility Instrument; iv. A higherSufficient allocation for the EU-27 at the level of the 2014-2020 budget in real terms for the Flexibility Instrument, the Emergency Aid Reserve, the EU Solidarity Fund, and the Contingency Margin, the latter without a compulsory offsetting.;
Amendment 153 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 20
Amendment 158 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 21
21. AcceptNotes the overall structure of seven MFF headings, as proposed by the Commission, which largelyin general corresponds to Parliament’s own proposal; considers that this structure provides for greater transparency, improves the visibility of EU expenditure, while maintaining the necessary degree of flexibility; agrees, moreover, with the creation of “programme clusters” that are expected to lead to a significant simplification and rationalisation of the EU budget structure and its clear alignment with the MFF headings; reiterates the need for maintaining the sub-heading for ‘Economic, social and territorial cohesion’;
Amendment 162 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 23
23. WelcomesPoints out that the proposed integration of the European Development Fund into the Union budget, which responds to a long-standing demand of Parliament for all off-budget instruments must be accompanied by a proportional increase of the MFF ceiling; recalls that the principle of unity, whereby all items of revenue and expenditure of the Union are shown in the budget, is both a Treaty requirement and a basic democratic precondition;
Amendment 163 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 24
Amendment 166 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 25
Amendment 168 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 26
Amendment 176 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 27
27. Points out that detailed and effective review clauses, which could not led to the reduction of the pre-allocated national envelopes, should be included in the individual MFF programmes and instruments, in order to ensure that meaningful assessments of them are carried out and that Parliament is subsequently fully involved in any decisions taken on necessary adaptations;
Amendment 182 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 29
29. Calls on the Commission to present the relevant legislative proposals on top of those which it has already tabled, to be decided on under the ordinary legislative procedure; requests, in particular, a proposal for a Regulation establishing an energy transition fund; requests, furthermore, the introduction of the European Child Guarantee in the ESF+, a revision of the Regulation establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund and of the Regulation concerning humanitarian aid; considers that a revision of the Financial Regulation should also be proposed when the need arises as a result of the MFF negotiations;
Amendment 190 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 32
32. Supports the suggested modernisation of existing own resources, which implies: - maintaining the customs duties as traditional own resources for the EU, whilsthowever the timing is not appropriate for decreasing the percentage Member States retain as “collection cost”; - simplifyabolishing the Value Added Tax- based own resource, i.e. introducing a uniform call rate without exceptions; - maintaining the GNI-based own resource, with the objective of reducing, to less than 60%, its share in the financing of the EU budget, while; - increasing the GNI-based own resource, preserving its balancing function;
Amendment 195 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 33
Amendment 200 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 34
34. Requests the extension of the list of potential new own resources, that could include a share of a digital tax, to be presented in the years to come, as well as further consideration of the Financial Transaction Tax;
Amendment 207 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 35
35. Approves strongly the suppression of all rebates and other correction mechanisms, accompanied, should the need arise, by a limited period ofimmediately at the beginning of the next MFF without any phasing out period;
Amendment 209 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 36
Amendment 222 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) The following special instruments are necessary to allow the Union to react to specified unforeseen circumstances, or to allow the financing of clearly identified expenditure which cannot be financed within the limits of the ceilings available for one or more headings as laid down in the MFF in order to allow the budget procedure to run smoothly: the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, the European Union Solidarity Fund, the Emergency Aid Reserve, the Global Margin for Commitments (Union Reserve), the Flexibility Instrument and the Contingency Margin. The Emergency Aid Reserve is not aimed at addressing the consequences of market related crises affecting the agricultural production or distribution. Specific provision should therefore be made for the possibility to enter commitment and corresponding payment appropriations into the budget over and above the ceilings set out in the MFF where it is necessary to use special instruments.
Amendment 224 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Rules should be laid down for other situations that may require the MFF to be adjusted. Those adjustments may be related to the delayed adoption of new rules or programmes under shared management, or to measures linked to sound economic governance or to the protection of the Union’s budget in the case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States adopted in accordance with the relevant basic acts.
Amendment 230 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
Amendment 241 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 2 – Article 4 - paragraph 1
Chapter 2 – Article 4 - paragraph 1
1. Every year, starting in 2022, as part of the technical adjustment referred to in Article 5, the Commission shall adjust the payment ceiling for the years 2022- 2027 upwards by an amount equivalent to the difference between the executed payments and the MFF payment ceiling of the year n-1.
Amendment 243 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 2 – Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
Chapter 2 – Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) calculation of the global margin for commitments (Union reserve) provided for in Article 12;
Amendment 245 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 2 – Article 7 - Title
Chapter 2 – Article 7 - Title
Adjustments related to measures linked to sound economic governance or to the protection of the Union’s budget in the case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States
Amendment 249 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 2 – Article 7
Chapter 2 – Article 7
In the case of the lifting, in accordance with the relevant basic acts, of a suspension of budgetary commitments concerning Union funds in the context of measures linked to sound economic governance or to the protection of the Union’s budget in the case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States, the amounts corresponding to the suspended commitments shall be transferred to the following years and the corresponding ceilings of the MFF shall be adjusted accordingly. Suspended commitments of year n may not be entered in the budget beyond year n+23.
Amendment 251 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 2 – Article 8
Chapter 2 – Article 8
In the event of the adoption after 1 January 2021 of new rules or programmes under shared management for the Structural Funds, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, the Asylum and Migration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the instrument for border management and visa under the Integrated Border Management Fund, the amounts corresponding to the allocations not used in 2021 shall be transferred in equal proportions to 2022 to 2025to the following years, and the corresponding ceilings of the MFF shall be adjusted accordingly.
Amendment 252 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 3 – Article 9 – paragraph 1
Chapter 3 – Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, the objectives and scope of which are set out in Regulation (EU) XXXX/XX of the European Parliament and of the Council1], shall not exceed a maximum annual amount of EUR 20150 million (2018 prices). ______________________________ 1 OJ L, , p. . OJ L, , p. .
Amendment 253 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 3 – Article 10 – paragraph 1
Chapter 3 – Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. The European Union Solidarity Fund, the objectives and scope of which are set out in Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/20021, shall not exceed a maximum annual amount of EUR 6500 million (2018 prices). On 1 October of each year, at least one quarter of that annual amount shall remain available in order to cover needs arising until the end of that year. The portion of the annual amount not used in year n may be used up to year n+1. The portion of the annual amount stemming from the previous year shall be drawn on first. That portion of the annual amount from year n which is not used in year n+1 shall lapse. ___________________________ 1 Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3).
Amendment 254 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 3 – Article 11 – paragraph 2
Chapter 3 – Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. The annual amount of the Reserve is fixed at EUR 6500 million (2018 prices) and may be used up to year n+1 in accordance with the Financial Regulation. The Reserve shall be entered in the general budget of the Union as a provision. The portion of the annual amount stemming from the previous year shall be drawn on first. That portion of the annual amount from year n which is not used in year n+1 shall lapse.
Amendment 255 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 3 – Article 12 – title
Chapter 3 – Article 12 – title
Global Margin for Commitments (Union Reserve)
Amendment 256 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 3 – Article 12 – paragraph 1
Chapter 3 – Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. The Global Margin for Commitments (Union Reserve), to be made available over and above the ceilings established in the MFF for the years 2022 to 2027, shall comprise the following:
Amendment 257 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 3 – Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point b
Chapter 3 – Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point b
Amendment 259 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 3 – Article 12 – paragraph 2
Chapter 3 – Article 12 – paragraph 2
2. The Global Margin for Commitments (Union Reserve) or part thereof may be mobilised by the European Parliament and the Council in the framework of the budgetary procedure provided for in Article 314 TFEU.
Amendment 260 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 3 – Article 13
Chapter 3 – Article 13
Amendment 262 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 4 – Article 15 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Chapter 4 – Article 15 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Any revision of the MFF in accordance with paragraph 1 shall not lead to a reduction of preallocated national envelopes without prejudice to Article 6 of this Regulation.
Amendment 268 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 4 – Article 16
Chapter 4 – Article 16
Before 1 January 2024, the Commission shallmay present a review of the functioning of the MFF. This review shall, as appropriate, be accompanied by relevant proposals. Without prejudice to Article 6 of this regulation, preallocated national envelopes shall not be reduced through such a review.
Amendment 272 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 7 – Article 24 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Chapter 7 – Article 24 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. If no Council regulation determining a new multiannual financial framework has been adopted before 31 December 2020, the ceilings and other provisions corresponding to the last year of the MFF shall be extended until a regulation determining a new financial framework is adopted. If a new Member State accedes to the Union after 2020, the extended financial framework shall, if necessary, be revised in order to take the accession into account.
Amendment 275 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Part 1
Section A – point 7
7. The institutions shall, for the purposes of sound financial management, ensure as far as possible during the budgetary procedure and at the time of the budget’s adoption that sufficient margins are left available beneath the ceilings for the various headings of the MFF, except in sub heading social, economic and territorial cohesion.
Amendment 276 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Part 1
Section A – point 8
8. In 2024 and afterwards each year the Commission shall update the forecasts for payment appropriations after 2027. That update shall take into account all relevant information, including the real implementation of budget appropriations for commitments and budget appropriations for payments, as well as the implementation forecasts. It shall also consider the rules designed to ensure that payment appropriations develop in an orderly manner compared to commitment appropriations and the growth forecasts of the Union’s Gross National Income.
Amendment 277 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Part 1
Section B – point 10
10. When the conditions for mobilising the European Union Solidarity Fund as set out in the relevant basic act are met, the Commission shall make a proposal for the appropriate budgetary instrument in accordance with the Financial Regulationto mobilise it. Where there is scope for reallocating appropriations under the heading requiring additional expenditure, the Commission shall take that into account when making the necessary proposal, in accordance with the Financial Regulation, by means of the appropriate budgetary instrument. The decision to mobilise the Solidarity Fund shall be taken jointly by the European Parliament and the Council. The Council shall act by a qualified majority and the European Parliament shall act by a majority of its component members and three fifths of the votes cast. In the event of disagreement, a trilogue procedure shall be initiated.
Amendment 279 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Part 2
Section A – point 15
15. The Commission shall prepare an annual report to accompany the general budget of the Union, bringing together available and non-confidential information relating to: – the assets and liabilities of the Union, including those arising from borrowing and lending operations carried out by the Union in accordance with its powers under the Treaties, – the revenue, expenditure, assets and liabilities of the European Development Fund (EDF), the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), and other possible future mechanisms, – the expenditure incurred by Member States in the framework of enhanced cooperation, to the extent that it is not included in the general budget of the Union. The Commission shall inform the budgetary authority about the autonomous transfers adopted pursuant to Article 30(1) of the Financial Regulation.
Amendment 280 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Part 2
Section B – point 16
16. Each legislative act, concerning a multiannual programme, adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure shall contain a provision in which the legislator lays down the financial envelope for the programme. That amount shall constitute the prime reference amount for the European Parliament and the Council during the annual budgetary procedure. The European Parliament and the Council, and the Commission when it draws up the draft budget, undertake not to depart by more than 150% from that amount for the entire duration of the programme concerned, unless new, objective, long- term circumstances arise for which explicit and precise reasons are given, with account being taken of the results obtained from implementing the programme, in particular on the basis of assessments. Any increase resulting from such variation shall remain beneath the existing ceiling for the heading concerned, without prejudice to the use of instruments mentioned in the MFF Regulation and in this Agreement. This Point does not apply to appropriations for cohesion adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure and pre-allocated by Member States, which contain a financial envelope for the entire duration of the programme nor to the large scale projects referred to in Article 21 of the MFF Regulation.
Amendment 281 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Part 2
Section E – title
Involvement of the institutions as regards development policy issues and the European Development Fund
Amendment 282 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Part 2
Section E – point 23
23. The Commission shall establish an informal dialogue with the European Parliament on development policy issues regardless of their source of financing. The scrutiny of the European Parliament of the European Development Fund (EDF) will be aligned on a voluntary basis to the scrutiny rights that exist under the general budget of the Union, specifically in relation to the Development Cooperation Instrument, pursuant to detailed arrangements to be fixed in the informal dialogue.
Amendment 283 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Part 2
Section E a (new) – title
COOPERATION OF THE INSTITUTIONS IN THE BUDGETARY PROCEDURE ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE
Amendment 284 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Part 2
Section E a (new) – point 23 a (new)
23a. The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission agree to progressively render 10 % of the entire staff on 1 January 2021 This reduction should apply to all institutions, bodies and agencies, and be effected before the end of this financial framework.
Amendment 285 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Part 3
Section A - point 24
24. The Commission shall submit twice a year, the first time together with the documents accompanying the draft budget and the second time after the adoption of the general budget of the Union, a complete financial programming for headings I, II (except the sub-ceilheading for ‘economic, social and territorial cohesion’), III (for ‘environment and climate’ and ‘maritime and fisheries’), IV, V, andVI, VII of the MFF. That programming, structured by heading, policy area and budget line, should identify:…
Amendment 1 #
2018/0136(COD)
Council position
–
–
The European Parliament rejects the Council position at first reading.
Amendment 29 #
2018/0136(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) In order to ensure uniform implementation of this Regulation and in view of the importance of the financial effects of measures being imposed pursuant to this Regulation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Council which should act on the basis of a Commission proposal. To facilitate the adoption of decisions which are required to protect the financial interests of the Union, reversed qualified majority voting should be usunanimous voting should be used with the non-participation of the Member State concerned.
Amendment 47 #
2018/0136(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Appropriate measures shall be taken where a generalised deficiency as regards the rule of law in a Member State affects or risks affecting the principles of sound financial management or the protection of the financial interests of the Union by breach of secondary EU law, in particular:
Amendment 57 #
2018/0136(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) the fiscal discipline of that Member State, in particular the avoidance of excessive government deficit in line with Article 126 TFEU.
Amendment 58 #
2018/0136(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) limiting the availability and effectiveness of legal remedies, including through restrictive procedural rules, lack of implementation of judgments with a particular focus on decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Union deriving from infringement procedures, or limiting the effective investigation, prosecution or sanctioning of breaches of law.
Amendment 98 #
2018/0136(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission may take into account all relevant information, including decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Union, reports of the Court of Auditors, recommendations and decisions of the Commission related to excessive deficit procedures concerning the Member States, and conclusions and recommendations of relevant international organisations.
Amendment 110 #
2018/0136(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) In order to ensure uniform implementation of this Regulation and in view of the importance of the financial effects of measures being imposed pursuant to this Regulation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Council which should act on the basis of a Commission proposal. To facilitate the adoption of decisions which are required to protect the financial interests of the Union, reversed qualified majority voting should be usunanimous voting should be used with the non-participation of the Member State concerned.
Amendment 118 #
2018/0136(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 7
Article 5 – paragraph 7
7. The decision shall be deemed to have been adopted by the Council, unless it decides, by qualified majority, to reject the Commission proposal within one month of its adoption by the Commission by unanimity, without the participation of the Member State concerned.
Amendment 121 #
2018/0136(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 8
Article 5 – paragraph 8
8. The Council, acting by a qualified majorityunanimity with the non-participation of the Member State concerned, may amend the Commission’s proposal and adopt the amended text as a Council decision.
Amendment 137 #
2018/0136(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Appropriate measures shall be taken where a generalised deficiency as regards the rule of law in a Member State affects or risks affecting the principles of sound financial management or the protection of the financial interests of the Union by breach of secondary EU law, in particular:
Amendment 152 #
2018/0136(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) fiscal discipline of Member States, notably the avoidance of excessive government deficits in line with Article 126 TFEU.
Amendment 154 #
2018/0136(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) limiting the availability and effectiveness of legal remedies, including through restrictive procedural rules, lack of implementation of judgments, with particular focus on decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Union deriving from infringement procedures, or limiting the effective investigation, prosecution or sanctioning of breaches of law.
Amendment 204 #
2018/0136(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission may take into account all relevant information, including decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Union, reports of the Court of Auditors, recommendations and decisions of the Commission related to procedures for excessive deficit of Member States, and conclusions and recommendations of relevant international organisations.
Amendment 225 #
2018/0136(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 7
Article 5 – paragraph 7
7. The decision shall be deemed to have been adopted by the Council, unless it decides, by qualified majority, to reject the Commissiby unanimity with the non- proposal within one month of its adoption by the Commissionarticipation of the Member State concerned.
Amendment 229 #
2018/0136(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 8
Article 5 – paragraph 8
8. The Council, acting by a qualified majority,unanimity with the non-participation of the Member State concerned may amend the Commission’s proposal and adopt the amended text as a Council decision.
Amendment 7 #
2017/2286(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
Amendment 17 #
2017/2286(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas years of austerity policies have reinforced the mistrust of citizens towards the EU, a current positive economic outlook allows for a more generous budgetary planning;
Amendment 21 #
2017/2286(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas approaching the end of the current financial programming period the implementation of the multiannual programmes will reach cruising speed,therefore the need for adequate financial resources is increasing;
Amendment 37 #
2017/2286(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that, contrary to populist narrative, EU citizens expect the Union to do more, and to protect them from the consequences of global competition, climate change and international security threats; believes that in order to fulfil these expectations, the EU must, within the remit of its competences, perform better, so as to narrow the gap in living standards between EU citizens, to prepare the European economy and EU citizens to face up to the challenge of digitalisation, to managestem migration flows, and to put an end to various kinds of discrimination, such as discrimination against women or LGBTI people, while fully adhering to the EU 2020 strategy and UN Sustainable Development Goals;
Amendment 45 #
2017/2286(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that the 2019 EU budget must primarily answer to the old and new challenges of the EU youth is facingpaying particular attention to the youth;
Amendment 72 #
2017/2286(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recommends providing EU companies, especially SMEs, with a favourable environment for innovation, by properly financing the EU’s research programmes, such as Horizon 2020, and programmes that support SMEs, such as COSME; considers this to be necessary in view of the rapidly changing and highly competitive world and the profound changes in all sectors brought on by digitalisation, acknowledges that ESIF’s contribute to all these priorities;
Amendment 113 #
2017/2286(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4
Subheading 4
Amendment 114 #
2017/2286(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Reiterates its concern about delays to the implementation of the cohesion policy, however points out that 2017 was the first year when the implementation of ESIF programmes accelerated, expects that this trend will continue in 2018 and 2019;believes that sufficient levels of payment and appropriations for commitments should be provided in order for implementation to proceed smoothly;
Amendment 115 #
2017/2286(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10 b. Points out that CAP is one of the cornerstones of European integration, which has ensured safe high quality food- supply for European citizens, well- functioning of the agricultural single market and sustainability of rural regions for a long time; reminds that CAP funds especially contribute to the agricultural profitability and stability of the EU;
Amendment 119 #
2017/2286(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that the Member States’ strong social protection systems have helped them to mitigate the consequences of the crisis; bBelieves that the EU can support the Member States, while fully respecting their competences, by budgeting properly programmes which set out to fight inequalities, alleviate the worst forms of poverty, including child poverty, and overcome the negative effects of digitalisation on working conditions and social protection systems;
Amendment 130 #
2017/2286(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 141 #
2017/2286(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Believes that both the EU and the Member States should demonstrate solidarity towards migrants arriving in Europe in facing up to this challenge; believes that EU agencies and policies involved in or relating to the management of migration flows should be adequately financed to meet this challenge and that the EU, in and border to mitigate the cost in the long term and by acting in a manner befitting its valuesprotection measures should be better acknowledged as a contributing factor for EU security, should also demconstrate solidarity inibute to creating conditions for peace and prosperity in the countries of origin by placing greater emphasis on development policies; recalls that the redeployment of funding from development to security and defence objectives must be avoided;
Amendment 16 #
2017/2283(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas Ukraine deserves particular praiseacknowledgement for reforms in the areas of energy, health, pensions, education and decentralisation;
Amendment 56 #
2017/2283(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Emphasises that the effectiveness of reform implementation is directly linked to the preliminary stages of policymaking and legislation; notes, however, that the policymaking cycle is lacking the essential instrument of public consultation and research-informed decision-making; stresses the need to avoid any influence of election campaign on reforms;
Amendment 87 #
2017/2283(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recalls that the government has committed to further amending the constitution in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission; urges the speedy adoption of the new electoral code and the law on party financingduring the amending process of legislation take care of respecting the existing minority rights (for example in formulating the draft text of ethno-national policy of Ukraine) and take fully into account the non- discrimination act adopted by Ukraine; urges the speedy adoption of the law on party financing and the new electoral code which has to secure equal possibilities for representation and running for a mandate of candidates of all nationalities living in Ukraine by recreation of constituencies that enable the candidates of national minorities to gain mandate;
Amendment 114 #
2017/2283(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Underlines the need for independent media and media pluralism to ensure the security of media workers and journalists, and calls on not to limit the opportunities of minority language media sources in order to have equal access of citizens of all ethnics to information;
Amendment 118 #
2017/2283(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. WelcomUrges Ukraine’s intention to amend the law on education in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission to amend the law on education to ensure the respect for rights already exercised of persons belonging to national minorities as enshrined in UN and Council of Europe Conventions and related protocols, non-discrimination of persons belonging to minorities and respect for diversity, in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission, which has to be fully implemented on the basis of a substantive dialogue with the representatives of persons belonging to national minorities, including legislation to extend the transition period until 2023 and which regulates exemption for private schools;
Amendment 132 #
2017/2283(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes Ukraine’s economic stabilisation and the progress achieved in implementing the DCFTA; encourages the Commission to support Ukraine in identifying areas that could further foster economic diversification and in prioritising them in the process of implementing the DCFTA; and calls on Ukraine not to take legislation incompatible with DCFTA;
Amendment 149 #
2017/2283(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Praises Ukraine for good cooperation in the energy sector, not least the progress it has made in energy efficiency; points out the need for continued reforms, in particular to complete reform of the gas and electricity market, and to end existing monopolies, which will bring long-term economic benefits to industry and consumers, moreover encourages the Commission to ensure that all of the pipeline projects comply with EU regulation and all projects are examined on the basis of the same conditions;
Amendment 162 #
2017/2283(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Welcomes the immense effortsteps undertaken to modernise Ukraine’s army, while encouraging, nonetheless, reform of the defence industry;
Amendment 40 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers it crucial that cohesion policy should continue to cover all European regions, while focusing on the less developed ones, and remain the European Union’s main investment instrument, with a budget commensurate with the challengestherefore its budget should be maintained to be commensurate with the challenges; and the current EU co- financing rates should be preserved;
Amendment 57 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that cohesion policy investments provide European added value by contributing to European public goods and to the Treaty objective of reducing disparities and the backwardness of the less favoured regions;
Amendment 63 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Reiterates its commitment to shared management and the principles of partnership and subsidiarity, which contribute to the added value generated by cohesion policy; stresses that the added value of this policy stems primarily from its ability to take account of the needs and specificities of each territory and to bring the European Union closer to its citizens as well as from the fact that it is the only European policy which is capable of supporting smart, sustainable and inclusive growth at the same time;
Amendment 90 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the importance of supporting rural areas in all their diversity, by valuing their potential, improving transport connectivity and very high-speed broadband and providing support to help them meet the challenges they face: rural desertification, the destruction of city- centre communities, areas without health care, etc.; highlights that ensuring high- speed Internet connection in remote rural areas can greatly lessen their backwardness and improve their competitiveness;
Amendment 212 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that the 7th Cohesion Report highlights the need to take account of indicators complementary to per capita GDP for the purpose of allocating funds, in line with the challenges and needs identified, including at sub-regional level; notes the importance of taking as a basis data which are of high quality, reliable and available; supports the use of social criteria, in particular the unemployment rate and the youth unemployment rate; underlines, however, that the GDP should remain the main indicator for allocating funds;
Amendment 244 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Believes that it is both legitimate and necessary to establish a link between cohesion policy and the guarantee of an environment conducive to investment, effectiveness and the proper use of funds, while stressing that cohesion policy is not meant to be reduced to an instrument for serving priorities without reference to its objectives; expresses its support for a balanced link with economic governance where this helps to maximise the impact of ESI Funds; calls on the Commission to overhaul the European Semester to strengthen its territorial dimension and take account of other factors which contribute to the achievement of cohesion objectives, such as real convergence;
Amendment 273 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Notes that the quality of public administration is a decisive factor in regional growth and the effectiveness of ESI funds; emphasises the need to increase administrative capacities and promotes the exchange of best practices in this area;
Amendment 325 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Considers that cohesion policy can help to meet new challenges, such as security or the integration of refugees under international protection, with due regard for the sovereignty of the Member States; stresses, however, that cohesion policy cannot be the solution to all crises, and opposes the use of cohesion policy funds to cover short-term financing needs outside its scope;
Amendment 4 #
2017/2188(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 215
Paragraph 215
215. Calls therefore on the Commission and the Council to step up their efforts for supporting the hotspots through more effective relocation and, if there are no grounds for admission, return procedures;
Amendment 5 #
2017/2188(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 219
Paragraph 219
219. Calls upon the Commission and the Council to ensure the quality of the examination of asylum applications in the hotspots; recognises the difficult circumstances under which the applications have to be processed but emphasises need to avoid accelerated procedures resulting in mistakes being made; further stresses that the frontline Member States should be responsible only for the registration and taking the fingerprints of all migrants, but that follow-up procedures should be a common responsibility of all Member States in a spirit of solidarity; calls for asylum seekers to be adequately informed about the relocation procedure as such, about their rights and about possible countries of destination;
Amendment 6 #
2017/2188(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 223
Paragraph 223
223. Recommends that the Court consider a quick follow-up report on the functioning of the hotspots, adopting a broader scope by including also an analysis of the follow-up procedures, i.e. the asylum, relocation and return procedures;
Amendment 10 #
2017/2177(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 – indent 2
Paragraph 27 – indent 2
Amendment 11 #
2017/2140(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets that the extent of considerations in Chapter 10 of the annual report remains limited; asks the Court to provide more detailed data on each institution in order to achieve a better view of the weaknesses of the administrative expenditures; considers that country specific reporting by the Court for every Member State would be welcome in the foreseeable future;
Amendment 4 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that as indicated in the Annual Report of the Court of Auditors, the estimated level of error in spending on ‘Economic, social and territorial cohesion’ decreased from 5,2 % in 2015 to 4,8 % in 2016; notes the sustained improvement over the past three years; welcomes the fact that the Court issued a qualified opinion on the regularity of the transactions underlying the 2016 accounts; acknowledges that the error rate for the 2007-2013 programming period remains significantly below the rates reported for the previous period, which proves the overall positive impact of the corrective actions taken; underlines that further simplification of rules and reduction of the administrative burden could help decreasing even more the error rate;
Amendment 12 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Reminds that irregularities are not necessarily all fraud and a distinction should be made between fraudulent and non-fraudulent irregularities; it is in part for this reason that the suspension of payments in case of irregularities should only be used as a last resort;
Amendment 13 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Draws attention to the role administrative capacities play in the regular use of the European Structural and Investment Funds and considers that an exchange of good practices could effectively contribute to enhancing Member States' capacities in this field;
Amendment 23 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to align policy objectives, financial cycles, the legislative period of the Parliament and the mandate of the Commission; Acknowledges, however, that the timing of the next Parliament elections in spring 2019, given that the current MFF runs until December 2020, does not allow for solution to be implemented immediately; takes the view, therefore, that the next MFF should be set for a period of seven years (2021- 2027);
Amendment 28 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that the average disbursement rate for financial instruments was only 75 % at the end of 2015, which shows that the potential of those instruments is not fully exploited, while emphasising that grants are the main form of cohesion policy support due to the fact that not all investments are bankable or have quantifiable results in the short term; points out that the revision of the Financial Regulation which is due to enter into force in 2018 will significantly contribute to the simplification, improvement and optimisation of their use during current programming period;
Amendment 40 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to speed up the delivery of cohesion policy programmes and related payments with a view to reducing the length of the implementation period, initially, to year n+2;
Amendment 100 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Points out that the delays in the implementation of programmes in the first three years of the current MFF led to the transfer of commitment appropriations from 2014, mainly to 2015 and 2016, and to low payments in 2016; however points out that 2017 was the first year when the implementation of ESIF programmes accelerated, expects that this trend will continue in 2018 and 2019;believesthat sufficient levels of payment and appropriations for commitments should be provided in order for implementation to proceed smoothly;
Amendment 108 #
2017/2136(DEC)
48. Recalls that the Union is making increasing use of financial instruments and that the establishment of EFSI creates new governance arrangements with limited public scrutiny; highlights that any legislative proposal should improve significantly the geographical coverage of the EFSI; recalls that the EFSI should remain an additional tool for boosting investments as cohesion policy should remain the investment policy of the Union;
Amendment 120 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
Amendment 215 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 138 – point e
Paragraph 138 – point e
Amendment 226 #
Amendment 229 #
Amendment 230 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 156
Paragraph 156
Amendment 231 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 157
Paragraph 157
Amendment 232 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 157 – point a
Paragraph 157 – point a
Amendment 233 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 157 – point b
Paragraph 157 – point b
Amendment 234 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 157 – point c
Paragraph 157 – point c
Amendment 235 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 157 – point d
Paragraph 157 – point d
Amendment 236 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 158
Paragraph 158
Amendment 238 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 158 – point a
Paragraph 158 – point a
Amendment 239 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 158 – point b
Paragraph 158 – point b
Amendment 240 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 158 – point c
Paragraph 158 – point c
Amendment 242 #
Amendment 244 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 159
Paragraph 159
Amendment 249 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 160
Paragraph 160
Amendment 251 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 161
Paragraph 161
Amendment 255 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 162
Paragraph 162
Amendment 260 #
Amendment 261 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 163
Paragraph 163
Amendment 262 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 163 – point a
Paragraph 163 – point a
Amendment 263 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 163 – point b
Paragraph 163 – point b
Amendment 264 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 163 – point c
Paragraph 163 – point c
Amendment 265 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 163 – point d
Paragraph 163 – point d
Amendment 266 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 163 – point e
Paragraph 163 – point e
Amendment 269 #
Amendment 272 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 164
Paragraph 164
Amendment 276 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 165
Paragraph 165
Amendment 277 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 166
Paragraph 166
Amendment 283 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Amendment 287 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 167
Paragraph 167
Amendment 290 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 168
Paragraph 168
Amendment 400 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 261 – point c
Paragraph 261 – point c
(c) the hotspot approach further requires that migrants be channelled into appropriate follow-up procedures, i.e. a national asylum application, relocation to another Member State or return to the country of origin and the implementation of these follow-up procedures is often slow and subject to various bottlenecks, which can have repercussions on the functioning of the hotspots;
Amendment 17 #
2017/2114(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is aware of the fact that cohesion policy funding, which represents EUR 454 billion at current prices for the 2014-2020 period (32.5 % of the EU budget), is aimed mainly at promoting investment, employment and growth, and is one of the most important and comprehensive policiesy for strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion;
Amendment 41 #
2017/2114(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls the need to close the gap between the EU and its citizens; calls for the EU institutions and all stakeholders to step up their efforts to better communicate the tangible results and added value of this common, solidarity-based EU policy EU policy, which is beneficial to all Member States; insists that cohesion policy has an important economic and social impact, as well as constituting an important contribution to European integration;
Amendment 76 #
2017/2114(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recognises that the EU needs to address new, serious challenges, and that cohesion policy could be a very important source of financial support for various issues, such as the integration of migrants, education, employment, housing and combating discrimination;
Amendment 75 #
2017/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Considers that the traditional own resources, namely customs duties, agricultural duties and the sugar and isoglucose levies, constitute a reliable and genuine source of EU revenue, as they arise directly from the EU being a customs union and from the legal competences and common commercial policy linked to that; takes the view, therefore, that the traditional own resources should be retained as a source of revenue for the EU budget; considers that if the proportion of collection costs retained by Member States is reduced, a bigger share of this revenue can be secured for the EU budget;
Amendment 79 #
2017/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Acknowledges that the GNI-based contribution provides a reliable and stable source of revenue for the EU budget, and benefits from very strong support from a large majority of Member States; believes, therefore, that it should be preserved as a balancing and residual resource for the EU budget, which would put an end to the budgetary logic of ‘fair return’; stresses the need, in this context, to ensure that the GNI contribution is classified in the same manner in all national budgets, namely as revenue attributed to the EU and not as expenditure of national governments;
Amendment 94 #
2017/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
Amendment 99 #
Amendment 100 #
2017/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
Amendment 102 #
2017/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
Amendment 105 #
2017/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
Amendment 111 #
2017/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
Amendment 116 #
2017/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 13
Subheading 13
Amendment 118 #
2017/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
Amendment 120 #
2017/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
Amendment 124 #
2017/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
Amendment 126 #
2017/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
Amendment 154 #
2017/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 a (new)
Paragraph 53 a (new)
53 a. Asks the Commission to analyse thoroughly any further possible own resources, such as the introduction of a plastic levy at the EU level without endangering the fiscal sovereignty of Member States;
Amendment 3 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the multiannual financial framework (MFF) needs to be agreed quicklyas soon as possible so that decisions can be taken on the future of cohesion policy;
Amendment 4 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas regional cohesion policy is one of the EU’s core policies, bringing Europe together and, strengthening its economy and helping to make the EU tangible and visible to its citizens through the concrete results it delivers on the ground, and it is therefore key that sufficient funding for cohesion policy is provided for in the MFF, so as to correspond to the challenges which the policy is expected to adequately address;
Amendment 24 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. States that cohesion policy should remain the EU’s main investment policy, but that more needs to be done to highlight the major role of cohesion policy in achieving the EU’s political objectives and the benefits it brings to citizens; points out that new challenges should not undermine the traditional and long-term objectives of cohesion policy as laid down in the Treaties;
Amendment 39 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls, therefore, for the MFF to provide for sufficient funds for cohesion policy post-2020, striking a good balance between investments in citizens and investments for citizens and ensuring that the EU’s political goals can be reached keeping in mind the objectives of cohesion policy enshrined in the Treaties; points out that the funding of new challenges cannot be at the expense of traditional EU policies;
Amendment 66 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that a 5+5 year MFF period might beshould strengthen the long term predictability of EU programmes and should prefserableve the reliability of 7-year programming from the beneficiaries' point of view;
Amendment 80 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for the priorities of regional development programmes to be updated in order to take changing conditions into account and to benefit from new technologyreconsidered, but that, traditional priorities deriving from the Treaties should be preserved; also considers that more flexibility is required in the MFF to meet unforeseen challenges;
Amendment 98 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls, therefore, for continuous support for existing policies, in particular the long-standing EU policies enshrined in the Treaties, namely the common agricultural and fisheries policies, and the cohesion policy; rejects any attempt to renationalise these policies, as this would neither reduce the financial burden on taxpayers and consumers, nor achieve better results, but would instead hamper growth and the functioning of the single market while widening the disparities between territories and economic sectors; intends to secure the same level of funding in current prices for the EU-27 for these policies in the next programming period while further improving their added value and simplifying the procedures associated with them;
Amendment 120 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Union to assume its role in two emerging policy areas with internal and external dimensions, which have appeared in the course of the current MFF: on the one hand, by strengthening external border protection by developing a comprehensive asylum, migration and integration policypolicy in order to stem the illegal migration flows towards the European Union and addressing the root causes of migration and displacement in third countries and on the other hand, by providing security to European citizens and promoting stability abroad, notably by pooling research efforts and capabilities in the area of defence;
Amendment 135 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Highlights that the future framework is expected to integrate two new types of financial support featuring prominently on the Union’s economic agenda, namely the continuation of the investment support schemes, such as the European Fund for Strategic Investment, and the development of a fiscal capacity for the euro area and of financial stabilisation functions, possibly through the proposed European Monetary Fund;
Amendment 154 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Is convinced that, unless the Council agrees to significantly increase the level of its national contributions to the EU budget, the introduction of new EU own resources remains the only option for adequately financing the next MFF, reminds that the introduction of new own resources shall not endanger the fiscal sovereignty of Member States;
Amendment 198 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Strongly believes that the commitments authorised by the budgetary authority should be used for their original purpose and that every effort should be made to ensure that this is the case across all policy fields; calls, in particular, on the Commission to continue to actively work in this direction; is convinced, nevertheless, that if decommitments actually occur, as a result of the total or partial non-implementation of the actions for which they had been earmarked, they should be made available again in the EU budget and be mobilised by the budgetary authority in the framework of the annual budgetary procedure; considers that the decommitments should feed directly into the Global Margin for Commitments, instead of any particular special instrument or reserve;
Amendment 199 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
Amendment 216 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Considers that the use of the EGF, providing EU solidarity and support to workers losing their jobs as a result of major structural changes in world trade patterns arising from globalisation or as a result of the global economic and financial crisis, has not lived up to expectations and needs to be improved; points out, inter alia, that the procedures for implementing support from the EGF are too time- consuming and cumbersome; believes that a revised EGF should be endowed with at least an identical annual allocation under the new MFF, therefore it needs to be improved or eliminated;
