9 Amendments of Burkhard BALZ related to 2015/0263(COD)
Amendment 33 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Several Member States have been undergoing and continue to undergo adjustment processes to correct macroeconomic imbalances accumulated in the past and many are facing the challenge of low potential growth. The Union has identified the implementation of structural reforms among its policy priorities to set the recovery on a sustainable path, unlock the growth potential to strengthen the adjustment capacity and level of preparation for future challenges, and support the process of convergence.
Amendment 42 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Reforms are by their very nature complex processes that require a complete chain of highly-specialised knowledge and skills. Addressing structural reforms in a variety of public policy areas is challenging since their benefits often take time and continued commitment to materialise. Therefore, ownership of reforms and political will of Member States, as well as early and efficient design and implementation is crucial, be it for crisis-struck or structurally-weak economies. In this context, the provision of support by the Union in the form of technical assistance has been crucial in supporting the economic adjustment of Greece and Cyprus in the last years.
Amendment 60 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) The European Court of Auditors' Special Report (19/2015) entitled 'More attention to results needed to improve the delivery of technical assistance to Greece' includes useful recommendations with respect to the provision of technical assistance by the Commission to Member States which should be taken into account in the implementation of the support under the Structural Reform Support Programme.
Amendment 62 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Against this background, it is necessary to establish a Structural Reform Support Programme ('the Programme') with the objective of strengthening the capacity of Member States to prepare and implement growth-enhancing administrative and structural reforms, including through assistance for the efficient and effective use of the Union funds. The Programme is significant additional support for better and faster implementation of reforms intended to contribute to the achievement of common goals towards obtaining economic recovery, job creation, boosting Europe's competitiveness and productivity, and stimulating investment in the real economy. Therefore, financing of the Programme should be provided for in Member States' budgets and by existing instruments in the Union budget. The Programme should support structural reforms in Member States by providing added value at the Union level and not merely replace indispensable national reform efforts.
Amendment 87 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Further to a dialogue with the requesting Member State, including in the context of the European Semester, the Commission should analyse the request, taking into account the principles of transparency, equal treatment and sound financial management and determine the support to be provided based on urgency, breadth and depth of the problems as identified, support needs in respect of the policy areas envisaged, analysis of socioeconomic indicators, and the general administrative capacity of the Member State. The Commission should also, in close cooperationgree with the Member State concerned, identify on the priority areas, the particular objectives for that Member State based on the objectives set out in this Regulation, a timeline, the scope of the support measures to be provided and the estimated global financial contribution for such support, taking into accounto be specified in a support plan, which should be made public. In addition, the existing actions and measures financed by Union funds or other Union programmes should be taken into account.
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) The Commission should be able, with the consent of the Member State wishing to receive support, to organise the provision of support in cooperation with international organisations or other Member States that may agree to act as reform partners. The Member State wishing to receive support should be able, for a specific area of support, to enter into a partnership with one or more Member States as reform partners to help formulate strategy, reform roadmaps, design assistance or oversee the implementation of strategy and projects. While the responsibility for the delivery of the reforms lies with the Member State wishing to receive support, reform partners or other Member States providing support should be able to contribute to the successful implementation of the Programme.
Amendment 130 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
The general objective of the Programme shall be to contribute to institutional, administrative and structural reforms in the Member States by providing support to national authorities for measures aimed at reforming institutions, governance, administration, economic and social sectors in response to economic and social challenges with a view to enhancing competitiveness, productivity, growth, jobs, and investment, in particular in the context of economic governance processes, including through assistance for the efficient and effective use of the Union funds.
Amendment 176 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 2
2. Taking into account the principles of transparency, equal treatment and sound financial management, further to a dialogue with the Member State, including in the context of the European Semester, the Commission shall analyse the request for support referred to in paragraph 1 based on the urgency, breadth and depth of the problems identified, support needs in respect of the policy areas concerned, analysis of socioeconomic indicators and general administrative capacity of the Member State. Taking into account the existing actions and measures financed by Union funds or other Union programmes, the Commission in close cooperationshall agree with the Member State concerned shall identifyon the priority areas for support, the particular objectives for that Member State based on Article 5 of this Regulation, a timeline, the scope of the support measures to be provided and the estimated global financial contribution for such support in a support plan. That support plan shall be made publicly available.
Amendment 197 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 2 – point i a (new)
Annex I – paragraph 2 – point i a (new)
(ia) the number of objectives in the support plan that have been reached by the beneficiary Member State