2016/2150(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)

- having regard to Article 15 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)

I a. whereas the Code of Good Administrative Behaviour is aimed at preventing maladministration to occur; whereas the usefulness of this tool is limited given its non-binding nature;

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I b (new)

I b. whereas whistle-blowers are crucial figures in unveiling cases of maladministration and even political corruption in some cases; whereas these severely undermine the quality of our democracy; whereas whistle-blowers use to face themselves severe troubles in the aftermath and are too often exposed to negative personal consequences at many levels, not only professionally but even criminally; whereas in absence of further safeguards these known past experiences could tend to dissuade individuals to follow the ethical path of whistle-blowing in the future;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Welcomes the fact that in 2015, all EU institutions implemented internal rules protecting whistle-blowers who are officials of those bodies, in accordance with Articles 22a and 22b of the Staff Regulations; emphasizes that EU institutions encourage whistleblowing and will protect whistle-blowers against retaliation.

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15 a. Underlines that the results of the Ombudsman investigation into the state- of-play of whistleblowing rules in the EU institutions showed there were significant issues related to the effective protection of whistle-blowers; calls on the EU institutions to adopt the necessary measures to encourage whistleblowing and to fully protect whistle-blowers against retaliation;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)

15 b. Urges for resolute efforts in order to ensure greater protection to whistle- blowers; calls for a directive on the matter which sets appropriate channels and procedures to denounce all forms of maladministration, as well as minimum adequate guarantees and legal safeguards at all levels for the individuals involved;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)

K a. whereas high transparency is crucial to gain legitimacy and trust that decisions are based on the overall public interest; whereas existing 'reading-rooms' to access files, often relating to big corporate interests, divert completely from this logic;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K b (new)

K b. whereas opacity when it comes to files which entail a big impact on the socioeconomic model of the EU, and often with relevant implications in the domain of public health and environment, tends to generate mistrust among citizens and the public opinion in general;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Congratulates Ms Emily O’ Reilly for her excellent work and for her untiring efforts to improve the quality of service offered to citizens by the European administration; acknowledges the importance of transparency as a core element of good administration, something that is also underlined by the high percentage of complaints concerning transparency (22.4 %), giving this subject matter the highest ranking of all; acknowledges the role of strategic enquiries in ensuring good administration and supports those conducted by the European Ombudsman’s office in this domain so far;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Congratulates Ms Emily O’ Reilly for her excellent work and for her untiring efforts to improve the quality of service offered to citizens by the European administration; acknowledges the importance of transparency as a core element of gaining trust and of good administration, something that is also underlined by the high percentage of complaints concerning transparency (22.4 %), giving this subject matter the highest ranking of all; acknowledges the role of strategic enquiries conducted by the European Ombudsman’s office in this domain;

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the continued efforts of the European Ombudsman to increase transparency in the TTIP negotiations through proposals to the European Commission; commends the resulting publication by the Commission of numerous TTIP documents and the inclusion of transparency as one of the three pillars of the Commission’s new trade strategy; ~~notes the continuing concerns of citizens with regard to these negotiations;~~ encourages increased transparency in the negotiations on other international agreements;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)