Amendment 268 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)
Paragraph 48 a (new)
48a. Calls on the Commission to improve the geographical balance of directly managed programmes and pay particular attention to it in any legislative proposal, reminds that Article 175 of the TFEU requires that the implementation of Union policies and actions shall contribute to the achievement of economic, social and territorial cohesion;
Amendment 289 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56
Paragraph 56
56. Recalls the build-up of a backlog of unpaid bills at the end of the previous MFF that spilled over into the current one, reaching an unprecedented peak of EUR 24.7 billion at the end of 2014, mostly in the field of cohesion policy, due to the late take-off of the previous programmes, under-budgeting and insufficient payment ceilings; regrets that the focus on the absorption of this backlog linked to the 2007-2013 period resulted in deliberate efforts to delay the start of some of the 2014-2020 programmes and has contributed to the opposite trend of under- execution in the 2016 and 2017 budgets; asks the Commission and the Member States to come up with concrete measures to accelerate the implementation of the 2014-2020 programmes, and warns against a repetition of the payment crisis in the transition between two MFFs; reminds the Commission that simplification of the implementation rules, minimising the administrative burden on MSs and at the same time building on existing structures can shorten the time under which new programmes reach cruising speed;
Amendment 317 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65
Paragraph 65
65. Believes, therefore, that the current presentation of the headings requires some improvements, but is against any unjustified radical changes; proposes, as a result, the followinga transparent structure for the MFF post-2020; Heading 1: A stronger and sustainable economy Including programmes and instruments supporting: under direct management: - - small and medium-sized en, where different priorities have separate Headings; supports the maintenance of separate Headings for: economic, social and terprises - - - adaptation - - - supporting investments in Europe (possible umbrella financial instrument at EU level, incl. EFSI) Heading 2: Stronger cohesion and solidarity in Europe Including programmes andtorial cohesion; agriculture and rural development, maritime affairs and fisheries; research and innovation industruments supporting: - cohesion (under shared management): investments in innovation, digitalisation, reindustrialisation, SMEs, transport, climate change adaptation empy, entrepreneurship and large-infrastructure projects transport, digitalisation, energy environment and climate change agriculture and rural develoypment, social maritime affairs and social inclusion - - communication - - justice and consumers - national administrations Heading 3: Stronger responsibility in the world Including programmes and instruments supporting: - development - - - - - contribution to EU trust funds and external relations facilities Heading 4: Security, peace and stability for all Including programmes and instruments supporting: - - - policy - Heading 5: An efficient administration at the service of Europeans - - equipment of EU institutionsfisheries horizontal (financial) instruments economic, social and territorial education and life-long learning culture, citizenship and health and food safety asylum, migration and integration, support to and coordination with international cooperation and neighbourhood enlargement humanitarian aid trade security crisis response and stability common foreign and security defence financing EU staff financing the buildings and
Amendment 372 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72
Paragraph 72
72. Reiterates its strong commitment to EFSI that aims at mobilising EUR 500 billion in new investment in the real economy under the current MFF; believes that EFSI has already delivered a powerful and targeted boost to economic sectors that are conducive to sustainable growth and jobs; welcomes, therefore, the Commission’s intention to put forward a legislative proposal for the continuation and improvement of this investment scheme under the new MFF; stresses that any legislative proposal should be based on the conclusions of a Commission review and independent evaluation; highlights that any legislative proposal should improve significantly the geographical coverage of the EFSI; recalls that the EFSI should remain an additional tool for boosting investments as cohesion policy should remain the investment policy of the European Union;
Amendment 419 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 16 a (new)
Subheading 16 a (new)
Common Agriculture Policy and Fisheries Policy
Amendment 478 #
Amendment 505 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82
Paragraph 82
82. Considers maintaining the financing of cohesion policy post-2020 for the EU-27 at least at the level of the 2014- 2020 budget to be of the utmost importance; stresses that GDP should remain one of the parameters for the allocation of cohesion policy funds, but believes that it should be complemented by an additional set of social, environmental and demographic indicators to better take into account new types of inequalities between EU regions; supports, in addition, the continuation under the new programming period of the elements that rendered cohesion policy more modern and performance-oriented under the current MFF;
Amendment 550 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 84
Paragraph 84
84. Emphasises in particular the continuous need to fight unemployment, especially among young people, and calls, therefore, for a doubling of the Youth Employment Initiative envelope in the next programming period; considers that investment to boost education and training, especially the development of digital skills, remains one of the top priorities of the EU; reminds that the European Social Fund proved to be one of the most successful tools for achieving EU employment goals;
Amendment 556 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 85
Paragraph 85
85. Expresses support for programmes in the areas of culture, education, media, youth, sports and citizenship that have clearly demonstrated their European added value and enjoy lasting popularity among beneficiaries; advocates, therefore, continuous investment in the Education and Training 2020 framework through the Erasmus+, Creative Europe and Europe for Citizens programmes in order to pursue reaching out to young people and providing them with valuable competences and life skills through lifelong learning, learner-centred and non-formal education, as well as informal learning opportunities; calls in particular for a tripling of the Erasmus+ envelope in the next MFF with the aim of reaching many more young people and learners across Europe, and achieving the full potential of the programme; recommends, moreover, the continuation of the European Solidarity Corps and reiterates its support for strengthening the external dimension of the Erasmus+ and Creative Europe programmes; Recognises the added European values of continued deinstitutionalisation and methodological development using EU resources as well as the improvement of the community- based services; encourages further operational support of social innovative solutions and the possibility of support to disadvantaged target groups, especially Roma in line with the EU Roma Framework and persons with disabilities based on the European Disability Strategy; welcomes and calls for the continuation of child well-being development projects and education services for children with disadvantaged background and flexible projects for social housing as well as improving the employability of disadvantaged people with low educational attainment with special attention to labour shortage through training and employment;
Amendment 577 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 86
Paragraph 86
Amendment 665 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94 a (new)
Paragraph 94 a (new)
94a. (ex 86. with modified text) Expects that in the post-2020 period, the European Union will move from crisis-management mode to a permanent, European policy in the field of asylum and migration; stresses that the actions in this field, such as strengthening external border protection should be covered by a dedicated instrument, i.e. the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and Internal Security Fund; emphasises that the future fund, as well as the relevant Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) agencies, must be equipped with an adequate level of funding for the whole of the next MFF to address the comprehensive challenges in this area;
Amendment 5 #
2016/2326(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Proposals on the extension of the European Fund for Strategic Investments should not aim at replacing or reducing the budget of the European Structural and Investment Funds;
Amendment 38 #
2016/2326(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas cohesion policy already addresses a very wide range of challenges relevant to its objectives as laid down in the Treaties and cannot be expected to tackle all new challenges the EU may face with the same – or an even smaller – budget;
Amendment 48 #
2016/2326(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Emphasises the importance of maintaining the shared management model and thus ensuring a better ownership and responsibility for the policy implementation among all stakeholders involved. There is a need to precise the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders and to establish a clear division of their competencies, with special emphasis on restoring trust between the Commission, other EU institutions and Member States;
Amendment 53 #
2016/2326(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights the horizontal and cross- cutting approach of cohesion policy; one of those few policies which are smart, sustainable and inclusive at the same time;
Amendment 67 #
2016/2326(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recognises that in some Member States the partnership principle has led to closer cooperation with regional and local authorities, while there is still room for improvement in order to ensure the real and early involvement of all stakeholders; without increasing administrative burdens or causing delays in policy implementation;
Amendment 76 #
2016/2326(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that although cohesion policy has mitigated the impact of the crisis, regional disparities and social inequalities remain high; calls for continuous action to reduce disparities, particularly in less developed regions, while maintaining support for transition and for more developed regions so as to facilitate ownership of the policy in all regions; proper consideration should be given also to the regions which may, due to spill-over and networking effects, have significant influence on the development of the entire country;
Amendment 91 #
2016/2326(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines that the current categorisation of regions, the introduced reforms such as thematic objectives and the performance framework have demonstrated the value of cohesion policy and should be consolidated; asks the Commission to present ideas for greater flexibility, such as an unallocated reserve or a simplification of re- programming, in order to adapt ESIF investments to unforeseen events and to the specific needs of each region;
Amendment 102 #
2016/2326(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Underlines that it is crucial to find the right balance between the result orientation of the policy and the level of checks and controls as well as simplification of procedures; stresses that this should also include the audit process, which has to be based on trust, be preventive, predictable and proportional and respect the outcomes of the national control and audit processes;
Amendment 126 #
2016/2326(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Opposes macro-economic conditionalities, which punish regions and final beneficiaries for erroneous steps taken at the level of the central government, and highlights that the link between cohesion policy and economic governance processes should be reciprocal and that a greater recognition of the territorial dimension would be beneficial for the European Semester;
Amendment 176 #
2016/2326(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that grants should remain the basis of the financing of cohesion policy; notes, however, the gradual shift from grants to financial instruments; points out that the replacement of grants byan increase of loans, equity or guarantees must be carried out with caution and only where such financial instruments demonstrate an added value, taking into account regional disparities and the diversity of practices and experiences; stresses the importance of assistance to local and regional authorities on the innovative financial instruments through platforms such as fi-compass;
Amendment 187 #
2016/2326(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Commission to ensure better synergies and communication between the ESI Funds and other Union funds and programmes and to facilitate multi-fund options; warns that the EFSI should not undermine the strategic coherence and long-term perspective of cohesion policy programming and insists on the additionality of its resources;
Amendment 197 #
2016/2326(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Points out that the proposals on the extension of the EFSI should not aim at replacing or reducing the budget of the European Structural and Investment Funds;
Amendment 206 #
2016/2326(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Invites the Commission to reflect on the development of alternative indicators to the GDP indicator, which remains the legitimate method for allocating ESI Funds fairly; such alternative indicators may include a demographic indicator or dynamic indicators based on social and employment aspects; stresses, furthermore, the relevance of outcome indicators to strengthen the result and performance orientation of the policy;
Amendment 290 #
2016/2326(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
Amendment 296 #
2016/2326(INI)
25. Is convinced of the need for an adequate budget for cohesion policy after 2020 which takes into account the complex internal and external challenges relevant to its objectives as laid down in the Treaties that the policy will have to address;
Amendment 142 #
2016/2323(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Strongly supports regional policy as one of the main investment instruments of the EU budget that enables economic, social and territorial cohesion; underlines that this policy generates growth and jobs in all Member States; is concerned, however, about the unacceptable delays in implementation of operational programmes at EU level; calls on the Commission and the Member States to cooperate in order to ensure that the designation of managing and certifying authorities is concluded and implementation accelerateslow implementation rate at the end of last year, however expects that the implementation will sharply accelerate in the near future;
Amendment 8 #
2016/2304(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
Amendment 20 #
2016/2206(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Emphasises that geographical balance, namely the relationship between staff nationality and the size of Member States, should still remain an important element of resources management particularly with respect to the Member States that have acceded to the Union since 2004, welcomes the fact that the agencies of the Union have reached a more balanced composition of officials from the Member States which joined the Union before and since 2004; but points out that these Member States are still underrepresented at the higher level of administration and in managerial posts for which progress is still awaited;
Amendment 8 #
2016/2160(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Reiterates that geographical balance, mainly the relationship between staff nationality and the size of Member States, should be an important element of the EEAS human resources management particularly with respect to the Member States that have acceded to the Union since 2004; is seriously concerned about the continuous underrepresentation of those Member States at both staff and management level; calls, therefore, on the EEAS to endeavour to correct this situation significantly, these Member States are especially underrepresented at the higher level of administration and in managerial posts for which significant progress is still awaited;
Amendment 19 #
2016/2155(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Emphasises that geographical balance, namely the relationship between staff nationality and the size of Member States, should still remain an important element of resources management particularly with respect to the Member States that have acceded to the Union since 2004, welcomes the fact that the European Court of Auditors has reached an overall balanced composition of officials from the Member States which joined the European Union before and since 2004; but points out that these Member States are still underrepresented at the higher level of administration and in managerial posts for which progress is still awaited;
Amendment 17 #
2016/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Emphasises that geographical balance, namely the relationship between staff nationality and the size of Member States, should still remain an important element of resources management particularly with respect to the Member States that have acceded to the Union since 2004, welcomes the fact that the European Court of Justice has reached a more balanced composition of officials from the Member States which joined the European Union before and since 2004; but points out that these Member States are still underrepresented at the higher level of administration and in managerial posts for which progress is still awaited;
Amendment 1 #
2016/2153(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Emphasises that geographical balance, namely the relationship between staff nationality and the size of Member States, should still remain an important element of resources management particularly with respect to the Member States that have acceded to the Union since 2004; welcomes the fact that the European Council and the Council have reached an overall balanced composition of officials from the Member States which joined the European Union before and since 2004, but points out that these Member States are still underrepresented at the higher level of administration and in managerial posts for which progress is still awaited;
Amendment 3 #
2016/2153(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Reiterates its call for the institution's building policy to be provided to the discharge authority; reminds the Council of Parliament's call for progress reports on building projects and a detailed breakdown of the costs incurred to date;
Amendment 4 #
2016/2153(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Insists that the expenditure of the Council must be scrutinised in the same way as that of other institutions and points out that the basics of such scrutiny have been laid down in its discharge resolutions of the past years;
Amendment 6 #
2016/2153(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Considers that satisfactory cooperation between Parliament, the European Council and the Council as a result of an open and formal dialogue procedure can be a positive sign to be sent to the citizens of the Union.
Amendment 6 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the annual report of the internal auditor contains findings based on specific audit work but does not by itself; aims at improving budgetary and financial management but not to provide a comprehensive picture of the Parliament’s budgetary and financial management; notes, similarly, that the Court’s report only represents the results of a small sample (16 transactions) in respect of Parliament’s transactions;
Amendment 7 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Understands that in general the low level of error in respect of the administrative expenditure may justifyaccount for the relatively little attention paid by the Court to Parliament’s transactions;
Amendment 9 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out, however, that the reputational risk in the case of the Parliament’s budgetary and financial management is relatively high, especially against the background of the Members of Parliament (MEPs) being the representatives of the citizens in the Union and hence any irregularities do not only damage the administration’s reputation, but also undermine the credibility of the MEPs as aneven if the error rate is remarkably low, the reputational risk is relatively high, given that such financial and budgetary errors might impact negatively on the standing of the institution;
Amendment 16 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that against this background, the work undertaken by the Parliament and in particular by CONT in the context of the discharge procedure is of particular importance, as it offers the soleoffers an opportunity to consider more thoroughly the accounts of the Parliament’s administration;
Amendment 30 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that ‘mopping-up’ transfers accounted for EUR 83 419 000, which represents 4,6 % of final appropriations with a total of EUR 71 000 000 transferred from provisional appropriation headings and from other sources, so as to help fund the annual lease payments for the Konrad Adenauer building; reaffirms, yet again, that Parliament's property policy should be set with sufficient clarity and full transparency as part of the budgetary strategy;
Amendment 36 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Takes furthermore note of the specific findings concerning Parliament contained in the annual report of the Court for 2015; notes that the Court found that in one out of the sixteen Parliament transactions examined, related to a political group, the Court found weaknesses in controls of the authoriszation and settlement of expenditure made in 2014 but cleared in 2015, and in the related procurement procedures; these involved only one out of 16 Parliament transactions that were examined concerning one or other of the political groups and these weaknesses were cleared in 2015;
Amendment 44 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Expresses its satisfaction with the commitment of the Parliament’s administration to continuously improving the performance of the Parliament’s services as a whole and to do so in an efficient manner, although it also considers that it is taking too long in some cases to put the changes into practice;
Amendment 49 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Considers that according to the Court the costs of the geographic dispersion of the Parliament amount to EUR 114 million per year and notes the finding that in the 2013 Fox-Häfner report 78 % of all missions by Parliament statutory staff arise as a direct result of the Parliament’s geographic dispersion; reminds that the estimation of the environmental impact of this dispersion is between 11 000 to 19 000 tonnes of CO2 emissions; calls on the Bureau to request the secretary-general to develop without delay a roadmap to a single seat for Parliament; points however to Article 341 TFEU which establishes that the seats of the institutions of the Union shall be determined by common accord of the governments of the Member States and Protocol 6 annexed to the TEU and the TFEU which lays down that Parliament shall have its seat in Strasbourg; recalls that a single-seat solution requests change of the treaties;
Amendment 51 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Recalls the reply by the Administration to question 75 in the questionnaire concerning discharge for Parliament for 2013, namely that it had decided to discontinue the ‘practice of long-term missions ..., ... leading to considerable savings’, but views as a major contradiction the fact that 13 staff members are currently on long-term missions; considers that a long-term mission for a staffer, involving an expatriation allowance and daily allowances, to a place where that person was already living and working is a reprehensible use of taxpayers’ money and contrary to the rules; insists on clarification of every long-term mission and on disclosure of reasons and costs;
Amendment 53 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. recalls that all officials and other servants of the Union, even those who work within cabinets, shall carry out their duties solely with the interests of the Union in mind, according to the rules laid down in the Staff Regulations; points out that the Union officials are paid by taxpayers' money, which is not intended to finance press or other staff to promote any national political interest of a President; calls on the bureau to lay down clear provisions in Parliaments regulations;
Amendment 54 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30b. Takes note of the decision of 21 October 2015 by the President, by means of which he sought to make management appointments within Parliament without observing procedures, such as calls for applications; notes that that decision ‘did not correspond to the rules’ (Administration’s reply in connection with the second questionnaire from the Committee on Budgetary Control; insists that that decision by the President be formally revoked;
Amendment 55 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 c (new)
Paragraph 30 c (new)
30c. Notes that on 15 December 2015 the President gave himself authority to allocate an uncapped special allowance to his cabinet staffers, over and above the existing cabinet allowance, despite the fact that the Staff Regulations make no provision for such a special allowance; raises again the question of the lawfulness of that authority and the validity of the special allowances; asks for consideration to be given as to whether the decision concerned should not be revoked;
Amendment 59 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Welcomes that this reduces considerably cash payments and introduces mandatory electronic transfers therefore reducing the risks of theft and reputation for the Parliament while still providing for considerable flexibility; takes note ofsupports the Bureau’s intention to evaluate the revised system after one year of implementation;
Amendment 60 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Expresses its regret that invitations to 112 visitor groups were withdrawn in the wake of the Brussels and Paris terror attacks and welcomes Parliament's swift decision to reimburse their expenses; considers, however, that the repayment took an unjustifiably long time and that the service did not handle the situation properly;
Amendment 62 #
Amendment 66 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Welcomes that the attention of the media and the public at large for the Parliament and its administration is increasing, but is concerned; notes that journalists find it difficult to obtain the specific information they are looking for, as is evident, for example, in the court case introduced on 13 November 2016 by journalists from all Union countries, following the refusal by the Parliament to disclose records about MEP's allowance; expects that the Parliament's administration balances the public interest against the protection of data of the MEPs and their assistants;
Amendment 68 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
Amendment 78 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Believes that MEPs ought to be able to use the Parliament’s website to provide their constituencies with maximumthe greatest possible transparency on their activities and therefore calls upon the secretary- general to develop a system in which MEPs can indicate how they want their personal webpages to be organised; refers, in this respect, to the wish of certain MEPs to have their diaries and, in particular, their meetings with interest representatives, included on these webpages, and urges the secretary-general to make this possible without further delays, as already requested in Parliament’s 2014 discharge resolution;
Amendment 82 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Calls on the bureau to make it possible for MEPs who wish to do so, to have their accounts relating to the general expenditure allowance audited by the Parliament’s administration in a manner that is both efficient and effective (for example, by taking samples or by concentrating on expenditures over a certain financial threshold) and to publish; asks the bureau to insure that any measure taken in this regard produces no additional costs; recalls about the answer to the 2014 discharge questionnaire that "a comprehensive system of control and direct payment of the general expenditure allowance (GEA) would necessitate the cresulation of 40 to 75 new posts oin their personal webpages on the Parliament’s website; alternatively, to earmark a percentage of the general expenditure allowance for MEPs to hire an external audit area of financial management, depending on the degree of control required"; recalls about the principle of the independence of the mandate and the risk which goes along with the above mentioned change to silence critical politicians with administrative means;
Amendment 101 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Similarly, calls on the secretary- general to ensure on Parliament’s website full disclosure of the underlyingNotes that the Parliament’s website makes available a range of documents regarding the decision on the recognition of the European political parties and European political foundations and the determinlongside details of specification of final funding amount; asks the Parliament to request the Commission to present a proposal for a revision of the regulation ofn the finstatute and funding of European political parties and European political founding amountations, including stricter requirements for the setting up of European political foundations, in order to prevent abuses;
Amendment 106 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Welcomes the introduction of a special form for rapporteurs towhere they can indicate which interest representatives had influenced their reports (legislative footprint);
Amendment 108 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Reiterates its call for a report by Parliament’s administration on the use of the Parliament’s premises by interest representatives and other external organisations, whilst paying special attention to the MEP-industry fora;
Amendment 111 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 – introductory part
Paragraph 42 – introductory part
42. Is concerned that the current code of conduct for MEPs does not offer sufficient safeguardmay require further improvements in order to avoid conflicts of interests and expresses the need for the establishment of a working group on the strengthening of the code of conduct in respect of, inter alia, the following issuespaying specific attention to:
Amendment 120 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 – indent 3
Paragraph 42 – indent 3
– oversight over the registration of declarations of MEPs’ interests;
Amendment 123 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Expresses its dissatisfaction at Parliament's current communication strategy; considers that there are serious problems with the effectiveness and coherence of the current strategy and particularly with the amount of funding it receives, and asks the service to draw up a communication strategy which will serve the interests of the institution effectively and economically;
Amendment 125 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)
Paragraph 44 a (new)
44a. Reiterates, in this regard, its call in the 2014 discharge where it was noted that the Parliament website remained relatively user-unfriendly, difficult to navigate and had not yet incorporated the most recent technological developments with the result that it was difficult to find relevant information quickly; it was also pointed out that, given the importance of communication with European citizens, the website did not contribute to improving the image of the Parliament with the public at large;
Amendment 126 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 b (new)
Paragraph 44 b (new)
44b. Calls on DG COM to introduce a more efficient and user-friendly website that incorporates a more efficient website search engine, one that will heighten the profile of the Parliament with the general public and respond more directly to the needs and interests of citizens; notes that merely mediocre results have been obtained despite the expenditure of large resources;
Amendment 139 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Is not convinced of the need to haveNotes that the building and staff costs for the Parliament's information offices ofin the Parliament in all Member States, especially in view of the fact that for effective communication physical presence may not always be necessary and can easily be replaced by effective and responsive internet facilities; is in particular sceptical about having an information office in the cities of Brussels and Strasbourg as in both cities the Parliament itself can be visited and in addition for interested visitors there is or will be a Parlamentarium at their disposalMember States are disproportionately large in relations to amount of money spent on theses offices' key functions, which is to better inform citizens in the Member States of the Parliament's activities: calls on DG COMM to strike a better balance between running cost and the offices communication functions;
Amendment 142 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Is not convinced of the need to have information offices of the Parliament in all Member States, especially in view of the fact that for effective communication physical presence may not always be necessary and can easily be replaced by effective and responsive internet facilities; is in particular sceptical about having an information office in the cities of Brussels and, Strasbourg as in bothnd Luxembourg, as in all three cities the Parliament itself can be visited and in addition for interested visitors there is or will be athe Parlamentarium and the House of European History at their disposal;
Amendment 147 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46a. Is concerned at the replies given to the questions for written response on Parliament's information offices in some Member States, as in most cases only a fraction of their operating costs arise from the real goals and tasks of such offices, whilst the lion's share of the money is spent on office rentals and the salaries and travel of their staff;
Amendment 163 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
Paragraph 54
54. Notes with concern the on-going discussions on the nature of temporary exhibitions; and is not convinced of the fact that deciding onsks if the contents of exhibitions in the House of European History belongs to Parliament’s core business, let alone the managementshould not be let alone to the competent bodies of a museum;
Amendment 165 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54 a (new)
Paragraph 54 a (new)
54a. Is pleased that, according to estimates, the House of European History will welcome 250 000 visitors a year; points out that the annual operating costs of this facility are estimated in advance at EUR 13.3 million; expresses its concern at the proportionally low number of visitors as compared with the high operating costs, bearing in mind that in 2015, Parliament welcomed 326 080 visitors and that the operating cost was just EUR 4.3 million;
Amendment 170 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55 a (new)
Paragraph 55 a (new)
55a. Welcomes the Commission decision to contribute EUR 800 000 a year to the operating costs of the House of European History; considers, however, that the Commission should contribute a much higher proportion of the estimated annual operating costs of EUR 13.3 million;
Amendment 171 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56
Paragraph 56
Amendment 177 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 a (new)
Paragraph 60 a (new)
Amendment 181 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64 a (new)
Paragraph 64 a (new)
64a. Notes that the procedure to bring Parliament's security guard service in- house is complete and that the procedure do the same for the drivers' service is on- going; calls on the Secretary-General to report to the Committee on Budgetary Control on what has been learnt from these procedures and any savings that have been made as a result;
Amendment 182 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65
Paragraph 65
Amendment 187 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
Paragraph 67
67. Points out that in cases of harassment or whistle-blowing APAs are in a particularly vulnerable position, as their contracts are based on mutual trust between the MEP and the assistant; if this trust is lacking, that in itself is reason for terminating the contract; furthermore, if the MEP has to resign because of reputational damage as a consequence of harassment or other irregularities, this normally means that the contracts of all his/her assistants will also be terminated; calls therefore for the immediate strengthening of the representation of APAs in the advisory committee on harassment, as already requested in the context of the 2014 discharge, and financial compensatory measures, for example, by paying the APAs concerned up to their salaries until the end of the term of Parliament, if their contracts are dissolved and the unemployment benefits do not offer full compensation of lost income;
Amendment 206 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70
Paragraph 70
Amendment 209 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 a (new)
Paragraph 73 a (new)
73a. Points out that, despite previous calls for improvement, the service offered by the Parliament's travel agency remains unsatisfactory as prices are relatively high, the agency has failed to negotiate agreements with the major airlines with regard to cheaper prices and more flexibility when making travel arrangements;
Amendment 210 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 b (new)
Paragraph 73 b (new)
73b. Calls on the agency to actively seek to provide lower prices whatever the airline in question is; requests that the agency introduces a feedback process (user satisfaction surveys) with a view to identifying areas in which further progress might be made;
Amendment 212 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 76 a (new)
Paragraph 76 a (new)
76a. Recalls Paragraph 112 of last year's discharge report (P8_TA- PROV(2016)0150) that calls for an assessment of the current situation of the pension fund; regrets that such an assessment has not yet been delivered;
Amendment 219 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 85 a (new)
Paragraph 85 a (new)
85a. Calls on DG ITEC to make all Parliament's web pages accessible to portable devices, as the current interfaces can hardly be deemed compatible with portable devices, even though a large proportion of visitors to the pages use an iPad or mobile phone to access the sites of Parliament and the specialised committees; proposes the implementation of measures to improve, tangibly and within a reasonable time-frame, the accessibility of the web pages to portable devices;
Amendment 222 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 86
Paragraph 86
86. Finds it unacceptable that printers have to be placedessential for the mandate of the MEPs that printers remain in their offices of staff members and in particular of APAs,; points out that cheap generic cartridges may possibly leading to dangerous levels of emissions of particles; calls and to health damages; calls therefore for measures to be taken by DG ITEC and Directorate-General for Infrastructure and Logistics (DG INLO) to create possibilities for printers to be located strategically, but outside the officpromote the procurement of eco-friendly printers and to ensure the sole use of original cartridges;
Amendment 227 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 90 a (new)
Paragraph 90 a (new)
90a. Expresses its satisfaction with the progress that has already been achieved in the modernisation process of DG INTE, notably with respect to the enhanced availability of interpreters, the moderate increase in the number of hours interpreters spend delivering interpretation and the improved distribution of interpreter workloads; notes that the calculation method with regard to statistics has been clarified and that all annual leave and sick leave have now been excluded from the calculation of the average number of hours spent by interpreters in the booth;
Amendment 231 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 93
Paragraph 93
93. Is concerned about the problematiclack of results of the social dialogue between DG INTE and the representatives of interpreters concerning the adoption of new working conditions, which started in January 2014 and whereby until now no agreement could be reached; calls on the secretary general to initiate a mediation between the parties involved to improve the mutual understanding of the positions and to find solutions that are agreeable to all; both in line with the interest of the Parliament and offer an adequate level of social protection for staff;
Amendment 232 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 93 a (new)
Paragraph 93 a (new)
93a. Request information from the secretary-general regarding the measures that have been taken since the adoption of the resolution on the discharge on the budget 2014 to achieve more resource efficiency and effectiveness of meeting organisation by streamlining conference management in Parliament;
Amendment 233 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94
Paragraph 94
94. Welcomes the continuous efforts to work on the safety in and around the premises of the buildings of the Parliament; acknowledges that safety within the Parliament represents a delicate balancing between achieving safety with a number of measures, and avoiding transforming its buildings intointroducing an overly security conscious regime that slows down the activity of the parliament ; but, nevertheless, insists that building security should be fourtresses, which, as a side effect, may lead to anxiety for its users; her reinforced and calls on the secretary-general to ensure that staff are correctly trained and able to perform their tasks, including in emergency situations, professionally;
Amendment 236 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94 a (new)
Paragraph 94 a (new)
94a. Calls on the secretary-general to reinforce security and to ensure that cooperation between the institutions of the Union is actively pursued alongside cooperation between the Belgian, French and Luxemburgish authorities.
Amendment 237 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94 b (new)
Paragraph 94 b (new)
94b. Call on the DG ITEC and DG SAFE to reinforce anti- hacking measures in light of the increased threat of cyber-attack in recent months;
Amendment 247 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 101
Paragraph 101
Amendment 255 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 107
Paragraph 107
107. Emphasises nevertheless that the current system of internal and external controls is clearly insufficient to avoid major irregularitiessometimes fails to avoid certain irregularities in particular in so far the smaller parties are concerned; points out that larger political parties managed to undergo the auditing process without difficulty; takes note of the declarations of the external accountant, EY, that its audits are aimed at obtaining a reasonable assurance that the annual accounts are free of material misstatements and that the entity has complied with in scope rules and regulations, and that they include examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the opinion; also notes, however, that the examinations do not include investigations of possible fraudulent statements and documents; that, therefore, the audits provide only for a superficial insight in the dealings of European political parties and foundations;
Amendment 262 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 109
Paragraph 109
109. Calls on the bureau to, in so far as the principle of consfider in future not only the note from the secretary-general ontiality allows it, to facilitate access to the underlying documents contained in the final reports of European political parties and foundations, but to receive automatically the underlying documents and, in particular the accounts and the audits undertaken;
Amendment 268 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 112
Paragraph 112
Amendment 63 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Points out the increasing use of financial instruments principally composed of loans, equity instruments, guarantees and risk sharing instruments under indirect management for the 2014-2020 period and that the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group managed almost all of the financial instruments under indirect management; emphasizes that financial instruments can supplement grants but should not replace them;
Amendment 66 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Regrets that the increasing use of such financial instruments, as also the financial instruments in shared management (the financial engineering instruments), poses higher risks for accountability and the coordination of Union policies and operations; underlines that extending the use of financial instruments should be preceded by a comprehensive evaluation of their results, achievements and efficiency;
Amendment 84 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Stresses that this situation may indeed pose a significant challenge and undermine the effectiveness of ESI Funds as in some Member States the unclaimed Union contribution, together with required co- financing, exceeds 15% of the total general government expenditure;
Amendment 128 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Points out that the Court found highest estimated levels of error in spending under ‘Economic, social and territorial cohesion’ (5,2%) and for “Competitiveness for growth and jobs” (4,4%) whilst “Administrative expenditure” had the lowest estimated level of error (0,6%); underlines that a clear distinction must be made between error and fraud;
Amendment 333 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 214 a (new)
Paragraph 214 a (new)
214a. Emphasises that geographical balance, namely the relationship between staff nationality and the size of Member States, should still remain an important element of resources management particularly with respect to the Member States that have acceded to the Union since 2004, welcomes the fact that the Commission has reached a more balanced composition of officials from the Member States which joined the European Union before and since 2004; but points out that these Member States are still underrepresented at the higher level of administration and in managerial posts for which progress is still awaited;
Amendment 12 #
2016/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the negotiations for PAs and Operational Programmes (OPs) for the period 2014-2020 have been a modernised, strongly adjusted and intensive exercise with a new framework for performance- based budgeting, ex-ante conditionalities and thematic concentration, resulting inadvertently in serious delays in the actual commencement of cohesion policy implementation, which was further slowed down by the designation procedure;
Amendment 42 #
2016/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that cohesion policy 2014- 2020 has been thoroughly reworked, requiring a change in mentality and working methods at all levels of governance, but that it ise recent forward- looking and exemplary reforms are often ignored and cohesion policy is still often perceived as a traditional expenditure policy rather than an investment policy with tangible results;
Amendment 71 #
2016/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines, in particular, that consideration should be given to the circumstances of the distinctively urban or rural regions, the so-called ‘lagging regions’ and regions with permanent natural or geographical handicaps (northernmost regions with very low population density, and cross-border, insular, mountainous or outermost regions); recalls in this context that it is important to support new policy challenges, such as immigration, (while keeping in mind the original and still relevant goals of cohesion policy and the specific needs of regions) as well as the broadly understood digital dimension of cohesion policy (including ICT and broadband access issues, which are linked to the completion of the Digital Single Market); points to the Energy Union Strategy, as the ESI Funds have an important role to play in its delivery;
Amendment 80 #
2016/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Supports the gradual shift from a focus on infrastructure-related projects towards a focus on stimulating the knowledge economy, innovation and social inclusion while respecting the specific needs of regions as the development of infrastructure is still necessary in many regions (sometimes even in the most developed ones) and market-based solutions are not always feasible;
Amendment 96 #
2016/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Emphasises that the regulatory framework for the period 2014-2020 and the PAs have led to a strongly results- oriented focus in cohesion programmes and this result-oriented approach can be exemplary for the other parts of EU budget expenditure as well;
Amendment 105 #
2016/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the fact that Member States in the course of the programming process have found more than two thirds of the Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs) that were adopted in 2014 are relevant to cohesion policy investments and have been taken this into account in Member States’their programming priorities;
Amendment 127 #
2016/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that the regulatory framework for ESI Funds for the period 2014-2020 supports financial instruments; observes that there is a focus on a gradual shift from grants to loans and guarantees, underlines, however, that the use of grants is still indispensable; notes also that the use of the multi-fund approach still appears to be difficult;
Amendment 142 #
2016/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Points out that the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) is presented as a success story when it comes to fast implementation, and against this background asks the Commission to come forward with learning points for the ESI Funds for the new programming period; underlines, however, that a detailed analysis of the results of EFSI is essential in order to take stock of what has been achieved on the ground;
Amendment 161 #
2016/2148(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Supports a further balanced increase in financial instruments; emphasizes however that this should only take place after having carefully assessed the contribution of financial instruments to cohesion policy objectives and in areas where financial instruments represent added value in terms of results and effectiveness; asks the Commission, therefore, to come forward with incentives for managing authorities to achieve this;
Amendment 38 #
2016/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls the role of Parliament as foreseen in the regulation, in particular in relation to the monitoring of EFSI implementation; acknowledges, however, that it is too early to finalise a comprehensive assessment of the functioning of EFSI and its impact on the EU economy, but is of the opinion that an independent preliminary evaluation is crucial in order to identify possible areas of improvement for EFSI 2.0 and thereafterwith a special focus on whether EFSI is achieving its objectives concerning in particular the additionality of projects and whether maintaining the scheme for supporting investment is still warranted or the smooth termination of EFSI is reasonable while preserving the EU guarantee for operations already approved;
Amendment 377 #
2016/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Acknowledges that EFSI alone - and on a limited scale- will probably not be able to close the investment gap in Europe, but that it nevertheless constitutes a central pillar of the EU’s investment plan and signals the EU’s determination to tackle this issue; calls for further proposals to be made on how to permanently boost investment in Europe; underlines the importance of independent evaluations and stresses that any new proposals on the future of EFSI beyond 2020 shall be based on an independent evaluation of the functioning of EFSI;
Amendment 10 #
2016/2047(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that Parliament's reading of the 2017 budget fully reflects the politicalbudgetary priorities adopted by an overwhelming majority in its abovementioned resolution of 9 March 2016 on general guidelines and its resolution of 6 July 2016 on the “Preparation of the post-electoral revision of the MFF 2014-2020: Parliament’s input ahead of the Commission’s proposal”;
Amendment 24 #
2016/2047(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that whilst Parliament has supported the Commission’s actions in the tackling of the migration and refugees crisis, it has always insisted that this challenge not take precedence over other important Union policies, for example in the field of jobs and growth, agriculture and rural development; notes that the Heading 3 ceiling is vastly insufficient to provide for appropriate funding for the internal dimension of the migration and refugee crisis as well as priority programmes, such as culture programmes;
Amendment 112 #
2016/2047(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. WelcomesTakes note of the Commission’s proposal, as part of the MFF mid-term revision, to establish a new European Union Crisis Reserve, to be financed from de-committed appropriations, as an additional instrument to react rapidly to crises, such as the current migrant and refugee crisis, as well as a wider set of events with serious humanitarian or security implications;
Amendment 42 #
2016/2041(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Commission, for the purposes of the new directive that will set the targets to be reached by 2030, to devise regional assessment indicators and lay downformulate recommendations concerning the minimum thresholds to be achieved by all regions.
