2024/0176(BUD) | [ParlTrack]

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Takes note of the EUR 53,75 billion in commitments and EUR 51,12 billion in payment for agriculture; regrets the decrease compared to 2024 and calls for ~~a budget increase~~strategic implementation considering the challenges farmers will face in 2025;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Recalls the objectives under Article 39 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which include increasing agricultural productivity by promoting technical progress, ensuring a reasonable standard of living for farmers, and guaranteeing food security;

Amendment 100 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Stresses the need ~~for~~to complete the process of both internal and external convergence to ensure a fair distribution of CAP support between Member States, including direct payments;

Amendment 101 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Stresses the need for a fair distribution of CAP support between and within Member States, including direct payments;

Amendment 102 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Deplores the excessive bureaucracy of the CAP and the difficult application of some rules on conditionality with inevitable repercussions on the effectiveness of expenditure;

Amendment 103 #

Camilla LAURETI, Dario NARDELLA, Stefano BONACCINI, Annalisa CORRADO, Elisabetta GUALMINI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Deplores the excessive bureaucracy of the CAP and the difficult application of some rules on conditionality with inevitable repercussions on the effectiveness of expenditure;

Amendment 104 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Stresses the need for a fair distribution of CAP support to ensure that its funding is distributed in a fair manner between small, medium and big enterprises;

Amendment 105 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for an increase in the Horizon Europe research budget for agriculture; emphasizes the vital role of innovation for a more competitive and sustainable agriculture, as well as the importance of digital transformation; stresses that farmers need to be involved in the research and findings of the research should be brought to action and benefit farmers;

Amendment 106 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for an increase in the Horizon Europe research budget for agriculture; emphasizes the vital role of innovation for a more competitive and sustainable agriculture, as well as the importance of digital transformation; stresses the need to invest in precision farming, integrated pest management and robotics in order to optimise productivity while reducing inputs, costs and emissions;

Amendment 107 #

Dario NARDELLA, Stefano BONACCINI, Camilla LAURETI, Annalisa CORRADO, Elisabetta GUALMINI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for an increase in the Horizon Europe research budget for agriculture; emphasizes the vital role of innovation for a more competitive and sustainable agriculture, as well as the importance of digital transformation; underlines the need to invest in precision farming solutions such as robotics, smart water systems or drones that can boost farms competitiveness and productivity while ensuring a more effective use of inputs;

Amendment 108 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for an increase in the Horizon Europe research budget for agriculture; emphasizes the vital role of innovation for a more competitive and sustainable agriculture, as well as the importance of digital transformation; recalls the significance of ensuring that research results reach farm level and are translated into accessible farm advisory services; underlines the role of stronger agricultural knowledge and innovation systems (AKIS), as well as the Farm Sustainability Data Network (FSDN) to encourage innovation projects and to diffuse their use;

Amendment 109 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for an increase in the Horizon Europe research budget for agriculture; emphasizes the ~~vital~~ role of innovation for a ~~more competitive and~~ sustainable agriculture and protein transition, as well as the importance of digital transformation;

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Considers that it is appropriate that the aforementioned objectives of the EU primary law are explicitly and prominently featured in the introduction to "heading 3" in the “General Introduction” of the 2025 budget;

Amendment 110 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

Amendment 111 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for an increase in the Horizon Europe research budget for agriculture; emphasizes the vital role of innovation for ~~a more competitive and~~climate mitigation strategies and developing a more sustainable agricultureal model, as well as the importance of digital transformation;

Amendment 112 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for an increase in the Horizon Europe research budget for agriculture; emphasizes the vital role of innovation and digitization for a more competitive and sustainable agriculture, a~~s well as the importance of digital transformat~~nd in particular funding for research and development of biotechnology technologies in the light of the upcoming regulations concerning new genome editing techniques that are crucial for climate adaptation, reducing the use of crop protection, thus securing Europe’s leading position in agricultural innovation and its global long-term competitiveness, while contributing to the Union’s objective of strategic autonomy, as recognised in the political guidelines of Ursula von der Leyen for the next Commission;

Amendment 113 #

Dario NARDELLA, Stefano BONACCINI, Camilla LAURETI, Annalisa CORRADO, Elisabetta GUALMINI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Calls for appropriate investments to facilitate the transition to more sustainable farming practices through innovation and investment, without reducing European agricultural production and while avoiding a situation where European farmers face unfair competition from imports that do not meet Union standards;

Amendment 114 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Reaffirms the importance of the Union's school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme to help children follow a varied diet and lifestyle with healthy nutrition as its primary focus; invites the Member States to fully use their allocations of this scheme and prioritise sustainable, local, and high-quality production;

Amendment 115 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Calls for an increase in the budget for investments in the distribution networks of agricultural producers in order to eliminate speculation in agricultural products;

Amendment 116 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Stresses the vital importance to provide sufficient funding for protein transition in the EU towards organic and sustainable plant-based alternatives;

Amendment 117 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Stresses the need to better address the impact of floods, droughts and wildfires on primary production, food security and farmers’ income, both within the EU and globally.

Amendment 118 #

Michal WIEZIK, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Stresses the need to better address the impact of floods, droughts and wildfires on primary production, food security and farmers’ income, that are key for the resilience of the farming sector.

Amendment 119 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Stresses the need to better address the impact of floods, droughts and wildfires on primary production, food security and farmers’ income by increasing water resilience and adaptive capacity and supporting measures to mitigate the threat of climate change to farming systems.

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1c. Notes that the spending under the Common Agricultural Policy significantly exceeds the climate and biodiversity mainstreaming targets and requests that this surplus be used to allocate funds that directly contribute to the primary objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy;

Amendment 120 #

Camilla LAURETI, Dario NARDELLA, Stefano BONACCINI, Annalisa CORRADO, Elisabetta GUALMINI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Stresses the need to better address the impact of floods, droughts and wildfires on primary production, food security and farmers’ income through the establishment of an Emergency Response Strategy and Reaction Fund.

Amendment 121 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Stresses the need to find long-term solutions to enable the green transition and tackle climate changes while better addressing the impact of floods, droughts and wildfires on primary production, food security and farmers’ income.

Amendment 122 #

Carlo FIDANZA, Nicola PROCACCINI, Bert-Jan RUISSEN, Sergio BERLATO, Francesco VENTOLA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Stresses the need to ~~better address the impact~~develop and adopt strategies to improve the resilience of food production systems that will reduce the incidence of floods, droughts and wildfires ~~on primary production,~~to ensure food security and support farmers’ incomes.

Amendment 123 #

Salvatore DE MEO, Herbert DORFMANN, Letizia MORATTI, Massimiliano SALINI, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Flavio TOSI, Caterina CHINNICI, Giusi PRINCI, Marco FALCONE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Stresses the need to better address the impact of floods, droughts and wildfires on primary production, food security and farmers’' income and to establish a fund designated for the compensation of damages from wildlife and large carnivores.

Amendment 124 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Stresses the need to better address the impact of floods, droughts and wildfires on primary production, food security and farmers’ income through an agricultural reserve that reflects the needs of farmers to cope with adverse climatic events.

Amendment 125 #

Daniel BUDA, Dan-Ştefan MOTREANU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Stresses the need to better address the impact of floods, droughts and wildfires on primary production, food security and farmers’ income; calls for an adequately funded European plan for water use, reuse, storage and smart sharing.

Amendment 126 #

Daniel BUDA, Dan-Ştefan MOTREANU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Stresses the need to better address the impact of floods, droughts and wildfires on primary production, food security and farmers’ income; calls for an increase of the appropriations effectively contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Amendment 127 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Laments the inconsistency of managing large carnivores and the concomitant stimulation of extensive grazing; reminds that that enough funding should be made available to Member States in order to adequately compensate farmers for their losses caused by large carnivores;

Amendment 128 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Insists that any revenue to the Union budget deriving from any assigned revenues or repayments of irregularities from agriculture should remain under the agriculture component of Heading 3;

Amendment 129 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Stresses the vital importance of the POSEI scheme for maintaining agricultural activity and for the provision of food and agricultural products in the outermost regions; regrets that the levels of support offered by this scheme have not been revised to provide them with the necessary financial resources, which is exacerbated by the fact that their appropriations have not been adjusted in line with inflation, resulting in substantial losses in real terms;

Amendment 13 #

Carlo FIDANZA, Nicola PROCACCINI, Bert-Jan RUISSEN, Sergio BERLATO, Francesco VENTOLA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Reminds that farmers and rural communities are key actors in ~~food~~the provision of high quality ~~and~~ affordab~~ility~~le food and the ~~preservation of rural area~~management of rural areas that provide key ecosystem services such as clean water, clean air and climate mitigation services;

Amendment 130 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Asks the Commission that any environmental fund in the future shall not involve financial resources shifted from the CAP.

Amendment 131 #

Arno BAUSEMER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Calls for an immediate end to all EU sanctions against Russia, as these sanctions limit European farmers’ productivity.

Amendment 132 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11b. Regrets the cuts made to the European Union’s 2025 programme for the promotion of agricultural products, in particular to multi programmes; recalls the importance of promotion policy in increasing the competitiveness of the European agricultural sector, internally as well as in third countries, in particular by boosting recognition of the EU's quality schemes.

Amendment 133 #

Daniel BUDA, Dan-Ştefan MOTREANU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11b. Calls on Member States to provide more support to the cooperative sector, especially by promoting and incentivising the establishment and development of agri-cooperatives;

Amendment 134 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11b. Notes with concern that the production costs of agricultural goods are increasingly often higher than the selling price;

Amendment 135 #

Arno BAUSEMER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11b. Points out that the ideology of the so-called Green Deal and the associated promoted installation of photovoltaic and wind power on valuable arable land blocks this land for a long time and makes it unusable for agriculture. Any financial incentives for these renewable energies should therefore be kept to a minimum.

Amendment 136 #

Arno BAUSEMER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 c (new)

11c. Calls for an end to the EU’s accession negotiations with Ukraine and Türkiye, given that, in the context of the CAP, the accession of these countries would result in an unacceptable burden and disadvantage for European agriculture.

Amendment 137 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 c (new)

11c. Stresses that enough funding should be made available to support Member States to efficiently tackle transmissible animal diseases such as the avian flu or the African swine fever;

Amendment 138 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 d (new)

11d. Calls for additional support for smaller and medium-sized farms, which are more vulnerable to market fluctuations, crises and inflation;

Amendment 139 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 e (new)

11e. Encourages Member States to develop agricultural credit guarantee instruments to enable farmers, agricultural associations and SMEs to obtain easier access to secure, consistent and predictable working capital;

Amendment 14 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Reminds that farmers and rural communities are key actors in food quality and affordability and the preservation of rural areas and are severely affected by intensifying extreme weather events;

Amendment 140 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Stresses that food accessibility and farmers’ incomes are still major concerns and calls on the Commission to take them into account in the future;

Amendment 141 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to focus on projects that promote and enhance the safeguarding of existing jobs in the agricultural sector and the creation of quality jobs with full rights, stable and fair pay and decent working conditions including health and safety at work, as well as effectively and decisively combating poverty and social exclusion in rural areas;

Amendment 142 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 c (new)

11c. Notes the growing need for highly qualified young professionals in rural areas, and calls on Member States to take necessary measures, including financial incentives, to encourage young people to study agricultural professions, as well as to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from older people to the younger generation;

Amendment 143 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 d (new)

11d. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to allocate budget resources to design and implement measures to fight gender gaps; notes the crucial need for providing women entrepreneurs in rural areas with an enabling environment, including legal and political considerations, leading to greater access to information, knowledge and skills, as well as facilitating access to financial resources, leading to the creation of more jobs in rural areas;

Amendment 144 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 e (new)

11e. Highlights the central role played by Community Led Local Development initiatives in keeping and restoring living and thriving local rural economies, and the need to keep a sufficient level of funding for LEADER; calls on the Member States to make full use of LEADER's capacities.

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Reminds that farmers and rural communities are key actors in food quality, security and affordability and the preservation of rural areas;

Amendment 16 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Reminds that farmers and rural communities are key actors in food quality and security and affordability and the preservation of rural areas;

Amendment 17 #

Carlo FIDANZA, Nicola PROCACCINI, Bert-Jan RUISSEN, Sergio BERLATO, Francesco VENTOLA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Reminds that farmers and rural communities are key actors in food quality and affordability and the preservation of rural areas, especially their economic attractiveness, and also in the adaptation and mitigation of climate change;

Amendment 18 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Reminds that farmers and rural communities are key actors in food quality ~~and~~, affordability and safety and the preservation of rural areas, as well as having a strategic role in areas characterized by high seismic and hydrogeological risk that need a special support from the CAP;

Amendment 19 #

Dario NARDELLA, Stefano BONACCINI, Camilla LAURETI, Annalisa CORRADO, Elisabetta GUALMINI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Reminds that farmers and rural communities are key actors in food quality and affordability and the preservation of rural areas; emphasises the importance of digital transformation in agriculture and rural areas to allow for more precise, efficient and sustainable agricultural systems in the Union with a higher environmental performance, as well as to increase the attractiveness of employment in agriculture and rural communities for younger generations;

Amendment 2 #

Dario NARDELLA, Stefano BONACCINI, Camilla LAURETI, Annalisa CORRADO, Elisabetta GUALMINI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Highlights the role that agriculture plays in achieving the Union objectives of food security, sustainable growth, social inclusion, and combating climate change, while helping to diversify agricultural production, preserve biodiversity and develop local economies;

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Emphasises that people living in rural areas, including farmers, have particular mental health challenges associated with the risk of disconnection and lack of access to mental health services, with suicide rates among farmers being 20 % higher than the national average in some Member States; therefore calls for mental health supports for farmers to be specifically integrated into EU agricultural policies through the provision of long-term funding;

Amendment 22 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Deplores the ongoing negative cascade effects Russia’s war against Ukraine has on European agriculture, such as high input prices, inflation, notably of food prices, or market disturbances;

Amendment 23 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Deplores the ongoing negative cascade effects Russia’s war against Ukraine has on European agriculture, such as high input prices, inflation or market disturbances and calls on the Commission and Member States to adjust their funding accordingly;

Amendment 24 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Deplores the ongoing negative cascade effects Russia’s war against Ukraine has on European agriculture, such as high input prices, inflation or market disturbances; regrets that some of these disruptions were caused by the EU's own decisions, which allowed Ukrainian products to enter its market without worrying about quotas or unfair competition;

Amendment 25 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

Amendment 26 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Deplores the ongoing negative cascade effects Russia’s war against Ukraine has on European agriculture, such as high input prices, inflation or market disturbances; recalls that ongoing support for Ukraine is crucial when securing global food security;

Amendment 27 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Deplores the ongoing negative cascade effects Russia’s war against Ukraine has on European agriculture, such as high input prices, inflation or market disturbances; estimates that current trade relations with Ukraine are unbalanced and threaten the competitiveness of European farms; recalls the recent adoption of the Regulation on Autonomous Trade Measures (ATM) with Ukraine that entered into force on 6 June 2024 and welcomes the application by the Commission of safeguard measures for commodities such as sugar, eggs, oats and groats; recalls that the Commission is entitled to put in place measures to deal with internal market disturbances in line with Article 4(1) of the ATM Regulation; calls on the Commission to adopt concrete measures to deal with those market disturbances, especially for wheat;

Amendment 28 #

Dario NARDELLA, Stefano BONACCINI, Camilla LAURETI, Annalisa CORRADO, Elisabetta GUALMINI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Deplores the ongoing negative cascade effects Russia’s war against Ukraine has on European agriculture, such as high input prices, inflation or market disturbances; regrets however that dependencies on imported inputs were allowed to build up as a result of the globalization of the food chain as opposed to prioritizing EU and national food sovereignty;

Amendment 29 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Deplores the ongoing negative cascade effects Russia’s war against Ukraine has on European agriculture, such as high input prices, inflation or market disturbances; emphasises the urgent need for additional better-funded instruments for crisis management;

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Takes note ~~of the~~that only EUR 53,75 billion in commitments and EUR 51,12 billion in payment for agriculture; regrets the decrease compared to 2024 and calls for a budget increase considering the challenges farmers will face in 2025 and promises made by the Commission following the protest movements, which it must now fully honour;

Amendment 30 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Deplores the ongoing negative cascade effects Russia’s war against Ukraine has on European agriculture, especially on farmers in Member States bordering Ukraine, such as high input prices, inflation or market disturbances and difficulties in monetizing agri-food products;

Amendment 31 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

Amendment 32 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Underscores that the 2% deflator of the MFF does not compensate for the loss of value linked to inflation; notes that direct payments have decreased in real terms due to inflation, while the administrative burden on farmers has increased; highlights in this regard the fact that the CAP budget in the MFF 2021-27 is already lower than in the previous planning period; stresses that the revision of the MFF should address all these shortcomings;

Amendment 33 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

Amendment 34 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Underscores that the 2% deflator of the MFF does not compensate for the loss of value linked to inflation; notes that direct payments have decreased 60 % since year 2000 in real terms due to inflation, while the administrative burden on farmers has increased;

Amendment 35 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Underscores that the 2% deflator of the MFF does not compensate for the loss of value linked to inflation, and regrets that the same deflator has not been applied by the Commission to the budget allocations of the programmes of options specifically relating to remoteness and insularity (POSEI); notes that direct payments have decreased in real terms due to inflation, while the administrative burden on farmers has increased; calls on the Commission to apply the 2 % deflator to the POSEI financial envelopes;

Amendment 36 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Deplores the CAP budget cut in the MFF revision and calls for a CAP budget increase in the next MFF to ensure~~Takes note of the cuts made in the directly managed funds in the CAP in the MFF revision, in particular concerning market measures and the agricultural reserve, and calls for a CAP budget that is appropriate to ensure its contribution to food security ~~and~~, a fair income for farmers as well as to the climate and biodiversity objectives of the EU;

Amendment 37 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Deplores the ~~CAP~~EAGF budget cut in the MFF ~~revision~~mid-term review of 440 million EUR for the next three years and calls for a CAP budget increase in the next MFF to ensure food security and a fair income for farmers;

Amendment 38 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Deplores the CAP budget cut in the MFF revision and calls for a substantial CAP budget increase in the next MFF to ~~ensure food security~~match the CAP budget of year 2000 in real terms to ensure long term adequate environmentally sustainable food production and a fair income for farmers;

Amendment 39 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Deplores the CAP budget cut in the MFF revision and calls for a CAP budget increase in the next MFF to ~~ensure food security and~~keep the ambition and goals of the European Green Deal, Farm to Fork Strategy and Biodiversity Strategy, especially in relation to environmental measures and animal welfare and to ensure a fair income for farmers;

Amendment 4 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

Amendment 40 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Deplores the CAP budget cut in the MFF revision and calls for a CAP budget increase in the next MFF to ensure food security and a fair income for farmers, as was promised after the protests;

Amendment 41 #

Daniel BUDA, Herbert DORFMANN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Deplores the CAP budget cut in the MFF revision and calls for a CAP budget increase in the next MFF to ensure food security and a fair income for farmers; regrets in particular the cuts for the promotion of agricultural products as this program increases awareness and recognition of Union quality schemes as well as the competitiveness and consumption of Union agricultural products;

Amendment 42 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Deplores the CAP budget cut in the MFF revision ~~and~~; requests that any availabilities identified under the EAGF sub-ceiling at the time of the Amending Letter be used to mitigate such cuts by reinforcing the elements that had to be cut or severely restricted, in particular promotion “multi” programmes and technical support for the implementation of the CAP; calls for a CAP budget increase in the next MFF to ensure food security and a fair income for farmers;

Amendment 43 #

Dario NARDELLA, Stefano BONACCINI, Camilla LAURETI, Annalisa CORRADO, Elisabetta GUALMINI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Deplores the CAP budget cut in the MFF revision ~~and~~, suggests that any availabilities identified under the EAGF sub-ceiling at the time of the Amending Letter may be used to mitigate such cuts by reinforcing the elements that had to be cut or severely reduced, in particular promotion “multi” programmes and technical support for the implementation of the CAP; calls for a CAP budget increase in the next MFF to ensure food security and stability and a fair income for farmers;

Amendment 44 #

Carlo FIDANZA, Nicola PROCACCINI, Bert-Jan RUISSEN, Sergio BERLATO, Francesco VENTOLA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Deplores the CAP budget cut in the MFF revision and calls for a CAP budget increase in the next MFF to ensure food security and a fair income for farmers; deplores as well the recent cut in the promotion annual budget destined to “multi” programmes and Commission own-initiatives as this program clearly eases European producers’ access to third country markets, especially for high quality and high value products such as products with protected designation of origin (PDO)and products with protected geographical indication (PGI);

Amendment 45 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Deplores the CAP budget cut in the MFF revision, in particular the halving to the programs dedicated to the promotion of EU agricultural products, and calls for a CAP budget increase in the next MFF to ensure food security and a fair income for farmers; this is linked to the growing interest in promotion programmes in 2024, which has seen an increase in project submissions;

Amendment 46 #

Michal WIEZIK, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Deplores the CAP budget cut in the MFF revision and calls for a CAP budget increase in the next MFF to ensure food security and a fair income for farmers and for increasing the confidence of young people to start the farming profession;

Amendment 47 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Deplores the CAP budget cut in the MFF revision and calls for a CAP budget increase in the next MFF to ensure food security, sustainable transformation and a fair income for farmers;

Amendment 48 #

Carlo FIDANZA, Nicola PROCACCINI, Bert-Jan RUISSEN, Sergio BERLATO, Francesco VENTOLA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls for maintaining an inclusive and strong promotion policy budget of at least EUR 185,9 million to ensure that the policy continues to support all agricultural sectors proportionately, guarantee the competitiveness of agriculture and our food sovereignty and allow the creation of new international markets for European agricultural products;

Amendment 49 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Recalls that in that context the position of farmers in the value chain must be improved as they are structurally in a weak position; underlines that the improvement of their position in the value chain is an essential condition to increase farmers’ incomes and to help them to face climate change consequences, in particular regarding its mitigation and adaptation;

Amendment 5 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Takes note of the EUR 53,75 billion in commitments and EUR 51,12 billion in payment for agriculture; regrets the decrease compared to 2024 and calls for a budget increase considering the challenges farmers will face in 2025, such as the impact of imports from third countries without mirror clauses, the increasingly higher input prices, extreme adverse weather, as well as the frequent damage caused by animal diseases;

Amendment 50 #

Salvatore DE MEO, Herbert DORFMANN, Letizia MORATTI, Massimiliano SALINI, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Flavio TOSI, Caterina CHINNICI, Giusi PRINCI, Marco FALCONE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Would like to see more resources allocated to the promotion of European agri-food products and food education initiatives, with special reference to programs aimed at young people for increased fruit and vegetables consumption;

Amendment 51 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Stresses that the 2025 Union budget should be aligned with the Union’s ambitions of making the Union climate neutral by 2050 at the latest, as well as the Union’s international commitments, in particular the Paris Agreement and the Kunmin-Montreal Agreement, and significantly contribute to the implementation of the European Green Deal as well as of the Biodiversity Strategy;

Amendment 52 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Stresses the need to ensure consistency between climate and biodiversity funding and calls on the Commission to publish the amounts and shares of expenditure that will contribute to both targets per programme when presenting the draft budget; recalls that the ‘do no significant harm’ principle is mainstreamed in all Union activities through the budgetary implementation as agreed in the IIA and stresses therefore the urgent need to ensure the respect of that principle through the entire budget in all the six dimensions and to take necessary corrective measures if and when needed without undue delay;

Amendment 53 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5c. Takes note that the Commission estimates that biodiversity spending is to reach EUR 14,830 million in 2025, representing a share of 8,49 % in the EU budget; is furthermore concerned the Commission admits that the 10 % target in 2026 and 2027 will not be reached and has not been able to provide credible avenues to reach the target; highlights that the biodiversity financing gap over the period from 2021 to 2030 is around EUR 18,69 billion per year and should be remedied as soon as possible;

Amendment 54 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 d (new)

5d. Notes that one of the CAP’s objectives is to support and strengthen environmental protection, including biodiversity; highlights that, given its weight in the EU budget, the CAP should be a major contributor to the 10 % spending target for biodiversity; notes that the coefficient for calculating biodiversity contribution of the CAP has been revised downwards to 3 % compared to the previous 4 % following the latest CAP revision, admitting that the changes made will have a negative environmental impact; deeply regrets that, although the Commission admits that the 10 % target in 2026 and 2027 will most likely not be reached, it still proposed changes to the CAP which are decreasing its contribution to that target, namely by weakening GAEC 8 and thus authorizing the use of pesticides on ecological focus areas, potentially leading to an impoverished biodiversity on an estimated 2,2 million hectares of farmland; underlines additionally that further efforts must be made in relation to the CAP strategic plans to ensure that biodiversity spending targets set for the years 2026 and 2027 are met, notably via the integration by Member States in their ecoschemes of the practices covered by GAEC 1, 6, 7 and 8;

Amendment 55 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 e (new)

5e. Takes note of the Commission’s estimates based on the ex-ante methodology that the total climate financing in the EU budget will reach EUR 58,134 million, representing a share of 31,9 %; calls for the Commission to implement without delay an enhanced, more granular and transparent methodology for climate tracking reflecting the reality of the measures and taking into account the repeated reports from the Court of Auditors; highly doubts that the recent changes to Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the CAP strategic plans, notably to GAEC 1, 6 and 7 (regarding respectively permanent grasslands, soil cover and crop rotation) will have no impact on the contribution of the CAP to climate action; regrets that it is currently unclear how these changes will be otherwise compensated or replaced within the current climate expenditure targets; regrets, additionally, that the attributions for ‘Climate change mitigation and adaptation’ were reduced compared to 2024;

Amendment 56 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Welcom~~Deplores the recent CAP simplification package ~~and notes it has no budgetary impact~~; calls for additional measures and resources to address the c~~auses of farmers’ discontent across the EU~~oncerns of citizens committed to climate and animal welfare policies;

Amendment 57 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Welcomes~~Notes that the recent CAP simplification package ~~and notes it~~ has no budgetary impact; calls for additional measures ~~and resources~~ to address the causes of farmers’ discontent across the EU, in particular prevention measures linked to extreme weather events;

Amendment 58 #

Carlo FIDANZA, Nicola PROCACCINI, Bert-Jan RUISSEN, Sergio BERLATO, Francesco VENTOLA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Welcomes the recent CAP simplification package and notes it has no budgetary impact; calls for additional measures and resources to address a clear answer to the causes of farmers’ discontent across the EU;

Amendment 59 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Welcomes the recent CAP simplification package and notes it has no budgetary impact; calls for the prosecution of this package until the end of this programming period and additional measures and resources to address the causes of farmers’ discontent across the EU with a focus to strengthen their position in the agri-food value chain;

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

Amendment 60 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Welcomes the recent CAP simplification package and notes it has no budgetary impact; underlines that this simplification measures must be the starting point for the next CAP reform; calls for additional measures and resources to address the causes of farmers’ discontent across the EU;

Amendment 61 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Welcomes the recent CAP simplification package and notes it has no budgetary impact; calls for additional measures and resources to address the causes of farmers’ discontent across the EU, including specific funding to ensure Member States manage the implementation of the Nature Restoration Law;

Amendment 62 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Welcomes the recent CAP simplification package and notes it has no budgetary impact; calls for a~~dditional measures and resources to address the causes of farmers’ discontent across the EU~~ revision of the Directive (EU) 2019/633 of the European Parliament and of the Council on unfair trading practices to ensure that farmers receive their fair share of the final price paid by the consumer for food and additional resources to address the climate mitigation measures that farmers are being asked to undertake;

Amendment 63 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Welcomes the recent CAP simplification package and notes it has no budgetary impact; calls for additional measures and resources to address the causes of farmers’ discontent across the EU; stresses that the management and availability of water resources is fundamental to the competitiveness of European agriculture;

Amendment 64 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Notes that the implementation at farm level of the necessary new measures linked to biodiversity and climate action has been the source of uncertainty and wariness for EU farmers; insists on the importance of properly financed advisory services within the CAP, specifically on these issues;

Amendment 65 #

Gabriel MATO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Calls for the increase in the amount allocated to the POSEI funds to cover for the increase of production costs and inflation of the last few years, and thus uphold the viability of agriculture in outermost regions;

Amendment 66 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Requests that, as part of the preparation of the next multiannual financial framework, the Commission shall conduct an assessment of financing needs to support Member States in implementing nature restoration measures; furthermore calls on the Commission, on the basis of this assessment, to propose the setting up of a permanent and dedicated restoration fund;

Amendment 67 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls for the strengthening of support measures for young farmers and for the improvement of their access to land and credit;

Amendment 68 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls for the strengthening of support measures for young farmers; welcomes in that regard that the Commission has prioritised increasing access to land for young farmers in the upcoming CAP reform as gaining access to land is one of the largest obstacles for young people attempting to enter the agricultural sector;

Amendment 69 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls for the strengthening of support measures for young farmers; underlines that those simplification measures must be the starting point for the next CAP reform;

Amendment 7 #

Dario NARDELLA, Stefano BONACCINI, Camilla LAURETI, Annalisa CORRADO, Elisabetta GUALMINI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Takes note of the EUR 53,75 billion in commitments and EUR 51,12 billion in payment for agriculture; regrets the decrease compared to 2024 and calls for a budget increase considering the ~~challenges farmers will fac~~long- term resilience of farming has been undermined by cumulative inflationary pressure considered to be more than 30% in agricultural inputs since 2019, fuelled by the energy crisis, the war in Ukraine and shortage of labour, which will continue into 2025;

Amendment 70 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Calls for the strengthening of support measures for young farmer~~Underlines that young farmers are considered as the main driving force in sustainable farming; calls therefore for the strengthening of support measures for young farmers, including women and for the improvement of their access to land and credit; recalls the importance of providing young farmers with access to quality training opportunities;

Amendment 71 #

Carlo FIDANZA, Nicola PROCACCINI, Bert-Jan RUISSEN, Sergio BERLATO, Francesco VENTOLA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls for the strengthening of support measures for young farmers, especially with regard to access to land and credit; highlights the importance of making farming a more attractive profession by improving mechanisms that support young farmers through training schemes and calls on the Council and Commission to increase support for young farmers in next year’s budget;

Amendment 72 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls for the strengthening of support measures for young farmers and asks for investments on generational change and a greater involvement of women through aimed funding programs;

Amendment 73 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls for the strengthening of support measures for young and new farmers;

Amendment 74 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls for the strengthening of support measures for young farmers and for the improvement of their access to land, credit and the reduction of bureaucratic measures in accessing EU funds to ensure generational renewal;

Amendment 75 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls for the strengthening of support measures for young farmers; notes however that support measures for young farmers cannot replace real reform in agricultural markets that would ensure that all farmers would be remunerated from the market place for their work;

Amendment 76 #

Salvatore DE MEO, Herbert DORFMANN, Letizia MORATTI, Massimiliano SALINI, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Flavio TOSI, Caterina CHINNICI, Giusi PRINCI, Marco FALCONE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls for the strengthening of support measures for young farmers and in particular, female entrepreneurs;

Amendment 77 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Notes that the appropriations to coupled income support have increased significantly; insists that only productions that are not harmful to climate and biodiversity should be eligible; stresses the importance to reserve the access of these funds to beneficiaries whose practices are sustainable and compatible with animal welfare; demands in particular that bulls raised for lethal bullfighting activities and feed-lots are clearly made non-eligible to these funds or any other EU funds; highlights additionally that the large difference in coupled income support from one Member State to another can create competition issues;