- having regard to Article 258 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the continued efforts of the European Ombudsman to increase transparency in the TTIP negotiations through proposals to the European Commission; ~~commends~~ regrets that trade negotiations withe resulting publication by the Commission of numerous TTIP documents and the inclusion of transparency as one of the three pillars of the Commission’s new trade strategy; notes the continuing concerns of citizens with regard to these negotiations; encourages increased transparencypect to TTIP have not been fully open, transparent and democratic and that certain information has become public only because of leaks, despite the inclusion of transparency as one of the three pillars of the Commission’s new trade strategy; insists that the negotiations on TTIP be abandoned as TTIP paves the way for wider liberalisation, deregulation and privatisation, undermining citizens' fundamental rights to high levels of social, environmental and health protection; underlines the continuing concerns of citizens with regard to these negotiations; believes that the highest levels of transparency and democracy should be ensured in the negotiations on ~~other~~all international agreements;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Welcomes the continu~~Reemphasizes the need effor~~ts of the European Ombudsman to increase transparency in the TTIP negotiations through proposals to the European Commiss~~ full and enhanced transparency in international agreements such as TTIP, CETA and others, as called for by numerous petitioners addressing the Committee on Petitions; commends the resulting publication ~~by the Commission~~ of numerous TTIP documents and the inclusion of transparency as one of the three pillars of the Commission’s new trade strategy; notes the continuing concerns of citizens with regard to these negotiations; encourages increasedin order to strengthen the new Commission's new three pillar trade strategy; Calls for stronger and wider efforts in this regard in order to safeguard the trust of European Citizens; Commends the continued efforts of the European Ombudsman on her efforts to enhance transparency in the TTIP negotiations ~~on other international agreements~~;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the continued efforts of the European Ombudsman to increase transparency in the TTIP negotiations through proposals to the European Commission; commends the resulting publication by the Commission of numerous TTIP documents and the inclusion of transparency as one of the three pillars of the Commission’s new trade strategy; notes the continuing concerns of citizens with regard to these negotiations since they justifiably suspect that this treaty will ravage our economy, our jobs, our agriculture and our food security; encourages increased transparency in the negotiations on other international agreements;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the continued efforts of the European Ombudsman to increase transparency in the TTIP negotiations through proposals to the European Commission; commends the resulting publication by the Commission of numerous TTIP documents and the inclusion of transparency as one of the three pillars of the Commission’s new trade strategy; notes the continuing concerns of citizens with regard to these negotiations; regrets the unnecessary level of secrecy surrounding negotiations on TTIP; encourages increased transparency in the negotiations on other international agreements;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Expresses its concern over the increasing trend of 'reading-rooms', which represent a clear restriction of access to information, not only to the public in general, but even to the elected representatives of citizens in this Parliament; considers that their proliferation can only lead to an increased mistrust of the citizens and public opinion in general that decision- making at EU level is done on the basis of general interest; asks for the 'reading- room' procedure to be terminated and all relevant documents therein to be made publicly available;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Recalls that citizens want all international trade agreements to be ratified by the national parliaments; calls on the European Ombudsman to defend the citizens' demand from the Commission;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the continuation of the European Ombudsman’s investigations into ‘revolving doors’ cases in the Commission; acknowledges the increased information offered by the Commission regarding the names of the senior officials who have left it to work in the private sector as a result of these investigations; encourages the more frequent publication of the names and other data of such persons; expresses its hope that other European institutions and agencies will follow suit; welcomes the willingness of the Commission to publish information regarding the post-term-of-office occupation of former Commissioners; ~~expresses great concern that the former Commission President Mr Barroso was appointed as an adviser and non- executive chairman of Goldman Sachs International;~~

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the continuation of the European Ombudsman’s investigations into ‘revolving doors’ cases in the Commission; acknowledges the increased information offered by the Commission regarding the names of the senior officials who have left it to work in the private sector as a result of these investigations; encourages the more frequent publication of the names and other data of such persons; expresses its hope that other European institutions and agencies will follow suit; welcomes the willingness of the Commission to publish information regarding the post-term-of-office occupation of former Commissioners~~; expresses great concern that the former Commission President Mr Barroso was appointed as an adviser and non- executive chairman of Goldman Sachs International;~~.

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the continuation of the European Ombudsman’s investigations into ‘revolving doors’ cases in the Commission; ~~acknowledges~~takes note of the increased information offered by the Commission regarding the names of the senior officials who have left it to work in the private sector as a result of these investigations; ~~encourages the more frequent publication of the names and other data of such persons; expresses its hope~~calls for the timely publication of the names of all officials involved in the same cases and to ensure full transparency on all related information; firmly believes that other European institutions and agencies ~~will follow suit; welcomes the willingnes~~must do the same; calls ofn the Commission to ~~publish information~~guarantee a proactive publication and full transparency regarding the post-term-of-office occupation of former Commissioners~~; expresses great concern~~ and on all related information; deeply regrets that the former Commission President Mr Barroso was appointed as an adviser and non-executive chairman of Goldman Sachs International; stresses that this case increases citizens' mistrust towards the Commission regarding its credibility and independence from private financial interests and can represent a breach of the duty to behave with integrity and discretion, as regards the acceptance of certain appointments for former Commissioners, laid down in both Article 245 TFUE and the Code of conduct for Commissioners;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Reminds that conflict of interests has a broader scope than the 'revolving doors' cases; stresses that tackling effectively all sources of conflict of interest is crucial in order to achieve good administration and to ensure credibility of political and technical decision-making; considers that particular attention needs to be paid at the EU level, with high standards and concrete measures that leave no doubt of any conflict of interest, in the appointments of candidates to positions in its institutions, agencies and bodies;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)

- having regard to Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Supports the European Ombudsman’s determination to make the workings of the European Central Bank more transparent and meeting a high standard of governance, especially as a member of the Troika/Quadriga that supervises fiscal consolidation programmes in EU countries; welcomes the decision of the ECB to publish lists of meetings of its Executive Board members; supports the new guiding principles for speaking engagements and the establishment of a "quiet period" regarding market-sensitive information prior to Governing Council meetings.