Amendment 50 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes, additionally, the Commission’s Annual Growth Survey for 2016; strongly believes that boosting investment, including a coordinated increase in public investment with a focus on the Europe 2020 targets, is a proper policy response with a view to a more balanced economic policy; believes that those two elements should be taken into consideration in the preparation of the draft budget for 2017 insofar as this should help identify priorities within an economic context; calls, consequently, for more synergies between the Union dimension of the European semester for economic policy coordination and the Union budget;
Amendment 55 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes, in this context, the Commission’s efforts to enhance the use of the European Structural and Investment Funds in support of key priorities highlighted in the country-specific recommendations, and supports the proposal to use Union funding programmes for the Commission’s Structural Reform Support Service;
Amendment 79 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights the fact that the Union has had to face numerous crises in recent years; recalls that a solution has still not been found for the Europe-wide migrant and refugee crisis, which escalated in 2015 with a sudden and massive increase in the numbers of refugees and migrants travelling to the Union to seek asylum, which has further impacted on the internal crisis; the EU milk and pig sectors have suffered a sharp fall in farm gate prices which is caused by the serious negative effects of the Russian agricultural export ban and the global over-production, so these vital sectors are also in crises; underlines that the Union budget should be used as part of a European solution to overcome these emergencies;
Amendment 113 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Is alarmed by increasing poverty, particularly among children; recalls its report advocating the establishment of a child guarantee in order to lift children out of poverty and avoid their being socially excluded7 ; recognizes the importance of the school milk and school fruit&vegetable programmes which mean the only source of appropriate nutrition for poor children in many situations and therefore suggests the increase of their EU funding; considers education, childcare, health services, housing and security to be basic needs to which every European child has the right; __________________ 7 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0403.
Amendment 121 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Acknowledges the mobilisation of significant budgetary means spread over 2015 and 2016 to address the migration and refugee, crisis both internally within the Union and externally in refugees’ countries of origin; stresses, however, that substantial additional financial means are required to address this crisis, as the increase in numbers of refugees and migrants cannot be considered a temporary phenomenon; highlights that longer-term solutions should be sought, not only in the annual budgetary procedure, but also in the upcoming interim revision of the MFF, without hampering the implementation of other EU policies;
Amendment 158 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Highlights that the implementation of the European Structural and Investment Funds is expected to reach cruising speed in 2017, and warns against an underbudgeting of payment appropriations to match this increased absorption level; encourages the European Commission to increase the payments to the necessary levels in its Draft Budget; expresses its concern at the late adoption of the Operational Programmes and at the risk of the build-up of a new backlog of unpaid bills over the second half of the MFF; encourages the Commission to work actively with the Member States and urge them to make every effort to ensure the swift designation of programme authorities, the absence of which has been the main cause of the current delays;
Amendment 189 #
2016/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Recalls that the final agreement on the MFF 2014-2020, as signed in December 2013, included a proposal for a compulsory review of the MFF 2014-2020, accompanied by a legislative proposal for revision of the MFF by the end of 2016; stresses that the purpose of the review/revision is to provide the Union with sufficient resources to address internal and external crises; stresses that the Council should live up to the expectations raised by its own statements and decisions; underlines in this respect that the Council should take on responsibility for ensuring the financing of new tasks, either by clearly identifyextending the poflexibilicty areas which would no longer be among the Union’s prioritieswithin the MFF or by agreeing to an upward revision of the MFF ceilings;
Amendment 161 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 39a – paragraph 1
Article 39a – paragraph 1
1. Member States may use ESI Funds to provide a contribution to financial instruments referred to in point (c) of Article 38(1) provided it has the aim to attract additional private sector investment and continues to contribute to ESI Funds objectives and the Union strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
Amendment 164 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 39a – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 39a – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. When a Member State decides to provide such a contribution to financial instruments, the leverage and profitable effects of the financial instrument shall be in the territory of the respective Member State and its regions;
Amendment 174 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 39a – paragraph 6
Article 39a – paragraph 6
6. When implementing financial instruments under point (c) of Article 38(1), the bodies referred to in paragraph 2 of this article shall ensure compliancecomply with applicable law, including rules covering the ESI Funds, State aid, public procurement and relevant standards and applicable legislation on the prevention of money laundering, the fight against terrorism, tax fraud and tax evasion. Those bodies shall not make use of or engage in tax avoidance structures, in particular aggressive tax planning schemes or practices not complying with tax good governance criteria as set out in EU legislation including Commission recommendations and communications or any formal notice by the latter. They shall not be established and, in relation to the implementation of the financial operations shall not maintain business relations with entities incorporated in jurisdictions that do not co- operate with the Union in relation to the application of the internationally agreed tax standards on transparency and exchange of information. Those bodies may, under their responsibility, conclude agreements with financial intermediaries for the implementation of financial operations. They shall transpose requirements referred to in this paragraph in their contracts with the financial intermediaries selected to participate in the execution of financial operations under such agreements.
Amendment 181 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 39a – paragraph 12
Article 39a – paragraph 12
12. In case of financial instruments referred to in point (c) of Article 38(1) which take the form of a guarantee instrument, Member States may decide that ESI Funds may contribute to junior and/or mezzanine tranches of portfolios of loans covered also under the EFSI’s Union guarantee. Leverage and returns resulting from such contributions shall be used in accordance with the objectives of the respective ESI Funds to support actions and final recipients consistent with the programme(s) from which such contributions are made.
Amendment 393 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 12 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) amounts corresponding to commitment and payment appropriations for the Emergency Aid Reserve and for the European Union Crisis Reserve and to commitment appropriations for the European Union Solidarity Fund;
Amendment 403 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 3
Article 14 – paragraph 3
Amendment 427 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 3
Article 30 – paragraph 3
Amendment 429 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 30 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Decisions on transfers to allow the use of the emergency aid reserve and the European Union Crisis Reserve shall be taken by the European Parliament and the Council on a proposal from the Commission.
Amendment 431 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 3 – introductory part
Article 30 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 3 – introductory part
Proposals for transfers from the emergency aid reserve and the European Union Crisis Reserve shall be accompanied by appropriate and detailed supporting documents demonstarting:
Amendment 451 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Article 36 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
The information on final recipients of funds provided through financial instruments who receive support from the Union budget for an amount lower than EUR 5200 000, shall be limited to statistical data, aggregated in accordance with relevant criteria, such as geographical situation, economic typology of recipients, type of support received and the Union policy area under which such support was provided.
Amendment 464 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – title
Article 49 – title
Emergency Aid Reserve and European Union Crisis Reserve
Amendment 467 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 1
Article 49 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission section of the budget shall include a reserve for emergency aid for third countries and a European Union Crisis Reserve.
Amendment 468 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 2
Article 49 – paragraph 2
2. The reserves referred to in paragraph 1 shall be drawn upon before the end of the financial year by means of transfer in accordance with the procedure laid down in Articles 28 and 30.
Amendment 521 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 121 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e – point i
Article 121 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e – point i
(i) either the fulfilment of conditions based on achievements related to the objectives of the programmes as set out in sector specific legislation or Commission Decisions or
Amendment 534 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 125
Article 125
Amendment 12 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
Having regard to the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) first report on "Evaluation of the functioning of the European Fund for Strategic Investments" released on 6 October 2016; Having regard to the European Court of Auditors’ (ECA) Opinion No 2/2016 on "EFSI: an early proposal to extend and expand" released on 11 November 2016;
Amendment 21 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) Articles 18(6) and 18(7) of the Regulation (EU) No 2015/1017 provide for a proposal to amend that Regulation to be made by 5 July 2018 and require that such a proposal should be supported by an independent evaluation on whether EFSI "is achieving its objectives and maintaining a scheme for supporting investment is warranted". This independent evaluation of the application of that Regulation carried out by external experts was released only after the Commission’s proposal on the extension of EFSI.
Amendment 30 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) Proposals aiming at extending the investment period after 2020 should be preceded by and based on independent evaluations, which analyse whether EFSI achieves its objectives, in particular regarding the additionality of projects as well as its impact on growth and employment.
Amendment 31 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 b (new)
Recital 7 b (new)
(7b) Proposals on the extension of the EFSI should not aim at replacing or reducing the budget of the European Structural and Investment Funds.
Amendment 39 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Due to their potential to increase the efficiency of the EFSI intervention, blending operations combining non- reimbursable forms of support and/or financial instruments from the Union budget, such as those available under the Connecting Europe Facility, and financing from EIB Group, including EIB financing under the EFSI, as well as other investors should be encouraged. Blending aims to enhance the value added of Union spending by attracting additional resources from private investors and to ensure the actions supported become economically and financially viable. The combined use of EFSI and ESIF can help attain a wider geographical coverage of EFSI; the way these funds are blended should be further developed and simplified.
Amendment 48 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) In order to reinforce the take-up of the EFSI in less-developed and transition regions,The European Investment Bank’s (EIB) first report on "Evaluation of the functioning of the European Fund for Strategic Investments" released on 6 October 2016 highlights the need to address the geographical imbalance of EFSI support by measures such as enlarging the scope of the general objectives eligible for EFSI support should be enlargedand enhancing the role of the European Advisory Hub.
Amendment 54 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) In order to reinforce the take-up of the EFSI in less-developed and transition regions, the scope of the general objectives eligible for EFSI support should be enlarged, with special attention to agriculture.
Amendment 56 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11a) While EFSI and the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) are in a way complementary, supporting strategic investments of European added value to achieve the Union policy objectives, it has to be reminded, that their scope, objectives, rationale, design as well as legal and regulatory framework are purposefully different;
Amendment 86 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4 a) Articles 18(6) and 18(7) of the Regulation (EU) No 2015/1017 provide for a proposal to amend that Regulation to be made by 5 July 2018 and require that such a proposal should be supported by an independent evaluation on whether EFSI "is achieving its objectives and maintaining a scheme for supporting investment is warranted". This independent evaluation of the application of that Regulation carried out by external experts was released only after the Commission's proposal on the extension of EFSI.
Amendment 106 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7 a) Proposals aiming at extending the investment period after 2020 should be preceded by and based on independent evaluations, which analyse whether EFSI achieves its objectives, in particular regarding the additionality of projects as well as its impact on growth and employment.
Amendment 107 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 b (new)
Recital 7 b (new)
(7 b) Proposals on the extension of the EFSI should not aim at replacing or reducing the budget of the European Structural and Investment Funds.
Amendment 118 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point b – point i
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point b – point i
Regulation (EU) No 2015/1017
Article 14 – paragraph 2 - point c
Article 14 – paragraph 2 - point c
(c) leveraging regional and local knowledge to facilitate EFSI support across the Union and contributing where possible to the objective of sectorial and geographical diversification of the EFSI referred to in Section 8 of Annex II by supporting the EIB to originate operations;;
Amendment 124 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point c
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point c
Regulation (EU) No 2015/1017
Article 14 – paragraph 5
Article 14 – paragraph 5
5. In order to achieve the objective referred to in paragraph 1 and to facilitate the provision of advisory support at regional and local level, the EIAH shall seek to use the expertise of the EIB, the Commission, national promotional banks or institutions, and the managing authorities of the European Structural and Investment Funds.;
Amendment 152 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Due to their potential to increase the efficiency of the EFSI intervention, blending operations combining non- reimbursable forms of support and/or financial instruments from the Union budget, such as those available under the Connecting Europe Facility, and financing from EIB Group, including EIB financing under the EFSI, as well as other investors should be encouraged. Blending aims to enhance the value added of Union spending by attracting additional resources from private investors and to ensure the actions supported become economically and financially viable. The combined use of EFSI and ESIF can help attain a wider geographical coverage of EFSI. The way these funds are blended should be further developed and simplified.
Amendment 169 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) In order to reinforce the take-up of the EFSI in less-developed and transition regions, the scope of the general objectives eligible for EFSI support should be enlarged, with special attention to agriculture.
Amendment 172 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11 a) While EFSI and the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) are in a way complementary, supporting strategic investments of European added value to achieve the Union policy objectives, it has to be reminded, that their scope, objectives, rationale, design as well as legal and regulatory framework are purposefully different.
Amendment 381 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point d
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point d
Regulation (EU) No 2015/1017
Article 9 – paragraph 4
Article 9 – paragraph 4
Amendment 382 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point d a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point d a (new)
Regulation (EU) No 2015/1017
Article 9 – paragraph 4
Article 9 – paragraph 4
(d) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following: ‘4. Any new investment period may be set in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 18.proposal extending the investment period during which the EU guarantee may be granted shall be based, among others, on an independent evaluation as referred to in Article 18 (6) and (7).’;
Amendment 452 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10 – point a
Regulation (EU) No 2015/1017
Article 18 – paragraph 6
Article 18 – paragraph 6
6. By 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2020, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and the Council a report containing an independent evaluation of the applicaas regards: (a) the assessment of the functioning of the EFSI, the use of the EU guarantee and the functioning of this Regulatione EIAH; (b) whether the EFSI consists of a good use of resources of the EU Budget, mobilizes a sufficient level of private capital, and crowds-in private investment.
Amendment 454 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10 – point b
Regulation (EU) No 2015/1017
Article 18 – paragraph 7
Article 18 – paragraph 7
(b) paragraphs 7 and 8 are deleted. 7 is replaced by the following: ‘By 31 December 2019, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and the Council a report containing an independent evaluation of the application of this Regulation as regards: (a) whether the EFSI is achieving its objectives in particular concerning the additionality of projects and its impact on growth and employment; (b) whether maintaining the scheme for supporting investment is still warranted or if a smooth termination of the EFSI, while preserving the EU guarantee for the operations already approved under this Regulation, (...) is to be ensured.'
Amendment 455 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10 – point b
Regulation (EU) No 2015/1017
Article 18 – paragraph 8
Article 18 – paragraph 8
(b) paragraphs 7 and 8 are 8 is deleted.;
Amendment 16 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Citation 1
Citation 1
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 53(1)4, 56 and 62 thereof,
Amendment 18 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The free movement of workers, freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services are fundamental principles of the internal market in the Union enshrined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). The implementation of those principles is further developed by the Union aimed at guaranteeing a level playing field for businesses and respect for the rights of workersfighting unfair competition while ensuring the respect for the rights of workers. Neither the difference in wages or salaries nor the access to capital alone can be considered as unfair competition.
Amendment 21 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The freedom to provide services includes the right of undertakings to provide services in another Member State, to which they may post their own workers temporarily in order to provide those services there. The temporary nature of providing services is to be determined on a case by case basis by the duration, the regularity, the periodicity and the continuity of the service.
Amendment 26 #
2016/0070(COD)
Draft legislative resolution
Citation 2
Citation 2
– having regard to Article 294(2) and Articles 53(1)4, 56 and 62 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C8- 0114-2016),
Amendment 26 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
Recital 4
Amendment 30 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The principle of equal treatment and the prohibition of any discrimination based on nationality are enshrined in EU law since the founding Treaties. The principle of equal pay has been implemented through secondary law not only between women and men, but also between employees with fix term contracts and comparable permanent workers, between part-time and full-time workers or between temporary agency workers and comparable workers of the user undertaking. While applying these principles the related case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Union must be respected and taken into consideration.
Amendment 31 #
2016/0070(COD)
(5a) It is also necessary to take account of the reasoned opinions issued by the national parliaments of 11 Member States objecting the Commission's proposal based on the ground of the principle of subsidiarity,
Amendment 35 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8
Recital 8
Amendment 44 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
Having regard to the reasoned opinions issued by national parliaments from 11 Member States objecting the Commission proposal on the grounds of subsidiarity;
Amendment 44 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 10
Recital 10
Amendment 47 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The free movement of workers, freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services are fundamental principles of the internal market in the Union enshrined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). The implementation of those principles is further developed by the Union aimed at enhancing social cohesion among Member States and guaranteeing a level playing field for businesses and respect for the rights of workers. Neither wages or salaries nor the access to capital alone can be considered as unfair competition.
Amendment 47 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) In a competitive internal market, service providers compete not only on the basis of a labour costs but also on factors such as productivity and efficiency, orand wages are always based on a series of parameters, including experience, profile, level of responsibilities, labour market conditions or on the quality and innovation of their goods and services.
Amendment 49 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) It is within Member States' competence to set rules on remunerationminimum rates of pay, bonuses and allowances in accordance with their law and practicenational law. However, national rules on remuneration applied to posted workers must be proportionate and justified by the need to protect posted workers and must not disproportionately restrict the cross-border provision of services. Hence the Member States should ensure that workers posted to their territory are entitled to minimum rates of pay as well as specific categories of bonuses and allowances as specified in point (c) of Article 3(1).
Amendment 57 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) The elements of remuneration under national law or universally applicable collective agreementsminimum rate of pay, bonuses and other allowances under national law should be clear and transparent to all service providers. It is therefore justified to impose on Member States the obligation to publish the constituent elements of remunerationminimum rates of pay, bonuses and other allowances on the single website provided for by Article 5 of the Enforcement Directive.
Amendment 58 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) When calculating the duration of posting, the same posting within the same contract concluded by the undertaking referred to in Article 1 (1) should be identified as posting.
Amendment 60 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 1 b (new)
Recital 1 b (new)
(1b) When assessing working place for the purpose of calculating the duration of posting in the context of replacement, the working place should be viewed as the very same working place where the worker is posted to the same working position to perform the same task(s).
Amendment 62 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) Laws, reguVia their national legislations, administrative provisions or collective agreements applicable in Member States may ensure that subcontracting does not confer on undertakings the possibilMember States have the freedom to establish on their territory appropriate measures applicable to local and foreign service providers in order to ensure compliance wityh to avoid rules guaranteeing certain terms and conditions of employment covering remuneration. Where such rules on remunerationhe applicable rules concerning posting in case of subcontracting chains. Where such rules on pays, bonuses and allowances exist at national level, the Member State may apply them in a non- discriminatory manner to undertakings posting workers to its territory provided that they do not disproportionately restrict the cross-border provision of services.
Amendment 64 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The freedom to provide services includes the right of undertakings to provide services in another Member State, to which they may post their own workers temporarily in order to provide those services there and the difference of wages has never been considered as "unfair competition" in the EU and in the case law of the ECJ. The Treaty provides that restrictions on the freedom to provide services are prohibited.
Amendment 70 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 2 a
Article 2 a
Amendment 72 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Almost twenty years after its adoption, it is necessary to assess whetherindeed enforce the rules and confirm that the Posting of Workers Directive still strikes the right balance between the need to promote the freedom to provide services and the need to protect the rights of posted workers, as well as the to explore that whether there is a possibility of reintroduction of custom duties for a temporarily but limited period in some regions or areas suffering high unemployment level based on public interest in terms of the social protection of workers due to unfair competitiveness of imported products and services, which were previously produced or provided locally within the framework of the revision of the current legislation relevant to posted workers.
Amendment 90 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The principle of equal treatment and the prohibition of any discrimination based on nationality are enshrined in EU law since the founding Treaties. The principle of equal pay has been implemented through secondary law not only between women and men, but also between employees with fix term contracts and comparable permanent workers, between part-time and full-time workers or between temporary agency workers and comparable workers of the user undertaking. By doing so the related jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union must be respected and taken into consideration.
Amendment 91 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a Directive 96/71/EC
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a Directive 96/71/EC
(c) remuneration,minimum rates of pay, bonuses and allowances including overtime rates; this point does not apply to supplementary occupational retirement pension schemes;
Amendment 96 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 100 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) The Rome I Regulation clarifies also the situation of posted workers as it provides that the country where the work is habitually carried out shall not be deemed to have changed if he is temporarily employed in another country.
Amendment 110 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) In view of the long duration of certain posting assignments, it is necessary to provide that, in case of posting lasting for periods higher than 24 months, the host Member State is deemed to be the country in which the work is carried out. In accordance with the principle of Rome I Regulation, the law of the host Member Sates therefore applies to the employment contr in line with Recital (2), it is necessary to state that posting is clearly covered by Article 8 (2) of Rome I. Regulation. The temporary nature of posting (as provision of service), which is a crucial element in the determination of habitual placte of such posted workers if no other choice of law was made by the parties. In case a different choice was made, it cannot, however, have the result of depriving the employee of the protection afforded to him by provisions that cannot be derogated from by agreement under the law of the host Member State. This should apply from the start of the posting assignment whenever it is envisaged for more than 24 months and from the first day subsequent to the 24 monwork can only be determined on a case by case basis and it is not only determined by the length of time but also by other factors and facts of the individual worker's life. In addition to this, Article 2 of this when it effectively exceeds this duration. This rule does not affect the right of undertakings posting workers to the territory of another Member State to invoke the freedom to provide serviceDirective defines the nature of posting as having a temporary character therefore temporary character is ian circumstances also where the posting exceeds 24 months. The purpose is merely to create legal certainty in the application of the Rome I Regulation to a specific situation, without amending that Regulation in any way. The employee will in particular enjoy the protection and benefits pursuant to the Rome I Regulationindispensable feature of genuine posting. Moreover, the case law provides explanation of the notion of temporary nature of the provision of services, which is to be determined by its duration, regularity, periodicity and continuity.
Amendment 112 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a
Amendment 140 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9a) Directive 2014/67/EC on the enforcement of Directive 96/71/EC provides a number of provisions to make sure that rules on posting of workers are enforced and are obeyed by all service providers. Article 4 of the enforcement Directive provides a clear list of elements that should be assessed in order to identify the genuine posting and prevent abuse as well as circumvention.
Amendment 151 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Because of the highly mobile nature of work in international road transport, the implementation of the posting of worker and this dDirective raises particular legal questions and difficulties (especially where the link with the concerned Member State is insufficient). It would be most suited for these challenges to be addressed through sector-specific legislation together with other EU initiatives aimed at improving the functioning of the internal road transport marketshall not apply to transport undertakings which are excluded from the scope of this Directive.
Amendment 164 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) During the implementation of the current posting of workers directive must be enforced fully and at the same time the unlawful practice of undeclared work shall be eliminated by strengthened efforts by the European Commission in all relevant areas in order to defend the rights and opportunities of the posted workers.
Amendment 172 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) In a competitive internal market, service providers compete not only on the basis of a labour costs but also on factors such as productivity and efficiency, oras well as and rates of pay, bonuses and allowances are always based on a series of parameters, including experience, profile, level of responsibilities, labour market conditions, or on the quality and innovation of their goods and services.
Amendment 191 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) It is within Member States' competence to set rules on remunerationminimum rates of pay and bonuses and allowances in accordance with their law and practice. However, these national rules on remuneration applied to posted workers must be proportionate and justified by the need to protect posted workers and must not disproportionately restrict the cross-border provision of services. Hence the Member States should ensure that workers posted to their territory are entitled to minimum rates of pay as well as specific categories of bonuses and allowances as specified in Article 3.1.(c).
Amendment 208 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) The elements of remunerationminimum pay, bonus and allowance under national law or universally applicable collective agreements should be clear and transparent to all service providers. It is therefore justified to impose on Member States the obligation to publish the constituent elements of remunerationminimum rates of pays, bonuses and allowances on the single website provided for by Article 5 of the Enforcement Directive.
Amendment 232 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) Laws, reguVia their national legislations, administrative provisions or collective agreements applicable in Member States may ensure that subcontracting does not confer on undertakings the possibilMember States have the freedom to establish on their territory appropriate measures applicable to local and foreign service providers in order to ensure compliance wityh to avoid rules guaranteeing certain terms and conditions of employment covering remuneration. Where such rules on remunerationhe applicable rules concerning posting in case of subcontracting chains. Where such rules on pays, bonuses and allowances exist at national level, the Member State may apply them in a non- discriminatory manner to undertakings posting workers to its territory provided that they do not disproportionately restrict the cross-border provision of services.
Amendment 257 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point -1 (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point -1 (new)
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
(–1) In Article 1, paragraph 1 is amended as follows: 1. This Directive shall not apply to undertakings established in a Member State which, in the framework of the transnational proviswhich post workers, if the periond of services, post workers, in accordance with paragraph 3, to the territory of a Member Stateposting does not exceed three days within one month reference period.
Amendment 277 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 2a
Article 2a
Amendment 280 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Amendment 373 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 2 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 2 – point c
(c) remunerationminimum rates of pay, bonuses and allowances, including overtime rates; this point does not apply to supplementary occupational retirement pension schemes;
Amendment 378 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 2 – point d
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 2 – point d
(d) the conditions of hiring-out of workers, in particular the supply of workers by temporary employment undertakings, except the conditions of collective accommodation for workers;
Amendment 401 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
For the purpose of this Directive, remuneration means all the elements of remuneration rendered mandatory by national law, regulation or administrative provision, collective agreements or arbitration awards which have been declared universally applicable and/or, in the absence of a system for declaring collective agreements or arbitration awards to be of universal application, other collective agreements or arbite clear and unambiguous application of this Directive, pay, bonuses and allowances mean all the elements rendered mandatory by national law and/or praction awards within the meaning of paragraph 8 second subparagraph, ince of the Member State to whose territory the worker is posted.
Amendment 433 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Member States shall publish in the single and registered official national website referred to in Article 5 of Directive 2014/67/EU the constituent elements of remunerates of pay, the method of calculation in accordance with point (c).
Amendment 454 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a
Amendment 15 #
2015/2347(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that ESI Funds can be used in the development of the missing links in the border areas across Central and Eastern Europe; recalls that priority should be given to cross-border projects pertaining to the trans-European networks (TENs) in the region in order to eliminate existing bottlenecks; calls, in this context, for continued efforts to be made towards introducing common standards in infrastructure, notably with regard to railways, in order to speed up attainment of the objective of efficient and Europe-wide interoperability;
Amendment 20 #
2015/2347(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Welcomes the European Commission's efforts in extending the TEN-T corridors to Western-Balkan candidate countries, underlines the importance of better connectivity with Western Balkan countries by decreasing their infrastructure deficiencies and eliminating cross-border bottlenecks with Member States; urges the Commission to consider this successful model, in connection to Eastern Partnership countries as well;
Amendment 41 #
2015/2347(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Strongly advises making better use of existing policies and instruments for regional cooperation, such as European Territorial Cooperation (ETC), Interreg and especially European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTCs), to enhance cross-border transport between regions and remove bottlenecks; urges the Member States to support and not impede such solutions on a local and regional level; advocates the use of macro-regional strategies like those for the Danube and, the Baltic Sea, the Adriatic and Ionian in order to advance transnational infrastructure projects;
Amendment 13 #
2015/2285(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges the Commission to take better account of the Europe 2020 Strategy and its key targets by improving its implementation and carrying out a further review, in the context of the European Semester, as well as by proposing measures and methodology for better monitoring of the EU Funds expenditures related to Europe 2020 goals; underlines that cohesion policy, the main EU-wide investment policy, contributes inherently to the Europe 2020 goals of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth; believes that the forthcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) review will provide an opportunity to analyse and therefore enhance the value added by EU funding to the goals of Europe 2020 Strategy;
Amendment 13 #
2015/2284(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Notes that, while the thematic scope and fields of intervention of ESI funds (in particular ESF) and EGF are often similar, the latter has been created to react quickly to situations which may arise, while the structural and investment funds have a multiannual programming cycle; underlines the need to strengthen synergy between them, so that the ESI funds shall act as follow up measures in the EGF areas of support by stimulating investment, overall growth and job creation;
Amendment 14 #
2015/2284(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Calls the Commission to consider raising level of maximum support from EGF from 60% to 85% in regions, where the overall level of unemployment is significantly higher than the country average;
Amendment 38 #
2015/2284(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. In order to maximise the efficiency of EGF interventions and help the rapid re- integration of redundant workers into the job market, the average EGF application approval period of 303 days, that is 10 months, needs to be urgently shortened; the strengthening of Member States' capacities is indispensable in this respect to allow for a quicker and more efficient compilation of applications.
Amendment 51 #
2015/2282(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Reminds that the sector of services is crucial for economic recovery, growth as well as job creation; points out that SMEs play an important role in this sector, which is undergoing a significant change as a result of digitalisation, therefore the skills gap with regard to ICT skills should be dealt with by placing more emphasis on relevant training and education;
Amendment 58 #
2015/2282(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Encourages the Member States and regional authorities to make full use of the financial instrument opportunities; emphasises the need to ensure the transparency, accountability and scrutiny of such financial instruments; calls for simplified access to credit, taking into account the particular characteristics of micro-enterprises; regrets that investors and banks are often reluctant to finance businesses in their start-up and early expansion phases;
Amendment 110 #
2015/2282(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Emphasises that as the main source of employment in the EU are SMEs, the setting up of enterprises should be facilitated by the promotion of entrepreneurial skills such as creativity, innovation, ability to plan and manage projects, because education plays a major role in providing the right basis for an entrepreneurial career;
Amendment 122 #
2015/2282(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Asks the High Level Group on Simplification to draw attention to the need for SMEs to reduce the administrative burden and simplify procedures in the management of ESI Funds; highlights that better regulation is not only less but also smarter;
Amendment 151 #
2015/2282(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Highlights that only about 25% of EU-based SMEs have exporting activities in the EU, therefore the problems faced by SMEs when trying to internationalise their business should be urgently tackled;
Amendment 32 #
2015/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Acknowledges that transnational cooperation has helped in supporting innovation and the knowledge economy, adapting to climate change, and promoting sustainable transport and mobility through transnational approaches, and has contributed to enhancing institutional capacity; stresses that an integrated territorial approach and transnational cooperation are particularly important in environmental and energy matters;
Amendment 35 #
2015/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Acknowledges that interregional cooperation has allowed cities and regions to cooperate on a variety of issues and themes, involving exchange of experience and good practices, and that this has improved the effectiveness of many regional and local policies; considers that the significant development gaps between rural and urban areas and the problems of metropolitan regions should be addressed;
Amendment 54 #
2015/2280(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Deplores the lack of reliable cross- border data and evidence on the effectiveness of cross-border integration with regard to reporting on performance framework; calls, accordingly, on the Commission, Eurostat and the managing authorities to jointly coordinate and set out methodologies for the provision and use of reliable data; Notes the existing challenges to the implementation of integrated territorial approaches stemming from the largely varying degree of empowerment of Member States' regional and local authorities;
Amendment 1 #
2015/2258(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that Article 7 and Article 96 (7) of the Common Provisions Regulation (CPR)1 promote equal opportunities, non- discrimination and inclusion of persons with disabilities in the implementation of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) in general and in the Operational Programmes in particular and requests an integrated approach to addressing the specific needs of target groups at highest risk of discrimination or social exclusion, with special regard to persons with disabilities; stresses that ex ante evaluation shall appraise the adequacy of planned measures to promote equal opportunities between men and women and to prevent any discrimination, in particular as regards accessibility for persons with disabilities; stresses that national or regional strategic policy framework for lifelong learning shall be in place that contains concrete measures for the provision of skills development for people with disabilities; recalls that the monitoring committee shall examine in particular actions to promote equal opportunities and non-discrimination, including accessibility for persons with disabilities; __________________ 1 Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 320).
Amendment 5 #
2015/2258(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights, in view of the shared management system of Cohesion Policy implementation, the need for effective multilevel governance and coordination of measures in the fight against discrimination; urges the European Union to consider the establishment of an inter- institutional coordination mechanism and the designation of focal points in each European Union institution, agency and body;
Amendment 9 #
2015/2258(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that persons with disabilities make a valuable contribution to society as a whole, and that this contribution can be even greater if the (working) environment is properly adapted, for which ESI Funds are needed; therefore urges the EU to take effective action to measure the employment of persons with disabilities and to increase their employment rate in the open labour market, including by providing training for member States on reasonable accommodation and accessibility in the context of employment;
Amendment 16 #
2015/2258(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Encourages the Member States as well as regional and local authorities to increase their efforts in the area of prevention of discrimination and exclusion of persons with disabilities, including equal access to health care; stresses that discrimination shall explicitly be prohibited on the grounds of disability in the field of health care and measures shall be taken to ensure access to quality health care for all persons with all types of disabilities; requests that the European Union evaluate the impact of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union Directive 2011/24/EU on patients' rights in cross-border health care with regard to gaps in access for persons with disabilities, including accessible information, reasonable accommodation and training of professionals;
Amendment 24 #
2015/2258(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to cooperate closely with Parliament regarding the areas of concern raised by the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in its ‘Concluding observations on the initial report of the European Union’2 and urges the European Union take the necessary measures to set up a structured dialogue with an independent budget line and sufficient funding for coordination among European Union institutions, agencies and bodies and for meaningful consultation with and the participation of persons with disabilities, including women, and girls and boys with disabilities, through their representative organizations; __________________ 2 United Nations, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Concluding observations on the initial report of the European Union, 4 September 2015 (CRPD/C/EU/CO/1).
