33 Amendments of José Manuel FERNANDES related to 2017/2052(INI)
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that the next MFF should enable the Union to provide solutions and emerge strengthened from the crises of the decade: the economic and financial downturn, the phenomenon of migration and refugees, climate change and natural disasters, terrorism and instability, to name but a few; believes that the next MFF should address the challenge of the digital transformation of economy and society and help every citizen, business and public administration reap the benefits of the digital transformations; underlines that these global, cross-border challenges with domestic implications reveal the interdependency of our economies and societies, and point to the need for joint actions;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls on the Union to reflect in the EU budget a specific digital chapter, which tackles the inter-dependent dimensions of digitalisation, such as digitising industry and take up of artificial intelligence, digital skills, High Performance Computing and e- Government; calls for an increase of the share of the EU budget invested in high speed connectivity for both shared and direct management, in order to match the new challenges;
Amendment 137 #
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 Fundstabilization function for euro area Member States, possibly through the proposed European Monetary Fund, coupled with a dedicated convergence facility for Member States on their way to joining the Euro;
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Underlines that the idea of linking the EU budget more strongly to the country-specific recommendations outlined under the economic governance principles should be considered with the objective of supporting growth-enhancing structural reforms in Member States; stresses that this could be achieved through positive incentives, for example, through financial rewards when structural reforms are fully implemented;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Underlines, thereforeIs convinced that a five-year period cannot be considered for the duration of the MFF, due to the serious impediments that it would impose on the programming and implementation requirements of several EU policies; underlines, instead, the need for the MFF’s duration to move progressively towards a 5+510-year period with a mandatory mid-term revision; calls on the Commission to elaborate a clear proposal setting out the methods of the practical implementation of a 5+510-year financial framework;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
Amendment 221 #
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 expectationfully met its targets 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;
Amendment 294 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
Paragraph 59
59. Emphasises that the EU budget has at its disposal a wide range of instruments that finance the European project and that can be regrouped in two categories: grants and financial instruments in form of guarantees, loans, risk-sharing or equity; points also to the European Fund for Strategic Investment, the aim of which is to mobilise private and public capital across the EU in support of projects in key areas for the EU economy that should, in order to complement limited public fundsing;
Amendment 306 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62
Paragraph 62
62. Calls on the Commission to simplify and harmonise the rules governing the use of financial instruments in the next MFF in order to maximise their efficient application; considersis of the optinion of a single fund that would integrate financial instruments at EU level that are centrally managed under such programmes as the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), Horizon 2020, COSME, Creative Europe and the Employment and Social Innovation programme (EaSI) on the one hand and the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) on the other, a proposal to be discussed further; is of the opinion that such an umbrella solution shouldthat a clear structure for the choice of different types of financial instruments for different policy areas and types of actions should be provided and that the relevant financial instruments should continue to be budgeted under separate budget lines, in order to provide for a clear structure for the choice of different typesity of financial instruments for different policy areas and types of actionsvestment; underlines, however, that any such a fund could never integratharmonisation of rules cannot affect the financial instruments managed by Member States under cohesion policy;
Amendment 321 #
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 following structure for the MFF post-2020; Heading 1: A stronger and, sustainable and digital economy Including programmes and instruments supporting: under direct management: - research and innovation - industry, entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises - digital transformation of economy and society - large-infrastructure projects - transport, digitalisation, energy - environment and climate change adaptation - -agriculture and rural development maritime affairs and fisheries - horizontal (financial) instruments supporting investments in Europe (possible umbrella financial instrument at EU level, incl. EFSI) Heading 2: Stronger cohesion and solidarity in Europe Including programmes and instruments supporting: - economic, social and territorial cohesion (under shared management): investments in innovation, digitalisation, reindustrialisation, SMEs, transport, climate change adaptation