523 Amendments of Fernando RUAS
Amendment 5 #
2018/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas 40 internal EUEU and EFTA have 40 internal land borders and EU internal border regions representcover 40 % of the Union’s territory, and close toccount for 30 % of the EU’s population and produce almost one third of EU's GDP;
Amendment 9 #
2018/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas border regions generally perform less well economically than other regions within the Member States and their full economic potential is untapped;
Amendment 13 #
2018/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas, in spite of the efforts already undertaken, obstacles – mainly administrative and legal barriers – still persist and hamper growth and cohesion in thebetween and within border regions;
Amendment 17 #
2018/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the total number of cross- border workers and students active in another EU country is approximately 1.3 million, or2 millions, of which 1,3 million workers, representing 0.6 % of all employees across the EU-28;
Amendment 22 #
2018/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission communication on ‘Boosting growth and cohesion in EU border regions’ which, as the result of two years of research and dialogue, provides a valuable insight into the challenges and obstacles faced by the internal EU border regions; in this context, underlines the importance of using and publicizing the good practices, as is done by this Commission communication;
Amendment 26 #
2018/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that access to public services, is crucial for the 150 million- strong cross-border population, and is hampered by numerous legal and administrative barriers; calls, therefore, on the Commission and the Member States to maximise their efforts to remove these barriers, and to promote and establish the use of e-government, especially when related to health services, transport, education, labour mobility, as well as regulation and business development;
Amendment 34 #
2018/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines that the problems and challenges faced by the border regions are common to some extent, but also vary from region to region and depend on the individual characteristics of a given region, which makes an individual approach in tackling these obstacles a necessitynecessary to develop a tailor- made, individual approach to each one of these regions;
Amendment 43 #
2018/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recognises the special situation of cross-border workers, who are most seriously affected by the challenges present in the border regions, including, in particular, the recognition of diplomas and other qualifications, healthcare, transport and access to information on job vacancies, social security and taxation systems; calls, in this context, on the Member States to step up their efforts to overcome these obstacles and allow for greater powers and flexibility for regional authorities in border regions to improve the quality of life of cross-border workers; underlines in this context the importance of the dissemination and use of the best practices all over the EU;
Amendment 53 #
2018/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Points to the challenges related to business activities carried out in the border regions, in particular when related to taxation, public procurement or social security systems; calls on the Member States and the regions to better align and harmonise the relevant legal provisions and achieve convergence in regulatory frameworks, in order to allow for more legal coherence and flexibility in the implementation of national legislation, as well as to improve the dissemination of information on cross-border issues, e.g. by creating one-stop-shops;
Amendment 65 #
2018/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Points out that transport, particularly public transport services, are still insufficiently developed in the border regions, which hampers cross- border mobility; stresses, furthermore, that cross- border transport infrastructure is also particularly adversely affected by complex regulatory and administrative arrangements; awaits the forthcoming Commission study on missing railway links along internal EU borders; underlines that any such study or future recommendations should be based on information and experience from local, regional and regnational authorities;
Amendment 75 #
2018/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Considers that mutual trust, political will and a flexible approach among multi-level stakeholders are vital to overcoming the abovementioned persistent obstacles and boosting growth and development in border regions; calls, therefore, for better coordination, dialogue and a further exchange of best practices among authorities, particularly at local and regional level; urges the Commission and the Member States to enhance such cooperation;
Amendment 92 #
2018/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that some border regions face serious migration challenges, and encourages the measured use of Interreg programmes, as well as the exchange of good practices between local and regional authorities in the border areas, in the framework of the integration of refugees under international protection; underlines the need for support and coordination at European level, as well as the need for national governments to support local and regional authorities in addressing these challenges;
Amendment 101 #
2018/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Awaits the Commission’s position on internal maritime as well as external border regions; reiterates, in this context, that the features of and the challenges faced by all border regions are common to some extent, while requiring a differentiatedtailor- made approach;
Amendment 123 #
2018/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Encourages the Commission to enhance the use of existing innovative tools, which contribute to the ongoing modernisation and deepening of cross- border cooperation, such as Border Focal Point, reinforced SOLVIT, as well as the Single Digital Gateway, aimed at organising expertise and advice on cross- border regional aspects, and to further develop new ones;
Amendment 125 #
2018/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Underlines the importance of the Commission collecting information on cross-border interaction for a better and more informed decision making process in cooperation with the member states, regions and municipalities, by supporting and financing pilot-projects, programmes, studies, analysis and territorial research;
Amendment 2 #
2018/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the progress made in FLEGT VPAs; calls on the Commission, especially in terms of cohesion between civil society, industry and governments to reach common policy decisions; calls on the Commission to bring the ongoing negotiations to a successful outcome, to strengthen their implementation and to addressof the existing ones and to promote new agreements, while addressing the remaining challenges such as corruption, conflict timberillegal deforestation, forest degradation, transparency and the security of tenure for communities, paying particular attention to conflict timber, as a key principle of land governance;
Amendment 6 #
2018/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Underlines the importance of combating illegal trade in tropical timber; suggests to the Commission that future negotiations of FLEGT Export Licenses to verified legal timber products exported to the EU, take into consideration the Indonesian system experience, effective since November 2016; requests to the Commission an autonomous impact assessment study on the implementation of the Indonesian timber legality assurance system, which should be presented within an adequate period of time;
Amendment 10 #
2018/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Notes that the implementation of VPA's will have more chances of succeeding if it foresees more targeted support for vulnerable groups, involved in managing timber resources (smallholders, micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), independent operators in the "informal" sector); stresses the importance of ensuring that the certification processes respect the interests of the more vulnerable groups involved in forest management.
Amendment 14 #
2018/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Notes that the checking of imports of timber and timber products should be strengthened at the EU borders, to ensure that the imported products indeed comply with the criteria necessary to enter the EU.
Amendment 15 #
2018/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 d (new)
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1d. Recalls that forests are home to 300 million habitants and that close to 1.6 billion people rely on forest resources for their livelihoods to generate food, fuel for cooking and heating, medicines, shelter, clothing, employment and income generation; notes that forest resources also function as safety nets in crises or emergencies - for example, when crops fail owing to prolonged drought; Considers that the EU should continuously work with its counterparts to ensure that the added value derived from forests is sustainable and according with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Amendment 17 #
2018/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes with concern that commercial export-oriented, in certain third countries, agriculture remains the largest driver of global deforestation and that around half of all tropical deforestation since 2000 has been due to the illegal conversion of forests to commercial agriculture; Emphasises the need for a robust EU Common Agricultural Policy, in order to reduce our dependence on imports in certain sectors.
Amendment 42 #
2018/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Urges the EU to always include enforceable provisions in its TSD chapters to halt illegal logging and forest degradation, including through the possible use of sanctions; calls on the Commission to add such provisions to already concluded FTAs through the revision clausewhich should be subject to a specific, mutually recognized, dispute settlement mechanism; calls on the Commission to add such provisions in future FTAs negotiations;
Amendment 47 #
2018/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to use the GSP to improve the protection of forests in partner countries, including by setting up a complaint mechanism allowing interested parties to submit complaintsassure that forest relevant conventions covered by the GSP + Scheme are properly monitored so as to ensure the protection of forests in partner countries, including by making sure that complaint made by interested parties are duly considered;
Amendment 50 #
2018/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. UrgNotes the Commission to include illegal loggingat corruption linked to illegal logging should be addressed within the scope of the anti- corruption chapters in FTAs;
Amendment 55 #
2018/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls for the EU to work towards a n adequate, transparent, functioning and mandatory, efficient and enforceable ‘social and environmental traceability’ labelling system for the production chain of timber and forest-risk agricultural commodities, in compliance with WTO provisions, and to promote similar action at international level;
Amendment 60 #
2018/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the EU to establish stronger cooperation and effective partnerships with major timber consuming countries and international stakeholders, such as the United Nations (UN), particularly the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), as well as the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the World Bank's Program on Forests (PROFOR), for a more effective reduction in the illegal logged timber trade at global level and a better overall forest governance.
Amendment 63 #
2018/2003(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for the EU to develop provisions to enforce social and environmental standards for investors and to prevent investment activities which encouragpromote the uptake of Responsible Business Conduct guidelines on responsible agricultural supply chains, such as those of OECD as an effective tool to reduce deforestation and illegal logging.
Amendment 24 #
2018/0209(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The UnionEuropean Union as a whole is committed to developing a comprehensive response to the sustainable development goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development, which highlight the intrinsic connection between the management of natural resources to ensure their long-term availability, ecosystem services, their link to human health and sustainable and socially inclusive economic growth. In this spirit, the Programme should make a material contribution to both economic development and soc, social and territorial cohesion.
Amendment 31 #
2018/0209(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) The Union's most recent Environmental Implementation Review package21 indicates that significant progress is required to accelerate implementation of the Union environment acquis and enhance the integration of environmental and climate objectives into other policies. The Programme should therefore act as a catalyst to achieve the required progress through developing, testing and, replicating new approaches; supporting policy development, monitoring and reviewand increasing the visibility of new approaches and best practices; supporting policy development, coherence, consistency, monitoring and review; promoting more effective coordination between national, regional and local authorities; enhancing all stakeholders' involvement, particularly with regard to national, regional and local authorities, NGOs, research centres and businesses; mobilising investments across Union investment programmes or other financial sources and supporting actions to overcome the various obstacles to the effective implementation of key plans required by environment legislation. _________________ 21 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - The EU Environmental Implementation Review: Common challenges and how to combine efforts to deliver better results (COM/2017/063 final).
Amendment 40 #
2018/0209(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The voluntary scheme for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Territories of European Overseas (BEST) promotes the conservation of biodiversity, including marine biodiversity, and sustainable use of ecosystem services, including ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation, in the Union's Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories. BEST has helped to raise awareness for the ecological importance of the Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories for conserving global biodiversity. In their Ministerial Declarations in 2017 and 2018, Overseas Countries and Territories have expressed their appreciation for this small grant scheme for biodiversity. It is highly appropriate to allow the Programme to continue financing small grants for biodiversity in both the Outermost Regions and the Overseas Countries and Territories.
Amendment 42 #
2018/0209(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Promoting the circular economy requires a mentality shift in the way of designing, producing, consuming and disposing of materials and products, including plastics. The Programme should contribute to the transition to a circular economy model through financial support targeting a variety of actors (businesses, public authorities and consumers), in particular by applying, developing, and replicating best technology, practices and solutions tailored to specific local, regional or national contexts, including through integrated territorial approaches for the implementation of waste management and prevention plans. Through supporting the implementation of the plastics strategy, action can be taken to address the problem of marine litter in particular.
Amendment 43 #
2018/0209(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) The improvement of governance at all levels on environmental, climate change and related clean energy transition matters requires involvement of civil society by raising public awareness, involving national, regional and local authorities, consumer engagement, and broadening of stakeholder involvement, including non- governmental organisations, research and innovation partners and businesses in consultation on and implementation of related policies.
Amendment 46 #
2018/0209(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) The Programme should prepare and support market players for the shift towards a clean, circular, energy-efficient, low-carbon and climate-resilient economy by testing new business opportunities, upgrading professional skills, facilitating consumers' access to sustainable products and services, engaging and empowering influencers and testing novel methods to adapt the existing processes and business landscape. To support a broader market uptake of sustainable solutions, general public acceptance and consumer engagement should be promoted, including through media campaigns.
Amendment 51 #
2018/0209(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) In the implementation of the Programme due consideration shouldwill be given to the strategy for outermost regions30 in view of Article 349 TFEU and the specific needs, special characteristics, constraints and vulnerabilities of these regions. Union policies other than environmental, climate and relevant clean energy transition policies should also be taken into account. _________________ 30 COM(2017) 623 final
Amendment 53 #
2018/0209(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) In support of the implementation of the Programme, the Commission should collaborate with the Programme’s national contact points, organise seminars and workshops, publish lists of projects funded under the Programme or undertake other activities to, such as media campaigns, in order to better disseminate project results and to facilitate exchanges of experience, knowledge and best practices and the replication of project results across the Union. Such activities should in particular target Member States with a low uptake of funds and should facilitate the communication and cooperation between project beneficiaries, applicants or stakeholders of completed and ongoing projects in the same field.
Amendment 57 #
2018/0209(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31
Recital 31
(31) The types of financing and the methods of implementation should be chosen on the basis of their ability to achieve the specific objectives of the actions and to deliver the best results, taking into account, in particular, the costs of controls, the administrative burden, and the expected risk of non-compliance. As regards grants, this should include consideration of the use of lump sums, flat rates and scales of unit costs.
Amendment 68 #
2018/0209(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) to support the development, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of the relevant Union legislation and policy, including by improving governance at all levels, through enhancing capacities of public and private actors and the involvement of civil society;
Amendment 69 #
2018/0209(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) to catalyse the large-scale deployment of successful technical and policy-related solutions for implementing the relevant Union legislation and policy by replicating results and best practices, integrating related objectives into other policies and into public and private sector practices, mobilising investment and improving access to finance.
Amendment 83 #
2018/0209(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – point a
(a) information and communication, including media campaigns such as awareness raising campaigns. Financial resources allocated to communication activities pursuant to this Regulation shall also cover corporate communication regarding the political priorities of the Union, as well as regarding the implementation and transposition status of Union environmental, climate or relevant clean energy legislation;
Amendment 84 #
2018/0209(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – point e
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – point e
(e) networking and best-practice platforms or projects;
Amendment 97 #
2018/0209(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
may receive support from the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Social Fund+ or the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, in accordance with paragraph 5 of Article [67] of Regulation (EU) XX [Common Provisions Regulation] and Article [8] or Regulation (EU) XX [Financing, management and monitoring of the Common Agricultural Policy], provided that such actions are consistent with the objectives of the programme concerned. The rules of the Fund providing support shall apply.
Amendment 48 #
2018/0202(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) The EGF should offer assistance to displaced workers across sectors and a broad range of employment opportunities. Social actors such as NGOs and trade unions should be more involved in the functioning of the EGF in order to improve the communication and coordination between various Union instruments. Nevertheless, multilateral cooperation with our global partners must remain our preferred approach, by strengthening and reforming the multilateral institutions to make them fairer and more effective.
Amendment 49 #
2018/0202(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11) EGF programme should be visible and require more and better data, in order to allow a proper scientific evaluation of the EGF and avoid administrative constraints in the operation of the programme for trade adjustment assistance.
Amendment 50 #
2018/0202(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 c (new)
Recital 11 c (new)
(11c) The EGF should also be linked more directly to certain trade policy and defence instruments, along with foreign direct investments that can have a potential negative social and environmental impact in the European Union;
Amendment 51 #
2018/0202(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21 (new)
Recital 21 (new)
(21) The European Union and Member States should pay particular attention to the changes and challenges occurring in the world trade patterns, global value chains, automation and digitization and the structural change in labor standards; The combination of globalization and technological innovation will require the EGF to adapt its assistance rules to these new trade, technology and labor standards, and it is therefore essential that the Regulation is in line with these challenges after 2020;
Amendment 53 #
2018/0202(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The specific objective of the EGF isEGF shall continue to offer assistance in case of unexpected major restructuring events, particularly those caused by globalisation-related challenges, such as changes in world trade patterns, trade disputes, financial or economic crises, the transition to low- carbon economy or as a consequence of digitisation or automation. Particular emphasis shall lie on measures that help the most disadvantaged groups.including in intra-EU trade, making it more flexible and simplified when there is evidence of potential negative effects arising from globalization or Foreign Direct Investments, as well as favoring the recognition of SMEs and start-ups for eligibility purposes;
Amendment 54 #
2018/0202(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1
Article 22 – paragraph 1
1. Every four years the Commission shall carry out on its own initiative and in close cooperation with the Member States, an evaluation of the EGF financial contributions. Therefore Member States have to collect more and better data on EGF cases and assisted workers to enable a proper evaluation of the programme; Also the Commission must carry out a subsequent impact assessment of its application at national, regional and local level;
Amendment 91 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Based on the experience with cross- border and transnational cooperation during the programming period 2014-2020 in outermost regions, where the combination of both components within a single programme per cooperation area has not brought about sufficient simplification for programme authorities and beneficiaries, a specific additional outermost regions’ component should be established in order to enable outermost regions to cooperate with their neighbouringd countries, overseas countries and territories in the most effective and simple way(OCTs), or regional cooperation organisations in the most effective and simple way that takes into account their individual characteristics.
Amendment 102 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Based on the experience with the interregional cooperation programmes under Interreg and the lack of such cooperation within programmes under the Investment for jobs and growth goal during the programming period 2014-2020, the interregional cooperation component should focus more specifically on boosting the effectiveness of cohesion policy. That component should therefore be limited to two programmes, one to enable all kind of experience, innovative approaches and capacity building for programmes under both goals and to promote European groupings of territorial cooperation ('EGTCs') set up or to be set up pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council24 and one to improve the analysis of development trends. Project-based cooperation throughout the Union should be integrated into the new component on interregional innovation investments and closely linked to the implementation of the Communication from the Commission 'Strengthening Innovation in Europe's Regions: Strategies for resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth25, in particular to support thematic smart specialisation platforms on fields such as energy, industrial modernisation or agrifood. Finally, integrated territorial development focusing on functional urban areas or urban areas should be concentrated within programmes under the Investment for jobs and growth goal and in one accompanying instrument, the ‘European Urban Initiative”. The two programmes under the interregional cooperation component should cover the whole Union and should also be open for the participation of OCTs, third countries and regional cooperation organisations, including the outermost neighbouring regions. _________________ 24 Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on a European grouping of territorial cooperation (EGTC) (OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 19). 25 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions 'Strengthening Innovation in Europe's Regions: Strategies for resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth' - COM(2017) 376 final, 18.7.2017.