Amendment 29 #
2015/2258(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is of the opinion that ESI funding should be used to supportfoster deinstitutionalisation and, prevent any new institutionalization, develop support services and living arrangements in local communities for persons with disabilities in l, especially for children and their families and to promote social communinclusion and access to mainstream, inclusive, quality education for boys and girls with disabilities;
Amendment 40 #
2015/2258(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Urges policy makers at local, regional, national and EU level to ensure efficient monitoring of the implementation of the provisions aimed at non-discrimination, as well as the accessibility of ESI funding and services to persons with disabilities; stresses in particular that the EU shall develop an approach to guide and foster deinstitutionalization and to strengthen the monitoring of the use of the ESI Funds so as to ensure that they are used strictly for the development of support services for persons with disabilities in local communities and not for the redevelopment or expansion of institutions;
Amendment 48 #
2015/2258(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on all actors involved to pay particular attention to the integration of persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities. and to develop a comprehensive campaign to raise awareness about the CRPD and combat prejudice against persons with disabilities, including women and girls, and especially persons with psychosocial disabilities, intellectual disabilities, people with autism spectrum disorders and older persons with disabilities; requests that all materials related to capacity-building, training, awareness raising and public statements, among others, be made available in accessible formats;
Amendment 1 #
2015/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls that the principle of annuality is one of the three basic accounting principles, together with unity and balance, which are indispensable to ensuring the efficient implementation of the Union budget; takes note from the Court’s summary that an elevated level of carry- overs of committed appropriations remains the most frequent issue of the budgetary and financial management affecting 28 agencies; points out, however, that carry- overs are often unavoidable due topartly or fully justified by the multiannual nature of the agencies’ operational programmes and do not necessarily indicate weaknesses in budget planning and implementation, nor are they always at odds with the budgetary principle of annuality; welcomacknowledges the fact that the carry-overs resulting from these operational programmes are largelyin many cases planned in advance by the agencies and communicated to the Court of Auditors, which facilitates the explicit distinction between planned and unplanned carry- overs;
Amendment 12 #
2015/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Calls for an overall improvement in the prevention of, and the fight against, corruption in the public sector, and especially within the EU institutions and agencies, through a holistic approach, commencing with better public access to documents and more stringent rules on conflicts of interest, the introduction or strengthening of transparency registers and the provision of sufficient resources for law enforcement measures, and also through improved cooperation among Member States and with relevant third countries;
Amendment 13 #
2015/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Demands that all those EU institutions and agencies that have not yet done so urgently adopt internal rules on whistleblowing and take a common approach to their obligations, focusing on the protection of whistleblowers; requests special attention for the protection of whistleblowers in the context of the Directive on the Protection of Trade Secrets; calls on the Commission to promote legislation on a minimum level of protection for whistleblowers in the EU; calls on the institutions and agencies to amend the Staff Regulations to ensure that they not only formally oblige officials to report irregularities of all kinds but also lay down adequate protection for whistleblowers; calls on the institutions and agencies to implement Article 22(c) of the Staff Regulations without delay;
Amendment 14 #
2015/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 c (new)
Paragraph 17 c (new)
17c. Calls for those EU institutions and agencies which have introduced codes of conduct, including Parliament, to step up their implementation measures, such as checks of declarations of financial interests;
Amendment 15 #
2015/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Requests that all EU institutions and agencies implement Article 16 of the Staff Regulations by publishing, on an annual basis, information about senior officials who have left the EU administration, as well as a list of conflicts of interest; requests that the aforementioned independent structure assess the compatibility of post-EU employment or the situation whereby civil servants and former Members of the European Parliament move from the public to the private sector (the 'revolving door' issue) and the possibility of a conflict of interest, and define clear cooling-off periods, which should cover at least the period for which transitional allowances are granted;
Amendment 16 #
2015/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Underlines the need to enhance integrity and improve the ethical framework through better implementation of codes of conduct and ethical principles, so as to reinforce a common and effective culture of integrity for all EU institutions and agencies;
Amendment 22 #
2015/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Asks the EU institutions and bodies to apply strictly the measures pertaining to discretion and exclusion in respect of public procurement, with proper background checks being carried out in every instance, and to apply the exclusion criteria in order to debar companies in the event of any conflict of interest, this being essential to protect the EU's financial interests;
Amendment 24 #
2015/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls on all the EU institutions and agencies to enhance their procedures and practices aimed at safeguarding the financial interests of the Union and to actively contribute to a results-oriented discharge process;
Amendment 26 #
2015/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. States that the annual reports of the EU institutions and agencies could play an important role in compliance regarding transparency, accountability and integrity; calls for the EU institutions and agencies to include a standard chapter on these components in their annual reports;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes from the Court’s report that out of EUR 6 600 000 of committed appropriations carried forward to 2014 for Title I (staff expenditure) and Title II (administrative expenditure), EUR 1 700 000 (26 %) were cancelled, showing that the budgetary needs were overestimated at the end of 2013; acknowledges however, the Agency's observation that upon becoming financially independent in 2013, a number of commitments for administrative expenditure was migrated from the Commission to the Agency; acknowledges furthermore that, by the time the Agency made the decision regarding these carry-forwards, it had still not attained its full staff complement and therefore had a limited budget management capacity in certain areas; notes with satisfaction that the Agency subsequently improved its capacity to monitor and implement the carryovers and expects the volume and percentage of cancellations to decrease in 2015;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Encourages the EU institutions and agencies to better raise awareness of the conflict-of-interest policy among their officials, alongside ongoing awareness- raising activities and the inclusion of integrity and transparency as an obligatory item to be discussed during recruitment procedures and performance reviews; considers that a distinction should be made between elected representatives and public officials in the legislation on conflicts of interest; believes that there should also be such regulations in the Member States for public officials and civil servants involved in the administration and monitoring of EU subsidies; calls on the Commission to submit a draft legal basis on this matter;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. States that the annual reports of the EU institutions and agencies could play an important role in compliance regarding transparency, accountability and integrity; calls for the EU institutions and agencies to include a standard chapter on these components in their annual reports;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Requests that all EU institutions and agencies implement Article 16 of the Staff Regulations by publishing, on an annual basis, information about senior officials who have left the EU administration, as well as a list of conflicts of interest; requests that the aforementioned independent structure assess the compatibility of post-EU employment or the situation whereby civil servants and former Members of the European Parliament move from the public to the private sector (the 'revolving door' issue) and the possibility of a conflict of interest, and define clear cooling-off periods, which should cover at least the period for which transitional allowances are granted,
Amendment 9 #
2015/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Asks the EU institutions and bodies to apply strictly the measures pertaining to discretion and exclusion in respect of public procurement, with proper background checks being carried out in every instance, and to apply the exclusion criteria in order to debar companies in the event of any conflict of interest, this being essential to protect the EU's financial interests;
Amendment 10 #
2015/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Calls for an overall improvement in the prevention of, and the fight against, corruption in the public sector, and especially within the EU institutions and agencies, through a holistic approach, commencing with better public access to documents and more stringent rules on conflicts of interest, the introduction or strengthening of transparency registers and the provision of sufficient resources for law enforcement measures, and also through improved cooperation among Member States and with relevant third countries;
Amendment 11 #
2015/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Calls on all the EU institutions and agencies to enhance their procedures and practices aimed at safeguarding the financial interests of the Union and to actively contribute to a results-oriented discharge process;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2194(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Calls for an overall improvement in the prevention of, and the fight against, corruption in the public sector, and especially within the EU institutions and agencies, through a holistic approach, commencing with better public access to documents and more stringent rules on conflicts of interest, the introduction or strengthening of transparency registers and the provision of sufficient resources for law enforcement measures, and also through improved cooperation among Member States and with relevant third countries;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2193(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes with concern from the Court's report that, while the KICs are to develop strategies for financial sustainability, to date, and in the fifth year of their existence, they remain fully dependent on financing by the Institute and KIC partners; acknowledges from the Institute that, following its adoption of the principles on KIC’s financial sustainability, all KICs have made the latter one of their priority objectives and activities are reviewed accordingly to create a return of income from activities as well as the establishment of several revenue streams; notes that the Institute’s Governing Board adopted a set of principles in March 2015 stating that the maximum Institute’s contribution to a KIC will be reduced from up to 100 % funding after 10 years of a KIC’s designation to 80 %, on average, in year 11 and thereafter progressive reductions: 60% in year 12, 40% in year 13, 20% in year 14 and 10% in year 15; encourages the Institute to consider a tighter schedule for the reductions; notes, furthermore, that the Institute will continue monitoring the KICs’ progress towards financial sustainability and take specific corrective actions when necessary;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2193(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Welcomes that the Institute revised its internal procedures, circuits and templates in order to fully comply with the respective public procurement rules, with special attention given to the sound planning and estimation of needs; acknowledges that the Institute recruited an additional procurement officer in 2015 and that it carried out a series of trainings on procurement for its staff;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2193(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Understands from the Institute that one of the two Heads of Unit posts mentioned by the Court as being vacant since 2013 was filled in August 2015 and that the other has been advertised and the selection process is ongoing, with the vacancy expected to be filled in the first half of 2016; ascertains from the Court’s report that both posts were occupied ad interim from 2013, which is in contradiction with the Staff Regulations that stipulate a maximum period of one year; acknowledges that in 2014 one post was occupied by the Chief Operating Officer who served as the interim Director at the same time and who thus fulfilled three roles simultaneously; acknowledges from the Institute that there has been progress on those issues and that management vacancies are gradually being filled; calls on the Institute to proceed ambitiously with its effort to improve its recruitment procedures, and to take further measures to tackle the instability at management level in the interests of ensuring better operational continuity; calls on the Institute to inform the discharge authority on progress made in this regard;
Amendment 9 #
2015/2193(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Takes noteWelcomes that the Institute’s Governing Board adopted a comprehensive revision of the Code of Good Conduct applicable to Governing Board members in June 2015; notes that, in line with the new Code of Conduct, the annual declarations of interests and independence of the Institute’s Governing Board members have been published on its website; acknowledges from the Institute its plan to publish on its website the declarations of interest of senior management as part of the revision of the Code of Conduct applicable to its staff; calls on the Institute to proceed with that action and to report to the discharge authority once it is completed;
Amendment 11 #
2015/2193(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes from the Court's report that the Institute gradually improved its financial verification of the KICs’ cost claims; observesnotes with concern, however, that the operational verification of deliverables falls behind and that the KICs’ annual business plans still includes an inadequate definition of deliverables, as well as that no clear link between planned deliverables and eligible cost per partner and cost category exists; is concerned about the cases identified by the Court where full amount of the Institute's grant was paid out even if some of the objectives set in the business plan had not been achieved; acknowledges from the Institute that the level of detail in the ex- ante technical assessment of the implementation of KIC activities has improved significantly in comparison with previous years and that a more robust methodology is now in place to assess the KICs’ performance based on the reporting;
Amendment 12 #
2015/2193(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on all the EU institutions and agencies to enhance their procedures and practices aimed at safeguarding the financial interests of the Union and to actively contribute to a results-oriented discharge process;
Amendment 13 #
2015/2193(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Acknowledges the actions taken by the Institute in order to mitigate the high staff turnover; notes in particular the improvements in the vacancy management, the establishment of an appraisal and re-classification system, providing a better career perspective and strengthening middle management level;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2192(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes with satisfaction from the Court’s report that the overall level of committed appropriations improved from 87 % in the year 2013 to 98 % in 2014; notes however, that the level of committed appropriations carried over increased to EUR 900 000 (23%), compared to EUR 500 000 (13%) in 2013, mainly due to operational activities of the Office, such as ongoing studies on electronic communications;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2192(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Ascertains from the Office that it made a number of budget transfers during the year 2014, changing the structure of the initial budget considerably, in order to finance the additional needs for operational expenditure; notes in particular that those transfers were mainly related to the “Net Neutrality Study” as well as “BEREC net” projects; notes that the finalisation of those projects during the year 2014 was uncertain at the moment of preparation of the budget;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2192(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Calls for those Union institutions and agencies which have introduced codes of conduct, including Parliament, to step up their implementation measures, such as checks of declarations of financial interests;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2192(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Takes note that the 2014 budget provisions for contributions from the European Free Trade Association’s (EFTA) national regulatory authorities having observer status at BEREC did not materialise in the absence of agreements with EFTA countries; acknowledges that the 2015 budget of the Office was corrected accordingly; invites the Office to remain prudent when forecasting the related contribution from national regulatory authorities of EFTA countries;
Amendment 9 #
2015/2192(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. States that the annual reports of the Union institutions and agencies could play an important role in compliance regarding transparency, accountability and integrity; calls for the Union institutions and agencies to include a standard chapter on these components in their annual reports;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2191(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Acknowledges that the Court’s report states that the Agency made two pre- financing payments at the end of 2014 stemming from the appropriations received through an amending budget late in 2013 and amounting to EUR 1 560 000; notes that those payments were associated with contracts on REMIT-related services being provided in the period 2015 to 2017; takes note that the Agency had to suspend part of the REMIT implementation project due to the adoption of the REMIT regulation taking place later than originally expected; points out that although in contradiction with the principle of annuality,understands that those payments will allow the Agency to finance its future REMIT-related activities and awarded contracts as originally planned; stresses however, that even though the REMIT implementation has a complex and multiannual nature, high carry overs and pre-financing payments are in contradiction with the budgetary principle of annuality; notes that the Agency should continue improving the planning and implementation of its annual budget;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2191(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. States that the annual reports of the EU institutions and agencies could play an important role in compliance regarding transparency, accountability and integrity; calls for the EU institutions and agencies to include a standard chapter on these components in their annual reports;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2191(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Underlines the need to enhance integrity and to improve the ethical framework through better implementation of codes of conduct and ethical principles, so as to reinforce a common and effective culture of integrity for all EU institutions and agencies;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2190(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. States that the annual reports of the EU institutions and agencies could play an important role in compliance regarding transparency, accountability and integrity; calls for the EU institutions and agencies to include a standard chapter on these components in their annual reports;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2189(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Demands that all those EU institutions and agencies that have not yet done so urgently adopt internal rules on whistleblowing and take a common approach to their obligations, focusing on the protection of whistleblowers; requests special attention for the protection of whistleblowers in the context of the Directive on the Protection of Trade Secrets; calls on the Commission to promote legislation on a minimum level of protection for whistleblowers in the EU; calls on the institutions and agencies to amend the Staff Regulations to ensure that they not only formally oblige officials to report irregularities of all kinds but also lay down adequate protection for whistleblowers; calls on the institutions and agencies to implement Article 22(c) of the Staff Regulations without delay;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2189(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Calls on all the EU institutions and agencies to enhance their procedures and practices aimed at safeguarding the financial interests of the Union and to actively contribute to a results-oriented discharge process;
Amendment 9 #
2015/2189(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Encourages the EU institutions and agencies to better raise awareness of the conflict-of-interest policy among their officials, alongside ongoing awareness- raising activities and the inclusion of integrity and transparency as an obligatory item to be discussed during recruitment procedures and performance reviews; considers that a distinction should be made between elected representatives and public officials in the legislation on conflicts of interest; believes that there should also be such regulations in the Member States for public officials and civil servants involved in the administration and monitoring of EU subsidies; calls on the Commission to submit a draft legal basis on this matter;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2188(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Asks the EU institutions and bodies to apply strictly the measures pertaining to discretion and exclusion in respect of public procurement, with proper background checks being carried out in every instance, and to apply the exclusion criteria in order to debar companies in the event of any conflict of interest, this being essential to protect the EU's financial interests;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2188(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Encourages the EU institutions and agencies to better raise awareness of the conflict-of-interest policy among their officials, alongside ongoing awareness- raising activities and the inclusion of integrity and transparency as an obligatory item to be discussed during recruitment procedures and performance reviews; considers that a distinction should be made between elected representatives and public officials in the legislation on conflicts of interest; believes that there should also be such regulations in the Member States for public officials and civil servants involved in the administration and monitoring of EU subsidies; calls on the Commission to submit a draft legal basis on this matter;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2188(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Calls for an overall improvement in the prevention of, and the fight against, corruption in the public sector, and especially within the EU institutions and agencies, through a holistic approach, commencing with better public access to documents and more stringent rules on conflicts of interest, the introduction or strengthening of transparency registers and the provision of sufficient resources for law enforcement measures, and also through improved cooperation among Member States and with relevant third countries;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2188(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Requests that all EU institutions and agencies implement Article 16 of the Staff Regulations by publishing, on an annual basis, information about senior officials who have left the EU administration, as well as a list of conflicts of interest; requests that the aforementioned independent structure assess the compatibility of post-EU employment or the situation whereby civil servants and former Members of the European Parliament move from the public to the private sector (the 'revolving door' issue) and the possibility of a conflict of interest, and define clear cooling-off periods, which should cover at least the period for which transitional allowances are granted,
Amendment 5 #
2015/2187(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the further reduction of the overall level of committed appropriations carried over from EUR 2 500 000 (32 %) in 2012 and EUR 2 200 000 (29 %) in 2013 to EUR 1 900 000 (27 %) in 2014; notes from the Court's report that the level of carry-overs was high at EUR 1 800 000 (54 %) for Title III (operational expenditure); acknowledges that the main reasons for these carry-overs were delayed procurements of surveys and studies as well as ongoing studies which were expected to be finalised as planned in 2015; understands that the reasons for the delayed studies under operational appropriations are often consequences of circumstances outside the Institute's control; calls, however, on the Institute to continue its effort to decrease the amount of carry-overs in the operational budget to respect the budgetary principle of annuality;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2187(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls on all the EU institutions and agencies to enhance their procedures and practices aimed at safeguarding the financial interests of the Union and to actively contribute to a results-oriented discharge process;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Asks the Union institutions and bodies to apply strictly the measures pertaining to discretion and exclusion in respect of public procurement, with proper background checks being carried out in every instance, and to apply the exclusion criteria in order to debar companies in the event of any conflict of interest, this being essential to protect the Union's financial interests;
Amendment 9 #
2015/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls for those Union institutions and agencies which have introduced codes of conduct, including the European Parliament, to step up their implementation measures, such as checks of declarations of financial interests;
Amendment 10 #
2015/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Demands that all those Union institutions and agencies that have not yet done so urgently adopt internal rules on whistleblowing and take a common approach to their obligations, focusing on the protection of whistleblowers; requests special attention for the protection of whistleblowers in the context of the Directive on the Protection of Trade Secrets; calls on the Commission to promote legislation on a minimum level of protection for whistleblowers in the Union; calls on the institutions and agencies to amend the Staff Regulations to ensure that they not only formally oblige officials to report irregularities of all kinds but also lay down adequate protection for whistleblowers; calls on the institutions and agencies to implement Article 22(c) of the Staff Regulations without delay;
Amendment 11 #
2015/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Encourages the Union institutions and agencies to better raise awareness of the conflict-of-interest policy among their officials, alongside ongoing awareness- raising activities and the inclusion of integrity and transparency as an obligatory item to be discussed during recruitment procedures and performance reviews; considers that a distinction should be made between elected representatives and public officials in the legislation on conflicts of interest; believes that there should also be such regulations in the Member States for public officials and civil servants involved in the administration and monitoring of EU subsidies; calls on the Commission to submit a draft legal basis on this matter;
Amendment 12 #
2015/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 d (new)
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5d. Calls for an overall improvement in the prevention of, and the fight against, corruption in the public sector, and especially within the Union institutions and agencies, through a holistic approach, commencing with better public access to documents and more stringent rules on conflicts of interest, the introduction or strengthening of transparency registers and the provision of sufficient resources for law enforcement measures, and also through improved cooperation among Member States and with relevant third countries;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2185(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 5 #
2015/2184(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the expenditure for procedures associated with the new implementation of the Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (BPR Regulation)13 was to be covered by application fees for the registration of biocidal products; acknowledges that the fees collected in 2014 covered only 17 % of this expenditure and the remaining part was financed by contributions to the Agency’s budget from the Union and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries; takes note of the Agency's comment about the Commission's incorrect assumption of the Agency's largely self-financing nature regarding the BPR related costs; __________________ 13 Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products (OJ L 167, 27.6.2012, p. 1).
Amendment 14 #
2015/2184(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 i (new)
Paragraph 16 i (new)
16i. States that the annual reports of the EU institutions and agencies could play an important role in compliance regarding transparency, accountability and integrity; calls for the EU institutions and agencies to include a standard chapter on these components in their annual reports;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2183(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls for those Union institutions and agencies which have introduced codes of conduct, including Parliament, to step up their implementation measures, such as checks of declarations of financial interests;
Amendment 10 #
2015/2183(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls on all the Union institutions and agencies to enhance their procedures and practices aimed at safeguarding the financial interests of the Union and to actively contribute to a results-oriented discharge process;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2182(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes from the Court's report that, with regard to the exploitation of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), the Agency awarded an eight- year EGNOS service provision contract (ESP contract) with an initial contract value of EUR 436 000 000; takes note that in 2014, following a direct negotiated procedure, the Agency amended the service contract for an amount of EUR 6 300 000 for the purchase and maintenance of 14 satellite signal receivers, 14 signal generators and other equipment relating to EGNOS; observesnotes with concern that an arrangement between the contractor and its two subcontractors was set up, as under the initial contract, which led to an accumulation of overheads and profits, with only EUR 3 200 000 of the EUR 6 300 000 relating to direct costs and EUR 1 400 000 to overheads and other costs and EUR 1 700 000 to profits and remuneration of (sub)contractors;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2182(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Underlines the need to enhance integrity and improve the ethical framework through better implementation of codes of conduct and ethical principles, so as to reinforce a common and effective culture of integrity for all EU institutions and agencies;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2182(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. States that the annual reports of the EU institutions and agencies could play an important role in compliance regarding transparency, accountability and integrity; calls for the EU institutions and agencies to include a standard chapter on these components in their annual reports;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2181(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Encourages the EU institutions and agencies to better raise awareness of the conflict-of-interest policy among their officials, alongside ongoing awareness- raising activities and the inclusion of integrity and transparency as an obligatory item to be discussed during recruitment procedures and performance reviews; considers that a distinction should be made between elected representatives and public officials in the legislation on conflicts of interest; believes that there should also be such regulations in the Member States for public officials and civil servants involved in the administration and monitoring of EU subsidies; calls on the Commission to submit a draft legal basis on this matter;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2181(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Calls for an overall improvement in the prevention of, and the fight against, corruption in the public sector, and especially within the EU institutions and agencies, through a holistic approach, commencing with better public access to documents and more stringent rules on conflicts of interest, the introduction or strengthening of transparency registers and the provision of sufficient resources for law enforcement measures, and also through improved cooperation among Member States and with relevant third countries;
Amendment 10 #
2015/2181(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Calls for those EU institutions and agencies which have introduced codes of conduct, including Parliament, to step up their implementation measures, such as checks of declarations of financial interests;
Amendment 11 #
2015/2181(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Asks the EU institutions and bodies to apply strictly the measures pertaining to discretion and exclusion in respect of public procurement, with proper background checks being carried out in every instance, and to apply the exclusion criteria in order to debar companies in the event of any conflict of interest, this being essential to protect the EU's financial interests;
Amendment 12 #
2015/2181(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes with concern from the Court’s report that the high and constantly increasing number of grant agreements, as well as the magnitude of related expenditure to be verified and reimbursed by the Agency, raises the question whetherindicates that a more efficient and cost-effective alternative funding mechanism could be used to finance Agency’s operational activities; acknowledges from the Agency that one of the recommendations made by its Management Board following the external evaluation of the Agency relates to the facilitation of financial management and calls for the limitation introduced by the Agency’s founding regulation to be abandoned by mentioning grants; notes that contractual relationships between the Agency and the Member States’ authorities could pave the way for more efficient and transparent financial management;
Amendment 14 #
2015/2181(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12 b. States that the annual reports of the EU institutions and agencies could play an important role in compliance regarding transparency, accountability and integrity; calls for the EU institutions and agencies to include a standard chapter on these components in their annual reports;
Amendment 15 #
2015/2181(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that, although the Agency became operational as long ago as 2005 and has pursued its operations since then, it has only worked on the basis of correspondence and exchanges with the host Member State rather than on the basis of a comprehensive headquarters agreement between the Agency and the host Member State, which has never been signed; observes that such an agreement would further promote transparency in respect of the conditions under which the Agency and its staff operate; recalls that the requirement to establish a headquarters agreement was introduced in the Agency’s amended regulation in 201115 ; notes with concern that the negotiations are still ongoing with the Government of the host Member State; urges the Agency and the Government of the host Member State to conclude a headquarters agreement as soon as possible; requests that the Agency inform the discharge authority of the progress and outcome of these negotiations; __________________ 15 Article 15a introduced by Regulation (EU) No 1168/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2007/2004 establishing a European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union (OJ L 304, 22.11.2011, p. 1).
Amendment 5 #
2015/2180(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes from the College's final accounts that the level of committed appropriations carried over was high at EUR 1 287 094, representing 15 % of the overall 2014 budget and an increase of 4 % compared to 2013; observes from the Court's report that the level of carry-overs was high for title II (administrative expenditure) at EUR 383 940 (59 %), showing an increase of 29 % compared to EUR 145 414 (30 %) in 2013; acknowledges, however, that the level of carry-overs is higher than in the previous year mainly due to the relocation of the headquarters that took place in October 2014 and invoices regarding training courses due in January- February 2015 not received before the closure of the financial year;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2180(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes with concern the cancellation rate for committed appropriations carried over from 2013 at EUR 129 828 (15%); points out that the high cancellation rate resulted mainly from the cancellation of the Matrix project as well as from lower-than- estimated costs to be reimbursed under the 2013 grant agreements; calls on the College to prepare a proper user analysis for similar projects and to obtain more accurate information from its beneficiaries when estimating grant costs; points out that the high level of cancellations relating to lower than estimated costs to be reimbursed under the previous years' grant agreements is a recurring phenomenon in the College's budget management, and should therefore be examined by the College with extra attention; notes, moreover, that 14 % of the appropriations carried over for Title III, consisting mainly of courses and communication activities, were decommitted;
Amendment 9 #
2015/2180(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Asks the EU institutions and bodies to apply strictly the measures pertaining to discretion and exclusion in respect of public procurement, with proper background checks being carried out in every instance, and to apply the exclusion criteria in order to debar companies in the event of any conflict of interest, this being essential to protect the EU's financial interests;
Amendment 10 #
2015/2180(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Calls on all the EU institutions and agencies to enhance their procedures and practices aimed at safeguarding the financial interests of the Union and to actively contribute to a results-oriented discharge process;
Amendment 11 #
2015/2180(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. States that the annual reports of the EU institutions and agencies could play an important role in compliance regarding transparency, accountability and integrity; calls for the EU institutions and agencies to include a standard chapter on these components in their annual reports;
Amendment 12 #
2015/2180(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Calls for those EU institutions and agencies which have introduced codes of conduct, including Parliament, to step up their implementation measures, such as checks of declarations of financial interests;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2179(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls for an overall improvement in the prevention of, and the fight against, corruption in the public sector, and especially within the EU institutions and agencies, through a holistic approach, commencing with better public access to documents and more stringent rules on conflicts of interest, the introduction or strengthening of transparency registers and the provision of sufficient resources for law enforcement measures, and also through improved cooperation among Member States and with relevant third countries;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2179(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. States that the annual reports of the EU institutions and agencies could play an important role in compliance regarding transparency, accountability and integrity; calls for the EU institutions and agencies to include a standard chapter on these components in their annual reports;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2178(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. States that the annual reports of the Union institutions and agencies could play an important role in compliance regarding transparency, accountability and integrity; calls for the Union institutions and agencies to include a standard chapter on these components in their annual reports;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2177(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Asks the EU institutions and bodies to apply strictly the measures pertaining to discretion and exclusion in respect of public procurement, with proper background checks being carried out in every instance, and to apply the exclusion criteria in order to debar companies in the event of any conflict of interest, this being essential to protect the EU's financial interests;
Amendment 12 #
2015/2177(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Calls on all the EU institutions and agencies to enhance their procedures and practices aimed at safeguarding the financial interests of the Union and to actively contribute to a results-oriented discharge process;
Amendment 9 #
2015/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Asks the EU institutions and bodies to apply strictly the measures pertaining to discretion and exclusion in respect of public procurement, with proper background checks being carried out in every instance, and to apply the exclusion criteria in order to debar companies in the event of any conflict of interest, this being essential to protect the EU's financial interests;
Amendment 16 #
2015/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls for those EU institutions and agencies which have introduced codes of conduct, including European Parliament, to step up their implementation measures, such as checks of declarations of financial interests;
Amendment 19 #
2015/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. NotesWelcomes the fact that, in order to improve its independence and conflicts of interest policy concerning expert groups, the Authority performed in 2014 an ex-post analysis of its rules on declarations of interests; notes that this analysis led to a review and the adoption of a new, simpler and more sophisticated version of these rules; calls on the Authority to perform analyses of its policies at a regular basis to ensure the constant development of its independency;
Amendment 22 #
2015/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls for an overall improvement in the prevention of, and the fight against, corruption in the public sector, and especially within the EU institutions and agencies, through a holistic approach, commencing with better public access to documents and more stringent rules on conflicts of interest, the introduction or strengthening of transparency registers and the provision of sufficient resources for law enforcement measures, and also through improved cooperation among Member States and with relevant third countries;
Amendment 23 #
2015/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Encourages the EU institutions and agencies to better raise awareness of the conflict-of-interest policy among their officials, alongside ongoing awareness- raising activities and the inclusion of integrity and transparency as an obligatory item to be discussed during recruitment procedures and performance reviews; considers that a distinction should be made between elected representatives and public officials in the legislation on conflicts of interest; believes that there should also be such regulations in the Member States for public officials and civil servants involved in the administration and monitoring of EU subsidies; calls on the Commission to submit a draft legal basis on this matter;
Amendment 29 #
2015/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Requests that all EU institutions and agencies implement Article 16 of the Staff Regulations by publishing, on an annual basis, information about senior officials who have left the EU administration, as well as a list of conflicts of interest; requests that the aforementioned independent structure assess the compatibility of post-EU employment or the situation whereby civil servants and former Members of the European Parliament move from the public to the private sector (the 'revolving door' issue) and the possibility of a conflict of interest, and define clear cooling-off periods, which should cover at least the period for which transitional allowances are granted;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2175(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes with concern from the Court's report that the Agency’s procurement planning should be improved, particularly in respect of framework contracts; points out that in 2014 three procedures were launched too late to replace existing framework contracts by the time they expired; notes, furthermore, that two existing framework contracts were extended until the new ones were in place and in another case a negotiated procurement procedure was launched to bridge the gap in order to ensure business continuity; observesnotes with concern that the Agency was not compliant with the Agency's Financial Regulation13 due to the change of the initial contract duration and the use of a negotiated procedure, which affects fair competition; understands from the agency that it has introduced a revised procurement plan to address these issues; calls on the agency to report back to the discharge authority on how this is progressing; __________________ 13 https://easa.europa.eu/system/files/dfu/EA SA%20MB%20Decision%2014- 2013%20amending%20the%20FR_Final_s igned_Annex.pdf
Amendment 10 #
2015/2175(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls for an overall improvement in the prevention of, and the fight against, corruption in the public sector, and especially within the EU institutions and agencies, through a holistic approach, commencing with better public access to documents and more stringent rules on conflicts of interest, the introduction or strengthening of transparency registers and the provision of sufficient resources for law enforcement measures, and also through improved cooperation among Member States and with relevant third countries;
Amendment 11 #
2015/2175(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Encourages the EU institutions and agencies to better raise awareness of the conflict-of-interest policy among their officials, alongside ongoing awareness- raising activities and the inclusion of integrity and transparency as an obligatory item to be discussed during recruitment procedures and performance reviews; considers that a distinction should be made between elected representatives and public officials in the legislation on conflicts of interest; believes that there should also be such regulations in the Member States for public officials and civil servants involved in the administration and monitoring of EU subsidies; calls on the Commission to submit a draft legal basis on this matter;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2174(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Calls on all the EU institutions and agencies to enhance their procedures and practices aimed at safeguarding the financial interests of the Union and to actively contribute to a results-oriented discharge process;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2173(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that the Foundation carried out in 2014 the exercise of requesting CVs and declarations of interest of its Governing Board members, Director and senior managers; notes, moreover, that the majority of CVs and declarations if interest collected have been published on the Foundation’s website; takes note that the Foundation is actively pursuing the publication of the residual number of outstanding CVs and declarations, which will be published upon receipt, provided that consent for publication is given; calls on the Foundation to inform the discharge authority on the progress in this matter;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2173(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Encourages the EU institutions and agencies to better raise awareness of the conflict-of-interest policy among their officials, alongside ongoing awareness- raising activities and the inclusion of integrity and transparency as an obligatory item to be discussed during recruitment procedures and performance reviews; considers that a distinction should be made between elected representatives and public officials in the legislation on conflicts of interest; believes that there should also be such regulations in the Member States for public officials and civil servants involved in the administration and monitoring of EU subsidies; calls on the Commission to submit a draft legal basis on this matter;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2173(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. States that the annual reports of the EU institutions and agencies could play an important role in compliance regarding transparency, accountability and integrity; calls for the EU institutions and agencies to include a standard chapter on these components in their annual reports;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2173(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8 c. Calls on all the EU institutions and agencies to enhance their procedures and practices aimed at safeguarding the financial interests of the Union and to actively contribute to a results-oriented discharge process;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2172(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Calls for those EU institutions and agencies which have introduced codes of conduct, including Parliament, to step up their implementation measures, such as checks of declarations of financial interests;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2172(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Amendment 7 #
2015/2172(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Is of the opinion that further steps need to be taken both to tackle ethical issues relating to the political role of lobbies, their practices and their influence and to promote safeguards for integrity, in order to raise the level of transparency of lobbying activities; proposes that common rules governing the pursuit of lobbying activities within the EU institutions and agencies should be introduced;
Amendment 9 #
2015/2171(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Asks the EU institutions and bodies to apply strictly the measures pertaining to discretion and exclusion in respect of public procurement, with proper background checks being carried out in every instance, and to apply the exclusion criteria in order to debar companies in the event of any conflict of interest, this being essential to protect the EU's financial interests;
Amendment 10 #
2015/2171(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Encourages the EU institutions and agencies to better raise awareness of the conflict-of-interest policy among their officials, alongside ongoing awareness- raising activities and the inclusion of integrity and transparency as an obligatory item to be discussed during recruitment procedures and performance reviews; considers that a distinction should be made between elected representatives and public officials in the legislation on conflicts of interest; believes that there should also be such regulations in the Member States for public officials and civil servants involved in the administration and monitoring of EU subsidies; calls on the Commission to submit a draft legal basis on this matter;
Amendment 11 #
2015/2171(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls for an overall improvement in the prevention of, and the fight against, corruption in the public sector, and especially within the EU institutions and agencies, through a holistic approach, commencing with better public access to documents and more stringent rules on conflicts of interest, the introduction or strengthening of transparency registers and the provision of sufficient resources for law enforcement measures, and also through improved cooperation among Member States and with relevant third countries;
Amendment 12 #
2015/2171(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Calls on all the EU institutions and agencies to enhance their procedures and practices aimed at safeguarding the financial interests of the Union and to actively contribute to a results-oriented discharge process;
Amendment 14 #
2015/2171(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Demands that all those EU institutions and agencies that have not yet done so urgently adopt internal rules on whistleblowing and take a common approach to their obligations, focusing on the protection of whistleblowers; requests special attention for the protection of whistleblowers in the context of the Directive on the Protection of Trade Secrets; calls on the Commission to promote legislation on a minimum level of protection for whistleblowers in the EU; calls on the institutions and agencies to amend the Staff Regulations to ensure that they not only formally oblige officials to report irregularities of all kinds but also lay down adequate protection for whistleblowers; calls on the institutions and agencies to implement Article 22(c) of the Staff Regulations without delay;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2170(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes from the Court's report that cash and short term deposits held by the Centre further increased from EUR 40 000 000 at the end of 2013 to EUR 44 000 000 at the end of 2014; observes that budgetary surplus and reserves increased from EUR 37 500 000 to EUR 40 400 000, which indicates scope to reduce prices; notes with concern that budget surplus is a recurring phenomenon for the Centre; acknowledges, however, the positive actions taken by the Centre to invert this trend;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2170(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. States that the annual reports of the EU institutions and agencies could play an important role in compliance regarding transparency, accountability and integrity; calls for the EU institutions and agencies to include a standard chapter on these components in their annual reports;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2169(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Calls for an overall improvement in the prevention of, and the fight against, corruption in the public sector, and especially within the EU institutions and agencies, through a holistic approach, commencing with better public access to documents and more stringent rules on conflicts of interest, the introduction or strengthening of transparency registers and the provision of sufficient resources for law enforcement measures, and also through improved cooperation among Member States and with relevant third countries;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2169(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Encourages the EU institutions and agencies to better raise awareness of the conflict-of-interest policy among their officials, alongside ongoing awareness- raising activities and the inclusion of integrity and transparency as an obligatory item to be discussed during recruitment procedures and performance reviews; considers that a distinction should be made between elected representatives and public officials in the legislation on conflicts of interest; believes that there should also be such regulations in the Member States for public officials and civil servants involved in the administration and monitoring of EU subsidies; calls on the Commission to submit a draft legal basis on this matter;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2169(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. States that the annual reports of the EU institutions and agencies could play an important role in compliance regarding transparency, accountability and integrity; calls for the EU institutions and agencies to include a standard chapter on these components in their annual reports;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2168(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Asks the EU institutions and bodies to apply strictly the measures pertaining to discretion and exclusion in respect of public procurement, with proper background checks being carried out in every instance, and to apply the exclusion criteria in order to debar companies in the event of any conflict of interest, this being essential to protect the EU's financial interests;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2168(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Requests that all EU institutions and agencies implement Article 16 of the Staff Regulations by publishing, on an annual basis, information about senior officials who have left the EU administration, as well as a list of conflicts of interest; requests that the aforementioned independent structure assess the compatibility of post-EU employment or the situation whereby civil servants and former Members of the European Parliament move from the public to the private sector (the 'revolving door' issue) and the possibility of a conflict of interest, and define clear cooling-off periods, which should cover at least the period for which transitional allowances are granted,
Amendment 7 #
2015/2168(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Encourages the EU institutions and agencies to better raise awareness of the conflict-of-interest policy among their officials, alongside ongoing awareness- raising activities and the inclusion of integrity and transparency as an obligatory item to be discussed during recruitment procedures and performance reviews; considers that a distinction should be made between elected representatives and public officials in the legislation on conflicts of interest; believes that there should also be such regulations in the Member States for public officials and civil servants involved in the administration and monitoring of EU subsidies; calls on the Commission to submit a draft legal basis on this matter;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2168(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Calls for those EU institutions and agencies which have introduced codes of conduct, including Parliament, to step up their implementation measures, such as checks of declarations of financial interests;
Amendment 9 #
2015/2168(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 d (new)
Paragraph 6 d (new)
6d. Calls for an overall improvement in the prevention of, and the fight against, corruption in the public sector, and especially within the EU institutions and agencies, through a holistic approach, commencing with better public access to documents and more stringent rules on conflicts of interest, the introduction or strengthening of transparency registers and the provision of sufficient resources for law enforcement measures, and also through improved cooperation among Member States and with relevant third countries;
Amendment 10 #
2015/2168(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes with concern from the Court’s report that, although the ex-ante and ex- post verifications are incompatible tasks, the internal auditor was involved in both; acknowledges from the Agency that a formal ex-post verification strategy will be developed ensuring compatibility with the tasks of the Agency’s Internal Audit Capability; acknowledges that the Agency’s internal auditor is to carry out exclusively ex-post controls, including on- the-spot verifications, and verify the effectiveness of the Agency’s ex-ante verification process; expects the Agency to report back to the discharge authority on the progress made with the measures put into action regarding the ex-ante and ex- post control policy;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls on all the EU institutions and agencies to enhance their procedures and practices aimed at safeguarding the financial interests of the Union and to actively contribute to a results-oriented discharge process;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Demands that all those EU institutions and agencies that have not yet done so urgently adopt internal rules on whistleblowing and take a common approach to their obligations, focusing on the protection of whistleblowers; requests special attention for the protection of whistleblowers in the context of the Directive on the Protection of Trade Secrets; calls on the Commission to promote legislation on a minimum level of protection for whistleblowers in the EU; calls on the institutions and agencies to amend the Staff Regulations to ensure that they not only formally oblige officials to report irregularities of all kinds but also lay down adequate protection for whistleblowers; calls on the institutions and agencies to implement Article 22(c) of the Staff Regulations without delay;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls for those EU institutions and agencies which have introduced codes of conduct, including Parliament, to step up their implementation measures, such as checks of declarations of financial interests;
Amendment 9 #
2015/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Encourages the EU institutions and agencies to better raise awareness of the conflict-of-interest policy among their officials, alongside ongoing awareness- raising activities and the inclusion of integrity and transparency as an obligatory item to be discussed during recruitment procedures and performance reviews; considers that a distinction should be made between elected representatives and public officials in the legislation on conflicts of interest; believes that there should also be such regulations in the Member States for public officials and civil servants involved in the administration and monitoring of EU subsidies; calls on the Commission to submit a draft legal basis on this matter;
Amendment 11 #
2015/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls on all the EU institutions and agencies to enhance their procedures and practices aimed at safeguarding the financial interests of the Union and to actively contribute to a results-oriented discharge process;
Amendment 12 #
2015/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls for an overall improvement in the prevention of, and the fight against, corruption in the public sector, and especially within the EU institutions and agencies, through a holistic approach, commencing with better public access to documents and more stringent rules on conflicts of interest, the introduction or strengthening of transparency registers and the provision of sufficient resources for law enforcement measures, and also through improved cooperation among Member States and with relevant third countries;
Amendment 13 #
2015/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. States that the annual reports of the EU institutions and agencies could play an important role in compliance regarding transparency, accountability and integrity; calls for the EU institutions and agencies to include a standard chapter on these components in their annual reports;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2165(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes with concern that approximately only half of the Foundation’s Governing Board members’ CVs and declarations of interest are publicly available on its website; acknowledges that the Foundation has no legal means of enforcing submission of those documents; urges the Foundation’s governing board members to submit those documents without delay with a view to increasing transparency;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2165(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Calls for those EU institutions and agencies which have introduced codes of conduct, including Parliament, to step up their implementation measures, such as checks of declarations of financial interests;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2165(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Encourages the EU institutions and agencies to better raise awareness of the conflict-of-interest policy among their officials, alongside ongoing awareness- raising activities and the inclusion of integrity and transparency as an obligatory item to be discussed during recruitment procedures and performance reviews; considers that a distinction should be made between elected representatives and public officials in the legislation on conflicts of interest; believes that there should also be such regulations in the Member States for public officials and civil servants involved in the administration and monitoring of EU subsidies; calls on the Commission to submit a draft legal basis on this matter;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2164(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. States that the annual reports of the EU institutions and agencies could play an important role in compliance regarding transparency, accountability and integrity; calls for the EU institutions and agencies to include a standard chapter on these components in their annual reports;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2160(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes the 13 transfers between budget lines during the financial year 2014; is of the opinion that the transfers concerning the political groups communication budget and printing in the Official Journal of the European Union could have been foreseen in the initially approved budget;
Amendment 9 #
2015/2160(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes nevertheless that a total of EUR 8 277 556 was spent in 2014 only on travel and meeting allowances for Members and alternate members of the Committee plus EUR 409 100 on missions and travel costs of staff; considers the number of missions extremely high (787), as is the expenditure generated by members for travel and meeting allowances; considers that missions undertaken by Members should be clearly described in the annual activity report (AAR), with detailed expenses and a cost benefit analysis; stresses that the reference to Members' missions is vague, imprecise and does not provide clear figures; urges the Committee always to include data on Members' missions in its AAR;
Amendment 11 #
2015/2160(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes nevertheless that a total of EUR 8 277 556 was spent in 2014 only on travel and meeting allowances for Members and alternate members of the Committee plus EUR 409 100 on missions and travel costs of staff; considers the number of missions extremely high (787), as is the expenditure generated by members for travel and meeting allowances; considers that missions undertaken by Members should be clearly described in the annual activity report (AAR), with detailed expenses and a cost benefit analysis; stresses that the reference to Members' missions is vague, imprecise and does not provide clear figures; urges the Committee always to include data on Members' missions in its AAR;
Amendment 17 #
2015/2160(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes the increased use of videoconferencing by the Committee; regrets however the delay in developingthe use of portable videoconferencing facilities and asks for such facilities to be further developed; calls on the Committee to update the discharge authority in this regard by the end of June 2016to be informed about developments in the AAR;
Amendment 23 #
2015/2160(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes with satisfaction that a cooperation agreement between the Committee, the EESC and Parliament was signed on 5 February 2014 with the objective of developing political and administrative cooperation;cooperation; notes that an appendix on administrative cooperation was signed between the Committee, the EESC and Parliament
Amendment 26 #
2015/2160(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Finds that there is still room for improvement in the collaboration between the three parties to the cooperation agreement, particularly in the political side; believes thatinvites the three institutions are capable of developingto examine whether further synergies that will enhance productivity in the domains covered by the cooperation agreement can be found and asks to be kept informed of its follow-up;
Amendment 30 #
2015/2160(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Takes note that thea new administrative bilateral cooperation agreement between the Committee and the EESC was extended for one year till the end of 2015 in order to identify areas for improvement and further efficiencies; requests an update and detailedsigned in 2015; requests to be kept informationed on this bilateral cooperation in the context of the mid-term assessment;
Amendment 36 #
2015/2160(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
Amendment 37 #
2015/2160(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Notes that only 12 staff members were recruited following an EPSO competition, whereas 32 staff members, including a Secretary General, were recruited without passing any competition in 2014; urges the Committee to adopt transparent and competitive recruitment procedures and selection criteria for all staff, including at senior level;
Amendment 39 #
2015/2160(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Regrets that the number of derogations from procurement rules / contract management increased from 1 in 2013 to 4 in 2014; requests further explanation of how these derogations occurred; asks the Committee to address without delay the ongoing issue of all exception reports due to non-compliance with the provisions of the Financial Regulation or the internal rules of procedure; notes that the number of exceptions represents, however, 0,4 % of the operations concerned;
Amendment 43 #
2015/2160(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Welcomes the adoption by the Committee of a decision laying down rules on whistleblowing6 , which entered into force on 1 January 2016; considers that it took too long to implement those rules; calls on the Committee to publish and enforce them without further delay and to inform the discharge authority of its progress on the implementation byin the end of June 2016Annual Activity Report; __________________ 6 Decision No 508/2015 of the Committee of the Regions, of 17 December 2015, laying down rules on whistleblowing.