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Calls for greater transparency in Eurogroup meetings, beyond the steps already taken by its President after~~Welcomes the decision to increase transparency in the work of the Eurogroup, following an intervention by the European Ombudsman;.

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Urges the Ombudsman to examine instances of maladministration in the functioning of the ECB due to the conflict of interest resulting from its status as a monetary authority and a member of the Troika/Quadriga, thus abiding by the ECJ judgment in Case C-62/14 of 16 June 2015, especially paragraph 102 thereof, as well as the opinion expressed by Advocate-General Cruz Villalón in the same case, especially paragraphs 227 and 263 thereof;deleted

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Urg~~Notes the ~~Ombudsman to examine instances of maladmini~~European Central Bank's strat~~ion in the functioning of the ECB due to the conflict of interest resulting from its status~~us as acting both as a monetary authority and as a member of the Troika/Quadriga, thus abiding by the ECJ judgment in Case C-62/14 of 16 June 2015, especially paragraph 102 thereof, as well as the opinion expressed by Advocate-General Cruz Villalón in the same case, especially paragraphs 227 and 263 thereof and urges the European Ombudsman to be vigilant towards any possible instances of maladministration; in order to provide citizens with adequate safeguards for the good administration of one of Europe's most important financial authorities;

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Urges~~Notes that the Ombudsman ~~to examine instances~~may look into the possibility of maladministration in the functioning of the ECB due to the potential conflict of interest resulting from its status as a monetary authority and a member of the Troika/Quadriga, thus abiding by the ECJ judgment in Case C-62/14 of 16 June 2015, especially paragraph 102 thereof, as well as the opinion expressed by Advocate- General Cruz Villalón in the same case, especially paragraphs 227 and 263 thereof;

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

~~8. Calls for transparency in European Stabilisation Mechanism (ESM) workings;~~deleted

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

~~8. Calls for transparency in European Stabilisation Mechanism (ESM) workings;~~deleted

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Reminds that the Ombudsman also has the capacity, and therefore the duty, to scrutinise the work of the Parliament within the scope of pursuing good administration for EU citizens;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recognises the need for transparency in EU decision-making, and supports the investigation by the European Ombudsmen into informal negotiations between the three main EU institutions (‘trilogues’); commends the awareness- raising actions by the Ombudsman on the matter; supports the publishing of key ‘trilogue’ documents, if the European Ombudsman decides that such a publication is in line with public interest;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recognises the need for transparency in EU decision-making, and supports the investigation by the European Ombudsmen into informal negotiations between the three main EU institutions (‘'trilogues’'); commends the awareness- raising actions by the Ombudsman on the matter; supports the publishing of key ‘'trilogue’' documents; welcomes the Ombudsman's involvement by launching a public consultation;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 b (new)

- having regard to Article 41 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recognises the need for full transparency in EU decision-making, and supports the investigation by the European Ombudsmean into informal negotiations between the three main EU institutions (‘trilogues’); commends the awareness- raising actions by the Ombudsman on the matter; supports the publishing of ~~key~~all ‘trilogue’ documents;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Encourages the European Commission and Member States to empower the European Ombudsman with the ability to issue a statement of non- compliance with Regulation 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents by the various EU Institutions, provided that these documents do not fall within the scope of Article 9(1) of the Regulation; Supports the notion that the Ombudsman should be empowered to take a decision on the release of the relevant documents, following an investigation into the non-compliance;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Approves of the Ombudsman’s investigation into the make-up and transparency of the Commission’s expert groups; notes the Commission’s efforts to open up these groups to the public, and ~~calls for~~stresses that further actions ~~in this direction~~are needed to ensure full transparency; reiterates its call to the Council, including its preparatory bodies, to join the lobby register as soon as possible and to improve transparency of their work;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Approves of the Ombudsman’s investigation into the make-up and transparency of the work of the Commission’s expert groups; notes the Commission’s efforts to open up these groups to the public, and calls for further actions in this direction;