Amendment 78 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Recalls that free trade agreements represent a major challenge for European farmers as they may face unfair competition with third countries producers that do not meet the same production standards than those applied in the EU; underlines the need to ensure a level playing field between European and third countries producers;

Amendment 79 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Reminds the importance of EAFRD funding in the rural areas, not only for farmers, but for other rural actors supportive of farmers; recalls that strong budget for these actions is needed also in 2025;

Amendment 8 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Takes note of the EUR 53,75 billion in commitments and EUR 51,12 billion in payment for agriculture; regrets the decrease compared to 2024 and calls for a budget increase considering the challenges farmers will face in 2025, after the successive causes of the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, inflation, to which are added the natural calamities of this year;

Amendment 80 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission to pr~~ovide sufficient funding for the agricultural reserve to safeguard food security~~ioritise EU, national and regional food sovereignty to safeguard food security, as opposed to creating vulnerable dependencies on world markets and to provide sufficient funding to achieve this;

Amendment 81 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission to provide sufficient funding for the agricultural reserve to safeguard food security and food sovereignty;

Amendment 82 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission to provide sufficient funding for the agricultural reserve to safeguard food security and food sovereignty;

Amendment 83 #

Salvatore DE MEO, Herbert DORFMANN, Letizia MORATTI, Massimiliano SALINI, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Flavio TOSI, Caterina CHINNICI, Giusi PRINCI, Marco FALCONE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission to provide sufficient funding for the agricultural reserve to safeguard food security and autonomy;

Amendment 84 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission to provide sufficient funding for the agricultural reserve to safeguard food security and allow the use of margins to finance the agricultural reserve; highlights the fact that the reserve has been successfully triggered on multiple occasions in the last two years to help farmers across the EU; insists on the Parliament’s role in the use of the reserve and calls on the Commission to follow objective and transparent criteria in the allocation of the funds;

Amendment 85 #

Dario NARDELLA, Stefano BONACCINI, Camilla LAURETI, Annalisa CORRADO, Elisabetta GUALMINI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission to provide sufficient funding for the agricultural reserve to safeguard food security and water quality;

Amendment 86 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission to provide ~~sufficient~~adequate funding for the agricultural reserve to mitigate the increasing dire impacts of climate change in European farmland and the subsequent need to safeguard food security;

Amendment 87 #

Carlo FIDANZA, Nicola PROCACCINI, Bert-Jan RUISSEN, Sergio BERLATO, Francesco VENTOLA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. CNotes with concern the 12,9 % reduction of the agricultural reserve; calls on the Commission to provide sufficient funding for the agricultural reserve to safeguard food security, while ensuring that direct payments are not affected and, where appropriate, exploring the possibility of mobilising funds outside the CAP;

Amendment 88 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission to ~~provid~~allocate sufficient and solid funding for the agricultural reserve to safeguard food security and in future the crisis reserve funding should come from outside the CAP budget;

Amendment 89 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Stresses the importance of water management structures and their use by farmers to ease their access to water; underlines that access to EU funds for water storage facilities remain difficult although they can help farmers to have access to water in dry periods, increase productivity and yields; emphasizes that these infrastructures are “multi-purpose” and are essential to support farmers but also perform other functions such as water reserves to fight wildfires, tourism, biodiversity reservoirs or reservoirs of drinking water, especially for large agglomerations; calls for the removal of European and national legal and administrative barriers that prevent access to public funds for the construction of these infrastructures, in particular those of the CAP; encourages the creation of public-private partnerships for the development of such infrastructure in the EU;

Amendment 9 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

Amendment 90 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Calls for the inclusion of a financial provision in its budget to provide necessary support to European farmers to compensate for the expected loss of competitiveness resulting from the potential future implementation of the trade agreement with Mercosur countries;

Amendment 91 #

Salvatore DE MEO, Herbert DORFMANN, Letizia MORATTI, Massimiliano SALINI, Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO, Flavio TOSI, Caterina CHINNICI, Giusi PRINCI, Marco FALCONE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

~~9. Stresses the need for a fair distribution of CAP support between Member States, including direct payments;~~deleted

Amendment 92 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Stresses the need for a fair distribution of CAP support between Member States~~, including direct payment~~ as well as between small, medium and large agricultural holdings;

Amendment 93 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Stresses the need for a fair distribution of CAP support between Member States~~, including direct payments~~;

Amendment 94 #

Stefano BONACCINI, Dario NARDELLA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Stresses the need for a fair distribution of CAP support between Member States~~, including direct payments~~;

Amendment 95 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Stresses the need for~~Highlights the progress toward a fair distribution of CAP support between Member States, including direct payments; however, stresses the need to take due account of the different levels of production and labour costs in the Member States;

Amendment 96 #

Carlo FIDANZA, Nicola PROCACCINI, Bert-Jan RUISSEN, Sergio BERLATO, Francesco VENTOLA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Stresses the need for a fair distribution of CAP support between Member States, including direct payments, considering the differences in production and living costs in different Member States;

Amendment 97 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Stresses the need for a fair distribution of CAP support between Member States, including direct payments; calls on the Commission and the Member States to take immediate action towards equitable convergence;

Amendment 98 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Stresses the need for a fair distribution of CAP support between Member States, including direct payments to increase social cohesion in the internal market;

Amendment 99 #

Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Stresses the need for a fair distribution of CAP support ~~between Member States, including direct payments~~, including within Member States or group of territories and including gradual increase in allocation to Member States with the lowest support level per hectare with the aim of narrowing the gap towards the Union average;

source: 762.916

2024/07/30 PECH 77 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Michal WIEZIK, Emma WIESNER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls the economic, social ~~and~~, environmental ~~relevance~~and animal welfare impacts of fisheries, aquaculture and maritime affairs; stresses the ~~vital~~necessary role of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) not only in ensuring ~~food security and~~ resilience of marine ecosystems ~~and food systems but also in boosting the development of a sustainable blue economy and upholding the competitiveness of EU fisheries and aquaculture sector~~but also in biodiversity and animal welfare goals;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that Russia’s military aggression has led to significant disruptions in trade flows and an increase in energy prices, which has hit small-scale fisheries particularly hard, requiring the use of European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) crisis measures to mitigate the effects of inflation for fishers, producers and consumers; highlights that Black Sea fishers, their fishing activities and livelihoods are additionally impacted by drifting sea mines as a result of the Russian aggression in Ukraine;

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that Russia’s military aggression has led to significant disruptions in trade flows, increased price volatility and an increase in energy prices, which has ~~hit small-scale fisheries particularly hard~~impacted EU fishing activities and the livelihoods of fishers, especially small-scale fisheries, requiring the use of European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) crisis measures to mitigate the effects of inflation for fishers, producers and consumers;

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that Russia’s military aggression has led to significant disruptions in trade flows and an increase in energy prices, which has hit small-scale fisheries particularly hard, requiring the use of European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) crisis measures to ~~mitigate the effects of inflation for fishers, producers and consumer~~help fishers’ transits to sustainable jobs;

Amendment 13 #

Emma WIESNER, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that Russia’s military aggression has led to significant disruptions in trade flows and an increase in energy prices, which has hit ~~small-scale~~hard fisheries, particularly ~~hard~~small-scale, requiring the use of European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) crisis measures to mitigate the effects of inflation for fishers, producers and consumers;

Amendment 14 #

Ton DIEPEVEEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Deplores the European Commission proposal (2024/0060(COD)) aimed at cutting the budget of the EMFAF by 105.000.000 EUR, which would severely impact the funding of scientific advice, data collection, fisheries control, and the contributions to Advisory Councils and Regional Fisheries Management Organisations; particularly, notes that 70% of this budget cut will affect the BlueInvest Plan, a critical initiative for fostering technology, innovation, and start-ups within the fisheries sector. Emphasizes that innovation and technological advancement are essential for the future sustainability and competitiveness of the EU fisheries sector. Calls on the Commission to reconsider this budget cut and to ensure adequate funding for BlueInvest to support the growth of innovative start-ups and the development of new technologies in the sector;

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Deplores the Russian military aggression towards Ukraine and expresses our full support to Ukraine; espresses concern over the lack of clarity over the consequences of the European Commission proposal (2024/0060(COD)) ~~aimed at cutting~~to cut the budget of the EMFAF by 105.000.000 EUR, cuts which wcould ~~severely~~ impact the funding of scientific advice, data collection, fisheries control and the contributions to Advisory Councils and Regional Fisheries Management Organisations and therefore ecourages the Commission to present an analysis of the clear consequences of this cut and potential other options to ensure proper funding for EU fisheries related actions;

Amendment 16 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Deplores~~Objects to the European Commission proposal (2024/0060(COD)) aimed at cutting the budget of the EMFAF by 105.000.000 EUR, which would severely impact the funding of scientific advice, data collection, fisheries control and the contributions to Advisory Councils and Regional Fisheries Management Organisations;

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Recalls that, sustainable management of fishing resources have to be based on the most updated scientific advice, that are directly dependent on accurate fishing data collection, including recreational fisheries, and fisheries control, and without them the sustainability of fisheries management are put in cause;

Amendment 18 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Insists that special attention must be devoted to the fishing fleets in order to improve safety, on-board living conditions, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, including renewal of the fleet, with special attention to the small scale fishing fleet; re~~iterates that this can contribute to making the fishery sector more attractive for the younger generations and~~calls Sustainable Development Goal 14.6 to prohibit fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing and demands that any support must not be ~~conf~~misused ~~with~~for fleet expansion or increased fishing capacity or ability to catch fish;

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Insists that special attention must be devoted to the fishing fleets in order to improve safety, on-board living conditions, energy efficiency and e~~nvironmental~~conomic sustainability, including renewal of the fleet, with special attention to the small scale fishing fleet; reiterates that this can contribute to making the fishery sector more attractive for the younger generations and must not be confused with fleet expansion or increased fishing capacity or ability to catch fish;

Amendment 2 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls the economic, social and environmental relevance of fisheries, aquaculture and maritime affairs; stresses the vital role of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) not only in ensuring food security and resilience of marine ecosystems and food systems but also in boosting the development of a sustainable blue economy that develops within ecological limits and upholding the competitiveness of EU fisheries and aquaculture sectors;

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Insists that special attention must be devoted to the fishing fleets in order to improve safety, on-board living conditions, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, including renewal of the fleet, with special attention to the small scale fishing fleet, particularly in relation to equitable access to quota and the elimination of barriers for Producer Organisations representing small scale fisheries; reiterates that this can contribute to making the fishery sector more attractive for the younger generations and must not be confused with fleet expansion or increased fishing capacity or ability to catch fish;

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Insists that special attention must be devoted to the fishing fleets in order to improve safety, on-board living conditions, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, including renewal of the fleet, with special attention to the small scale fishing fleet on the continent and in the outermost regions; reiterates that this can contribute to making the fishery sector more attractive for the younger generations and must not be confused with fleet expansion or increased fishing capacity or ability to catch fish;

Amendment 22 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Insists that special attention must be devoted to the fishing fleets in order to improve safety, on-board living conditions, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability~~, including renewal of the fleet,~~ through the modernisation of vessels with special attention to the small scale fishing fleet; reiterates that this can contribute to making the fishery sector more attractive for the younger generations and must not be confused with fleet expansion or increased fishing capacity or ability to catch fish;

Amendment 23 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Insists that special attention must be devoted to the fishing fleets in order to improve safety, ~~on-board liv~~working conditions, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, including renewal of the fleet, ~~with special attention to the~~in particular of small scale fishing fleet segment; reiterates that this can contribute to mak~~ing~~e the fish~~ery~~ing sector more attractive for the younger generations and must not be confused with fleet expansion or increased fishing capacity or ability to catch fish;

Amendment 24 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Insists that special attention must be devoted to the fishing fleets in order to improve safety, on-board living conditions, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, including renewal of the fleet, with special attention to the small scale fishing fleet, while not excluding vessels above 24 metres in length from funding; reiterates that this can contribute to making the fishery sector more attractive for the younger generations and must not be confused with fleet expansion or increased fishing capacity or ability to catch fish;

Amendment 25 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Insists that special attention must be devoted to the fishing fleets in order to improve safety, on-board living conditions, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, including renewal of the fleet, with special attention to the small scale fishing fleet; reiterates that this can contribute to making the fishery sector more attractive for the younger generations and must not be confused with fleet expansion or an increase~~d fishing capacity or~~ in the fleets ability to catch fish;

Amendment 26 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Urges the Commission to propose actions to increase the global share of sustainable EU aquaculture production, which contributes to the supply of aquatic protein of high quality and with a low carbon footprint; calls on the Member States and the Commission to make full use of the financial resources available for the EMFAF in order to sustainably boost the growth of this sector’s share of global aquaculture production above its current 2 % by means of specific, acceptable and shared targets for 2030; recalls that fish is rich in protein and therefore has strategic value and is essential for food security; points out capture fisheries are among the lowest impact systems for the production of animal protein;

Amendment 27 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Urges the Commission to propose actions to increase the global share of sustainable ~~EU aquacultur~~algae production, which contributes to the supply of aquatic protein of high quality and with a low carbon footprint; calls on the Member States and the Commission to make full use of the financial resources available for the EMFAF in order to sustainably boost th~~e growth of this sector’s share of global aquaculture production above its current 2 % by means of specific, acceptable and shared targets for 2030~~is sector;

Amendment 28 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Urges the Commission to propose actions to increase the global share of sustainable EU aquaculture production, which contributes to the supply of aquatic protein of high quality and with a low carbon footprint; calls on the Member States and the Commission to make full use of the financial resources available for the EMFAF in order to sustainably boost the growth of this sector~~’s share of global aquaculture production above its current 2 % by means of specific, acceptable and shared targets for 2030~~;

Amendment 29 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Urges the Commission to propose actions to increase the ~~global~~ share of sustainable EU aquaculture production, which contributes to the supply of aquatic protein of high quality and with a low carbon footprint; calls on the Member States and the Commission to make full use of the financial resources available for the EMFAF in order to sustainably boost the growth of this sector’s share of ~~global~~ aquaculture production above its current 2 % by means of specific, acceptable and shared targets for 2030;

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls the economic, social and environmental relevance of fisheries, aquaculture and maritime affairs; stresses the vital role of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) not only in ensuring food security and resilience of marine ecosystems and food systems but also in ~~boosting the development of a sustainable blue economy and~~ upholding the competitiveness of EU fisheries and aquaculture sectors;

Amendment 30 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Urges the Commission to propose actions to increase the global share of sustainable EU aquaculture production that does not impact the food security in third countries, which contributes to the supply of aquatic protein of high quality and with a low carbon footprint; calls on the Member States and the Commission to make full use of the financial resources available for the EMFAF in order to sustainably boost the growth of this sector’s share of global aquaculture production above its current 2 % by means of specific, acceptable and shared targets for 2030;

Amendment 31 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Urges the Commission to propose actions to increase the global share of sustainable EU aquaculture production, which, together with fisheries, contributes to the supply of aquatic protein of high quality and with a low carbon footprint; calls on the Member States and the Commission to make full use of the financial resources available for the EMFAF in order to sustainably boost the growth of this sector’s share of global aquaculture production above its current 2 % by means of specific~~, acceptable and shared~~ and sustainable targets for 2030;

Amendment 32 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Urges the Commission to propose actions to increase the global share of ~~sustainable~~ EU aquaculture production, which contributes to the supply of aquatic protein of high quality ~~and with a low carbon footprint~~; calls on the Member States and the Commission to make full use of the financial resources available for the EMFAF in order to sustainably boost the growth of this sector’s share of global aquaculture production above its current 2 % by means of specific, acceptable and shared targets for 2030;

Amendment 33 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Recalls that, as a result of Brexit, the EU fishing sector and especially the small-scale fleet is still experiencing considerable economic disruptions especially with regard to the unilateral institution of fishing restricted areas in UK waters; calls on the Commission, therefore, as a matter of priority, to ~~secure commensurate compensation to offset the damage suffered by the sector and fishing communities~~propose additional measures to support the sector and coastal communities; insists that Member States shall ensure that such measures are implemented swiftly; encourages Member States to monitor the implementation of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR);

Amendment 34 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Recalls that, as a result of Brexit, the EU fishing sector is still experiencing considerable economic disruptions especially with regard to the unilateral institution of fishing restricted areas in UK waters; calls on the Commission, therefore, as a matter of priority, to ~~secure commensurate compensation to offset the damage suffered by the sector and fishing communities~~respond appropiately to the unilateral action of the UK;

Amendment 35 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Recalls that, as a result of Brexit, the EU fishing sector is still experiencing considerable economic disruptions especially with regard to the unilateral institution of fishing restricted areas in UK waters; calls on the Commission, therefore, as a matter of priority, to secure commensurate compensation to offset the damage suffered by the sector and fishing communities and provide exit and transition subsidies;

Amendment 36 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Recalls that, as a result of Brexit, the EU fishing sector is still experiencing considerable economic disruptions especially with regard to the unilateral institution of fishing restricted areas in UK waters; calls on the Commission, therefore, as a matter of priority, to secure commensurate compensation to offset the damage suffered by the sector and fishing communities; with special attention to the small scale fishing fleet;

Amendment 37 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Recalls that, as a result of Brexit, the EU fishing sector is still experiencing considerable economic disruptions especially with regard to the unilateral institution of fishing restricted areas in UK waters, as well as with Norway; calls on the Commission, therefore, as a matter of priority, to secure commensurate compensation to offset the damage suffered by the sector and fishing communities;

Amendment 38 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Recalls that, as a result of Brexit, the EU fishing sector is still experiencing considerable economic disruptions especially with regard to the unilateral institution of fishing restricted areas in UK waters; calls on the Commission, therefore, as a matter of priority, to secure commensurate compensation to offset the damage suffered by the sector and fishing communities, in particular after the end of transitional period in June 2026;

Amendment 39 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Insists on the need to improve scientific and technical knowledge in order to ensure the development and use of the most reliable research-based solutions; reiterates the importance of guaranteeing sufficient financial resources for Member States’ and European scientific entities so that they can collect, manage, analyse, use and exchange fisheries sector data and invest in research on innovative, and more selective fishing techniques with technology-openness; calls on the Commission and the Member States to continue to invest in innovative gear and techniques for selective fishing that contribute to substantially reducing CO2 emissions and fuel use; calls for the authorisation of proven techniques to be made easier;

Amendment 4 #

Asger CHRISTENSEN, Emma WIESNER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls the economic, social and environmental relevance of fisheries, aquaculture and maritime affairs; stresses the ~~vital~~strategic role of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) not only in ensuring food security and resilience of marine ecosystems and food systems but also in boosting the development of a sustainable blue economy and upholding the competitiveness of EU fisheries and aquaculture sectors;

Amendment 40 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Insists on the need to improve scientific and technical knowledge in order to ensure the development and use of the most reliable research-based solutions; reiterates the importance of guaranteeing sufficient financial resources for Member States’ and European scientific entities so that they can collect, manage, analyse, use and exchange fisheries sector data and invest in research on innovative, and more selective fishing techniques with technology-openness; reiterate the need for an ecosystem based approach which covers actions tackling all pressures on marine resources, including proper management of seals and cormorants;

Amendment 41 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Insists on the need to improve scientific and technical knowledge in order to ensure the development and use of the most reliable research-based solutions; reiterates the importance of guaranteeing sufficient financial resources for Member States’ and European scientific entities so that they can collect, manage, analyse, use and exchange ~~fisheries sector data~~data to protect and restore biodiversity and invest in research on innovative, a~~nd more selective fishing techniques with technology-opennes~~lgae and other plant based alternatives;

Amendment 42 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Insists on the need to improve scientific and technical knowledge, including marine social science, in order to ensure the development and use of the most reliable research-based solutions; reiterates the importance of guaranteeing sufficient financial resources for Member States’ and European scientific entities so that they can collect, manage, analyse, use and exchange fisheries sector data and invest in research on innovative, and more selective fishing techniques with technology- openness;

Amendment 43 #

Emma WIESNER, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Karin KARLSBRO, Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Insists on the need to improve ~~scientific and technical knowledge in order to ensure the development and use of the most reliable research-based solutions~~fishing gears selectivity, that are dependent on scientific technical knowledge and development; reiterates the importance of guaranteeing sufficient financial resources for Member States’ and European scientific entities so that they can collect, manage, analyse, use and exchange fisheries sector data and invest in research on innovative, and more selective fishing techniques with technology-openness;

Amendment 44 #

Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Notes that the Black Sea, which has been for decades subject to pressures from manmade activities, has been significantly affected by military activities stemming from the Russian aggression; Notes that the primary impacts of the war on coastal and marine ecosystems, including chemical pollution, loud noise, physical damage to habitats from shelling and fortifications, and curtailment of conservation activities directly affect also the territorial waters of the EU Member States, including the area of Danube Delta, an unparalleled biodiversity hotspot; calls for funding for data collection on the affected ecosystems and populations of species, and for mitigation and corrective and restoration measures where possible;

Amendment 45 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Highlights the alarming situation of the Baltic Sea where historical overfishing together with long term pollution has created the collapse and near collapse of several stocks; confirms the pressing need for further action to fully implement an ecosystem based approach, including actions aiming at securing a biodiverse and healthy marine ecosystems; points out the need for further research and data gathering as well as proper implementation of fisheries rules such as the Control Regulation and the need for proper funding in this regard;

Amendment 46 #

Emma WIESNER, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Draws attention to the international dimension of the CFP and its economic, social and environmental benefits; calls on the Commission to devote adequate resources to ocean governance; stresses the importance of international cooperation, secure participation of stakeholders as well as facilitate local cooperation with actors in third countries, transparency, traceability and a level playing field for delivering on the EU’s commitments;

Amendment 47 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Draws attention to the international dimension of the CFP and its economic, social and environmental benefits; calls on the Commission to devote adequate resources to ocean governance; stresses the importance of international cooperation, transparency, traceability, equitable access to resources for the small-scale fleet and a level playing field for delivering on the EU’s commitments;

Amendment 48 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Draws attention to the ~~international~~European dimension of the CFP and its economic, social and environmental benefits; calls on the Commission to devote adequate resources to ocean governance; stresses the importance of international cooperation, transparency, traceability and a level playing field for delivering on the EU’s commitments;

Amendment 49 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. Pledges its support to ~~the~~ combat against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; calls therefore for adequate and increased funding for EU policies combating IUU fishing worldwide, including by strengthening checks on goods at EU borders, targeted development aid and by fostering cooperation with national navies;

Amendment 5 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls the economic, social and environmental relevance of fisheries, aquaculture and maritime affairs; stresses the vital role of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) not only in ensuring food security and resilience of marine ecosystems and food systems but also in boosting the development of a sustainable and equitable blue economy and upholding the competitiveness of EU fisheries and aquaculture sectors;

Amendment 50 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. Pledges ~~its support to the~~to combat against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; calls therefore for adequate and increased funding for EU policies combating IUU fishing worldwide, ~~including by~~and for the introduction of countermeasures against red-carded states, such as strengthening checks on goods at EU borders, possible restrictions on targeted development aid and by fostering cooperation with national navies;

Amendment 51 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. Pledges its support to the ~~comba~~fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; calls therefore for adequate and increased funding for EU policies ~~comba~~fighting IUU fishing worldwide, including by strengthening checks on goods at EU borders, targeted development aid and by fostering cooperation with ~~national navi~~third-countries but also among Member-States;

Amendment 52 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. Pledges its support to the combat against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; calls therefore for adequate and increased funding for EU policies combating IUU fishing ~~worldwide~~, including by strengthening EU border controls and checks on goods at EU borders~~, targeted development aid~~ and by fostering cooperation with national navies;

Amendment 53 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Calls on the Commission to adequately fund measures aiming to effectively make the EU fleet less dependent on fossil fuel and more fuel efficient; further calls on the Commission to fund research on adapting zero- emission propulsion systems, such as e- fuels, wind propulsion and batteries, for use on fishing vessels and with different gear types;deleted

Amendment 54 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Calls on the Commission to adequately fund measures aiming to effectively make the EU fleet more fuel efficient and less dependent on fossil fuel ~~and more fuel efficient~~s; further calls on the Commission to fund research on adapting zero-emission propulsion systems for fishing vessels, such as e-fuels, wind ~~propulsion and batteries, for use on fishing vessels and with~~and electric propulsion, having in account different gear types to be used;

Amendment 55 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Calls on the Commission to adequately fund measures aiming to effectively make the EU fleet less dependent on fossil fuel and more fuel efficient; further calls on the Commission to fund research on ~~adapting~~ zero-emission propulsion systems~~, such as~~ marine e-fuels, wind propulsion ~~and~~, batteries and slow steaming, for use on fishing vessels and with different gear types;

Amendment 56 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Calls on the Commission to adequately fund measures aiming to effectively make the EU fleet less dependent on fossil fuel and more ~~fuel~~energy efficient; further calls on the Commission to fund research on adapting zero-emission propulsion systems, such as e-fuels, wind propulsion and batteries, for use on fishing vessels and with different gear types;

Amendment 57 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Calls on the Commission to adequately fund measures aiming ~~to effectively~~, where possible, to make the EU fleet less dependent on fossil fuel and more fuel efficient; further calls on the Commission to fund research on adapting zero-emission propulsion systems, such as e-fuels, wind propulsion and batteries, for use on fishing vessels and with different gear types;

Amendment 58 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Calls on the Commission to adequately fund measures aiming to effectively make the EU fleet less dependent on fossil fuel and more fuel efficient; further calls on the Commission to fund research on adapting zero-emission propulsion systems, such as e-fuels, wind propulsion and batteries, for use on fishing vessels and with different gear types, with a realistic time schedule;

Amendment 59 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Encourages Member States to allocate funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility to support innovation for the decarbonisation of the fishing industry and to finance training programmes contributing to a more skilled workforce while boosting generation renewal;

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Recalls the effects on the food supply chain, fuel costs and price volatility caused by Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, as well as its impacts on EU fishing activities and the livelihoods of fishers, especially in the Black Sea;deleted

Amendment 60 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12

12. Underlines the role of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) in ensuring a level playing field for the EU fleet, and especially in discouraging and curbing IUU fishing ~~in European waters and also at a global level~~; considers that the adoption of the new Control Regulation (EU 2023/2842) implies an important increase in EFCA’s tasks and responsibilities; recognises that the progressive implementation of the new control measures will need some activities in the form of pilot projects; calls on the Commission to provide adequate funds to EFCA to tackle the new tasks and activities, including ~~participation to the tripartite working arrangement between the EFCA, the European Maritime Security Agency (EMSA) and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) considering EFCA’s~~its coastal guard function and contribution to the new EU Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS);

Amendment 61 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12

12. Underlines the role of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) in ensuring a level playing field for the EU fleet, and especially in discouraging and curbing IUU fishing in European waters and also at a global level; considers that the adoption of the new Control Regulation (EU 2023/2842) implies an important increase in EFCA’s tasks and responsibilities; recognises that the progressive implementation of the new control measures will need some activities in the form of pilot projects and additional budgetary support; calls on the Commission to provide adequate funds to EFCA to tackle the new tasks and activities, including participation to the tripartite working arrangement between the EFCA, the European Maritime Security Agency (EMSA) and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) considering EFCA’s contribution to the new EU Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS);

Amendment 62 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12

12. Underlines the role of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) in ensuring a level playing field for the EU fleet, and especially in discouraging and curbing IUU fishing in European ~~waters and also at a global level~~and adjacent waters; considers that the adoption of the new Control Regulation (EU 2023/2842) implies an important increase in EFCA’s tasks and responsibilities; recognises that the progressive implementation of the new control measures will need some activities in the form of pilot projects; calls on the Commission to provide adequate funds to EFCA to tackle the new tasks and activities, including participation to the tripartite working arrangement between the EFCA, the European Maritime Security Agency (EMSA) and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) considering EFCA’s contribution to the new EU Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS);

Amendment 63 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 13

13. Stresses that generational renewal, including diversifying the profession, is one of the European fishing sector’s priorities; calls, in this regard, on the Commission to support the mobilisation of budgetary resources to help young people to take up careers in fisheries and the wider sustainable blue economy sector, to make the sector more diverse and to encourage people from underrepresented groups, particularly women, to join it; further invites the Commission to support the creation of an association of young European fishers;deleted

Amendment 64 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 13

Amendment 65 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 13

13. Stresses that generational renewal, including diversifying the profession, is one of the European fishing sector’s priorities; calls, in this regard, on the Commission to support the mobilisation of budgetary resources to help young people to take up careers in fisheries and the wider sustainable blue economy sector, to make the sector more diverse and to encourage ~~people from underrepresented groups, particularly~~ women, to join it; further invites the Commission to support the creation of an association of young European fishers;

Amendment 66 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 13

13. Stresses that generational renewal, including diversifying the profession and gender mainstreaming, is one of the European fishing sector’s priorities; calls, in this regard, on the Commission to support the mobilisation of budgetary resources to help young people to take up careers in fisheries and the wider sustainable blue economy sector, to make the sector more diverse and to encourage people from underrepresented groups, particularly women, to join it; further invites the Commission to support the creation of an association of young European fishers;

Amendment 67 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 14

Amendment 68 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates the need to provide substantial support for disadvantaged coastal areas and European outermost regions. Calls for the European Commission to allow financial support for fleet renewal in the European outermost regions by ending the ban on State aid for vessel replacements. Recalls that, contrary to the provisOutermost Regions (OR) and other disadvantaged coastal areas. Calls for the European Commission to evaluate the possibility, under the analysis of the balance between fishing capacity and fishing opportunities for small-scale fleet of OR according to Article 22 of the CFP, propose solutions including financial support for fleet renewal in these Regions that will not put in cause sustainable exploitations of ~~the EMFAF, this objective has not received any European funding in any region~~resources, but increase working and safety conditions on the fleet.

Amendment 69 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 14

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Recalls the effects on the food supply chain, fuel costs and price volatility caused by Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, as well as its impacts on climate, environment, health and lives of people and animals, on EU fishing activities and the livelihoods of fishers, especially in the Black Sea; recalls the necessity of further ambitions for climate, biodiversity and animal welfare measures;

Amendment 70 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates the need to provide substantial support for disadvantaged coastal areas and European outermost regions. Calls for the European Commission to ~~allow~~facilitate that financial support for fleet renewal in the European outermost regions ~~by ending the ban on State aid for vessel replacements. Recalls that, contrary to the provisions of the EMFAF, this objective has not received any European funding in any region~~will be mobilised.

Amendment 71 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates the need to provide substantial support for disadvantaged coastal areas and European outermost regions. Calls for the European Commission and Council to allow financial support for fleet renewal in the European outermost regions ~~by ending the ban on~~through EU funding and State aid for vessel replacements. Recalls that, contrary to the provisions o~~f the EMFAF~~n State aid in the outermost regions, this objective has not received any ~~European~~ funding in any region.

Amendment 72 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 14

Amendment 73 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates the need to provide ~~substantial~~appropriate support for disadvantaged coastal areas and European outermost regions. Calls for the European Commission to allow financial support for fleet renewal ~~in the European outermost regions~~ by ending the ban on State aid for vessel replacements. Recalls that, contrary to the provisions of the EMFAF, this objective has not received any European funding in any region.