Amendment 48 #
2015/2160(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. StressesIs confident that the risks identified during the audits and risk analyses that have been performed, particularly in the areas of financial management and operational / organisational matters, need towill be addressed without delay; requests a detailed presentation of the mitigation measures the Committee proposes and a clear calendar for their implementation, by the end of June 2016 as appropriate; requests to be kept informed in the context of the Annual Activity Report;
Amendment 49 #
2015/2160(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
Amendment 4 #
2015/2156(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Insists that the Council must be accountable and transparent, as are the other institutions;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2156(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Calls on the Council to join the EU transparency register;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2156(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. States that the annual reports of the EU institutions and agencies could play an important role in compliance regarding transparency, accountability and integrity; calls for the EU institutions and agencies to include a standard chapter on these components in their annual reports;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2156(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Considers it regrettable that the Council has still not adopted a code of conduct; is of the opinion that all the EU institutions and agencies should agree on a common code of conduct, which is indispensable to the transparency, accountability and integrity of those institutions; calls on those EU institutions and bodies which still do not have a code of conduct to develop such a document as soon as possible;
Amendment 19 #
2015/2156(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Believes that the discharge procedure is an important instrument of democratic accountability to the citizens of the Union; recalls the difficulties repeatedly encountered in the discharge procedures to date, owing to a lack of cooperation on the part of the Council; insists that an effective budgetary control exercise and the democratic accountability of the institution requires the cooperation of Parliament and the Council;
Amendment 3 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes, that the Annual report of the Court of Auditors ("the Court") of 10 November 2015 on the implementation of the 2014 budget of the European Union found the error rate in Cohesion Policy to be estimated at 5,7%, which represents an increase as compared to 2013 (5,3%); expresses its concern at this increase, which is especially significant as far as errors with financial implications and serious negative effects on the budget are concerned; highlights that the majority of errors stem from a failure to comply with public procurement rules and this is mainly caused by complexity, inconsistent interpretation of legislation and lack of administrative capacity;
Amendment 27 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the implementation of Cohesion Policy in Member States involves substantial national procedures and rules, which constitute an additional layer and in turn lead to irregularities; calls on the Commission to contribute to simplification of implementation at the level of Member States; underlines that SMEs are particularly likely to commit errors due to the complexity of rules and stresses therefore the necessity of further simplification.
Amendment 117 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69 a (new)
Paragraph 69 a (new)
69a. Welcomes the Commission's decision to increase transparency by improving its system of expert groups, particularly as regards the procedure for selecting experts, through the development of a new conflict-of-interest policy for experts appointed in a personal capacity, implying the possibility for Parliament to exercise direct control over such appointments; takes note of the requirement for experts to be registered in the transparency register where relevant; urges the Commission, however, to take into account the recommendations both of the European Ombudsman concerning the composition of the expert groups and of the study 'Composition of the Commission's expert groups and the status of the register of expert groups' when drafting amendments to the current horizontal rules governing expert groups, in order to create a more systematic and transparent approach; requests that the Commission engage in a dialogue with Parliament before the rules are formally adopted, especially in relation to the upcoming report of the Committee on Budgetary Control and the Committee on Legal Affairs on this matter; encourages the European agencies to consider reforms in a similar sense;
Amendment 118 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69 b (new)
Paragraph 69 b (new)
69b. Considers the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) to be a key actor in the fight against corruption and therefore believes that it is of the utmost importance that this institution work effectively and independently; recommends, in accordance with the OLAF Regulation, that the OLAF Supervisory Committee be given access to the information needed for effective execution of its mandate with regard to oversight of OLAF activities and that it be given budgetary independence;
Amendment 123 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71 a (new)
Paragraph 71 a (new)
71a. Reiterates its request that the Commission report biannually to Parliament and to the Council on the implementation by the Union institutions of their internal anti-corruption policies, and is looking forward to reading the next report in early 2016; asks the Commission to add a chapter on the performance of the Union institutions in fighting corruption and is of the opinion that the Commission's future anti-corruption reports should always cover all the Union institutions and bodies;
Amendment 126 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72 a (new)
Paragraph 72 a (new)
72a. Considers the Commission's first biennial anti-corruption report to be a promising attempt to better understand corruption in all its dimensions, to develop effective responses with a view to tackling it, and to pave the way for enhanced accountability of the public sphere to Union citizens; reaffirms, in this context, the importance of the Union's zero-tolerance policy on fraud, corruption and collusion; considers it regrettable, however, that this report did not include the anti-corruption policies of the Union institutions themselves;
Amendment 127 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72 b (new)
Paragraph 72 b (new)
72b. Demands that in its second anti- corruption report, at the latest, the Commission carries out further analysis at the level of both the Union institutions and the Member States of the environment in which policies are implemented, in order to identify inherent critical factors, vulnerable areas and risk factors conducive to corruption;
Amendment 128 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72 c (new)
Paragraph 72 c (new)
72c. Calls upon the Commission to fulfil without delay its reporting obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption;
Amendment 298 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 264 a (new)
Paragraph 264 a (new)
264a. Requests that all Union institutions and agencies implement Article 16 of the Staff Regulations by publishing, on an annual basis, information about senior officials who have left the Union administration, as well as a list of conflicts of interest; requests that the aforementioned independent structure assess the compatibility of post-Union employment or the situation whereby civil servants and former Members of the Parliament move from the public to the private sector (the 'revolving door' issue) and the possibility of a conflict of interest, and define clear cooling-off periods, which should cover at least the period for which transitional allowances are granted,
Amendment 301 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 266 a (new)
Paragraph 266 a (new)
266a. Demands that all those Union institutions and agencies that have not yet done so urgently adopt internal rules on whistle-blowing and take a common approach to their obligations, focusing on the protection of whistle-blowers; requests special attention for the protection of whistle-blowers in the context of the Directive on the Protection of Trade Secrets; calls on the Commission to promote legislation on a minimum level of protection for whistle-blowers in the Union; calls on the institutions and agencies to amend the Staff Regulations to ensure that they not only formally oblige officials to report irregularities of all kinds but also lay down adequate protection for whistle-blowers; calls on the institutions and agencies to implement Article 22(c) of the Staff Regulations without delay;
Amendment 308 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 270 a (new)
Paragraph 270 a (new)
270a. Encourages the Union institutions and agencies to better raise awareness of the conflict-of-interest policy among their officials, alongside ongoing awareness- raising activities and the inclusion of integrity and transparency as an obligatory item to be discussed during recruitment procedures and performance reviews; considers that a distinction should be made between elected representatives and public officials in the legislation on conflicts of interest; believes that there should also be such regulations in the Member States for public officials and civil servants involved in the administration and monitoring of Union subsidies; calls on the Commission to submit a draft legal basis on this matter;
Amendment 312 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 271 a (new)
Paragraph 271 a (new)
271a. Requests that the Commission pay particular attention in this regard to the prevention of conflicts of interest and corruptive practices in the case of decentralised agencies, which are particularly vulnerable considering the fact that they are relatively unknown to the public and are also located throughout the Union;
Amendment 39 #
2015/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the Commission’s commitment to publish an EU Anti- Corruption report biannually, and looks forward to reading the next report in early 2016; asks the Commission to add a chapter on the performance of the EU institutions in fighting corruption with carrying out further analysis at the level of the EU institutions concerning which policies are implemented, in order to identify inherent critical factors, vulnerable areas and risk factors conducive to corruption;
Amendment 48 #
2015/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Believes that the level of transparency could be raised through the creation of a legislative footprint for EU lobbying, with the objective of switching from a voluntary to a mandatory EU register for all lobbying activities for any of the EU institutions;
Amendment 51 #
2015/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls for the EU to apply for membership of the Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO);
Amendment 65 #
2015/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Amendment 54 #
2015/2127(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Underlines the importance accorded by the EIB to its policy of zero tolerance of fraud, corruption and collusion and its commitment to strong integrity and ethical rules; welcomes, in this regard, the approval by the EIB Board of an updated anti-fraud policy and the EIB Group Annual Report on Anti-Fraud Activities – 2014;
Amendment 61 #
2015/2127(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Calls on the EIB to develop clear,more stringent rules on conflicts of interest and strict and transparent criteria for public- private partnerships receiving funding, in order to safeguard the public interest and to protect the credibility of the institution;
Amendment 63 #
2015/2127(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Recommends publication on the EIB website of documents which are not confidential, such as Corporative Operational Plans for previous years, interinstitutional agreements and memorandums, and other relevant agreements, as well as substantive information on the meetings of the EIB managing bodies; better public access to documents is a key element of transparency, accountability and integrity of the institution;
Amendment 53 #
2015/0263(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13 a (new)
Recital 13 a (new)
(13a) The financing of the Programme through the transfer of allocations for technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission should only be considered as a one-off solution that should not create a precedent as regards the funding of future initiatives in this field.
Amendment 66 #
2015/0263(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) To facilitate the evaluation of the Programme, a proper framework for monitoring the results achieved by the Programme should be put in place from the very beginning. A mid-term evaluationn annual monitoring report on the implementation of the Programme, including an analysis of the application of the criteria for assessing the request for support, looking at the achievement of the objectives of the Programme, its efficiency and its added value at the European level should be carried out. A final evaluation should, in addition, deal with the long– term impact and the sustainability effects of the Programme. Those evaluations should be based on the indicators, measuring the effects of the Programme.
Amendment 198 #
2015/0263(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall provide the European Parliament and the Council with an interim evaluation report, by mid of 2019, at the latestannual monitoring report on the implementation of the Programme, including an analysis of the application of the criteria referred to in Article 7(2) for assessing the requests for support submitted by Member States, and an ex- post evaluation report by end of December 2021.
Amendment 70 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) Alongside the financing operations that will be conducted through the EFSI, a European Investment Advisory Hub ('EIAH') should be created. The EIAH should provide strengthened support for project development and preparation across the Union, by building on the expertise of the Commission, the EIB, national promotional banks and the managing authorities of the European Structural and Investment Funds. This should establish a single point of entry for questions related to technical assistance for investments within the Union, providing technical assistance on a decentralised basis where possible. The setting up of the EIAH as a single entry point and the new services provided by it shall in no way alter the objective of existing technical assistance programmes or affect the quality or capacity of these in carrying out their dedicated tasks.
Amendment 97 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
2. The EFSI Agreement shall provide for the creation of a European Investment Advisory Hub ('EIAH') within the EIB. The EIAH shall have as its objective to build upon existing EIB and Commission advisory services where possible in a decentralised manner in order to provide advisory support for investment project identification, preparation and development and act as a single technical advisory hub for project financing within the Union. This shall include support on the use of technical assistance for project structuring, use of innovative financial instruments, use of public-private partnerships and advice, as appropriate, on relevant issues of EU legislation.
Amendment 103 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The EFSI Agreement shall provide that the EFSI shall be governed by a Steering Board, which shall determine the strategic orientation, the strategic asset allocation and operating policies and procedures, including the investment policy of projects that EFSI can support and the risk profile of the EFSI, in conformity with the objectives under Article 5(2). When establishing the investment policy and the risk profile for the EFSI support, the Steering Board shall take into account the need to avoid excessive geographical concentration. The Steering Board shall elect one of its members to be Chairperson.
Amendment 110 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
The Investment Committee shall be composed of sixtwelve independent experts and the Managing Director selected via an open and transparent selection procedure. Independent experts shall have a high level of relevant market experience in project finance, extensive knowledge of the sectors and geographical markets of the Union and be appointed by the Steering Board for a renewable fixed term of three years.
Amendment 394 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) The EFSI should complement and be additional to ongoing EU programmes and traditional EIB activities. In that context, the full use of all existing and allocated EU resources should be encouraged, under the existing rules. Provided that all relevant eligibility criteria are fulfilled, Member States may use European Structural Investment Fundsshould be able to use any type of Union financing to contribute to the financing of eligible projects that are supported by the EU guarantee. The flexibility of this approach should maximise the potential to attract investors to the areas of investment targeted by the EFSI.
Amendment 444 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) Alongside the financing operations that will be conducted through the EFSI, a European Investment Advisory Hub ('EIAH') should be created. The EIAH should provide strengthened support for project development and preparation across the Union, by building on the expertise of the Commission, the EIB, national promotional banks and the managing authorities of the European Structural and Investment Funds. This should establish a single point of entry for questions related to technical assistance for investments within the Union. where possible providing technical assistance to on a decentralised basis. The setting up of the EIAH as a single entry point and the new services provided by it shall in no way alter objective of existing technical assistance programmes or affect the quality or capacity of these in carrying out their dedicated tasks.
Amendment 462 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28 a (new)
Recital 28 a (new)
(28a) All payments to the guarantee fund and budget decisions otherwise associated with the operation of the EFSI should be fully consistent with the terms of the multiannual financial framework and authorised by the European Parliament and the Council through the annual budgetary procedure.
Amendment 698 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The EFSI Agreement shall provide for the creation of a European Investment Advisory Hub ('EIAH') within the EIB. The EIAH shall have as its objective to build upon and complement existing EIB and Commission advisory services where possible in a decentralised manner in order to provide advisory support for investment project identification, preparation and development and act as a single technical advisory hub for project financing within the Unionframework of the EFSI. This shall include support on the use of technical assistance for project structuring, use of innovative financial instruments, use of public-private partnerships and advice, as appropriate and without prejudice to the competence of the Commission to oversee the application of Union law, on relevant issues of EU legislation.
Amendment 761 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The EFSI Agreement shall provide that the EFSI shall be governed by a Steering Board, which shall determine the strategic orientation, the strategic asset allocation and operating policies and procedures, including the investment policy of projects that EFSI can support and the risk profile of the EFSI, in conformity with the objectives under Article 5(2). When establishing the investment policy and the risk profile for the EFSI support, the Steering Board shall take into account the need to avoid excessive geographical concentration. The Steering Board shall elect one of its members to be Chairperson.
Amendment 841 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
The EFSI Agreement shall provide that the EFSI shall have an Investment Committee, which shall be responsible for examining potential operations in line with the EFSI investment policies and approving the support of the EU guarantee for operations in line with Article 5, irrespective of their geographic location. The Investment Committee shall be composed of twelve independent experts and the Managing Director selected via an open and transparent selection procedure. Independent experts shall have a high level of relevant market experience in project finance, extensive knowledge of the sectors and geographical markets of the Union and be appointed by the Steering Board for a renewable fixed term of three years. Decisions of the Investment Committee shall be taken by simple majority.
Amendment 847 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
The Investment Committee shall take into account the Union's goal of economic, social and territorial cohesion and avoid further disbalances across the regions of the European Union.
Amendment 946 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) development of infrastructure, including in the areas of transport, particularly in industrial centres; energy, in particular energy interconnections; and digital infrastructure;
Amendment 965 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) investment in education and training, health, research and development, information and communications technologyresearch and development and innovation;
Amendment 980 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) expansion of renewable energy and energy and resource efficiency; investment in education and training, health, information and communications technology;
Amendment 994 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) infrastructure projects in the environmental, natural resources, urban development and social fieldsdevelopment of the energy sector;
Amendment 1041 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
This broad scope should not be limited neither by the EFSI Agreement referred to in Article 1(1) and Article (2) nor the investment orientations to be adopted by the Steering Board, referred to in Article 3(1).
Amendment 8 #
2014/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
Amendment 20 #
2014/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. Whereas according to Art. 175 TFEU Member States shall conduct their economic policies and shall coordinate them in such a way as to attain the objectives of overall harmonious development and strengthening of economic, social and territorial cohesion. The Investment Plan shall therefore also contribute to these objectives.
Amendment 32 #
2014/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that a stable fiscal and economic – as well as regulatory, administrative and institutional – environment is crucial for the effectiveness of cohesion policy; emphasises that, in order to achieve both the cohesion and Europe 2020 objectives, the policy must be aligned closely with sectoral policies and other EU investment schemes; recalls however that in line with Article 175 TFEU all economic policies shall pursue the attainment of the objectives of economic, social and territorial cohesion;
Amendment 43 #
2014/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Expresses its serious concern about the significant delay in the implementation of cohesion policy 2014-2020, including the delay in adoption of Operational Programmes, with only just over 100 Operational Programmes adop; although the situation in the cohesion area is better than in rural development and fisheries, a concern remains that for some Member Stateds at the end of 2014, as well as a significant number of their programmes are yet to be adopted; is equally concerned by the backlog in payments amounting to ca EUR 25 billion for the 2007-2013 programming period; stresses that these delays are undermining the credibility of cohesion policy, effectiveness and sustainability, challenging national, regional and local authorities’ capacity to plan effectively and implement the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) for the 2014- 2020 period;
Amendment 57 #
2014/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Suggests that it can be considered for the preparation of the next programming period that regulatory provisions concerning programming are introduced separately and in advance of budgetary proposals thus decoupling debates about content and money and leaving enough time for thorough preparations of programmes; reminds that despite the fact that the regulatory provisions are very extensive, this does not lead to complete assurance to Member States and regions, and may be a source of differing interpretations; there is still room for simplifying regulatory provisions;
Amendment 67 #
2014/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the new European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI) and its potential leverage effect; while remaining fully separate, advises the parties concerned to build on the experiences gained from the implementation of the European Economic Recovery Plan in 2008, in particular regarding smart investments; calls for the coordination of all EU investment policies – in particular cohesion policy – to ensure complementarity and avoid overlaps; suggests that the implementation of this new EU investment plan build on the experiences of the three joint initiatives JEREMIE, JESSICA and JASMINE, which allowed an increase in the delivery of Structural Funds from EUR 1.2 billion in 2000-2006 to EUR 8.4 billion in 2007- 2012;
Amendment 78 #
2014/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Warns, however, that the EFSI should not undermine the strategic coherence and long-term perspective of cohesion policy programming; stresses that a re-direction of Structural Funds would be counterproductive, putting their effectiveness – and the development of the regions – at risk; points out that the financial allocations to Member States agreed on under Heading 1b in the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014- 2020 cannot be modified in response to potential needfor the purposes of the EFSI; emphasises that the replacement of grants by loans, equity or guarantees, while having certain advantages, must be carried out with caution, taking into account regional disparities; points out that the regions most in need of investment stimuli have low administrative and absorption capacities;
Amendment 81 #
2014/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Highlights the importance of all measures aimed at increasing the effectiveness, simplification, efficiency and result orientation of cohesion policy; suggests in this respect to come forward with technical adjustments of the ESIF regulations concerned;
Amendment 117 #
2014/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Warns that the alarming rates of youth unemployment threaten to bring about the loss of an entire generation; insists that advancing the integration of young people into the job market must remain a top priority, to the attainment of which the integrated use of the ESF and the ERDF can make a major contribution; considers that a more results-oriented approach should be taken in this regard to ensure the most effective use of available resources; underlines in this context the vital role of the Youth Guarantee in helping young people under 25 to either find a good quality job or acquire the education, skills and experience needed in order to find employment;
Amendment 152 #
2014/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Welcomes the introduction of new tools to integrate coordination of stakeholders and EU policies, and to focus investments on the real needs on the ground, such as the Integrated Territorial Investments and the Community-Led Local Development instruments, seeking balanced territorial development; points to the importance of adopting instruments for assessing the territorial impact of policies, the main objective of which is to consider the territorial impact of EU policies on local and regional authorities and to draw greater attention to that impact in the legislative process, while noting the existing challenges to implement integrated territorial approaches given the remaining regulatory differences across the EU funds and the greatly varying degree of empowerment of regional and local communities that is experienced across Member States and Managing Authorities; calls for an overall integrated EU investment strategy, and a strengthening of the EU Territorial Agenda 2020 that was adopted under the Hungarian Presidency 2011 and that is scheduled to be evaluated by the presidencies of 2015 which includes the EU Urban Agenda as part of it; is of the opinion that particular attention should be paid to strengthening the role of small- and medium-sized urban areas in the framework of an EU Urban Agenda;
Amendment 16 #
2014/2113(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes with concern that 35 % of committed appropriations in 2013 were carried over to 2014; acknowledges from the Court’s report that the multiannual nature of the Agency’s operations and the heightened risk of unexpected events represent a particular challenge in respect of annual budget planning and implementation and that late amending budgets remain beyond the Agency’s control; points out, however, that there is still scope for improving budget monitoring to help reduce the level of carry-overs; notes from the Agency’s that it will take actions aimed at improving control over the financing of its operational multiannual activities;
Amendment 18 #
2014/2113(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Notes that, although the Agency became operational in 2005 it has to dateas early as in 2005, to present dates it has only worked on the basis of correspondence and exchanges with the host Member State andrather thatn a comprehensive headquarters agreement between the Agency and the Member State which has notever been signed; asks the authorities to remedy the situation and the Agency to include in its next annual report the implications of the missing agreement;
Amendment 7 #
2014/2112(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Acknowledges that the relocation of the College to its new premises generated a yearly savings amounting to EUR 200 000, asks the College to include in its next annual activity report an overview of the savings made in operational costs;
Amendment 10 #
2014/2112(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Acknowledges fromWelcomes that the College that it officially resumed business at its new headquarters in Budapest in October 2014; takes note that the College is making effortssupports the efforts of the College for the move to the new seat to be carried out in accordance with sound financial management principles; acknowledges furthermore that in this regard a budget amendment for the financial year 2014 was initiated and approved by its Governing Board;
Amendment 12 #
2014/2112(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Welcomes the estimated savings of about EUR 200 000 per annum in the College’s functioning costs resulting from the relocation of the College from Bramshill to its new headquarter in Budapest where the free of charge use of the offices and infrastructure is provided for a period at least ten years;
Amendment 6 #
2014/2108(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Believes that financial interests in particular should be dealt with the utmost care and that experts should be asked to declare whether their interests were remunerated or not; believes that if this is the case, the amount should be specified; is of the opinion that the current practice of experts anonymising their interests, for instance by using the expression "private company", should not be accepted by the Authority;
Amendment 9 #
2014/2108(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes from the Authority that following the consultation with key partners in 2014 it has reviewed its implementing rules regarding the Policy on Independence concerning declarations of interests; observes that the revised procedure for screening of annual, special and oral declarations of interests of the members of the Authority’s Scientific Committee, Scientific Panels and Working Groups introduced the criteria on which the screening is based, as well as the role of the screening officer, who has to immediately report any possible conflict of interests to his or her reporting officer; alternatively the European Court of Auditors could be involved in the screening procedure;
Amendment 15 #
2014/2108(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes from the Authority that for employment it applies a twofive-year cooling- off period on a risk based approach; calls on the Authority to inform the discharge authority of the results of the ongoing impact assessment on the introduction of further cooling-off periods, which will take place in the framework of the forthcoming policy review starting in 2015;
Amendment 18 #
2014/2108(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Believes that the Authority should pay further attention to public opinion and to commit itself as much as possible to an open and transparent dialogue;
Amendment 4 #
2014/2086(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that in the 2011, 2012 and in the 2013 annual report, the Court of Auditors repeatedly inserted observations about the European External Action Service ('EEAS') with regard to payments of salaries to staff, weaknesses in the management of family allowances performed on behalf of the EEAS by the PMO, the procurement of security services in Delegations and contracts for IT services;
Amendment 5 #
2014/2086(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Is concerned that in 2013, the PMO system was still not fully functional, leading to the incorrect payment of social allowances to staff members, asks the EEAS to extend the system to the officials of all Member States,
Amendment 8 #
2014/2086(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Invites the EEAS to strengthen its new anti-fraud strategy covering third countries and reiterates the need to swiftly finalise the Memorandum of Understanding with the European Anti- Fraud Office (OLAF); regrets the delay of its conclusion and asks the EEAS to report on the progress made regarding the new Anti-Fraud Strategy for Union Delegations which was planned to be finalised in 2013;
Amendment 10 #
2014/2086(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the EEAS to include in its Annual Activity Reports the results and consequences of closed OLAF cases, where the institution or any of the individuals working for it were the subject of the investigation;
Amendment 20 #
2014/2086(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Considers that the EEAS continues to have a top-heavy administration, which needs to be corrected; takes the view that the measures already implemented to correct this matter are a step in the right direction and asks the Commission to strengthen its engagement in order to improve the inter-service cooperation, asks the institution to report on the reduction of the AD15 and AD16 posts in its next annual activity report;
Amendment 24 #
2014/2086(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Reiterates last year's request to have an exhaustive table of all the human resources at the EEAS's disposal, with a break-down according to grade, gender and nationality, this table should be automatically included in the annual activity report of the institution.
Amendment 25 #
2014/2086(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Regrets, however, that a better geographical balance has not yet been achieved as regards appointments to management posts; urges the EEAS to implement measures that contribute to a better and more balanced representation of all Member States;
Amendment 26 #
2014/2086(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16c. Asks the EEAS to strengthen the geographical balance, in particular as regards the posts of Head of Union Delegations; reiterates the need for an enforced geographical balance of the Member States at all levels of the administration;
Amendment 28 #
2014/2086(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Reiterates the need to introduce a requirement by the EEAS that newly appointed EEAS staff give a declaration of honour stating that they have not worked for intelligence services in the past;
Amendment 35 #
2014/2086(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Demands that the EEAS's building policy be attached to the annual activity report, especially given that it is important that such costs are properly rationalised and that such costs are not excessive;
Amendment 36 #
2014/2086(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Urges the EEAS to provide the discharge authority with the list of building contracts concluded in 2013, including the details of the contracts, the country where the contract is entered in and the length of the contract, as it was done in the 2011 EEAS Annual Activity Report and asks the EEAS to provide the same details of building contracts in its 2014 Annual Activity Report;
Amendment 3 #
2014/2085(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Takes note of the Supervisor's commitment to continue improving its system for the timely monitoring and control of the recruitment and procurement procedures, supports the Supervisor to continue to monitor the management of allowances and improve its performance levels;
Amendment 5 #
2014/2085(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Demands that the Supervisor's building policy be attached to the annual activity report, especially given that it is important that such costs are properly rationalised and that such costs are not excessive;
Amendment 6 #
2014/2085(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates last year's request to have an exhaustive table of all the human resources at the Supervisor's disposal, broken down by category, grade, sex and nationality in the nextwith a break- down according to grade, sex and nationality, this table should be automatically included in the annual activity report of the institution;
Amendment 7 #
2014/2085(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Supervisor to cooperate with other institutions to come up with a unified methodology of presenting the translation and interpretation costs in order to simplify the analysis and comparison of the costs., with the European Court of Auditors having a leading role in this matter;
Amendment 2 #
2014/2084(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Takes note of the Ombudsman’s commitment to continue improving its system for the timely monitoring and control of the recruitment and procurement procedures, supports the Ombudsman to continue to monitor the management of allowances and improve its performance levels;
Amendment 4 #
2014/2084(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Demands that the Ombudsman’s building policy be attached to its annual activity report, especially given that it is important that such costs are properly rationalised and that such costs are not excessive;
Amendment 6 #
2014/2084(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Proposes that the Ombudsman cooperate with other institutions to come up with a unified methodology of presenting the translation and interpretation costs in order to simplify the analysis and comparison of the costs, with the European Court of Auditors having a leading role in this matter;
Amendment 11 #
2014/2084(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls on the Ombudsman to include in its Annual Activity Reports the results and consequences of closed OLAF cases, where the institution or any of the individuals working for it were the subject of the investigation;
Amendment 14 #
2014/2083(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Amendment 18 #
2014/2083(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Calls on the Committee of the Regions to include in its Annual Activity Reports the results and consequences of closed OLAF cases, where the institution or any of the individuals working for it were the subject of the investigation;
Amendment 21 #
2014/2083(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Demands that the Committee of the Regions’ building policy be attached to its annual activity report, especially given that it is important that such costs are properly rationalised and that such costs are not excessive;
Amendment 6 #
2014/2082(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls on the EESC to cooperate with other institutions to come up with a unified methodology of presenting the translation and interpretation costs in order to simplify the analysis and comparison of the costs, with the European Court of Auditors having a leading role in this matter.