employment, social affairs and social inclusion - education and life-long learning - culture, citizenship, media and communication - health and food safety - asylum, migration and integration, justice and consumers - support to and coordination with national administrations Heading 2 a (new): Stronger and sustainable agriculture and fisheries Including programmes and instruments supporting: - agriculture and rural development - maritime affairs and fisheries Heading 3: Stronger responsibility in the world Including programmes and instruments supporting: - international cooperation and development - neighbourhood - enlargement - humanitarian aid - trade - contribution to EU trust funds and external relations facilities Heading 4: Security, peace and stability for all Including programmes and instruments supporting: - security - crisis response and stability, including the civil protection - common foreign and security policy - defence research and innovation Heading 5: An efficient administration at the service of Europeans - financing EU staff - financing the buildings and equipment of EU institutions
Amendment 330 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 16
Subheading 16
A stronger and, sustainable and digital economy
Amendment 350 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69
Paragraph 69
69. Calls, therefore, for a substantial increase in the overall budget earmarked for the FP9 programme in the next MFF that should be set at a level of at least EUR 120 billion; considers this level to be appropriate for securing Europe’s global competitiveness, scientific, technological and industrial leadership, for responding to societal challenges, and for helping to achieve the EU’s climate goals;
Amendment 354 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70
Paragraph 70
70. Calls, furthermore, for a greater focus on implementing research and innovation through joint undertakings and for supporting investment in key technologies to close the investment gap in innovation; emphasises that the increase in funds must be coupled with a simplification of funding procedures; welcomes the Commission’s efforts in this respect and insists that these should continue under the next programming period; in order to provide better access and a level playing field for the applicants from all Member States through a new system for evaluation of applications based on a proposal added value and possible results;
Amendment 368 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71
Paragraph 71
71. Stresses that SMEs are key drivers of economic growth, innovation and employment and recognises their important role in ensuring the recovery and boosting of a sustainable EU economy; recalls that there are more than 20 million SMEs in the EU and that they account for 99 % of all businesses; considers that improving access to finance for SMEs should continue to remain an important policy objective for the next MFF and calls, therefore, for a doubling of the COSME programme’s financial envelope in order for it to correspond to the actual needs of the EU economy and the significant demand for participation;
Amendment 369 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71 a (new)
Paragraph 71 a (new)
71a. Welcomes the success of the dedicated EU programme for the competitiveness of enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (COSME) under the current MFF; notes that the Parliament has consistently fought for a further increase of the allocation earmarked for this programme in the context of the annual budgetary procedure; notes with pleasure the high level of implementation of this programme pointing to its capacity to absorb even more; calls, therefore, for a doubling of the COSME programme’s financial envelope in order for it to correspond to the actual needs of the EU economy and the significant demand for participation;
Amendment 380 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72 a (new)
Paragraph 72 a (new)
72a. Underlines, moreover, the positive impact that EFSI has on providing finance to SMEs, reaching currently more than 500 000 SMEs and mid-cap companies across the Union; stresses that, due to a very strong uptake reflecting the high market demand, the SME Window was further reinforced already through the first stage of implementation of the programme;
Amendment 381 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72 b (new)
Paragraph 72 b (new)
72b. Stresses the need for the next MFF to better reflect the policy priority given to the digital transformation of the European economy and society and the need to invest in essential technologies and infrastructures and in digital skills to maintain and enhance our competitiveness, our quality of life and social fabric; believes that more support should be directed to cross border initiatives of critical importance for Europe, in particular in the area of development and access to latest technologies from Artificial Intelligence to High Performance Computing, and digital skills, while maintaining a strong support for research and innovation in digital technologies as part of the Research Framework Programme.;
Amendment 388 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73
Paragraph 73