Amendment 173 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation lays down rules for the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) with a view to fostering cooperation between Member States inside the Union and between Member States and adjacent third countries, partner countries, other territories or overseas countries and territories ('OCTs') or group of third countries forming part of a regional organisation, respectively.
Amendment 174 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation lays down rules for the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) with a view to fostering cooperation between Member States inside the Union and between Member States and adjacent third countries, partner countries, other territories or overseas countries and territories ('OCTs'), or regional cooperation organisations respectively.
Amendment 180 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 a (new)
(1a) Regional cooperation organisations: a group of States or regions in the same geographical area that aim to cooperate closely on issues of common interest.
Amendment 205 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 3
(3) outermost regions' cooperation among themselves and with their neighbouring third or partner countries or OCTs, or group of third countries forming part of a regional organisation, or several thereof, to facilitate their regional integration in their neighbourhood ('component 3');
Amendment 260 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. The outermost regions' Interreg programmes may cover neighbouring partner countries supported by the NDICI or, OCTs supported by the OCTP, or bothregional cooperation organisations, or a combination of two or all three of these.
Amendment 264 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. For any component 4 Interreg programme or for interregional innovation investments under component 5, the entire territory of the Union shall be supported by the ERDF, including the outermost regions.
Amendment 314 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) 3.2 % (i.e., a total of EUR 270 100 000)5 % for outermost regions' cooperation (component 3);
Amendment 365 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
The co-financing rate at the level of each Interreg programme shall be not higher than 70 %, unless, with regard to external cross-border or component 3 Interreg programmes, a higher percentage is fixed in Regulations (EU) [IPA III], [NDICI] or Council Decision (EU) [OCTP] respectively or in any act adopted thereunder85 %; the outermost regions shall receive the maximum rate permitted.
Amendment 419 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. The European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) shall be implemented through Interreg programmes under shared management with the exception of component 3, which may be implemented as a whole or partially under indirect management after consulting stakeholders, and of component 5 which shall be implemented under direct or indirect management.
Amendment 420 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. The participating Member States and, where applicable, third countries, partner countries or, OCTs, or regional cooperation organisations shall prepare an Interreg programme in accordance with the template set out in the Annex for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027.
Amendment 424 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
The Member State hosting the prospective managing authority, shall submit an Interreg programme to the Commission by [date of entry into force plus nine months;] on behalf of all participating Member States and, where applicable, third countries, partner countries or OCT, OCTs, or regional cooperation organisations.
Amendment 459 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 3
Article 18 – paragraph 3
3. The participating Member States and, where applicable, third or partner countries or OCT, OCTs, or regional cooperation organisations shall review the Interreg programme taking into account the observations made by the Commission.
Amendment 468 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 3
Article 19 – paragraph 3
3. The participating Member States and, where applicable, third countries, partner countries or OCT, OCTs, or regional cooperation organisations shall review the amended programme and take into account the observations made by the Commission.
Amendment 507 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Article 23 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
For Interreg operations under component 3 Interreg programmes, the partners from outermost regions and third countries, partner countries or OCTs shall be required to cooperate only in threewo of the four dimensions listed in the first subparagraph.
Amendment 526 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2
Article 24 – paragraph 2
2. The beneficiary of a small project fund shall be a cross-border legal body or an EGTC, including legal bodies in the outermost regions.
Amendment 548 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point c
c) for component 2, 3 and 4 Interreg programmes, both for the ERDF and, where applicable, for the external financing instruments of the Union: 7%.;
Amendment 550 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
ca. for component 3 of Interreg programmes, both for the ERDF and, where applicable, for the external financing instruments of the Union: 10%.
Amendment 551 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 1
Article 27 – paragraph 1
1. The Member States and, where applicable, the third countries, partner countries and OCT, OCTs, or regional cooperation organisations participating in that programme shall set up, in agreement with the managing authority, a committee to monitor implementation of the respective Interreg programme ('monitoring committee') within three months of the date of notification to the Member States of the Commission decision adopting an Interreg programme,
Amendment 583 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 31 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Each managing authority shall electronically transmit to the Commission cumulative data for the respective Interreg programme by 31 January, 31 March, 31 May, 31 July, 30 SeptemberMay and 30 November of each year in accordance with the template in Annex [VII] to Regulation (EU) [new CPR].
Amendment 589 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 31 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The first transmission shall be due by 31 JanuarMay 2022 and the last one by 31 January0 November 2030.
Amendment 636 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 44 – paragraph 1
Article 44 – paragraph 1
1. Member States and, where applicable, third countries, partner countries and OCT, OCTs, and regional cooperation organisations participating in an Interreg programme shall identify, for the purposes of Article [65] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR], a single managing authority and a single audit authority.
Amendment 725 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 8 – title
Chapter 8 – title
Participation of third countries or partner countries or OCT, OCTs, or regional cooperation organisations in Interreg programmes under shared management
Amendment 726 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 51 – paragraph 1
Article 51 – paragraph 1
Chapters I to VII and Chapter X shall apply to the participation of third countries, partner countries and OCT, OCTs, or regional cooperation organisations in Interreg programmes subject to the specific provisions set out in this Chapter.
Amendment 735 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 53 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 53 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a
a) under shared management both in the Member States and in any participating third country or OCT or group of third countries forming part of a regional organisation;
Amendment 736 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 53 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 53 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b
b) under shared management only in the Member States and in any participating third country or OCT, or group of third countries forming part of a regional organisation, with regard to ERDF expenditure outside the Union for one or more operations, whereas the contributions from one or more external financing instruments of the Union are managed under indirect management;
Amendment 738 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 53 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 53 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
c) under indirect management both in the Member States and in any participating third country or OCT or group of third countries forming part of a regional organisation.
Amendment 766 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 60 – paragraph 1
Article 60 – paragraph 1
1. Where, after consulting stakeholders, part or all of a component 3 Interreg programme is implemented under indirect management pursuant to point (b) or (c) respectively of Article 53(3), implementation tasks shall be entrusted to one of the bodies listed in point [(c) of the first subparagraph of Article 62(1)] of Regulation (EU, Euratom) [FR-Omnibus], in particular to such a body located in the participating Member State, including the managing authority of the Interreg programme concerned.
Amendment 773 #
2018/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 62 a (new)
Article 62 a (new)
Article 62a State aid Aid which is granted by a State, or which uses State resources, and is allocated to Interreg programmes shall be deemed compatible with the internal market.
Amendment 98 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) In an increasingly interconnected world and in view of the demographic and migration dynamics, it is clear that Union migration policy requires a common approach that relies on the synergies and complementarities of the different funding instruments. In order to ensure coherent, strong and consistent support for solidarity and responsibility-sharing efforts between Member States in managing migration, the ERDF should provide support to facilitate the long-term integration of migrantsrefugees and migrants under international protection.
Amendment 100 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) In an increasingly interconnected world and in view of the internal and external demographic and migration dynamics, it is clear that Union migration policy requires a common approach that relies on the synergies and complementarities of the different funding instruments. In order to ensure coherent, strong and consistent support for solidarity and responsibility-sharing efforts between Member States in managing migration, the ERDF should provide support to facilitate the long-term integration of migrants.
Amendment 192 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25 a (new)
Recital 25 a (new)
(25 a) As demographic challenges affect European regions in a variety of specific ways, ERDF and Cohesion Fund should provide tailor made support for the different challenges faced in the regions, including ageing, rural desertification and demographic decline but also demographic pressure especially in certain outermost regions.
Amendment 195 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) In order to identify or provide solutions which address issues relating to sustainable urban development at Union level, the Urban Innovative Actions in the area of sustainable urban development should be replaced by a European Urban Initiative, to be implemented under direct or indirect management. That initiative should cover all urban areas and support the Urban Agenda for the European Union21. _________________ 21 Council Conclusions on an Urban Agenda for the EU of 24 June 2016.
Amendment 197 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26 a (new)
Recital 26 a (new)
(26a) For the purpose of strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion, as envisaged in Article 174 TFEU, the European Urban Initiative and support for rural, mountainous and isolated areas, particularly those most affected by demographic decline, should be the two sides of the same coin, that is to say, they should focus not only on the more central urban hubs and their surrounding fabric, but also on the more remote rural areas located further away from them. Indeed, priority could even be given to more remote, rural or mountainous areas with low urban or demographic density, through the formulation and development of specific measures encompassing outlying urban centres, accompanied by services or infrastructures that will inevitably be necessary to ensure a functional and successful outcome.
Amendment 363 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iii
(iii) increasing the socioeconomic integration of marginalised communities, migrantsrefugees and migrants under international protection and disadvantaged groups, through integrated measures including housing and social services;
Amendment 411 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e – point ii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e – point ii
(ii) fostering the integrated social, economic and environmental local development, cultural and natural heritage, and security, including for rural, mountainous, isolated and coastal areas also through community-led local development.
Amendment 473 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
Amendment 514 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – point c a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – point c a (new)
(ca) the outermost regions, due to their specific constraints and in particular their remoteness, insularity, small size, difficult topography and climate, economic dependence on a small number of products, allocate at least 25 % of their total ERDF resources to priorities other than technical assistance to PO 1 and at least 20 % to PO 2.
Amendment 621 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) investment in disposal of waste in landfill, except in the outermost regions in certain duly substantiated cases;
Amendment 628 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) investment in facilities for the treatment of residual waste, with the exception of outermost regions or in case of innovative solutions compatible with the principles of the circular economy;
Amendment 719 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10.º – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 10.º – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The ERDF shallmust also support the European Urban Initiative, implemented by the Commission in direct and indirect management.
Amendment 759 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
The thematic concentration provided for in Article 3 (4) (c) new of this Regulation shall not apply to the allocation referred to in paragraph 1. The allocation shall support:
Amendment 765 #
2018/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. By way of derogation from Article 4 (1) (c), the ERDF may support productive investment in enterprises in the outermost regions, irrespective of their size.
Amendment 185 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Part of the budget of the Union allocated to the Funds should be implemented by the Commission under shared management with Member States within the meaning of Regulation (EU, Euratom) [number of the new Financial Regulation] of the European Parliament and of the Council12 (the '‘Financial Regulation'’). Therefore, when implementing the Funds under shared management, the Commission and the Member States should respect the principles referred to in the Financial Regulation, such as sound financial management, transparency and non- discrimination. _________________ 12Member States at the appropriate territorial level, in accordance with their institutional, legal and financial framework, and the bodies designated by them for that purpose should be responsible for preparing and implementing programmes. _________________ 12 OJ L […], […], p. […]. OJ L […], […], p. […].
Amendment 251 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19a) The combination of a shrinking working population and an increasing proportion of retired people in the general population, as well as the problems associated with population dispersion and exodus from less developed towards more developed regions, are expected to continue to place strains, inter alia, on Member States' education and social support structures and thus on the Union's economic competitiveness. Adapting to these demographic changes will be one of the key challenges facing the Member States and the regions in the coming years. The regions most affected by demographic changes should accordingly receive particular attention.
Amendment 263 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) Mechanisms to ensure a link between Union funding policies and the economic governance of the Union should be further refined, allownd include aid and incentives, preventing the Commission tofrom makeing a proposal to the Council to suspend all or part of the commitments for one or more of the programmes of the Member State concerned where that Member State fails to take effective action in the context of the economic governance process. In order to ensure uniform implementation and in view of the importance of the financial effects of measures being imposed, implementing powers should be conferred on the Council which should act on the basis of a Commission proposal. To facilitate the adoption of decisions which are required to ensure effective action in the context of the economic governance process, reversed qualified majority voting should be used.
Amendment 472 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3
Article 5 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission may implement outermost regions' cooperation under the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) under indirect management, following consultation with the stakeholders.
Amendment 623 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8.º – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Article 8.º – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) where considered necessary, a comprehensive approach specifically relating to rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition, and regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps in line with Article 174 TFEU.
Amendment 738 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12.º – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 12.º – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The Member State, in strict compliance with the European Code of Conduct on Partnerships and the principles of Multi- Level Governance and encouraging the involvement of the most appropriate regional authorities in managing the programmes, shall establish a performance framework which shall allow monitoring, reporting on and evaluating programme performance during its implementation, and contribute to measuring the overall performance of the Funds.
Amendment 851 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15.º – paragraph 11 a (new)
Article 15.º – paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. The procedure set out in paragraphs 7 to 11 may be applied only where: (a) economic governance tools have already been deployed, including those available under the new Reform Support Programme (b) those tools have proven insufficient to improve macroeconomic and fiscal stability, and (c) one of the cases referred to in points (a) to (e) of paragraph 7 is putting cohesion policy expenditure in that Member State at risk.
Amendment 863 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16.º – paragraph 1
Article 16.º – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall prepare programmes to implement the Funds for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027, which must be drawn up at Member State or sub-national level involving the partners referred to in Article 6 and in accordance with the European Code of Conduct on Partnerships and the principles of Multi- Level Governance..
Amendment 1057 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 19 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. For the outermost regions, the Member State may transfer during the programming period an amount of up to 15 % of the allocation of a priority and no more than 5 % of the programme budget to another priority of the same Fund of the same programme.
Amendment 1217 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) for the ERDF support under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, and for the Cohesion Fund support: 2,4 %; for the outermost regions it shall be 5 %;
Amendment 1236 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) for the ESF+ support: 4% % or 5 % for the outermost regions and for programmes under Article 4(1)(c)(vii) of the ESF+ Regulation: 5 %;
Amendment 1243 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) for the EMFF support: 6 % or 7 % for the outermost regions;
Amendment 1625 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 84.º – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 84.º – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) 2021: 01.5 %;
Amendment 1644 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 84.º – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 84.º – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) 2022: 01.5 %;
Amendment 1663 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 84.º – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 84.º – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) 2023: 01.5 %;
Amendment 1694 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 84.º – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Article 84.º – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) 2024: 0.53 %;
Amendment 1716 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 84.º – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Article 84.º – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e
(e) 2025: 0.53 %;
Amendment 1734 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 84.º – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point f
Article 84.º – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point f
(f) 2026: 0.5 %3%;
Amendment 1739 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 84.º – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 84.º – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) 2027-2030: 3%
Amendment 1789 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 99.º – paragraph 1
Article 99.º – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall decommit any amount in a programme which has not been used for pre-financing in accordance with Article 84 or for which a payment application has not been submitted in accordance with Articles 85 and 86 by 26 December of the seconthird calendar year following the year of the budget commitments for the years 2021 to 2026.
Amendment 1818 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 102.º – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 102.º – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) transition regions, whose GDP per capita is between 75 % and 10090 % of the average GDP of the EU-27 (‘transition regions’);
Amendment 1819 #
2018/0196(COD)
(c) more developed regions, whose GDP per capita is above 1090 % of the average GDP of the EU-27 (‘more developed regions’).