Amendment 15 #
2014/2082(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Demands that the EESC’s building policy be attached to its annual activity report, especially given that it is important that such costs are properly rationalised and that such costs are not excessive;
Amendment 19 #
2014/2082(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls on the EESC to include in its Annual Activity Reports the results and consequences of closed OLAF cases, where the institution or any of the individuals working for it were the subject of the investigation.
Amendment 17 #
2014/2081(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Points out that some Member States are over-represented at managerial level, while the Member States which acceded the Union in the last 10 yearsafter 2004 are still under- represented at Head of Unit and Director level; reiterates the need for a greater geographical balance at all levels of the administration;
Amendment 19 #
2014/2081(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Demands that the European Court of Auditor's building policy be attached to its annual activity report, especially given that it is important that such costs are properly rationalised and that such costs are not excessive;
Amendment 22 #
2014/2081(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls on the European Court of Auditors to take a leading role and to cooperate with the other institutions to come up with a unified methodology of presenting the translation and interpretation costs in order to simplify the analysis and comparison of the costs;
Amendment 27 #
2014/2081(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls on the European Court of Auditors to include in its Annual Activity Reports the results and consequences of closed OLAF cases, where the institution or any of the individuals working for it were the subject of the investigation;
Amendment 16 #
2014/2080(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls on the Court of Justice to cooperate with other institutions to come up with a unified methodology of presenting the translation and interpretation costs in order to simplify the analysis and comparison of the costs, with the European Court of Auditors having a leading role in this matter;
Amendment 17 #
2014/2080(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Regrets the fact that the Member States which acceded the Union in the last 10 yearsafter 2004 are not represented in the top management of the institution; reiterates the need for a greater geographical balance at all levels within the administration;
Amendment 20 #
2014/2080(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Takes note of the Court of Justice's commitment to continue improving its system for the timely monitoring and control of the recruitment and procurement procedures, supports the Court to continue to monitor the management of allowances and improve its performance levels;
Amendment 21 #
2014/2080(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls on the Court of Justice to include in its Annual Activity Reports the results and consequences of closed OLAF cases, where the institution or any of the individuals working for it were the subject of the investigation;
Amendment 2 #
2014/2079(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Reiterates its call on the European Council and the Council to send Parliament their annual activity report with a comprehensive overview of all human resources available to both institutions, broken down by category, grade, sex, nationality and vocational training; this table should be automatically included in the annual activity report of the institution.
Amendment 7 #
2014/2079(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Demands that the institution's building policy be attached to its annual activity report, especially given that it is important that such costs are properly rationalised and that such costs are not excessive;
Amendment 9 #
2014/2079(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Council to cooperate with other institutions to come up with a unified methodology of presenting the translation costs in order to simplify the analysis and comparison of the costs;, with the European Court of Auditors having a leading role in this matter.
Amendment 14 #
2014/2079(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Calls on the institution to include in its Annual Activity Reports the results and consequences of closed OLAF cases, where the institution or any of the individuals working for it were the subject of the investigation;
Amendment 17 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9a) It is appropriate to identify and treat distinctly different cases usually referred to as situations of "conflict of interest". The notion of "conflict of interest" should be solely used for cases where an official or agent of an EU institution is in such situation. If an economic operator attempts to unduly influence a procedure or obtain confidential information, this is to be treated as "grave professional misconduct". Finally, economic operators may be in a situation where they cannot implement a contract because of a professional conflicting interest, for instance a company should not evaluate a project in which it has participated or an auditor should not be in a position to audit accounts it has previously certified.
Amendment 26 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 106 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 106 – paragraph 1 a (new)
(1a) Evidence may include: (a) facts established in the context of audits or investigations carried out by the Court of Auditors, the Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) or internal audit, or any other check, audit or control made under the responsibility of the contracting authority; (b) administrative decisions which may include disciplinary measures taken by the competent supervisory body responsible for the verification of the application of standards of professional ethics, decisions of the ECB, the EIB, international organisations, or the Commission relating to the infringement of the Union's competition rules or decisions of a national competent authority.
Amendment 27 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 106 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 106 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
3. Except for cases provided for in point (d) of paragraph 1, the contracting authoritypanel may decide not to exclude the economic operator concerned where it has taken remedial measures to demonstrate its reliability.
Amendment 29 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29 a (new)
Recital 29 a (new)
(29a) This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, in particular Articles 47 to 50 thereof, from which it can be derived that the legality and proportionality of offences and penalties must be ensured, and that everyone has the right to an effective remedy and a fair trial, the right of defence and the right not to be tried or punished twice in a proceeding for the same offence.
Amendment 31 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 108 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 108 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. For the situations referred to in points (b), (d), (e) and (f) of Article 106(1), a panel shall be set up by the Commission at the request of an authorising officer of the Commission or of an executive agency or a joint panel at the request of another institution, body or European office. The panel shall appoint a standing high-level body and shall be composed of members with technical and legal competences. The Commission shall ensure that it can work independently. The panel, on behalf of the Commission and its executive agencies, other institutions, bodies or European offices, shall apply the following procedure:
Amendment 38 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 108 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Article 108 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
As part of the measures referred to under point (c) of Article 60(1), the Commission may also exclude an economic operator and/or impose financial penalties under the conditions laid down in paragraph 3 of this Article. Where the budget is implemented in indirect management with third countries, the Commission may take an exclusion decision or impose a financial penalty in accordance with the procedure referred to in paragraph 3, following the failure of the third country entrusted pursuant to point (c) of Article 58(1) to do so. This does not affect the responsibility, under Article 60(3), of the third country to prevent, detect and correct irregularities and fraud.
Amendment 40 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 110 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 110 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) the candidate or tenderer meets the selection criteria specified in the procurement documents. and is not subject to conflicting interests which may negatively affect the performance of the contract.
Amendment 42 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 106 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 106 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) fraud, tax fraud, tax evasion – including tax evasion via untaxed offshore structures –, corruption, participation in a criminal organisation, money laundering, terrorist financing, terrorist-related offences, child labour or other forms of trafficking in human beings on the basis of evidence established by the panel referred to in Article 108 or as established by a final judgement;
Amendment 51 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 11 a (new)
Article 1 – point 11 a (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 162 – paragraph 1
Article 162 – paragraph 1
(11a) Article 162(1) is replaced by the following: '1. The Court of Auditors shall transmit to the Commission and the institutions concerned, by 30 June, any observations which are, in its opinion, such that they should appear in the annual report. Those observations shall remain confidential and shall be subject to an adversarial procedure. They shall nevertheless be made available to the European Parliament on request, if appropriate on a confidential basis. Each institution shall address its reply to the Court of Auditors by 15 October. The replies of institutions other than the Commission shall be sent to the Commission at the same time.'
Amendment 53 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 11 a (new)
Article 1 – point 11 a (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 164
Article 164
(11a) Article 164 is replaced by the following: '1. The European Parliament, upon a recommendation from the Council acting by qualified majority, shall, before 15 May of year n + 2, give a discharge to the Commission in respect of the implementation of the budget for year n to the Union institutions and the bodies referred to in Articles 208 and 209. 2. If the date provided for in paragraph 1 cannot be met, the European Parliament or the Council shall inform the Commissioninstitutions and bodies concerned of the reasons for the postponement. 3. If the European Parliament postpones the decision giving a discharge, the Commissioninstitutions and bodies concerned shall make every effort to take measures, as soon as possible, to remove or facilitate removal of the obstacles to that decision.'
Amendment 54 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 11 a (new)
Article 1 – point 11 a (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 165 – paragraph 3
Article 165 – paragraph 3
Amendment 55 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 11 a (new)
Article 1 – point 11 a (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 166
Article 166
(11a) Article 166 is replaced by the following: '1. In accordance with Article 319 TFEU and Article 106a of the Euratom Treaty, the Commission and the other institutions and bodies shall take all appropriate steps to act on the observations accompanying the European Parliament’s discharge decision and on the comments accompanying the recommendation for discharge adopted by the Council. 2. At the request of the European Parliament or the Council, the institutions and bodies shall report on the measures taken in the light of those observations and comments, and, in particular, on the instructions they have given to any of their departments which are responsible for the implementation of the budget. The Member States shall cooperate with the Commission by informing it of the measures they have taken to act on those observations so that the Commission may take them into account when drawing up its own report. The reports from the institutions shall also be transmitted to the Court of Auditors.'
Amendment 69 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 - point 11 a (new)
Article 1 - point 11 a (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 162 – paragraph 1
Article 162 – paragraph 1
(11a) Article 162(1) is replaced by the following: "1. The Court of Auditors shall transmit to the Commission and the institutions concerned, by 30 June, any observations which are, in its opinion, such that they should appear in the annual report. Those observations shall remain confidential and shall be subject to an adversarial procedure. Each institution shall address its reply to the Court of Auditors by 15 October. The replies of institutions other than the Commission shall be sent to the Commission at the same time. They shall nevertheless be published in the end of the adversarial procedure."
Amendment 71 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 11 b (new)
Article 1 – point 11 b (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 163 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Article 163 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
11b. In Article 163(1), the third subparagraph is replaced by the following: "The Court of Auditors shall adopt the definitive version of the special report the month followwithin two and a half months of transmission of those observations and after having receipt ofved the replies made byof the institution or the body concerned. that fully and precisely address those observations."
Amendment 75 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 11 f (new)
Article 1 – point 11 f (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 167
Article 167
Amendment 20 #
2013/2256(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
Amendment 22 #
2013/2256(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
Amendment 5 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that at the end of 2012, the final budget for EEAS headquarters was EUR 184 100 000, with the execution of a commitments rating of 99,35 % and was EUR 304 500 000 for the delegations, with a commitments rating of 99,45 %; takes note that the budget of the delegations had to be supplemented by the Commission towith a total of EUR 268 000 000;
Amendment 6 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that the EEAS is a recently created institution, resulting from the consolidation of different services, and that 2011 was its first year of operational year with numerous technical challenges to be overcome, particularly in procurement and recruitment; notes that the excessive administrative burden resulting from arrangements necessary for setting up the EEAS has been eased in 2012; is concerned, however, that the Chief Operating Officer of the EEAS has maintained his reservations concerning some of the security contracts of Union Delegations and several Union Delegations have issued reservations as well;
Amendment 7 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Believes that the current structure of the EEAS budget, with contributions from the Commission's 26 different budget lines and the European Development Fund, makes it impossible to have a clear overview of the real costs and expenses of the work of the EEAS and its Delegations; supports the simplification proposal made by the EEAS in November 2013 and asks the Commission to implement the changes proposed and to examine the further simplification of the EEAS's current financing of the EEAS operation;
Amendment 9 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Endorses the reaching of the one third target for ntarget of reaching a 1/3 proportion of National dDiplomats working at the EEAS by the deadline of mid 2013among all EEAS staff members by the mid 2013 deadline; takes note that EEAS is not static and that the selection of staff is based on applications and merit;
Amendment 20 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Considers the responsibilities of the Union Special Representatives to be very unclear; regrets that the information on the use of the budget they receive to implement their mandate continues to be obscure;
Amendment 24 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Notes with satisfaction the performance and management of the interviews conducted and the filling of vacancies; takes note of the overview provided on how often a candidate was invited to interview, as requested by Parliament in the last discharge exercise;
Amendment 26 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Recognises the high number of posts at high grades, which is very cost-intensive; welcomes the information provided on new recruitments; requests, however, that the grades of newly recruited management and Head of dDelegations posts newly recruited to be also indicated;
Amendment 28 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Finds excessive the number of officials being promoted after two years in the a grade, especially the quick promotions in the higher grades; invites the EEAS to establish stricter criteria for the quick promotion in higher grades and to be fully in line with the Staff Regulations regarding promotions;
Amendment 36 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Notes with concern that in 2012, 49 % of Heads of Delegation (57 % in 2011) assessed the skills of their operational staff, finance staff, and the monitoring and auditing staff as inadequate to carry out their tasks; reiterates its call to the EEAS and the Commission to provide Parliament with the results of their discussions;
Amendment 38 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Draws attention to the cost-intensive procedure of the annual salary adjustment method for local staff in Union delegations; invites the EEAS to consider an alternative calculation method which is more transparent and simpler;
Amendment 39 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1
Subheading 1
29 Takes note of measures being brought forward to rationalise expenditure withconcerning staff and staff matters;
Amendment 41 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Notes with satisfaction that synergies with the Commission's Directorate-General for Development and Cooperation – EuropeAid and the national diplomacidiplomatic services of the Member States are functioning well and welcomes the information provided in 2012; notes that there is still work to be done in relation to the consulate services; asks that Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs be engaged in thatis exercise;
Amendment 42 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Supports the EEAS in its efforts to prepare for the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework, when it will have a budget of EUR 96 billion of Union External Assistance funds towhich it will implement in shared responsibility with the Commission;
Amendment 44 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Supports the action plan of the security directorate on the security contracts managed by the Headquarters; regrets, nonetheless, that the deficiencies in the management of security contracts by the dDelegations were not foreseen as wellincluded in that action plan;
Amendment 47 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Strongly supports the EEAS's four main initiatives for smart savings; asks the EEAS to provide an implementing report which shows the financial results and how thismoney saved monethis way was reused; requests that the Commission also adopt thatese initiatives;
Amendment 56 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Takes the view that improvements can be made at thein financial management to prevent interests accruing on late payments, in particular by reducing the delay period; period of delay;
Amendment 57 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Strongly urges the EEAS, with regard to the travel arrangements ofrom its delegations to its headquarters, to adopt practices similar to those applied by the diplomatic services of the Member States in comparable circumstances;
Amendment 58 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Welcomes the establishment of a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ between the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the EEAS; regrets the delay of its conclusion and hopes for its outcome to be briefly achieved; asks the EEAS to report on the progress made regarding the new Anti- Fraud Strategy for Union Delegations which was planned to be finalised in 2013;
Amendment 12 #
2013/2200(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 14 #
2013/2200(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Takes note of the substantial pricing variation of translation cost per language; is of the opinion that such a high discrepancy of costs, even including indirect costs, should be better aligned; calls on the Court of Auditors to apply the method for calculating the translation costs per page the same way as it is done in the other institutions in order to be able to compare the translation costs per pagebetween institutions in an equal manner;
Amendment 12 #
2013/2199(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Court of Justice to apply the method for calculating the translation costs per page in the same way as it is done in the other institutions in order to be able to compare the translation costs per pagebetween institutions in an equal manner;
Amendment 15 #
2013/2199(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Notes that only seven general meetings of the Court of Justice had full attendance in 2012e high level of attendance in the general meetings of the Court of Justice; however points out that only seven general meetings of the Court of Justice had full attendance in 2012; considers that high attendance level is very important for the efficient functioning of the judicial activity; asks for the agenda of thosee general meetings to be included as an annex to the annual activity report of the corresponding year;
Amendment 17 #
2013/2199(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Regrets the fact that the Member States which have joined in the last 10 years are not represented at managerial level in the institution; regrets that out of four Director-General posts, none are held by citizens of those Member States; regrets, furthermore, that no positions at director level are held by citizens of those Member StatesDirector-General and Director levels in the institution; reiterates the need for a greater geographical balance at allthose levels of the administration, as it is already the case at Head of Unit level;
Amendment 13 #
2013/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Expresses its concern over the lack of sufficient public financial resources, in particular at sub-national level, to implement the Europe 2020 Strategy adequately, owing to the impact of the economic crisis, and over the fact that an important number of less-developed Member States and regions depend to a great extent on cohesion policy funding; before taking any decision related to potential macro-economic sanctions, the huge dependence of certain Member States' development on cohesion funding should be carefully considered.
Amendment 16 #
2013/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Takes the view that although the alignment with the Europe 2020 strategy is important, it is essential not to lose sight of the aims of economic, social and territorial cohesion, which were put at serious risk as a consequence of the crisis; cohesion policy is more than a tool for delivering the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy; calls for decisive action to maintain cohesion and for emphasis to be placed on investments in infrastructural projects in basic sectors such as transport, telecommunication and energy;
Amendment 19 #
2013/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that – evidence notwithstanding that local and regional authorities are being involved in the preparation of Partnership Agreements – further action must be taken to reinforce the territorial dimension of the governance system of cohesion policy, the Europe 2020 strategy and the European Semester, by ensuring real coordination and complementarity among the different levels of governance, on one hand, and consistency of the priorities established at those levels with the needs and specificities identified at national, regional and local levels, on the other, while still allowing, where appropriate and necessary, some policy issues to be dealt with in a top-down manner; underlines that the involvement of regional and local levels should not result in undue increase of administrative burdens;
Amendment 24 #
2013/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is particularly worried that, owing to the crisis, the population at risk of poverty or social exclusion has increased considerably, with greater prevalence in convergence regions and cities, and considers it urgent to tackle these issues – which severely undermine cohesion among regions and may put at risk the competitiveness of the Union in the medium and long term – by focusing on policies that ensure sustainable, good- quality employment and social inclusion; stresses that the employment and inclusion of the youth should get particular attention in this respect and underlines the vital role played by SMEs in ensuring and increasing good-quality employment;
Amendment 26 #
2013/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Insists on the role of the ESF in reducing the disparities in human capital among regions, and in the context of implementing the social dimension of the Europe 2020 Strategy, as this fund, in parallel with the ERDF, has been contributing significantly to the fulfilment of some of the current major priorities of the Union, namely boosting youth employment and the labour market, promoting sustainable economy and growth, reducing the number of early school leavers, and combating poverty, discrimination and social exclusion; adds that the ESF can best help increasing employment when its use is combined with that of the ERDF;
Amendment 14 #
2013/0156(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Regulation (EU) No …/…[Common Provisions Regulation] caps the allocations per Member State at 110% of their level in real terms for the 2007-2013 period. Member States affected by this capping need to be further protected from the risk of automatic decommitment of allocations in the 2007-2013 period. The level of allocation of some other Member States will even decrease in real terms in comparison to that of the 2007-2013 period.
Amendment 16 #
2013/0156(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point -1 a (new)
Article 1 – point -1 a (new)
Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006
Article 56 – paragraph 1
Article 56 – paragraph 1
(-1a) Article 56(1) is amended as follows: "1. Expenditure, including for major projects, shall be eligible for a contribution from the Funds if it has actually been paid between the date of submission of the operational programmes to the Commission or from 1 January 2007, whichever is earlier, and 31 December 2016. Operations must not have been completed before the starting date for eligibility."
Amendment 17 #
2013/0156(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 1
Article 1 – point 1
Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006
Article 77 – paragraphs 2 and 6
Article 77 – paragraphs 2 and 6
(1) In Article 77, pArticle 77 is amended as follows: (a) In paragraph 2, the introductory part is amended as follows: "2. By way of derogation from Article 53(2), from the second sentence of Article 53(4) and from the ceilings set out in Annex III, interim payments and payments of the final balance shall be increased by an amount corresponding to 10 percentage points above the co- financing rate applicable to each priority axis, but not exceeding 100 %, to be applied to the amount of eligible expenditure newly declared in each certified statement of expenditure submitted after the date on [...]which a Member State meets one of the following conditions and until the end of the programming period: " (b) Paragraph 6 is deleted.
Amendment 19 #
2013/0156(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 a (new)
However, it shall apply retroactively to Member States, with effect from the date on which the financial assistance was made available to those Member States in accordance with Article 77(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006.
Amendment 63 #
2013/0000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out to the restrictive impact of new rules on investment and growth of regions as they move from the less developed to the more developed category; is aware that certain regions eligible for State aid under the current system will not meet the zoning criteria of the RSAG in the future period; believes that these regions should have a special safety regime, similar to that for transition regions under the Cohesion Policy, allowing them to cope with their new situation; moreover, in the context of the competitiveness for EEA it undermines the possibilities to attract invesments to the EEA;
Amendment 95 #
2013/0000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Regarding entry into force, the new guidelines should have been adopted by early April 2013 at the latest in order to allow Member States to draw their regional aid map, have it approved by the Commission and design their new aid schemes applicable as of 1 January 2014; considers that, since it is obvious that the adoption of the new RAG will not take place earlier then this summer and the new Block Exemption Regulation is promised for November-December 2013, the prolongation of the present rules for a further at least 6 months is necessary;
Amendment 1 #
2012/2256(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the efforts made to strengthen economic and budgetary coordination through the European Semester, allowing the monitoring of national budgets and economic policies in parallel during a six- month period every year; stresses that the cohesion policy ought to become a focal point of the Annual Growth Survey of the European Commission; regrets therefore that the AGS 2013 has not exploited an opportunity to commence a more meaningful debate on growth and jobs in the European Union notably through an overhaul of its guidelines.
Amendment 4 #
2012/2256(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the crucial role of cohesion policy as a key instrument for Europe 2020; considers that a strong and well- funded cohesion policy is an effective and efficient instrument to implement Europe 2020 and prevent future economic and financial crises, owing to its long-term development programmes, budgetary dimension and decentralised administration system and the incorporation of the EU's priorities for sustainable development; points out that cohesion policy is an investment policy and should thus promote territorial, economic and social cohesion in all regions of the EU, keeping in mind the principle of solidarity; stresses, in this connection, the importance of involving regions in achieving the EU 2020 goals of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth;
Amendment 3 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Notes that while 2011 was the first financial year for the EEAS, it is, however, fully responsible for the financial year 2011 and has to ensure strict compliance with the legislation; urges the EEAS to examine what lessons can be learned from the first year of operation;
Amendment 4 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that in the 2011 annual report, the Court of Auditors included observations on the EEAS concerning the payment of social allowances and benefits to staff members, the conclusion of contracts with temporary agents, the management of a contract for the provision of security services and procurement procedures; urges the EEAS to take the necessary steps to address these observations;
Amendment 5 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is concerned that non-compliance with the rules has lead to incorrect payments to staff members, legal uncertainty for temporary staff and for the EEAS, failure to respect the Financial Regulation and unrecovered VAT and a breach of the procurement rules which all Union institutions are bound to comply with; point out that the EEAS is fully responsible for its operation and stresses its obligation to ensure that the measures taken will prevent incorrect payments in the future;
Amendment 9 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Regrets that according to the Court of Auditors' observations, the risk of making incorrect or undue payments if the circumstances of staff members have changed still remains in 2012, although the EEAS has taken measures to prevent this from happeningintroduced a yearly update mechanism; calls on the EEAS to attach information on the implementation of this new mechanism in its 2012 annual activity report;
Amendment 10 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that at the end of 2011, the final budget for EEAS headquarters was EUR 188 000 000, with a utilisation rate of 91% and was EUR 276 100 000 for the delegations, with a lower execution rate of around 89%; takes note that the budget of the delegations had to be supplemented by the Commission to a total of EUR 252 400 000, having an execution rate of 85%; however acknowledges that the challenges of budget implementation in third countries are very different from those within the Union;
Amendment 12 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Asks for a clear allocation and coordination of roles and responsibilities of the Commission and the EEAS as regards programming and implementation of the budget in third countries;
Amendment 15 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes the importance of the current discharge in setting the framework for future discharge exercises and believes that it will reinforce the expectations of future developments and improvements in the effectiveness of the EEAS and its operations; calls on the High Representative to provide a review of the organisation and functioning of the EEAS, accompanied, if necessary, by proposals for a revision of the Council Decision 2010/427/EU by mid-2013;
Amendment 17 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Regrets that the proportion of staff coming from the newer Member States is very low when compared to staff from the EU-15; urges the EEAS to take the necessary measures to have a better and more balanced representation; welcomes the fact that the number of vacant posts has been decreasing; urges the EEAS to use the unoccupied posts to enforce the geographical balance at all levels of staff;
Amendment 20 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Deplores the fact that there are 36 EEAS delegations having only a Head of Delegation and believes that it is not possible to deliver effective diplomatic operation with one Union official in the host country; requests the EEAS to provide information on the functioning of these "one man" delegations;
Amendment 23 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes with satisfaction the performance and management of 8 800 candidates, 1 300 interviews and 118 vacancies to be filled; regrets, however, that there is no overview on how often a candidate was invited to interview and that thus the process cannot be considered as fully transparent; invites the EEAS to get a better overview on the costs of the interviews;
Amendment 24 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Welcomes the fact that the revised Financial Regulation obliges the EEAS to provide a working document on its building policy to the Parliament by 1 June each year;
Amendment 25 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16 b. Is concerned over the increasing rental costs of the EEAS's offices and residences (i.e. increase of over 50% of the Moscow offices of the Union delegation to Russia from year 2010 to 2011); urges the EEAS to maintain cost effective operation and to provide all the necessary information to the discharge authority;
Amendment 26 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16 c. Underlines that the revised Financial Regulation allows the EEAS to take loans for the acquisition of its offices and residences; urges the EEAS to maintain cost effective operation and to find appropriate financing solutions consulting DG ECFIN;
Amendment 27 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16 d. Points out that the local practice in certain host countries makes it difficult to agree on payment conditions fully in line with the Financial Regulation (i.e. advance payments for security contracts in Venezuela); urges the EEAS to introduce Exception Notes in all cases to register the local practices;
Amendment 31 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Recognises the high number of posts at high grades, which is very cost-intensive; is surprised that an EEAS official was promoted by five grades within one year; calls on the EEAS to respect the provisions of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union;
Amendment 39 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Considers the responsibilities of the Union Special Representatives to be very unclear; asks to receive a discriminated note on how the budget they receive to implement their mandate is usedtherefore notes that the EEAS has not succeeded in avoiding parallel tasks and responsibilities; asks to receive a cost-effectiveness analysis of the contribution of the EEAS to the overall policy achievements;
Amendment 43 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Notes that 39,5% of Union ambassadors come from the Member States; recalls the agreement that at least one-third of posts should be filled by staff from Member States; urges that the High Representative implement the agreement, which means middle and senior posts are to be included in that quota; properly includes all levels of posts in that quota; calls on the EEAS to respect the principle of non- discrimination within the staff in order to enable the conditions of equal treatment among different categories of staff by employment, assignment, appraisal and promotion exercise; further emphasises that the misuse of any HR related administrative decision in staff recruitment shall not legitimise budget efficiency; further recalls that each year, the High Representative shall present a report to the Parliament and the Council on the occupation and performance of the post-holder in the EEAS;
Amendment 45 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Points out that there is an imbalance in delegations between staff members of the EEAS and the Commission; urges that more EEAS staff be transferred from headquarters to delegationsregrets that the EEAS has not achieved a real transformation in the set up of external representation of the Union; urges that more EEAS staff be transferred from headquarters to delegations; urges the EEAS to reconsider the overall functionality and composition of staff in delegations, and to establish a concept on appropriate strategic goals and tools of an effective external representation of the Union;
Amendment 46 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Notes with concern that 57 % of the Heads of Delegation assess the skills of the operational staff, finance staff, and the monitoring and auditing staff as inadequate to carry out their tasks; demands that the EEAS and the Commission providesent the Parliament with the results of their discussappropriate solutions to resolve the situation;
Amendment 51 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Draws attention to the cost-intensive procedure of the annual salary adjustment method for local staff in Union delegations; believes that that methodology can be more efficient and cost-effective; asks the EEAS to use an alternative calculation method by means of an independent and objective selection of reference organisations, which would be simpler and cheaper, instead of a selection made by the employee him or herself; suggests that the United Nations be added as a fixed component and a senior ministry official be included; urges that a mechanism be established to relieve the Union ambassador of his responsibility for tariff negotiations with local staff and for the reference organisations to be chosen for a period of five years;
Amendment 57 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Urges thatExpresses its concern over the high absence rates in Union delegations and urges the EEAS to reduce the high absence rate in delegations and to provide the Parliament with figures of absenteeism on an annual basis; suggests to reconsider procedurges in thate context that the delegation staff combine their periods of professional training in Brussels with the rest of their leave;
Amendment 69 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32 a. Welcomes that the EEAS committed itself to full cooperation with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and is finalizing a specific Memorandum of Understanding with the OLAF to elevate their cooperation to a higher level;
Amendment 4 #
2012/2171(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the reinforcement of audit posts in 2011, compared to the number of staff in other services; commends the Court of Auditors' continued engagement in finding efficiency gains in the support services; regrets, however, that the number of vacant audit posts in the end of 2011 was still high (25 vacant posts), even if significantly fewer that the previous year (44 in 2010). Calls on the Court to speed up the recruitment of new staff for the vacant audit posts;
Amendment 5 #
2012/2171(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Finds the gender balance at the level of Directors and Heads of Units still very unbalanced (72% male and 28% female); notes with satisfaction that the proportion of women at AD level is increasing; requestshowever points out the importance of geographical balance at all levels of staff, requests the Court to provide the breakdown to be done also by nationality;
Amendment 11 #
2012/2171(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
8a. Calls on the Court to maintain the best possible working environment for its staff and its Members in the future and encourages the Court to examine what lessons can be learned from the recently revealed harassment case and whether the procedure applied during the investigation by the Court was fully in line with the Court's Rules of Procedure;
Amendment 13 #
2012/2171(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Awaits with interest the second peer review that the Court of Auditors is launching in 2013 focusing particularly on the practice of performance audit at the ECA; as well would like to be informed about the implementation of the conclusions of the first introductory peer review in 2012;
Amendment 3 #
2012/2170(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Expresses its concern that the amount of pending cases in the General Court had greatly increis still very high in year 2011 (i.e. 1300 pending caseds in 2010, and that that trend was maintained in 2011;1308 pending cases in 2011); urges the Court of Justice to examine what type of organisational changes could lead to the reduction in the number of pending cases and also believes that the General Court needs human resources reinforcement; finds that the proposal for the creation of additional appointments of judges in the General Court, - which is still under examination in the Council, - could contribute to the moderateion of that trend;
Amendment 4 #
2012/2170(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that the Civil Service Tribunal has a steady evolution of new, pending and completed cases in recent years (i.e. 139 new cases in 2010 while 159 in 2011, and 129 completed cases in 2010 and 166 in 2011);
Amendment 5 #
2012/2170(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Welcomes the development and improvement of the integrated management system SAP which was established in 2008 on an interinstitutional basis by the Council, the Court of Auditors and the Court of Justice, and which forms the essential instrument for handling all financial and budgetary transactions of the Court of Justice; therefore it is important to assure the smooth functioning of the SAP;
Amendment 6 #
2012/2170(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Takes note of the new activities in 2011 of the Directorate General for Infrastructure and asks that the Court of Justice give further information to Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control on the building project for the fifth extension to the Court of Justice's buildings;
Amendment 12 #
2012/2078(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines the need to improve social governance at the European levelat in order to meet the objectives set out in parallel with the establishment of European economic governanceticle 9 TFEU, the review of economic policy cannot be considered isolated from social policy;
Amendment 22 #
2012/2078(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for an enhanced surveillancereview of social and employment policies comparable to the provisions on the surveillance of national economic policies;
Amendment 28 #
2012/2078(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 37 #
2012/2078(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the existence and aggravation of internal imbalances call for automatic stabilisers at EU or euro area level, such as a youth guarantee or a minimum uninternal imbalances in the Member States need to be tackled by concrete measures like youth employment allowancguarantee;
Amendment 42 #
2012/2078(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that neither the roadmap ‘Towards a Genuine Economic and Monetary Union’ nor the interim report presented by Council President Van Rompuy address employment and social policies; reiterates, therefore, its call for a Social Pact, as outlined in the report, adopted on 15 October 2012 by its Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs,therefore refers to the European Parliament's resolution of 20 November 2012 with recommendations to the Commission on the report of the Presidents of the European Council, the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the Eurogroup ‘"Towards a genuine Economic and Monetary Union’" (2012/2151 (INI);
Amendment 47 #
2012/2078(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that thea balance between the social and economic policy provisions set out in Article 121 TFEU and Article 148 TFEU must be restoredshould be existing;
Amendment 60 #
2012/2078(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Reiterates its call for the strengthening of the democratic dimension of the European Semester, including by reinforcing Parliament's role through the ordinary legislative procedure and by involving national parliaments, in interaction with social partners and civil society;
Amendment 66 #
2012/2078(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on Member States, where unjustified blocking minorities are preventing necessary progress, to expand the principle of enhanced cooperation to social and employment policies.
Amendment 56 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The trend towards a digital society provides users with new ways of accessing information and services. The providers of information and services, such as public sector bodies, rely increasingly on the Internet in order to produce, collect and provide a wide range of information and services online, which are essential to the public. In this respect, the security of transmission of information and the protection of personal data are of great importance.
Amendment 58 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Web-accessibility refers to principles and techniques to be observed when constructing websites in order to render the content of these websites accessible to all users, in particular people with functional limitations, including persons with disabilities. The content of websites includes textual as well as non-textual information, and also the downloading of forms and two-way interaction, e.g. the processing of digital forms, authentication, and transactions like case handling and paymentscluding persons with disabilities and elderly people.
Amendment 61 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The Commission's eGovernment Action Plan 2011-2015 calls for action to develop eGovernment services that ensure inclusiveness and accessibility. At the same time, more efforts are needed for the effective implementation of the e- Inclusion policy, which aims at reducing gaps in ICT usage and promoting the use of ICT to overcome exclusion, and improve economic performance, employment opportunities, quality of life, social participation and cohesion, including democratic consultations.
Amendment 63 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) In its Communication ‘entitled 'A Digital Agenda for Europe’', a Europe 2020 initiative, the Commission announced that public sector websites should be fully accessible by 2015.
Amendment 64 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) It is highly important to increase of synergies between flagships initiatives such as "Digital Agenda for Europe", "New skills and jobs", "Innovation Union", "Youth on the move", "Resource-efficient Europe" and "European Platform Against Poverty and Exclusion".
Amendment 65 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) By ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (‘'the UN Convention’'), the majority of the Member States and the Union, by its conclusion, have committed themselves ‘"to ensure to persons with disabilities access, on equal basis with others, to inter alia information and communication technologies’" and ‘"to take appropriate measures […...] to promote access for persons with disabilities to new information and communications technologies and systems, sign languages, including the Internet.’"
Amendment 67 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) The European Disability Strategy 2010- 2020, which aims to break down the barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from participating in society on an equal basis, builds on the UN Convention and contains actions in several priority areas, including web accessibility, with the objective ‘"to ensure accessibility to goods and services including public services and assistive devices for people with disabilities.’
Amendment 68 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) The European Parliament resolution of 25 October 2011 on mobility and inclusion of people with disabilities and the European Disability Strategy 2010- 20201 stresses that innovative and knowledge-based economies cannot develop without accessible content and forms for people with disabilities governed by binding legislation, such as accessible websites for the blind and subtitled contents for the hard of hearing, including mass media services, online services for people using sign languages, smart phone applications and tactile and vocal aids in public media2. __________________ 1 OJ C 131 E, 8.5.2013, p. 9
Amendment 70 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The fast growing web-accessibility market comprises a range of economic operators such as those developing websites or software tools to create, manage and test web pages, developing user agents such as web browsers and related assistive technologies, implementing certification services and training providers. In this respect, of a great importance are the efforts made in the framework of the Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs, which is a follow-up to the Employment Package, and addresses ICT specialists and aims to respond to the skills gaps, including literacy and working skills, in the ICT sector.
Amendment 73 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Citizens should benefit from wider access to online public sector services and should receive services and information which will facilitate their daily lives and the enjoyment of their rights across the Union, notably their right to move and reside freely within the territory of the Union and their freedom of establishment and to provide services.
Amendment 75 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The web–accessibility requirements defined in this Directive are technology neutral. They only indicate which basic functionalities have to be fulfilled for the user to perceive, operate or understand a site and its content. They do not specify how this has to be achieved or what technology should be selected for a particular site, on-line information or application. As such they do not hamper innovation and shall be platform independent at the end users.
Amendment 77 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) As underlined in the Digital Agenda for Europe, public authorities should play their part in promoting markets for online content. Governments can stimulate content markets by making public sector information available under transparent, effective and non-discriminatory conditions. This is an important source of potential growth of innovative online services. In addition to that, new and innovative pilot projects shall be used in this sense, for example in the field of sign language from 2013 based on the European Parliament's financing decision of 6 June 2013 to have allocated a budget of EUR 750,000 for further development.
Amendment 82 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) The Commission has already issued a mandate M/376 to the European Standardisation Organisations, to develop a European standard specifying the functional accessibility requirements for ICT products and services, including web content, which could be used in public procurement as well as for other purposes like procurement in the private sector. To this end, the European Standardisation Organisations are required to establish close co-operation with relevant industry standards forums and consortia including the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C/WAI). A harmonised standard that would provide presumption of conformity with the web-accessibility requirements laid down in this Directive should be built upon the outcome of this work. It should be recalled that, in accordance with the progress report issued by the Council on 24 May 2013, 23 Member States have already developed their national web accessibility policies and standards.