Amendment 74 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 14

Amendment 75 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Stresses the need to provide financial support for the definition of the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in the outermost regions, in line with the goal of the UN to preserve 30% of our oceans by 2030, specially for the compensation for potencial losses of the affected fishermans, and monitoring and management programmes of the regional authorities.

Amendment 76 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Reiterates the need to initiate more effective measures to eliminate barriers for Producer Organisations to fully deliver on their missions by addressing the difficulties for small-scale fisheries Producer Organisations regarding differential treatment by national administrations, be it in terms of Producer Organisation recognition, day-to-day financing, administrative support or eligibility of measures.

Amendment 77 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 14 b (new)

14b. Reiterates the need to re-establish the POSEI-Fisheries in the Outermost Regions, lost in 2014 with its integration in EMFF, in line with Amaro report on the “Assessment of the new communication of the European Commission on Outermost Regions 2022/2147(INI)”.

Amendment 8 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

Amendment 9 #

Matthieu VALET, Pierre-Romain THIONNET, Sebastiaan STÖTELER, Roberto VANNACCI, Silvia SARDONE, Susanna CECCARDI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

source: 762.948

2024/09/11 AFET 124 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. whereas the growing instability and the rise of unprecedented challenges in the immediate European neighbourhood and the international environment increases the demands on the Union to ~~act with~~have a budget ~~fit for that purpose and to significantly strengthen its security and defence capabilities~~that is appropriate for that situation, enabling it to support and facilitate Member States’ efforts to procure and produce security and defence capabilities, without laying claim to any additional competences in the area of defence;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) acts as the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza and provides stability to the region through the provision of essential services amid increasing needs;

Amendment 100 #

Hermann TERTSCH, Jorge MARTÍN FRÍAS, Sebastiaan STÖTELER, Roberto VANNACCI, Silvia SARDONE, Susanna CECCARDI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

Amendment 101 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Believes that the European External Action Service is s~~tructurally underfunded and should not be treated like the other institutions regarding the approach to the administrative budget~~ufficiently funded; notes that the requirements for an institution with 145 diplomatic missions and offices around the world is fundamentally different to institutions operating at a single location;

Amendment 102 #

Matthieu VALET, Pierre-Romain THIONNET, Roberto VANNACCI, Silvia SARDONE, Susanna CECCARDI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

Amendment 103 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Believes that the European External Action Serv~~Recalls that foreign policey is structurally underfunded and should not be treated like the other institutions regarding the approach to the administrative budget; notes that the requirements for an institution with 145 diplomatic missions and offices around the world is fundamentally different to institutions operating at a single locationthe prerogative of the Member States, and believes that the European External Action Service and its delegations duplicate and take the place of the diplomatic efforts of the Member States, thereby undermining their sovereignty;

Amendment 104 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Lucia YAR, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Urmas PAET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Stresses that, ahead of increasing geopolitical challenges and crisis worldwide, the EU needs to count with the necessary first-hand information on global issues occurring outside its borders; calls, in this regard, for strengthening the EU INTCEN, the EEAS Crisis Response Center and the SatCen by enhancing its staff and financial resources, as well as capabilities;

Amendment 105 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Notes that increases in external action spending need to be accompanied by a strengthened monitoring and anti- corruption framework; calls on the Commission, following recommendations from the European Court of Auditors, to make external action spending more standardised and transparent;

Amendment 106 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Lucia YAR, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Urmas PAET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)

8b. Emphasises the need for coherence, accountability and efficiency of financing the EU external action; calls for increased transparency and democratic scrutiny of EFIs’ funding through strategic steering by the Parliament and an enhanced geopolitical dialogue between the Parliament and the Commission;

Amendment 107 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Lucia YAR, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Urmas PAET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)

8b. Insists on the budgetary increase for CFSP actions and other appropriate conflict and crisis response instruments in order to fully match EU’s activities and capabilities with current challenges and conflicts worldwide;

Amendment 108 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 c (new)

8c. Reminds that the EU’s Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) foresees a strong conditionality and funding must be modulated or even suspended in the case of significant regression or persistent lack of progress regarding the rule of law and fundamental rights;

Amendment 109 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 c (new)

8c. Highlights that given the increasing cyber threats/attacks from third countries and proxies, the EEAS needs to count with strong IT systems and security protocols that ensure a robust protection of the information and "intelligence" that EU Delegations and HQ deal with;

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas the Member States and the Union as a whole must continue to support Ukraine both economically and militarily until Ukraine's victory in the war;

Amendment 110 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 d (new)

8d. Calls to guarantee that EU Delegations count with a focal point on conflict prevention and resolution, as well as peace building; ensure that EU Delegations, and particularly the abovementioned focal points, provide constant ground information to the EU conflict Early Warning System, the EU INTCEN and the EEAS Crisis Response Center;

Amendment 111 #

Hermann TERTSCH, Jorge MARTÍN FRÍAS, Roberto VANNACCI, Silvia SARDONE, Susanna CECCARDI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 e (new)

8e. Stresses the need to allocate the necessary resources to the Strategic Communication and Foresight division of the EEAS given the necessity for the EU to increase its investment in public and cultural diplomacy and communication efforts;

Amendment 112 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Strongly believes that a ~~considerable~~ reinforcement of humanitarian aid, accompanied by clear objectives in terms of the rule of law and governance, and measures to discourage and limit illegal migration, is needed for the Union to be able to respond to emerging crises.; calls that the recipients and use of such aids have to be carefully monitored and that the European Parliament have to be constantly informed about their use; highlights that any financial support by the EU should be strictly linked to the compliance of the recipient country in terms of respect to human rights and fundamental freedoms in order to prevent the EU from financing dictatorial regimes with the very aid aimed at helping the people they oppress; demands that suspected human rights violations by a recipient country be met with the immediate termination of all financial support;

Amendment 113 #

Roberto VANNACCI, Silvia SARDONE, Susanna CECCARDI, António TÂNGER CORRÊA, Sebastiaan STÖTELER, Hermann TERTSCH, Nikola BARTŮŠEK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

Amendment 114 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Lucia YAR, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Urmas PAET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Strongly believes that a considerable reinforcement of humanitarian aid, accompanied by clear objectives in terms of the rule of law and governance, is needed for the Union to be able to respond to emerging crises. and to meet the unprecedented global humanitarian needs, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and its global economic repercussions, particularly in terms of food insecurity;

Amendment 115 #

Matthieu VALET, Pierre-Romain THIONNET, Sebastiaan STÖTELER, Roberto VANNACCI, Silvia SARDONE, Susanna CECCARDI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Strongly believes that ~~a considerable reinforcement of humanitarian aid, accompanie~~while humanitarian aid is essential, any reinforcement should bye c~~lear objectives~~ arefully calibrated, ensuring t~~erms of the rule of law and governance, is needed for the Union to be able to respond to emerging cri~~hat the Union’s response to emerging crises is financially sustainable and aligned with long-term strategic goals, rather than driven by immediate budgetary increases.

Amendment 116 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Strongly believes that ~~a considerable reinforcement of humanitarian aid, accompanied by clear objectives in terms of the rule of law and governance, is needed for the Union to be able to respond to emerging crises~~the Union’s development aid for third countries must be accompanied by clear objectives in terms of management of their migration flows to Europe.

Amendment 117 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

Amendment 118 #

Hermann TERTSCH, Jorge MARTÍN FRÍAS, Roberto VANNACCI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Notes the primary importance of bolstering the defence capabilities of European states and supporting them in exercising their sovereignty and their sovereign rights.

Amendment 119 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Expresses its concern with the worldwide wave of attacks against freedom of speech, especially when they exploit the fight against disinformation as a façade to conceal their true nature; deplores that, under such a façade, former liberal democracies have started to implement nationwide censorship in order to silence internal opposition; believes that such attacks should have financial consequences reflected in the EU budget; highlights the alarming case of Brazil and the unjustified shut down of the social network X, formerly known as Twitter; condemns any attempt by the Brazilian State to impair the right of the Brazilian people to voice its dissent;

Amendment 12 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Lucia YAR, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Urmas PAET

Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas the Union must continue to provide long-term support to Ukraine in its struggle for independence and self- defence against Russia’s war of aggression and respond to other urgent global needs as they evolve;

Amendment 120 #

Loucas FOURLAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Considers that there should be sufficient appropriations for the Turkish Cypriot Community budget line for the purpose of contributing decisively to the continuation and intensification of the mission of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus, and of supporting the bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage;

Amendment 121 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Underlines the need for specific child trackers in relation to the EU Budget and expenditures, as to capture the extent to which the upcoming budget, as well as future ones, concretely work for current and future generations of children;

Amendment 122 #

Hermann TERTSCH, Jorge MARTÍN FRÍAS, Roberto VANNACCI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Firmly believes that at a time when liberal democracies are increasingly threatened around the world, reiterates its support to funding election observation missions, including local observers, as they play a key deterrent role against electoral fraud and violence; calls for serious measures to be taken against those countries that hinder and/or prevent observers from doing their job, and which, in the aftermath of manifestly fraudulent electoral processes, engage in violent actions aimed against the civilian population demanding transparency, peace and democracy;

Amendment 123 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Lucia YAR, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Urmas PAET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Stresses that the EU should prioritise investment in training border officials and police on child rights-based procedures and should support child- sensitive critical services such as protection, education, and health;

Amendment 124 #

Hermann TERTSCH, Jorge MARTÍN FRÍAS, Roberto VANNACCI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 c (new)

9c. Strongly condemns the electoral fraud perpetrated by Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela; calls on all Member States, the President of the European Commission and the High Representative to expressly condemn the fraud and bow to work in support of a peaceful transition of power in accordance with the will of the Venezuelan people; stresses the strong need for increased financial support to Venezuelan civil society, opponents of the regimen, human rights defenders, independent media and other civil organisations in Venezuela, while freezing all EU financial transfers to the illegitimate Maduro regime;

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

Amendment 14 #

Roberto VANNACCI, Silvia SARDONE, Susanna CECCARDI, António TÂNGER CORRÊA, Sebastiaan STÖTELER, Hermann TERTSCH, Nikola BARTŮŠEK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Calls to double the budget allocated to the development of capabilities under the Common Security and Defence Policy in order to ensure the safety of its citizens, and maintain stability both within Europe and globally; including humanitarian cooperation; cybersecurity; bolster cybersecurity defences to counter cyber- attacks on critical infrastructure, businesses, and governmental institutions, which is vital for safeguarding both the economy and citizen safety; crisis preparedness and response; build up rapid response capabilities for natural disasters, pandemics, or conflict situations, ensuring the EU can respond quickly and efficiently to crises;

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Calls to double the budget allocated to the development of capabilities under the Common Security and Defence Policy in order to ensure the safety of its citizens, and maintain stability both within Europe and globally; reaffirming that the national defence and the employment of national armed forces represent a pure expression of national sovereignty;

Amendment 16 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Calls ~~to double~~for a thorough review of the budget allocated to the development of capabilities under the Common Security and Defence Policy ~~in order to ensure the safety of its citizens, and maintain stability both within Europe and globally~~, ensuring that any increase is justified by clear and measurable outcomes, and avoiding unnecessary financial burdens on the Union;

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Calls on the Member States to double the budget allocated to the development of capabilities under the Common Security and Defence Policy in order to make cooperation in defence at the EU level the rule to ensure the safety of its citizens, and maintain stability both within Europe and globally;

Amendment 18 #

Adam BIELAN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Calls ~~to double th~~for an appropriate budget allocated to the development of capabilities under the Common Security and Defence Policy in order to ensure the safety of its citizens, and maintain stability both within Europe and globally;

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

Amendment 2 #

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. whereas the growing instability and the rise of unprecedented challenges in the immediate European neighbourhood and the international environment ~~increases the demands on the Union to act with a budget fit for that purpose and to significantly strengthen its security and defence capabiliti~~necessitate a careful and prudent allocation of resources, ensuring that the Union does not overextend its budgetary commitments or unduly prioritize security and defence capabilities which fall under the remit of individual EU Member States;

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Stresses that Russia's genocidal war of aggression against Ukraine is existential in nature for both Ukraine and the European continent as a whole; calls therefore to make cuts throughout the EU budget and to rechannel the spared funds for the defence of Ukraine;

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

Amendment 22 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Points out that the unprecedented challenges in the global environment, along with the threats the EU is facing must be met by a substantial EU reaction, matched by appropriate and sufficient budgetary means for the EU to protect itself and the citizens and live up to the geopolitical challenges; welcomes the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) earlier this year which led to an increase in Heading 6; furthermore welcomes the adoption of two new instruments, namely the Ukraine Facility and the Western Balkans Facility, which will provide additional targeted support to Ukraine and the six Western Balkans countriesis, however, concerned about the significant increase of budgetary allocations dedicated to the external dimension of migration; in this context, urges the Commission to increase transparency and ensure full human rights compliance with regards to this funding, including through the use of monitoring and application of human rights conditionality; furthermore welcomes the adoption of two new instruments, namely the Ukraine Facility and the Western Balkans Facility, which will provide additional targeted support to Ukraine and the six Western Balkans countries; against this background, warns that the growing costs of Ukraine’s sustainable reconstruction and recovery will tremendously transcend the 50 billion euros budget of the Facility, especially as Russia continues escalating its destruction of Ukraine, particularly targeting residential areas and the country’s natural environment; expresses concern about the growing humanitarian needs in Ukraine over the course of 2024 and calls for sustained sufficient EU funding for both emergency and long- term humanitarian aid in Ukraine; urges Hungary to lift its blockade of the European Peace Facility funding for Ukraine, including the agreed reimbursement for Member States for military assistance already delivered;

Amendment 23 #

Hermann TERTSCH, Jorge MARTÍN FRÍAS, Roberto VANNACCI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

Amendment 24 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

Amendment 25 #

Matthieu VALET, Pierre-Romain THIONNET, Sebastiaan STÖTELER, Roberto VANNACCI, Silvia SARDONE, Susanna CECCARDI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

Amendment 26 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

Amendment 27 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Points out that the unprecedented challenges in the global environment, along with the threats the EU is facing must be met by ~~a substantial EU reaction~~committed diplomatic efforts by the EU, matched by appropriate and sufficient budgetary means for the EU to protect itself and the citizens and live up to the geopolitical challenges; welcomes the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) earlier this year which led to an increase in Heading 6; furthermore welcomes the adoption of two new instruments, namely the Ukraine Facility and the Western Balkans Facility, which will provide additional targeted support to Ukraine and the six Western Balkans countri it faces;

Amendment 28 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

Amendment 29 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Points out that the unprecedented challenges in the global environment, peace and geopolitical instability along with the threats the EU is facing must be met by a substantial EU reaction, matched by appropriate and sufficient budgetary means for the EU to protect itself and the citizens and live up to the geopolitical challenges; welcomes the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) earlier this year which led to an increase in Heading 6; furthermore welcomes the adoption of two new instruments, namely the Ukraine Facility and the Western Balkans Facility, which will provide additional targeted support to Ukraine and the six Western Balkans countries;

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. whereas the growing instability and the rise of unprecedented challenges in the immediate European neighbourhood and the international environment increases the demands on the Union to act with a budget fit for that purpose and to s~~ignificantly strengthen its security and defence capabilities~~trengthen its efforts towards a peaceful Europe whose citizens can live in prosperity and security and which is committed to a just and peaceful international order;

Amendment 30 #

Roberto VANNACCI, Silvia SARDONE, Susanna CECCARDI, António TÂNGER CORRÊA, Sebastiaan STÖTELER, Hermann TERTSCH, Nikola BARTŮŠEK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Points out that the unprecedented challenges in the global environment, especially with regard to Russia's war against Ukraine, along with the threats the EU is facing as a result must be met by a substantial EU reaction,; highlights that these threats must be matched by appropriate and sufficient budgetary means for the EU to protect itself and the citizens and live up to the ~~geopolitical challenges;~~aforementioned geopolitical threats; warmly welcomes the ~~revis~~adoption of the ~~Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) earlier this year which led to an increase in Heading 6; furthermore welcomes~~Ukraine Facility, which will provide additional targeted support to Ukraine; anticipates that the adopdition ~~of two new instruments, namely the Ukraine Facility and the Western Balkans Facility, which will provide additional targeted support to Ukraine and~~al targeted support provided by the Western Balkans Facility will bring the six Western Balkans countries closer to the EU;

Amendment 31 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Points out that the unprecedented challenges in the global environment, along with the threats the EU is facing must be ~~met by a substantial EU reaction,~~ matched by appropriate and sufficient budgetary means for the EU to protect itself and the citizens and live up to the geopolitical challenges; welcomes the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) earlier this year which led to an increase in Heading 6; furthermore welcomes the adoption of two new instruments, namely the Ukraine Facility and the Western Balkans Facility, which will provide additional targeted support to Ukraine and the six Western Balkans countries;

Amendment 32 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Welcomes the decision to grant Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova candidate country status and insists on the need to deploy the necessary funds to support their accession process; stresses that the allocation for the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) and pertinent budget lines under the NDICI - Global Europe in 2025 should catalyse the cooperation with Moldova as well as with Georgia in line with the agreement on the MFF revision;

Amendment 33 #

Geadis GEADI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Notes that Turkey’s complete break with international legitimacy and with respect for the national sovereignty of its neighbouring states and the lack of respect it shows towards the European Union by not recognising the Republic of Cyprus, which is one of the 27 Member States, calls for a proportionate European reaction. Therefore considers that European spending that benefits Turkey in any way must stop.

Amendment 34 #

Matthieu VALET, Pierre-Romain THIONNET, Roberto VANNACCI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Notes that Turkey’s break with international legitimacy, with respect for the national sovereignty of its neighbouring states and with the basic European requirements in favour of the rule of law, calls for a proportionate European response. Therefore considers that European spending that benefits Turkey in any way must be suspended.

Amendment 35 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Considers that in its relentless pursuit of enlargement the EU is now disregarding the stringent economic criteria, instead using enlargement as a geopolitical tool, thereby jeopardising the economic, political and social stability of its existing Member States;

Amendment 36 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Calls for additional funding for Ukraine ahead of winter, especially in the area of humanitarian aid and energy security;

Amendment 37 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)

2c. Calls for greater support for independent media fighting Russian disinformation and propaganda, in particular media in the national languages of the Eastern Partnership countries, Russian-language media inside and outside Russia, as well as media in the Western Balkans and in the African countries where the Wagner Group is active;

Amendment 38 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Is particularly concerned about the approach taken in the MFF revision to only have a net~~Notes the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) earlier this year which led to an increase ofin Heading 6 ~~of EUR 3,1 billion whereas the other EUR 4,5 billion shall be covered through redeployments within this heading; is not convinced that these redep~~; is of the opinion that certain reductions are needed in Heading 6 to cut inefficient develoypment~~s will actually materialise to that extent~~ aid from geographical areas other than the Eastern Neighbourhood;

Amendment 39 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Is particularly concerned about the approach taken in the MFF revision to only have a net increase of Heading 6 of EUR 3,1 billion whereas the other EUR 4,5 billion shall be covered through redeployments within this heading; is not convinced that these redeployments will actually materialise to that extent; highlights that sufficient funding is key to the EU’s credibility as a stronger, more assertive, and more strategic actor on the world stage;

Amendment 4 #

Roberto VANNACCI, Silvia SARDONE, Susanna CECCARDI, António TÂNGER CORRÊA, Sebastiaan STÖTELER, Hermann TERTSCH, Nikola BARTŮŠEK

Draft opinion
Recital A

Amendment 40 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Is particularly concerned abou~~Notes that the approach taken in the MFF revision to only have a net increase of Heading 6 of EUR 3,1 billion whereas the other EUR 4,5 billion shall be covered through redeployments within this heading; ~~is not convinced that these redeployments will actually materialise to that extent;~~

Amendment 41 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Is particularly concerned about the approach taken in the MFF revision to ~~only~~ have a net increase of Heading 6 of EUR 3,1 billion ~~whereas the other EUR 4,5 billion shall be covered through redeployments within this heading; is not convinced that these redeployments will actually materialise to that extent~~; is not convinced that this increase contributes to a peaceful and prosperous future for the EU;

Amendment 42 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Is particularly concerned about the approach taken in the MFF revision to ~~only have a net~~ increase of Heading 6 ofby EUR 3,1 billion ~~whereas the other EUR 4,5 billion shall be covered through redeployments within this heading; is not convinced that these redeployments will actually materialise to that extent~~, emphasizing the need for greater scrutiny and justification of any budget increases;

Amendment 43 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Is particularly concerned about the approach taken in the MFF revision to only have a net increase of Heading 6 of EUR 3,1 billion whereas the other EUR 4,5 billion shall be covered through redeployments within this heading; is ~~not convinced that these redeployments will~~concerned if there will be sufficient amount of decommitments for the latter to actually materialise ~~to that extent~~;

Amendment 44 #

Adam BIELAN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Is particularly concerned about~~Takes note of the approach taken in the MFF revision to only have a net increase of Heading 6 of EUR 3,1 billion whereas the other EUR 4,5 billion shall be covered through redeployments within this heading; is not convinced that these redeployments will actually materialise to that extent;

Amendment 45 #

Hermann TERTSCH, Jorge MARTÍN FRÍAS, Sebastiaan STÖTELER, Roberto VANNACCI, Silvia SARDONE, Susanna CECCARDI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that the Commission presented a budget proposal of EUR 16 258 million, close to MFF ceiling in Heading 6 with a remaining available margin of EUR 44,8 million; notes furthermore that Council increased the budget for humanitarian aid by EUR 30 million, believes however that this amount will not be sufficient to be able to respond to emerging crises; recalls that the Parliament from the outset considered the MFF ceiling in Heading 6 as insufficient given the geopolitical necessities;

Amendment 46 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that the Commission presented a budget proposal of EUR 16 258 million, close to MFF ceiling in Heading 6 with a remaining available margin of EUR 44,8 million; notes furthermore that Council increased the budget for humanitarian aid by EUR 30 million, believes however that this amount will not be sufficient to be able to respond to emerging crises; highlights that substantial budget resources should be focused on enhancing the security of the EU’s external border;

Amendment 47 #

Roberto VANNACCI, Silvia SARDONE, Susanna CECCARDI, António TÂNGER CORRÊA, Sebastiaan STÖTELER, Hermann TERTSCH, Nikola BARTŮŠEK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that the Commission presented a budget proposal of EUR 16 258 million, close to MFF ceiling in Heading 6 with a remaining available margin of EUR 44,8 million; notes furthermore that Council increased the budget for humanitarian aid by EUR 30 million~~, believes however that this amount will not be sufficient to be able to respond to emerging crises~~;

Amendment 48 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that the Commission presented a budget proposal of EUR 16 258 million, close to MFF ceiling in Heading 6 with a remaining available margin of EUR 44,8 million; notes furthermore that Council increased the budget for humanitarian aid by EUR 30 million~~, believes however that this amount will not be sufficient to be able to respond to emerging crises~~;

Amendment 49 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Notes with concern that the Commission presented a budget proposal of EUR 16 258 million, ~~close to~~approaching the MFF ceiling in Heading 6 with a remaining available margin of EUR 44,8 million; notes furthermore that Council increased the budget for humanitarian aid by EUR 30 million, believes however that this amount will not be sufficient to be able to resp, and stresses the importance of maintaining a more substantial margin to ensure financial flexibility and avoid unnecessary strain ond t~~o emerging crises~~he Union’s budget;

Amendment 5 #

Draft opinion
Recital A

Amendment 50 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

Amendment 51 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

Amendment 52 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Notes ~~with concern~~ the reductions for the Neighbourhood East in NDICI which is underfunded by EUR 150 million for the remainder of this MFF; considers it therefore necessary for the 2025 Union budget to increase this budget line by EUR 50 million;

Amendment 53 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Notes with concern the reductions for the Neighbourhood East in NDICI which is underfunded by EUR 150 million for the remainder of this MFF; considers it therefore necessary for the 2025 Union budget to increase this budget line by EUR 50 million; emphasizes that additional support related to emerging threats should not come at the expense of ongoing and long-term geopolitical challenges worldwide, particularly in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean; highlights that a well-funded Global Europe Instrument is essential for the EU to be seen as a trustworthy partner and counteract the influence of other global powers;

Amendment 54 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Notes with concern the reductions for the Neighbourhood East in NDICI which is underfunded by EUR 150 million for the remainder of this MFF; considers it therefore necessary for the 2025 Union budget to increase this budget line by EUR 50 million; reminds that against a backdrop of increasing violations of human rights and democratic values across the world, as well as the weakening of protection of democratic institutions and the shrinking space for civil societies, the EU needs to count with a strong budget for the NDICI;

Amendment 55 #

Roberto VANNACCI, Silvia SARDONE, Susanna CECCARDI, António TÂNGER CORRÊA, Sebastiaan STÖTELER, Hermann TERTSCH, Nikola BARTŮŠEK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. NRegrets that, with the exception of the Southern Neighbourhood, the Commission and the Council foresee reductions in the commitments for all geographic programmes under NDICI; in this context, notes with concern the reductions for the Neighbourhood East in NDICI which is underfunded by EUR 150 million for the remainder of this MFF; considers it therefore necessary for the 2025 Union budget to increase this budget line by EUR 50 million;

Amendment 56 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Notes ~~with concern~~ the reductions for the Neighbourhood East in NDICI which is underfunded by EUR 150 million for the remainder of this MFF; ~~considers it therefore necessary for the 2025 Union budget to increase this budget line by EUR 50 million;~~

Amendment 57 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Notes ~~with concern~~ the reductions for the Neighbourhood East in NDICI ~~which is underfunded by EUR 150 million for the remainder of this MFF; considers it therefore necessary for the 2025 Union budget to increase this budget line by EUR 50 million~~; emphasizes the need to carefully assess and justify any increases to the 2025 Union budget, ensuring that resources are allocated based on clear priorities and not solely to address underfunding;

Amendment 58 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Notes with concern the reductions in geographic envelopes in NDICI, in particular for the Neighbourhood East ~~in NDICI~~, which is underfunded by EUR 150 million for the remainder of this MFF; considers it therefore necessary for the 2025 Union budget to increase this budget line by EUR 50 million;

Amendment 59 #

Matthieu VALET, Pierre-Romain THIONNET, Sebastiaan STÖTELER, Roberto VANNACCI, Silvia SARDONE, Susanna CECCARDI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls on the Commission to improve the consistency, efficiency and transparency of pre-accession assistance, clearly reflecting the priorities in the fundamental areas in the allocation of IPA III funding; calls, in particular, for the introduction of stricter and more enforceable accountability with regard to spending and for improvement of the overall cycle of disbursement, implementation and scrutiny of pre- accession funding, applying strict conditionality, including in the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan and the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans;

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Recital B

B. whereas ~~that~~ sufficient funding is key ~~to the EU’s credibility as a stronger, more assertive, and more~~but will only be effective if used to shore up national policies so that cooperation among the Member States affords Europe greater strategic acutornomy on the world stage;

Amendment 60 #

Davor Ivo STIER, Michael GAHLER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Underlines that in the context of the current dynamic geopolitical circumstances, and growing global instability, one of the European priorities is safeguarding the EU external borders; therefore, a consistent and reliable budget of Frontex is of utmost importance to adequately address the need for a comprehensive management of the EU borders;

Amendment 61 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Believes that further targeted reinforcements are needed in areas such as the fight against disinformation, capacity development, enlargement, election observation, nuclear safety, and support for civil society organisations~~, even if this will require the use of flexibility instruments~~; furthermore believes the need to also propose reductions across all budget lines; highlights in this context the need to prioritise strengthening the Union's support to Ukraine;

Amendment 62 #

Matthieu VALET, Pierre-Romain THIONNET, Roberto VANNACCI, Silvia SARDONE, Susanna CECCARDI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Believes that further targeted reinforcements are needed in areas such as digital diplomacy and cybersecurity, the fight against disinformation, capacity development, enlargement, election observation, nuclear safety, support for civil society organisations~~, even~~ and human rights defenders; calls, ifn this ~~will require~~regard, for the use of flexibility instruments, such as the Single Margin Instrument;

Amendment 63 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Believes that further targeted reinforcements are needed in areas such as the fight against ~~disinformation, capacity development, enlargement, election observation, nuclear safety, support for civil society organisations, even if this will require the use of flexibility instruments~~foreign interference, support for the development and strengthening of key military capabilities, and nuclear safety;

Amendment 64 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Believes that further targeted reinforcements are needed in areas such as the fight against disinformation, capacity development, enlargement, election observation, nuclear safety, support for civil society organisations, tackling root causes for migration and encourage private sector investments, even if this will require the use of flexibility instruments;

Amendment 65 #

Roberto VANNACCI, Silvia SARDONE, Susanna CECCARDI, António TÂNGER CORRÊA, Sebastiaan STÖTELER, Hermann TERTSCH, Nikola BARTŮŠEK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Believes that further targeted reinforcements are needed in areas such as the fight against disinformation, capacity development, enlargement, election observation, nuclear safety, support for civil society organisations, digital transformation, environmental challenges and social development even if this will require the use of flexibility instruments;

Amendment 66 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Believes that further targeted reinforcements are needed in areas such as the fight against disinformation, which must not turn into censorship or further disinformation, capacity development, enlargement, election observation, nuclear safety, support for civil society organisations, even if this will require the use of flexibility instruments;

Amendment 67 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Believes that any further targeted reinforcements are needed in areas such as the fight against disinformation, capacity development, enlargement, election observation, nuclear safety, support for civil society organisations, even if this will require the use of flexibility instrumentsshould be carefully evaluated, ensuring that funds are used efficiently and effectively;

Amendment 68 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Believes that further targeted reinforcements are needed in areas such as ~~the fight against disinformation, capacity development, enlargement,~~ election observation, nuclear safety, support for civil society organisations, even if this will require the use of flexibility instruments;

Amendment 69 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Believes that further targeted reinforcements are needed in areas such as the fight against disinformation, capacity development, enlargement, election observation, nuclear safety, support for civil society organisations, even if this will require the use of flexibility instrumentsthe area of Member States’ defence capacity building for the protection of their borders, national sovereignty and sovereign rights, as determined by international law;

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Recital B

B. whereas th~~at sufficient funding is key to~~e judicious use of funding is essential for the EU’s credibility, a~~s a stronger, more assertive, and more~~voiding unnecessary budget increases while maintaining a balanced approach as a strategic actor on the world stage;

Amendment 70 #

Hermann TERTSCH, Jorge MARTÍN FRÍAS, Roberto VANNACCI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Believes that further targeted reinforcements are needed in areas such as the fight against foreign interference and disinformation, capacity development, enlargement, election observation, nuclear safety, support for civil society organisations, even if this will require the use of flexibility instruments;

Amendment 71 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Believe~~Considers that further targeted reinforcements are needed in areas such as the fight against ~~disinformation, capacity development, enlargement, election observation, nuclear safety, support for civil society organisations, even if this will require the use of flexibility instruments~~foreign interference and disinformation, which must not turn into censorship or further disinformation, support for the development and strengthening of key military capabilities, and nuclear safety;

Amendment 72 #

Adam BIELAN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

Amendment 73 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Lucia YAR, Urmas PAET, Marie-Agnes STRACK-ZIMMERMANN, Hilde VAUTMANS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Considers that resources and tools for digital diplomacy and the use of Artificial Intelligence in the EU's External Action and security and defence should be further strengthened; stresses that in a moment of rapid technological advancements and geopolitical competition, the EU's leadership in these areas is crucial for its relevance and resilience; highlights that it is crucial to explore new ways on how to collaborate with third countries in this regard and create platforms for the transfer of knowledge and for co-creation;

Amendment 74 #

Ioan-Rareş BOGDAN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Stresses that, against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, Russia is conducting sophisticated fake news campaigns in vulnerable countries, including some that are in the throes of elections, and exploiting digital platforms to foment hatred of the EU; points to the Republic of Moldova, which is a key country for Europe’s security, as being a pertinent example of this; considers that the margin left available of EUR 44.8 million could serve to address the need to combat disinformation campaigns in the Eastern Neighbourhood.