73. Insists on the importance of the MFF for sectors relying on long-term investment, such as the transport sector; highlights that transport infrastructures are the backbone of the single market and the basis for sustainable growth and job creation; notes that accomplishing a single European transport area connected to neighbouring countries requires major transport infrastructure and must be treated as a key priority in terms of the EU’s competitiveness and for economic, social and territorial cohesion, including for peripheral areas; considers, therefore, that the next MFF should provide for sufficient funding for projects that contribute in particular to the completion of the TEN-T core network and its corridors, which should be further extended; stresses that an updated and more effective CEF programme should cover all modes of transport and focus on interconnections and the completion of the network in peripheral areas while using common standards;
Amendment 389 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 a (new)
Paragraph 73 a (new)
73a. Stresses that an updated and more effective CEF programme should cover all modes of transport and focus on interconnections and the completion of the network in peripheral areas while using common standards; CEF should promote greater links between comprehensive networks horizontal priorities such as Motorways of the Sea; stresses that Commission coordination should aim to incentivise the participation of investors and that the deployment of the ERTMS should maximise the benefits in terms of interoperability; considers that a specific budget line for tourism should be created in order to move towards a genuine European tourism policy; calls for the establishment of a top-down approach in order to ensure efficient implementation of the projects regarding the navigability on inland waterways; calls for financing, as part of the SESAR programme of research for the completion of the European Digital ATM;
Amendment 393 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 74
Paragraph 74
74. Underlines the importance of ensuring financing for completing the digital single market by making full use of the spectrum, 5G deployment and gigabit connectivity, and by making further progress on the harmonisation of EU telecom rules to create the right regulatory framework for the improvement of internet connectivity throughout the Union; stresses that CEF Telecom should have appropriate resources and continue to support the Digital Service Infrastructures and the increasing investment needs in high speed broadband networks by enabling their accessibility, including in remote regions and rural areas, and by improving digital literacy, interconnectivity and interoperability;
Amendment 414 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 76
Paragraph 76
76. Underlines the strategic importance of large-scale infrastructure projects such as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay (EGNOS), the Global Satellite Navigation System (Galileo) and, the Earth Observation Programme (Copernicus) and the future Governmental Satellite Communications (GOVSATCOM) for the EU’s future competitiveness; considers that the financing of these large-scale projects should be secured in the EU budget but, at the same time, ring-fenced, so as to ensure that possible cost overruns do not threaten the funding and successful implementation of other Union policies, as was the case in the previous MFF; recalls that, for this purpose, the maximum amount for these projects is currently fixed in the MFF Regulation, and calls for similar provisions in the new regulation;
Amendment 445 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78
Paragraph 78
78. Expects the global amount of direct payments to be kept intact under the next MFF, as theyStresses that the CAP budget in the next MFF should be at least maintained at its current level for the EU- 27 in current prices, including both the global amount of direct payments and of rural development; underlines that direct payments generate clear EU added value and strengthen the single market by avoiding distortions of competition between Member States; opposes any renationalisation and any national co- financing in that respectfor direct payments; stresses the need to increase funding in line with responses to the various cyclical crises in sensitive sectors, to create new instruments that can mitigate price volatility and to increase funding for Programmes of Options Specifically Relating to Remoteness and Insularity (POSEI); concludes, therefore, that the CAP budget in the next MFF should be at least maintained at its current level for the EU-27; alls on the Commission to ensure the necessary financial and legal framework for the food supply chain, in order to combat unfair trading practices;
Amendment 463 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79
Paragraph 79
79. Stresses the socioeconomic and ecological importance of the fisheries sector, the ‘blue economy’ and their contribution to the food autonomy of the EU; points out that the common fisheries policy is an exclusive EU competence; emphasises, in this respect, the need to keep a specific, substantial, independent and accessible fisheries fund to implement this policy; calls for the reestablishment of the Program of Options Specifically relating to Remoteness and Insularity in Fisheries (POSEI Fisheries), as this is a very important program for the European Outermost Regions; calls, at least, for the level of financial appropriations dedicated to the fisheries sector under the current MFF to be maintained and, if new needs arise, to increase the financial appropriations for maritime affairs; warns about the possible negative impacts of a hard Brexit on this sector; notes that other financial instruments, in addition to non- repayable aid, could provide complementary financing possibilities;
Amendment 484 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81
Paragraph 81