Amendment 87 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) The conformity with web-accessibility requirements should be continuously monitored from the initial construction of the public sector bodies' website to all subsequent updates of its content. A harmonised monitoring methodology would cover a way of verifying, on a uniform basis in all Members States, the degree of compliance of the website with the requirements for web-accessibility, the collection of representative samples and the periodicity of the monitoring.. Member States should report annually on the outcome of the monitoring and more generally on the list of actions taken in application of this Directive, which shall be open to the public.
Amendment 92 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) In a harmonised framework, the web- developers industry should face fewer barriers to operate in the internal market, while costs for governments and others procuring web-accessibility products and services should be reduced which would contribute to economic growth and employment.
Amendment 93 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of the relevant provisions of this Directive, implementing powers should be conferred to the Commission. The examination procedure should be used for the definition of the methodology that Member States should use for monitoring the conformity of the websites concerned with those requirements. The advisory procedure should be used for the determination of the modalities according to which Member States should report to the Commission on the result of this monitoring. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by the Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers. Special attention should be paid to the composition of the committee referred to in this Directive with regard to the participation of persons with disabilities.
Amendment 97 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Directive aims at approximating the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States related to the accessibility of the content, including audiovisual content, of public sector bodies' websites to all users, in particular people with functional limitations including persons with disabilities, as well as for elderly persons.
Amendment 128 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8 a (new)
(8a) 'Web-accessibility' means principles and techniques to be observed when constructing websites concerned in order to render the content of those websites accessible to all users, including people with disabilities and elderly persons. Web- accessibility refers in particular to principles and techniques that enhance users' perception, navigation, operation, interaction and understanding, and includes the use of assistive technology, sign language, or augmentative and alternative communication. The content of websites includes textual as well as non-textual information, and also the downloading of forms and two-way interaction, e.g. the processing of digital forms, authentication, and transactions like case handling and payments.
Amendment 129 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8 a (new)
(8a) 'Assistive technology' means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, acquired commercially as such as well as financed by Union budget or Funds as a pilot project or distributed by the Government, or modified, or customised, and used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities
Amendment 134 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) in a consistent and adequate way for users' perception, operation and understanding, including persons with disabilities, and for elderly persons, as well as the adaptability of content presentation and interaction, when necessary, providing an accessible electronic alternative;
Amendment 153 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Member States shall urge on new ICT solutions which are user-friendly and intended for persons with disabilities and elderly people, and shall promote training and education to increase their digital knowledge.
Amendment 160 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 4
Article 6 – paragraph 4
4. Member States shall cooperate at Union level with industry, social partners and civil society stakeholders, with facilitation by the Commission, in order to review, for the purpose of the annual reporting referred to in Article 7(4), market and technological developments and progress in web- accessibility and to exchange best practices. A particular attention shall be granted to the competitiveness of companies in the sector, especially of SMEs, so as no extra burdens are imposed on their functioning.
Amendment 173 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Member States shall take the measures necessary to accessibly inform the users or other interested parties of the possibility of lodging complaints, referred to in subparagraph 1 to the designated competent authority. The lodging of the complaints must be made possible in an accessible manner.
Amendment 216 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex – point 12 a (new)
Annex – point 12 a (new)
(12a) Gas, heat, electricity, water services
Amendment 220 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex – point 12 b (new)
Annex – point 12 b (new)
(12b) Public transport-related services
Amendment 223 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex – point 12 c (new)
Annex – point 12 c (new)
(12c) Basic banking and insurance services (such as basic payment account, home contents and building insurance, life insurance or medical insurance
Amendment 225 #
Amendment 226 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex – point 12 e (new)
Annex – point 12 e (new)
(12e) Services of primary, secondary and higher education.
Amendment 229 #
2012/0340(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex – point 12 f (new)
Annex – point 12 f (new)
(12f) Services of statutory and complementary social security schemes, organised in various ways (mutual or occupational organisations), covering the main risks of life, such as those linked to health, ageing, occupational accidents, unemployment, retirement and disability.(7) Childcare services
Amendment 231 #
Amendment 233 #
Amendment 234 #
Amendment 237 #
Amendment 1 #
Amendment 24 #
2011/2312(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Believes that in order to give more tailor-made responses to regional and subregional needs and thus increase the effectiveness of EU funds, more flexibility is necessary when determining minimum shares for ESF allocations for the three categories of regions; believes that rigid minimum thresholds that do not reflect the specificities of the regions may lead to ineffective spending of resources which should be avoided;
Amendment 25 #
2011/2312(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Believes that, in order to adequately tackle social and economic disparities it is important that programming takes account of complementarities between "hard" (ERDF-type, e.g. infrastructure) and "soft" (mostly ESF-type e.g. training) type of measures; believes that appropriate measures for thematic concentration requirements should take account of such needs and allow for adequate complementary resources to be used especially in the fields of education and health infrastructure;
Amendment 23 #
2011/2179(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Endorses the macro-regional approach to territorial cooperation policies between territories belonging to a services and working area: maritime area, mountain range or river basin; believes that macro- regional strategies opened a new chapter in European territorial cooperation by applying a bottom-up approach and spreading cooperation to more and more areas via the better use of available resources; recommends that, in view of their clear European added value, macro- regional strategies should receive more attention in the framework of European territorial cooperation to be reinforced as of 2013;
Amendment 31 #
2011/2179(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recommends basing macro-regional strategies on multi-level governance, ensuring local- and regional-government involvement, involving the greatest possible number of partners and stakeholders in both the process of elaboration and implementation of macro-regional strategies in order to increase their ownership at local and regional level;
Amendment 41 #
2011/2179(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Takes the view that the macro-regional strategy doesies need better alignment of funding, more efficient utilisation of existing resources and coordination of instruments and although such strategies do not require further funding, institutional instruments or regulation, but considers funding for the monitoring thereof in the form of technical assistance appropriations justified;
Amendment 63 #
2011/2179(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Hopes that macro-regional strategies that have significant maritime aspects and that take into account island territories and their development needs will also emerge for the western and eastern Mediterranean; believes that such future strategies should pay increased attention to the protection of the environment and sustainable tourism;
Amendment 1 #
2011/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
- having regard to its 2011 Resolution on the EU's efforts to combat corruption 1, its Written Declaration 2/2010 on the Union's efforts in combating corruption 2, and the 2011 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and the European Economic and Social Committee "Fighting corruption in the EU" 3; __________________ 1 European Parliament, Resolution of 15 September 2011 on the EU's efforts to combat corruption, P7_TA- PROV(2011)0388 2 European Parliament, Written Declaration 2/2010 on the Union's efforts in combating corruption, P7_DCL(2010)0002 3 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and the European Economic and Social Committee "Fighting corruption in the EU", COM(2011) 308 final, 6 June 2011
Amendment 14 #
2011/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that in 2010 the financial impact of irregularities in the area of expenditure rose and amounted to EUR 1.8 billion. (or 1.27 % of allocations), as compared to EUR 1.4 billion (or 1.13 %) in 2009; the financial impact in the area of revenue is also higher: EUR 393 million (or 1.88 % of total collected traditional own resources, gross) as compared to EUR 357 million (or 1.84 %) in 2009.; underlines that out of 15076 irregularities reported in 2010, which represent an estimated financial of irregularities of EUR 2 200 million, including an estimated financial of suspected fraud of EUR 617 million, only EUR 1 005 million have been recovered;
Amendment 15 #
2011/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Takes note that for 2010 the number of irregularities reported has increased for all sectors but the pre-accession funds and the Traditional Own Resources and that the increase is related to the closure of the 2000-2006 implementing period of the Cohesion Funds and to the improvements made to the Irregularities Management System (IMS);
Amendment 17 #
2011/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that although the Irregularities Management System (IMS) has been modernised and improved, and there has been an increase in the volume of reporting by the majority of Member States, which has led to an improvement in the quality and reliability of reports, there are still differences in the Member States' approaches to reporting irregularities and, consequently, there are doubts about the adequacy of national reporting systems;. Calls on all the Member States to fully implement the IMS and to further improve their reporting compliance; and to improve the speed with which irregularities are reported.
Amendment 18 #
2011/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Is further concerned that some Member States are not yet using the electronic reporting system fully; calls on these Member States to remedy the situation as a matter of urgency;
Amendment 19 #
2011/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. NReiterates its regret given the serious doubts about the quality of the information provided by the Member States and notes that some Member States continue to report a very low number of detected irregularities and cases of fraud, and calls on the Commission to inform the European Parliament whether the national control systems in those Member States are effective;
Amendment 20 #
2011/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Reminds that Union legislation requires Member States to report all irregularities no later than two months after the end of the quarter in which an irregularity has been subject to a primary administrative or judicial finding and/or new information about a reported irregularity becomes known; calls on the Member States to make all the necessary efforts, including the streamlining of national administrative procedures, to meet the required deadlines and reduce the time gap between the moment a irregularity is identified and that when it is reported; calls on the Member States to act primarily as a protector of taxpayers' money in their efforts to combat fraud;
Amendment 34 #
2011/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Is concerned that, in 2010, Italy and EU-12 Member States have qualified more than 90% of the reported cases of irregularities as "suspected fraud"; calls on the Member States to take all necessary measures, including close cooperation with European institutions, to address all causes leading to fraud relating to EU funds;
Amendment 38 #
2011/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 7 a (new)
Subheading 7 a (new)
Public Procurement, increased transparency and the fight against corruption
Amendment 39 #
2011/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Calls on the Commission, the relevant Union agencies and the Member States to take measures and provide resources to ensure that EU funds are not subject to corruption, to adopt dissuasive sanctions where corruption and fraud are found, to step up the confiscation of criminal assets involved in fraud, tax evasion and money-laundering related crimes;
Amendment 40 #
2011/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28b. Underlines that the 2011 Communication from the Commission "Fighting corruption in the EU" estimates that EUR 120 billion per year is lost to corruption in the EU, inflicting financial damages, reducing public finances and undermining the trust in democratic institutions; emphasises moreover that the 2011 Resolution of the Parliament on the EU's efforts to combat corruption states that corruption leads to the misuse of public money in general and of EU funds provided by the tax payer and distort the market and calls – along with its Written Declaration 2/2010 – on the Commission and the relevant Union bodies to ensure that the EU funds are not subject to corruption;
Amendment 41 #
2011/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 c (new)
Paragraph 28 c (new)
28c. Welcomes the European Parliament's decision setting up a special committee on organised crime, corruption and money laundering;
Amendment 42 #
2011/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 d (new)
Paragraph 28 d (new)
28d. Welcomes that Malta ratified the Convention on the protection of the EU financial interests on 20 January 2011; regrets that the Convention has not yet been ratified by the Czech Republic and invites the Member State to remedy the situation as soon as possible; invites also Estonia to ratify the Protocol of 29 November 1996 on the interpretation by way of preliminary rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Communities;
Amendment 43 #
2011/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 e (new)
Paragraph 28 e (new)
28e. Reminds that the Hercule II programme is the financial instrument managed by the Commission (OLAF) in the field of the protection of the EU financial interests and the prevention of related criminal activities, including cigarette smuggling; notes that the mid- term evaluation of the Hercule II programme confirmed its added-value; is of the opinion that the successor of this instrument, i.e. the Hercule III programme, should continue to improve technical equipment in the Member States, finance access to databases essential for investigations by Member State authorities and OLAF, and combat cigarette smuggling and counterfeiting in line with the legally binding agreements with tobacco manufacturers;
Amendment 44 #
2011/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 f (new)
Paragraph 28 f (new)
28f. Reiterates its call on the Commission and Member States to design, implement and periodically evaluate uniform systems of procurement to prevent fraud and corruption, to define and implement clear conditions for participation in public procurement, and criteria on which public procurement decisions are made, and also to adopt and implement systems to review public procurement decisions at the national level, to ensure transparency and accountability in public finances, and to adopt and implement risk management and internal control systems;
Amendment 45 #
2011/2154(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 g (new)
Paragraph 28 g (new)
28g. Welcomes the launch in January 2011 of the Commission's Green Paper on the modernisation of EU public procurement policy Towards a more efficient European Procurement Market; notes that the evaluation report on this consultation has been adopted at the end of June 2011 and that in December 2011 the Commission adopted its proposals to reform the basic EU public procurement rules (Directives 2004/17/EC and 2004/18/EC);
Amendment 30 #
2011/2068(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasizes that resource efficiency should be addressed at regional and local level, – taking into account the particularities and different development levels of European regions – and regional and local authorities ands well as civil organizations, citizens and other partners should be directly involved in the planning and implementation of relevant measures; this would lead to a greater feeling of responsibility for the goals of resource efficiency at all levels;
Amendment 2 #
2011/2035(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that the European Court of Auditors has for many years reported that payments in the area of cohesion are affected by an error rate exceeding 5% and that the supervisory and control systems are only partially effective; notes, however, that the error rate is decreasing, as it has been shown by the ECA Annual Report;
Amendment 3 #
2011/2035(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is therefore of the opinion that supervisory and control systems should be substantially strengthenedmade more efficient for the post- 2013 period and attention should be paid to avoid an increase in administrative burdens;
Amendment 5 #
2011/2035(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that a high percentage of errors in cohesion policy occur as a result of complex rules and procedures; calls on the Commission to simplify these, leading to a more efficient system; notes in addition that more attention should be paid to preventive control measures and a clear distinction should be made between errors, irregularity and fraud;
Amendment 10 #
2011/2035(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls, furthermore, for the supervisory role of the Commission to be strengthened by introducing automatic interruption and suspension of payments as soon as well established evidence suggests a significant deficiency in the functioning of the accredited authorities;
Amendment 13 #
2011/2035(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Is finally of the opinion that this should be complemented by a catalogue of sanctions to be borne by Member States and final beneficiaries in case of irregularities.; is further of the opinion that the use of sanctions should be based on clearly defined rules and regulations;
Amendment 40 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the incidence of errors and misuse of funds has been significantly lower in the most recent funding periods; whereas, regrettably, structural policy nonetheless remains an area with a continuing poor record in this respect, and some Member States still lack effective machinery for countering the misuse of funding and recovering money wrongly paid out; whereas it has to be noted that a significant part of the errors in cohesion policy can be attributed to legislative requirements outside cohesion policy such as public procurement, environmental requirements and state aids,
Amendment 53 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas a comprehensive and well- funded European cohesion policy continues to be essential, given the significant imbalances between regional economies and in social terms, as well as specific structural problems and geographical disadvantages, and it is also a requirement under the Lisbon Treaty,
Amendment 115 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that the Union will be able to hold its own in the face of global competition only if its cohesion policy can tap the development potential of all the regions in response to the challenges ofbottlenecks identified by the EU 2020 strategy;
Amendment 140 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Sees macroregional strategies as affording a major opportunity to harness forms of trans-regsupranational potential and adopt a joint approach to challenges stemming from the natural environment, e.g. in relation to environmental protection; considers that better coordination of existing support mechanisms can create scope for more targeted use of the EU Structural Funds;
Amendment 169 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses the key role of towns and cities - including those of the capital cities and regions - in achieving the economic, environmental and social EU 2020 objectives; calls for support for ideas and projects which can serve as models, on the basis of integrated development plans, and for the upgrading of urban-rural links;
Amendment 212 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Sees scope under the Structural Funds for specifically supporting investment in energy infrastructure, although such support must be available onespecially in regions where political or geographical constraints significantly hamper the ability of the market to meet energy-supply needs; calls, too, for support from the Structural Funds to be made contingent in all cases on the adoption of a commercial approach and of compliance with the principle of multi- level governance;
Amendment 216 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Emphasises that the trans-European transport networks play a decisive role in European regional cohesion and that development of TEN infrastructure, Motorways of the Sea and designated E- roads must therefore be stepped up and access to them improved, especially in border regions; suggests that ‘infrastructure’ be accorded more importance as a category of project eligible for support in connec and outermost regions,; suggests that certain crossborder ‘infrastructure’ shall be considered as priority projects eligible to funds of the objective 1, 2 and 3 calls for a obligatory right to make the first proposal of the regional level for this type of action and equal participation withof the third objective of European Territorial Cooperation; border regions and local authorities in the planning;
Amendment 251 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Takes the view that GDP must be retained as the key criterion in the definition of areas eligible for maximum support (those with GDP/PEcapita below 75% of the EU average) and, where appropriate, cohesion countries (GDNP/PEcapita below 90% of the EU average); points out that the competent national authorities must continue to have scope for the use of additional indicators at the relevant decision-making levels;
Amendment 275 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls for Objective 2 (Regional Competitiveness and Employment), which is based on a cross-cutting approach, to be upgradmaintained; stresses that the proven system of innovation clusters and competition for funding needs to be developed further;
Amendment 286 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Takes the view that a general new funding category based on GDP/PEcapita between the 75% and 90% rates would be at odds with the tried and tested principles of EU cohesion policy (to support the weakest and pool the inherent potential of the wealthier regions, taking a cross- cutting approach), and therefore rejects this intermediate category;
Amendment 291 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Takes the unequivocal view that efforts under Objective 3 (European Territorial Cooperation) need to be stepped up at all EU internal borders and at all three levels of such cooperation (cross-border, inter- regional and trans-national) and calls for the relevant share of the Structural Funds to be increased to 7%, which should be allocated to programmes rather than Member States therefore should not be subject to the capping rule; stresses the importance of the border regions in terms of achievement of the EU 2020 objectives; considers there is a need for closer linkage with the TEN networks – in line with European priorities – and with cross-border infrastructure, and calls for a corresponding increase in funding for all border regions;
Amendment 304 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Takes the view that new issue-oriented funds (for climate, energy and transport) would undermine the tried and tested principle of multi-level governance and jeopardise the availability of synergies, the effectiveness of interventions and thus the regions' contribution to the achievement of the EU 2020 objectives;
Amendment 315 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Draws attention to the synergies achievable through integrated approaches, notably linking the ESF and the ERDF, and calls for the option of cross-financing between these funds – specifically with a view to integrated development planning – to be facilitated and allowing for the option of multi-fund programmes;
Amendment 322 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls for a common strategy framework for the ERDF, the ESF, the Cohesion Fund, the EAFRD and the EFF, for the post-2013 funding period; takes the view that the model of a standard regulatory approach (covering administration, eligibility, auditing and reporting rules) must be further strengthened by means of a joint framework regulation;
Amendment 328 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Suggests, in this context, that reintegration of the regionally oriented EAFRD (Axes 3 and 4) programmes be considered, and calls for binding targets to be set for the Member States and the regions in order to establish more standardised arrangements for administering the EU Structural Funds and the regionally oriented rural development programmesalong with the reallocation of resources be considered;
Amendment 339 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Calls, in the interests of efficiency, for the elimination or merger of funds relevant to both regional development and cohesion; recommends that the Globalisation Fund be abandoned as a stand-alone instrument and that appropriate provision for its functions be included in the Social Fund; calls for consideration of whether a merger of the Cohesion Fund, the European Social Fund and the Regional Development Fund would be compatible with the European Treaties; points out that, as a rule, monies from the Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund are spent on the same types of project;
Amendment 360 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Calls for the mandatory involvement of federal Länder and regionsregional and local authorities, in accordance with constitutional and institutional set up of Member States, in drawing up development partnerships and operational programmes; considers it essential to make appropriate provision for this in the regulations governing the Structural Funds;
Amendment 371 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Supports the system of thematic prioriobjectives that the Commission is proposing; points out that the lower the level of development in a Member State or region, the more wide-ranging the list of prioriobjectives there needs to be, taking into account specific regional development needs;
Amendment 380 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Calls, in the event that binding prioriobjectives are set for all Member States, for these to cover innovation, infrastructure and resource management and to be tailored in each case to regions' specific needs; stresses that it must be possible to suggest and pursue additional priorities on a voluntary basis and in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity; calls for suggested priority areaobjectives to include energy, education and training, health and combating poverty;
Amendment 384 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Calls for delays in launching programmes to be avoided and for decision-making and evaluation processes to be expedited as a matter of course; calls, too, for the technical equipmentassistance available to the relevant administrative authorities to be improved and for them to be more closely networked, for disclosure requirements to be reduced, and for a significant shortening of deadlines for putting the necessary expert reports out to tender and for their delivery;
Amendment 404 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Calls for the funding under investment partnerships to be made conditional on the implementation of reformcertain commitments by the Member States, in order to ensure that it is used efficientectively in areas directly related to cohesion policy; considers it fair for such conditions to include, in particular, full implementation of existing EU legislation (e.g. on price regulation, tendering procedures, transport, the environment and health) in order to prevent irregularities and ensure effectiveness; rejects, however, the imposition of conditions requiring Member States to undertake fundamental social and economic reform;
Amendment 426 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Regards co-financing as one of the basic principles of cohesion policy; calls for a review of the percentage ceiling for EU funding – which should take more account of regional development levels, European added value and the types of measure funded and should be raised or lowered accordingly;
Amendment 436 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Considers that the maximum level of support must not exceed 785%, otherwise applications will be driven less by the case for the projects than by the prospect of the funding they can attract; calls for it to be made easier for regions to use private co- financing and market-oriented credit options to cover their share of project financing;
Amendment 450 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Calls, in the case of direct subsidies to undertakings, for it to be recognised that cohesion policy funding, rather than influencing decisions by companies – and particularly bigger companies – to open a plant in a given location, tends to be pocketed by companies which have already taken such decisions (deadweight effect), and calls, therefore, for grant support for private undertakings to focus on investment in research and development or for it to be provided, in more cases, indirectly through infrastructure financing; also calls for clear provisions to be included in the general regulation governing the Structural Funds ruling out EU support for the relocation of undertakings within the Union, and for a substantial lowering of the threshold for review of relocation investments;
Amendment 452 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Recognises the leverage effect of new financial instruments and their potential to mobilise investment, supports increased financing from credit in principle, and calls for the use of revolving financial instruments to be extended to more areas eligible for funding (including research and infrastructure); calls for procedures to be simplified to that end and for a greater degree of legal certainty throughout the entire funding period; takes the view that at the end of a funding period, at the latest, responsibility for how the funds are spent should transfer to national level or project level;
Amendment 490 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Regards post-2013 cohesion and structural policy as the decisive policy arena for cross-sectoral implementation of the EU 2020 strategy and therefore calls for it to be treated at least as generously in budgetary terms it has been as in the current planning periods financing to be at least maintained in budgetary terms;
Amendment 505 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
Amendment 511 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
Paragraph 53
Amendment 521 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
Paragraph 54
54. Calls, in the interests of reducing red tape, for the more general application of standardised procedures, with higher standardised units of cost and declaration of overheads on a flat-rate basis; calls for greater account to be taken of the principle of proportionality, i.e. for the implementation of smaller programmes to be subject to significantly reduced reporting and auditing requirements; believes that there is a need to simplify the currently very complex regulatory framework and that a common interpretation of rules and obligations should be established along with a clear separation of tasks and responsibilities of different bodies at different levels;
Amendment 547 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56
Paragraph 56
56. Supports the Commission's proposal that the N+2 rule should be applied systematically possibly at the level of Member States allocations to provide for more flexibility, except in the first year of funding and that derogations from it should be abolished; considers this will guarantee that a balance is struck between high- quality investment and smooth and speedy programme implementation;
Amendment 40 #
2011/0439(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Public procurement plays a key role in the Europe 2020 strategy16 as one of the market-based instruments to be used to achieve a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth while ensuring the most efficient use of public funds. For that purpose, the current public procurement rules adopted pursuant to Directive 2004/17/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 coordinating the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors17 and Directive 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts18 have to be revised and modernised in order to increase the efficiency of public spending, facilitating in particular the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in public procurement and to enable procurers to make better use of public procurement in support of common societal goals. There is also a neeenable procurers to make better use of public procurement in support of sustainable development and employment and other common societal goals, thereby increasing the efficiency of public spending while ensuring the best possible outcome in cost-benefit ratio terms and facilitating in particular the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in public procurement. There is also a need to simplify Union public procurement rules, particularly with regard to the method to be used to attain the sustainability objectives, which should be included in public procurement policy, and to clarify basic notions and concepts to ensure better legal certainty and to incorporate certain aspects of related well- established case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Amendment 42 #
2011/0439(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Under Articles 9, 10, and 11 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, environmental protection requirements and the concepts underlying 'socially sustainable' production processes must be integrated into the definition and implementation of the Union policies and activities, in particular with a view to promoting sustainable development and, throughout the supply chain, protecting health and public safety and ensuring compliance with social standards and national and European labour laws. This Directive clarifies how the contracting entauthorities may contribute to the protection of the environment and the promotion of sustainable development, whilst and use the discretionary power assigned to them to select the technical specifications and award criteria most likely to achieve socially sustainable public procurement whilst establishing the necessary relation to the subject matter of the contract and ensuring that they can obtain the best value for money for their contracts. .
Amendment 48 #
2011/0439(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) Illicit conduct by participants in a procurement procedure, such as attempts to unduly influence the decision-making process or to enter into agreements with other candidates to manipulate the outcome of the procedure can result in violations of the basic principles of Union law and in serious distortions of competition, as well as infringements of labour, environmental, and public health legislation and actions which violate standards of work,, can result in serious distortions of competition and in violations of the basic principles of Union law. Economic operators shouldare therefore be required to submit a declaration on honour that they do not engage in such illicit activities and should be excluded if this declaration proves to be false.
Amendment 49 #
2011/0439(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 13 a (new)
Recital 13 a (new)
(13a) International labour standards, ILO conventions and recommendations should be duly respected in all phases of the procurement process.
Amendment 50 #
2011/0439(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) Council Decision 94/800/EC of 22 December 1994 concerning the conclusion on behalf of the European Community, as regards matters within its competence, of the Agreements reached in the Uruguay Round multilateral negotiations (1986 to 1994)25 , approved in particular the World Trade Organisation Agreement on Government Procurement, hereinafter referred to as the ‘"Agreement’". The aim of the Agreement is to establish a multilateral framework of balanced rights and obligations relating to public contracts, Member States should endeavour to place Union and third country businesses on an equal footing on the single market with a view to fachievilitating the liberalisation and expansion of world tradeintegration of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and stimulating employment and innovation within the Union. For contracts covered by the Agreement, as well as by other relevant international agreements by which the Union is bound, contracting entauthorities fulfil the obligations under thoseimposed by those various agreements by applying this Directive to economic operators of third countries that are signatories to the agreements.
Amendment 55 #
2011/0439(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 43
Recital 43
(43) Contracts should be awarded on the basis of objective criteria that ensure compliance with the principles of transparency, non-discrimination and equal treatment. Thoese criteria should guarantee that tenders are assessed in conditions of effective competition, also wheret the same time ensuring that contracting entauthorities require high-quality works, supplies and services that are optimally suited to their needs and which include factors linked to socially sustainable production process criteria and decent jobs. As a result, contracting entities should be allowed to adopt as award criteria either ‘'the most economically advantageous tender’' or ‘'the lowest cost’', taking into account that in the latter case they are free to setshould refer to adequate quality standards by using technical specifications or contract performance conditions.
Amendment 69 #
2011/0439(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 1 a (new)
When awarding contracts which, on account of their value, are not covered by this Directive, national contracting entities shall be required to comply with the principles of equal treatment, non- discrimination and transparency.
Amendment 96 #
2011/0439(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 54 – paragraph 3 – point d a (new)
Article 54 – paragraph 3 – point d a (new)
da. the organisation, qualification and experience of the staff assigned to performing the contract in question.
Amendment 102 #
2011/0439(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 70 – paragraph 5
Article 70 – paragraph 5
5. Contracting entities mayshall decide not to award a contract to the tenderer submitting the best tender where they have established that the tender does not comply, at least in an equivalent manner, with obligations established by Union legislation in the field of social and labour law or environmental law with obligations in the field of social and labour law or environmental law established by Union or national legislation or by collective agreements according Member States practices and traditions, or ofby the international social and environmental law provisions listed in Annex XIV.
Amendment 110 #
2011/0439(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 76 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point a a (new)
Article 76 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point a a (new)
(aa) a socially sustainable production process;
Amendment 125 #
2011/0439(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 79 – paragraph 3 – point d a (new)
Article 79 – paragraph 3 – point d a (new)
(da) compliance with rules and standards in the field of health and safety, social law, and labour law.
Amendment 86 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) financial services in connection with the issue, sale, purchase or transfer of securities or other financial instruments within the meaning of Directive 2004/39/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council , financial services necessary for implementation of the financial engineering instruments as defined in Article 44 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1083/2006, central bank services and operations conducted with the European Financial Stability Facility;
Amendment 34 #
2011/0385(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The full consistency between the Union multilateral surveillance framework established by the Treaty and the possible policy conditions attached to this financial assistance, coupled with incentives to promote growth, should be enshrined in Union law. The economic and financial integration of the Member States whose currency is the euro calls for a reinforced surveillance to prevent a contagion from a Member State experiencing difficulties with respect to its financial stability to the rest of the euro area.
Amendment 44 #
2011/0385(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) A decision regarding the non- compliance of a Member State with its adjustment programme could also entail a suspension of payments or commitments of Union funds as provided by Article 21(6) of Regulation (EU) No XXX laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund covered by the common strategic framework and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006,
Amendment 55 #
2011/0385(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5
Article 3 – paragraph 5
5. Where it is concluded - on the basis of the assessment foreseen in paragraph 4 - that further measures are needed and the financial situation of the Member State concerned has significant adverse effects on the financial stability of the euro area, the Council, acting by qualified majorityEuropean Parliament and the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, may recommend to the Member State concerned to seek financial assistance and to prepare a macro-economic adjustment programme. The Council may decide to make this recommendation publicshall act by qualified majority.
Amendment 61 #
2011/0385(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
6. Where a recommendation under paragraph 5 is made public:
Amendment 71 #
2011/0385(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. A Member State receiving financial assistance from one or several other States, the IMF, the EFSF or the ESM shall prepare in agreement with the Commission - acting in liaison with the ECB - a draft adjustment programme aimed at re- establishing a sound and sustainable and employment promoting economic and financial situation and restoring its capacity to finance itself fully on the financial markets. The draft adjustment programme shall take due account of the current recommendations addressed to the Member State concerned under Articles 121, 126 and/or 148 of the Treaty- and its actions to comply with them - while aiming at broadening, strengthening and deepening the required policy measures.
Amendment 74 #
2011/0385(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. The Council, acting by qualified majorityEuropean Parliament and the Council , on a proposal from the Commission, shall approve the adjustment programme. The Council shall act by qualified majority.
Amendment 77 #
2011/0385(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 4
Article 6 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission - in liaison with the ECB - shall examine with the Member State concerned the changes that may be needed to its adjustment programme. The Council, acting by a qualified majorityEuropean Parliament and the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, shall decide on any change to be made to the adjustment programme. The Council shall act by a qualified majority
Amendment 80 #
2011/0385(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 5
Article 6 – paragraph 5
5. If the monitoring referred to in paragraph 3 highlights significant deviations from the macro-economic adjustment programme, the Council, acting by qualified majorityEuropean Parliament and the Council , on a proposal from the Commission, may decide that the Member State concerned does not comply with the policy requirements contained in the adjustment programme. The Council shall act by qualified majority.
Amendment 87 #
2011/0385(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 a (new)
Article 10 a (new)
Article 10 a Compatibility with the right to negotiate and to take industrial action In accordance with EU law and with national laws and practices, macro- economic adjustment programmes in the context of this Regulation shall not interfere with the right of workers and of employers, or of their respective bodies, to negotiate and sign collective agreements at the appropriate levels and to defend these agreements to take collective actions, including strike actions.
Amendment 79 #
2011/0302(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) transport: EUR 31 694 000 000, out of which EUR 10 000 000 000 shall be transferred from the Cohesion Fund to be spent in line wiould be earmarked to finance transport projects on the this Regulation inransport core network in the Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund;
Amendment 96 #
2011/0302(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 7
Article 8 – paragraph 7
7. Non-refundable VAT shall not be an eligible cost.
Amendment 337 #
2011/0302(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) transport: [EUR 31 694 000 000], out of which [EUR 10 000 000 000] shall be transferred from the Cohesion Fund to be spent in line wiould be earmarked to finance transport projects on the this Regulation inransport core network in the Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund;
Amendment 400 #
2011/0302(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 7
Article 8 – paragraph 7
7. Non-refundable VAT shall not be an eligible cost.
Amendment 190 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) For the Partnership ContracAgreement and each programme respectively, a Member State should organise a partnership with the represenby concluding a partnership agreement with the competent regional and local authorities. Member Statives should alsof comopetent regional, local, urban andrate, in accordance with their institutional, legal and financial framework, with economic and social partners, other public authorities, economic and social partners, and bodies representing civil society, including environmental partners, non-governmental organisations, and bodies responsible for promoting equality and non-discrimination. The purpose of such a partnership is to respect the principle of multi-level governance, ensure the ownership of planned interventions by stakeholders and build on the experience and know-how of relevant actors. The Commission should be empowered to adopt delegated acts providing for a code of conduct in order to ensure that partners are involved in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Partnership ContracAgreements and programmes in a consistent manner. (The amendment "Partnership Agreement" applies throughout the text.)
Amendment 206 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) In order to achieve the targets and objectives of the Union strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, the CSF Funds should focus their support on a limited number of common thematic objectives, which leave sufficient scope for flexibility in order to accommodate the specific needs of regions and give adequate responses to them . The precise scope of each of the CSF Funds should be set out in Funds- specific rules and may be limited to only some of the thematic objectives defined in this Regulation.
Amendment 305 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 58
Recital 58
Amendment 311 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 59
Recital 59
(59) As regards the Funds and with a view to ensuring an appropriate allocation to each category of regions, resources should not be transferred between less developed, transition and more developed regions except in duly justified circumstances linked to the delivery of one or more thematic objectives and for no more than 2 % of the total appropriation for that category of region.
Amendment 312 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 59
Recital 59
(59) As regards the Funds and with a view to ensuring an appropriate allocation to each category of regions, resources should not be transferred between less developed, transition and more developed regions except in duly justified circumstances linked to the delivery of one or more thematic objectives and for no more than 26 % of the total appropriation for that category of region.
Amendment 325 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 73
Recital 73
(73) It is necessary to determine the elements for modulating the co-financing rate from the Funds to operational programmes, in particular, to increase the multiplier effect of Union resources. It is also necessary to establish the maximum rates of co-financing by category of region in order to ensure respect of the principle of co-financing through an appropriate level of national supportboth public and private national support. Current national co-financing rates should not be raised in the present economic situation which already poses numerous challenges for the regions. In capital regions which are the only more developed region in a Member State, more flexibility should be provided for.
Amendment 348 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 88
Recital 88
(88) In order to supplement and amend certain non-essential elements of this Regulation, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission in respect of a code of conduct containing recommendations and best practices on the objectives and criteria to support the implementation of partnership, the adoption of a Common Strategic Framework, additional rules on the allocation of the performance reserve,methodology used to provide information on the support for climate change objectives, the minimum criteria for the definition of the area and population covered by the local development strategies, detailed rules on financial instruments (ex ante assessment, combination of support, eligibility, types of activities not supported), the rules on certain types of financial instruments set up at national, regional, transnational or cross- border level, rules concerning funding agreethe minimum provisions to be included in funding agreements and strategy documents, transfer and management of assets, the arrangements for management and control, the rules on payment requests, and establishment of a system of capitalisation of annual instalments, the definition of the flat rate for revenue generating operations, the definition of the flat rate applied to indirect costs for grants based on existing methods and corresponding rates applicable in Union policies, the responsibilities of Member States concerning the procedure for reporting irregularities and recovery of sums unduly paid, the modalities of exchange of information of operations, the arrangements for the adequate audit trail, the conditions of national audits, the rules concerning the use of data collected during audits, the accreditation criteria for managing authorities and certifying authorities, the identification of commonly accepted data carriers, and the criteria for establishing the level of financial correction to be applied. The Commission should also be empowered to amend Annex V in order to address future adaptation needs. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level.
Amendment 374 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 2 – paragraph 2 – point 19
Part 1 – article 2 – paragraph 2 – point 19
(19) 'category of regions' means the categorisation of regions as 'less developed regions', 'transition regions' or 'more developed regions' according to Article 82(2);
Amendment 434 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 5 – paragraph 3
Part 2 – article 5 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 142 to provide for a European code of conduct that lays downA European code of conduct shall be provided for containing recommendations and best practices on the objectives and criteria to support the implementation of partnership and to facilitate the sharing of information, experience, results and good practices among Member States. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 142 to provide for this European code of conduct.
