13 Amendments of Lucas HARTONG related to 2013/0128(COD)
Amendment 4 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Jordan's economy has been significantly affected by domestic events related to the events in the Southern Mediterranean since the end of 2010, known aswrongly dubbed the "Arab Spring", and by the ongoing regional unrest, notably in neighbouring Egypt and Syria. Combined with a weaker global environment, the repeated disruptions to the flow of natural gas from Egypt, which have forced Jordan to replace gas imports from Egypt with more expensive fuels for electricity generation, and the important inflow of refugees from Syria have resulted in important external and budgetary financial gaps.
Amendment 5 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Since what, by a misnomer, is referred to as the Arab Spring began, the Union has unilaterally declared on various occasions its commitment to support Jordan in its economic and political reform process. This commitment was reaffirmed in the conclusions of the 10th meeting of the Association Council between the Union and Jordan in December 2012.
Amendment 6 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Jordan has embarked on a series of political reforms, most notably leading to the adoption by the Jordanian Parliament in September 2011 of over 40 constitutional amendments, which may possibly representing a significant step towards a fully- fledged democratic system. Political and economic support from the Union to Jordan's reform process is consistent with the Union's policy towards the Southern Mediterannean region, as set out in the context of the ENP.
Amendment 7 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) TAt the expense of the taxpayer, the Union has made available EUR 293 million in grants for the period 2011- 13 under its regular cooperation programme in support of Jordan's political and economic reform agenda. In addition, albeit without consulting the taxpayer about the matter. In addition, without any democratic legal basis, EUR 70 million has been allocated to Jordan in 2012 under the "Support for partnership, reforms and inclusive growth" (SPRING) programme, and EUR 10 million in Union humanitarian aid to support Syrian refugees.
Amendment 8 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Given thatAlthough, after taking into account macroeconomic support from the IMF and the World Bank, a residual financing gap may remains in Jordan's balance of payments, and given the vulnerability ofalthough Jordan's external financial position may be vulnerable to exogenous shocks, which requires maintaining an appropriate level of the foreign exchange reserves, macro-financial assistance is considered an appropriate response to Jordan's request under the current exceptional circumstances. The Union macro-financial assistance to Jordan (''the Union macro-financial assistance") would support the economic stabilisation and the structural reform agenda of Jordan, supplementing resources made available under the IMF's financial arrangementthe country ought nonetheless to seek financial/macro-financial assistance independently and if necessary in its own region, as this should be regarded as an internal affair (of a budgetary nature) of Jordan itself and not as a matter for the EU. The Union macro-financial assistance to Jordan (''the Union macro-financial assistance") must therefore be rejected, partly because the power to pursue a foreign policy is vested solely in the national Member States in accordance with the subsidiarity principle.
Amendment 9 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 9
Recital 9
Amendment 10 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 10
Recital 10
Amendment 11 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 11
Recital 11
Amendment 12 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 12
Recital 12
Amendment 13 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) The releasejection of the Union macro- financial assistance should be without prejudice to the powers of the budgetary authority.
Amendment 14 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 14
Recital 14
Amendment 15 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 15
Recital 15
Amendment 16 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. The Union shall make available to Jordan macro-financial assistance of a maximum amount of EUR 180 million, with a view to supporting Jordan's economic stabilisation and reforms. The assistance shall contribute to covering Jordan's balance of payments needs as identified in the current IMF programmFor the above reasons, the Union refuses to give Jordan macro-financial assistance.