81. Stresses that cohesion policy post- 2020 should remain the main investment policy of the European Union covering all EU regions while concentrating the majority of the resources on the most vulnerable ones; believes that, beyond the goal of reducing the disparities between levels of development and enhancing convergence as enshrined in the Treaty, it should focus on the achievement of the broad EU political objectives and proposes, therefore, that under the next MFF, the three cohesion policy funds – the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Cohesion Fund – should concentrate mainly on providing support for innovation, digitalisation, reindustrialisation, SMEs, transport, climate change adaptation, employment and social inclusion; stresses that these funds represent the integral components of the EU cohesion policy, and can only operate jointly under the single framework of this policy; calls, moreover, for a reinforced territorial cooperation component and an urban dimension for the policy;
Amendment 512 #
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 in current prices 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 563 #
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; reminds that industries such as the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) are one of the Europe's fastest growing sectors; 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;
Amendment 565 #
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, addressing pressing and increasingly important needs such as basic digital skills 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;
Amendment 569 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 85 a (new)
Paragraph 85 a (new)
85a. Calls on the Commission to follow up on the ‘18th Birthday Interrail Pass for Europe’ project and put forward a dedicated programme in the next MFF with sufficient annual appropriations to cover all applications for a free railway pass coming from young Europeans that turn 18 in a specific year; underlines that such a project would become a key component in increasing European consciousness and identity, especially in the face of threats such as populism and the spread of misinformation; reiterates that in order to reach the objective of such a programme a proper legal base proposal is expected from the Commission;
Amendment 584 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 86
Paragraph 86
86. 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 should be covered by a dedicated instrument, i.e. the Asylum, Migration and Integration 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; believes, furthermore, that the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) should be complemented by additional components tackling this issue under other policies, in particular by the EU structural and cohesion funds and the instruments financing external actions, as no single tool could hope to address the magnitude and complexity of needs in this field; recognises, moreover, the importance of cultural, educational and sports programmes in integrating refugees and migrants into European society;
Amendment 630 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 90 a (new)
Paragraph 90 a (new)
90a. Underlines the need for an increased engagement with the private sector when it comes to the external policies and the support to our partners; building on the evaluation of the existing models and the cooperation with the relevant stakeholders and financial institutions, calls for a more effective and efficient delivery model to promote public and private investment abroad;
Amendment 658 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 93
Paragraph 93
93. Believes that the next MFF must support the establishment of a European Defence Union; awaits, followingwelcomes the Commission’s announcements in this area, and looks forward to the relevant legislative proposals, including a dedicated EU defence research programme and an industrial development programme complemented by Member States’ investment in collaborative equipment; recalls that increased defence cooperation, the pooling of research and equipment and the elimination of duplications could lead to considerable efficiency gains, often estimated at around EUR 26 billion per year;
Amendment 664 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94 a (new)
Paragraph 94 a (new)
94a. Stresses the paramount importance of the EU civil protection mechanism that has enabled a coordinated EU assistance in natural and manmade disasters across the Union and beyond; points to the unquestionable added value of civil protection operations in effectively combating disasters that are becoming all the more frequent and complex, while boosting the feeling of European solidarity among EU citizens in times of need; welcomes the recent Commission proposals to boost EU’s civil protection by strengthening preparedness and prevention measures, including the establishment of a dedicated reserve of operational capacities at Union level; calls for reinforced action in this field to be coupled with adequate funding under the next MFF;
Amendment 680 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 99 a (new)
Paragraph 99 a (new)
99a. Considers that, in order to enable a timely agreement on the next MFF and the sectoral regulations, the Commission proposals should largely ensure continuity with the current programmes, by maintaining those structures and elements that have worked well in this period; acknowledges the need for reforms in the different EU programmes, based on the results of the spending review; discourages, however, the introduction of changes that are not duly justified for purposes of simplification or other tangible improvements especially for the beneficiaries;