2017/2225(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Draft opinion
Recital B

B. wWhereas ,in addition to the more general cohesion policy funds, Northern Ireland has benefited, in particular, from special cross-border and inter-community programmes, including the Northern Ireland PEACE pProgramme; whereas these programmes have contributed decisively to the peace process in Northern Ireland and supporting the Good Friday Agreement and continue to support the reconciliation of the Catholic and Protestant communities;

Amendment 2 #

Richard ASHWORTH

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas following the creation of the first PEACE programme in 1995, more than EUR 1,5 billion has been spent with the dual aim of promoting cohesion between communities involved in the conflict in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, as well as economic and social stability;

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Acknowledges the significant role that EU Cohesion Policy has had on sustaining peace in Northern Ireland and in facilitating cross community reconciliation to happen.

Amendment 4 #

Richard ASHWORTH

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the fact that management and control systems in the regions are functioning properly and that EU financial assistance is therefore being spent effectively; stresses nevertheless that in addition to compliance, the underlying objectives of the PEACE programme must always be taken into account when assessing the performance of this programme;

Amendment 5 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Is unable to anticipate what solution will be found for Northern Ireland post 2020;, in the context of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and stresses the importance of a solution for the region which allows the important work of peace building to continue

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Is convinced that it would be in the interests of the U~~K and the EU~~nited Kingdom, Ireland and the entire European Union to continue financing the Northern Ireland PEACE pProgramme and the INTERREG V-A programme for Northern Ireland, Ireland and Scotland with a view to supporting ~~the~~a peaceful and prosperous development of these regions and calls on all parties to be imaginative in how funding for these important objectives can be obtained.

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Emphasises that 85% of funding for the PEACE and INTERREG programmes comes from the EU and stresses that projects funded by the programmes could be jeopardised if EU funding is discontinued.

Amendment 8 #

Richard ASHWORTH

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Welcomes the UK government’s proposal in August 2017 to explore a potential successor to PEACE IV for the post-2020 period with the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government1a; highlights the positive response set out in the Joint Report of December 2017, in which both the negotiators of the European Union and the UK government agreed to examine possibilities for future support of the PEACE and INTERREG funding programmes1b; notes moreover, the Commission’s intention to propose the continuation of these programmes in its proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework1c; _________________ 1aNorthern Ireland and Ireland: position paper, Paragraph 17, August 2017. 1bJoint report from the negotiators of the European Union and the United Kingdom Government on progress during phase 1 of negotiations under Article 50 TEU on the United Kingdom’s orderly withdrawal from the European Union, paragraph 55, December 2017. 1cCommission Communication on the state of progress of the negotiations with the United Kingdom under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, Page 9, December 2017.

source: 621.114

2018/05/16 REGI 50 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)

- having regard to the UK Government’s Position Paper on the Future of Cohesion Policy, published on 11 April 2018,

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Underlines the important contribution of EU cohesion policy to Northern Ireland, particularly in terms of assisting the recovery of deprived urban and rural areas, tackling climate change, and of building cross- community and cross-border contacts in the context of the peace process; notes in particular that assistance to deprived urban and rural areas often takes the form of support for new economic development that promote the knowledge economy, such as the Science Parks in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry;

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Underlines the important and positive contribution of EU cohesion policy to Northern Ireland, particularly in terms of assisting the recovery of deprived urban and rural areas and of building cross- community and cross-border contacts in the context of the peace process; notes in particular that assistance to deprived urban and rural areas often takes the form of support for new economic development that promote the knowledge economy, such as the Science Parks in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Considers that the special EU programmes for Northern Ireland, including the Northern Ireland Peace Programme, are of key importance for the continuing peace process, as they foster reconciliation, inter-community and cross- border contacts; notes that cross- community and cross- border social hubs and shared services are particularly important in this regard;

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Considers that the special EU programmes for Northern Ireland, ~~including~~especially the Northern Ireland Peace Programme, are of key importance for the continuing peace process, as they foster inter-community and cross-border contacts; notes that cross-community and cross- border social hubs and shared services are particularly important in this regard;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Considers that the special EU programmes for Northern Ireland, including the Northern Ireland Peace Programme, are of key importance for the continuing peace process, as they foster ~~inter~~cross-community and cross-border contacts; notes that cross-community and cross-border social hubs and shared services are particularly important in this regard;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Welcomes the important progress which has been made in Northern Ireland under the PEACE programme and acknowledges the work of all parties in helping to achieve this since the Troubles came to an end;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2 b. Welcomes the UK Government’s stated intention to protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts; believes that the functioning of the Good Friday Agreement should not be impacted by the final withdrawal agreement;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Sees that cross-community trust- building measures and measures for a peaceful coexistence, such as shared spaces and support networks, have played a key role in the peace process, as shared spaces allow the two communities in Northern Ireland to come together for joint activities, thereby helping to heal the divide;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Sees that cross-community trust- building measures, such as shared spaces and support networks, have played a key role in the peace process, as shared spaces allow the two communities in Northern Ireland to come together for joint activities and develop mutual trust and respect, thereby helping to heal the divide;