Amendment 1928 #
2018/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 106.º – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 106.º – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) 5570 % for the transition regions;
Amendment 1 #
2017/2636(RSP)
Citation 7 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission staff working document entitled "Sustainable garment value chains through EU development action" (COM (2017) 0147) of 24 April 2017,
Amendment 2 #
2017/2636(RSP)
Citation 7 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission staff working document of 24 April 2017, entitled 'Sustainable garment value chains through EU development action',
Amendment 7 #
2017/2636(RSP)
Citation 21 a (new)
- having regard to the Accord Quarterly Aggregate Report on remediation progress at RMG factories covered by the Accord of 31 October 2016,
Amendment 43 #
2017/2636(RSP)
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the international brands/retailers and Bangladeshi private sector to stay engaged in order to implement CSR measures and promote over the long run responsible business practices and decent working conditions for Bangladeshi garment workers and facilitate transparent and coordinated mechanisms between relevant initiatives; encourages the continuation of the work of the global retailers and brands to adopt a unified code of conduct for factory audit in Bangladesh;
Amendment 44 #
2017/2636(RSP)
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the achievements of the engagement of the private business sector in cooperation with the Bangladesh government and international organisations in Bangladesh through the “Accord on Fire and Building Safety”; points out however that despite marking progress on fire and building safety, the Accord still remains concerned with the slow pace of completing remediation on critical safety issues; calls on parties of the “Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh” to prolong their engagement through the “Accord” for another period of five years before the current agreement comes to end on 12 May 2018; invites the government of Bangladesh as well as the Bangladeshi business sector to acknowledge the usefulness of the commitment of retailers in Bangladesh through the Accord and support the extension of their mandate in Bangladesh;
Amendment 50 #
2017/2636(RSP)
Paragraph 9
9. Supports the Commission's examination of a possible EU-wide initiative on the garment sector-voluntary initiatives and strict codes of conduct shall be its key principles; notes the Commission staff working document of 24 April 2017, entitled 'Sustainable garment value chains through EU development action', and calls once again on the Commission not to confine itself to simply presenting a working document; stresses furthermore that coordination, sharing information and exchange of best practices may contribute to increasing efficiency of private and public value chain initiatives and achieve positive results on sustainable development;
Amendment 52 #
2017/2636(RSP)
Paragraph 9
9. Supports the Commission's examination of a possible EU-wide initiative on the garment sector-voluntary initiatives and strict codes of conduct shall be its key principles; stresses furthermore that coordination, sharing information and, exchange of best practices and the commitment of governments to set the appropriate framework conditions may contribute to increasing efficiency of private and public value chain initiatives and achieve positive results on sustainable development; underlines the importance of raising awareness amongst consumers to increase transparency as well as to support the efforts for better labour and environmental standards, product safety and sustainable consumption;
Amendment 54 #
2017/2636(RSP)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Takes the view that the Bangladesh Sustainability Compact, in which the EU is a key player, could serve as a paradigm for the establishment of similar partnerships with third countries; calls on the EU to continue and step up its international cooperation with organisations such as the ILO, the OECD and the United Nations in the area of sustainable development and corporate social responsability;
Amendment 2 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
– having regard to its Resolution of 6 July 2017 on promoting cohesion and development in the outermost regions of the EU: implementation of Article 349 of the TFEU,
Amendment 3 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 b (new)
Citation 9 b (new)
Amendment 4 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
Citation 13 a (new)
– having regard to the communication from the Commission of 24 October 2017 to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the European Investment Bank on “a stronger and renewed strategic partnership with the EU's outermost regions”,
Amendment 5 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 a (new)
Citation 19 a (new)
– having regard to the Commission Staff Working document of 10 April 2017 on “Competitiveness in low-income and low-growth regions: the Lagging Regions report” SWD (2017) 132,
Amendment 11 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas in the 2007-2013 period, EUR 81 billion, or almost one third (31 %) of the ESIF was invested in transport infrastructure, which had a clear impact on GDP, business creation, industry, employment, exports and tourism; whereas the strongest impact of transport infrastructure investment was recorded in Eastern Europe and, more particularly, in the new Member States, to which 69 % of the total transport funding was allocated; whereas despite these investment efforts, road and rail infrastructure across the EU has been degrading because of too little maintenance, as maintenance budgets in several Member States have often experienced severe cuts since the economic crisis and have not evolved in line with the increasing extent of infrastructure and ageing of crucial links;
Amendment 12 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework is marked by increased ESIF and CEF budgets, along with the adverse effects of the economic and financial crisis- particularly in its first years, and, despite the delayed implementation of the programming period, there is no major impact on transport investments; whereas EU transport infrastructure investments are one of the policies that provide the highest EU added value due to the spill-over effects within the single market, which effectively make all Member States net beneficiaries of the investment;
Amendment 18 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas TEN-T and transport infrastructure such as road, and rail infrastructure, particularly high-speed rail, ports, waterways and airways are EU priorities, and if European investment were to lag behind, increased FDI could fill the gap while relocating profits, taxes and job opportunities outside of the EU, perhaps increasing the dependence and macroeconomic instability of the regions; whereas such a process would undermine the Union’s regional presence and policies in the long term and would lead to fragmentation and divergence;
Amendment 24 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas smart, sustainable and fully interconnected transport, communications, energy and digital networks are a necessary condition for the completion and smooth operation of the European single market and for linking Europe with the world market; whereas these are genuine arteries for European economic growth and the wellbeing of its citizens;
Amendment 28 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas efficient transport infrastructure and services, through servicing the other economic sectors, are a crucial stimulus to jobs creation, economic growth, sustainable development and competitiveness;
Amendment 31 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas a recent European Commission document demonstrates that in low-income regions of Europe, investments targeting improved accessibility are proving their worth as catalysts for growth;
Amendment 32 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas in European Regions – both in rural and urban areas, transport infrastructure is an important tool to effectively increase the size and broaden qualifications of a local labour market and therefore improve the productivity of local firms and organizations, contributing to the EU objectives of job creation and economic growth;
Amendment 33 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D d (new)
Recital D d (new)
Dd. whereas further improvement of port services and port hinterland connections by rail is essential to the strengthening of EU’s economic, social and territorial cohesion;
Amendment 34 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D e (new)
Recital D e (new)
De. whereas improved transport mobility is vital for helping to reduce the outermost regions “accessibility gap” caused by remoteness from continental Europe-essentially insularity and difficult topography;
Amendment 37 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the Cohesion Fund (CF) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) should remain the core EU sources for transport infrastructure investments under the thematic objective of ‘promoting sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures’', which through promoting more efficient and more sustainable transport services, will maximise the economic strengths of all EU regions, supporting the internal market, trade and reinforcing EU’s economic, social and territorial cohesion; proposes that, due to the high European added value and the extensive spill-over effects generated, these funding sources should remain available for all eligible EU regions;
Amendment 47 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the intervention logic behind EU transport infrastructure investment should remain a well-balanced construction of centrally managed and shared management sources in order to address policy and funding needs; recalls that the CEF aims to address centrally the EU-wide priority of TEN-T corridors, including safety, technological innovation and environmental aspects; recalls also that the ERDF and CF have a strong regional dimension that responds to local demand and they support the connectivity to TEN- T and mobility through secondary and tertiary nodes and multimodal terminals; underlines, in this context, that the relevant budgetary envelopes for the three funding sources need to be strengthened in an even manner in order to avoid asymmetric distribution of investment between the levels;
Amendment 62 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that infrastructure requires objective quantification of demand and future use, prior to setting the budget and the delivery methods; underlines that it should be possible for the ERDF and CF eligibility criteria to consider existing demand at NUTS 3 level;
Amendment 84 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Expresses the view that the less developed regions with negative demographic trends or remote ones with low accessibility should be targeted more intensively by ERDF and CF transport infrastructure investments- emphasising in this context, that improving accessibility in these regions becomes a precondition for economic development, while additional sources and delivery methods should be expanded in the transition and more developed regions;
Amendment 92 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that lagging regions (particularly low income regions), have considerable deficits in basic infrastructure; considers all investment in basic infrastructure to therefore be of strategic importance, particularly in transport infrastructure, as these investments are most likely to continue to contribute positively to economic development in the future;
Amendment 101 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls for ERDF support to European Territorial Cooperation to be strengthened through additional resources, and for the establishment of a dedicated priority axis for transport infrastructure investments; understands that the focus should be on connectivity in cross-border regions, as well as advisory assistance and capacity building at project level; calls for barriers to be dismantled in order to facilitate investments, and notably cross- border investments, in transport; reminds in this context, the importance of building the missing links at borders between EU member-states and along the main European routes, removing bottlenecks and interconnecting transport modes in terminals;
Amendment 114 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 129 #
2017/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Underlines that EU policies- particularly cohesion policy, have helped to reduce the accessibility gap (and its costs) to the outermost regions, due to the investments supported by EDRF and CF, which have been essential for improving transport infrastructure and facilities; in addition, CEF is supporting projects related to the Motorways of the Sea programme and to green shipping, among others;
Amendment 1 #
2017/2282(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the EU is Georgia’s largest trade partner and the EU has, representing almost a third of total trade, and the EU is also responsible for the highest proportion of foreign direct investment in the country;
Amendment 4 #
2017/2282(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the far-reaching political and economic reforms already undertaken by Georgia; notes that further efforts should be encouraged, especially in the areas of sanitary and phytosanitary measures (notably as regards institutional capacity-building in food safety control), the strengthening of democratic institutions, public procurement, technical barriers to trade, intellectual property rights, and customs services and the consolidation of a pluralist democracy;
Amendment 12 #
2017/2282(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for more effective implementation of the ILO core labour conventions (in the fields of child labour, freedom of association and, occupational safety), inter alia through the setting up of a fully-fledged labour inspection system, and of corporate social responsibility principles;
Amendment 18 #
2017/2282(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Encourages the Georgian authorities to develop and implement a comprehensive public awareness programme to ensure that micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), farmers and citizens in general are fully informed of the opportunities and benefits offered by the DCFTA and available support programmes;
Amendment 23 #
2017/2282(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes Georgia’s membership of the Energy Community; calls on the Commission to closely monitor developments in the energy market and to insist on the swift and transparent implementation of the agreement, with regard in particular to its alignment with the EU market and to renewable energy;
Amendment 26 #
2017/2282(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Council and the Commission to use all possible leverage to encourage and assist Georgia in its efforts to implement the DCFTA effectively, so as to promote increased trade flows, a reduction in the bureaucratic burden and the simplification of administrative procedures; calls on both sides to offer greater support to MSMEs and to provide technical assistance.
Amendment 5 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18 a (new)
Citation 18 a (new)
– having regard to the Commission Staff Working document of 10 April 2017 on “Competitiveness in low-income and low-growth regions: the Lagging Regions report” SWD (2017) 132,
Amendment 6 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 31 a (new)
Citation 31 a (new)
– having regard its resolution of 13 March 2018 on "lagging regions in the EU";
Amendment 18 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the 7th Cohesion Report shows that regional disparities are narrowing again, but that the picture is uneven, and that certain disparities persist, or are shifting or growing, between andor within regions and member states;
Amendment 19 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the 7th Cohesion Report contains worrying information about unemployment rates, particularly youth unemployment rates, which have not reverted to the levels seen before the crisis, and about competitiveness and social inclusion;
Amendment 45 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers it crucial that cohesion policy should continue to cover all European regions and remain the European Union’s main investment instrument, with an ambitious budget, commensurate with the challenges;
Amendment 49 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that cohesion policy investments provide European added value by contributing to European public goods and to the Treaty objective of reducing disparitiestrengthening EU's economic, social and territorial cohesion, particularly to the aim of reducing disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions;
Amendment 64 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Reiterates its commitment to shared management and the principles of partnership and subsidiarity, and especially Multi Level Governance (MLG), which contributes substantially to the added value generated by cohesion policy; stresses that the added value of this policy stems primarily from its ability to take account of the needs and specificities of each territory and to bring the European Union closer to its citizens;
Amendment 98 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for greater account to be taken of certain specific territorial characteristics,- such as those of island, mountain or border regions, when investment priorities are setregions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps, island, mountain or border regions, when investment priorities are set; underlines the importance of creating tailor-made strategies, programmes and actions for these different regions, focused on their territorial particularities and idiosyncrasies, using smart specialization strategies, consequently accelerating their convergence and assuring the best solutions for job creation, economic growth and sustainable development of their territories;
Amendment 124 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Is convinced that a major challenge for future cohesion policy will be to provide appropriate support to these regions, and that cohesion policy must both reduceparticularly through the creation and implementation of tailor-made strategies, programs and actions; recalls that the EU, in order to promote its overall harmonious development, shall develop and pursue actions leading to the strengthening of its economic, social and territorial cohesion and shall aim at reducing disparities and prevent vulnerable regions from falling behind, byas enshrined in article 174 TFUE, by also taking account of the different trends and dynamics;
Amendment 145 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that social and fiscal convergence help to foster cohesion while improving the functioning of the single market; takes the view that divergent practices in this area may run counter to the objective of cohesion and are liable to cause further problems for territories which are lagging behind or are the most vulnerable to globalisation; considers that cohesion policy could contribute to the promotion of social and fiscal convergence by providing incentives; is of the opinion that a system of positive incentives would be more in line with the performance orientation of these policies; calls on the Commission to take better account of this aspect in the European Semester;
Amendment 162 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Supports a strong thematic concentration on a limited number of priorities linked to major European political objectives, leaving managing authorities the task of drawing up their territorial strategies on the basis of their needs; stresses that in a functioning MLG framework; stresses that employment- particularly youth unemployment, innovation, support for SMEs, climate change and the circular economy should constitute priority areas for cohesion policy in future;
Amendment 178 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes the adoption of the European Pillar for Social Rights, which represents a step forward in building a social Europe; reiterates its commitment to the ESF, the Youth Guarantee and the Youth Employment Initiative in view of their role in meeting the challenges of employmentjob creation, economic growth, social inclusion, learning and vocational training;
Amendment 197 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls for ESI funds to be used to address properly the demographic challenges (ageing, populbeing faced by several EU regions (ageing, negative net migration, loss andack of sufficient adequate human capital or demographic pressure on the contrary) which affect European regions in a variety of specific ways;
Amendment 209 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that the 7th Cohesion Report highlights the need to take account of indicators complementary to per capita GDP for the purpose of allocating funds, in line with the challenges and needs identified, including at sub-regional level; notes the importance of taking as a basis data which are of high quality, reliable and available, therefore, requests to the Commission and Eurostat to provide the greatest detail and geographical disaggregation possible in statistics of relevance for devising suitable European Cohesion policies; supports the use of social criteria, in particular the unemployment rate and the youth unemployment rate; Considers that demographic criteria could also be considered;
Amendment 219 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Advocates stepping up integrated approaches, and stressongly emphasizes that the ESF must remain an integral component of European regional policy, by virtue of its essential territorial dimension;
Amendment 233 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. EmphasisUnderlines that financial instruments can be an effective lever and that they should be promoted if they generate added value; stresses, however, that their effectiveness hinges on many factors (nature of the project, of the territory or of the risk) and that all regions, regardless of their level of development, must be free to determine the most appropriate method of financing; opposes any binding targets for the use of financial instruments;
Amendment 268 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Notes that the quality of public administration is a decisive factor in regional growth and the effectiveness of ESI funds; emphasises the need to increase administrative capacities; in this context, calls on the Commission, the Member States and the regional Authorities to adopt national and regional development strategies and programmes, in order to use the best practices aimed at improving administrative capacities and governance;
Amendment 309 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Regards it as essential that the relationship between the Commission and managing authorities should evolve towards a ‘contract of confidence’; in this context reminds the importance of having and adequate and functioning MLG framework; calls on the Commission to build on the work already done in the area of sound public finance management, introducing the principle of a new label to reward managing authorities which have demonstrated their ability to comply with the rules; in relation to monitoring, calls for greater reliance on national and regional rules where their effectiveness has been verified and validated;
Amendment 322 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Is concerned at the Commission’s recent statements concerning the cuts to the cohesion policy budget that might be made under the next MFF and which would exclude certain regions from the scope of cohesion policy; wishes to see an ambitious budget, commensurate with the challenges facing the regions, and calls for cohesion policy not to be made an adjustment variable; points out that the coverage of all EU regions is a ‘red line’ for the European Parliament; stresses that the theory of ‘economic development clubs’ confirms the importance of differentiated support for all European regions, including regions with a very high income, which must remain competitive with their global competitors;
Amendment 350 #
2017/2279(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Calls for measures to raise the public profile of cohesion policyimprove communication to the European citizens, thus raising the public knowledge of concrete cohesion policy achievements; calls on the Commission to enhance the role of the managing authorities and of project promoters who employ innovative local communication methods to inform people about the use of the funds in the territories; emphasises the need to increase and improve information and communication not only downstream (ESI Funds achievements), but also upstream (financing possibilities), particularly in relation to small project organisers;
Amendment 2 #
2017/2226(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges that Europe’s economy is showing encouraging signs of recovery, with Member States displaying positive growth and unemployment reaching its lowest level since the crisis; highlights, nonetheless, that not all Member States are experiencing the same degree of recovery and that unemployment rates are still too high in many regions of Europe, particularly among young people; underlines in this context the importance of the extension of the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) for the 2017-2020 period and the increase of 1,2 billion Euros for its budget.
Amendment 8 #
2017/2226(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses, therefore, the need to foster greater convergence and inclusion; welcomes the fact that the Commission recognises there is a momentum to support the continuation of the recovery through both economic growth and social convergence, social convergence and territorial cohesion; underlines that the European Union as a whole, in order to promote its overall harmonious development, shall develop and pursue actions leading to the strengthening of its economic, social and territorial cohesion and aiming at reducing disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured, particularly in the low- income and low-growth regions of the EU (the lagging regions);
Amendment 16 #
2017/2226(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the streamlining and focus of the Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs); expresses its concern, however, regarding the uneven degree of implementation of the CSRs; reminds the importance of a synergetic approach to the use of all EU available Funds and calls on the Commission and Member States to closely collaborate and coordinate the process in order to support structural reforms and boost investment;
Amendment 22 #
2017/2226(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the important role in the recovery process of cohesion policy as the main investment policy in Europe, growth and development policy aligned with the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth; reminds that, between 2015 and 2017, Cohesion Policy provided funding equivalent to 8,5% of government capital investment in the European Union (EU)- a figure that rises to 41% considering the last 13 Member States that joined the EU after 2004 and to over 50% in 7 Member States; considers, however, that its interaction with the European Semester should be improved to further increase the multiplier effect of cohesion spending and its contribution to sustainable and inclusive growth;
Amendment 33 #
2017/2226(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates the need to speed up the implementation of the ESI funds as they provideare an extremely relevant tool for economic growth, sustainable development and job creation, thus providing an important support to structural reforms and national investment policies; calls on the Member States to develop stronger coordination structures and governance frameworks and also more efficient public administrations to make their use more effective;
Amendment 44 #
2017/2226(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the extension of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) until 2020 to help boost investment; underlines the need for complementarities and synergies between those tools and also for a geographically balanced approach to EFSI;
Amendment 51 #
2017/2226(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines the role of the Structural Reform Support Programme in supporting tailor-made assistance in order to help Member States carry out their reforms, applying EU law in a timely manner and using EU funds more efficiently and effectively; stresses, in this respect, the importance of continued structural reforms at all levels of government and the removal of red tape surrounding ongoing investments so as to help improve the business and investment environments.