Amendment 75 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Urges a review of EU financial assistance to countries which support and do not condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which do not respect their international obligations, including obligations to the International Criminal Court, and which help Russia to evade EU sanctions;

Amendment 76 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Lucia YAR, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Urmas PAET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Urges the HR/VP and the Commission to team up in order to double the funding for peacebuilding, conflict prevention, mediation and reconciliation;

Amendment 77 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Stresses the need to increase allocations for military mobility in 2025 budget;

Amendment 78 #

Hilde VAUTMANS, Lucia YAR, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Urmas PAET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Highlights the importance of an increase in funding for additional permanent staff for including and streamlining the fight against malicious interference and disinformation and an effective institutional set-up within the EU such as for the implementation of those structures identified in the recently adopted INGE report, including a dedicated EEAS Strat Com Far East team, a Commission taskforce and a European Centre for Interference Threats and Information Integrity;

Amendment 79 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Insists that “green diplomacy” and the green transition, as one of the EU's priorities, should be enhanced towards third countries through the EU's External Action; stresses the need to explore new ways and resources on how to collaborate with third countries in this regard; highlights its crucial role in the respect for international obligations and multilateralism;

Amendment 8 #

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas the EU and its Member States have contributed approximately EUR 95 billion in financial, humanitarian, refugee and military assistance to Ukraine, as of July 2024, to support it in the context of Russia's war of aggression, including approximately EUR 32 billion of military aid with a further EUR 21 billion reportedly to be allocated until 2025; whereas the EU must remain steadfast in its unwavering support and take all necessary actions, including from a budgetary standpoint, for as long as it takes to secure Ukraine's victory;

Amendment 80 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

Amendment 81 #

Adam BIELAN, Rihards KOLS, Cristian TERHEŞ, Sebastian TYNKKYNEN, Bert-Jan RUISSEN, Assita KANKO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

Amendment 82 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

Amendment 83 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Recognises that is still necessary to increase the financial support of the EU to UNRWA in 2025, due to the agency’s critical financial situation that jeopardizes its ability to fulfil its important role effectively; welcomes the new commitments made by UNRWA to the European Commission in March 2024 to strengthen neutrality and oversight in light of the extremely serious allegations that employees might have participated in the October 2023 terrorist attacks in Israel; stresses that additional measures may be needed in the future to strive for ever greater transparency and neutrality monitoring; warns of the disastrous consequences that any attempt to side-line UNRWA as an essential partner or to cut its resources would entail for the entire region;

Amendment 84 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Recognises that is still necessary to increase the financial support of the EU to UNRWA in 2025, due to the agency’s critical financial situation that jeopardizes its ability to fulfil its important role effectively, namely its crucial and irreplaceable role in alleviating human suffering in Gaza, providing vital services to millions of Palestinian refugees and contributing to regional stability; in this regard and in view of the unprecedented and extremely dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing instability in the Middle East, urges the Commission to substantially increase the funding by EUR 60 million to the UNRWA’s Programme Budget in 2025;

Amendment 85 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Recognises that is still necessary to increase the financial support of the EU to UNRWA in 2025, due to the agency’s critical financial situation that jeopardizes its ability to fulfil its important role effectively; reiterates the importance of providing assistance to UNRWA as a central component of the EU’s strategy to promote security, stability, and development in the Middle East; calls therefore for an increase of EUR 60 million in the EU’s financial support to UNRWA in 2025 to ensure the continuation of vital services provided to millions of Palestinian refugees;

Amendment 86 #

Alice TEODORESCU MÅWE, Niclas HERBST, Lukas MANDL, Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE, Andrey KOVATCHEV

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Recognises that is still necessary to increase the financial support of the EU to UNRWA in 2025, due to the agency’s critical financial situation that jeopardizes its ability to fulfil its important role effectively; reminds that UNRWA is the principal humanitarian assistance structure in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as an essential service provider in the region; stresses that the UN- commissioned "Colonna Report" highlights that UNRWA has established numerous mechanisms and procedures to ensure neutrality, which has in some cases a more developed than other similar UN or NGO entities;

Amendment 87 #

Susanna CECCARDI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Recognises that is still necessary to increase the~~Considers that the disbursement of EU financial support ~~of the EU~~ to UNRWA infor 2025~~, due to the agency’s critical financial situation that jeopardizes its ability to fulfil its important role effectively;~~ should be made contingent upon the adoption and implementation of effective measures to ensure transparency and traceability in the use of public funds, including regular financial reporting, independent audits and greater access to information for the relevant institutions; stresses that such measures must seek to prevent contributions from ending up in the hands of international terrorist organisations or being used for activities liable to undermine security and stability in the region.

Amendment 88 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Recognises that is still necessary to increase the financial support of the EU to ~~UNRWA in 2025, due to the agency’s critical financial situ~~the Southern neighbourhood in 2025; stresses that no EU funds shall, directly or indirectly, be used to fund terrorism or incitement to violence and martyrdom; highlights that aid to organisations that ~~jeopardizes its ability to fulfil its important role effectively~~are operating in or close to areas affected by the Israel-Hamas war must be further scrutinised, due to the urgent humanitarian situation, and the very serious allegations about misused EU funds;

Amendment 89 #

Hermann TERTSCH, Jorge MARTÍN FRÍAS, Sebastiaan STÖTELER, Roberto VANNACCI, Silvia SARDONE, Susanna CECCARDI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Recognises that is still~~Considers not necessary to increase the financial support of the EU to UNRWA in 2025, ~~due to the agency’s critical financial situation that jeopardizes its ability to fulfil~~in light of the alarming reports indicating the involvement of individuals associated with UNRWA in the 7 October attacks in Israel, which prompted the European Commission to suspend funding; recalls that there its ~~importan~~no need to maintain a specific organization for Palestinian refugees distinct fro~~le effectively~~m the already existing UNHCR; calls for the much suspected UNRWA to be entirely defunded;

Amendment 9 #

Roberto VANNACCI, Silvia SARDONE, Susanna CECCARDI, António TÂNGER CORRÊA, Sebastiaan STÖTELER, Hermann TERTSCH, Nikola BARTŮŠEK

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas the efficiency of the EU’s actions worldwide is subjected to ensuring the highest level of coordination and coherence in the EU’s external action, particularly by ascertaining the HR/VP leading role as a bridge builder between the CFSP and EU external relations; whereas coordination among the Commission and the EEAS should be strengthened, particularly due to the lack of operational budget of the EEAS, including by guaranteeing full compliance of Article 3.2 and 9 of the EEAS Decision;

Amendment 90 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

Amendment 91 #

Adam BIELAN, Alberico GAMBINO, Rihards KOLS, Cristian TERHEŞ, Sebastian TYNKKYNEN, Carlo FIDANZA, Bert-Jan RUISSEN, Assita KANKO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Insists that the Commission must guarantee that EU funds are not allocated or linked to any form of terrorism and/or religious and political radicalisation; reiterates its position that all schoolbooks and school materials supported by Union funds must be in line with UNESCO standards of peace, tolerance, coexistence, and non-violence; is concerned about the antisemitism, hate speech and incitement to jihad and violence taught in Palestinian school textbooks, indirectly funded by the EU; underlines the importance of EU funds to be directed towards the proper training of Palestinian teachers in line with UNESCO education standards; stresses that conditionality of EU financial assistance in the educational sector needs to be duly considered;

Amendment 92 #

Hermann TERTSCH, Jorge MARTÍN FRÍAS, Roberto VANNACCI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Reminds that the EU’s support and assistance to the enlargement countries foresees a strong conditionality element and funding must be modulated or even suspended in the case of significant regression or persistent lack of progress in the area of the “fundamentals”, notably in the fields of the rule of law and fundamental rights; stresses the need to prioritise the alignment of accession countries with the EU’s common foreign and security policy and consider any funding in this light in order to ensure that this funding is fully in line with the EU’s strategic goals and interests;

Amendment 93 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Highlights its support, including appropriate financial backing, to the EU Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU; advises a reinforcement of programmes against antisemitism and any other type of discrimination because of religion or belief; demands, in particular, that the Thematic Programme on Human Rights and Democracy allocates a specific and ambitious budget line to tackle rising threats to freedom of religion and belief in the world, especially against Christians, who make up the most persecuted religion in the world;

Amendment 94 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7b. Stresses the need to sufficiently and consistently fund the implementation of the principles of the EU’s Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025, including promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality in international partnerships, in dialogues with third countries and in the EU’s trade policy;

Amendment 95 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)

7c. Emphasises that the protection and promotion of human rights globally is at the core of the EU’s external action; in this context, reiterates the need for increased funding dedicated to supporting human rights worldwide, especially where there is a closure of civic spaces and with a particular focus on the protection of human rights defenders and journalists at risk;

Amendment 96 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 d (new)

7d. Believes that the support of third countries in the fight against climate change needs to be substantially increased as a matter of urgency; stresses that the 2025 Union budget should be aligned with the Union’s ambitions of making the Union climate neutral by 2050 at the latest, as well as with the Union’s international commitments, and should significantly contribute to the implementation of the European Green Deal; stresses the need to ensure consistency between climate and biodiversity funding and calls on the Commission to publish the amounts and shares of expenditure that will contribute to both targets per programme when presenting the draft budget; highlights the urgent need to ensure the respect of the ‘Do No Significant Harm’ principle through the entire budget and to take necessary corrective measures if and when needed without undue delay;

Amendment 97 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

Amendment 98 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Believ~~Stresses that the European External Action Service is structurally underfunded and should not be ~~treated like~~subjected to the same constraints as the other institutions regarding the approach to the administrative budget; is deeply concerned by the serious and far-reaching negative consequences for the EU’s External Action, and the performance of the EU institutions in this area, of these abovementioned budgetary issues; highlights the increasing responsibilities tasked to the EEAS by EU institutions, including the Council and the Parliament; notes that the requirements for an institution with 145 diplomatic missions and offices around the world is fundamentally different to institutions operating at a single location; acknowledges that the lack of action to rectify the current budgetary situation of the EEAS can severely impact in the EU’s relations with third countries;

Amendment 99 #

Lucia YAR, Fabienne KELLER, Raquel GARCÍA HERMIDA-VAN DER WALLE, Anouk VAN BRUG

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Believes that the European External Action Service is structurally underfunded and should not be treated like the other institutions regarding the approach to the administrative budget; notes that the requirements for an institution with 145 diplomatic missions and offices around the world is fundamentally different to institutions operating at a single location; underlines the EEAS shall develop and implement targeted recruitment procedures, in particular taking into account currently underrepresented groups in terms of geographical balance, gender and minorities; underlines that the additional funding should be coupled with increased information sharing between the EEAS and EP, including during NDICI-Global Europe High Level Geopolitical Dialogue and in-camera meetings in the Committee on Foreign Affairs;

source: 763.125

2024/09/30 BUDG 311 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)

– having regard to Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, whereby gender equality is a core value of the Union;

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 g (new)

– having regard to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)

16 b. Reiterates that all Union programmes, policies and activities should be implemented in a way that promotes gender equality in the delivery of their objectives; welcomes, in this regard, the Commission’s work, in accordance with the IIA, to track gender equality-related spending, in particular through an ex- post gender impact assessment and reporting on volumes; calls on the Commission to apply this methodology to all MFF programmes in order to demonstrate results for the 2025 budget accompanied by the systematic collection, reporting and evaluation of gender- disaggregated data;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Recalls that programmes under Heading 1 play a key role in ensuring that the green and digital transitions leave no- one behind by providing the necessary support for research and innovation, in key sectors such as health, climate and natural resources, by boosting funding for cross-border infrastructure, in particular in the transport sector, by bolstering the Union’s investment in cutting-edge technology, and by improving the competitiveness of the Union economy, with an emphasis on SMEs and youth entrepreneurship;deleted

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Recalls that programmes under Heading 1 play a key role in increasing the Union’s competitiveness, driving growth, economic development and job creation as well as ensuring that the green and digital transitions leave no- one behind by providing the necessary support for research and innovation, in key sectors such as innovations, health, climate and natural resources, and agriculture by boosting funding for cross- border infrastructure, in particular in the transport and energy sector, by bolstering the Union’s investment in cutting-edge technology, and by improving the competitiveness of the Union economy, with an emphasis on SMEs and youth entrepreneurship;

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Recalls that programmes under Heading 1 play a key role in ensuring that the green and digital transitions leave no- one behind, as well as to make sure that the European union will be successful in reaching its climate and energy targets, by providing the necessary support for research and innovation~~, in~~; underlines the importance of key sectors such as health, climate and natural resources, by boosting funding for cross- border infrastructure, in particular in the transport sector, by bolstering the Union’s investment in cutting-edge technology, and by improving the competitiveness of the Union economy, with an emphasis on SMEs and youth entrepreneurship;

Amendment 104 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Recalls that programmes under Heading 1 play a key role in ensuring that the green and digital transitions leave no- one behind by providing the necessary support for research and innovation, in key sectors such as health, food, climate and natural resources, by boosting funding for cross- border infrastructure, in particular in the transport and energy sectors, by bolstering the Union’s investment in cutting-edge technology, by stimulating job creation and by improving the competitiveness and sustainability of the Union economy, with an emphasis on SMEs and youth entrepreneurship;

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17 a. Highlights that the impact and consequences of the outbreak of COVID- 19 pandemics exacerbated persistent weaknesses in health systems in several countries and need for strong public health systems; stresses in particular the accute problem of mental health issues rising globally, including the acute mental health issues suffered by young people; underlines in this sense the importance to increase EU efforts in investing in health research and in particular in the mental health research;

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)

17 b. Underline the importance of research in the fight against climate change by better understanding its causes, evolution, risks, impacts and opportunities, and by making the energy and transport sectors more climate and environment-friendly; at the same time stresses the importance of the EU research programmes for meeting the EUs climate objectives and targets and Green Deals goals and invites to pay special attention and support to the research projects in the area of de- carbonisation;

Amendment 107 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Highlights the vital role that Horizon Europe plays in this context; recalls that the programme remains heavily over-subscribed and is therefore unable to support a large number of research projects evaluated as ‘excellent’; proposes, therefore, to increase allocations for the programme by a total of EUR 242 million compared to the DB, with reinforcements for the European Research Council, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and Clusters ‘Health’, ‘Culture’ ‘Climate, Energy and Mobility’, ‘Food’, EIC and ‘Widening participation’;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Highlights the vital role that Horizon Europe plays in this context and the importance of public-private partnerships to turn the research results into products and services for the benefit of the Union and its citizens; recalls that the programme remains heavily over- subscribed and is therefore unable to support a large number of research projects evaluated as ‘excellent’; proposes, therefore, to increase allocations for the programme by a total of EUR 242 million compared to the DB, with reinforcements for the European Research Council, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and Clusters ‘Health’, ‘Culture’ ‘Climate, Energy and Mobility’, ‘Food’, EIC and ‘Widening participation’;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Highlights the vital role that Horizon Europe plays in this context; recalls that the programme remains heavily over-subscribed and is therefore unable to support a large number of research projects evaluated as ‘excellent’; proposes, therefore, to increase allocations for the programme by a total of EUR 242 million compared to the DB, with reinforcements for the European Research Council, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and Clusters ‘Health’, with particular aim to reinforce the mental health research, ‘Culture’ ‘Climate, Energy and Mobility’, ‘Food’, EIC and ‘Widening participation’;

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14

– having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, including the climate, biodiversity and gender-related provisions, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources14 , _________________ 14 OJ L 433I, 22.12.2020, p. 28.

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18 a. Condems, that in December 2022 the European Commission decided to exclude the Hungarian universities from the Horizon Europe program, which is inexplicable and devastating, Hungarian students and researchers suffer a competitive disadvantage compared to others; highlights in this regard, that the use and accountability of EU funds has been transparent for decades at Hungarian universities; regrets that Hungarian universities have suffered enormous loss both in reputation and financially due to the inability to contract for tenders already won or submitted; calls on the European Commission to immediately withdraw its discriminative decision;

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Recalls that the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is key to boosting investment in high-performance, sustainable trans-European networks and to decarbonising the Union economy, thereby accelerating the green transition and promoting interconnectivity; proposes, to increase appropriations for CEF Transport by EUR 40 million above the DB in 2025; further proposes to top-up CEF Energy with an additional EUR 30 million, emphasizes the need to address the specific challenges of island regions and, to this end, proposes an additional allocation of EUR 20 million within the CEF Transport specifically dedicated to improving connectivity in island regions; this allocation will prioritise projects in these regions, ensuring they are better integrated into the EU transport network and are able to address the specific geographical and environmental challenges they face;

Amendment 112 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Recalls that the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is key to boosting investment in high-performance, sustainable trans-European networks and to decarbonising the Union economy, thereby accelerating the green transition and promoting interconnectivity; in this sense calls for more CEF Transport investments into the climate and environmentally friendly cross-border transport infrastructure, in particular to the rail projects and investment in clean mobility and on the project linked to the de- carbonistion of transport; at the same time calls on increasing the CEF Energy investments for deploying the renewables energy, energy efficiency and other sustainable energy projects; proposes, to increase appropriations for CEF Transport by EUR 40 million above the DB in 2025; further proposes to top-up CEF Energy with an additional EUR 30 million;

Amendment 113 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Recalls that the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is key tofor the Union’s overall security and for boosting investment in high-performance, sustainable trans-European networks and to decarbonising the Union economy, thereby accelerating the green transition and promoting interconnectivity; proposes, to increase appropriations for CEF Transport by EUR 40 million above the DB in 2025; further proposes to top-up CEF Energy with an additional EUR 30 million highlighting its vital importance to energy projects in Ukraine in light of the Russian war of aggression;

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Recalls that the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is key to boosting investment in high-performance, and sustainable trans-European networks ~~and to decarbonising the Union economy, thereby accelerating the green transition and~~, thereby promoting interconnectivity; proposes, to increase appropriations for CEF Transport by EUR 40 million above the DB in 2025; ~~further proposes to top-up CEF Energy with an additional EUR 30 million;~~

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20 a. Reaffirms the need to invest in resources dedicated to research and development of new technologies for underwater exploration and the creation of advanced technological infrastructures, such as transatlantic submarine cables, which are essential to ensure greater interconnectivity; encourages targeted investment in scientific and technological research in the marine sector, with particular attention to deep-sea technologies, in order to support Europe's progress and competitiveness in the international context, while simultaneously strengthening the strategic position of the Mediterranean as a hub of innovation and development;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Highlights the added value of the Digital Europe Programme in view the Union’s technological progress and competitiveness and proposes an increase of EUR 10 million for the budget line Artificial Intelligence and EUR 5 million above the DB for the skills strand of the programme; points out that enhancing digital skills and literacy are imperative for empowering citizens to fully participate in the knowledge economy;

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Highlights the added value of the Digital Europe Programme in view the Union’s digital transition, technological progress and competitiveness and proposes an increase of EUR 10 million for the budget line Artificial Intelligence and EUR 5 million above the DB for the skills strand of the programme;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Stresses that a well-functioning Single Market is critical for the Union’s competitiveness and to enhance access to markets for EU businesses; emphasises th~~at SMEs in particular have been hit hard by high inflation and energy prices and proposes,~~ e importance of supporting SMEs as the main drivers of the European economy; notes that SMEs in particular have been hit hard by high inflation and energy prices; highlights the importance of considering insularity when reinforcing economic cohesion to ensure that policies effectively support island communities and address their specific challenges; proposes to increase a ~~result,~~llocations for the COSME programme and other initiatives aimed at facilitating access to credit, internationalisation, and innovation of SMEs, including an increase of EUR 520 million above the DB for the SME strand of the Single Market programme, also calls for the promotion of administrative simplification and the reduction of bureaucratic burdens for businesses;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)

– having regard to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) special report on global warming of 1,5 °C, its special report on climate change and land, and its special report on the ocean and cryosphere in a changing climate,

Amendment 120 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Stresses that a well-functioning Single Market is critical for the Union’s competitiveness and to enhance access to markets for EU businesses; emphasises that SMEs in particular have been hit hard by high inflation and energy prices and proposes, as a result, an increase of EUR 5 million above the DB for the SME strand of the Single Market programme, notably to support the European net-zero industry academies;

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Stresses that a well-functioning Single Market is critical for the Union’s competitiveness and to enhance access to markets for EU businesses; emphasises that SMEs are the backbone of the European economy and that they have in particular ~~have~~ been hit hard by high inflation and energy prices and proposes, as a result, an increase of EUR 5 million above the DB for the SME strand of the Single Market programme;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Stresses that a well-functioning Single Market is critical for the Union’s competitiveness and to enhance access to markets for EU businesses, especially SMEs and young entrepreneurs; emphasises that SMEs in particular have been hit hard by high inflation and energy prices and proposes, as a result, an increase of EUR 5 million above the DB for the SME strand of the Single Market programme;

Amendment 123 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Further proposes a number of additional reinforcements for selected budget lines in Heading 1, among which InvestEU, the Anti-Fraud Programme, Space and Customs cooperation; commends the impact of Space Programme on the security of the Union by providing early warnings to the relevant authorities in times of crises, such as floods, through Copernicus and providing crucial navigation services to rescue and transport services through Galileo; underlines the increasing needs in investing in both strands in the future;

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23 a. Opposes the proposed reduction of close to EUR 35 million in funding for the EU Space Programme; underscores the strategic importance of the EU Space Programme in enhancing the Union's technological autonomy, competitiveness, security and defence;

Amendment 125 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Reiterates the important role played by the decentralised agencies active under this heading; proposes to increase appropriations for the European Union Agency for Railways and for the BEREC Office; in line with their identified needs and expanding mandates;deleted

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Reiterates the important role played by the decentralised agencies active under this heading and points out that it is the responsibility of the Union to make sure all the agencies have sufficient level of cybersecurity in place; proposes to increase appropriations for the European Union Agency for Railways and for the BEREC Office; in line with their identified needs and expanding mandates;

Amendment 128 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Underlines the key role cohesion policy plays in delivering on Union policy priorities, improving peoples’ quality of life and boosting the Union economy by contributing to fair, inclusive and sustainable growth and development, promoting economic and social convergence between countries and regions, addressing regional and social inequalities, supporting the green and digital transitions, and fostering innovation and employment; ~~calls on the Commission and the Member States to accelerate implementation of cohesion polic~~reiterates that cohesion policy is not a crisis response tool and, therefore, should not be called on to make up for shortcomings in budgetary flexibility or crisis response mechanisms to the detriment of its long-term policy objectives; calls on the Commission and the Member States to accelerate implementation of cohesion policy, especially in light of the additional pressure for the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility;

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Underlines the key role cohesion policy can plays in ~~delivering on Union policy priorities and boosting the Union economy by contributing to fair and sustainable growth and development, promoting economic~~supporting balanced economic development across the Union, provided it respects the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, and sfoc~~ial convergence between countries and regions, supporting the green and~~uses on fostering economic growth, innovation, digital transitions, and ~~fostering innovation and employment~~employment through targeted investments, while ensuring efficient use of resources and avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy; calls on the Commission and the Member States to accelerate the implementation of cohesion policy; with a strong emphasis on accountability, measurable outcomes, ensuring that funds are directed towards projects that deliver tangible benefits and respect the unique needs and conditions of each Member State and region;"

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 b (new)

– having regard to the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services by the United Nations' Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services,

Amendment 130 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Underlines the key role cohesion policy plays in delivering on Union policy priorities and boosting the Union economy by contributing to fair and sustainable growth and development, promoting economic and social convergence between and within countries and regions, increase public investment in public services, reinforcement of funds aiming to strengthen the public response to guarantee social rights (health, housing, education, transport, culture) and productive development, supporting the green and digital transitions, and fostering innovation and employment; calls on the Commission and the Member States to accelerate implementation of cohesion policy;

Amendment 131 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Underlines the key role cohesion policy plays in delivering on Union policy priorities and boosting the Union economy by contributing to fair and sustainable growth and development, promoting economic and social convergence between countries and regions, notably outermost regions, supporting the green and digital transitions, and fostering innovation and employment; calls on the Commission and ~~the~~all Member States to accelerate implementation of cohesion policy;

Amendment 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 c (new)

26 c. In the European Union, the permanent disadvantages of remoteness and insularity are already recognized. The are additional costs arising from the distance from continental markets that burdens imported products, as well as the export of regional products. There are structural and permanent costs of this distance. Thus, it is necessary to mobilize will and means of action so that new support is recognized for the outermost regions as one of European Union priority in the context of cohesion policies. In addition to the current EU programs to deal with remoteness and insularity, on top of the current "POSEI" programmes, the creation of a specific POSEI-Transport program is justified, as additional support to compensate the disadvantages and losses accumulated by the costs of passenger and freight transport.

Amendment 133 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26 a. Recognizes the unique challenges faced by island regions within the Union, including geographic isolation, higher transport costs, and limited economic diversification; calls for targeted measures and increased funding under the cohesion policy to address the specific needs of these regions, promoting their sustainable development, improving connectivity, and fostering full integration into the internal market;

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26 a. In a context of deteriorating living conditions for workers, an increase in the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion and a rise in social injustices and inequalities, a significant increase in the amounts associated with the ESF+ is necessary.

Amendment 135 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)

26 b. In 2023, almost 20 million children in the EU Member States were at risk of poverty or social exclusion representing 24.8% of children under the age of 18; In this sense, recalls the requests made by the European Parliament in successive resolutions and calls for the creation of a specific budget line for the Child Guarantee, with its specific allocations, taking into account the target of 20 billion euros by 2027.

Amendment 136 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Recalls that the execution of operational programmes in the Member States and regions should be accelerated and ~~that~~calls on Member States to prevent any possible delays caused by a lack of administrative capacity ~~should be avoided~~ at all levels of governance; wishes to allocate the remaining margin of EUR 755 965 to the budget line for Operational technical assistance, to contribute towards accelerating implementation ;

Amendment 137 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Recalls that the execution of operational programmes in the Member States and regions should be accelerated and that delays caused by a potential lack of administrative capacity should be avoided at all levels of governance; wishes to allocate the remaining margin of EUR 755 965 to the budget line for Operational technical assistance;

Amendment 138 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27 a. Regrets that, due to the limited flexibility of the current MFF, the Commission has resorted to reorienting cohesion policy, which is not a crisis response tool but has been repeatedly called on to make up for shortcomings in budgetary flexibility or crisis response mechanisms in the MFF to the detriment of its long-term policy objectives;

Amendment 139 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. ~~Reinforces Heading 2a by EUR 755 965 in commitment appropriations, i.e. by the remaining margin und~~Considers crucial to reform the Cohesion policy, where the ~~sub-ceiling, above the DB (excluding pilot projects and preparatory actions) and by EUR 889 718 compared to the Council~~best results would be achieved by not conveying the funds via Brussels' readingstributive machine;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 c (new)

– having regard to the European Environmental Agency Report No 1/2024 - European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA),

Amendment 140 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28 a. Highlight that the Hungarian Government conducted a series of negotiations with the European Commission in order for Hungary to be able to access the cohesion funds it is rightfully entitled to; notes that, as a result of the dialogue, Hungary undertook to fulfill a package of measures; condems, that the EC imposes more and more conditions to transfer development funds to Hungary; demands, that the Hungarian cohesion envelope must be protected from the risk of redirecting to other policies or countries and the EC must disburse the financial resources immediately; expects the new European Commission to review the application of the rule of law conditionality rules and to stop the politically selected ideological blackmailing of the Member States.