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Supports the Ombudsman’s efforts in making lobbying more transparent; regrets the Commission’s reluctance to publish detailed information on meetings with tobacco lobbyists; urges the Commission to make its workings more open to the public in order to gain more trust in its work;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11 a. Welcomes the Ombudsman's investigation into whether the Charter of Fundamental Rights is being respected when Member States spend money on projects financed by the EU Cohesion Fund, such as to fund projects that institutionalise people with disabilities rather than integrating them into society;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)

14 c. Calls on the Ombudsman to investigate on the transparency and the added value of the programmes and actions financed by the EU funds, also assessing if and how they have contributed to the promotion of respect for the fundamental rights enshrined in the Charter;

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11 a. Calls on the Commission to make all information on lobby influence available free of charge, fully comprehensible for and easily accessible to the public through one centralised online database;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 c (new)

- having regard to Article 42 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11 b. Welcomes the cooperation between the Ombudsman and the European Parliament within the UN Framework for the UN Convention of Rights of Persons with disabilities, in particular in calling for the full implementation of the Convention at EU level and for sufficient resources to be allocated for this; reaffirms its full support for the implementation of the Convention and calls on the Commission and Member states to enact the full implementation of the Convention at EU level;

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11 b. Calls on the Commission to submit, within 2017, a proposal for a fully mandatory and legally-binding lobby register aimed at closing all loopholes and achieving a fully mandatory register for all lobbyists;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 d (new)

12 d. Supports efforts to implement guidelines on lobbying transparency which affect not only EU institutions but national administrations as well;

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)

11 c. Welcomes the opening of the Ombudsman's inquiry (Case 01/5/2016/AB) in to the Commission's handling of infringement complaints under EU Pilot procedures;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14 a. Notes that the launching of the Ombudsman's strategic inquiry OI/5/2016/AB regarding the handling of infringement complaints under the ʹEU Pilotʹ is based on the duty of the Commission as guardian of the Treaties;reminds that many petitions by citizens to this Parliament are either the origin or otherwise related to infringement procedures; reiterates in this sense the previous claims that adequate access to relevant documents related to EU Pilot and infringement procedures are timely granted to the competent committee;

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 d (new)

11 d. Supports the Ombudsman's efforts in dealing with discrimination cases, the rights of minority groups, and the rights of elderly people at the European Network of Ombudsmen Seminar: Ombudsmen against discrimination;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Welcomes the introduction of a complaints mechanism for potential fundamental rights infringements in Frontex, following an ongoing Ombudsman investigation into practices employed by Frontex and Member States in joint forced returns of illegal migrants; commends the inclusion of the same mechanism in the new European Border and Coast Guard;deleted

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Welcomes the introduction of a complaints mechanism for potential fundamental human rights infringements in Frontex, following an ongoing Ombudsman investigation into practices employed by Frontex and Member States in joint forced returns of illegal migrants; commends the inclusion of the same mechanism in the new European Border and Coast Guard;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Welcomes the introduction of a complaints mechanism for potential fundamental rights infringements in Frontex, following an ongoing Ombudsman investigation into practices employed by Frontex and Member States in joint forced returns of i~~llegal~~rregular migrants; commends the inclusion of the same mechanism in the new European Border and Coast Guard;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Supports the Ombudsman's recommendations that the European Food Safety Agency should revise its conflict of interest rules and procedures for proper public consultation participation;

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)

- having regard to the United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities,

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12 b. Supports the Ombudsman's efforts to include impartiality around Commission decision-making on competition matters;

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)

12 c. Notes positively the Ombudsman's continuous dialogue and close relations with broad range of EU institutions including, the European Parliament, along with other agencies in order to ensure administrative cooperation and cohesion and commends the Ombudsman's effort to ensure continuous and open communication with the Committee on Petitions;

Amendment 62 #

Laurenţiu REBEGA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Acknowledges that the ~~right of citizens to have a say in EU policy-making is now more important than ever;~~position of public opinion, represented through the right to have a say, must be an integral part of any political decision, particularly in the current European context, and welcomes the guidelines proposed by the Ombudsman for improving the functioning of the European Citizens’ Initiative, especially where solid reasoning by the Commission in ECI rejections is concerned;