Amendment 2 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
– having regard to its Resolution of 16 February 2017 on investing in jobs and growth – maximising the contribution of European Structural and Investment Funds: an evaluation of the report under Article 16(3) of the CPR,
Amendment 3 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
– having regard to its Resolution of 13 June 2017 on building blocks for a post-2020 EU cohesion policy,
Amendment 4 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
– having regard to its Resolution of 24 October 2017 on the reflection paper on the Future of EU Finances,
Amendment 12 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas cohesion policy (European Regional Development Fund- ERDF, European Social Fund- ESF and Cohesion Fund- CF) is the EU’s main investment, growth and development policy aligned with the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and aimed at reducing economic, social and territorial disparities between regions and promoting convergence and, thus, improving the quality of life of European citizens;
Amendment 17 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas according to the European Commission's r‘Lagging Regions Report’, 47 regions are lagging behind in eight Member States; whereas, however, this difference is not reflected in the rleguislations; ;
Amendment 20 #
2017/2208(INI)
Ca. whereas cohesion policy plays an important role in all lagging regions and accounts for a very high share of their public investment in most of them;
Amendment 21 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the European Commission Report distinguishes two types of lagging regions: 'Low-growth regions', which cover less developed and transition regions that did not converge to the EU average between the years 2000 and 2013 in Member States with a GDP per head in PPS below the EU average in 2013- meaning almost all the less developed and transition regions in Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal and 'Low-income regions' covering all regions with a GDP per head in PPS below 50% of the EU average in 2013, which means several less developed regions in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Romania;
Amendment 23 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas low growth regions suffer from economic stagnation particularly due to a drop in public and private investment, unlike low-income regions which maintain in general their development potential intact;
Amendment 26 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas lagging regions suffer more than others from the shortage of public and private investment, which is also due to public debt reduction requirements imposed by the Stability Pact;
Amendment 30 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the Commission hopes foris of the opinion that a closer relationship between cohesion policy and country-specific recommendations in the framework of the European Semester is needed;
Amendment 32 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas mass departures from lagging regions, especially on the partlagging regions and in particular low-income regions are confronted with mass departures of young people and skilled labour, are making them less attractive in terms of employment; conomic growth prospects;
Amendment 37 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
Amendment 40 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas thegood governance and an efficient public servicesadministration contribute significantly to ensuring economic growth in lagging regions;
Amendment 44 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas reliable, up-to-date and disaggregated figures and statistics are important for a well-informed, more transparent and impartial, fairer political decisions;
Amendment 46 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L b (new)
Recital L b (new)
Lb. whereas four out of five lagging regions have at least 25% of their population in a City and its Commuting Zone (FUA- functional urban area) and one out of five lagging regions has more than 50% of their population in a FUA;
Amendment 51 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. NotWelcomes the Commission's report on competitiveness in low-income and low- growth regions: the lagging regions (SWD (2017) 0132) and the solutions proposed to support growth and the economyeconomic growth, sustainable development and jobs creation in these regions;
Amendment 53 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Welcomes the implementation of the pilot initiatives for lagging regions in two regions in Romania and two regions in Poland (the latter carried out with the support of the World Bank), particularly through the definition of strategic priorities and concrete, quickly implementable actions, and looks forward to the publication of its results;
Amendment 54 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that cohesion policy plays a key role in ensuring investment in all EU regions, especially in laggingis the EU’s main investment growth and development policy ensuring investment in all EU regions and that the European Union as a whole, in order to promote its overall harmonious development, should develop and pursue actions leading to the strengthening of its economic, social and territorial cohesion and aiming at reducing disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions;
Amendment 61 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 65 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to create tailor-made strategies, programmes and actions for the different lagging regions, focused on their particularities and idiosyncrasies, using smart specialisation strategies, consequently accelerating their convergence and assuring the best solutions for job creation, economic growth and sustainable development of their territories; in this regard and given the fact that lagging regions are not purely rural, believes that these strategies, programmes or actions should be coordinated with the Urban Agenda;
Amendment 77 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that the presence of a properlyn educated and trained workforce has a powerful impact on competitiveness, productivity and the attractiveness of the labour market; is of the opinion that, in this context, account should be taken of the existing situation of lagging regions, in particular the negative migration rate and their adverse impact on employment;
Amendment 83 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 89 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that, in lagging regions especially, it is necessary to strike thea correct balance between structural interventions, social policies and industrial policies in the programming and implementation of ESI funds to stimulate growtheconomic growth, sustainable development and jobs creation;
Amendment 93 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Underlines the importance of tackling the main issues affecting the promotion of entrepreneurship and businesses in low-growth countries, which are getting credit, enforcing contracts and protecting minority investors, while in low-income countries, the biggest issues are resolving insolvency, electricity supply and contract enforcement;
Amendment 99 #
Amendment 101 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Considers that demographic and social development criteria, as set out insuch as, for example, the Regional Social Progress Index, shcould be considered in the context of cohesion policy and included alongside economic progress criteria in future Commission reports on lagging regions;
Amendment 105 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights the adverse effects of austerity policiepublic and private high debt rates and the past economic crisis, especially infor low- growth regions, encouraging public investment cuts and giving priority to debt repayment over any other national budget itemwhich have reduced the margins of budgetary policies, producing public investment cuts;
Amendment 110 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Considers that growth and employment, especially in the most disadvantaged regions, can only be properly stimulated through cohesion policies if the necessary co-funding is unaffected by budgetary constraintthe commonly agreed position on the Stability and Growth Pact regarding flexibility for cyclical conditions, structural reforms uander the Stability Pact; reiterates in this regard the call for exemption of total national contributions to European structural and investment funding from Stability and Growth Pact constraints, given their objective of achieving Europe 2020 objectives and supporting competitiveness, growth and job creation, with particular regard to youth employment for government investments aiming at the implementation of major structural reforms, should be applied to the biggest extent possible, with a view to achieving Europe 2020 goals;
Amendment 113 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
Amendment 115 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls for strengthened action to increase convergence between all regions also with a view to ensure their resiliency to sudden shocks;
Amendment 119 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that access to credit is harder in lagging regions, especially in those that are also low-income regions because of the higher interest rates charged by banks; stresses the importance of ensuring easier access to credit to assist businesses in difficulty and to promote new business models;
Amendment 122 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Subheading 2
Amendment 123 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Considers it necessary to show greater flexibility than allowed under theThinks that more positive incentives within the existing framework of macroeconomic conditions imposed by the European Semester when it comes to funding lagging regionscould be more effective;
Amendment 124 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
Amendment 127 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Takes into consideration the importance of sound economic governance for an effective increase of the overall performance of ESI Funds;
Amendment 128 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 135 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Believes that solidarity, stronger institutional capacity, and respect for the principle of good governance in these regions has a significant impact on their economic growth and on the more efficient and effective use of existing resources;
Amendment 138 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Underlines in this context the importance of the Partnership Principle and Multi Level Governance; believes that the involvement of all levels of government and interested stakeholders in designing and implementing strategies and specific programmes and actions aimed at these regions are fundamental to create effective European added value for citizens;
Amendment 140 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
Amendment 143 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Believes that the measures linking the effectiveness of ESI Funds to sound economic governance as outlined in Regulation 1303/2013 should be carefully analysed, including through the involvement of all the stakeholders; furthermore, believes its rationale should be rethought, with a view to the next programming period and taking into account its 2014-2020 implementation; is of the opinion that the Commission should consider adjustments regarding the link of the European Semester to cohesion policy; in this regard, suggests a system of positive incentives, with margins to be created in the new MFF, that could serve as an envelope which can be used when member states comply with the Country Specific Recommendations (CSR) and other requirements under the European Semester;
Amendment 145 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Considers it particularly necessary to support productive and endogenous, specific business activities specific to lagging regions, including sustainable tourism and, agriculture, throughand manufactured products, through synergies arising from the increasingly effective combination of funding and support from regional and national bodies and from EU instruments.;
Amendment 149 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Stresses the importance of having reliable, up-to-date, disaggregated statistics for the purposes of well informed, more efficient and impartial political decisions; requests, therefore, for the Commission and Eurostat to provide the greatest detail and geographical disaggregation possible in statistics of relevance for devising suitable European Cohesion policies, including policies aimed at lagging regions; in this context welcomes the information provided in this Commission Report;
Amendment 154 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the Commission to consider reviewing the existing relationship between cohesion policy and macroeconomic governance, stressingrecalling that cohesion policy's legitimacy is based directly on the Treaties and is one of the most visible European policies and the most important expression of European solidarity and added value across all European regions; believes that the link between cohesion policy and economic governance processes in the framework of the European Semester must be balanced, reciprocal and non- punitive towards all stakeholderfocused on a system of positive incentives; supports a further recognition of the territorial dimension, which could be beneficial for the European Semester; notes that it is accordingly necessary to take a balanced approach to economic governance and economic, social and territorial cohesion objectives as laid down by the Treaties and to sustainable growth, employment and environmental protection;
Amendment 157 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. CRecalls on the Commissionneed for all political actors to recognise the role played by cohesion policy as an essentialthe main European economic policy instrument to promote investments that take into account the specific economic, social and territorial characteristics of the regions; stresses that such investment should therefore be exempt from the budgetary constraints of the Stability Pact, especially in lagging regions, where they promote growth, employment and improvement of the macro-economic framework throughout the EU;
Amendment 159 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls on the Member States to adopt national and regional development strategies and programmes aimed ato improveing administrative capacities and governance and other key growth factors infor lagging regions, as proposed by the Commission report; in this regard, notes that it may be necessary to provide technical, professional and practical assistance to Member States, regions and municipalities in order to use the best practices;
Amendment 168 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls for cohesion policy to continue to be a priority for the Union and accordingly provided with adequatembitious funding, keeping in mind the review of the post-2020 multiannual programming framework.
Amendment 169 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Recalls the importance of the involvement of the European Parliament in all discussions related to the design of innovative or new policy strategies related to cohesion policy and its future;
Amendment 172 #
2017/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Reiterates the importance of the information contained in this report and strongly recommends making it publicly available in all European Union official languages;
Amendment 17 #
2017/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Common Commercial Policy comprises a body of trade agreements and legislative measures to safeguard the Union’s offensive and defensive trade interests, contribute to sustainable growth and job creation, ensure that EU rules and standards are observed, safeguard states’ right to regulate and citizens’ well-being, and promote EU values; and whereas adherence to these aims requires that Union trade policy be implemented fully and effectively in a fairer, more effective and more transparent manner;
Amendment 22 #
2017/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Union is the world’s leading commercial power and its exportthe biggest single market in the world, and it is also the largest world's leader exporter of goods and services sustaining 31 million jobs in Europe, 67% more than in the mid- 1990s;
Amendment 24 #
2017/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only worldwide international organization dealing with the global rules of trade between different economic areas or nations;
Amendment 30 #
2017/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas SMEs help to drive the European economy, accounting for 30% of the Union’s exports, and it is essential that they be fully involved in the implementation of EU trade policy, thus reinforcing its role for exportation, innovation and internationalisation;
Amendment 36 #
2017/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the Union’s trade policy must be consistent with its other external and internal policies to ensure regulatory predictability, transparency, stability and fairer conditions for competition, also keeping in mind the objectives of Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth;
Amendment 66 #
2017/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Deplores the failure to reach agreement at the WTO ministerial meeting in Buenos Aires; reiterates its support for the multilateral system and calls on the Union actively to advance proposals for updated, multilateral rules, as well as to promote the central role of WTO within the global system of trade; welcomes the entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement; considers it regrettable that certain multilateral agreements are not being observed and calls on the Commission to work harder, within the WTO, on the effective implementation of multilateral rules and agreements;
Amendment 128 #
2017/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the Commission to invest more human and financial resources in improving the way that trade policy is implemented, and asks that a special trade policy implementation monitoring and continuous evaluation unit be set up within the Commission;
Amendment 159 #
2017/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Notes that the protection of geographical indications is one of the Union’s offensive points in trade agreement negotiations; highlights the finding in the report on implementation of FTAs that certain partners are not complying with provisions on the protection of geographical indications, and calls on the Commission to act without delay to ensure compliance with these provisionenforce the application of these rules;
Amendment 174 #
2017/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Welcomes the review of the Aid for Trade strategy and supports the aim of capacity building for developing countries so that they can take greater advantage of the opportunities offered by EU trade agreements; emphasises, too, that the strategy must help to promote fair and ethical trade, as well as gender issues;
Amendment 185 #
2017/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
Paragraph 47
47. Repeats its call to the Commission to frame a proposal for banning the importation of goods produced using child labour or any other form of forced labour or modern slavery. In this context, underlines the importance of the ratification of ILO Conventions No. 182 on the worst forms of child labour and No. 138 on the minimum age for admission to employment and work by the Countries which haven’t done it; recalls the EU is committed to eradicating the worst forms of child labour at a global level, as this arises from our values, which include the prohibition of child labour in our external action as enshrined in Article 21 TEU;
Amendment 119 #
2017/2069(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recognises that the protection of minority rights is mainly a national competence; recalls, however, that both the Treaties and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights make reference to the protection of national minorities and discrimination practised on the grounds of language; underlines the need for the Commission to play an active role in the protection of minorities, by employing every means available, for instance by promoting awareness-raising meetings, seminars and resolutions in order to encourage national governments to find durable solutions and to promote the culture of linguistic diversity in the Member States, this being a unique intangible heritage of the European continent;
Amendment 134 #
2017/2069(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Points out that citizens should have access to all the necessaryinformation necessary to genuinely strengthen European citizenship, including information, which that should be presented in a clear and comprehensible way, in order to be enable them to make informed decisions on the exercise of their Treaty rights, and especially their right to free movement and residence within the EU; recommends the promotion of transparency and proactive publishing as the most appropriate tools to that end;
Amendment 144 #
2017/2069(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Acknowledges that enhancing voter turnout in European elections is a shared responsibility between the EU and Member States; encourages the latter to promote participation in democratic life by better informing citizens of their right to stand and vote in local and European elections through various channels and in a comprehensible language, and by removing any barriers to their participation, such as linguistic discrimination, unfair practices or corruption; urges the Member States to remove accessibility obstacles for citizens with disabilities and to facilitate voting for their citizens residing abroad, working, or studying away from their usual voting location, by embracing electronic identification and voting solutions;
Amendment 159 #
2017/2069(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Believes that the reform of the Electoral Act on the basis of Parliament’s legislative initiative is an unmissable opportunity for the Union to become more democratic; highlights the fact that thousands of Europeans share this view, as evidenced by the ‘Let me Vote’ European Citizens’ Initiative, which aims to allow citizens to vote in their place of residence; commends the Commission for exploring the possibilities for non-national EU citizens who have exercised their right to free movement to vote in national elections in the country in which they reside; urges the Commission to devise a concrete action plan for the introduction of electronic voting with a view to the 2019 European Parliament elections and to opening up that system more widely to all citizens, whatever their personal, family, or work situation;
Amendment 180 #
2017/2069(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Maintains that linguistic diversity and transparency is aare key tools for bringing citizens closer to the EU and involving them in a more proactive way in its activities; recommends the promotion of the right to access documents and the translation of as many documents as possible into all EU languages; supports the intensification of dialogue with citizens and the encouragement of public debates in order to improve EU citizens’ understanding of the impact of the EU on their daily lives and to allow them to take part in an exchange of views, through slots in television programmes for targeted audiences;
Amendment 134 #
2017/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Commission to actively combat discriminatory, illegitimate and protectionist measures by third countries, such as ‘buy local’ policies, local content requirements or forced technology transfers, to ensure that European companies can operate in a fair and predictable environment;
Amendment 141 #
2017/2065(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. DStrongly deplores third country practices which make market access conditional on the disclosure and transfer to state authorities of the source codes of the software that companies intend to sell; considers that such measures are disproportionate as a blanket requirement for market access; calls on the Commission to prohibit signatory governments to FTAs from engaging in such activities;
Amendment 30 #
2017/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls its previous calls for a more modern, effective and efficient EU customs system, with the optimisation of the current EU arrangements so that tax evasion and all forms of unfair competition can be addressed and duties and levies can be effectively collected for the EU’s own resources;
Amendment 34 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls, therefore, for the MFF to provide for sufficient funds for cohesion policy post-2020, striking a good balance between investments in citizens and investments for citizens and ensuring that the EU’s political goals can be reached; recalls that, in view of the late start of the period and the expected volume of payment claims towards the end of it, it is of considerable importance to increase the payment ceiling of Heading 1b in order to ensure liquidity and investment flow and to avoid the impact of potential political risks; notes that the creation of future, and the support to current, EU programmes and instruments should not take place at the expense of existing investment;
Amendment 47 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that regional funding should be protected and should continue to predominantly take the form of grants rather than financial instruments, which do, however, have an important role to play in certain cases; stresses that in the event of a reduction in the EU’s budgets, greater focus on the EU’s core goals is required; notes that binding targets for the use of financial instruments in the post-2020 MFF cannot be considered a viable option; notes that increasing the share of financial instruments should not influence non-refundable financial contributions, as this would hinder the required balance;
Amendment 75 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for the priorities of regional development programmes to be updated in order to take changing conditions into account and to benefit from new technology; also considers that more flexibility is required in the MFF to meet unforeseen challengescalls for additional criteria for the allocation of non-refundable funding and for setting co-financing rates; considers the regional unemployment rates and regional social progress index to be appropriate criteria; also considers that more flexibility is required in the MFF to meet unforeseen challenges; notes that challenges such as migration and security or political developments in the EU should not negatively affect the investments in Heading 1 or its goals and expected results, especially after the current programming period;
Amendment 86 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the importance of regional cross-border initiatives in promoting economic growth; underlines that the Connecting Europe Facility and the Cohesion Fund should remain the major source of infrastructure investment, and that funding appropriations should match the existing high demand and oversubscription;
Amendment 93 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Recalls that investment in Heading 1a showcases a strong positive impact on policies;considers that programmes such as the successor programme to Horizon 2020 should receive twice the funding available under the current framework programme;notes that estimates, demand and success rates indicate that such an increase would relief the research and innovation funding gap;
Amendment 106 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Considers that it is essential, in the context of the new MFF, to ensure that budgetary rules, and rules on cohesion policy spending, are at last simplified.;calls for the set-up of a simplification bonus for the Member States for effective measures cutting red tape and improving management of EU funding;calls for a level playing field for state aid rules concerning all financial instruments so as to avoid preferential treatment of certain sources of funding over others, especially in the field of SME support;
Amendment 117 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Recalls that the management of EU funding should maintain high levels of transparency and accountability;calls for the Commission to implement measures so that beneficiaries involved in cases of fraudulent spending of EU funding are banned from competitive offers and funding calls;calls for the Commission to implement rules so that Member States which deliberately limit or burden any of the four freedoms of movement are subjected to the interruption of EU funding;
Amendment 1 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12
Citation 12
– having regard to its resolutions on Venezuela, in particular the resolutions of 8 June 2016 and of 27 April 2017 on the situation in Venezuela2 , _________________ 2 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0269.
