28 Amendments of Maria do Céu PATRÃO NEVES related to 2011/2195(INI)
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. Wwhereas the Treaty stipulates that its provisions are to be applied to the outermost regions (ORs) in a differentiated manner and provides, under Article 349 of the TFEU, for special treatment and a specific framework for these regions, conferring onprovides, in Article 349, for a specific legal basis based on primary law, under which a specific legal status is reinforced for them ‘ outermost region status’s;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the major challenge for the economies of the ORs is to transform their constraints into growth potential and opportunities, with instruments that reduce disparities with regard to the free movement of people, goods, capital and services and whereas new global challenges, such as globalisation, climate change, energy supply and the development of renewable energy, and demographic pressures, require coordination of EU policies and instruments;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that, under the terms of the Treaty, the ORs are entitled to differentiated and holistic treatment, which should mean access to the maximum level of support, irrespective of their level of development, and that their specificity should be duly taken into account and protected, given that these regions cannot be treated in the same way as the other EU regions;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that other criteria connected to and weighted with the GDP criterion should be used to determine the eligibility of ORs for the allocation of structural funds, given that the per capita GDP criterion does not provide an accurate reflection of their specific situation and is contrary to the spirit on which ‘outermost region status’ is based and the Treaty itself; stresses, therefore, that the co-financing rates in respect of the ORs should be 85 % for all instruments providing aid for those regions; calls for an extension of the period of implementation of these funds in the ORs with a view to more effective implementation;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Criticises the fact that, within the additional ERDF funding, the amounts to be allocated to the ORs have been reduced in the proposals for the financial period from 2014 to 2020 and considers that the financial arrangements for the implementation of EU 2020 should provide for access to EU funding that is at least equal to that available for the current financial framework; proposes that other criteria be used for the allocation of funding with a view to a more equitable distribution between these regions, as a fixed component to be uniformly allocated amongst themis concerned that this allocation, initially designed to compensate the effects of the structural disadvantages of the outermost regions has been altered to 50 % to meet different objectives; calls for this allocation to be increased to a co-financing rate of 85 %, as for ERDF mainstream; calls therefore for the financial arrangements for the implementation of EU 2020 should provide for access to EU funding that is at least equal to that available for the current financial framework;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Criticises the fact that, within the additional ERDF funding, the amounts to be allocated to the ORs have been drastically reduced in the proposals for the financial period from 2014 to 2020, which could decisively compromise not only the ORs meeting the EU 2020 strategy targets but also, because of their disproportionate nature, the effective implementation of the cohesion policy, and considers that the financial arrangements for the implementation of EU 2020 should provide for access to EU funding that is at least equal to that available for the current financial framework; proposes that other criteria be used for the allocation of funding with a view to a more equitable distribution between these regions, as a fixed component to be uniformly allocated amongst them;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Draws attention to the fact that in the proposal for a Regulation of the next ESF, the situation of ORs will not be referred to, considering not only the structural characteristics listed in Article 349 of the TFEU but also their specific economic situation which puts them among the regions with the highest unemployment rates in the EU;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that European taxation and customs policies should be adjusted in order to enhance the competitiveness of the outermost regions and that the existence of free zoneappropriate tax and customs frameworks is of paramount importance to the diversification of economic activity and the creation of skilustainabled jobs in the ORs;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is in favour of maintaining the special treatment of the ORs as regards state aid and calls for the removal of discrimination between ORs, given that an unequal increase, based on their GDP, results in an imbalance for all of them;by retaining the current levels of aid for investment in large enterprises and small and medium sized enterprises and the possibility of granting operational aid which is not both progressively reduced and limited in time within a flexible regulatory framework, given that this aid has proven that it does not harm competition and that it assists the ORs in achieving their Europe 2020 strategy objectives, particularly those on innovation, research and the environment.
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is in favour of maintaining the special treatment of the ORs as regards state aid and calls for the removal of discrimination between ORs, given that an unequal increase, based on their GDP, results in an imbalance for all of them;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Is in favour of the need for OR citizens to benefit from the advantages of the internal market on an equal footing with other EU citizens and calls for the adoption of measures in accordance with the recommendations of the Solbes report; calls for the possibility of developing a specific framework on state aid to ORs to be examined;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights the need to maintain measures for the sustainable management and protection of marine resources, the promotion of aquaculture, and the reintroduction of the possibility of granting fleet renewal aidallowing only regional fleets using environmentally friendly fishing methods to access the marine areas identified as biogeographically sensitive, the promotion of aquaculture, and the reintroduction of the possibility of granting fleet modernisation aid, with regard health and safety conditions and implementing good practices, and calls for an increase in the compensation for additional costs in the POSEI fisheries programme;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights the need to maintain measures for the management and protection of marine resources, the promotion of aquaculture, and the reintroduction of the possibility of granting fleet renewal and modernisation aid, and calls for an increase in the compensation for additional costs in the POSEI fisheries programme;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. DCriticises the fact that the proposal for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy does not take sufficient account of the situation of the ORs; draws attention to the marine dimension of the ORs and the importance of the fishing sector in view of their Exclusive Economic Zone, the potential of which should be reflected in concrete and coherent measures for a genuine marine economy and duly taken into account in the integrated European maritime policy; considers it essential to facilitate the connection between the ‘internal’ and ‘external’ aspects of the CFP for the ORs and to provide compensation measures aimed at repairing the damage caused by the conclusion of fisheries agreements.