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Acknowledges that the right of citizens to have a say in EU policy-making is now more important than ever; welcomes the guidelines proposed by the Ombudsman for improving the functioning of the European Citizens’ Initiative, especially where solid reasoning by the Commission in ECI rejections is concerned; recognises, however, that there are significant deficits which need to be tackled and solved in order to make the ECI more effective;

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Acknowledges that the right of citizens to have a say in EU policy-making is now more important than ever; welcomes the guidelines proposed by the Ombudsman for improving the functioning of the European Citizens’ Initiative, especially where solid reasoning by the Commission in ECI rejections is concerned; asserts that the greater inclusion of citizens in the creation of EU policies will increase the credibility of the European institutions;

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Acknowledges that the right of citizens to have a say in EU policy-making is now more important than ever; welcomes the guidelines proposed by the Ombudsman for improving the functioning of the European Citizens’ Initiative, especially where solid reasoning by the Commission in ECI rejections is concerned; regrets that the European Citizen's Initiative does not allow for the repeal of normative texts;

Amendment 66 #

Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Calls for the revision of Regulation 1049/2001 in order to give the European Ombudsman binding powers regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents; recognises that this would allow the European Ombudsman to order documents to be released and recalls that this would facilitate the European Ombudsman's work and improve its access to documents significantly;

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Calls for the revision of Regulation 1049/2001 in order to give the European Ombudsman binding powers regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents; recognises that this would allow the European Ombudsman to order documents to be released and recalls that this facilitate the European Ombudsman's work and improve its access to documents significantly;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14 a. Reminds that Regulation (EC) N. 1049/2001 on public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents builds on the principle of 'widest possible access'; underlines therefore that transparency and full access to documents held by the EU institutions must be the rule in order to ensure that citizens can fully exercise their democratic rights; stresses that, as has already decided by the EU Court of Justice, exceptions to that rule have to be properly interpreted, taking into account the overriding public interest in disclosure and in the requirements of democracy, the closer involvement of citizens in the decision-making process, the legitimacy of governance, efficiency and accountability to citizens;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Calls on the European Ombudsman to add to future annual reports a categorization of complaints outside its mandate, which would give to Members of the European Parliament an overview of problems affecting EU citizens.

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas Article 15 TFEU states that in order to promote good governance and ensure the participation of civil society, the Union's institutions, bodies, offices and agencies shall conduct their work as openly as possible;

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Notes the concern of citizens in relation to the handling of infringement complaints by the Commission~~, to the potential initiation of an infringement procedure before~~; highlights that the right to good administration, as enshrined in Article 41 of the CJEU ~~and to the transparency of the relevant procedures~~Charter, includes the obligation to sufficient reasoning in cases when the Commission decides not to launch an infringement procedure before the ECJ; welcomes the resulting strategic enquiry by the European Ombudsman on the systemic issues encountered in the EU pilot;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. ~~Notes~~Points out the concern of citizens in relation to the handling of infringement complaints by the Commission, to the potential initiation of an infringement procedure before the CJEU and to the transparency of the relevant procedures; welcomes the resulting strategic enquiry by the European Ombudsman on the systemic issues encountered in the EU pilot;

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)

14 b. Regrets that the revision of Regulation (EC) N. 1049/2001 is stalled; believes that progress should be achieved without further delay as the Regulation no longer reflects the current legal situation and the institutional practices;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Acknowledges the need for EU agencies to abide by the same high standards of transparency, accountability, and ethics as all other institutions; notes with appreciation the important work performed by the European Ombudsman in several agencies across the EU; supports the proposal made to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) that registrants have to show that they tried their utmost to avoid animal testing and to provide information on how to avoid animal testing;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15 a. Calls for an effective upgrade of the Code of Good Administrative Behaviour, by means of adopting a binding regulation on the matter during this legislative term;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)

15 b. Regrets that the EMIS Committee received from the Commission a partial documentation, drawn up in the absence of information deemed by the Commission not relevant; calls on the Commission to ensure the highest accuracy in its work and full transparency on the documentation provided, fully complying with the principle of sincere cooperation, in order to guarantee that EMIS Committee can fully and effectively exercise its powers of investigation;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. whereas Article 258 of the TFEU lays down the role of the Commission as Guardian of the treaties; whereas failure or omission to undertake such responsibilities could be considered as maladministration;

Amendment 9 #