Amendment 20 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Latin American and Caribbean region (LAC) constitutes a key partner for the EU when it comes to jointly facing current global challenges, such as the eradication of poverty, access to drinking water, peace and security, socioeconomic development, environmental sustainability, the fight against climate change, the digital transformation and managing migration;
Amendment 49 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the EU has also experienced important shifts in the past years, namely the financial and economic crisis, an increase in inequality, the challenges linked to Brexitoverall security challenges, the Brexit and its consequences, the refugee crisis, and the significant rise in citizen discontent with political institutions;
Amendment 77 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that in the wake of the economic crisis, the EU and LAC countries are facing common challenges in the areas of economic growth and fight against unemployment, digital transformation, social inclusion and gender equality, while at the same time sharing common values such as democracy, the rule of law and an independent judiciary, human rights, peace and solidarity, and underlines that this partnership and political dialogue, based on common principles and interests in a horizontal relationship, has become crucial to the advancement of the bi- regional and cooperation exchange;
Amendment 85 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights the fact that the new geopolitical scenario reinforces the LAC region as a strategic priority for the EU’s foreign policy, as both regions share a common vision of the world based on multilateralism, dialogue, sustainability, the rule of law, inclusive and open societies;
Amendment 104 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates its support to regional integration inside the LAC region, and stresses the need for greater coordination between the different regional integration schemes existing in the region, while respecting differences in the pace of integration; stresses the need to speed up negotiations in order to reach an comprehensive, balanced and mutually beneficial EU- Mercosur agreement that could establish an economic area based on similar trade and investment rules for almost all LAC and EU countries, which will contribute positively to economic growth and employment creation in both economic areas, also strengthening our historical, cultural, political and cooperation relationships and trust between our peoples;
Amendment 110 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that current global challenges, including the digital transformation, mass migration, cybersecurity, organised crime and terrorism,such as drug trafficking and terrorism, sustainable development and climate change, geopolitical shifts, inequality within and across countries, and drug trafficking, offer new opportunities forthe fight against unemployment and the lack of economic growth are necessitating a strategic EU- LAC partnership in whicwith a common vision is shared;
Amendment 119 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that the goal of eradicating poverty and reducing inequality must be addressed both through social and economic cohesion and through inclusion policies, and highlights the necessity of widening the middle class and protecting it from the effects of economic cycles;
Amendment 134 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses the need to develop sustainable and effective tax systems in both regions, together with an appropriate tax culture, that could foster the development of welfare states providing public goods, such as public education, health, social protection, infrastructure, defence and security, and; reiterates that tax havens and tax avoidance are detrimental to social redistributive policies;
Amendment 161 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Underlines the indispensable nature of children's rights and the need for strict compliance, by all the EU-LAC countries, with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child;
Amendment 170 #
2017/2027(INI)
13. Highlights the advances in freedoms and social rights made in the last decade, and the great efforts made to elaborate inclusive public policies to protect vulnerable groups and to distribute wealth and economic growth equally; notes the necessity to guarantee the rights and safety of disabled citizens, religious minorities, indigenous groups, the LGTBI community and populations in rural areas;
Amendment 190 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Highlights the challenges both regions face in terms of defence and security, which include terrorism and the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime, and encourages continued efforts to strengthen defence and security cooperation through police and military coordination;
Amendment 207 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for further cooperation in environmental issues, a major mutual interest, with special emphasis on the energy transition and decarbonisation process, which will have an impact on the economies of both regions; highlights the need to support research on and the deployment of renewable energies, the protection of nature, forest management and policies to address the causes and consequences of climate change in a region that is acutely affected by its effects, taking into account the rights of local and indigenous communities in areas where natural resources are extracted;
Amendment 226 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses the importance of the recent adhesion of Ecuador to the Multi- PartyTrade Agreement with Colombia and Peru, and invites Bolivia to join as well, and welcomes the implementation of the Schengen short-stay visa waiver for Peru and Colombia, all of which contributes to enhancing the EU’s economic and cultural ties with these countries;
Amendment 236 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Expresses deeply concern at the seriously deteriorating situation as regards democracy, human rights and the socio-economic situation in Venezuela, in a worrying growing climate of political and social unrest, recalling the appeals done to the Venezuelan Government in the Resolution about "the situation of Venezuela" approved last 27 April; deeply regrets the deaths occurred during recent peaceful demonstrations and calls on the Venezuelan Government to investigate these deaths and to guarantee the constitutional right to peaceful assembly;
Amendment 1 #
2017/0007(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) Relations between the European Union ('the Union') and the Republic of Moldova ('Moldova') continue to develop within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and the Eastern Partnership. Moldova joined the EU's Eastern Partnership in 2009, which was followed by the negotiation of an EU- Moldova Association Agreement. Thisat agreement, which was signed in June 2014 and entered into force on 1 July 2016, includes the gradual introduction of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), was signed in June 2014 and entered into force on 1 July 2016hich will enable better political and economic integration with the Union.
Amendment 2 #
2017/0007(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Following the appointment in early 2016 of a new government and of a new governor of the central bank, the Moldovan authorities have demonstrated a renewed commitment to moving forward with necessary political, social and economic reforms and to addressing the country´s governance, regulation and supervision challenges in the financial sector and in the area of public finance management.
Amendment 4 #
2017/0007(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In a context of political transition and economic difficulties, in July 2016 the Moldovan authorities and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed on a three- year Extended Credit Facility and Extended Fund Facility (ECF/EFF) arrangement in the amount of USD 178.7 million. The arrangement was approved by the IMF Board on 7 November 2016. Under this IMF programme the Moldovan authorities are expected to make swift improvements in financial sector governance, regulation and supervision, to strengthen policies that ensure macroeconomic and financial stability, and to foster sustainable and inclusive growth.
Amendment 5 #
2017/0007(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Given that Moldova is a country covered by the ENP and is part of the Eastern Partnership, it should be considered to be eligible to receive macro- financial assistance from the Union.
Amendment 7 #
2017/0007(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The Union's macro-financial assistance should aim to support the restoration of a sustainable external financing situation for Moldova thereby supporting, contributing to a greater political and macroeconomic stability of the country, as well as to its economic and social development.
Amendment 5 #
2016/2326(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 a (new)
Citation 19 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 28 October 2015 'on cohesion policy and the review of the Europe 2020 strategy',
Amendment 277 #
2016/2326(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Reiterates that it is high time to prepare the post-2020 EU cohesion policy in order to launch it effectively at the very start of the new programming period; underlines that the future cohesion policy should be adopted before the summer of 2019, bearing in mind the elections for the European Parliament which impose significant time constraints on the co- legislators;
Amendment 30 #
2016/2306(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises the potential of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), which is designed to support high- risk investment projects, in boosting growth and employment; is concerned, however, about the enormous imbalance in use of the Fund between the EU15 (91% of funding) and the EU13 (9% of funding); welcomes the Commission’s proposal to strengthen synergies between the EFSI and the ESI Funds; emphasises, however, that thisEFSI must be additional to the ESI Funds and should by no means undermine the role of Cohesion Policy as the main investment policy of the European Union;
Amendment 46 #
2016/2306(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the fact that the Commission’s proposal to suspend parts of the ESI Funds for Spain and Portugal has been abandoned in the face of constructive criticism from Parliament which has shown conclusively that this proposal is superfluous; expects from the European Commission, in light of the review of article 23 of Regulation 1303/2013 foreseen for 2017, a report and a legislative proposal that takes into account the opinion of the European Parliament expressed during the structured dialogue of 2016.
Amendment 3 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
- Having regard to its Resolution of XX/XX 2017 on the “State-of-play of the implementation of the Sustainability Compact in Bangladesh”
Amendment 7 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 32
Citation 32
— having regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Children’s Rights and Business Principles developed by UNICEF, the UN Global Compact and Save the Children13 , _________________ 13 http://childrenandbusiness.org
Amendment 8 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 33 a (new)
Citation 33 a (new)
- Having regard to the Council Conclusions on responsible global value chains (GVCs) of 12th May 2016;
Amendment 9 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 33 b (new)
Citation 33 b (new)
- Having regard to the Council Conclusions on Child Labour (20 June 2016)
Amendment 11 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the ‘Trade for All’ communication bases EU trade policy on three key principles – effectiveness, transparency and values – and has a dedicated section on the responsible management of supply chains, reminding also its complexity, the necessity of thinking prospectively and for the involvement of a range of public, private and civil society actors and the use of a mix of soft and innovative tools and legislative changes;
Amendment 14 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas global value chains (GVCs) are a complex, technology driven and rapidly changing reality, which have become a key feature of today’s global economy; whereas, on the one hand, GVCs offer new prospects for growth, development and jobeconomic growth, sustainable development, job creation and for the involvement of civil society organisations such as Business Associations, Unions or ONGs, but on the other hand, their extremely complex nature, lack of transparency and dilution of liabilities hascan lead to a higher risk of human rights violations;
Amendment 27 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas EU trade policy must maintain the multilateral system as its cornerstone, it also must strengthen Europe’s placeosition in global supply chains, but must also be a tool with whichand promote tools to establish clear rules and liabilities for governments and multinationalalso for companies (MNCs) in order to ensure compliance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals;
Amendment 32 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. Whereas global responsible management of GVCs is essential to align trade policy with the European values as enshrined in the Treaties; whereas both the Commission and the Member States have been in the forefront of these debates worldwide;
Amendment 33 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
C b. Whereas the Council underlined in its May 2016 conclusions “the need for continued advocacy for the uptake of internationally agreed principles, guidelines and initiatives on CSR/RBC such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the UN Global Compact, the ILO Tripartite Declaration on Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, including in non-OECD member countries, also contributing to anti-corruption efforts by creating more open and transparent business environments”;
Amendment 34 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Cc (new)
Recital Cc (new)
Cc. Whereas voluntary due diligence and GVC transparency schemes are being used and promoted worldwide by the Economic and Social partners and ONGs, producing substantive and positive results;
Amendment 35 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)
Recital C d (new)
C d. Whereas the EU has already given important steps towards a more responsible management of GVCs, worldwide, with specific partners- such as the Bangladesh Sustainability Compact and the Labour Rights Initiative with Myanmar, and on specific issues- such as the conflict minerals initiative, illegal logging regulations, sustainability criteria for biofuels, corporate reporting on supply chain issues, corporate transparency on payments made to governments by extractive and logging industries, as underlined in the Trade for All Communication;
Amendment 43 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the EU has developed binding corporate due diligence regulations in specific sectors such as timber and conflict minerals; whereas some Member States have also developed legislation, such as the UK Modern Slavery Act and, the French billLaw on the duty of care of MNCs; whereas Parliament has repeatedly called for the EU toich only applies to the largest French companies (more than 5000 workers) and the Dutch Child Labour Due Diligence Bill (approved recently on 7/02/2017 by the Dutch Parliament but not yet by the Senate); whereas the European Union have developed Initiatives aiming at promoting due diligence, and former European Parliament Resolutions have called for the EU to include the possible consideration of develop aing binding framework on corporatelegislation in specific sectors on due diligence;
Amendment 52 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas most, but not all, recently concludedrecent EU trade and investment agreements contaisystematically include chapters on trade and sustainable development (TSD) chapters;
Amendment 58 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas a multilateral, global holistic approach to corporate liability for human rights abuses is needed in the context of GVCsand environmental sustainability is needed in the context of world trade and particularly in GVCs and therefore it's important that the EU continues to lead these debates worldwide;
Amendment 66 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas gender equality in all EU policies is firmly established in Article 8 of the TFEU; whereas trade and investment agreements affect women and men differently owing to structural gender inequalities;
Amendment 69 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. Whereas according to Article 3(3) TUE, the Union shall protect the rights of the child; whereas all Member States ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child;
Amendment 72 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas EU Member States are the world’s largest exporters of financial services, and the sector is of strategic importance in the EU’s trade policy; whereas the inclusion of provisions relating to financial services in trade agreementEU External Agreements, including FTAs has raised some concerns regarding their potential negative effects in terms of money laundering and tax evasion and avoidance;
Amendment 77 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas labelling is a useful tool to enablehat allows the EU consumer to make more informed and adequate choices;
Amendment 84 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
K a. Whereas Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) form an important part of the GVCs, and play an important role in promoting economic growth, sustainable development, quality jobs and keeping the population from moving away from their regions;
Amendment 107 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to actively promote further reforms of the WTO in order to increase transparency and also to define and enforce multilateral rules for the sustainable management of GVCs;
Amendment 111 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Asks the Commission and the Member States to continue to engage actively in all multilateral world forums about Business, GVCs, Human and Labour Rights, Economic Growth and Sustainable Development, promoting the European values enshrined in the Treaties and bearing in mind the necessity for the protection of the particular characteristics of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs);
Amendment 115 #
2016/2301(INI)
3. Welcomes the on-going negotiations on a binding UN Treaty for Transnational Corporations and Human Rights; calls for the EU and the Member States to engage constructively in these negotiations;
Amendment 118 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Calls on the Member States to accelerate the application and effectiveness of the National Action Plans (NAPs) implementing the UN Guiding Principles (UN GP) on Business and Human Rights; underlines that 8 out of the 13 NAPs already approved are from EU Member States and welcomes the fact that 11 more EU NAPs are being drafted; asks the Commission to assist and promote the implementation of these UNGP;
Amendment 119 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Welcomes the convergence of the international standards on Business and Human Rights, particularly between the UNGPs and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises;
Amendment 121 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the integral inclusion of Decent Work and the four pillars of the ILO Decent Work Agenda in the UN SDGs; Calls on the Commission and the Member States to work within the UN and ILO towards the adopeffective application of a newthese international labour standard for decent works on GVCs;
Amendment 125 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Acknowledges the smart mix of regulatory and voluntary action, but recallimportance of the existence of clear international rules on CSR, GVCs and due diligence; welcomes the smart mix of regulatory and voluntary actions which are being implemented and have been increasing during last years, underlining the good results which have been obtained by these actions; notes that voluntary corporate social responsibility (CSR) possibly is not enough and might creates unfair competition for suppliers that have chosen to comply with international labour and environmental standards; reiterates its call for the Commission to include the possible consideration of developing GVC transparency strategies and rules, including through legislation on due diligence in specific sectors, initiating this process by presenting an in depth assessment of the current system and if needed consider additional initiatives; suggests that the EU Institutions and the Member States should initiate a common reflection on the systematic inclusion of binding and enforceable rules, associated sanctions, remedies and independent monitoring mechanisms;
Amendment 144 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. RegretNotes that the disclosure of non- financial information by large companies has not yet been extended to cover all actors operating in GVCs;
Amendment 148 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. WelcomNotes the green card initiative launched by some national parliaments following the adoption of the French bill on MNCs’ duty of care; recalls on the Commission to work on a legislative proposal for mandatory corporate due diligence for EU companies operating both in and outside the EUthe European Parliament former resolutions asking the Commission to include the possible consideration of developing legislation on due diligence in specific sectors;
Amendment 157 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recalls that CSR policies should take into account the special characteristics of micro- and small enterpriseMSMEs;
Amendment 163 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – introductory part
Paragraph 9 – introductory part
9. Calls onWelcomes the new trade and investment strategy for the European Union “Trade for All”; asks the Commission to address in its trade policy and FTAs, when appropriate, the challenges associated with the rise of GVCs by taking into consideration the following measures;
Amendment 174 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point b
Paragraph 9 – point b
b) including, enforceable anti- corruption and whistle-blower, protection provisions in all, when feasible, in future FTAs;
Amendment 183 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point c
Paragraph 9 – point c
c) including the possibility for the introduction of standstill clauses fixing a minimum level for social, environmental and safety standards in all EU FTAs;
Amendment 195 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point e
Paragraph 9 – point e
e) supplementing all these provisions with supporting measures for developingour partner countries and rigorously monitoring their implementation in conjunction with the national parliaments and civil societyall interested stakeholders;
Amendment 213 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls the EU to work towardsUnderlines that the EU could promote the introduction of an mandatory international ‘social and environmental traceability’ labelling system along the entire production chain for products sold oin the EUinternational markets, in compliance with the WTO TBT Agreement;
Amendment 229 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Member States to disclose to the public upon request, while making sure to safeguard confidential information, the customs data collected from parties trading in products or goods imported into the EU;
Amendment 237 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Invites the Commission to submit a proposalEncourages reflexion on the extension of jurisdictional rules under the Brussels I Regulation to third-country defendants in cases brought against companies with a clear link with one Member State or companies for which the EU is an essential outlet;
Amendment 244 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. DeplorWelcomes the fact that gender is not mentionedequality is firmly established in all EU Policies as stated in Article 8 of the TFEU; Nevertheless, there is no mention to gender in the Trade for All strategy; calls on the Commission to ensure that gender perspective is included and mainstreamed in trade policy, the Aid for Trade strategy, and all future FTAs and impact assessments; calls on the Commission to collect gender- disaggregated data, especially in the agricultural sector and take gender into account in GVC analysis;
Amendment 257 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines the importance of the ratification of ILO Conventions No. 182 on the worst forms of child labour and No. 138 on the minimum age for admission to employment and work by the Countries which haven’t done it; recalls the EU is committed to eradicating the worst forms of child labour at a global level, as this arises from our values, which include the prohibition of child labour in our external action as enshrined in Article 21 TEU; Reiterates its call for the strengthening of import and supply chain controls to ensure that only forced labour free and child labour- free products enter the EU market; calls on the Commission and the Member States to vigorously defend this proposal in all international forums;
Amendment 265 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Strongly supports the Council Conclusions of 20 June 2016 to encourage “the High Representative and the Commission to explore how the EU can step up its contribution to the realisation of UN SDG target 8.7 which calls for measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.”
