20 Amendments of Maurice PONGA related to 2011/2195(INI)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that the Europe 2020 Strategy has been conceived as the main instrument for driving the European economies out of the economic crisis and that regional and cohesion policies are recognised as central instruments for the achievement of its targets, due to their budgetary dimension and multi-level governance approach; considers therefore that the outermost regions, along with all other European regions, deserve a placemust benefit from a differential treatment in the new economic and budgetary strategy of the European Union for the period to 2020 for their own benefit and the benefit of the EU as a wholeas stipulated in Article 349 of the TFEU which provides for the adoption of specific measures for these regions taking account of their remoteness, insularity, small size, difficult topography and climate and their economic dependence on a few products;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. NoIs disappointesd that in the Commission’s proposal for a multiannual financial framework for the period 2014- 2020 cuts have been proposed to the entire spectrum of Cohesion Policy measures and objectives and strongly deplores that specific funding for the outermost regions is also not spared, being cut back by 7.5 % or EUR 70 m in constant 2011 prices (from EUR 996 m in MFF 2007 - 2013 to EUR 926 m in MFF 2014 – 2020);
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses, however, that cuts in other cohesion areas have been even more severe than those pertaining to the outermost regions - more precisely,Regrets that the Commission proposes an overall cut to economic, social and territorial cohesion financing of 5.9 % in constant 2011 prices for the next programming period, including a cut of 7 % in the financing for convergence regions (including transition regions), an 8.2 % drop in the financing for competitiveness regions and a 3.3 % decrease in the Cohesion Fund allocations;
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 87 #
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 themonsiders unacceptable and unjustified, the planned reduction of at least 40 % of the specific additional allocation for ORs proposed for the financial period from 2014 to 2020; is also concerned about the Commission’s proposal providing for at least 50 % of the specific additional allocation to be allocated to actions contributing to the diversification and modernisation of the economies of the outermost regions, to the extent that this affects the flexibility of the ORs required to address their disadvantages referred to in Article 349 of the TFEU; 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;
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 100 #
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;Recalls that under Article 107, paragraph 3, subparagraph a) of the TFEU, all ORs are granted state aid derogation given their structural, economic and social situation; is in favour of maintaing the current level of aid for investments in large enterprises and small and medium sized enterprises in ORs and for the possibilty of granting operating aid within a flexible regulatory framework.
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Stresses the need to improve access to funding for businesses in ORs in particular by setting up a dialogue with the EIB Group and by supporting the creation of local investment funds in each OR as well as the development of regional capital investment markets.
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 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Draws attention to the marine dimension of the ORs and the importance of the fishing sector in regional development policy and jobs for local populations in view of their Exclusive Economic Zone, the potential of which should be reflected in concrete measures for a genuine marine economy and duly taken into account in the integrated European maritime policy;
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Recalls that the Atlantic ORs have a duty to take part in the Atlantic Strategy currently being developed, basing their participation on issues of accessibility and the marine economy.
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 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 142 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Calls for the creation of a high level Committee within the Commission to increase the visibility of ORs within the EU Institutions, to establish political perspectives, to develop and promote a forward-looking analysis for ORs in Horizon 2020.
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 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;