Activities of Francesca BALZANI related to 2010/2004(BUD)
Plenary speeches (1)
Priorities for the 2011 budget – Section III – Commission - Budget guidelines: 2011 - other sections (debate)
Amendments (19)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that, in addition to considerations regarding the MFF ceilings for the remaining years (2011-2013), the budgetary authority has been obliged to revise the MFF several times because it did not allow the EU to react properly and satisfactorily to various challenges that have arisen in recent years; reiterates its conviction that an in-depth review and revision of the MFF is an absolute necessity; asks the Commission to publish its report on the functioning of the current IIA on the basis of Declaration 1 of the 17 May 2006 IIA by May 2010, accompanied by concrete proposals to revise the current MFF for the period 2007 -2013;
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that the 2011 budget is the fourth of seven under the current MFF, and emphasises that point 37 of the IIA on the use of the 5% margin of legislative flexibility now makes full sense, since the two arms of the budgetary authority have a clearer view of the shortfalls of, and positive developments in, existing programmes; recalls that, irrespective of the provisions of the IIA, ensuring an appropriate level of flexibility in the EU budget is a prerequisite for its effective implementation in a useful manner; expects the MFF regulation to be adopted on the basis of Article 312 of the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union and the forthcoming IIA to allow for greater flexibility;
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that the strengthening of a number of policies at EU level following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty wshould logically imply additional financial capacity for the EU;
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that the EU was able to react collectively to the financial and economic, within the constraints of the MFF, was able to find some European added value to the national efforts made in Member States to combat the economical and financial crisis, by adopting an ambitiousthe European Economic Recovery Pplan (EERP), but notes that the overall economic situation in the EU is still deteriorating and is far from satisfactory in comparison to the world’s other leading economies;
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10 Stresses that youth is tremendously important both now and for the future of the EU, and that it should be given particular attention in the course of defining our mid-and long-term priorities; points out that youth, in all its policies, with all their related aspects, arepresent the basis of social and inclusive strategies and that the innovation capacity of youth is a key resource for EU and should be sedevelopment as a cross-policynd growth for theme EU;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Is of the opinion that support for entrepreneurship and SMEs is a cornerstoneuseful tool of EU policy on youth and innovation; recalls that it has put forward several pilot projects and preparatory actions in recent years with the aim of supporting young entrepreneurs, promoting interconnections between SMEs and enhancing worker mobility, and underlines that it will closely monitor the legislative proposals to be presented following the completion of these projects and actions;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Recalls that 2011 has been designated as the European Year of Voluntary Activities Promoting Active Citizenship; and 2010 the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion; points out that volunteering plays a crucial role in many sectors as varied and diverse as, inter alia, education, health, social care and development policy, and that it can provide people with new skills and competences, thereby improving their employability and contributing to social inclusion;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. WelcomesTakes Note of the Commission working document on the future ‘EU 2020’ strategy1, which identifies three key drivers for the EU’s future (creating value by basing growth on knowledge, empowering people in inclusive societies, and creating a competitive, connected and greener economy) and addresses the real challenges that the EU needs to fas the basis of a broad discussion of the EU economic strategy; believes that this strategy should put more emphasis on the fight against unemployment and strengthen the EU's economic governance; underlines, however, in conjunction with the priorities set for the 2011 budget, that clear, proactive measures have to be taken to endow EU 2020 with substance and resources, and firmly asserts that this strategy should not turn into another vague and purely indicative scoreboard for the Member States; refuses to duplicate the frustrating experience of the Lisbon Strategy, with the Council making systematic cuts to the lines supporting efforts consistent with the agreed strategy;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that it intends to use all the means provided for in the IIA of 17 May 2006 to mobilise funds for these priorities, and underlines that this financial effort may necessitate the shifting of funds from other instruments or programmes; considers that the EU could transfer funds from badly implemented programmes, or those with a comparatively large level of appropriations, to these priorities,is exercise should be based not only on a quantitative monitoring of the existing programs but also on close and thorough qualitative monitoring; believes that the Committee on Budgets should rely on the work undertaken by EP specialised committees in that respect; thereby improving the quality of its spending, and thereby increasing European added value which is essential in a context of constrained public finances;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Takes the view that a clear and comprehensive presentation of the EU’s budget is necessary, and intends pay close attention to the financial programming and the modifications made by recent major budgetary agreements; welcomes the Commission’s improved presentation of its financial programming documents and calls for further clarification of the breakdown between operational and administrative expenditure; while recognising that this distinction might be difficult to make in some cases; recalls that adequate administrative expenditure is necessary for running the programmes;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Recalls that the financing of these priorities through tha possible reallocation of funds must not be detrimental to traditional EU policies such as the cohesion or, structural or agriculture policies; points out that these policies fulfil the founding principle of the EU, namely social inclusion and solidarity amongst Member States and regions;
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Recalls that a number of policies and measures constituting the EERP are covered under this heading, together with a great number of multiannual programmes (CIP, FP7, TENs, etc.) which will have reached maturity in 2011; calls on the Commission to present a follow-up report on the implementation of the EERP including on measures entrusted to the EIB;
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Asks the Commission to report on the implementation of the ‘Dairy Fund’measures against dairy crisis introduced in the 2010 budget in order to mitigate the consequences of price fluctuations in the dairy sector, and to present a permanentn approach in this field for the future;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Will be particularly attentive to the implementation of changes such as the bringing of EUROPOL fully within the Community sphere and the establishment of the European Asylum Support Office as well as scrutinising the financial needs of FRONTEX;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Recalls that this heading covers a wide range of actions in favour of youth through multiannual programmes such as Youth in Action, the Culture Programme, Europe for Citizens, annual events; intends, therefore, to support those EU programmes relating to this issue that are directly relevant to the priorities for the 2011 budget, and to monitor their implementation closely in both qualitative and quantitative terms; regrets, however, that the ceiling of this heading for 2011 is only EUR 15 million above the budget adopted in 2010;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Points out that, following an amending budget for 2010, 2011 will be the first fully operational year for the European External Action Service (EEAS); intends to provide the EEAS with the necessary means to fulfil its mission, but recalls that, under the treaty and in full accordance with the common intention to increase the EP’s involvement in the shaping and management of the EU’s external relations, it will fully exercise its scrutiny over the budget and budgetary control of EEAS; underlines the likely "sui generis" nature of the EEAS, which will probably entail the creation of a new section entitled "EEAS" in the EU budget;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Expresses its concerns over the scarcity of information regarding the financing of the EU’s commitments to support developing countries in their fight against climate change, and recalls that this commitment was not foreseen in the MFF; strongly emphasises that the funding for these measures should be additional to the existing ODA funds;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Reaffirms its firm commitment to assist the Haitian people to the largest possible extent in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that has struck their country; asks the Commission to present, on the basis of an extensive needs assessment, the most ambitious assistance plan possible for Haiti; recalls that such a plan should not jeopardise existing cooperation with other developing and less advanced countries, and should consist mainly of new funding sources; in that context, calls once more the Commission to make some concrete proposals on the strengthening of the European Civil Protection mechanism along the lines put forward in the 2006 Barnier report;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Emphasises that the Eastern Partnership, as a component of its neighbourhood policy, is of great significance for the EU, and reiterates its support for the proposed framework; considers it equally important to ensure an adequate financial envelope reflecting the EU's commitment vis-à-vis its southern neighbours;