Amendment 445 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 7 – title
Part 2 – article 7 – title
Promotion of equality between men and women opportunities and non- discrimination
Amendment 456 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 7 – paragraph 2
Part 2 – article 7 – paragraph 2
The Member States and the Commission shall take appropriate steps to prevent any discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation during the preparation and implementation of programmes. In particular, accessibility for disabled persons should be taken into consideration, where appropriate, in the preparation, programming and implementation of programmes.
Amendment 517 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 9 – paragraph 2
Part 2 – article 9 – paragraph 2
Thematic objectives shall be translated into priorities specific to each CSF Fund and set out in the Fund-specific rules. Investment priorities should be considered sub- objectives which determine in a more specific way focal areas where development is necessary but which provide enough flexibility for the realization of developments that are in line with the real needs of the different types of territories.
Amendment 883 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 35 – paragraph 2
Part 2 – article 35 – paragraph 2
Amendment 888 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 35 – paragraph 3
Part 2 – article 35 – paragraph 3
Amendment 1002 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 47 – paragraph 2
Part 2 – article 47 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall provide the resources necessary for carrying out evaluations, and shall ensure that procedures are in place to produce and collect the data necessary for evaluations, including data related to common and where appropriate programme-specific indicators. Both evaluations and data collection shall be eligible for support under Technical Assistance.
Amendment 1006 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 47 – paragraph 4
Part 2 – article 47 – paragraph 4
4. AThe final report of all evaluations shall be made public in their entirety.
Amendment 1095 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 59 – paragraph 3 – point c
Part 2 – article 59 – paragraph 3 – point c
(c) recoverable value added tax. However, VAT amounts shall be eligible where they are not recoverable under national VAT legislation and are paid by a beneficiary other than non-taxable person as defined in the first subparagraph of Article 13(1) of Directive 2006/112/EC, provided that such VAT amounts are not incurred in relation to the provision of infrastructure.
Amendment 1191 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Resources for the Investment for growth and jobs goal shall be allocated among the following threewo categories of NUTS level 2 regions:
Amendment 1193 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Amendment 1194 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) more developed regions, whose GDP per capita is above 9075 % of the average GDP of the EU-27.
Amendment 1278 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 3
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 3
Amendment 1289 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 4
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 4
Amendment 1310 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 6
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 6
Amendment 1320 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 85 – paragraph 1
Part 3 – article 85 – paragraph 1
1. The total appropriations allocated to each Member State in respect of less developed regions, transition regions and more developed regions shall not be transferable between each of those categories of regions.
Amendment 1330 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 85 – paragraph 2
Part 3 – article 85 – paragraph 2
2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the Commission may accept, in duly justified circumstances which are linked to the implementation of one or more thematic objectives, a proposal by a Member State in its first submission of the Partnership Contract to transfer up to 26% of the total appropriation for a category of regions to other categories of regions.
Amendment 1334 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 86 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Part 3 – article 86 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
In those Member States in which less developed and transition regions cover at least 70 % of the population, the verification shall take place at national level.
Amendment 1335 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 86 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 3
Part 3 – article 86 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 3
In those Member States in which less developed and transition regions cover more than 15 % and less than 70 % of the population, the verification shall take place at national and regional level. For that purpose, those Member States shall provide to the Commission information about the expenditure in the less developed and transition regions at each stage of the verification process.
Amendment 1430 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 88 – paragraph 2
Part 3 – article 88 – paragraph 2
2. The ERDF and the ESF may finance, in a complementary manner and subject to a limit of 15 % of Union funding for each priority axis of an operational programme, a part of an operation for which the costs are eligible for support from the other Fund on the basis of eligibility rules applied to that Fund, provided that they are necessary for the satisfactory implementation of the operation and are directly linked to it.
Amendment 1606 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 110 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Part 3 – article 110 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Amendment 208 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e – indent 1 (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e – indent 1 (new)
- investment in economic, social and environmental regeneration of urban areas.
Amendment 308 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
By derogation from point (a) (i),and (ii), in those regions whose GDP per capita for the 2007-13 period was less than 75% of the average GDP of the EU-25 for the reference period but which are eligible under the category of transition or more developed regions as defined in Article 82(2)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) No [ ]/2012 [CPR] in the 2014-2020 period, and for capital regions of Member States eligible under Article 82(3) of Regulation (EU) No [ ]/2012[CPR] in the 2014-2020 period, at least 60% of the total ERDF resources at national level shall be allocated to each of the thematic objectives set in out in points 1, 3 and 4 of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No […]/2012 [CPR] of which at least 10 percentage points should be allocated for point 4 of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No [...]/2012 [CPR]. The ERDF resources allocated according to point 1 of Article 4 can be reduced by the amount equal to resources allocated from the Cohesion Fund to the thematic objective set out in point 4 of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No [...]/2012 [CPR] allocated pro-rata to the different categories of regions based on populations.
Amendment 16 #
2011/0274(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The Union may, through the Cohesion Fund, contribute to actions in pursuit of the Union's environmental objectives specified in Articles 11 and 191 of the Treaty. In this context, the Fund may also intervene in areas related to sustainable development which clearly present environmental benefits, namely energy efficiency and renewable energy and, in the transport sector outside the trans- European networks, rail, river and sea transport, intermodal transport systems and their interoperability, management of road, sea, river and air traffic, sustainable urban mobility and public transport.
Amendment 39 #
2011/0274(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) housing, except for promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy use.
Amendment 54 #
2011/0274(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – point a – subpoint iii
Article 3 – point a – subpoint iii
(iii) supporting energy efficiency and renewable energy use in public infrastructures and in the housing sector;
Amendment 10 #
2011/0273(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 5
Article 7 – paragraph 5
5. The participating Member States and third countries or territories, where applicable, shall confirm in writing their agreement to the contents of a cooperation programme prior to its submission to the Commission. This agreement shall also include a commitment of all participating Member States to provide the co-financing necessary to implement the cooperation programme. The agreement of all participating countries is also necessary in the event of an amendment of the cooperation programme in accordance with Article 26 of Regulation (EU) No [...]/2012 [the CPR].
Amendment 173 #
2011/0273(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) at least 80% of the total ERDF allocation at the operational programme level shall be allocated for up to 45 thematic objectives which shall be selected for each cross-border cooperation programme;
Amendment 179 #
2011/0273(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) at least 80% of the total ERDF allocation at the operational programme level shall be allocated for up to 46 thematic objectives which shall be selected for each transnational cooperation programme;
Amendment 132 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
(iii) Enhancing access to lifelong learning and affordable, sustainable and high- quality cultural services, upgrading the skills and competences of the workforce and increasing the labour market relevance of education and training systems;
Amendment 151 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point vi a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point vi a (new)
(vi a) sport as physical activity helping to lead a healthy lifestyle;
Amendment 161 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
(ii) Capacity building for stakeholders delivering employment, education, health care and social policies and sectoral and territorial pacts to mobilise for reform at national, regional and local level.
Amendment 207 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. As a derogation from the provisions set out in point (a) and (b), for the capital regions of Member States eligible under Article 82(3) of Regulation (EU) No [ ]/2012 [CPR] in the 2014-2020 period, the above percentages shall be decreased by 10 percentage points.
Amendment 300 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. Member States shall pursue thematic concentration according to the following modalities; in substantiated cases of regional and subregional needs, exceptions can be made and Member States can differ from those modalities in order to gain more flexibility:
Amendment 160 #
2010/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that Member States are themselves responsible for making adequate pension provision for their citizens as part of their social and economic policies, and to choose the system that seems to them the most appropriate of the models currently available in Europe;
Amendment 174 #
2010/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that, within the diversity of pension systems, the general systems (first pillar) combined with voluntary or compulsory savings- or work-related systems (second and third pillars) afford the best guarantee of adequate pension provision;
Amendment 180 #
2010/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Is absolutely convinced that the Member States’ governments have an obligation to use all the means at their disposal to safeguard the long-term funding and sustainability of the main pillar of retirement schemes, namely the first pillar based on the compulsory contribution paid to the State;
Amendment 182 #
2010/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Is persuaded that in view of the different features of existing retirement schemes in Europe the first pillar managed by the State and the third pillar based on the supplementary and voluntary aspect (and on savings by individuals) complement each other effectively, represent the main common denominator in the range of diversified systems existing in Europe and thus represent the basis for a ‘European model’ pension scheme, which any Member State is free to supplement with other elements and develop as it sees fit, in accordance with the particular features of its own economic and social environment;
Amendment 183 #
2010/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)
Paragraph 12 c (new)
12c. Takes the view, with regard to the experience of recent decades, that work- related retirement schemes – whether compulsory or voluntary in nature – have not and cannot play more than a secondary role in the vast majority of Member States compared to the first pillar; considers, therefore, that solutions for securing the long-term funding of the first pillar must take absolute priority and that it would be inadvisable at present, before such solutions have been identified, to launch a European debate on promoting work-related retirement schemes in Member States which do not yet have that pillar;
Amendment 200 #
2010/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that national budgets are under severe pressure and that many Member States are reviewing the efficiency of expenditure; calls on Member States to consider introducing compensation so that all taxpayers who cannot achieve the level of ambition in the first and second pillars are entitled to a supplementary offset of pension contributions in the second pillar or of contributions to private pension schemes in the third pillar; notes that this could also help Member States to establish a three-pillar structure;
Amendment 307 #
2010/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Supports, in accordance with the 2020 Strategy, a targeted and active labour market policy which will lead to increased participation in employment on the part of older workers, women, disabled people, members of minority groups and the long- term unemployed;
Amendment 351 #
2010/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Notes that, in the first pillar, pension entitlements are governed by the relevant coordinating Regulation, but that, for second-pillar pensionspensions not covered by the first pillar, arrangements are needed to ensure portability;
Amendment 360 #
2010/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Considers that, because of the diversity and complexity of the various second-pillar systems, conditions need to be laid down concerning the portability of acquired pension entitlements in the sense that portability begins when new contracts are concluded, an application for transfer being approved only if the actuarial sum transferred is to be placed in a fund whose purpose is payment of old-age pensions; considers that tax must be calculated and paid in the Member State where the entitlements have been accumulated;
Amendment 381 #
2010/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Notes that in many Member States the importance of second-pillar pension provision linked to a profession has been recognised, and that it must also be ensured that such provision meets European conditions and criteria applicable to second-pillar provision;
Amendment 383 #
2010/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Considers that the second pillar must bein Member States which have set up compulsory pension schemes linked to a profession, it would be advisable to make this second pillar available to all employees by right, without any discrimination on grounds of sex, sector and/or employment contract;
Amendment 395 #
2010/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
Amendment 420 #
2010/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. SWith a view to ensuring that pensions are portable, supports the establishment of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA); stresses the need to equip it so that it can perform effectively the tasks entrusted to it;
Amendment 426 #
2010/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Stresses the importance of using a uniform methodology to calculCalls on the Commission to change the current rules so thate the part of the national debt which is due to pension-related obligationfull cost of pension scheme reforms is taken into account when calculating Member States’ debts and budget deficits;
Amendment 441 #
2010/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Considers that the information provided to individual members of the public in Member States and by funds concerning the accumulated entitlements commonly recorded in a national pensions register should be linkshould be incorporated into a system established at European level;
Amendment 444 #
2010/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Considers that, when pension provision is reformed, or when there is a changeover from a promised pension to a promised pension arrangement, or from a final salary to a mean salary systemthere is any kind of reform to pension provision, the public must be promptly and fully informed of the consequences;
Amendment 6 #
2010/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Takes the view that cohesion policy is an important componentbut not the only tool for the implementation of the EU 2020 strategy and that a sound cohesion policy is the prerequisite for successful joint action by the EU as it contributes to a better ownership of EU2020 objectives at regional and local level and allows for a consolidation of strategic goals and local needs with potential on the ground; emphasises that objectives that are included in the Lisbon Treaty but are not part of EU2020 goals should also be achieved and the relationship between the objectives of the EU2020 Strategy and other objectives should be clarified;
Amendment 48 #
2010/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Draws the attention to the fact that the means of achieving greater competitiveness depend on the specificities of each region including the development levels thereof, and therefore due account has to be given to providing flexibility to Member States and regions to draw up the best policy mixes;
Amendment 50 #
2010/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Endorses the view that that the ESF must remain an integral component of cohesion policy and be strengthenedthat operational integration should exist between the ERDF and the ESF, their resources should be used in a more coordinated manner in order to allow for integrated and more effective delivery; calls for greater coordination with cohesion policy measures so that rural regions can be properly involved and resources used more efficiently;
Amendment 59 #
2010/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Insists, in keeping with a spirit of solidarity, on specific support for the EU- 27‘s most disadvantaged regions within Objective 1; stresses, at the same time, the need for a powerful Objective 2 and sounds well as the drawing up of appropriate transitional rules;
Amendment 70 #
2010/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Points out that funds must be spent transparently, effectively and efficiently in the regions, cities and municipalities on the basis of rules that are as simple as possible and sound management; in view of what it calls for the reduction of complexity and administrative burdens.
Amendment 76 #
2010/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Insists that, in future, expenditure control should be streamlined and more result-oriented in order not to put excessive administrative burden on final beneficiaries;
Amendment 80 #
2010/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that a five-year period is too short, since authorisation procedures would be much too long and would not make it possible to use resources efficiently; points to the fact that a seven-year period has proved its worth in the past and that the programming period should in no circumstances be shorter; underscores the fact that a seven-year period, until 2020, would make the link with the EU 2020 strategy clearor even longer multiannual financial framework (MFF) period, would safeguard the efficiency;
Amendment 88 #
2010/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses that cofinancing and the n+2 and n+3 rules should be maintained, possibly combined with greater flexibility to cover exceptional situations which might be expected to arise within the next programming period; insists that unspent funds should be made available for other regions and not returned tof the Member States concerned;
Amendment 90 #
2010/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. demands a proposal with the aim of stricter financial sanctions for Member States which do not adhere to the stability criteria, and considers thereby stronger automatisms;
Amendment 91 #
2010/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Points out that monies from funds set up in connection with cohesion policy must not be used, under the Stability and Growth Pact, as a means of ‘punishment’; that would be counterproductive for the regions and Member States affected and the EU; points to the fact that such measures would treat Member States and regions unequally as they would punish the poorest the most;
Amendment 93 #
2010/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Points out that monies from funds set up in connection with cohesion policy must not be used, under the Stability and Growth Pact, as a means of ‘punishment’; that would be counterproductive for the regions and Member States affected and the EUffected;
Amendment 96 #
2010/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Acknowledges that irregularities in the use of structural funds occur mostly and especially in Member States which repeatedly and intensely violate the stability criteria;
Amendment 97 #
2010/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16 b. Demands that, for Member States where violation of stability criteria coincides with higher irregularities in the use of structural funds, a proposal on automatic regulation be put forward, which put these countries under an intensive European financial and management control concerning the use of EU structural funds;
Amendment 102 #
2010/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. PStresses particularly stresses the fact that cohesion policy is the only European policy which can play not only an ‘intelligent’, but also, which is at the same time intelligent and ‘environmentally- friendly’ and a ‘unifying’ role within the can play a crucial role in the attainment of EU2020 objectives, in spite of the fact that it is by no means the only responsible for the achievement of EU 2020 strategygoals, given that all policy fields have to make a contribution; points out that this provides further clear evidence of the importance of cohesion policy as a whole, and rejects any fragmentation of this policy across various budget headings.;
Amendment 2 #
2010/2160(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Draws attention to the fact that social and economic cohesion and territorial cohesion are fundamental principles in determining all EU policies and activities, as laid down in Article 7 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), and that their implementation should take due account of the provisions of Article 9 of the TFEU;
Amendment 12 #
2010/2160(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Acknowledges that cohesion policy's integrated approach, that harmonises different sectoral aims with the needs and potentials of regions, is a precious feature that contributes to its effectiveness; therefore it needs to be maintained and further strengthened;
Amendment 13 #
2010/2160(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that the difficulties created by the economic crisis should prompt the Commission to submit without delay a proposal for the reformvision of the Structural Funds that is ambitious and consistent with the objectives laid down by the Europe 2020 strategy and takes due account, among other things, of the needs and possibilities of Member States and regions, as well as of those positions expressed in Parliament's resolution A7- 0267/2010;
Amendment 18 #
2010/2160(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that, to ensure the success of the Europe 2020 strategy, EU social and territorial cohesion policies should be closely interconnected within a new framework establishing strong synergies between EU policies and all the structural funds; stresses that the European Social Fund is the onlymain instrument specifically aimed at the labour market and social inclusion and that it therefore needs be strengthenn order to increase the effectiveness of actions, stronger synergies with the ERDF need to be ensured;
Amendment 28 #
2010/2160(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to fincrease the ESF's contributiond an appropriate place for the ESF in the context of the future architecture of the Structural Funds in order to allow for the better execution of integrated measures; considers that the ESF should be brought under a regulation and a basic strategic framework laying down general provisions on the cohesion and structural funds, while maintaining its own rules, and operational and funding arrangementsflexible arrangements to suit the specificities of measures financed from different funds; emphasizes that clear and simple rules that allow for a more coordinated use of ERDF and ESF resources should be drawn up by the Commission;
Amendment 32 #
2010/2160(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Believes that the development of human resources and a better dissemination of information is a precondition for the successful absorption of funds and for the accurate realization of different projects;
Amendment 33 #
2010/2160(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Considers it important to promote the adaptation of workers' skills to the demands of the labour market and to adapt lifelong-learning programmes to the promotion of future-oriented jobs in a rapidly evolving knowledge society;
Amendment 34 #
2010/2160(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Draws attention to the role that the European Regional Development Fund plays in the effective use of the European Social Fund, given that the ERDF is responsible for the creation of conditions such as proper infrastructure and adequate accessibility, without which employment-related investments cannot be efficient;
Amendment 41 #
2010/2160(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Commission to submit a proposal for reformvision of the Structural Funds with a view to streamlining procedures and rules for their use, improving the monitoring and evaluation system and enhancing the transparency of fund allocation in order to makeand visibility of the EU's cohesion policies more visible.
Amendment 6 #
2010/2142(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. In the context of the revision of the Financial Regulation, stresses the need to harmonise rules and management schemes for cohesion programmes under shared management; notes that anynotes that some governance problems between the Financial Regulation and the cohesion regulations can be avoided by better alignment of eligibility rules across various policies;
Amendment 4 #
2010/2088(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas GDP, while an important indicator of economic growth, is totally inadequate as an instrument for guiding policy to meet the challenges of the 21st century,
Amendment 64 #
2010/2088(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Stresses that although national authorities can apply at the appropriate level of decision-making other indicators which take into account the specific attributes of regions and cities, at EU level GDP must remain the main criterion for determining the eligibility for regional policy assistance.
Amendment 68 #
2010/2088(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Considers that GDP must remain the main criterion for determining the eligibility for regional policy assistance, leaving room - in agreement with the principle of subsidiarity - for national authorities to apply at the appropriate level of decision making other indicators which take into account the specific attributes of regions and cities, so that the wisdom of national expertise meets the central EU level objectives;
Amendment 5 #
2010/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. considers that EU cohesion policy plays a crucial role in developing the job potential of a sustainable economy, as it helps eliminate regional differences and create a society with full employment; stresses that the European Structural Funds can encourage the regions to take initiatives to create new, sustainable jobs, particularly in some peripheral and border regions which are increasingly faced with the challenges caused by unemployment;
Amendment 20 #
2010/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. recognises the important role of local and regional authorities in the education and training of young people, which forms the basis for the acquisition of further skills; points out that the general conditions governing education and further training in many countries are the responsibility of the regional authorities; therefore encourages the regions to use the Structural Funds to create sustainable jobs in the fields of local transport, urban mobility and, higher education and research and development;
Amendment 24 #
2010/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. highlights the added value of the life- long learning idea and calls on the Member States to conduct a thorough mapping of local potentials in order to organize demand driven trainings, matching the available resources with the actual needs and to re-establish the prestige of vocational secondary education via providing high standard education, particularly in regions where local potentials and traditional work areas require special skills and knowledge to be fully developed; calls on the Commission to provide the Member States with sufficient technical support on how to map the local needs and notes that vocational secondary schools of high level standard could contribute to reduce graduate unemployment and lead to sustainable employment;
Amendment 29 #
2010/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. stresses the importance of the geographical mobility of workers in accordance with the Treaties; recognises that an improvement in mobility through good local transport increases access to job opportunities; therefore encourages the regions to use resources from the Structural Funds for infrastructure measures; , and that the resulting multiplier effect is particularly important in border regions affected by high unemployment; therefore encourages the regions, and the local and regional administrations, authorities and NGOs in border areas, to use resources from the Structural Funds for infrastructure measures carried out in the context of national and inter-regional cooperation programmes;
Amendment 48 #
2010/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. reiterates its support for the pilot project ‘Erasmus for elected local and regional representatives’, which could help local and regional authorities, and in particular elected representatives from border regions, to exchange best- practice models and could also have a multiplier effect in the area of labour market policy.
Amendment 280 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 29 – paragraph -1 (new)
Part 1 – article 29 – paragraph -1 (new)
When presenting revised or new spending proposals, the Commission shall estimate the cost of administrative and control systems as well as a tolerable risk of errors with the proposed legislation per funds.
Amendment 282 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 29 – paragraph 1
Part 1 – article 29 – paragraph 1
The Legislative authority shall, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 322 of the TFEU,in cooperation with the European Court of Auditors shall provide an objective and widely accepted definition for errors, irregularities and fraud and decide on a level of tolerable risk of error at an appropriate aggregation of the budget. That decision shall be taken into account during the annual discharge procedure, in accordance with Article 157(2).
Amendment 310 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 1
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 1
1. Where the Commission implements the budget by shared management, implementation tasks shall be delegated to Member States. These shall respect the principles of sound financial management, transparency and non-discrimination and ensure the visibility of Union action when they manage Union funds. To this end, the Commission and the Member States shall fulfil the control and audit obligations and assume the resulting responsibilities laid down in this Regulation. Complementary provisions may be laid down in sector- specific rules.
Amendment 315 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall prevent, detect and correct irregularities and fraud when executing tasks related to the implementation of the budget. To this end they shall carry out, in accordance with the principle of proportionality and in compliance with the relevant sector- specific rules, ex ante and ex post controlhecks including, where appropriate, on the spot checks on representative samples of transactions, to ensure that the actions financed from the budget are effectively carried out and implemented correctly,. They shall also recover funds unduly paid and bring legal proceedings as necessary.
Amendment 317 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Member States shall impose effective, dissuasive and proportionate penalties on recipients aswhere provided for in sector- specific rules and without prejudice to specific provisions in national legislation.
Amendment 319 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 321 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 323 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
Amendment 327 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
4. Bodies accredited pursuant to paragraph 3 of this ArticleMember States at the appropriate level shall:
Amendment 329 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 4 – point b
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 4 – point b
(b) use an annual accounting system providing accurate, complete and reliable information in a timely manner;
Amendment 331 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 4 – point c
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 4 – point c
Amendment 333 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 4 – point d
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 4 – point d
(d) ensure, in conformity with Article 31(2), annual ex post publication of recipients of Union funds; in conformity with Article 31(2); and
Amendment 335 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 4 – point f
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 4 – point f
(f) ensure a protection of personal data which satisfiesin conformity with the principles laid down in Directive 95/46/EC.
Amendment 338 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Amendment 339 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) their accounts drawn up for the expenditure made in the execution of the tasks entrustedaccounting information at an aggregated level on the expenditure made in the execution of the tasks entrusted and presented to the Commission for reimbursement and sums disbursed for which recovery procedures are underway. This information shall be accompanied by a statement of management responsibilities confirming that, in the opinion of those in charge of the management of the funds: - this information is properly presented, complete and accurate; - the expenditure has been used for its intended purpose, as defined in the sector- specific rules; - the control procedures put in place give the necessary guarantees concerning the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions;
Amendment 340 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) a summary of the results of all available audits and controls carried outfinal audit reports, including an analysis of systematic or recurrent weaknesses as well as corrective actions taken or planned;
Amendment 341 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Amendment 342 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Amendment 343 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 345 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Amendment 346 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Amendment 347 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Amendment 349 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 1 #
2009/2243(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the renewed Lisbon strategy gives high priority to research and innovation so as to respond to challenges such as climate change and increasing global competition; whereas in the post- crisis era stimulating growth and jobs through research and innovation has become ever more important, constituting a core target of the proposed EU 2020 Strategy,
Amendment 3 #
2009/2243(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas European support for research and innovation is primarily provided through research, innovation and cohesion policy, the mainprimary instruments of these being the Structural Funds, the Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7) and the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) and which are supported to a significant degree by the Structural Funds,
Amendment 6 #
2009/2243(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Appreciates that, forin 2007-2013, in conformity with the second Community Strategic Guideline on cohesion, all Member States devoted a significant amount of their total financial allocations to R&D, innovation and development of a knowledge-based economy, resulting in 246 National or Regional Operational Programmes with around EUR 86 billion allocated to research and innovation;
Amendment 8 #
2009/2243(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Appreciates that, for 2007-2013, all Member States devoted a significant amount of their total financial allocations to R&D, innovation and development of a knowledge-based economy, resulting in 246 National or Regional Operational Programmes with around EUR 86 billion allocated to research and innovation; points out that, in the interests of effectiveness, there is a need to determine binding expenditure which is proportional to GDP or as a percentage within the Structural Funds in terms of the amounts allocated to research and development spending;
Amendment 9 #
2009/2243(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Regrets the fact that the research and development funds will be boosted not by drawing on new funds but by transfers between cohesion policy funds;
Amendment 8 #
2009/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes with satisfaction that, in compliance with the ETI requirements, interactive maps providing links to the lists of ERDF and Cohesion Fund beneficiaries available on the respective national or regional websites are published on the website of the Commission’s Directorate General for Regional Policy; notes that it remains, nevertheless, extremely difficult for interested parties to keep track of how public money is being used;
Amendment 10 #
2009/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to make these Member State databases fully searchable and compatible, so as to facilitate an EU-wide overview of the data presented, while preserving their local relevance; is of the view that, in this respect, there is an urgent need for dual-language versions (local language(s)-English) should be considered;
Amendment 19 #
2009/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Asks that, for programmes under the European Territorial Cooperation objective, all beneficiaries – and not only the lead beneficiaries – be listed; asks that the data in the relevant Community databases appear in a structured, comparable way in the interests of genuine transparency;
Amendment 38 #
2009/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Urges auditors to take a tougher line on communication and information requirements, including ‘naming and shaming’ – particularly if a governmental actor is involved – and the use of financial corrections in cases of non-compliance;
Amendment 52 #
2009/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for the timely publication of online information, including direct access to project documentation (application, feasibility study, cost-benefit analysis, environmental impact assessment, etc.) on major projects, as soon as possible after the Commission receives an application for funding from a Member State and before it takes any decision on financing; this Commission webpage should allow the submission of comments regarding such projects; asks that, before taking decisions on financing, the Commission be obliged to make a statement on the comments and take them into account when taking its decisions;
Amendment 53 #
2009/2232(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a Calls for information on major projects approved or submitted for approval in the 2007-2013 programming period to be published on the internet with retroactive effect;
Amendment 8 #
2009/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes, in particular, the fact that the Strategy is the result of broad consultation with interested parties in the Member States, including not only national, regional and local authorities but also the academic and business communities as well as NGOs, showing that the consultation process and the inclusion of partners from the very beginning of work on the Strategy is an important factor in its success, and therefore recommends increasing the local community’s involvement by opening up wider and more powerful communication and consultation also through the local media (local TV, radio and printed and online newspapers);
Amendment 20 #
2009/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the need for an environmental impact assessment of the Northern Gas Pipeline and other similar projects as well as the need to ensure that the construction of the pipeline does not affect shipping conditions adversely; in the interest of sustainable development and green growth it is important to achieve strong environmental protection in all macro-regions, as well as equal consideration for environmental protection, travel and other aspects;
Amendment 51 #
2009/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Member States and regions to take advantage of the Structural Funds available for 2007-2013 in order to ensure maximum support for the Strategy, while understanding the difficulties associated withand, at the same time, recommends, if necessary, possibly modifying the Operational Programmes in the current programming period;
Amendment 52 #
2009/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Member States and regions to take advantage of the Structural Funds available for 2007-2013 in order to ensure maximum support for the Strategy, in particular to assist the creation of job opportunities and economic growth in areas most affected by the economic crisis, while understanding the difficulties associated with modifying the Operational Programmes in the current programming period;
Amendment 62 #
2009/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Considers that all actions regarding sector policies with a territorial dimension are of key importance to the Strategy’s success and the achievement of the ambitious goals of further micro-regional strategies, including the common agricultural policy, fisheries policy and industrial policy, as well as combining available funds intended for jointly defined goals in a given area; in this context a policy review should be carried out with regard to these new challenges and appropriate organisational structures put in place at EU level that are in harmony with the relevant strategies of the EU Member States and cooperate closely with the appropriate Member State institutions;
Amendment 75 #
2009/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Considers that territorial cooperation developed as part of a strategy for macro- regions can lead to a significant strengthening of the integration process through the greater involvement of civil society in the decision-making process and the implementation of concrete actions; in this context the implementation of social, cultural and tourism elements are recommended for macro-regional strategies, and, in order to strengthen local civil society participation and subsidiarity, also considers it important to promote macro-regional strategies by setting up EGTCs;
Amendment 79 #
2009/2230(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Emphasises the importance of promoting the development of education and research as well as encouraging the Member States to enter into close cooperation in these areas; recommends the strengthening of the strategic approach and long-term planning in respect of macro-regions. In this respect it is important to define and discuss extensively the future image the macro- region wishes to promote and the strategic developments it wishes to implement in order to achieve this;
Amendment 2 #
2009/2175(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Points out that although local and regional authorities are amongst Europe's largest purchasers and therefore play an essential role in implementing public procurement rules, there is a general lack of legal expertise, appropriate training and guidelines on procurement within sub- national authorities; calls on the Member States to set up training courses on public procurement rules (including specific aspects, such as social, environmental, diversity and equality criteria) and to encourage the use of ICTs to improve the understanding of those rules and the administrative capabilities of local and regional authorities; in this context, raises the possibility of establishing public procurement groupings at regional level based on the cooperation of local and regional authorities, which would significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public procurement through contacts and mutual exchanges of experience and information;
Amendment 3 #
2009/2175(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Points out that although local and regional authorities are amongst Europe's largest purchasers and therefore play an essential role in implementing public procurement rules, there is a general lack of legal expertise, appropriate training and guidelines on procurement within sub- national authorities; calls on the Member States to set up training courses on public procurement rules (including specific aspects, such as social, environmental, diversity and equality criteria) and to encourage the use of ICTs to improve the understanding of those rules and the administrative capabilities of local and regional authorities; furthermore, recalls that efforts to uncover and reduce corruption at regional and local authority level must continue through the introduction of training, the provision of information and publicity;
Amendment 5 #
2009/2175(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the Court of Auditors indicated in its Annual Report on the financial year 2008 that failure to comply with EU procurement rules is one of the two most common reasons for refusing EU financing from the Structural Funds; highlights, in this context, that irregularities are often caused by improper transposition and the more stringent rules applied by Member States; in this regard, also recommends that during negotiations for EU enlargement, candidate countries guarantee the compatibility of their public procurement laws with EU legislation; calls on the Commission and the Member States to revise, in cooperation with regional and local authorities, the various sets of rules applicable to public procurement for the various actions and programmes implemented under the Structural Funds in order to unify those rules and simplify the whole legal framework for public procurement, with a view to reducing the risk of errors and increasing efficiency in the use of Structural Funds;
Amendment 19 #
2009/2175(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5a (new)
Paragraph 5a (new)
5a. Underlines the need to encourage SMEs to participate in the field of public procurement carried out by local and regional authorities, in accordance with the EU’s general objectives in support of SMEs. Increased involvement of SMEs can be assured through the proper provision of information, consultancy and training courses, practical assistance and a proper regulatory environment;
Amendment 11 #
2009/2167(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Underlines the fact that the EU has been contributing more than 1 billion euros annually to the United Nations during the last five years; reiterates therefore the necessity of reinforcing OLAF’s mandate in an international context and the need to provide OLAF with all the necessary means to carry out its duties of controlling these increasing direct expenditures;
Amendment 3 #
2009/2166(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
Citation 17 a (new)
– having regard to the last EIB report to Parliament on implementation of Parliament’s recommendations,
Amendment 5 #
2009/2166(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas according to its Statute, after the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty the EIB is authorised to have maximum loans and guarantees equivalent to 250% not only of its subscribed capital but also of reserves, non-allocated provisions and profit and loss account surplus,
Amendment 6 #
2009/2166(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas the EIB put particular emphasis on SMEs, sustainable, competitive and secure energy and the mitigation of climate change, and on the investments in the convergence regions of the EU particularly hard hit by the recent economic slowdown,
Amendment 8 #
2009/2166(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the strengthening of the Audit Committee by increasing the number of its members from three to six and by giving it the mission to verify that the bank's activities conform to best banking practice and to audit the accounts; stresses the necessity to make sure that the members of the Audit Committee have a strong banking supervisory experience; stresses, however, that, in addition to thise strengthening of the Audit Committee should only constitute an intermediate solution awaiting a, concrete steps must be taken to ensure that the EIB is soon brought under proper banking supervision applying to the EIB;
Amendment 9 #
2009/2166(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Asks the EIB, the Commission and the Member States to consider the possibility that the European Union (as the EU has legal personality in accordance with the Lisbon Treaty) become a shareholder in the bankBank’s subsidiaries or other entities which implement EU policies in addition to the Member States, which would, in its view, result in a reinforced cooperation between the EIB and the Commission;
Amendment 13 #
2009/2166(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates its recommendations in paragraphs 46-48 of its above-mentioned resolution of 25 March 2009 followingAwaits the mid-term review of EIB external financing by 30 April 2010 and the Court of Justice's judgment of 6 November 2008 on the legal basis of Decision 2006/1016/EC and awaitsmmission proposal for a new decision replacing Decision No 633/2009/EC; takes the view that both the mid-term review and the new Commission proposal for a decisionshould take into account not only the EIB's external lending mandate following the mid-term review in April 2010; callsrecommendations of the steering committee chaired by Michel Camdessus, but also the previous recommendations of Parliament; calls in particular for greater consistency in the EIB’s external mandate, as regards both the sufficiency of funds for the whole period of the new mandate and their distribution by geographical areas;
Amendment 16 #
2009/2166(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recalls that in paragraphs 20 to 24 of its resolution of 22 April 200812 on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and Ninth European Development Funds (EDF) for the financial year 2006 it expressed its concern that the management of the investment facility by the EIB is excluded from the dischargesuggests that, during the discharge procedure, the EIB present its annual report and explain the implementation of the investment facility directly to the Committee on Budgetary Control; further recalls that EDF resources are public money contributed by European taxpayers and not by the financial markets; 1 OJ L 88, 31.3.2009, p. 253. 2 OJ L 88, 31.3.2009, p. 253.Or. de
Amendment 21 #
2009/2166(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Notes with satisfaction the Bank’s renewed policy towards OFCs, going beyond simply maintaining the existing ban on financing promoters who are based in a blacklisted OFC, especially the new obligation imposed by the EIB to all counterparts located in non-blacklisted yet weakly regulated OFCs to relocate to a country that is not an OFC prior to the signing of relevant contracts, thus ensuring for the Bank’s future lending after 31 March 2010 that none of the EIB’s borrowers will be located in a weakly regulated OFC;
Amendment 26 #
2009/2166(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Emphasises that the success of the new programmes for European macro- regions depends on coordinating the activities pursued under all policies having a territorial impact and on finding a long-term solution to the funding of macro-regions; calls, therefore, on the Bank to consider the possibility of EIB and EIF funding, in addition to EU funding, for this purpose in the next financial programming period starting in 2014;
Amendment 9 #
2009/0105(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Irrespective of whether these communities are located in urban or rural areas, due to the extremely poor quality of their housing conditions, expenditures on the renovation and on the replacement of the existing houses, including by newly constructed ones, should also be eligible, with special regard to the development of infrastructures for local communities.