Amendment 141 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28 a. Recalls the housing crisis and the very steep housing costs borne by families and the increasing difficulties in finding affordable housing, whether to buy or to rent; urges the creation of additional and specific EU funding that Member States can mobilise for the expansion and requalification of public housing stock and the defence of the right to decent and affordable housing for all;

Amendment 142 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Underlines that the expenditure programmes under Heading 2b have to share the tight resources and margins under Heading 2b with the EURI budget line which covers the NGEU debt management and interest costs and, eventually, debt repayments; is intent on covering these borrowing costs in a reliable and transparent manner without having to reduce programme allocations for this purpose; is convinced that, for 2025, the cascade mechanism and the newly created EURI Special Instrument make it possible that this objective can be achieved; emphasises that this is a crucial message to the beneficiaries of EU funding and the public at large;deleted

Amendment 143 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. ~~Underli~~Is highly concernesd that the expenditure programmes under Heading 2b have to share the already tight resources and margins under Heading 2b with the EURI budget line, which covers the NGEU debt management and interest costs and, eventually, debt repayments; underlines that this could have been avoided if the higher than foreseen EURI repayment costs had been placed fully in a EURI special instrument over and above the MFF ceilings as Parliament had repeatedly called for; is intent on covering these borrowing costs in a reliable and transparent manner without having to reduce programme allocations for this purpose; is convinced that, for 2025, the cascade mechanism and the newly created EURI Special Instrument make it possible that this objective can be achieved; emphasises that this is a crucial message to the beneficiaries of EU funding and the public at large;

Amendment 144 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Underlines that the expenditure programmes under Heading 2b have to share the tight resources and margins under Heading 2b with the EURI budget line which covers the NGEU debt management and interest costs and, eventually, debt repayments; is intent on covering these borrowing costs in a reliable and transparent manner ~~without having to~~by reduceing programme allocations for this purpose; ~~is convinced that, for 2025, the cascade mechanism and the newly created EURI Special Instrument make it possible that this objective can be achieved;~~ emphasises that this is a crucial message to the ~~beneficiaries of EU funding~~taxpayers of the EU and the public at large;

Amendment 145 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Underlines that the expenditure programmes under Heading 2b have to share the tight resources and margins under Heading 2b with the EURI budget line which covers the NGEU debt management and interest costs and, eventually, debt repayments; and has de facto prevented the Commission from proposing reinforcements where they are needed; is intent on covering these borrowing costs in a reliable and transparent manner without having to reduce programme allocations for this purpose; is convinced that, for 2025, the cascade mechanism and the newly created EURI Special Instrument make it possible that this objective can be achieved; emphasises that this is a crucial message to the beneficiaries of EU funding and the public at large;

Amendment 146 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29 a. Stresses, in an effort to spare the programmes under this heading from undue budgetary rigidity, that it deems the margin of EUR 46.2 million to be available for the programme top-ups in Heading 2b; wishes the equivalent amount for the EURI cascade to be covered by the de-commitment compartment of the EURI special instrument;

Amendment 147 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

Amendment 148 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Recalls that programmes under Heading 2b play a key role in ensuring resilience and values by providing support and opportunities for young people through Erasmus+, including the Special Olympics World Games (SOWG) 2025, and through the European Solidarity Corps; ~~reinforcing~~Emphasises that both programmes are required by law to put in place measures to boost participation rates among people with fewer opportunities; regrets that participants from disadvantaged backgrounds are often prevented from taking part in the programme given that grants are insufficient in a context of soaring inflation and the increased cost of living; is committed to ensuring that Erasmus+ does not become a de facto selective programme open only to those who can afford to participate; recalls that the Commission is required to put in place financial support measures for people with fewer opportunities and calls for a readjustment of Erasmus+ grants to account for higher inflation and higher living costs; also proposes to reinforce support for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme; to invest~~ing~~ in preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer diseases affecting children and improving mental health by increasing EU4Health; to invest~~ing~~ in skills development; to ensur~~ing~~e social security coordination in order to facilitate labour mobility and easier transfer of social security benefits; to support~~ing~~ vulnerable communities, as well as rural, isolated and mountainous areas, social dialogue and trade unions, cultural and creative industries;

Amendment 149 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 d (new)

– having regard to the special report of the European Court of Auditors Special Report 09/2022: Climate spending in the 2014-2020 EU budget - Not as high as reported, May 2022,

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

Amendment 152 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

Amendment 153 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Stresses, in an effort to spare the programmes under this heading from undue budgetary rigidity, that it deems the margin of EUR 46.2 million to be available for the programme top-ups in Heading 2b; wishes the equivalent amount for the EURI cascade to be covered by the de-commitment compartment of the EURI special instrument;deleted

Amendment 154 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

Amendment 155 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Emphasises its strong preference for covering a larger share of EURI borrowing costs by availabilities in the de- commitment compartment of the EURI Special Instrument over and above the MFF ceilings which would have the effect of restoring some margin within Heading 2b and creating budgetary space in the Flexibility Instrument; proposes, therefore, to cover 65% of the overrun costs in 2025 by the de-commitment compartment of the EURI special instrument;deleted

Amendment 156 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. ~~Emphasises its strong preference~~Reiterates Parliament's call for covering a larger share of EURI borrowing costs by availabilities in the de- commitment compartment of the EURI Special Instrument over and above the MFF ceilings which would have the effect of restoring some margin within Heading 2b and creating budgetary space in the Flexibility Instrument; proposes, therefore, to cover 65% of the overrun costs in 2025 by the de-commitment compartment of the EURI special instrument;

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Emphasises its strong p~~reference for~~osition to cover~~ing~~ a larger share of EURI borrowing costs by availabilities in the de- commitment compartment of the EURI Special Instrument over and above the MFF ceilings which would have the effect of restoring some margin within Heading 2b and creating budgetary space in the Flexibility Instrument; proposes, therefore, to cover 65% of the overrun costs in 2025 by the de-commitment compartment of the EURI special instrument;

Amendment 158 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Is alarmed by the growing impact of natural disasters ~~in Europe~~, including such as extreme floods, droughts, heatwaves and wildfires in Europe as well as globally, and its neighbourhood and concerned about the Union’s ability to respond effectively and in timely manner; underlines that these disasters are often linked to the worsening climate change and are therefore likely to occur with greater frequency and intensity in the future; wishes to protect human lives and to augment the Commission’s crisis response capacity; stresses the need to invest in climate mitigation and adaptation measures, in particular in vulnerable regions and to boost the Union’s response capacity; increases, therefore, appropriations for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism by EUR 42 million above DB; calls for a prioritisation of investments that help reduce the impact of natural disasters as well as in the investments in the preventive measures and resilience; stresses that the Union, being based on solidarity, will find the resources for the citizens affected by the recent floods;

Amendment 159 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Is alarmed by the ever-growing impact of natural disasters, such as wildfires, floods and droughts, in Europe and its neighbourhood and is highly concerned about the Union’s ability to respond in a timely and effectively manner; underlines that these disasters are often linked to climate change and are therefore likely to occur with greater frequency and intensity in the future; wis~~hes~~ committed to protect human lives and to augment the Commission’s crisis response capacity; increases, therefore, appropriations for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism by EUR 42 million above DB; calls for a prioritisation of investments that help reduce the impact of natural disasters and strengthen prevention, preparedness and disaster risk reduction; stresses that the Union, being based on solidarity, will find the resources for the citizens affected by the recent floods;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 e (new)

– having regard to the UN Sustainable Development Goals,

Amendment 160 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Is alarmed by the growing impact of natural disasters in Europe and its neighbourhood including earthquakes, floods, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, droughts, heatwaves, and severe storms and the drying up of lakes and rivers, and concerned about the Union’s ability to respond effectively; underlines that these disasters are often linked to climate change and are therefore likely to occur with greater frequency and intensity in the future; wishes to protect human lives and to augment the Commission’s crisis response capacity; increases, therefore, appropriations for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism by EUR 42 million above DB; calls for a prioritisation of investments that help reduce the impact of natural disasters; stresses that the Union, being based on solidarity, will find the resources for the citizens affected by ~~the recent flood~~climate-related events;

Amendment 161 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Is alarmed by the growing impact of natural disasters in Europe and its neighbourhood and concerned about the Union’s ability to respond effectively; underlines that these disasters are often linked to climate change and are therefore likely to occur with greater frequency and intensity in the future; wishes to protect human lives and secure their livelihoods, and to augment the Commission’s crisis response capacity; increases, therefore, appropriations for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism by EUR 42 million above DB; calls for a prioritisation of investments that help reduce the impact of natural disasters; stresses that the Union~~, being based on solidarity, will~~ should find the resources fto support the ~~citizen~~areas, citizens and companies affected by the recent floods expressing solidarity;

Amendment 162 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Is alarmed by the growing impact of natural disasters in Europe and its neighbourhood and concerned about the Union’s ability to respond in an effectively and timely manner; underlines that these disasters are often linked to climate change and are therefore likely to occur with greater frequency and intensity in the future; wishes to protect human lives and to ~~augment the Commiss~~boost the Union’s crisis response capacity; increases, therefore, appropriations for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism by EUR 42 million above DB; calls for a prioritisation of investments that help reduce the impact of natural disasters; stresses that the Union, being based on solidarity, will find the resources for the citizens affected by the recent floods;

Amendment 163 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)

33 a. Emphasizes the need to establish a Prevention and Rapid Alert Fund aimed at reducing the risk of natural disasters such as fires, landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, droughts, and the drying up of lakes and rivers. Highlights that islands and coastal regions, particularly in the Mediterranean, are especially vulnerable due to climate change. Encourages the Commission and Member States to integrate risk assessments with post-event interventions and immediate alert plans within the framework of disaster prevention strategies. Stresses the importance of acting swiftly to strengthen resilience in the most at-risk areas, ensuring that the Prevention Fund complements existing programs and addresses gaps not covered by the current cohesion policy cycles.

Amendment 164 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)

33 a. Is highly concerned by the current mental health crisis in Europe, exacerbated by recent global events, which demands immediate action; is of the opinion that Europe cannot afford to overlook the devastating impact that a lack of initiative in this sector has on our society; highlights that the alarming statistics on the rise of mental health disorders, particularly among young people, are a wake-up call we can no longer ignore; stresses that the lack of adequate mental health care not only compromises individual well-being but also undermines the foundations of our society;

Amendment 165 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 b (new)

33 b. Emphasizes the need to provide specific support to regions affected by earthquakes or characterized by high seismic risk; proposes to establish a dedicated fund for prevention, risk mitigation, and reconstruction in the affected areas, while simultaneously promoting the dissemination of anti- seismic technologies in construction;

Amendment 166 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 c (new)

33 c. Emphasizes the crucial role of the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) in providing rapid financial assistance to Member States affected by major natural disasters; calls for an increase in the resources allocated to the EUSF to ensure a swift and effective response to emergencies; emphasizes that this increase must be accompanied by a revision of the evaluation and approval procedures to accelerate response times and ensure that funds reach the affected regions promptly; proposes to streamline the application and disbursement processes to facilitate quicker access to funds for affected regions, thereby supporting timely reconstruction and recovery efforts; additionally, calls for ensuring that, in the event of natural calamities, there is extraordinary flexibility in the use of Cohesion Policy funds, allowing for the full utilization and interchange of resources between different funds—namely, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), and the Cohesion Fund—to maximize support for affected areas;

Amendment 167 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Underlines the importance of a stronger Health Union and enhanced preparedness; highlights the vital role that the EU4Health programme plays in this respect; ~~proposes, therefore,~~deplores that despite the ongoing necessity to bolster the Health Union, the EU4Health budget faces significant constraints due to reductions in the Multiannual Financial Framework; reiterates the need to allocate sufficient budgetary allocations under the EU4Health programme to support actions including the gender aspect of health, including Sexual and Reproductive Health, universal access, as well as quality of services, especially considering the backlash against women’s rights and access to safe and legal abortion in several Member States; proposes to increase the programme’s appropriations by EUR 50 million above DB in support of investments in preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, diseases affecting children and supporting the actions for improving the mental health of European citizens, particularly teenagers;

Amendment 168 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Underlines the importance of a stronger Health Union and enhanced pr~~eparednes~~otection, prevention, preparedness and response against human health hazards; highlights the vital role that the EU4Health programme plays in this respect, as well as in supporting actions to achieve universal health coverage across the Union, including access to quality sexual and reproductive health services and rights; proposes, therefore, to increase the programme’s appropriations by EUR 50 million above DB in support of investments in preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, diseases affecting children and improving mental health;

Amendment 169 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Underlines the importance of a stronger Health Union and enhanced preparedness; highlights the vital role that the EU4Health programme plays in this respect; proposes, therefore, to increase the programme’s appropriations by EUR 5170 million above DB to strengthen health resilience and preparedness for future health crises and in support of investments in preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, diseases affecting children and improving mental health;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 (European Climate Law),

Amendment 170 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Underlines the importance of a stronger Health Union and enhanced preparedness; highlights the vital role that the EU4Health programme plays in this respect; proposes, therefore, to increase the programme’s appropriations by EUR 50 million above DB in support of investments in preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, rare diseases and diseases affecting children and improving mental health;

Amendment 171 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. Underlines the importance of a stronger Health Union and enhanced preparedness; highlights the vital role that the EU4Health programme plays in this respect; proposes, therefore, to increase the programme’s appropriations by EUR 50 million above DB in support of investments in preventing ~~cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, diseases affecting children~~diseases and improving mental health as well as in ensuring universal access to sexual and imrepro~~ving mental health~~ductive health and rights;

Amendment 172 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)

34 a. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the fragility of national healthcare systems and the challenges related to the production and supply of medicines and medical devices. In light of these challenges, it is essential to ensure adequate support for the EU4Health program in order to enhance the availability of medicines, medical devices, improving mental health and to strengthen the resilience of national healthcare systems in the face of serious cross-border threats;

Amendment 173 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Reiterates its unwavering support for promoting the learning mobility of young people and researchers contributing to building of a European Education Area; proposes to reinforce, against this background, the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programmes, which play a vital role in supporting learning mobility opportunities, improving people’s skills and employability a~~nd promoting social inclusion~~s well as engaging them in Europe's democratic life; emphasises that both programmes aim to boost participation rates among people with fewer opportunities - an objective that is challenged by soaring inflation and the increased cost of living; is committed to ensuring that Erasmus+ does not become a de facto selective programme open only to those who can afford to participate and recalls that the Commission is required to put in place financial support measures for people with fewer opportunities; proposes, therefore, an increase of EUR 70 million for Erasmus+ (57 million EUR for Promoting learning mobility of individuals and groups, and cooperation, inclusion and equity, excellence, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of education and training — Indirect management; 5 million EUR for Promoting non-formal and informal learning mobility and active participation among young people, and cooperation, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of youth; 8 million EUR for Promoting learning mobility of sport staff, and cooperation, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of sport organisations and sport policies); insists that the top-up be used to contribute in particular to the programme’s over-arching aim of becoming more accessible, including by providing the necessary increased financial support per participant with fewer opportunities; proposes, moreover, a reinforcement of EUR 1 million for the ESC above DB, specifically to ensure the programme is accessible for all;

Amendment 174 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Reiterates its unwavering support for promoting the learning mobility of young people; proposes to reinforce, against this background, the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programmes, which play a vital role in supporting learning mobility opportunities, improving people’s skills and employability and promoting social inclusion; emphasises that both programmes aim to boost participation rates among people with fewer opportunities with particular attention to those from regions facing insularity, who may have reduced access to mobility opportunities due to their geographic isolation - an objective that is challenged by soaring inflation and the increased cost of living; is committed to ensuring that Erasmus+ does not become a de facto selective programme open only to those who can afford to participate and recalls that the Commission is required to put in place financial support measures for people with fewer opportunities; proposes, therefore, an increase of EUR 70 million for Erasmus+ (57 million EUR for Promoting learning mobility of individuals and groups, and cooperation, inclusion and equity, excellence, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of education and training — Indirect management; 5 million EUR for Promoting non-formal and informal learning mobility and active participation among young people, and cooperation, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of youth; 8 million EUR for Promoting learning mobility of sport staff, and cooperation, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of sport organisations and sport policies); insists that the top-up be used to contribute in particular to the programme’s over- arching aim of becoming more accessible, including by providing the necessary increased financial support per participant with fewer opportunities; proposes, moreover, a reinforcement of EUR 1 million for the ESC above DB, specifically to ensure the programme is accessible for all;

Amendment 175 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Reiterates its unwavering support for promoting the learning mobility of young people; proposes to reinforce, against this background, the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programmes, which play a vital role in supporting learning mobility opportunities, improving people’s skills and employability and promoting social inclusion; emphasises that both programmes aim to boost participation rates among people with fewer opportunities - an objective that is challenged by soaring inflation and the increased cost of living; is committed to ensuring that Erasmus+ does not become a de facto selective programme open only to those who can afford to participate and recalls that the Commission is required to put in place financial support measures for people with fewer opportunities; proposes, therefore, an increase of EUR 70 million for Erasmus+ (57 million EUR for Promoting learning mobility of individuals and groups, and cooperation, inclusion and equity, excellence, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of education and training — Indirect management; 5 million EUR for Promoting non-formal and informal learning mobility and active participation among young people, and cooperation, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of youth; 8 million EUR for Promoting learning mobility of sport staff, and cooperation, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of sport organisations and sport policies); calls for a Erasmus + funding to be carefully monitored; insists that the top-up be used to contribute in particular to the programme’s over- arching aim of becoming more accessible, including by providing the necessary increased financial support per participant with fewer opportunities; proposes, moreover, a reinforcement of EUR 1 million for the ESC above DB, specifically to ensure the programme is accessible for all;

Amendment 176 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Reiterates its unwavering support for promoting the learning mobility of young people; proposes to reinforce, against this background, the EU flagship programme Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programmes, which play a vital role in supporting learning mobility opportunities, improving people’s skills and employability and promoting social inclusion; emphasises that both programmes aim to boost participation rates among people with fewer opportunities ~~- an objective that is challenged by soaring inflation and the increased cost of living~~and calls for a readjustment of Erasmus+ grants to account for higher inflation and higher living costs; ; is committed to ensuring that Erasmus+ does not become a de facto selective programme open only to those who can afford to participate and recalls that the Commission is required to put in place financial support measures for people with fewer opportunities; proposes, therefore, an increase of EUR 70 million for Erasmus+ (57 million EUR for Promoting learning mobility of individuals and groups, and cooperation, inclusion and equity, excellence, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of education and training — Indirect management; 5 million EUR for Promoting non-formal and informal learning mobility and active participation among young people, and cooperation, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of youth; 8 million EUR for Promoting learning mobility of sport staff, and cooperation, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of sport organisations and sport policies); insists that the top-up be used to contribute in particular to the programme’s over- arching aim of becoming more accessible, including by providing the necessary increased financial support per participant with fewer opportunities; proposes, moreover, a reinforcement of EUR 1 million for the ESC above DB, specifically to ensure the programme is accessible for all;

Amendment 177 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Reiterates its unwavering support for promoting the learning mobility of young people; proposes to reinforce, against this background, the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programmes, which play a vital role in supporting learning mobility opportunities, improving people’s skills and employability and promoting social inclusion; emphasises that both programmes ~~aim~~need to boost participation rates among people with fewer opportunities - an objective that is challenged by soaring inflation and the increased cost of living; is committed to ensuring that Erasmus+ does not become a de facto selective programme open only to those who can afford to participate and recalls that the Commission is required to put in place financial support measures for people with fewer opportunities; proposes, therefore, an increase of EUR 70 million for Erasmus+ (57 million EUR for Promoting learning mobility of individuals and groups, and cooperation, inclusion and equity, excellence, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of education and training — Indirect management; 5 million EUR for Promoting non-formal and informal learning mobility and active participation among young people, and cooperation, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of youth; 8 million EUR for Promoting learning mobility of sport staff, and cooperation, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of sport organisations and sport policies); insists that the top-up be used to contribute in particular to the programme’s over- arching aim of becoming more accessible, including by providing the necessary increased financial support per participant with fewer opportunities; proposes, moreover, a reinforcement of EUR 1 million for the ESC above DB, specifically to ensure the programme is accessible for all;

Amendment 178 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)

35 a. Condems, that in December 2022 the European Commission decided to exclude the Hungarian universities, students, teachers and researchers from the mobility programs; highlights that reinforcing mobility opportunities is a clear policy priority in order to solidify Europe’s long-term competitiveness and according to Article 165 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the Union's action in the field of education aims to encourage the mobility of students and teachers and to promote cooperation between educational institutions; regrets that the realization of this goal is obviously opposed by EU decisions that exclude the vast majority of students from a Member State from mobility; calls on the European Commission to immediately withdraw its discriminative decision;

Amendment 179 #

Jens GEIER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Underscores the continued socio- economic challenges in the cultural and creative sectors, which are often made up of small organisations and individual artists; proposes, therefore, to increase financing for the various strands of the Creative Europe programme by a total of EUR 8 million above the DB; highlights that there are an estimated 3500 Jewish cemeteries in many European countries, mostly East of the Elbe river, for which historical records are limited, and which are therefore at risk of being destroyed and lost forever; considers that part of the additional funding for Creative Europe should be used to finance a survey of Jewish cemeteries in Europen countries and thus contribute to the physical protection of the heritage of Jewish life in Europe;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 b (new)

– having regard to the Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP21) in Paris on 12 December 2015 (the Paris Agreement),

Amendment 180 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Underscores the continued socio- economic challenges in the cultural and creative sectors, which are often made up of small organisations and individual artists; underlines the importance of protecting and promoting European cultural heritage as a key element of the Union's identity and values; proposes, therefore, to increase financing for programmes dedicated to the conservation, restoration, and enhancement of cultural and historical sites, as well as for the promotion of regional traditions and languages; additionally, proposes, therefore, to increase financing for the various strands of the Creative Europe programme by a total of EUR 8 million above the DB;

Amendment 181 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Underscores the continued socio- economic challenges in the cultural and creative sectors, which are often made up of small organisations and individual artists, as well as their key role in fostering media literacy and combatting disinformation, and promoting and protecting media freedom and pluralism as the basis for a functioning democracy; proposes, therefore, to increase financing for the various strands of the Creative Europe programme by a total of EUR 8 million above the DB;

Amendment 182 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)

36 a. Emphasises the key role that Creative Europe plays in supporting the cultural and creative sectors, fostering media literacy and combatting disinformation, and promoting and protecting media freedom and pluralism as the basis for a functioning democracy; underscores that soaring energy prices and inflation, following on from the COVID-19 pandemic, have had a significant impact on the cultural and creative sectors, which are often made up of small organisations and individual artists; proposes, therefore, to increase financing for the Creative Europe programme by EUR 8 million above DB;

Amendment 183 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

Amendment 184 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Reiterates the indispensable role of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme in promoting European values and citizens’ rights, in fostering active civic engagement, in building resilient societies, in combatting gender-based violence, which is in particular important in the context of the measurable increase in cases of violence against women and against the LGBTQI+ persons, and in supporting the key principles of democracy, the rule of law, solidarity, inclusiveness, justice, non- discrimination and equality; is highly concerned by by the increase of the violence against the LGBTQI+ persons in Europe and believes that financial sanction should apply on countries where the rights of the LGBTQI+ persons are threatened; proposes, therefore, to increase appropriations for the programme by EUR 9 million above the DB, with reinforcements for the equality and rights, ‘citizens’ engagement and participation’, Daphne and ‘Union values’ strands;

Amendment 185 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Reiterates the indispensable role of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme in promoting European values and citizens’ rights, in fostering active civic engagement, in building resilient societies and raising awareness on disinformation, in combatting gender- based violence and in supporting the key principles of democracy, the rule of law, solidarity, inclusiveness, justice, non- discrimination and equality; proposes, therefore, to increase appropriations for the programme by EUR 9 million above the DB, with reinforcements for the equality and rights, ‘citizens’ engagement and participation’, Daphne and ‘Union values’ strands, the latter providing direct funding to civil society organisations working closest to the citizens at local, national and Union Level to protect and promote EU values and to counter democratic backsliding;

Amendment 186 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Reiterates the indispensable role of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme in promoting European values and citizens’ rights, in fostering active civic engagement, in building resilient societies, in combatting gender-based violence and in supporting the key principles of democracy, the rule of law, solidarity, inclusiveness, justice, non- discrimination and equality; proposes, therefore, to increase appropriations for the programme by EUR 9 million above the DB, with reinforcements for the equality and rights, ‘citizens’ engagement and participation’, Daphne and ‘Union values’ strands; to this end, reminds that the European Commission shall absolutely restrain from promoting islamic veil in its public campaigns as a legitimising sign of islamisation;

Amendment 187 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Reiterates the indispensable role of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme in promoting European values and citizens’ rights, in fostering active civic engagement, in building resilient societies, in combatting gender-based violence, especially important in the context of the measurable increase in violence against women, and violence against the LGBTQI+ community and in supporting the key principles of democracy, the rule of law, solidarity, inclusiveness, justice, non- discrimination and equality; proposes, therefore, to increase appropriations for the programme by EUR 9 million above the DB, with reinforcements for the equality and rights, ‘citizens’ engagement and participation’, Daphne and ‘Union values’ strands;

Amendment 188 #

Céline IMART, Monika HOHLMEIER, François-Xavier BELLAMY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Reiterates the indispensable role of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme in promoting European values and citizens’ rights, in fostering active civic engagement, in building resilient societies, in combatting gender-based violence, notably violence against women, girls and the LGBTQI+ community, and in supporting the key principles of democracy, the rule of law, solidarity, inclusiveness, justice, non- discrimination and equality; proposes, therefore, to increase appropriations for the programme by EUR 9 million above the DB, with reinforcements for the equality and rights, ‘citizens’ engagement and participation’, Daphne and ‘Union values’ strands;

Amendment 189 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)

37 a. Urges the Commission to prohibit the allocation of European funds to individuals or associations linked to terrorist or Islamist movements or any other extremist movement opposed to the fundamental values of the European Union; this restriction shall also apply to EU funding of third parties that directly or indirectly contribute to the financing of such entities.

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 c (new)

– having regard to the Agreement adopted at the 15st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Biodiversity Conference on global biodiversity framework (the Kumin-Montreal Agreement),

Amendment 190 #

Andrzej HALICKI, Michalis HADJIPANTELA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)

37 a. Expresses its deep concern at the fact that the Commission has financed or co-financed campaigns to promote the veil, claiming, for example, that ‘freedom is in the hijab’; stresses that the EU budget must no longer finance future campaigns that may promote the veil or indirectly make the wearing of the compulsory veil commonplace;

Amendment 191 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)

37 a. Deems it necessary to increase the support to the Turkish-Cypriot line by EUR 1 million above DB in order to finance the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus and support the bi- communal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage;

Amendment 192 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Deems it necessary to allocate adequate resources for the effective implementation of EU rules on social security coordination in order to facilitate labour mobility and easier transfer of social security benefits, by financing the relevant line by EUR 2 million;deleted

Amendment 193 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Deems it necessary to allocate adequate resources for the effective implementation of EU rules on social security coordination in order to facilitate labour mobility and easier transfer of social security benefits, as well as the need for effective social dialogue, proper information and training, by financing the relevant line ~~by EUR 2 million~~s;

Amendment 194 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Deems it necessary to allocate adequate resources for the effective implementation of EU rules on ~~social security coordination in order to facilitate labour mobility and easier transfer of social security benefits,~~facilitating labour mobility and free movement of workers in order to establish a real labour market at European level contributing to the completion of the single market by financing the relevant line by EUR 2 million;

Amendment 195 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Underlines the significance of the social dimension in the Union budget and the need for effective social dialogue, proper information and training for workers’ organisations; free movement of workers, coordination of social security schemes and the EaSI strand of ESF+; reinforces, therefore, financing for the relevant lines;deleted

Amendment 196 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

Amendment 197 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Underlines the significance of the social dimension in the Union budget and the need for effective social dialogue, proper information and training for workers’ organisations;, with a view to further developing and increasing the capacity and involvement of social partners, free movement of workers, coordination of social security schemes and the EaSI strand of ESF+; reinforces, therefore, financing for the relevant lines;

Amendment 198 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)

39 a. Proposes to reinforce support to the Turkish Cypriot community by EUR 1 million above DB in order to finance the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus and support the bi-communal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage;

Amendment 199 #

Lucia YAR, Fabienne KELLER, Raquel GARCÍA HERMIDA-VAN DER WALLE, Anouk VAN BRUG

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. Recalls the important role played by the decentralised agencies and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) under Heading 2b; reinforcing funding and staffing levels for the Fundamental Rights Agency, for the European Institute for Gender Equality, the European Labour Authority and the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation in line with the agencies’ identified needs; ~~propos~~underlines, furthermore, t~~o reinforce the European Public P~~he importance of protecting the Union budget against fraud, corruption and other misconduct; stresses, in this regard, the central role that the EPPO plays in prostec~~utor’s Office in terms of financing and staff~~ting the Union’s financial interests, including with respect to the use of NextGenerationEU funds, and ensuring compliance with the rule of law; proposes, therefore, targeted reinforcements to the EPPO and increase its staffing levels to allow it~~he body~~ to fulfil its ~~duties and~~mandate; calls on all the Member States to join the EPPO to ensure more robust protection of the Union’s financial interests;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 b (new)

– having regard to Article 8 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, whereby ‘in all its activities, the Union shall aim to eliminate inequalities and to promote equality’; whereas this applies including to all levels of the budgetary process;

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1

Section III – European Commission - A people-centred EU budget 2025: Investments tailored to improving people’s lives and boosting the Union’s competitiveness and sustainability

Amendment 200 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. Recalls the important role played by the decentralised agencies under Heading 2b; reinforcing funding and staffing levels for the ~~Fundamental Rights Agency, for the European Institute for Gender Equality, the European Labour Authority and the~~ European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation in line with the agencies’ identified needs; proposes, furthermore, to reinforce the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in terms of financing and staff to allow the body to fulfil its duties and protect the Union’s financial interests;

Amendment 201 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. Recalls the important role played by the decentralised agencies under Heading 2b; reinforcing funding and staffing levels for ~~the Fundamental Rights Agency, for the European Institute for Gender Equality,~~ the European Labour Authority and the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation in line with the agencies’ identified needs; proposes, furthermore, to reinforce the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in terms of financing and staff to allow the body to fulfil its duties and protect the Union’s financial interests;

Amendment 202 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41

41. Reinforces Heading 2b overall by EUR 241 750 000 in commitment appropriations above the DB levels (excluding pilot projects and preparatory actions) and by EUR 1 050 328 669 compared to the Council reading;deleted

Amendment 203 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)

41 a. Demands that appropriations must be cut for EU propaganda against national sovereignty of Member States and while supports culture and creativity in general, opposes the spread of 'woke' ideology by several media companies across Europe financed by EU funds;

Amendment 204 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42

42. Recalls that programmes under Heading 3 play a key role in bolstering support for farmers, especially the younger generation, across the Union, in particular given the extreme weather conditions, ongoing challenges of the Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the critical role that agriculture plays in food security; highlights the critical importance of LIFE, given its role in protecting biodiversity and fostering climate action and the clean energy transition;deleted

Amendment 205 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42

42. Recalls that programmes under Heading 3 play a key role in bolstering support for farmers, ~~especial~~notably the younger generation, across the Union, in particular given the wave of farmers' discontent, the extreme weather conditions, ongoing challenges of the Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the critical role that agriculture plays in food security; stresses the crucial role of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in this regard and recalls the objectives under Article 39 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which include increasing agricultural productivity by promoting technical progress, ensuring a reasonable standard of living for farmers, and guaranteeing food security; highlights the critical importance of LIFE, given its role in protecting biodiversity and fostering climate action and the clean energy transition;

Amendment 206 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

43. ~~Reiterates its concern about the negative impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on global food security and affordability and about farmers’ a~~Highlights the importance of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and the common fisheries policy for food security and greater EU autonomy in high-quality food production; underlines the role of CAP in ensuring a sustainable and decent income for EU farmers, notably small and medium-sized as well as young farmers; notes that the labour shortage and difficult working conditions represent a real challenge for the agricultural sector and calls for adequate resources to be mobilitysed to ~~withstand inflationary pressure and increased input prices~~facilitate the implementation of high level social protection measures; calls for appropriate investments to accelerate and facilitate the transition towards a sustainable and affordable food system; remphasises the need to help new and young farmers as well as small and medium-sized farmers with additional means and thereby ensure the sustainability of the sector and generational renewal; proposes, therefore,inds that under the common agricultural policy, Member States can cap subsidies for the largest companies and support small and medium-sized farmers more; reminds that the European Union gives almost 30% of the EU budget for the common agricultural policy and created a legal framework with financial benefits for healthy food, pesticide-free and less polluting, by supporting with money all the farmers who make efforts in this green transition beneficial for the health of citizens and for local producers; calls on the Commission to compensate those who are making the effort so that people can eat healthier food; proposes to increase income support to young farmers by EUR 40 million above the DB;

Amendment 207 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

43. Reiterates its concern about the negative impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on global food security and affordability and about farmers’ ability to withstand inflationary pressure and increased input prices; emphasises the need to help new and young farmers ~~as well as small and medium-sized farmers~~ with additional means and thereby ensure the sustainability of the sector and generational renewal; proposes, therefore, to increase income support to young farmers by EUR 40 million above the DB; notes that CAP direct payments have significantly decreased in real terms due to inflation, while the administrative burden on farmers has increased due to the accumulation of restrictions, obligations and bureaucracy on EU farmers; stresses in this context the vital importance of sufficient funding for agriculture, including for the Programme of options specifically relating to remoteness and insularity (POSEI) in order to uphold the viability of agriculture in outermost regions;

Amendment 208 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43

Amendment 209 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)

43 a. Emphasizes that farmers and rural communities are vital contributors to quality, food security, and the safeguarding of European food sovereignty, and they play a key role in the preservation of rural areas and in countering the depopulation of the most remote areas; it further underscores that they also have a strategic role in zones characterized by high seismic and hydrogeological, and drought risk, and therefore require special support from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP);

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)

-1. Is adamant that, in times of geopolitical and institutional change, financial pressure, climate change and biodiversity crisis, as well as of societal challenges, a reliable, robust, flexible, investment oriented EU budget remains instrumental for the implementation of the Union’s policies and is central in responding to people’s increasing needs, in leaving no-one behind through the green and digital transitions, in delivering prosperity and security for people and in boosting the competitiveness of the Union economy, in order to defend the social dimension of Union spending, therefore reinforcing budgetary lines that have a direct impact on improving peoples’ lives as well as responding to the global challenges in its reading;