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Draws attention to the importance of the tourism sector and calls on the Commission to speed up the implementation of the European Action Plan and ensure more effective coordination of the existing funding lines, giving specialfic attention to the ORs;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Emphasises that the ORs wish to invest in a research and innovation strategy and in the growth of their business structure; argues for the creation of technological infrastructures and innovation hubs, the development of projects and partnerships with Scientific and Technological System organisations and the exchange of ideas and good practices through European innovation support networks and smart specialisation such as the S3 platform;
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that a single European transport area should contribute towards the inclusive growth of the ORs and reduce their access gap; calls for the establishment of a specific framework to provide transport subsidies in the ORs, the establishment of logistical platforms and supports the implementation of projects such as Motorways of the Sea; highlights the possibilities of the Marco Polo programme for the ORs, calls on the Commission to increase the programme'’s flexibility and extend it after 2013 and calls for the Connecting Europe Facility to include specific references to the ORs; urges for ORs to be included in TEN-E networks and the new instrument aimed at facilitating European interconnections.
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that a single European transport area should contribute towards the inclusive growth of the ORs and reduce their access gap; calls for the establishment of a specific framework to provide sea and air transport subsidies in the ORs,of the POSEI type in the ORs, respecting the territorial continuity principle; calls for the establishment of logistical platforms and supports the implementation of projects such as Motorways of the Sea; highlights the possibilities of the Marco Polo programme for the ORs, calls on the Commission to increase the programme'’s flexibility and extend it after 2013 and calls for the Connecting Europe Facility to include specific references to the ORs;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Points out that the ORs'’ dependence on imported fossil fuels results in substantial additional costs; proposes strengthening the renewable energy sector, by setting up a dedicated programme for research projects in the fields of reneweable energy sectorand diversification of the regional energy base, specificially with regard to geothermal, wave and hydrogen energy, and setting up a specific programme in the field of energy to reduce the costs due to remoteness, infrastructure and provision of services;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Points out that the ORs'rs’ dependence on imported fossil fuels results in substantial additional costs; proposes strengthening the renewable energy sector and setting up a specific programme in the field of energy to reduce the costs due to remoteness, infrastructure and provision of services; in order to promote the ambitious policies the ORs have committed to on the development of renewable energy.
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. UStresses the fact that Article 349 of the TFEU stipulates the adoption of specific measures aimed at lessening the impact of OR characteristics, including those needed to allow the ORs to fully participate on an equal footing with other regions, in all EU horizontal programmes; considers, nevertheless, that the implementation of this article was weak, restricting its scope to adapt these policies and to benefit from them; urges the Commission to establish a specific programme in the field of energy, transport and information and communications technology, similar to the POSEI arrangements, which will need to be in keeping with other European funds in these fields;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Urges the Commission to establish a specific programme in the field of energy, transport and information and communications technology, similar to the POSEI arrangements, which will need to be in keeping with other European funds in these fields;
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Advocates greater involvement of the regional authorities of the ORs in preparing and implementing European programmes, withinrespecting the principles of flexibility, adaptability and modulation, within a framework of subsidiarity and a multi- level and partnership-based form of governance, and greater visibility of these regions in the EU institutions;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Advocates greater involvement of the regional authorities of the ORs in preparing and implementing European programmes, within a multi-level and partnership-based form of governance, and greater visibility of these regions in the EU institutions;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Points to the role of the ORs as EU borders with the rest of the world and advocates an approach, particularly through pursuing the reflections of the Commission in partnership with the ORs, that recognises their closeness to EU third countries and, including to the countries with which they have special cultural and historical links; draws attention to their integration problems in their respective geographical areas, and the need to find specific innovative schemes which encourage real regional integration through shared programmes and projects between the ORs and neighbouring third countries and to help establish good connections between respective geographical areas; highligts the need to carry out studies to measure the impact of international trade agreements and their impact in relation tof the external aspects of some EU policies;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls for the continuation of territorial cooperation programmes in the ORs and advocates increased funding for programmes,relaxed regulations aimed at using more effectively the available funding and completing projects as well as raising the ERDF co-financing rate to 85 % for greater investment in transnational cooperation and the removal, in the case of the ORs, of the 150km criterion for sea-borders in cross-border cooperation;
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Recalls the key role the ORs could play in development cooperation in key cooperation platforms with their third country neighbours as well as regions which could carry out important work in fostering development in their geographical environment.
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Points out that other EU regions Danish, French and Dutch overseas territories referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 355 of the TFEU can choose to become ORs, opting for whichever status is most appropriate to their situation, and draws the attention of the current ORs to the decisive role they can play in promoting and consolidating their status;