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Sees that cross-community trust- building measures, such as shared spaces and support networks, have played a key role in the peace process, as shared spaces allow the ~~two~~ communities in Northern Ireland to come together for joint activities, thereby helping to heal the divide;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 b (new)

- having regard to the UK Government’s Position Paper on Northern Ireland and Ireland, published on 16 August 2017 in light of the UK’s intended withdrawal from the European Union,

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Sees that cross-community trust- building measures, such as shared spaces and support networks, have played a key role in the peace process, as shared spaces allow the ~~two~~ communit~~ies~~y in Northern Ireland to come together for joint activities, thereby helping to heal the divide;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Emphasizes the importance of the Community-Led Local Development and the bottom-up approach, which encourages all communities to take ownership of projects, thus enhancing the peace process;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes the attachment of all stakeholders in Northern Ireland to the continuance of EU cohesion policy goals in the region; stresses, in that regard, the importance of coordinated multilevel governance and the partnership principle;

Amendment 23 #

Maria Gabriela ZOANĂ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Is if the opinion, nevertheless, that more could be done to increase general awareness of the impact of EU funding in Northern Ireland, in particular by informing the general public about the impact of EU-funded projects for the peace process and the general economic development of the region and promoting examples of best practice, with an emphasis on projects carried out at cross- border level;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Is if the opinion, nevertheless, that more could be done to increase general awareness and visibility of the impact of EU funding in Northern Ireland, in particular by informing the general public about the impact of EU-funded projects for the peace process and the general economic development of the region;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Is if the opinion, nevertheless, that more ~~could~~must be done to increase general awareness of the impact of EU funding in Northern Ireland, in particular by informing the general public about the impact of EU-funded projects for the peace process and the general economic development of the region;

Amendment 26 #

John HOWARTH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Believes it desirable that, post- 2020, Northern Ireland should be able to continue to participate in the EU’s general cohesion funds if possible, as that would benefit economic and social development, particularly in disadvantaged and rural areas; urges, furthermore, in the context of the post-2020 MFF, that all possible financial instruments be explored for enabling the continuation of the objectives of cohesion policy in re- enforcing the conditions for the development of prosperity and the continuation of peace;

Amendment 27 #

Marc JOULAUD

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Believes it desirable that, post- 2020, Northern Ireland should ~~be able to continue to participate in the EU’s general cohesion funds if possible, as that would benefit~~– if possible, without prejudice to the ongoing negotiations and in conditions that have yet to be defined – be able to continue to participate in certain specific EU programmes that are necessary to ensure stability in the region, whilst also contributing to economic and social development, particularly in disadvantaged and rural areas;

Amendment 28 #

Ivan JAKOVČIĆ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Believes ~~it desirable~~that it should be considered that, even post- 2020, Northern Ireland should be able to continue to participate in the EU’s general cohesion funds ~~if possible~~, as that would benefit economic and social development, particularly in disadvantaged and rural areas; joint co- financing from the EU and the UK should be considered if necessary;

Amendment 29 #

Maria Gabriela ZOANĂ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

Amendment 3 #

Derek VAUGHAN

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas EU cohesion policy in Northern Ireland operates through various instruments, including the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Regional Development, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, the ~~Northern Ireland Peace Programme and the~~PEACE Programme for Northern Ireland and the Border region and the cross- border Interreg programmes;

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

Amendment 31 #

Andrey NOVAKOV

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Believes it desirable that, post- 2020, Northern Ireland should be able to ~~continue to participate in the EU’s general cohesion fund~~take advantage of and to participate in specific EU programmes if possible, as that would benefit economic and social development, particularly in disadvantaged and rural areas;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Believes it desirable that, post- 2020, Northern Ireland should be able to continue to participate in the EU’s general cohesion funds ~~if possible~~, as that would benefit sustainable economic and social development, particularly in disadvantaged and rural areas;

Amendment 33 #

Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Believes ~~it desirable~~ that, post- 2020, it is crucial for Northern Ireland ~~should~~to be able to continue to participate in the EU’s general cohesion funds ~~if possible~~, as that would strongly benefit economic and social development, particularly in disadvantaged and rural areas;

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Notes that negotiations between the UK Government and the European Union, under the process laid out in Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, is ongoing; respects the sovereignty of these negotiating parties while fully supporting an outcome that is committed to peace, reconciliation and cross-border programmes;