Amendment 210 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44

44. Underscores the negative impact of droughts and other extreme, climate change induced, weather patterns on the agricultural sector; stresses the need to better address the impacts of floods, droughts and wildfires on agricultural production, food security and farmers' income; calls for an adequately funded European plan for water use, reuse and storage and smart sharing; underlines the importance of the fruit and vegetables sector, of school schemes as well as promotional measures of agricultural products under the Common Agricultural Policy; decides, therefore, to increase the allocation of these budget lines under the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund by a total of EUR 56 million above the DB; emphasises equally the importance of investing in the digitalisation of small and medium-sized farms and the acquisition of equipment to implement good environmental practices in farming and to contribute to environmental sustainability in Union agriculture;

Amendment 211 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44

44. Underscores the negative impact of droughts and other extreme, climate change induced, weather patterns on the agricultural sector; underlines the importance of the fruit and vegetables sector, of school schemes as well as promotional measures of agricultural products under the Common Agricultural Policy; deplores the budget cut for the promotion of agricultural products as this programme is essential to increase awareness and recognition of Union quality schemes as well as the competitiveness of Union agricultural products; decides, therefore, to increase the allocation of these budget lines under the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund by a total of EUR 56 million above the DB; emphasises equally the importance of investing in the digitalisation of small and medium-sized farms and the acquisition of equipment to implement good environmental practices in farming and to contribute to environmental sustainability in Union agriculture;

Amendment 212 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44

44. Underscores the negative impact of droughts and other extreme, climate change induced, weather patterns on the agricultural sector in addition to any competitive disadvantages by imports from third countries without the appropriate environmental, ecological and consumer protection standards; underlines the importance of the fruit and vegetables sector, of school schemes as well as promotional measures of agricultural products under the Common Agricultural Policy; decides, therefore, to increase the allocation of these budget lines under the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund by a total of EUR 56 million above the DB; emphasises equally the importance of investing in the digitalisation of small and medium-sized farms and the acquisition of equipment to implement good environmental practices in farming and to contribute to environmental sustainability in Union agriculture;

Amendment 213 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44

44. Underscores the negative impact of droughts and other extreme, climate change induced, weather patterns on ~~the agricultural sector~~primary production, food security and farmers’ income through an agricultural reserve that reflects the needs of the farmers to cope with the adverse climatic events; underlines the importance of the fruit and vegetables sector, of school schemes as well as promotional measures of agricultural products under the Common Agricultural Policy; decides, therefore, to increase the allocation of these budget lines under the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund by a total of EUR 56 million above the DB; emphasises equally the importance of investing in the digitalisation of small and medium-sized farms and the acquisition of equipment to implement good environmental practices in farming and to contribute to environmental sustainability in Union agriculture;

Amendment 214 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44

44. Underscores the negative impact of droughts and other extreme, climate change induced, weather patterns on the agricultural sector; underlines the importance of the fruit and vegetables sector, of school schemes as well as promotional measures of agricultural products under the Common Agricultural Policy; decides, therefore, to increase the allocation of these budget lines under the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund by a total of EUR 56 million above the DB; emphasises equally the importance of investing, where possible, in the digitalisation of small and medium-sized farms and the acquisition of equipment to implement good environmental practices in farming and to contribute to environmental sustainability in Union agriculture;

Amendment 215 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)

44 a. Calls on the Commission to address the conclusions of the European Court of Auditors regarding overstated climate spending in particular as regards the mainstreaming targets in the CAP, and insist on the importance of the CAP Strategic Plans; expresses concern about the possibility that the 2026 and 2027 targets might not be reached and calls on the Commission to enhance its efforts to reach the targets; recalls that primary importance of the CAP for biodiversity mainstreaming and calls on the Commission the implement the recommendations of the study in this regard; calls on the Commission to address the concerns raised by the Court of Auditors as regards the ineffectiveness of biodiversity spending in the CAP and calls on the Commission to publish the amounts and shares of expenditures that will contribute to both targets per program when presenting annual budgets; calls on Member States to ensure the integration of biodiversity in partnership agreements and operational programmes as well as in their CAP strategic plans;

Amendment 216 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)

44 a. Recalls the economic, social and environmental relevance of fisheries, aquaculture and maritime affairs; stresses the strategic role of fisheries and the sectors in this regard and expresses concern over the lack of clarity over the consequences of the Commission proposal to cut the budget of the EMFAF; insists that special attention must be devoted to the fishing fleets in order to improve safety, working conditions, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, including renewal of the fleet;

Amendment 217 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)

44 a. Calls for maintaining an inclusive and strong promotion policy budget of at least 185,9 million to ensure that the policy continues to support all agricultural sectors proportionately, guarantee the competitiveness of agriculture and our food sovereignty and allow the creation of new international markets for the European agricultural products;

Amendment 218 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 b (new)

44 b. Welcomes the recent CAP simplification package and notes it has no budgetary impact; calls for the prosecution of this package until the end of this programming period and additional measures and resources to address the causes of farmers' discontent throughout the EU in future programming, with the aim of strengthening their position in the agri- food value chain;

Amendment 219 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 c (new)

44 c. Asks the European Commission that any environmental fund in the future shall not involve financial resources shifted from the CAP;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Emphasises that Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine and its economic and societal consequences continue to put a severe strain on the everyday lives of people across Europe and frontline countries, in Ukraine as well as worldwide; acknowledges that a confluence of political, security, socio- economic, climate, biodiversity and environmental challenges demand a resolute response from the Union, including by exploiting to the fullest possible extent the prevention as well as the crisis response capacity of the EU budget; considers it crucial for the Union to be able to act swiftly and adequately in emergency situations caused by major natural disasters, linked to the worsening climate and biodiversity crisis, humanitarian emergencies or public health crises in Member States and accession countries, ands well as to support third countries suffering from conflicts, refugee crises or natural disasters and impacts of climate change and of extreme weather events;

Amendment 220 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

45. Underlines th~~e indispensable and complementary role that the LIFE programme plays~~at Europe is the fastest warming continent and is facing worsening climate and biodiversity crisis with heavy impacts on people, communities, environment and nature and increased extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and wildfires; highlights the indispensable and complementary role that the LIFE programme, as EU flagship programme, plays in catalysing measures towards climate adaptation and mitigation, in delivering on the European Green Deal and achieving the Union’s climate neutrality goal by investing in nature and biodiversity, reducing emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy, and creating a circular economy, protecting ecosystems and reversing the alarming trend of biodiversity loss; emphasises the role of the LIFE programme in accelerating the just transition; proposes, therefore, to increase appropriations for the programme by EUR 49 million above the DB; supports the EEA with a modest increase in funding and staff;

Amendment 221 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

45. Underlines the indispensable and complementary role that the LIFE programme plays in delivering on the European Green Deal and achieving the Union’s climate neutrality goal, in line with the Paris Agreement, by investing in nature and biodiversity, supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, reducing emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy, creating a circular economy, protecting ecosystems, reversing the alarming trend of biodiversity loss and improving peoples’ quality of life; is concerned by the increase in climate change-driven extreme weather events and stresses the need for urgent action; proposes, therefore, to increase appropriations for the programme by EUR 49 million above the DB; supports the EEA with a modest increase in funding and staff;

Amendment 222 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

45. Underlines the indispensable and complementary role that the LIFE programme, as an EU flagship programme, plays in delivering on the European Green Deal and achieving the Union’s climate neutrality goal by investing in nature and biodiversity, reducing emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy, creating a circular economy; proposes, therefore, to increase appropriations for the programme by EUR 49 million above the DB; supports the EEA with a ~~modest~~ increase in funding and staff;

Amendment 223 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 a (new)

45 a. Calls on the European Court of Auditors to audit without delay all EU funded green investments, without limiting the scope of investigation;

Amendment 224 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)

46 a. The agricultural sector, in particular small and medium-sized farmers and family farms, is facing an extremely serious situation, particularly as regards production costs, low prices paid to producers and the strangulation of the supermarket sector; considers, therefore, that, in addition to a profound reform of the CAP, it is necessary to ensure that resources, in particular support for the wine, olive oil and apiculture sectors, are sufficient to meet farmers' needs;

Amendment 225 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 b (new)

46 b. The fisheries sector, and in particular small-scale, artisanal and coastal fishing, is facing a number of challenges which are jeopardising its survival, namely the brutal increase in operating costs, the low level of first sale prices, the strangulation by the supermarket sector and the ageing of crews and the fleet; considers, therefore, that it is essential to increase the appropriations allocated to the EMFAF in order to meet these challenges

Amendment 226 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)

47 a. Notes the amount of EUR 450 million earmarked for the agricultural reserve and recalls that EUR 516,5 million was needed in 2024; calls on the Commission to provide sufficient and coherent funding for the agricultural reserve in order to mitigate the economic effects of extreme weather events on farms and to preserve food security and self-sufficiency, while ensuring that direct payments are not reduced and considering the mobilisation of non-CAP funds, as well as allowing the use of margins to finance this reserve; points out that the agricultural reserve was not deployed for the first time until 2022 and that it has been used more frequently since then; insists on Parliament's role in the use of the reserve and calls on the Commission to apply objective and transparent criteria for the allocation of funds;

Amendment 227 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48

48. Recalls that programmes under Heading 4 play a key role in reinforce funding for migration and effective border management in light of the migratory challenges resulting from the current geopolitical context, and to ensure necessary funding for the full accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Area;deleted

Amendment 228 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48

48. Recalls that programmes under Heading 4 ~~play a key role in~~are essential for reinforceing funding for ~~migration and~~ effective border management ~~in light of the~~and addressing migrat~~ory~~ion challenges ~~resulting from~~, particularly in response to the current geopolitical context~~, and to ensure necessary funding for the full accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Area;~~; emphasizes the importance of ensuring adequate resources for securing the Union’s external borders, combating illegal immigration, and enhancing the capacity for swift and efficient asylum processing, while prioritizing the security and safety of Member States and their citizens.

Amendment 229 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49

49. UStresses that compliance by Member States with their obligations, including the protection of fundamental rights such as the right to seek asylum and the effective, humane and fair management and protection of the Union’s external borders, are key to ensuring the security of the Union, guaranteeing the smooth and efficient implementation of the Union’s migration and asylum policy and preserving the free movement of people within the Union; underlines that instability in neighbouring regions, as well as poverty and underlying trends in economic development, demographic changes, globalisation in transport and communications continue to create migration flows towards the Union, placing significant pressure on programmes and agencies under Heading 4;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Emphasises that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its economic and societal consequences continue to put a severe strain on the everyday lives of people across Europe and frontline countries; acknowledges that a confluence of political, security, socio- economic, climate and environmental challenges demand a resolute response from the Union, including by exploiting to the fullest possible extent the crisis response capacity of the EU budget; considers it crucial for the Union to be able to act swiftly and adequately in emergency situations caused by major natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies or public health crises in Member States and accession countries ~~and to support third countries suffering from conflicts, refugee crises or natural disasters~~;

Amendment 230 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49

49. Underlines that instability in neighbouring regions, ~~as well as poverty and underlying trends in~~ economic underdevelopment, and demographic changes~~, globalisati~~ con tin ~~transport and communications continue to create~~ue to drive irregular migration flows towards the Union, placing significant pressure on programmes and agencies under Heading 4; calls for enhanced measures to secure external borders, address the root causes of migration, and ensure that the Union’s resources are used effectively to protect its citizens and maintain social cohesion

Amendment 231 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49

49. Underlines that instability in neighbouring regions, as well as poverty and underlying trends in economic development, demographic changes, globalisation in transport and communications, but also economic reasons or desires to improve material livelihood, continue to create migration flows towards the Union, placing significant pressure on programmes and agencies under Heading 4;

Amendment 232 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49

49. Underlines that instability in neighbouring regions, as well as poverty and underlying trends in economic development, demographic changes~~, globalisation in transport and communications continue to create migration flows towards the Union, placing significant pressure on programmes and agencies under Heading 4~~ fall under the full responsibility of the neighbouring states and have zero connection with the European taxpayers;

Amendment 233 #

Nikolas FARANTOURIS, Estrella GALÁN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)

49 a. Stresses that the Union’s migration and asylum policy should be based on solidarity, shared responsibility and respect for human rights, promote safe and legal pathways and provide certainty, clarity and decent and dignified conditions for people arriving in the EU, in line with Union values and international commitments;

Amendment 234 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 b (new)

49 b. Underlines the importance of saving lives at sea; highlights the need for the Commission to present a legislative proposal to establish an EU Search and Rescue Fund to show solidarity among Member States in the carrying out of SAR obligations;

Amendment 235 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50

50. Notes that additional financing is needed under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in order to ensure appropriate and speedy implementation of the Asylum and Migration Pact; decides, therefore, to reinforce the AMIF by EUR 25 million above DB in 2025 given AMIF’s positive contribution in providing immediate support to refugees as well as its objective of countering irregular migration and ensuring effectiveness of return and readmission in third countries;

Amendment 236 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50

50. ~~Notes that additional financing is needed under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in order to ensure appropriate and speedy implementation of the Asylum and Migratio~~Stresses the failure of EU policies to prevent migratory flows and trafficking in human beings; reiterates its concern about the role played by instruments such as the Internal Security Fund and the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, which should ensure the proper implementation of a rigorous asylum policy in Pac~~t; decides, therefore, to reinforce the AMIF by EUR 25 million above DB in 2025 given AMIF’s positive contribution in providing immediate support to refugees~~cordance with international standards, while blocking illegal immigration and ensuring border controls and a proper repatriation policy;

Amendment 237 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50

50. ~~Notes that additional financing is needed under~~Is convinced that the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) ~~in order to ensure appropriate and speedy implementation of~~must be rebranded as the Asylum ~~and~~, Migration ~~Pact; decides, therefore, to reinforce the AMIF by EUR 25 million above DB in 2025 given AMIF’s positive contribution in providing immediate support to refugees~~and Repatriation Fund (AMRF) and be fully focused on deportation of illegal migrants from the EU;

Amendment 238 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50

50. ~~Notes that additional financing is needed under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in order to ensure appropriate and speedy implementation of the Asylum and Migratio~~Underlines the failure of Union policies in preventing migration flows and human trafficking; reiterates its concerns about the role played by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, which should guarantee the proper implementation of a rigorous asylum policy in Pac~~t; decides, therefore, to reinforce the AMIF by EUR 25 million above DB in 2025 given AMIF’s positive contribution in providing immediate support to refugees~~cordance with international standards, while blocking illegal immigration and ensuring border controls and an adequate repatriation policy;

Amendment 239 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 a (new)

50 a. Expects that the AMIF should primarily focus on the strengthening of cooperation with third countries to reduce illegal migratory flows as well as countering irregular migration and ensuring effectiveness of return to and readmission in third countries; Demands that policies linked to legal migration and integration shall be managed at national level;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Emphasises that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the policy of sanctions carried out by the European Union and its economic and societal consequences continue to put a severe strain on the everyday lives of people across Europe and frontline countries; acknowledges that a confluence of political, security, socio- economic, climate and environmental challenges demand a resolute response from the Union, including by exploiting to the fullest possible extent the crisis response capacity of the EU budget; considers it crucial for the Union to be able to act swiftly and adequately in emergency situations caused by major natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies or public health crises in Member States and accession countries and to support third countries suffering from conflicts, refugee crises or natural disasters;

Amendment 240 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 a (new)

50 a. Underlines the importance of saving lives at sea; highlights the need for the Commission to present a legislative proposal to establish an EU Search and Rescue Fund to show solidarity among Member States in the carrying out of SAR obligations;

Amendment 241 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51

51. Underlines the important role that the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) plays in managing the Union’s external borders and in particular in supporting Member States in meeting their obligations with regards to the adequate capacity for the border procedure as defined in the Asylum Procedure Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1348) and Commission’s implementing decision 2024/2150, with reinforced border protection capabilities including ~~physical~~ infrastructure, buildings, equipment, systems and services required at border crossing points, notably to meet the requirements of reception conditions for asylum seekers and migrants.; stresses that Member States with a larger share of adequate capacity should receive funds in proportion to their obligations; underlines that the instrument should also support the acceleration of Romania’s and Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area; proposes therefore to increase appropriations for the BMVI by EUR 35 million above DB;

Amendment 242 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51

51. ~~Underlin~~Stresses the importan~~t role that the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) plays in managing the Union’s external borders an~~ce of effectively managing the EU’s external borders, particularly the need to better protect vulnerable people from smuggling and trafficking networks and considers that effective protection of the EU’s external borders is necessary to address the instrumentalisation of migrants as part of hybrid attacks; underlines the crucial role of the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) in that regard in particular into support~~ing~~ Member States with reinforced border protection capabilities including physical infrastructure, buildings, equipment, systems and services required at border crossing points; underscores that funding under the instrument is essential for the effective implementation of the Asylum and Migration Pact; underlines that the instrument should also support the acceleration of Romania’s and Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area; proposes therefore to increase appropriations for the BMVI by EUR 35 million above DB;

Amendment 243 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51

51. Underlines the important role that the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) plays in managing the Union’s external borders and in particular in supporting Member States with reinforced border protection capabilities including physical infrastructure, buildings, equipment, systems and services required at border crossing points; ~~underlines that the instrument should also support the acceleration of Romania’s and Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area; proposes therefore to increase appropri~~calls on the European Commission to provide particular attention and resources to the construction of the walls at the Finnish- Russian, Polish-Belorussian and Greco- Turkish borders; calls for a swift approval of the Finnish government applications for ~~the BMVI by EUR 35 million above DB;~~50mln EUR in BVMI funding to help secure the EU external border1a; _________________ 1a https://intermin.fi/-/suomi-hakee-50- miljoonan-euron-rahoitusta-komissiolta- itarajan-valvonnan-vahvistamiseen-

Amendment 244 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51

Amendment 245 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51

Amendment 246 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 a (new)

51 a. Calls on the Commission to immediately mobilise substantial Union funds and means to support Member States in reinforcing external borders protection capabilities and infrastructure such as walls, means of surveillance, including aerial surveillance, and equipment; proposes an increase that shall cover the costs to build physical border barriers that are an essential part of a comprehensive migration policy, which should aim at preventing illegal entry, human smuggling and hybrid attacks, and detaining asylum seekers at the external borders;

Amendment 247 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 a (new)

51 a. Underlines that effective protection of the EU’s external borders prevents neighbouring countries from weaponising migrants against the Union and helps combat smuggling and trafficking networks; calls on the Commission to immediately mobilise substantial EU funds and means to finance physical infrastructure and fences at EU external borders;

Amendment 248 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 a (new)

51 a. calls on the Commission to immediately mobilise substantial EU funds and resources to help Member States strengthen external border protection capacities and physical infrastructure, such as walls, surveillance resources, including aerial surveillance, and equipment;

Amendment 249 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 b (new)

51 b. Recognises that some Members States have already spent EUR billions on protecting the EU's external borders, in the case of Hungary this amounts to 2 billion euros, requests these costs to be reimbursed; regrets that while Hungary protects the EU's external border against illegal migration, the European Court of Justice imposed a fine on the country for not letting migrants enter Hungary before a final decision is made on their application; requests the European Commission to use part of the EUR 2 billion due for border protection for Hungary to finance the fine imposed on Hungary by the European Court of Justice.

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Emphasises that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its economic and societal consequences continue to put a severe strain on the everyday lives of people, especially the most vulnerable, across Europe and frontline countries; acknowledges that a confluence of political, security, socio- economic, climate and environmental challenges demand a comprehensive and resolute response from the Union, including by exploiting to the fullest possible extent the crisis response capacity of the EU budget; considers it crucial for the Union to be able to act swiftly and adequately in emergency situations caused by major natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies or public health crises in Member States and accession countries and to support third countries suffering from conflicts, refugee crises or natural disasters;

Amendment 250 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52

52. Highlights the need for the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) to have the requisite resources to carry out its operational activities effectively - border control activities at the EU’s external borders, sharing intelligence and expertise with all EU countries as well as the neighbouring non-EU countries affected by migratory trends and cross-border crime, preventing irregular migration - and decides, therefore, to restore the DB for the agency; notes, however, with concern, that the Agency continues to struggle with its absorption capacity and has not yet managed to hire the necessary staff to fulfil its mission; reiterates that the enhanced competences and resources allocated to the Agency must be accompanied by increased transparency and accountability, as well as full respect for and protection of fundamental rights; recalls that Frontex is essential to Europe and supports EU and Schengen countries in all aspects related to border management, from support on the ground and fighting cross-border crime, aerial surveillance and collecting information, to help with return procedures, identifying new technologies and many others; calls on the Agency to continue to improve its efficiency and effectiveness;

Amendment 251 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52

52. Highlights the need for the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) to have the requisite resources to carry out its operational activities effectively and decides, therefore, to restore the DB for the agency; notes, however, with concern, that the Agency continues to struggle with its absorption capacity and has not yet managed to hire the necessary staff to fulfil its mission; reiterates that the enhanced competences and resources allocated to, purchase modern equipment and enhance its capabilities as it plays a crucial role in preventing irregular migration, helping Member States to secure the EU’s external borders and ensuring effective returns; decides, therefore, to restore the DB for the Aagency ~~must be accompanied by increased transparency and accountability, as well as full respect for and protection of fundamental rights;~~; welcomes the fact that Frontex is the biggest and fastest growing EU agency while acknowledging it creates challenges oin t~~he Agency to continue to improve its efficiency and effectiveness~~erms of absorption capacity and staff recruitment;

Amendment 252 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52

52. Highlights the need for the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) to have the requisite resources to carry out its ~~operational activities effectively and decides, therefore, to~~tasks in accordance with its mandate; restore the DB for the agency; notes, however, with concern, that the Agency continues to struggle with its absorption capacity and has not yet managed to hire the necessary staff to fulfil its mission; reiterates that the enhanced competences and resources allocated to the Agency must be accompanied by increased transparency and accountability, as well as full respect for and protection of fundamental rights; calls on the Agency to continue to improve its efficiency and effectiveness;

Amendment 253 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52

Amendment 254 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53

53. Proposes to reinforce the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) by EUR 2 million and to reinforce staff at the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), which shall start immediately the negotiations aiming at creating asylum reception centers in third countries outside the Union;

Amendment 255 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53

53. Proposes to reinforce the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) by EUR 2 million to ensure that the agency can implement critical internal security and border management projects, and to reinforce staff at the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA);

Amendment 256 #

Moritz KÖRNER, Niclas HERBST, Anouk VAN BRUG

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53

53. Proposes to reinforce the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) by EUR 2 million and to reinforce staff at the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) as they both have heavier workload following the adoption of the Asylum and Migration Pact;

Amendment 257 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54 a (new)

54 a. Emphasises that EU funds must never be misused for terrorist purposes. Requests therefore that the joint text on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025, approved by the Conciliation Committee under the budgetary procedure, includes the following joint statement by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on terrorism financing: “The three institutions agree that EU funds must never be misused for terrorist purposes. Therefore, where the Commission becomes aware that an entity receiving EU funding employs an individual who has been involved in terrorist acts during the term of the current Multiannual Financial Framework, the Commission shall suspend the funding of that entity without undue delay. Entities that employ or have employed more than five individuals who have been involved in terrorist acts during the term of the current Multiannual Financial Framework shall not be eligible for EU funding. Entities that provide financial support to individuals for the reason that these individuals committed or attempted to commit a terrorist act, or are related to someone who committed or attempted to commit a terrorist act, shall not be eligible for EU funding. This restriction shall also apply to the EU funding of third parties that directly or indirectly contribute to the financing of such entities.”

Amendment 258 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54 a (new)

54 a. The growing militarization of the EU, as NATO's European pillar, is contrary to the interests of the people and peace in Europe and in the World. The problem of European collective security must be addressed in respect by the Charter of the UN and the Final Act of the Helsinki Conference.

Amendment 259 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54 b (new)

54 b. Considers, in this sense, that the appropriations considered to finance militarization should be channelled to increase public investment in public services, reinforcement of funds aiming to strengthen the public response to guarantee social rights (health, housing, education, transport, culture) and productive development.

Amendment 26 #

Fabienne KELLER, Nathalie LOISEAU, Lucia YAR, Anouk VAN BRUG

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Emphasises that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine ~~and its~~has brought further substantial economic and societal consequences ~~continue to put a severe strain on the everyday lives of~~for the people ~~across~~of Europe ~~and frontline countries~~; acknowledges that a confluence of political, security, socio- economic, climate and environmental challenges demand a resolute response from the Union, including by exploiting to the fullest possible extent the crisis response capacity of the EU budget; considers it crucial for the Union to be able to act swiftly and adequately in emergency situations caused by major natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies or public health crises in Member States and accession countries and to support third countries suffering from conflicts, refugee crises or natural disasters;

Amendment 260 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55

55. Recalls the highly unstable geopolitical situation and international environment around the Union giving rise to greater security and defence challenges since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; considers that the Union's current budget for ensuring the security of Europeans, is not equal to the challenges to be met in the short and long term; therefore supports increasing financial and budgetary massive EU investment for European defence.

Amendment 261 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55

55. Recalls the highly unstable geopolitical situation and international environment around the Union giving rise to greater security and defence challenges since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; is of the conviction that there is no military solution to the conflict and that peace is the only viable and sustainable solution; urges the parties to open diplomatic channels, with the aim of concluding a lasting peace agreement

Amendment 262 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56

56. Underlines the need to top up the Internal Security Fund to ensure sufficient funding for the fight against serious and organised crime with a cross border dimension ~~as well as cybercrime~~, cybercrime as well as funding to tackle terrorism and radicalisation; stresses that financial reinforcements are also crucial for combatting the rise of anti-Semitism and supporting Jewish communities in Europe by supporting multinational projects on best practices and enhancing exchange of information; considers a reinforcement of EUR 5 million to be justified for this purpose; restores Secure Connectivity to the level of the DB in order not to delay the advancement of a recently agreed programme;

Amendment 263 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57

57. Highlights in particular the importance of reinforcing the means for European cooperation in defence matters and the harmonisation of defence sector to better respond to the unprecedented geopolitical challenges; considers that such cooperation not only makes Europe and its citizens safer but also leads to greater efficiency, potential savings and strategic autonomy; notes the importance of ‘military mobility’ in funding dual-use transport infrastructure, enabling Member States to rapidly concentrate military power in the context of the war and to support missions and operations under the common security and defence policy; underlines that the programme is oversubscribed and has substantial absorption capacity; decides, therefore, to increase appropriations for ‘military mobility’ by EUR 20 million above the DB;

Amendment 264 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57 a (new)

57 a. Strongly supports EU efforts to tackle rising security threats such as the spread of disinformation, including online disinformation, fake news campaigns against the EU, terrorism, radicalisation and violent extremism within the EU and its neighbouring countries;

Amendment 265 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58

58. Recalls the crucial role played by decentralised agencies operating in the field of security and law enforcement, in particular with regard to the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) which have both seen their mandates expanded; proposes targeted staffing increases and financial reinforcements to allow them to properly perform their new tasks;

Amendment 266 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60

60. Emphasises that, and once more as a consequence of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the international context has deteriorated rapidly as a result of the food, energy and economic crises, which have dramatically increased pressure on Heading 6; welcomes the fact that the introduction of the Ukraine Facility ~~and the Western Balkan Facility~~ over the MFF ceilings provides a stable basis for support for Ukraine and ~~the Western Balkan countries and~~ releases some pressure on the availabilities within Heading 6 and more particularly on the cushion and buffers in the NDICI envelope; ~~reminds that the commensurate redeployments leave behind gaps on some other budget lines which are difficult to manage;~~

Amendment 267 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60

60. Emphasises that, and once more as a consequence of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the international context has deteriorated rapidly as a result of the food, energy, humanitarian and economic crises , which have dramatically increased pressure on Heading 6; welcomes the fact that the introduction of the Ukraine Facility and the Western Balkan Facility over the MFF ceilings provides a stable basis for support for Ukraine and the Western Balkan countries and releases some pressure on the availabilities within Heading 6 and more particularly on the cushion and buffers in the NDICI envelope; reminds that the commensurate redeployments leave behind gaps on some other budget lines which are difficult to manage;

Amendment 268 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 a (new)

60 a. Reiterates its full support to Ukraine in fight for its freedom and democracy; deplores the terrible impact of lives and the suffering of Ukraine People caused by unprovoked and unjustifiable Russia's war of aggression; welcomes the decision to grant the Ukraine candidate country status and insists on the need to deploy the necessary funds to support its accession process;

Amendment 269 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61

61. Stresses the importance of the Southern Neighbourhood line in supporting political, economic and social reforms in the region; taking into consideration the increasing humanitarian needs in the region as well as other purposes of regional cooperation in providing assistance to refugees, in particular Syrian and Palestinian refugees, and in enabling support along the southern migration routes; ~~proposes to increase appropriations for the line by EUR 60 mill~~demands that EU funding in the Palestine territories should have humanitarian relief as primary objective; underlines that beneficiaries of EU support cannot be compromised by terrorist organisations a~~bove the DB, including to reinforce funding for UNRWA based on EU regulations and valu~~nd extremist groups, and funding should not go to EU- listed terrorist organizations such as Hamas in Gaza; in this context, highlights the need to re-think the role of UNRWA and work on the gradual transition of humanitarian and development activities to non-compromised, impartial organisations and local authorities;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Is extremely concerned by the growing urgency to tackle climate change and the biodiversity crisis in the view of the latest IPCC reports as well as mounting extreme weather events and natural disasters such as heat waves, droughts, floods and wildfires; further stresses the need to accelerate the just transition in line with the political commitments taken in the context of the Green Deal and mobilize more investment for climate mitigation and adaptation, just transition and modernisation towards circular economy as a vital European interest;

Amendment 270 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61

61. Stresses the importance of the Southern Neighbourhood line in supporting political, economic and social reforms in the region; taking into consideration the increasing humanitarian needs in the region as well as other purposes of regional cooperation in providing assistance to refugees, in particular Syrian and Palestinian refugees, and in enabling support along the southern migration routes; proposes to increase appropriations for the line by EUR 60 million above the DB, including to reinforce funding for UNRWA based on EU regulations and valuesconsiders vital to condition EU aid with repatriation agreements to increase returns; is equally convinced that EU partnerships with third countries must be built on strict requirement of non- cooperation with the Russian regime;

Amendment 271 #

Moritz KÖRNER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61

Amendment 272 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61

Amendment 273 #

Monika HOHLMEIER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61

Amendment 274 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61

Amendment 275 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 a (new)

61 a. Emphasizes the importance of strengthening cooperation with African countries, particularly in the areas of sustainable development, migration management, and economic partnership, in line with the existing instruments of enhanced cooperation between EU Member States and African countries, such as the 'Mattei Plan';

Amendment 276 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 b (new)

61 b. Calls for increased funding and strategic investments in targeted development initiatives for African countries. These investments, in line with the existing instruments of enhanced cooperation between EU Member States and African countries, such as the 'Mattei Plan,' should focus on strengthening infrastructure, education, and economic opportunities, thereby addressing the root causes of irregular migration, combating human trafficking networks, and promoting legal migration pathways, ultimately contributing to a safer and more prosperous Europe and Africa;

Amendment 277 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 c (new)

61 c. Insists that the Commission must guarantee that EU funds are not allocated or linked to any form of terrorism and/or religious and political radicalisation; reiterates its position that all schoolbooks and school materials supported by Union funds must be in line with UNESCO standards of peace, tolerance, coexistence, and non-violence; is concerned about the antisemitism, hate speech and incitement to jihad and violence taught in Palestinian school textbooks, indirectly funded by the EU; underlines the importance of EU funds to be directed towards the proper training of Palestinian teachers in line with UNESCO education standards; stresses that conditionality of EU financial assistance in the educational sector needs to be duly considered;

Amendment 278 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62

Amendment 279 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62

62. Underlines that the war continues to have significant effects on countries in the Eastern Neighbourhood, such as Moldova, that have provided shelter and assistance to refugees fleeing the war and faced the knock-on effects of sky-high inflation and energy prices; stresses the need for targeted financial and technical assistance to help these countries stabilise their economies and strengthen public infrastructure amidst these pressures; underlines the importance of sustained support for candidate countries in implementing the necessary accession- related reforms and in enhancing their resilience and preventing and countering hybrid threats; emphasises the need for closer security cooperation to counteract destabilising forces and ensure regional stability; decides, therefore, to increase appropriations by EUR 50 million above the DB for the Eastern Neighbourhood to address these complex challenges; proposes, furthermore, to increase accession-related support under the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA III) by EUR 3 million in 2025 to accelerate the reform process, enhance resilience, and ensure a smooth transition towards EU standards;

Amendment 28 #

Fabienne KELLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 280 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62 a (new)

62 a. Highlights the need to further reinforce the work of civil society organisations, human rights defenders and journalists given the shrinking space for civil society in many countries; a special focus should be on supporting organisations working on protecting sexual and reproductive rights as well as with LGBTIQ+ population to promote gender sensitive protection measures; at the same time underlines the importance of ensuring sufficient EU support to promote the protection of women’s rights and LGBTIQ+ rights, in particular in countries where these rights are under threat; believes that financial sanction should apply on countries where the rights of the LGBTQI+ are threatened;

Amendment 281 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63

63. Proposes to place an amount of EUR 30 million in reserve that can be lifted upon an unconditional withdrawal by the Georgian Government of the controversial law on 'transparency of foreign influence' and a clear commitment that it would not propose such a law again; further emphasizes the importance of ensuring that any legislative action aligns with democratic principles, transparency, and human rights, reinforcing Georgia’s pathway towards European integration; underlines that the remaining funding for Georgia should be redirected as much as possible to support civil society.