Amendment 267 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. NotUnderlines that GVCs are an extremely important opportunity for firms in developing countries, particularly MSMEs to develop a link with the global economy; stresses that complementaryspecific policies and accompanying measures are key to making this a reality in our trade partners, particularly policies aimed at eliminating the so-called ‘context costs’ or to help these companies escalating in the added value scale and expanding their participation in Global Value Chains;
Amendment 283 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Expects the GSP mid-term review towill clarify definitions and include additional tariff preferences forprovide incentives for trade in sustainably produced products;
Amendment 287 #
2016/2301(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Notes that simplified, effective and preferential RoO are key in the context of GVCs; calls on the Commission to ensure RoO coherence across FTAs and consistency with the transparency and accountability objectives laid out in this resolution;
Amendment 4 #
2016/2271(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that, with some 40 % of EU workers lacking adequate digital skills, the Union faces a digital skills gap; takes note of the Commission’s recent Communications on ‘Digitising European industry’ and ‘A New Skills Agenda for Europe’ as a first step in the right direction with regard to improving the digital skillliteracy and skills of European citizens;
Amendment 27 #
2016/2271(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the importance of incorporating a digital skills agenda into lifelong learning programmes for olderthe working-age people, whoulation and senior citizens, the latter representing 18.9 % and rising of the population of the European Union;
Amendment 32 #
2016/2271(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights the considerable disparity across Member States in terms of digitisation and digital skillsliteracy and skills, and considers it imperative to promote greater convergence in this area; considers that promoting best practice exchange and dialogue can bridge that gap; highlights the potential of the Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs in this respect;
Amendment 6 #
2016/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas demographic change is one of the main challenges for local development and territorial enhancement policies in the EU today, together with globalisation, the technological shift, climate change and social and economic inclusivenesson;
Amendment 24 #
2016/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas demographic change does not affect all regions in a uniform manner, chiefly as a result of migratory movements, which are primarily driven by economic considerations, with the majority of urban areas experiencing a population gain and most rural and remote areas experiencing a decline; whereas such imbalances represent major challenges both for regions suffering from depopulation and for those experiencing a population influx;
Amendment 37 #
2016/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas demographic change involves major policy challenges in different areas linked to a wide range of cohesion policy fields; whereas regional policy, and its European Structural and Investment Funds, including the Cohesion Fund, is a key instrument for addressing this change;
Amendment 50 #
2016/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that demographic change entails major economic and social pressures on regional and local authorities in terms of providing public services and building and managing infrastructure; stresses that those pressures will beare also exacerbated by a declining active population and a higher dependency ratio;
Amendment 58 #
2016/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that demographic change should be tackled in a coordinated manner through the action of all European, national, regional and local authorities;, delivering effective multi-level governance both in the architecture of these specific policies targeted at regions of low population density and in their implementation
Amendment 69 #
2016/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises that demographic change, while creating new challenges, also brings development opportunities at a local level through the potential of sectors such as ecotourism, wine tourism, spiritual and religious tourism, enhancing the value of of domestic agricultural or non- agricultural products, such as handicrafts, embroidery and ceramics, via a European system of protection of geographical indications, e-commerce and the silver economy; underlines in this respect the relevance of smart specialisation strategies to help regions identify high value-added activities and build attractive ecosystems;
Amendment 110 #
2016/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for a greater coordination of EU instruments in the different policy areas, such as the Common Agricultural Policy, European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds, including the Cohesion Fund, European Territorial Cooperation, the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) and the Connecting Europe Facility, so as to ensure a more comprehensive approach to demographic change; reiterates its call for the Commission to adopt a European strategy on demographic change that will deliver synergies, more effective coordination between existing policy instruments, the promotion and dissemination of best practice in encouraging populations to remain in given areas and maximise the positive impact onf these policies, together with European citizens;
Amendment 123 #
2016/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights the importance of a cross-cutting EU approach byon the part of the EU, the Member States and local and regional authorities by means of the horizontal and vertical mainstreaming of demographic considerations throughout the policy spectrum, including cohesion, employment, agriculture, environmenteconomic, social and territorial cohesion, enhancing regions and their domestic products, job and economic growth creation, agriculture, environment, suitable territorial planning and forestry management policies, infrastructure, transport, healthcare, youth and education, family support, social inclusionactive ageing policies, social inclusion, the digital economy, innovation and ICT policies, with a view to favouring new policy developments;
Amendment 153 #
2016/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Believes that there is a need to enhance the effectiveness and complementarity of ESI Funds in tackling demographic challenges; considers that a greater focus on the topic as a priority area is necessary, together with guidelines to support Member States and regionlocal and regional authorities in addressing demographic challenges in a suitable and effective manner, particularly by devising and implementing partnership agreements and operational programmes;
Amendment 174 #
2016/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Notes that the Cohesion Fund has been essential in ensuring better land use in regions, economic development and bringing people from different regions – including sparsely populated regions – closer;stresses, therefore, the importance of including the Cohesion Fund in future strategies to address demographic change, recalling that the fund was established with a view to strengthening the EU's economic, social and territorial cohesion;
Amendment 216 #
2016/2245(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Stresses the importance of having reliable, up-to-date, disaggregated statistics for the purposes of a more efficient and objective political administration, particularly for a more detailed understanding of the intrinsic features of the EU's various sparsely populated areas;calls, therefore, for Eurostat to provide greater detail in statistics of relevance for devising a suitable European demographic policy, especially demographic, family-related, social and economic indicators, and thus urges them to be broken down at at least subregional – i.e. NUTS III – level.
Amendment 22 #
2016/2242(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that NEETs are a heterogeneous and diverse group and that schemes are more efficient and cost- effective when they are targeted to address specific identified challenges;
Amendment 25 #
2016/2242(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that measures under the YG are most likely to be more efficient and cost-effective when young people are assisted in entering the labour market in a way that can provide them with sustainable employment opportunities and salary progression;
Amendment 30 #
2016/2242(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. NotUnderlines that financial support schemes are also needed to address young people at risk of becoming NEETs;
Amendment 39 #
2016/2242(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission to work together with the individual Member States in order to strengthen the manner in which Member Stateseach of them implement schemess the approved schemes under the YG and to put in place a comprehensive monitoring system that covers cost efficiency, structural reforms and measures targeting individuals;
Amendment 32 #
2016/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU is a global actor; whereas there has been a longstanding engagement of the EU in the Arctic based on history, ecology, geography, economy and research;
Amendment 38 #
2016/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to monitor closely any fisheries products made available on the internal market originating from the Arctic region to ensure that they comply fully with existing European legislation, particularly labelling rules.
Amendment 63 #
2016/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas a robust and, healthy and sustainable Arctic ecosystem inhabited by viable communities is strategically important for the political and economic stability of Europe; whereas the costs of inaction on preserving the Arctic ecosystem are increasing exponentially;
Amendment 70 #
2016/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the Arctic sea ice has diminished significantly since 1981, the areas under permafrost are decreasing, causing the risk of incidental release of huge amounts of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere, the snow cover continues to decrease and the melting glaciers are contributing to globally rising sea levels; whereas it has been noticed that the sea ice is disappearing at an even faster pace than the models predict; whereas climate change is advancing at the fastest pace in the polar regions, causing unknown and unpredictable changes into existing worldwide ecosystems;
Amendment 92 #
2016/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the ecosystem in the Arctic, including its flora and fauna, is particularly vulnerable to abruptions, with a relatively long recovery period; whereas the negative environmental impacts are often accumulatived and irreversible and produce geographical and ecological external impacts (e.g. damage to oceanic ecosystems);
Amendment 94 #
2016/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas increased amount of greenhouse gases and air pollution in the atmosphere are contributing to the changing climate of the Arctic; whereas pollution appearing in the Arctic climate is mostly derived from Asian, North American and European emitters, so that the emission reduction measures in the EU play a greatand all over the world play an extremely important and absolutely necessary role in tackling the climate change of the Arctic;
Amendment 101 #
2016/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas the EU policy in the Arctic region shouldmust reflect more closely the Sustainable Development Goals that the EU has committed to achieving by 2030;
Amendment 134 #
2016/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the importance of UNCLOS in providing a complementary multilateral legal framework for settling intra-Arctic sovereignty issues; notes that only very few unresolved issues of jurisdiction exist in the Arctic; considers respect for international law in the Arctic essential; advocates a strong role for the EU in promoting effective multilateral arrangements and a global rules-based order through the strengthening and consistent implementation of relevant international, regional and bilateral agreements, frameworks and arrangements; underlines that the EU should have a strong role in reaching an agreement to maintain the Arctic, integrity - which is not under any country’s jurisdiction, as an area of common heritage to be used exclusively for peaceful and scientific purposes; notes that this does not concern navigation and traditional livelihoods;
Amendment 144 #
2016/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the ratification of the Paris Agreement by the European Union and calls for its swift and effective implementation by all parties;
Amendment 152 #
2016/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take a stronger role in the effective implementation of international conventions such as the Paris Agreement, the Minimata Convention, the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution, the Gothenburg Protocol, the Stockholm Convention and the Convention on Biological Diversity; asks the Commission to pay special attention to the ongoing international process by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee to further restrict the use of persistent organic pollutants; expects the EU partner countries to do likewise;
Amendment 304 #
2016/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for better and earlier involvement of indigenous people organisations in the making of a citizen- centred Arctic policy; stresses the need to safeguard their rights, culture and language;
Amendment 368 #
2016/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Invites the HR and the Commission to closely monitor climate, environmental protection, maritime, socio-economic and security developments in the Arctic and to report back regularly to Parliament and the Council, including on the implementation of the EU’s Arctic policy;
Amendment 75 #
2016/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the prospects and opportunities of big data can only be fully enjoyed by citizens, corporations, governments and institutions when public trust in these technologies is ensured by strong enforcement of fundamental rights and legal certainty for all actors involved, within a modern, transparent and harmonised regulatory framework in the field of data protection;
Amendment 114 #
2016/2225(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights the fundamental role that the Commission, the European Data Protection Board and other independent supervisory authorities should play in the coming years and decades to promote legal certainty and security concerning concrete standards protecting fundamental rights and guarantees associated with the use of data processing and analytics, so as to ensure a high level of protection for citizens' individual rights;
Amendment 4 #
2016/2101(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges the greater coherence of the new mainstreamed European Semester, which allows for more opportunities to engage and communicate with Member States and stakeholders at all levels, reinforcing national ownership and proposing fewer recommendations focusing on key economic, social priorities and functioning as an important stabilization factor for the European Union;
Amendment 12 #
2016/2101(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is concerned by the cumulative lack of investments, which affects long-term growth and job creation; stresses the importance of swift and consistent implementation of cohesion policy 2014- 2020 operational programmes and other EU-funded programmes and initiatives; underlines also the necessity of enhancing multi-level governance and improving the overall quality of public administration, both horizontally and verticallyreminds in this context that the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) should become more geographically balanced and must remain complementary and additional to the European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds and that synergies between different EU funds, programmes, initiatives and national investments must be exploited in order to maximize the full potential of the projected investments; underlines also the necessity of enhancing multi-level governance and improving the overall quality of public administration, both horizontally and vertically, with a particular focus on administrative capacity, as well as strengthening public procurement rules, transparency, accountability and fight against corruption;
Amendment 22 #
2016/2101(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises the strong links that cohesion policy has established with the wider economic governance framework by providing support for recovery efforts to stimulate compliance with the European Semester rules; underlines, however, that the legitimacy of cohesion policy derives from the Treaties, and that this policy is the expression of European solidarity having as main objectives strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion in the EU through reducing disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and financing investment linked to Europe 2020 goals; is therefore of the opinion that measures linking the effectiveness of ESI Funds with sound economic governance should be applied judiciously, with caution and only as a last resort; recalls, moreover, that the application of such measures should always take into consideration the specific socio-economic circumstances of the Member State concerned, in order to avoid restricting regional and local investments, which are absolutely essential for the Member States economies- particularly for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), maximising growth and job creation and stimulating competitiveness and productivity, especially in times of strong pressure on public expenditure;
Amendment 38 #
2016/2101(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that ensuring the transparency and effectiveness of public expenditure is essential for creating a growth-friendly environment; welcomes the fact that several Member States have been able to address the CSRs in their operational programmes (OPs) by means of targeted investments or reforms undertaken in the context of ex-ante conditionalities; appreciates the fact that the ESI Fund investments already contribute to the implementation of structural reforms and improve overall economic performance in Member States, producing economic growth, quality jobs and sustainable development across the Union, including in regions or areas suffering from natural or geographical handicaps;
Amendment 48 #
2016/2101(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is of the opinion that the Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP) should provide dedicated and targeted support to Member States on a voluntary basis to assist them with the design and implementation of institutional, structural and administrative reforms, only when such reforms cannot be addressed by other instruments or supported by other types of technical assistance already in place; emphasises that the budgetary transfer from the technical assistance under cohesion policy to the SRSP at the initiative of the Commission should not be a precedent for any future proposals.