Amendment 35 #

Marc JOULAUD

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. C~~onsiders that, post-2020,~~alls for efforts to be made to look into the option of continuing with EU- supported cross-border and inter- community schemes ~~should b~~after 2020, without prejudice to the con~~tinued~~going negotiations; stresses that the continuance of the special EU cohesion programmes for Northern Ireland, namely the Northern Ireland Peace Programme and the Interreg programmes, are particularly important for the stability of the region; fears that an end to these programmes would endanger cross-border and inter-community trust-building activities and, as a consequence, the peace process;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Considers that, post-2020, EU- supported cross-border and ~~inter~~cross- community schemes should be continued; stresses that the continuance of the special EU cohesion programmes for Northern Ireland, namely the Northern Ireland Peace Programme and the Interreg programmes, are particularly important for the stability of the region, especially after the British exit from the EU; fears that an end to these programmes would endanger cross-border and ~~inter~~cross-community trust-building activities and, as a consequence, the peace process;

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Considers that, post-2020, EU- supported territorial cooperation programmes, especially cross-border and inter- community schemes should be continued; stresses that the continuance of the special EU cohesion programmes for Northern Ireland, namely the Northern Ireland Peace Programme and the Interreg programmes, are particularly important for the stability of the region; fears that an end to these programmes would endanger cross-border and inter-community trust- building activities and, as a consequence, the peace process;

Amendment 38 #

Andrey NOVAKOV

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Considers that, post-2020, EU- supported options to cross-border and inter- community ~~scheme~~goals should ~~be continued~~remain open for discussion; stresses that the ~~continuance~~achievements of the special EU cohesion programmes for Northern Ireland, namely the Northern Ireland Peace Programme and the Interreg programmes, are particularly important for the stability of the region; fears that an end to these programmes would endanger cross-border and inter-community trust- building activities and, as a consequence, the peace process;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. Welcomes the UK Government’s stated aim of continuing funding for PEACE IV for the rest of the current programme through to 2020, and its desire to explore a future programme post-2020 in partnership with the Northern Ireland Executive, the Irish Government and the EU;

Amendment 4 #

Derek VAUGHAN

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas it is clear that Northern Ireland is a region that has benefited greatly from the EU’s cohesion policy; welcomes the commitment to future funding in the Commission's draft MFF for 2021-2027.

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7 b. Welcomes the UK Government’s stated intention of looking favourably on future support for Interreg VA post-2020;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)

7 c. Supports the UK Government in wanting to secure the role of both the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and the North South Ministerial Council; notes that Article 21 of Regulation (EU) 1299/2013 may need to be amended to allow the SEUPB to continue acting as a managing authority in potential future programmes;

Amendment 42 #

Marc JOULAUD

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Considers that it is important that the EU should continue to reach out to both communities in Northern Ireland post-2020 by playing an active role in the administration of cohesion and cross- community funding in Northern Ireland, thereby helping them to overcome their divisions; ~~believes that funding should be maintained at its current level;~~

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Considers that it is important that the EU should continue to reach out to bothe communit~~ies~~y in Northern Ireland post-2020 by playing an active role in the administration of cohesion and cross- community funding in Northern Ireland, thereby helping ~~them~~ to overcome ~~their~~social divisions; believes that funding should be maintained at its current level after the British exit from the EU;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Considers that it is important that the EU should continue to reach out to ~~both~~all communities in Northern Ireland post- 2020 by playing an active role in the administration of cohesion and cross- community funding in Northern Ireland, thereby helping them to overcome their divisions; believes that funding should be maintained at its current level;

Amendment 45 #

Andrey NOVAKOV

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Considers that it is important that the EU should continue to reach out to both communities in Northern Ireland post-2020 by playing an active role in the administration of ~~cohesion and cross- community~~the available EU funding in Northern Ireland, thereby helping them to overcome their divisions; believes that funding should be maintained at its current level;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Calls on the Commission to promote the Northern Irish experience with cohesion funding as an example of how the EU wants to address inter-community conflicts; stresses in that regard the Northern Irish reconciliation process as a positive example for other post-conflict areas in the EU;

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Calls on the Commission to promote the Northern Irish experience with cohesion funding, especially with the PEACE Programme, as an example of how the EU wants to address inter- community conflicts;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Calls on the Commission to promote the Northern Irish experience with cohesion funding as an example of how the EU wants to address ~~inter-~~community divisions caused by conflicts;

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. believes that the good practices of the PEACE Programme should be taken as the EU model for overcoming mistrust between conflicting communities and achieving lasting peace in other parts of Europe, especially in the Western Balkans;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas it is clear that Northern Ireland is a region that has benefited greatly from the EU’s cohesion policy and the EU perspective ;

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Considers that it is essential that the people of Northern Ireland, and in particular young people, should continue to have access to economic, social and cultural exchanges across Europe, particularly to the Erasmus+ programme;

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas, in addition to the more general cohesion policy funds, Northern Ireland has benefited in particular from special cross-border and ~~inter~~cross-community programmes, including the Northern Ireland Peace Programme;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas EU cohesion policy, particularly through the Peace Programme, has decisively contributed to the peace process in Northern Ireland and supports the reconciliation of the ~~two~~ communities;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas EU cohesion policy, particularly through the Peace Programme, has decisively contributed to the peace process in Northern Ireland and supports ~~the reconciliation of the two communities~~cross-community reconciliation;

Amendment 9 #