Amendment 282 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63 a (new)

63 a. Proposes to reinforce funding for several budget lines under the NDICI chapter and strands under the Global Challenges thematic strand; stresses the importance of the People strand in reducing catastrophic food insecurity in many countries in the World and in supporting health, education, gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment; highlights that support to women and girls to access quality education drastically improves their chances to acquire the knowledge and skills to compete in the labour market, gain life skills necessary to navigate and make decisions about their own lives;

Amendment 283 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64

64. Shares the Council’s assessment that the need for humanitarian aid needs have reached new heights; considers that, given the highly challenging international context, increasing geopolitical instability, accelerating humanitarian catastrophes around the globe including for example in Gaza or Sudan, extreme poverty and hunger, and the ongoing climate change- induced emergencies, humanitarian aid needs in 2025 are likely to be even higher than estimated by the Council~~, in particular since humanitarian aid to Ukraine will continue to be covered under Heading 6 rather than the Ukraine Facility~~; recalls that Ukraine’s humanitarian aid needs will not be covered by the Ukraine Facility and therefore underlines that humanitarian aid in 2025 budget will need to be strengthened also in this context; underlines that insufficient access to humanitarian aid hits the most vulnerable hardest, in particular women and children; points out that the Union’s humanitarian aid budget has relied heavily on the SEAR, driving resources away from the SEAR’s other objectives and reducing the Union’s ability to respond to emergencies; reminds that outturn of 2023 budget for HUMA was 2,3 bn in commitments and almost 2,4 bn in payments and that humanitarian aid was budgeted for 1,8 billion EUR for 2024 and has already been increased by 300 million EUR from EAR in DEC 6 and with 273 million in DEC/10 to just under 2,4 bn EUR to use all resources available but clearly not meeting the needs; insists that the proposal with the possible mobilisations of EAR will still fall short of needs; proposes, therefore, to increase appropriations for humanitarian aid by EUR 120 million compared to the DB;

Amendment 284 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64

64. Shares the Council’s assessment that the need for humanitarian aid needs have reached new heights; considers that, given the highly challenging international context and the ongoing climate change- induced emergencies, humanitarian aid needs in 2025 are likely to be even higher than estimated by the Council and the Commission, in particular since humanitarian aid to Ukraine will continue to be covered under Heading 6 rather than the Ukraine Facility; proposes, therefore, to increase appropriations for humanitarian aid by EUR 120 million compared to the DB; points out that the Union’s humanitarian aid budget has relied heavily on the Emergency Aid Reserve (EAR), driving resources away from the EAR’s other objectives and reducing the Union’s ability to respond to emergencies;

Amendment 285 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64

64. Shares the Council’s assessment that the need for humanitarian aid needs have reached new heights; considers that, given the highly challenging international context, increasing geopolitical instability, rising extreme poverty and the ongoing climate change- induced emergencies, humanitarian aid needs in 2025 are ~~likely~~expected to be ~~even~~much higher than estimated by the Council, in particular since humanitarian aid to Ukraine will continue to be covered under Heading 6 rather than the Ukraine Facility; proposes, therefore, to increase appropriations for humanitarian aid by EUR 120 million compared to the DB; regrets that the lack of available margin under Heading 6 does not allow for further reinforcement;

Amendment 286 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64 a (new)

64 a. expects that EU humanitarian assistance shall be able to tackle new challenges, protracted crises requires more financial resources available in order to assist local and support people to stay in their home region; highlights in this context the particular importance to maintain support for education in emergencies, nutrition and access to clean water; demands that EU funding shall enhance cohesion of local societies and mitigate migration, therefore the implementation of EU humanitarian budget needs to involve local actors, providing lifesaving and essential social services in emergency settings;

Amendment 287 #

Lucia YAR, Fabienne KELLER, Raquel GARCÍA HERMIDA-VAN DER WALLE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64 a (new)

64 a. Stresses that the EU's overseas countries and territories (OCTs) and outermost regions need special support because of their remoteness; draws attention in particular to the difficulties of access to drinking water and sanitation and the poor state of water supply networks, problems common to the OCTs and outermost regions;

Amendment 288 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65 a (new)

65 a. Calls for consistent and sustainable budgeting for all gender- related activities in the EU Defence and Security sector, in line with the EU Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security; Emphasizes the need for a dedicated funding for gender-related actions within Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions, including a specific budget line for the Gender Advisors within civilian CSDP missions;

Amendment 289 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65 a (new)

65 a. Is profoundly sceptical as regards the rule of law in the Western Balkan countries and expresses concern over how this affects the reliability of the EU funds being spent under the Western Balkan Facility;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes with concern that while inflation has begun to subside compared to previous years’ peaks, its longer term impact on the cost of living, energy and food prices continues to be a burden on households’ purchasing power and companies’ competitiveness and productivity; stresses that~~, against this background, a combination of policy responses comprising regulatory, fiscal and budgetary measures will have to be deployed to adequatel~~ this situation has been partially caused by baddress the broad range of challenges; reminds that the Union budget, in complementarity with the national budgets of the Member States and private finance should play a central role in this regard; recalls that the EU budget is an investment budget in line with Union’s political priorities and programmes which g economic and monetary policy of the European Cenetra~~tes a return on investment and growth possibilities~~l Bank; emphasises that the 2024 European Parliament elections have sent a clear message for m~~ore solidarity between Member States~~uch stricter migration policy, transitioning climate policy from utopianism to realism and more investments in policies and programmes on national level which improve people’s lives; highlights that this call must ~~not~~ be answered by ever more budgetary cuts and by a reduction in badly ~~need~~managed resources to help people go through these difficult times;

Amendment 290 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67

67. Overall, ~~reinforces Heading 6 by EUR 256 200 000 in commitment appropriations above the DB and by EUR 234 461 645 compared to the Co~~calls to redeploy all external action funds under Heading 6 towards Ukraine unctil rpea~~ding~~ce in Europe is restored;

Amendment 291 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68

68. Recalls that spending under Heading 7 should be set at a level that guarantees that the Union has an effective and efficient administration; c~~onsiders that the Council’s cuts~~alls for a reduction in th~~is h~~e adming are unjustified and would not allow the Commission to recruit suitable staff in Luxembourg and to fulfil its tasks; restores therefore the DB for the Commission administrative expenditure, including with respect to its Officesistrative appropriations allocated to the European institutions, particularly as regards expenditure on Housing allowance in Luxembourg from the Commission and impacted Offices (-EUR 5.42 million) and in the Commission's buildings related expenditure (-EUR 5 million); calls for greater rationalisation of the EU's administrative services to avoid duplication and reduce costs; calls for savings to be reallocated to the Union's strategic priorities, such as border security, support for SMEs, and research and innovation;

Amendment 292 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71

71. Maintains unchanged the overall level of its budget for 2025 set at EUR 2 499 233 329, in line with its estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2025; incorporates budgetary-neutral adjustments to reflect updated information which was not available earlier this year; calls for an establishment of the Single Seat of the European Parliament;

Amendment 293 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72

72. Reiterates the Parliament’s priorities for the forthcoming financial year, namely, focusing the Parliament’s budget to deliver on its core functions of co-legislator, acting as one arm of the budgetary authority, representing citizens and scrutinizing the work of other institutions, as well as providing the resources for cyber-security and IT development and priority projects on engaging with citizens ~~as well as green~~, green Parliament promoting the saving of resources and an accessible Parliament, fully respecting gender equality;

Amendment 294 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72

72. Reiterates the Parliament’s priorities for the forthcoming financial year, namely, focusing Parliament’s budget on its core functions of co-legislator, acting as one arm of the budgetary authority, representing citizens and scrutinizing the work of other institutions and the implementation of EU legislation, as well as providing the resources for cyber- security and IT development and priority projects on engaging with citizens as well as green and accessible Parliament;

Amendment 295 #

Niclas HERBST

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 – point a

(a) recalls that visitors groups in all the places of work of the Parliament represent an important tool for Members to connect with constituents and to demonstrate their parliamentary work to constituents; welcomes the fact that the Secretary-General will propose to the Quaestors to adjust the ceilings ~~in line with~~to reflect the increase ofd costs ~~to be covered~~faced by visitors groups; expects the decision on the adjustment of the ceilings to be taken as soon as possible;

Amendment 296 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 – point a

(a) welcomes the fact that the Secretary-General will propose to the Quaestors to adjust the ceilings in line with the increase of costs to be covered for visitors groups; expects the decision on the adjustment of the ceilings to be taken as soon as possible;

Amendment 297 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 – point b a (new)

(b a) Highlights once again the necessity of savings and unaffordability of 19 Europa Experiences and of 33 European Parliament Liaison Offices in times of economic hardships and squeezed Heading 7ceilings;

Amendment 298 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 – point c

(c) notes that Parliament is working on a building renovation plan and a comprehensive long-term building strategy to take into account new ways of working and the targets and objectives of the Green Deal and ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package; expects the Committee on Budgets to be informed in a timely manner;

Amendment 299 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 – point c

(c) notes that Parliament is working on a building renovation plan and a comprehensive long-term building strategy to take into account new ways of working, costs, budgetary constraints and the targets and objectives of the Green Deal and ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)

– Having regard to articles 135 and 136 of the Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union ;

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes with concern that while inflation has begun to subside compared to previous years’ peaks, its longer term impact on the cost of living, energy and food prices continues to be a burden on households’ purchasing power and companies’ competitiveness and productivity; stresses that, against this background, a combination of policy responses comprising regulatory, fiscal and budgetary measures will have to be deployed to adequately address the broad range of challenges; reminds that the Union budget, in complementarity with the national budgets of the Member States and private finance should play a central role in this regard; recalls that the EU budget is an investment budget in line with Union’s political priorities and programmes which generates a return on investment and growth possibilities; emphasises that the 2024 European Parliament elections have sent a clear messagecalls on the Commission and the Council to create the conditions for Member States to have interest rates that are appropriate to the living conditions of families, the development of their economies and the needs of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including the possibility of reversing the policy of high interest rates; reminds that the Union budget, in complementarity with the national budgets of the Member States and private finance should play a central role in this regard; recalls that the EU budget is a compensatory mechanism to address the disequilibriums arising from EU integration, namely the Single Market; emphasises the need for more solidarity between Member States and more investments in policies and programmes which improve people’s lives; highlights that this call must not be answered by ever more budgetary cuts and by a reduction in badly needed resources to help people go through these difficult times;

Amendment 300 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 – point c a (new)

(c a) looks forward to the installation of photovoltaic panels to full capacity in the PFLIMLIN and DE MADARIAGA and CHURCHILL buildings; repeats its ask and insists on moving forward with installing capacity for WEISS; welcomes the efforts to phase out fossil fuel heating and cooling systems at an adequate level in line with the energy efficiency first principle, and insists on the need to continue investments;

Amendment 301 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 – point c b (new)

(c b) insists on the need to increase chartered train capacity between Brussels and Strasbourg in 2025, insists that this continues to be treated by the Parliament as a priority and calls on the French authorities to help;

Amendment 302 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 – point d

(d) highlights that one of the most powerful weapons against disinformation is fact-based communication regarding the Parliament’s activities including outreach in the languages of linguistic minorities and communities, where appropriate; welcomes the comprehensive actions taken by the services, including the EPLOs, in that regard; expects that such activities are further strengthened, including the close cooperation with other EU institutions and security services in Member States;

Amendment 303 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 – point d a (new)

(d a) Reiterates its request to the Bureau to initiate the process of revising the Rules of Procedure to enable Members to vote remotely during maternity or paternity leave, long-term illness, or in cases of force majeure; the revision should incorporate the technical insights gained from the use of remote voting methods during the pandemic;

Amendment 304 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 – point e

(e) recalls that the Secretary-General committed to initiate discussions with the responsible governing bodies before the end of 2024 on the possibility for APAs, subject to certain conditions, to accompany Members of the European Parliament on official Parliament delegations and missions during the conciliation between the Bureau and the Committee on Budgets on Preliminary Draft Estimates of the European Parliament for 2025 last April.; calls in this regard on the Conference of Presidents to revise the implementing provisions governing the work of delegations and missions outside the Union accordingly to comply with the request adopted consecutively since 2017 by the plenary;

Amendment 305 #

Jens GEIER, Rasmus ANDRESEN, Nils UŠAKOVS, Kai TEGETHOFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 a (new)

73 a. Takes note that Article 44(2) of the Implementing Measures of the Members of the European Parliament Statute provides for the possibility to finance extra costs linked to the parliamentary assistance budgets transferring appropriations from their General Expenditure Allowance (GEA); calls on Parliament's administration to take the necessary measures to enable Members who wish to do so to use their GEA to cover the cost of APA missions; highlights that such a measure would help Members to address their increasing staffing needs while being budgetary neutral;

Amendment 306 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 a (new)

73 a. Highlights that subcontracting cleaning, catering, crèches and travel agency services puts people, mainly women, in an extremely vulnerable position; calls for the internalization of cleaning, catering, crèches and travel agency staff as soon as possible;

Amendment 307 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 b (new)

73 b. Notes with concern the decision of the company managing the European Parliament crèche in Brussels to terminate in advance its contract in order to sign a new one for a higher amount. Considers that the budget of the European Parliament shall not finance the profits of a private company. Highlights that the continuous changes of contractors bring uncertainty for the staff, the children and their parents and increase health and safety risks. Calls for the European Parliament to ensure the proper functioning of the crèche protecting the staff, ensuring decent working conditions and fair remuneration, and the quality of the services and to take the necessary steps, as soon as possible, to allow for the crèche staff to be directly employed by the Parliament;

Amendment 308 #

Niclas HERBST, Kai TEGETHOFF, Fabienne KELLER, Nils UŠAKOVS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 c (new)

73 c. Points out that multilingualism is a fundamental principle that makes the content of deliberations in the EU institutions more accessible and transparent, and ensures that proceedings are democratic; takes the view, however, that it is being undermined by a deterioration in the quantity and quality of translation and interpreting services as a result of budgetary constraints, increasingly regular outsourcing and poorer working conditions for providers; calls strongly, in that regard, for funding for translation and interpreting services in the EU institutions, particularly the European Parliament, to be stepped up;

Amendment 309 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77

77. Rejects the Council decision to reduce the estimates of the Commission, of the Court of Justice and of the European Court of Auditors by an additional amount in order to compensate for the housing allowance in the Parliament budget; is of the opinion that inviting the Parliament to reconsider its position on the allowance in its own budget by reducing the estimates of the other institutions by the corresponding amount is against the gentlemen’s agreement;

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes with concern that while inflation has begun to subside compared to previous years’ peaks, its longer term impact on the cost of living, energy and food prices continues to be a burden on households’ purchasing power and companies’ competitiveness and productivity; stresses ~~that,~~ against this background, a combination of policy responses comprising regulatory, fiscal and budgetary measures will have to be deployed to adequately address the broad range of challenges; reminds that the Union budget, in complementarity with the national budgets of the Member States and private finance should play a central rolethat the European Commission failed to adequately address the broad range of challenges; reminds that some Member States already introduced effective policies in this regard; recalls that the EU budget is an investment budget in line with Union’s political priorities and programmes which generates a return on investment and growth possibilities; emphasises that the 2024 European Parliament elections have sent a clear message for ~~more solidarity between Member States and more investments in policies and programmes which improve people’s live~~change in EU institutions; highlights that this call ~~must~~was not be answered by ~~ever more budgetary cuts and by a reduction in badly needed resources~~the European Commission, which clearly failed to help people go through these difficult times;

Amendment 310 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80 – point b

(b) restore the level of appropriations partially in line with the estimates of the European Court of Auditors, ~~the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions,~~ the European Data Protection Supervisor and the European External Action Service by increasing the appropriations above the DB for budgetary lines that cover cyber- security and operational needs;

Amendment 311 #

Niclas HERBST

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80 – point b

(b) restore the level of appropriations partially in line with the estimates of the European Court of Auditors, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, the European Data Protection Supervisor and the European External Action Service by increasing the appropriations above the DB for budgetary lines ~~that~~ covering building security, particularly in delegations, cyber- security and operational needs;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes with concern that while inflation has begun to subside compared to previous years’ peaks, its longer term impact on the cost of living, energy and food prices continues to be a burden for people across Europe, on households’ purchasing power and companies’ competitiveness and productivity; stresses that, against this background, a combination of policy responses comprising regulatory, fiscal and budgetary measures will have to be deployed to adequately address the broad range of challenges; reminds that the Union budget, in complementarity with the national budgets of the Member States and private finance should play a central role in this regard; recalls that the EU budget is an investment budget in line with Union’s political priorities and programmes which generates a return on investment and growth possibilities; emphasises that the 2024 European Parliament elections have sent a clear message for more solidarity among people of Europe, as well as between Member States and more investments in policies and programmes which improve people’s lives, in particular in areas such as public health, housing and environment; highlights that this call must not be answered by ever more budgetary cuts and by a reduction in badly needed resources to help people go through these difficult times;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes with concern that while inflation has begun to subside compared to previous years’ peaks, its longer term impact on the cost of living, energy insecurity, energy poverty and food prices continues to be a burden on households’ purchasing power and companies’, and in particular SMEs’, competitiveness and productivity; stresses that, against this background, a combination of policy responses comprising regulatory, fiscal and budgetary measures will have to be deployed to adequately address the broad range of challenges; reminds that the Union budget, in complementarity with the national budgets of the Member States and private finance should play a central role in this regard; recalls that the EU budget is an investment budget in line with Union’s political priorities and programmes which generates a return on investment and growth possibilities; emphasises that the 2024 European Parliament elections have sent a clear message for more solidarity between Member States and more investments in policies and programmes which improve people’s lives; highlights that this call must not be answered by ever more budgetary cuts and by a reduction in badly needed resources to help people go through these difficult times;

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes with concern that while inflation has begun to subside compared to previous years’ peaks, its prolonge~~r term~~d impact on the cost of living, energy, and food prices ~~continues to be a burden on households’ purchasing power and companies’ competitiveness and productivity~~remains a significant challenge for households and a threat to companies’ competitiveness and productivity, necessitating a cautious and responsible fiscal approach; stresses that, against this background, a balanced combination of policy responses ~~comprising~~, including targeted regulatory, fiscal, and budgetary measures ~~will have to be deploy~~, must be carefully considered to adequately address the broad range of challenges while ensuring economic stability and sustainability; reminds that the Union budget, in complementarity with the national budgets of the Member States and private finance should play a central role in this regard; recalls that the EU budget ~~is an investment budget in line~~should be focused on strategic investments that align with the Union’s ~~political~~core priorities and programmes which generates a return on investment and growth possibilities; emphasises that the 2024 European Parliament elections have sent a clear message for more solidarity between Member States and more investm, providing measurable returns and fostering sustainable economic growth; stresses the importance of prioritizing spending that delivers tangible benefits for citizents ~~in policies and programm~~and businesses, whi~~ch improve people’s lives; highlights that this call must not be answered by ever more budgetary cuts and by a reduction in badly needed resources to help people go through these difficult tim~~le ensuring fiscal discipline and accountability in the use of public funds, while avoiding unnecessary cuts that could harm essential services ;

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes with concern that while inflation has begun to subside compared to previous years’ peaks, its longer term impact on the cost of living, energy and food prices continues to be a burden on households’ purchasing power and companies’ competitiveness and productivity; stresses that, against this background, a combination of policy responses ~~comprising regulatory, fiscal and budgetary measures~~ will have to be deployed to adequately address the broad range of challenges; reminds that the Union budget, in complementarity with the national budgets of the Member States and private finance should play a ~~central~~key role in this regard; recalls that the EU budget is an investment budget in line with Union’s political priorities and programmes which generates a return on investment and growth possibilities; emphasises that the 2024 European Parliament elections have sent a clear message for more ~~solidarity between Member States and more investments in policies and programmes which improve~~efficient policies and programmes which improve the Union's security and competitiveness having a positive impact on people’s lives; highlights that this call must not be answered by ever more budgetary cuts and by a reduction in badly needed resources to help ~~people go through these difficult times~~the Union change its course;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Highlights that the Budget 2025 procedure takes place in a context of institutional changeover where the next Commission’s policy priorities, strategic focus and legislative initiatives and their budgetary implications are not yet know in any detail; stresses that most expenditure programmes of the 2021-2027 financial programming period are ~~finally being executed according to plan and that~~executed with delays, contrary to the obligation to implement multiannual programmes in a reliable and predictable manner ~~must be squared with~~; the European Commission failed to address the necessity to swiftly respond to new developments and unforeseen events and crises; highlights that, given the new institutional cycle, cooperation across the institutional settings is crucial as investments and political decisions taken today will shape the EU’s agenda for the next decades and beyond;

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Highlights that the Budget 2025 procedure takes place in a context of institutional changeover where the next Commission’s policy priorities, strategic focus and legislative initiatives and their budgetary implications are not yet know in any detail; stresses that most expenditure programmes of the 2021-2027 financial programming period are finally being executed according to plan and that the obligation to implement multiannual programmes in a reliable and predictable manner must be ~~squared~~in line with the necessity to swiftly respond to new developments and unforeseen events and crises; highlights that, given the new institutional cycle, cooperation across the institutional settings is crucial as investments and political decisions taken today will shape the EU’s agenda for the next decades and beyond;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Highlights that the Budget 2025 procedure takes place in a context of institutional changeover where the next Commission’s policy priorities, strategic focus and legislative initiatives and their budgetary implications are not yet know in any detail; stresses that most expenditure programmes of the 2021-2027 financial programming period are ~~finally~~ being executed according to plan and that the obligation to implement multiannual programmes in a reliable and predictable manner must be squared with the necessity to swiftly respond to new developments and unforeseen events and crises; highlights that, given the new institutional cycle, cooperation across the institutional settings is crucial as investments and political decisions taken today will shape the EU’s agenda for the next decades and beyond;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Under~~scor~~lines that while the MFF revision ~~of the Multiannual Financial Framework has been partly successful and partly unsatisfactory~~represents a clear improvement on the status quo, it is still leaving the EU budget under pressure, with limited margins and flexibility, with cuts to key programmes and with reduced ambition in important future-oriented policy areas; acknowledges that the revision has resulted in providing additional resources for Ukraine, the Western Balkan and several other budget lines of strategic importance as well as ~~replenis~~increases in thed flexibility mechanism; welcomes that the Commission has proceeded with translating the outcome of the MFF revision into the Financial Programming as well as amending budgets 2024 and the draft general budget for 2025 (the “DB”); underlines once again that the higher than foreseen repayment costs of the European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI) should have been placed fully in a EURI special instrument over and above the MFF ceilings with a view to restoring some margin within Heading 2b and protecting budgetary space in the Flexibility and Single Margin Instruments; recalls the Interinstitutional Agreement adopted as part of the 2020 MFF agreement, according to which expenditure to cover NGEU financing costs “shall aim at not reducing programmes and funds”;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)

– having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget,

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underscores that the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework has been partly successful and partly unsatisfactory; acknowledges that the revision has resulted in providing additional resources for Ukraine, the Western Balkan and several other budget lines of strategic importance as well as replenished flexibility mechanism; deplores, however, that the revision has also resulted in cuts to flagship programmes, such as Horizon Europe and EU4Health; welcomes that the Commission has proceeded with translating the outcome of the MFF revision into the Financial Programming as well as amending budgets 2024 and the draft general budget for 2025 (the “DB”); underlines once again that the higher than foreseen repayment costs of the European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI) should have been placed fully in a EURI special instrument over and above the MFF ceilings with a view to restoring some margin within Heading 2b and protecting EU programmes and budgetary space in the Flexibility and Single Margin Instruments; recalls the Interinstitutional Agreement adopted as part of the 2020 MFF agreement, according to which expenditure to cover NGEU financing costs “shall aim at not reducing programmes and funds”;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underscores that the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework has been partly successful and partly unsatisfactory; acknowledges that the revision has resulted in providing additional resources for Ukraine, the Western Balkan and several other budget lines of strategic importance as well as replenished flexibility mechanism; welcomes that the Commission has proceeded with translating the outcome of the MFF revision into the Financial Programming as well as amending budgets 2024 and the draft general budget for 2025 (the “DB”); underlines once again that the higher than foreseen repayment costs of the European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI) should have been placed fully in a EURI special instrument over and above the MFF ceilings with a view to restoring some margin within Heading 2b and protecting budgetary space in the Flexibility and Single Margin Instrumentsare the result of overoptimistic, imprudent borrowing policy of the Union; recalls the Interinstitutional Agreement adopted as part of the 2020 MFF agreement, according to which expenditure to cover NGEU financing costs “shall aim at not reducing programmes and funds”;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underscores that the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework has been partly successful and partly unsatisfactory; acknowledges that the revision has resulted in providing additional resources for Ukraine, the Western Balkan ~~and several other budget lines of strategic importance~~, the implementation of the new Asylum and Migration Pact, the European Defence Fund as well as replenished flexibility mechanism; welcomes that the Commission has proceeded with translating the outcome of the MFF revision into the Financial Programming as well as amending budgets 2024 and the draft general budget for 2025 (the “DB”); underlines once again that the higher than foreseen repayment costs of the European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI) should have been placed fully in a EURI special instrument over and above the MFF ceilings with a view to restoring some margin within Heading 2b and protecting budgetary space in the Flexibility and Single Margin Instruments; recalls the Interinstitutional Agreement adopted as part of the 2020 MFF agreement, according to which expenditure to cover NGEU financing costs “shall aim at not reducing programmes and funds”;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Underscores that the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework has been partly successful and partly unsatisfactory; acknowledges that the revision has resulted in providing additional resources for Ukraine, the Western Balkan and several other budget lines of strategic importance as well as moderately replenished flexibility mechanism; welcomes that the Commission has proceeded with translating the outcome of the MFF revision into the Financial Programming as well as amending budgets 2024 and the draft general budget for 2025 (the “DB”); underlines once again that the higher than foreseen repayment costs of the European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI) should have been placed fully in a EURI special instrument over and above the MFF ceilings with a view to restoring some margin within Heading 2b and protecting budgetary space in the Flexibility and Single Margin Instruments; recalls the Interinstitutional Agreement adopted as part of the 2020 MFF agreement, according to which expenditure to cover NGEU financing costs “shall aim at not reducing programmes and funds”;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses that the 2025 Budget will be the first full annual budgetary procedure under the revised MFF ceilings and rules; insists that the spirit and letter of the MFF revision be respected and the additional appropriations resulting from the revision be fully authorised and committed; reminds that a certain level of redeployments, in particular under headings 1 and 6 was part of the MFF revision package; ~~wishes to not see such reductions repeated or made worse in the annual procedure;~~

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses that the 2025 Budget will be the first full annual budgetary procedure under the revised MFF ceilings and rules; insists that the spirit and letter of the MFF revision be respected and the additional appropriations resulting from the revision be fully authorised and committed; reminds that a certain level of redeployments, in particular under headings 1 and 6 was part of the MFF revision package; ~~wishes~~stresses its firm position to not see such reductions repeated or made worse in the annual procedure;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Stress~~Notes that the 2025 Budget will be the first full annual budgetary procedure under the revised MFF ceilings and rules; insists that the spirit and letter of the MFF revision be respected and the additional appropriations resulting from the revision be fully authorised and committed; reminds that a certain level of redeployments, in particular under headings 1 and 6 was part of the MFF revision package; wishes to not see such reductions repeated or made worse in the annual procedure;

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses that the 2025 Budget will be the first full annual budgetary procedure under the revised MFF ceilings and rules; insists that the spirit and letter of the MFF revision be respected and the additional appropriations resulting from the revision be fully authorised and committed; reminds that a certain level of redeployments, in particular under headings 1 and 6 was part of the MFF revision package; wishes to not see such reductions ~~repeated or~~ made worse in the annual procedure;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 (new)

Recalls its long-standing position that new policy priorities or tasks should be accompanied by fresh money and that Union institutions, bodies and decentralised agencies must be properly staffed and adequately resourced to fulfil their mandate; regrets that the current budgetary situation has led the Commission to redeploy significant funds over the MFF period; emphasises that all spending through the Union budget must be subject to parliamentary scrutiny

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Reiterates its concern, that, despite the MFF revision, overall ceilings and margins are still very low in the Financial Programming and the DB and stand at zero in several headings (Heading 2b, Heading 5, Heading 7); takes note that the NGEU overrun costs, i.e. the needs for the EURI refinancing costs which have not yet been programmed, amount to approximately EUR 2,6 billion, twice the Commission’s forecast; is aware that the Amending Letter 1/2025 will update the needs estimation for 2025; is keenly aware that identifying the sources of financing the EURI borrowing costs, this amount, without causing undue collateral damage to essential programmes and maintaining some flexibility for unforeseen future events, constitutes the biggest challenge in the 2025 procedure;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 b (new)