Amendment 26 #
2016/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas competition preventsolicies allows fairer and better functioning markets preventing the over-concentration of economic and financial power in the hands of a few;
Amendment 30 #
2016/2100(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the importance of removing physical, technical and regulatory barriers between Member States in order to prevent fragmentation in the single market and thereby stimulate competition and cross-border territorial cooperation;
Amendment 31 #
2016/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas competition policy keeps markets efficient and open, thus leading to lower prices, better-quality products and services and greater choice for consumers, also promoting innovation and growthresearch and innovation, economic growth and more resilient companies;
Amendment 37 #
2016/2100(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recognises the advances in digital technologies in the transport and tourism sectors, which promote competition, trade, and short-term travel, encourage the use of best practice, create jobs and bring tangible benefits to the consumer; maintains that a proper legislative framework is needed for the new economic activities being engendered by the latest technological state of the art;
Amendment 41 #
2016/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas competition policy can and should make a significant contribution to key political priorities such as boosting innovation, quality jobs, growth and sustainable development, investment, protecting consumers and reinforcing the single market, with particular regard to the digital single market and the Energy Union;
Amendment 65 #
2016/2100(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. ConsiderBelieves that increased competition brought about by the gradual opening -up of the EU road haulage market can bring benefits to consumers, but expresses concern that certain measures being applied by some Member States are undermining the integrity of the single market in this field;
Amendment 161 #
2016/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that the sharing economy is offering EU consumers numerous innovative products and services; reiterates that beside the taxation, administrative framework and security aspects, the Commission should also examine its competition aspects; underlines that national or EU rules must not impose the same conditions for different kinds of services;
Amendment 325 #
2016/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. WelcomUnderlines the efforts of the Commission to promote the market integration of renewable energy sources in order to avoid distortions of competition; underlinstresses, however, the responsibility of Member States in promoting and financing the production and use of renewable energy;
Amendment 405 #
2016/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls on the Commission to put forward a proposal for EU actionan EU pro-active action in order to ensure that the national competition authorities are more effective enforcers, so that the full potential of the decentralised system of EU competition enforcement can be realised;
Amendment 69 #
2016/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the EIB and the Commission to step up the dissemination of their financing possibilities, as well as their provision of support and advice for local and regional authorities and SMEs, in the interests of simplifying access to EIB finance and blending grants with loans and financial instruments.
Amendment 2 #
2016/2076(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas biodiversity conservation has been playing a key role in European environmental policy-making and whereas the protection of endangered animal and plant species is an issue of global interest, which requires cooperation between all nations, including those of the EU;
Amendment 11 #
2016/2076(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the EU continues to be one of the largest markets for illicit wildlife products – the demand for which is substantial – and whereas an action plan at European level tohas an essential role to play in addressing the issue of wildlife trafficking is an essential step forwardand the proceeds generated by criminal offences of that kind, especially transnationally, and in providing more effective means to combat this scourge, which constitutes nothing less than an assault on the rule of law and on the sustainable development of states and local communities in the places from where the products in question originate;
Amendment 19 #
2016/2076(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that corruption is one of the main enablers and contributors to the trade in illegal wildlife and wildlife products; welcomes the commitment made in the Commission strategy entitled ‘Trade for All’ to include ambitious anti-corruption provisionsprovisions to tackle the direct and indirect impact of corruption and wildlife trafficking in all future trade agreements;
Amendment 19 #
2016/2076(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the principle of effectiveness of public action requires the Member States to coordinate their actions if endangered species are to be protected successfully, implying a need to make efficient use of existing resources and agencies while bringing exhaustive expert assessment and monitoring to bear on potential illicit activities;
Amendment 34 #
2016/2076(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights the importance of ensuring the private sector’s involvement in the fight against wildlife trafficking, considering the role played byand impact of e- commerce platforms, distribution networks, transport and courier companies;
Amendment 35 #
2016/2076(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses the importance of effective and efficient labelling and traceability systems, as a guarantee of the legality and sustainability of trade in wildlife;
Amendment 40 #
2016/2076(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission and the Member State authorities to step up their cooperation in the fight against wildlife trafficking, particularly betweeny establishing coordinated cooperation between European and international agencies, as well as with enforcement agencies, including police, customs, judicial, and sanitary and trade inspection authorities, each exercising their specific responsibilities with a view to implementing measures on the ground;
Amendment 48 #
2016/2076(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Agrees with the Commission that training activities are an essential part of the fight against organised crime, including wildlife trafficking, and also considers it essential to promote awareness raising and education focusing on environmental protection and the impacts brought about by trafficking in products obtained from wild fauna and flora;
Amendment 54 #
2016/2076(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Points to the urgent need to strengthen, and provide for better coordination of, measures to combat wildlife trafficking and the root causes thereof, involving not just countries of origin, but also transit and marketing countries, and intensifying dialogue and technical cooperation with the authorities and, above all, local communities in those countries;
Amendment 1 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), which is used toaiming at financeing risky and innovative projects, canmust be used as a tool to boost EU growth and promote the development of strong, sustainable and competitive industry; in this regards, calls for the increasing of EFSI's role in the cohesion agenda through improvement of the sectoral and geographical balance of the investments done under this frame; takes the view that barriers to combining EFSI with other EU instruments (mainly European Structural and Investment Funds) should be removed and EFSI's eligible sectors need to be expanded;
Amendment 6 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights the interest among cultural and creative sector (CCS) stakeholders in EFSI funding as well as the potential of the SME Window for the sector, which could develop innovative business models and thus boost growth and job creation in the sector; regrets, however, the lack of awareness of EFSI and its funding options; insists that communication efforts be scaled up, tailored to the needs of the CCS and rolled out locally in Member States, including through the Creative Europe Desks;
Amendment 8 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that China is planning to contribute to the EFSI and that the Commission has said that China will not be given any quid pro quo, in particular as concerns governanc; reiterates the fact that all possible future third country contributors have to meet all EU rules on public procurement, labour law and environment regulation and fulfil the same rules applicable to private investors when investing under this frame;
Amendment 14 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that only 13% of SMEs trade outside the EU; takes the view that the EFSI should give priority to the internationalisation of SMEs through supporting projects for producing companies with export activities and strengthen the role of the European Investment Advisory Hub (EIAH) by giving it an export aid mission; strongly believes that an increased complementarity between the different pillars of the "Investment Plan for Europe" (IPE) would have major benefit and call for actions in this regard;
Amendment 22 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes with interest the proposal Commission President Juncker made during his 2016 State of the Union address to giveWelcomes the Commission initiative on launching the EFSI uropean eExternal element in orderInvestment Plan (EIP) to mobilise between EUR 44 and 88 billion in investments in Africa and the Neighbourhood; stresses that these investments should not take the place of existing investments, must comply with the additionality principle in respect to projects that are already being financed and should be targeted towards risky and, where possible, small-scale projects; stresses the need and importance of EIP being adapted to the needs of the specific countries;
Amendment 25 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Strongly believes that a single coherent framework for investment support is needed and the link between internal (EFSI) and external (EIP) action as to be strengthened by the EU and its Member States through identifying appropriate synergies between own commercial interest, development cooperation objectives and related public instruments to engage the private sector;
Amendment 32 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Highlights the provisions of EFSI regulation foreseeing a regular report of the EIB and the Commission to the European Parliament on the progress of the Investment Plan and on the details of EFSI projects.
Amendment 7 #
2016/2062(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the fact that the Commission’s Aviation Strategy proposal highlights the aviation sector’s significant contribution to the EU economy; stresses that further ambitious steps are needed and that these shouldmust be sustainable, takeing into account environmental, climate, health and employment aspects;
Amendment 59 #
2016/2062(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for the collection and dissemination of the best emission- reducing practices of the sector; urges thatstresses the urgency and importance of the establishment of programmes and further incentives for job creation related to energy efficiency, environmental impact reduction and innovation be established;
Amendment 9 #
2016/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the world is facing an unprecedented surge in wildlife trafficking, and concomitant biological crises arise from the continued illegal and unsustainable harvesting and marketing of global fauna and flora;
Amendment 12 #
2016/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas terrorist networks are suspected of sourcing financing from the illegal wildlife trade, generating significant profits with these illicit activities that play a leading role worldwide;
Amendment 15 #
2016/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the European Union is currently a destination market for these species, a hub for transit to other regions, and also an area from which certain species are sourced for illegal trade;
Amendment 18 #
2016/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas trade policy allied to development cooperation can represent a strong motor for economic growth in developing countries;
Amendment 24 #
2016/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Observes with serious disquiet recent increases in wildlife trafficking and wildlife crime, which if not halted and reversed threaten to have serious and permanent consequences foras regards preserving biodiversity and environmental degradationsustainability;
Amendment 69 #
2016/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Supports the approach, as outlined in the Trade for All Strategy, of including anti-corruption provisions in future trade agreements, given the known role that corruption plays in facilitating the illegal wildlife trade, as well as the EU’s commitment to implementing trade policies that promote sustainable development, which will help to achieve the global goals agreed as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
Amendment 71 #
2016/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Supports an approach to EU trade policy that not only prioritises the issue of combating the illegal wildlife trade but includes in all future agreements provisions aimed at its reduction and ultimate elimination, along with robust and effective complementary measures, with particular regard to training, prevention and the application of sanctions in the field of forest management, health and customs;
Amendment 76 #
2016/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Believes there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to global wildlife sustainability and combatting the illegal trade; recalls in this light the need to ensure full flexibility and to share information, data and best practice, particularly at the level of local and regional authorities and between Member States and third countries, in order to facilitate dialogue with a view to enhanced cooperation, bearing in mind the cross-border nature of this type of infringement;
Amendment 78 #
2016/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Recommends that EU Member States consider policy solutions that would allow for the elimination of all remaining legal loopholes that could facilitate the ‘laundering’ of illegally sourced wildlife and wildlife products; recommends, further, that exhaustive monitoring be carried out in this connection and that efficient use be made of existing resources and agencies in order to achieve this objective;
Amendment 2 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
- having regard to the Joint Caribbean-EU Partnership Strategy, endorsed by the Council in November 2012,
Amendment 3 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 b (new)
Citation 8 b (new)
- having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee from 29 May 2006- "EU relations with the Pacific Islands - a Strategy for a Strengthened Partnership",
Amendment 4 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 c (new)
Citation 8 c (new)
- having regard to the Joint Communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions from 21 March 2012 "Towards a renewed EU-Pacific development Partnership",
Amendment 9 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls for an effective post-Cotonou framework adapted to the new and emerging global challenges, based both on ownership by the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and the EU, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals; stresses that a revised general framework agreement, together with the regional Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and other trade instruments, must support fair and sustainable trade and, ultimately, sustainable development and , poverty reduction and eradication;
Amendment 23 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the post-Cotonou process should offer a framework within which to discuss trade issues with all the ACP countries; calls for a strengthening of trade cooperation, with a values-driven approach and improved Policy Coherence for Development; underlines in this context, the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); believes that inclusive growth, sustainable development, job creation, the development and involvement of the private sector and regional integration must be central in a future economic partnerships;
Amendment 35 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for strong, legally binding sustainable development provisions; asks for the human rights 'essential elements' clause to remain in the future agreement so that the linkage clauses in the EPAs continue to function after 2020; reminds in this context the importance of the commitment to promote internationally- recognized core labour standards, as defined by relevant ILO Conventions;
Amendment 37 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the Cotonou Agreement addresses new global challenges such asrelated to climate change, migration and terrorism, peace and security (such as fight against terrorism, extremism and international criminality), but has produced few concrete results in these areas;
Amendment 47 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that civil society organizations and other interested stakeholders involvement isare a must throughout the implementation of the EPAs and the post- Cotonou process; notes the importance of a renewed ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, its involvement in all early stage discussions regarding the post Cotonou framework and defends a strong parliamentary oversight of the future framework; asks for results-oriented monitoring of ACP-EU cooperation, especially with regard to trade and sustainable development;
Amendment 60 #
2016/2053(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls the Financing for Development commitments and its importance for the realization of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and targets; calls for the EU to ensure more and effective funding for Aid for Trade to support the ACP countries’ efforts to move up the global value chain.
Amendment 70 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Affirms that ACP-EU cooperation is a valuable and unique achievement that has strengthened bonds between ACP and EU peoples and countries and their parliaments throughout the last 40 years; underlines - provided the EU and ACP countries demonstrate their commitment to taking joint action as a group - that in order to improve the effectiveness of cooperation and adapt it to new challenges, a new structure has to be adopted that keeps those parts of the ACP- EU acquis that are universal in character, such as commitment to human rights, good governance and democracy, the objective of the rule of law, and exchange of best practice in a common framework, while the main work has to be done according to the principle of subsidiarity, that is, it must take place in regional agreements that are tailored to specific regional needs and to the mutual interests existing between the EU and the respective region;
Amendment 82 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that both the common framework and the regional agreements should be legally binding; underlines that, in order to strengthen effectiveness and reduce duplication, the regional agreements with Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific should be designed in a way that takes into account existing regional and sub-regional organisations, e.g. the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, and regional aStrategies or Agreements such as the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), and should allow the inclusion of additional countries, such as northern African countries, or the creation of groupings in accordance with specific interests or needs (e.g. development status, as in the case of LDCs, or geographical peculiarities, as in the case of small island developing states);
Amendment 88 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be placed at the centre of a new agreement, and for the creation of strong and regular monitoring mechanisms to ensure that implementation of the agreement contributes to and promotes the SDGs;
Amendment 95 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for an ACP-EU peer review mechanism to scrutinise SDG implementation in member states on a regular basis, with ACP and EU representatives not only from governmental, regional and municipal institutions but also from parliaments and civil society, drawing up yearly conclusions and recommendations for follow-up;
Amendment 99 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for the fight against poverty to remain an overarching objective of ACP-EU cooperation; believes, however, that a new agreement must primarily be a political project and clearly leave behind the donor-recipient mentality; considers that cooperation should primarily take place in areas of common interest where commonmutual gains can be expected, not justonly in economic terms but also with regard toing peace and security, human rights, rule of law, good governance and democracy, migrations, health, global financial issues, the environment protection, climate change and other areas related to the sustainable development and prosperity of both ACP and EU populations;
Amendment 108 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Reiterates its view that policy coherence for development (PCD) is a key element for achieving the new sustainable development agenda; believes that the comprehensive nature of the Cotonou Agreement promotes PCD and should therefore be safeguarded in a new agreement; recalls in this context that in accordance with Article 208 TFEU, the Union development cooperation policy shall have as its primary objective the reduction and, in the long term, the eradication of poverty;
Amendment 130 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Underlines in this regard that political dialogue is a valuable basis for improving the situation of the peoples of the partner countries; regrets the insufficient use of this instrument and its weak effectiveness so far; calls, therefore, for improved monitoring of the human rights situation and of the other essential and fundamental elements of the Agreement, and for a regular biennial or multiannual evaluation and joint reports on the respect of these elements by all ACP- EU member states with the purpose of naming, shaming and praisinghich should be public and wide publicized in order to exert pressure; calls for the results of these reports to be presented at the overarching ACP-EU meetings and used as a basis for political dialogue;
Amendment 134 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls for stronger participation and involvement of national parliaments and regional and local authorities at all, social partners, civil society organizations and other interested stakeholders both in ACP and EU countries at all relevant stages of ACP-EU policies and activities, from future planning and programming to implementation, evaluation and monitoring, particularly from the viewpoint of the principle of subsidiarity;
Amendment 142 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls for stronger involvement and support forParticularly regarding capacity- building by civil society, especially for local groups that ar, calls for the participation of all stakeholders, especially of those directly concerned by these policies; underlines in this regard the danger of shrinking space for civil society in some countries, and the need also to include those groups that are unable to organise their interests or that are, despite a legitimate democratic interest, not recognised by their government;
Amendment 149 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Believes that the private sector can play a pivotal role in the cooperation and development process and can contribute to its financing development, provided that investment occurs with full respect for the people and for traditional ownership or use, and forenvironmental protection and, in the respect of the genvironmenteral ACP-EU Partnership values; calls, therefore, for private investment to be supported under the auspices of the European Investment Bank (EIB) provided it is in line with international human rights law and social and environmental protection rules; calls, furthermore, for local and national private sectors to be allowed to participate in policymaking, programming and implementation;
Amendment 155 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls for the new ACP-EU agreement to include a strong parliamentary dimension, through a Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA), that will provide for an open democratic and comprehensive parliamentary dialogue, including on difficult and sensitive subjects, advance common (regional) political projects, and provide a democratic underpinning for them, scrutinise the executive’s work as well as development cooperation, promote democracy and human rights, and thus make an important contribution to an ACP-EU partnership on an equal footing; in this context, reminds the VP /HR of the political importance of the presence of the Council at ministerial level in the JPA sessions, as already assumed by the VP/HR;
Amendment 159 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Underlines the importance of an early involvement of the JPA in all relevant discussions regarding the Post 2020 ACP-EU Partnership;
Amendment 163 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. BStrongly believes that the JPA should ensure the adequate and proportional representation and participation of all political forces in its debates; calls, therefore, for the ACP national delegations to the JPA to include representatives of their national political spectrum, including the opposition;