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (European Climate Law),

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Re~~iterates its concern~~grets, that, despite the MFF revision, overall ceilings and margins are still very low in the Financial Programming and the DB and stand at zero in several headings (Heading 2b, Heading 5, Heading 7); takes note with concern that the NGEU overrun costs, i.e. the needs for the EURI refinancing costs which have not yet been programmed, amount to approximately EUR 2,6 billion, twice the Commission’s forecast; is aware that the Amending Letter 1/2025 will update the needs estimation for 2025; is keenly aware that identifying the sources of financing this amount, without causing undue collateral damage to essential programmes and maintaining some flexibility for unforeseen future events, constitutes the biggest challenge in the 2025 procedure;

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes note that the Council, in its position which it calls “prudent”, proposes to cut commitment appropriations by EUR 1.52 billion across the MFF headings, leaving a total of EUR 191,527 billion, and reduces payment appropriations by EUR 876 million across the MFF headings; stresses that, by cutting across headings on programme lines to generate additional unallocated margins, the Council’s position may convey an ambiguous message of creating additional availabilities for 2025; underlines that this approach, however, is not in accordance with the reality of current budgetary needs, as these margins are not intended for use in the annual budget 2025;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Takes note~~Deplores that the Council, in its position which it calls “prudent”, proposes to cut commitment appropriations by EUR 1.52 billion across the MFF headings, leaving a total of EUR 191,527 billion, and reduces payment appropriations by EUR 876 million across the MFF headings; stresses that, by cutting across headings on programme lines to generate additional unallocated margins, the Council’s position may convey an ambiguous message of creating additional availabilities for 2025; underlines that this approach, however, is not in accordance with the reality of current budgetary needs, as these margins are not intended for use in the annual budget 2025, and therefore the cuts proposed by the Council remain unjustified;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes note that the Council, in its position which it calls “prudent”, proposes to cut commitment appropriations by EUR 1.52 billion across the MFF headings, leaving a total of EUR 191,527 billion, and reduces payment appropriations by EUR 876 million across the MFF headings; strongly believes that the European Parliament shall fully adhere to this approach; stresses that, by cutting across headings on programme lines to generate additional unallocated margins, the Council’s position may convey an ~~ambiguous~~encouraging message of creating additional availabilities for 2025; underlines that this approach~~, however, is not~~ is in accordance with the reality of current budgetary needs~~, as these margins are not intended for use in the annual budget 2025~~ of national treasuries of the Member States;

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes note that the Council, in its position which it calls “prudent”, proposes to cut commitment appropriations by EUR 1.52 billion across the MFF headings, leaving a total of EUR 191,527 billion, and reduces payment appropriations by EUR 876 million across the MFF headings; stresses that, by ~~cutting~~largely unjustified cuts across headings on programme lines to generate additional unallocated margins, the Council’s ~~position may convey~~reading in time of crisis sticks to an approach and a~~mbiguous message of c~~ budget reatding ~~additional availabilities for 2025; underlines that this approach, however, is not in accordance with the~~that is not fit for purpose; underlines that this approach is not based in reality of current budgetary needs, as these margins are not intended for use in the annual budget 2025 at all;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Emphasises its strong preference for covering a larger share of EURI borrowing costs by availabilities in the de- commitment compartment of the EURI Special Instrument over and above the MFF ceilings which would have the effect of restoring some margin within Heading 2b and creating budgetary space in the Flexibility Instrument; proposes, therefore, to cover 65% of the overrun costs in 2025 by the de-commitment compartment of the EURI special instrument;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Is adamant that, in times of geopolitical and institutional change, financial pressure, climate change and societal challenges, a reliable, robust, flexible, investment oriented EU budget remain instrumental for the implementation of the Union’s policies and central in responding to people’s increasing needs, leaving no-one behind through the green and digital transitions, in delivering prosperity and security for people and in boosting the competitiveness of the Union economy; to defend the social dimension of Union spending in all policy areas, in other words, we will work to reinforce budgetary lines that have a direct impact on improving peoples’ lives;deleted

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Is adamant that, in times of geopolitical and institutional change, financial pressure, climate change and societal challenges, a reliable, robust, flexible, investment oriented EU budget remain instrumental for the implementation of the Union’s policies and central in responding to people’s increasing needs, leaving no-one behind through the green and digital transitions, in delivering prosperity and security for people and in boosting the competitiveness of the Union economy; ~~to defend the social dimension of Union spending in all policy areas, in other words, we will work to reinforce budgetary lines that have a direct impact on improving peoples’ lives;~~

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 c (new)

– having regard to the Interinstitutional Proclamation on the European Pillar of Social Rights of 13 December 2017 and its resolution of 19 January 2017 thereon,

Amendment 60 #

Fabienne KELLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Is adamant that, in times of geopolitical and institutional change, financial pressure, climate change and societal challenges, a reliable, robust, flexible, investment oriented EU budget remain instrumental for the implementation of the Union’s policies and central in responding to people’s increasing needs, leaving no-one behind through the green and digital transitions, in delivering prosperity and security for people and in boosting the competitiveness of the Union economy; ~~to defend the social dimension of Union spending in all policy areas, in other words, we will work to reinforce budgetary lines that have a direct impact on improving peoples’ lives;~~

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Is adamant that, in times of geopolitical and institutional change, financial pressure, climate change, migration and societal challenges, a reliable, robust, flexible, and investment- oriented EU budget remains instrumental for ~~the~~ implement~~ation of~~ing the Union’s policies and central in responding to people’s increasing needs, leaving no-one behind through the green and digital transitions, in delivering prosperity and security for people and in boosting the competitiveness of the Union economy; to defend the social dimension of Union spending in all policy areas, in other words, we will work to r. However, it is crucial to emphasize fiscal responsibility and ensure a balanced approach to budget priorities, allowing for effective responses to diverse challenges while contributing to the overall prosperity and security of the Union. Reinforceing budgetary lines that have a direct impact on improving people's’ lives;, ensuring that funding is allocated efficiently and transparently, with measurable outcomes.

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Is adamant that, in times of geopolitical and institutional change, financial pressure, climate change and societal challenges, a reliable, robust, flexible, investment oriented EU budget remain instrumental for the implementation of the Union’s policies and central in responding to people’s increasing needs, leaving no-one behind through the green and digital transitions, in delivering prosperity and security for people and in boosting the competitiveness and sustainability of the Union economy; to defend the social dimension of Union spending in all policy areas, in other words, we will work to reinforce budgetary lines that have a direct impact on improving peoples’ lives;

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – subparagraph 1 (new)

Horizontal Budgetary Aspects

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Reiterates its calls on Council and Commission to apply Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget in full; stresses in particular that compliance with the rule of law is a fundamental pre-requisite to access EU funds; stresses that funds cannot be disbursed if Member States do not comply with all relevant requirements; reiterates that systemic issues with the rule of law, such as the violation of the principle of separation of powers or recent attempts in some Member States to attack the independence of the judiciary or to dismantle the institutions to fight against corruption constitute clear risks to the financial interests of the EU and the protection of the EU Budget and calls on the Commission to allow no backsliding on achievements in the area of rule of law and safeguard institutions;

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9 b. Deplores the absence of progress in the Council on the reform of the own resources system; recalls its position on the amended Commission proposals, which endorses the introduction of new own resources; considers that the introduction of fresh genuine revenue sources, in line with the roadmap in the interinstitutional agreement, would serve to cover the additional budgetary burden arising from NextGenerationEU borrowing and would thereby shield the margins and flexibility mechanisms, which in turn would facilitate budgetary decision-making on unforeseen needs as well as new strategic foresight initiatives; urges, furthermore, the Commission to continue the efforts to identify fresh, new and preferably genuine own resources and other revenue sources for the EU budget beyond the IIA;

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9 b. Underlines that swift progress on new own resources is essential both for the repayment of EURI borrowing costs and for the financial robustness and implementation of the current and future MFFs; reiterates the need to fully respect the timeline of the legally-binding roadmap for the introduction of new own resources annexed to the IIA and urges the Commission to continue the efforts to identify fresh, new and preferably genuine own resources and other revenue sources for the Union budget beyond the IIA;

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Reaffirms the significance of the horizontal principles concerning climate, biodiversity and gender equality that underpin the MFF and all related EU policies, also in the context of annual budgetary procedures; calls on the Commission to fulfil its obligation under the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 to take concrete action to ensure that the agreed targets related to climate and biodiversity, as well as the obligation to respect the ‘do no significant harm’ principle and to promote gender equality are fully met;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)

9 c. Stresses that the 20254 Union budget should be aligned with the Union’s ambitions of making the Union climate neutral by 2050 at the latest, as well as the Union’s international commitments in particular the Paris Agreement and the Kunmin-Montreal Agreement and significantly contribute to the implementation of the implementation of the European Green Deal, the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, of the Farm to Fork Strategy, of the Circular Economy Action Plan, of the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability and of a Zero-pollution Action Plan;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 d (new)

9 d. Reiterates its call for the phase-out of harmful subsidies and for coherence between all EU funds and programmes; insists that projects and programmes which are inconsistent with the objective of limiting global warming to under 1.5°C, or with the objective of halting and reversing biodiversity loss, should not be eligible for support under the EU budget in line with the do no significant harm; recalls that the 8th Environment Action Programme lays down the enabling condition of phasing out of environmentally harmful subsidies, including through setting a deadline for the phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies consistent with the ambition of limiting global warming to 1,5°C as well as a binding Union framework to monitor and report on Member States’ progress towards phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, based on an agreed methodology;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 d (new)

– having regard to the Commission communication of 11 December 2019 on the European Green Deal and to Parliament’s resolution of 15 January 2020 in response thereto,

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 e (new)

9 e. Takes note that climate mainstreaming target of 30% is projected to be met with 33.5% while the biodiversity target will be below 8,5% following the CAP revision and the 10% target will not be met in 2026; Stresses the need for continuous efforts towards the achievement of climate and biodiversity mainstreaming targets laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 in the Union budget and the European Union Recovery Instrument expenditures (IIA); Welcomes the efforts for a more transparent and comprehensive reporting in the budgetary documents as well as the performance website, and emphasises the need to carry out sufficient ex-post evaluations with a particular focus on impact; Calls on the Commission to carefully take into account the conclusions of the special report of the European Court of Auditors on climate spending in the 2014-2020 EU budget as well as the performance audit from November 2022 as well as the NextGenerarion EU Green Bonds Allocation and Impact report;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 f (new)

9 f. Stresses the need to ensure consistency between climate and biodiversity funding and calls on the Commission to publish the amounts and shares of expenditure that will contribute to both targets per programme when presenting the draft budget; recalls that the do-no-significant-harm principle is mainstreamed in all Union activities through the budgetary implementation as agreed in the IIA; stresses the need to ensure consistency between climate and biodiversity funding and the respect of the ‘do no significant harm’ principle thought the entire budget also as regards to sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources, circular economy, pollution prevention and control; calls on the Commission therefore to monitor the implementation of the ‘do no significant harm’ principle thought the entire budget and all the programs and to take immediately necessary corrective measures if and when needed; recalls in this respect the relevant provisions in the recast of the Financial Regulation;

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 g (new)

9 g. Welcomes that the Commission has further developed a methodology to track gender equality-related spending in the 2021-2027 MFF, which looks at policy design and resource allocation and in particular the presentation of an ex-post gender impact assessment on a more granular level and reporting on volumes; at the same time is extremely concerned that only 17.9 million EUR have been spent in the first three years of this MFF which resulted in a direct positive impact for women; calls on the Commission to assess holistically gender impact and facilitate that all the relevant data is collected and available to assess the gender impact of the budget;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2

~~Special Instruments and Cascade mechanism~~EURI Financing Costs

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. ~~Highlights that the 2025 annual budgetary procedure will be the first exercise based entirely on the MFF Revision; r~~Recalls that, according to the MFF Re~~vision~~gulation in force, the Flexibility Instrument ~~has been~~is reinforced and that a maximum allocation of EUR 1 546.1 billion to be mobilised in 2025 has been topped up by 495 million and amounts carried over from 2024; notes that the Commission proposes to use an amount of EUR 1 192.8 million under the Flexibility Instrument for the EURI cascade Step 2 but the Council deviates from the Commission approach in several significant aspects;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10 a. Reiterates its position that before having recourse to the special instrument, the budgetary authority is expected to examine the possibility for covering part of any shortfall within the headings and through the Flexibility and Single Margin Instruments; emphasises that this process must be objective and based on real needs and cannot be driven by any arbitrary benchmarks; recalls, in this context, that the Joint Declaration agreed by the three institutions as part of the 2020 MFF agreement, whereby expenditure to cover NGEU financing costs ‘shall aim at not reducing programmes and funds’, still applies and serves as a reference point for the budgetary authority; intends, therefore, to ensure that all programmes are properly resourced and that the budget’s flexibility and response capacity is maintained through the annual budgetary procedure;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Highlights that the Commission’s DB estimates the EURI ‘overrun’ costs to amount to EUR 2,5 billion and applies a 50:50 approach to the cascade mechanism; notes that the Commission proposes, therefore, to cover an amount of EUR 1.24 billion from the budget - i.e. 50% of the costs overruns - stemming by the unallocated margin under sub- heading 2b for an amount of EUR 46.2 million and by the Flexibility Instrument for an amount of EUR 1 192.8 million, with the remaining half to be mobilised through the new EURI instrument over and above the ceiling, covered by de- commitments made since 2021; acknowledges that no recourse to the ‘back-stop’ is required;deleted

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Highlights that the Commission’s DB estimates the EURI ‘overrun’ costs to amount to EUR 2,5 billion and applies a 50:50 approach to the cascade mechanism; notes that the Commission proposes, therefore, to cover an amount of EUR 1.24 billion from the budget - i.e. 50% of the costs overruns - stemming by the unallocated margin under sub-heading 2b for an amount of EUR 46.2 million and by the Flexibility Instrument for an amount of EUR 1 192.8 million, with the remaining half to be mobilised through the new EURI instrument over and above the ceiling, covered by de-commitments made since 2021; ~~acknowledge~~regrets that no recourse to the ‘back- stop’ is required even if the budget is under stressed needs;

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Highlights that the Commission’s DB estimates the EURI ‘overrun’ costs to amount to EUR 2,5 billion and applies a 50:50 approach to the cascade mechanism; notes that the Commission proposes, therefore, to cover an amount of EUR 1.24 billion from the budget - i.e. 50% of the costs overruns - stemming by the unallocated margin under sub-heading 2b for an amount of EUR 46.2 million and by the Flexibility Instrument for an amount of EUR 1 192.8 million, with the remaining half to be mobilised through the new EURI instrument over and above the ceiling, covered by de-commitments made since 2021; a~~cknowledges that~~nd therefore under this scenario no recourse to the ‘back-stop’ is required;

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Regrets the Council’s approach to opt for what it calls “prudent” budgeting, creating artificial margins under the MFF ceilings; notes that the Council, in its position on the 2025 budget, and similar to 2024, reduces appropriations dedicated for EURI borrowing costs; points out that the Council’s positionDisagrees with the Council’s approach to cover only around 35% of the overrun costs by the EURI Special Instrument ~~runs counter to the 50:50 benchmark that the Council itself~~and insistead on during the MFF negotiations; alerts that in order to finance the difference and create additional unallocated margin (mostly in H2b but also in other headings, presumably in view of using it in future years through the SMI), sizeable reductions to a number of flagship programme envelopes have been proposed that have repercussions in 2025 as well as in 2026 and 2027covering large part of the interest costs by making sizeable reductions to a number of flagship programme envelopes; recalls that the most affected programmes, Horizon Europe, CEF digital and Erasmus, are well- established priorities for the European Parliament and flagship programmes of the Union; highlights that the Council targets for reductions are across several headings and even touch some programmes that were already subject to the MFF redeployments, such as Horizon, reduced by 400 million; or lines that were topped up in previous years, such as Erasmus+, reduced by 295 million, EU4Health or LIFE;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 e (new)

– having regard to the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025,

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Regrets~~Is extremely concerned with the Council’s approach to opt for what it calls “prudent” budgeting but which is nothing else, but merely, creating artificial margins under the MFF ceilings; notes that the Council, in its position on the 2025 budget, and similar to 2024, reduces appropriations dedicated for EURI borrowing costs; points out that the Council’s position to cover only around 35% of the overrun costs by the EURI Special Instrument runs counter to the 50:50 benchmark that the Council itself insisted on during the MFF negotiations and that is specifically mentioned in the MFF Regulation; alerts that in order to finance the difference and create additional unallocated margin (mostly in H2b but also in other headings, presumably in view of using it in future years through the SMI), sizeable reductions to a number of flagship programme envelopes have been proposed that have repercussions in 2025 as well as in 2026 and 2027; the cuts in heading 2b are particularly concerning as the only motivation is to use the money for financing EURI in light especially of the people-centered nature of the programs anchored in the same heading as EURI; recalls that the most affected programmes, Horizon Europe, CEF digital, EU4Health and Erasmus, are well-established priorities for the European Parliament and flagship programmes of the Union; highlights that the Council targets for reductions are across several headings and even touch some programmes that were already ~~subject to the MFF redeployment~~reduced during the MFF revision process, such as Horizon, reduced by 400 million~~; or~~ and EU4 Health; and additionally lines that were topped up in previous years, such as Erasmus+, reduced by 295 million~~, EU4Health~~ or LIFE;

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Regret~~Welcomes the Council’s approach to opt for what it calls “prudent” budgeting, creating a~~rtificial~~dequate margins under the MFF ceilings; notes that the Council, in its position on the 2025 budget, and similar to 2024, reduces appropriations dedicated for EURI borrowing costs; points out that the Council’s position to cover only around 35% of the overrun costs by the EURI Special Instrument ~~runs counter to the 50:50 benchmark that the Council itself insisted on during the MFF negotiations; alerts~~; is aware that in order to finance the difference and create additional unallocated margin (mostly in H2b but also in other headings, presumably in view of using it in future years through the SMI), sizeable reductions to a number of flagship programme envelopes shavell been proposed that have repercussions in 2025 as well as in 2026 and 2027; ~~recalls that the most affected programmes, Horizon Europe, CEF digital and Erasmus, are well-established priorities for the European Parliament and flagship programmes of the Union; highligh~~consents that the Council targets for reductions are across several headings and even touch some programmes that were already subject to the MFF redeployments, such as Horizon, reduced by 400 million; ~~or lines that were topped up in previous years, such as Erasmus+, reduced by 295 million, EU4Health or LIFE;~~

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Regrets~~Takes note of the Council’s approach to adopt ~~for what it calls “~~a prudent” budgeting~~, creating artificial margins under the MFF ceilings; notes that the Council, in its position on the 2025 budget, and similar to 2024, reduces~~ strategy, ensuring fiscal discipline and creating necessary margins under the MFF ceilings to accommodate future uncertainties; recognizes the need to carefully manage appropriations ~~dedicated~~ for EURI borrowing costs~~; points out that the Council’s~~ and encourages a responsi~~tion to cover only around 35% of the overrun costs by the EURI Special Instrument runs counter to the 50:50 benchmark that the Council itself insisted on during the MFF negotiation~~ble approach that minimizes long-term debt burdens on Member States and taxpayers; alerts that in order to finance the difference and create additional unallocated margin (mostly in H2b but also in other headings, presumably in view of using it in future years through the SMI), sizeable reductions to a number of flagship programme envelopes have been proposed that have repercussions in 2025 as well as in 2026 and 2027; recalls that the most affected programmes, Horizon Europe, CEF digital and Erasmus, are well- established priorities for the European Parliament and flagship programmes of the Union; highlights that the Council targets for reductions are across several headings and even touch some programmes that were already subject to the MFF redeployments, such as Horizon, reduced by 400 million; or lines that were topped up in previous years, such as Erasmus+, reduced by 295 million, EU4Health or LIFE;

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Regrets the Council’s approach to opt for what it calls “prudent” budgeting, creating artificial margins under the MFF ceilings; notes that the Council, in its position on the 2025 budget, and similar to 2024, reduces appropriations dedicated for EURI borrowing costs; points out that the Council’s position to cover only around 35% of the overrun costs by the EURI Special Instrument runs counter to the 50:50 benchmark that the Council itself insisted on during the MFF negotiations; alerts that in order to finance the difference and create additional unallocated margin (mostly in H2b but also in other headings, presumably in view of using it in future years through the SMI), sizeable reductions to a number of flagship programme envelopes have been proposed that have repercussions in 2025 as well as in 2026 and 2027; recalls that the most affected programmes, Horizon Europe, CEF digital and Erasmus, are well-established priorities for the European Parliament and flagship programmes of the Union; highlights and deplores that the Council targets for reductions are across several headings and even touch some programmes that were already subject to the MFF redeployments, such as Horizon, reduced by 400 million; or lines that were topped up in previous years, such as Erasmus+, reduced by 295 million, EU4Health or LIFE;

Amendment 84 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Regret~~Notes the Council’s approach to opt for what it calls “prudent” budgeting, creating artificial margins under the MFF ceilings; notes that the Council, in its position on the 2025 budget, and similar to 2024, reduces appropriations dedicated for EURI borrowing costs; points out that the Council’s position to cover only around 35% of the overrun costs by the EURI Special Instrument runs counter to the 50:50 benchmark that the Council itself insisted on during the MFF negotiations; alerts that in order to finance the difference and create additional unallocated margin (mostly in H2b but also in other headings, presumably in view of using it in future years through the SMI), sizeable reductions to a number of flagship programme envelopes have been proposed that have repercussions in 2025 as well as in 2026 and 2027; recalls that the most affected programmes, Horizon Europe, CEF digital and Erasmus, are well-established priorities for the European Parliament and flagship programmes of the Union; highlights that the Council targets for reductions are across several headings and even touch some programmes that were already subject to the MFF redeployments, such as Horizon, reduced by 400 million; or lines that were topped up in previous years, such as Erasmus+, reduced by 295 million, EU4Health or LIFE;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Recalls the Interinstitutional Agreement adopted as part of the 2020 MFF agreement, whereby expenditure to cover NGEU financing costs “shall aim at not reducing programmes and funds”; ~~questions whether~~recalls that the EURI special instrument should be mobilized in accordance with the MFF regulation, the applicable sectoral rules and other legal obligations and taking into account priorities, prudent budgeting and sound financial management, which require in particular appropriate margins for unforeseen expenditure; is of the opinion that the Council’s approach is in line with the MFF agreement on the cascade;

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Recalls the Interinstitutional Agreement adopted as part of the 2020 MFF agreement, whereby expenditure to cover NGEU financing costs “shall aim at not reducing programmes and funds”; ~~questions whether the Council’s approach is in line with the MFF agreement on the cascade~~calls for a balanced approach that safeguards essential programmes while adhering to fiscal responsibility, and questions whether all aspects of the MFF agreement, including flexibility and prioritization, are being appropriately considered by the Council in its approach;

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Intends, therefore, to restore the cuts proposed by Council; to ensure that programmes are properly resourced and that the budget’s flexibility and response capacity are maintained throughout the annual budgetary procedure; insists on the need for the Commission to provide reliable, timely and accurate information on NGEU borrowing costs and on expected Recovery and Resilience Facility disbursements throughout the budgetary procedure; recalls that Parliament is deeply concerned about the impact of the inherent uncertainty for the EURI interest line and questions the forecast from the Commission on NGEU borrowing costs and expected Recovery and Resilience Facility disbursements throughout the budgetary procedure;deleted

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. ~~Intend~~Restores, therefore, ~~to restore~~ the cuts proposed by Council; to ensure that programmes are properly resourced and that the budget’s flexibility and response capacity are maintained throughout the annual budgetary procedure; insists on the need for the Commission to provide reliable, timely and accurate information on NGEU borrowing costs and on expected Recovery and Resilience Facility disbursements throughout the budgetary procedure~~; recalls that Parliament is deeply~~ while remaining concerned about the impact of the inherent uncertainty for the EURI interest line and questions the forecast from the Commission on NGEU borrowing costs and expected Recovery and Resilience Facility disbursements throughout the budgetary procedure; welcomes the cut-off date of the end of September for the budgeting of the EURI costs which brings more predictability to the procedure; is aware that the Amending Letter 1/2025 will update the needs estimation for 2025 therefore; is adamant to cater fully and timely for the NGEU repayment costs that will fall due in 2025; highlights in this regard that EURI borrowing costs are largely a reflection of the level of payments in the Recovery and Resilience Facility which reflect the level of implementation of the facility and insists in this regard in the need to speed up implementation;

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 f (new)

– having regard to the Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP21) in Paris on 12 December 2015 (the Paris Agreement) and to the Agreement adopted at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Biodiversity Conference on 19 December 2022 (the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework),

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. ~~Intends, therefore, to restore the cuts proposed by Council; to ensure that programmes are properly resourced and that~~Aims to ensure that essential programmes are adequately resourced while maintaining budgetary discipline and prioritizing spending that delivers tangible results; emphasizes the need to safeguard the budget’s flexibility and response capacity ~~are maintained~~ throughout the annual budgetary procedure by focusing on efficient and effective allocation of resources; insists on the need for the Commission to provide reliable, timely and accurate information on NGEU borrowing costs and on expected Recovery and Resilience Facility disbursements throughout the budgetary procedure; recalls that Parliament is deeply concerned about the impact of the inherent uncertainty for the EURI interest line and questions the forecast from the Commission on NGEU borrowing costs and expected Recovery and Resilience Facility disbursements throughout the budgetary procedure, ensuring that financial risks are minimized and the Union’s fiscal stability is not compromised;

Amendment 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Intends, therefore, to restore the cuts proposed by Council; to ensure that programmes are properly resourced and that the budget’s flexibility and response capacity are maintained throughout the annual budgetary procedure; insists on the need forDemands the Commission to provide reliable, timely and accurate information on NGEU borrowing costs and on expected Recovery and Resilience Facility disbursements throughout the budgetary procedure; recalls that Parliament is deeply concerned about the impact of the inherent uncertainty for the EURI interest line and questions the forecast from the Commission on NGEU borrowing costs and expected Recovery and Resilience Facility disbursements throughout the budgetary procedure;

Amendment 92 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Intends, therefore, to restore some of the cuts proposed by Council; to ensure that programmes are properly resourced and that the budget’s flexibility and response capacity are maintained throughout the annual budgetary procedure; insists on the need for the Commission to provide reliable, timely and accurate information on NGEU borrowing costs and on expected Recovery and Resilience Facility disbursements throughout the budgetary procedure; recalls that Parliament is deeply concerned about the impact of the inherent uncertainty for the EURI interest line and questions the forecast from the Commission on NGEU borrowing costs and expected Recovery and Resilience Facility disbursements throughout the budgetary procedure;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Intends, therefore, to restore all the cuts proposed by Council; to ensure that programmes are properly resourced and that the budget’s flexibility and response capacity are maintained throughout the annual budgetary procedure; insists on the need for the Commission to provide reliable, timely and accurate information on NGEU borrowing costs and on expected Recovery and Resilience Facility disbursements throughout the budgetary procedure; recalls that Parliament is deeply concerned about the impact of the inherent uncertainty for the EURI interest line and questions the forecast from the Commission on NGEU borrowing costs and expected Recovery and Resilience Facility disbursements throughout the budgetary procedure;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Underlines, once again, that repayment of the EURI borrowing costs is a legal obligation for the Union and a non- discretionary expenditure item in the EU budget; ~~is adamant, therefore to cater fully and timely for the NGEU repayment costs that will fall due in 2025~~emphasizes the need for careful planning and fiscal discipline to ensure that the NGEU repayment costs due in 2025 are fully and timely met without compromising other essential budgetary commitments; agrees to apply, in this regard, the newly established EURI cascade mechanism, in the letter and the spirit of the recently revised MFF Regulation; proposes to finance 65% of the overrun costs by the de-commitment compartment of the EURI Special Instrument; ~~deem~~considers the margin of EUR 46.2 million, ~~which was~~ programmed ~~before the DB was submitted, to be~~prior to the submission of the DB, as available for reinforcing critical programmes under the ceiling of Heading 2b, provided that these funds are used efficiently and align with the Union’s strategic priorities of economic growth, and stability ; intends to revisit the amendments linked to the cascade mechanism once the Amending Letter provides updated estimations of the actual needs for the EURI line in 2025;

Amendment 95 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Underlines, once again, that repayment of the EURI borrowing costs is a legal obligation for the Union and a non- discretionary expenditure item in the EU budget; is adamant, therefore to cater fully and timely for the NGEU repayment costs that will fall due in 2025; ~~agrees to apply, in this regard, the newly established EURI cascade mechanism, in the letter and the spirit of the recently revised MFF Regulation;~~ proposes to finance 65% of the overrun costs by the de- commitment compartment of the EURI Special Instrument, in line with the numerous budgetary needs that weigh on the EU budget and the need to keep some flexibility ; deems the margin of EUR 46.2 million, which was programmed before the DB was submitted, to be available for reinforcing programmes under the ceiling of Heading 2b; ~~intends to revisit the amendments linked to the cascade mechanism once the Amending Letter provides updated estimations of the actual needs for the EURI line in 2025;~~

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Underlines, once again, that repayment of the EURI borrowing costs is a legal obligation for the Union and a non- discretionary expenditure item in the EU budget; is adamant, therefore to cater fully and timely for the NGEU repayment costs that will fall due in 2025; agrees to apply~~, in this regard,~~ the newly established EURI cascade mechanism~~, in the letter and the spirit of the recently revised MFF Regulation; proposes~~ taking into account the Union's priorities; proposes therefore to finance 65% of the overrun costs by the de- commitment compartment of the EURI Special Instrument; deems the margin of EUR 46.2 million, which was programmed before the DB was submitted, to be available for reinforcing programmes under the ceiling of Heading 2b; ~~intends to revisit the amendments linked to the cascade mechanism once the Amending Letter provides updated estimations of the actual needs for the EURI line in 2025;~~

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Underlines, once again, that repayment of the EURI borrowing costs is a legal obligation for the Union and a non- discretionary expenditure item in the EU budget; is adamant, therefore to cater fully and timely for the NGEU repayment costs that will fall due in 2025; agrees to apply, in this regard, the newly established EURI cascade mechanism, in the letter and the spirit of the recently revised MFF Regulation; proposes to finance 65% of the overrun costs by the de-commitment compartment of the EURI Special Instrument; ~~deems the margin of EUR 46.2 million, which was programmed before the DB was submitted, to be available for reinforcing programmes under the ceiling of Heading 2b;~~ intends to revisit the amendments linked to the cascade mechanism once the Amending Letter provides updated estimations of the actual needs for the EURI line in 2025;

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Underlines, once again, that repayment of the EURI borrowing costs is a legal obligation for the Union and a non- discretionary expenditure item in the EU budget; i~~s adamant, therefore to cater fully and timely for the NGEU repayment costs that will fall due in 2025; agrees to apply, in this~~nsist on transparency in the implementation of the cascade in the annual budgetary procedure and insist to have a regmard,k in the ~~newly established EURI cascade mechanism, in the letter and the spirit of the recently revised MFF Regulation~~budget showing the share of by de-commitment of appropriations, other than external assigned revenue, made since the beginning of the current MFF on the budget line; proposes to finance 65% of the overrun costs by the de- commitment compartment of the EURI Special Instrument; deems the margin of EUR 46.2 million, which was programmed before the DB was submitted, to be available for reinforcing programmes under the ceiling of Heading 2b; intends to revisit the amendments linked to the cascade mechanism once the Amending Letter provides updated estimations of the actual needs for the EURI line in 2025;

Amendment 99 #