Amendment 185 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Suggests that, coinciding with the JPAs, meetings, seminars or workshops should be organized with the relevant government or public administration authorities and with social partners, civil society representatives or other stakeholders in order to discuss, promote, evaluate and be informed about the best practices regarding the implementation of the ACP-EU Partnership principles and projects in the respective countries;
Amendment 195 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. UnderlineRecalls that future ACP-EU relations must be of a political nature, e.g. working towards common political projects in different international fora, and not mainly of a donor-recipient nature; stresses, therefore, that EU development aid principles must be applied on an equal basis to all developing countries, and that advanced ACP countries must therefore graduate out of receiving EU development aid on the same terms as non-ACP countries;
Amendment 204 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Reiterates that the EPAs constitute a basis for regional cooperation and that they must be instruments for prosperity development and regional integration; highlights, therefore, the need for legally binding sustainability provisions (on human rights and, social and environmental standards) in all EPAs, and underlines the importance of creating effective monitoring systems that include a wide range of civil society in order to avoid theidentify and prevent any potential negative effects due tof trade liberalisation;
Amendment 213 #
2016/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Strongly advocates the full integration of the EPAs into a new ACP- EU agreement, in order to ensure continuity for EPA linkages in the existing Cotonou Agreement to sustainability provisions on human rights and, labour, social and environmental standards, and because it would provide an adequate framework for development and policy coherence;
Amendment 232 #
2016/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. InviteRequests the VP/HR to proposelaunch an initial EU security and defence white book which will be based on the EU global strategy endorsed by the European Council; takes the view that the security and defence white book should guide the Union contributions in security and defence policy for each multiannual political and financial framework of the EU;
Amendment 156 #
2016/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that the objectives of the CAP include ensuring a fair standard of living for the agricultural community, stabilising markets and, guaranteeing viable food production and the highest food safety requirements, with an emphasis on farmers’ incomes and price stability;
Amendment 163 #
2016/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Considers that food autonomy and security, on the basis of food production within Europe, must be long-term aimstrategical objectives for the future CAP;
Amendment 348 #
2016/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Considers that agricultural markets must be transparent and that information about prices must be easily accessible and useful to all those involved;
Amendment 245 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is aware of the range of strategies employed by Da’esh both regionally and globally - particularly in Europe, to promote its political, religious and social narratives; calls on the EU and its Member States to develop a counter- narrative to Da’esh, includingvolving the education system and through the empowerment and increased visibility of mainstream Muslim scholars and other opinion leaders, who have the credibility to delegitimise Da’esh’s propaganda;
Amendment 270 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. CStrongly calls on the Member States to workfocus on cutting Daesh’s access to financing and to act firmly in order to eliminate their funding and to promote this principle in the EU’s external action and stresses the need to expose Da’esh’s true nature and ideological legitimisation;
Amendment 16 #
2016/2018(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Encourages the development of an efficient legislation geared to developingEuropean legislation that is simple, efficient, coherent and accessible for citizens, that takes account of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality and multi-level governance and whose aim is to stimulate economic growth, job creation and employment protection and European competitiveness with particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises;
Amendment 8 #
2016/2016(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that fisheries are crucial for the development of the ORs and are an important sector which creates large numbers of jobs and keeps people in their home areas, making communities more prosperous and resilient; calls for everything possible to be done to strengthen the fisheries sector as a pillar for local development in these regions, in particular by supporting the creation and consolidation of fisheries in the ORs;
Amendment 13 #
2016/2016(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises that the rules governing this sector are complex, and that the obstacles they create are holding back the creation and development of fisheries; calls for the simplification of those rules in order to make it easier for individuals working in ORs to organise themselves into collectives, as well as to maximise the performance of EU funding and, make the best possible use of fisheries assets in these regions and create economic activities complementary to work in the industry itself;
Amendment 41 #
2016/2016(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to single out and promote the use of relevant EU cohesion funds, in particular the ERDF and the ESF, in order to boost investment in the infrastructures required for the development of local fisheries in the outermost regions; encourages, in particular, investment in projects that make fisheries jobs more attractive, in training and in projects that attract more young people and innovative projects that make fisheries more sustainable, promote selective fishing methods and help to develop environmentally responsible fisheries;
Amendment 48 #
2016/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. AsksCalls on the Commission to facilitapromote and reinforce cooperation between NRAs with a view to greater efficiency and interoperability in cross- border delivery;
Amendment 145 #
2016/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that service quality should be assessed on the basis of minimum Europe-wide standards with a view to creating a fully integrated European postal sector on the benefit of European citizens;
Amendment 175 #
2016/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. EStrongly encourages the Commission to strengthen market oversight of parcel delivery, specifically by improving national regulators’ capacity to assess competition and identify anti- competitive practices;
Amendment 27 #
2016/2008(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that, in order to stimulate civic engagement, a proper and critical knowledge of the EU and its history, values and fundamental rights, its functioning and structured decision-making processes, ICT tools and new media and technologies are crucial and will increasingly play a fundamental role;
Amendment 38 #
2016/2008(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the EU and the Member States, particularly, at regional and local level, should promote ICT-based lifelong learning programmes on both digital literacy and civic engagement and participation, with particular regard to the most vulnerable and socially disadvantaged categories and people with disabilities;
Amendment 54 #
2016/2008(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers it crucial that the EU should strategically launch e-democracy tools able to provide decentralised sources of independent information and innovative models of learning, and to stimulate citizens’ active participation and political engagement through participatory and direct democracy mechanisms able to reinforce and complement, where possible, representative democracy;
Amendment 72 #
2016/2008(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to develop and implement specific pilot projects, as provided for in the Digital Agenda, to promote and reinforce responsible and active European citizenship schemes, democracy being ain order to truly consolidate democracy as a political and social experience which needs to be experienced and learned about.learned, lived and embraced;
Amendment 15 #
2016/0351(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) In the light of experience gained in past proceedings, it is appropriate to clarify the circumstances in which significant distortions affecting to a considerable extent free market forces may be deemed to exist. In particular, it is appropriate to clarify that this situation may be deemed to exist, inter alia, when reported prices or costs, including the costs of raw materials, energy and other factors of production, are not the result of free market forces because they are affected by government intervention. It is further appropriate to clarify that in considering whether or not such a situation exists regard may, due account must be hapaid, inter alia, to the potential impact of the following: the market in question is to a significant extent served by enterprises which operate under the ownership, control or policy supervision or guidance of the authorities of the exporting country; state presence in firms allowing the state to interfere with respect to prices or costs; overcapacity leading to overproduction, a deliberate policy of exchange rate manipulation leading to an undervaluation of the national currency, non-respect by the exporting country of international environmental, social or tax commitments of the exporting country leading to a distortion of competition, public policies or measures discriminating in favour of domestic suppliers or otherwise influencing free market forces; and access to finance granted by institutions implementing public policy objectives. It is further appropriate to provide that the Commission services may issue a report describing the specific situation concerning these criteria in a certain country or a certain sector; that such report and the evidence on which it is based may be placed on the file of any investigation relating to that country or sector; and that interested parties should have ample opportunity to comment on the report and the evidence on which it is based in each investigation in which such report or evidence is used. , the lack of a transparent and effective functioning company law and a bankruptcy regime that prevents the exercise of property laws, wage rates not the result of free bargaining between labour and management, the absence of a transparent set of laws producing discriminatory effects with regard to joint- ventures and other foreign investments, and access to finance granted by institutions implementing public policy objectives, as well as any other circumstances which the Commission considers appropriate for ascertaining the existence of significant distortions. The existence of significant distortions in the economy as a whole or in a sector of the economy of the exporting country shall lead automatically to the use of undistorted international, third country or EU prices, costs or benchmarks for each factor of production in calculating the normal value. However, if an exporting producer from a country that does not meet those conditions clearly demonstrates that its costs of one or more individual factors of production are not distorted, those costs should be used in calculating its normal value. It is further appropriate to provide that the Commission services draw up a report, in collaboration with the EU’s industrial sector, describing the specific situation concerning these criteria in a certain country or a certain sector. For those countries for which a substantial number of anti-dumping cases have been recorded, the report should be completed and adopted before the entry into force of this Regulation. The EU’s industrial sector should be consulted during the report drafting process. All such reports and the evidence on which they are based may be placed on the file of any investigation relating to that country or sector. Interested parties also should have ample opportunity to comment on the reports and the evidence on which it is based in each investigation in which such reports or evidence is used. The European Parliament shall monitor the report drafting process. On the request of the European Parliament or in the event of a change of circumstances in a specific country or sector, the Commission shall draft the report, or if one already exists, update the report. In any event, the European Commission should carry out a review of the report every two years.
Amendment 36 #
2016/0351(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) It is further appropriate to recall that costs should normally be calculated on the basis of reliable records kept by the exporter or producer under investigation. However, where there are significant distortions in the exporting country with the consequence that costs reflected in the records of the party concerned are artificially low, such costs may be adjusted or established on any reasonable basis, including information from other representative markets or from international prices or benchmarks. In the light of experience gained in past proceedings, it is appropriate to further clarify that, for the purposes of applying the provisions introduced by this regulation, due account should be taken of all relevant evidence, including relevant assessment reports regarding the circumstances prevailing on the domestic market of the exporting producers and the evidence on which they are based, which has been placed on the file, and upon which interested parties have had an opportunity to comment.
Amendment 41 #
2016/0351(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Absent any other specific transitional rules regulating the matter, it is appropriate to provide for the application of this Regulation to all decisions on the initiation of proceedings, and to all proceedings, including original investigations and review investigations, initiated, on or after the date on which this Regulation enters into force, subject to Article 11(9) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036. Furthermore, by way of specific transitional rule, and having regard to the absence of any other specific transitional rule regulating the matter, it is appropriate to provide that, in the case of a transition from a normal value calculated pursuant to Articles 2(7)(a) or 2(7)(b) to a normal value calculated pursuant to paragraphs 1 to 6a of Article 2, the reasonable period of time provided for in the first sub-paragraph of Article 11(3) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 should be deemed to elapse on the date on which the first expiry review following such transition is initiated. With a view to reducing the risk of circumvention of the provisions of this Regulation, the same approach should apply with respect to reviews conducted pursuant to Article 11(4) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036. It is also appropriate to recall that a transition from a normal value calculated pursuant to Articles 2(7)(a) or 2(7)(b) to a normal value calculated pursuant to paragraphs 1 to 6a of Article 2 would not in itself constitute sufficient evidence within the meaning of Article 11(3) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036. Such transitional rules, enabling the continued application of measures to defend against subsidised imports, should complete a lacuna that would otherwise risk to generate legal uncertainty, should provide a reasonable opportunity for interested parties to adapt themselves to the expiry of the old rules and the entry into force of the new rules, and should facilitate the efficient, orderly and equitable administration of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036.
Amendment 52 #
2016/0351(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 2 – paragraph 6a – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 6a – point a
(a) In case it is determined, when applying this provision or any other relevant provision of this Regulation, that it is not appropriate to use domestic prices and costs in the exporting country due to the existence of significant distortions in a given sector or the economy as a whole, the normal value shall be constructed on the basis of costs of production and sale reflecting undistorted prices or benchmarks. For this purpose, the sources that may be used include undistorted international prices, costs, or benchmarks, or corresponding costs of production and sale in an appropriate representative country with a similar level of economic development as the exporting countryproducer country in which the prices and production under review are the result of free market forces, provided the relevant cost data are readily available. The constructed normal value shall include a reasonable amount for administrative, selling and general costs and for profits. In the event that data are not available, or reliable or that the exporter or the authorities in the exporting country obstructs the investigation, the normal value calculated shall be increased by a reasonable surcharge as a punishment.
Amendment 61 #
2016/0351(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 2 – paragraph 6a – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 6a – point b
(b) Significant distortions for the product concerned within the meaning of point (a) may be deemed to exist, inter alia, when reported sale prices or costs, including the costs and sale prices of raw materials and energy, are not the result of free market forces as they are affected by government intervention. In considering whether or not significant distortions exist regard may, due account must be hapaid, inter alia, to the potential impact of the following: the market in question is to a significant extent served by enterprises which operate under the ownership, control or policy supervision or guidance of the authorities of the exporting country; state presence in firms allowing the state to interfere with respect to prices or costs; public policies or measures discriminating in favour of domestic suppliers or otherwise influencing free market forces; and access to finance granted by institutions implementing public policy objectives. , overcapacity leading to overproduction, a deliberate policy of exchange rate manipulation leading to an undervaluation of the national currency, non-respect by the exporting country of international environmental, social or tax commitments of the exporting country leading to a distortion of competition, the lack of a transparent and effective functioning company law and a bankruptcy regime that prevents the exercise of property laws, wage rates not the result of free bargaining between labour and management, the absence of a transparent set of laws producing discriminatory effects with regard to joint- ventures and other foreign investments, and access to finance granted by institutions implementing public policy objectives, as well as any other circumstances which the Commission considers appropriate for ascertaining the existence of significant distortions. The existence of significant distortions in the economy as a whole or in a sector or sectors of the economy of the exporting country shall lead automatically to the use of undistorted international, third country or EU prices, costs or benchmarks for each factor of production in calculating the normal value. If an exporting producer from a country that has been accused of not meeting those conditions is able to demonstrate clearly that its costs of one or more individual factors of production are not distorted, those costs shall be used in calculating its normal value.
Amendment 87 #
2016/0351(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 2 – paragraph 6a – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 6a – point c
(c) When appropriate, tThe Commission services mayshall issue a detailed report describing the specific situation concerning the criteria listed in point (b) in a certain country or a certain sector. For those countries for which a substantial number of anti- dumping cases have been opened, the report shall be completed and adopted before the entry into force of this Regulation. The Union industry shall be consulted during the report drafting process. Such report and the evidence on which it is based may be placed on the file of any investigation relating to that country or sector. Interested parties shall have ample opportunity to supplement, comment or rely on the report and the evidence on which it is based in each investigation in which such report or evidence is used. Particular attention must be given to SMEs in EU industry. The determinations made shall take into account all of the relevant evidence on the file. The European Parliament shall monitor the report drafting process. On the request of the European Parliament or in the case of a change of circumstances in a specific country or sector, the Commission shall draft the report, or if one already exists, update the report. In any event, the European Commission shall carry out a review of the report every two years.
Amendment 99 #
2016/0351(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 2 – paragraph 6 a – point d
Article 2 – paragraph 6 a – point d
(d) The Union industry may rely on the report referred to in point (c) for the calculation of normal value when filing a complaint in accordance with Article 5 or a request for a review in accordance with Article 11. When the conclusions of the report show the existence of significant distortions, the report pursuant to the paragraph 6 (b) shall constitute sufficient evidence in order to justify the calculation of the normal value pursuant to the methodology referred to in subparagraph (a). In any event, no additional burden should be imposed on EU industry, and in particular on SMEs, which must receive guidance when they require it. The absence of a report shall not prevent the Commission from using any available information or data to establish the existence of significant distortions and use the methodology referred to in subparagraph (a) if the relevant requirements are met.
Amendment 114 #
2016/0351(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 2 – paragraph 6 a – point e
Article 2 – paragraph 6 a – point e
(e) The parties to the investigation shall be informed shortly after initiation about the relevant sources that the Commission intends to use for the purpose of point (a) and shall be given 10 days to comment. For this purpose, interested parties shall be given access to the filevalidation to access the file after they have registered on a register maintained by the Commission, including any evidence on which the investigating authority relies, without prejudice to Article 19.
Amendment 116 #
2016/0351(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 2 – paragraph 6 a – point e a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 6 a – point e a (new)
(ea) In order to prevent any occurrence of disloyal competition, the Commission must put in place an information exchange mechanism with the countries applying anti-dumping measures.
Amendment 143 #
2016/0351(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 b (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 b (new)
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 144 #
2016/0351(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 c (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 c (new)
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
(5c) The following is added to Article 18, paragraph one, final part: ‘Interested parties shall be made aware of the consequences of non-cooperation.’ (https://publications.europa.eu/fr/publication-detail/-/publication/e0dcca38-3e84-11e6-af30- and shall be listed in a register whose use will enable the Commission and the partner countries to focus more attention on the activities of those parties.’ Or. fr 01aa75ed71a1/language-en)
Amendment 21 #
2016/0287(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Amongst measures to support the vision of European connectivity, it promotes the deployment of local wireless access points through simplified planning procedures and reduced regulatory obstacles. Such access points, including those ancillary to the provision of other public services or non-commercial in character, can make an important contribution to the improvement of current and the deployment of future generations of wireless communications networks by facilitating a more granular coverage in line withof the European Union territory in line with current and evolving needs.
Amendment 26 #
2016/0287(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Support of this kind should encourage entities with a public mission such as public authorities and providers of public services to offer free local wireless connectivity as an ancillary service to their public mission so as to ensure that local communities can experience the benefits of very high-speed broadband in the centres of public life. Such entities could include municipalities and other local public authorities, libraries and hospital/public services providers, such as libraries, hospitals and health centers, multipurpose spaces, cultural centers or museums.
Amendment 34 #
2016/0287(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Local wireless connectivity should only qualify as free where it is provided without corresponding remuneration, whether by direct payment or other types of consideration, including, but not limited to, advertising, time limits and the provision of personal data.
Amendment 43 #
2016/0287(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) To ensure that connectivity in accordance with this Regulation is provided quickly, financial assistance should be implemented using to the fullest extent possible on-line tools that allow for the swift submission and handling of applications and support the implementation, monitoring and effective auditing of the local wireless access points installed, particularly given the new administrative procedures adopted (vouchers scheme).
Amendment 51 #
2016/0287(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Given Internet connectivity needs within the Union and the urgency of promoting access networks, using multilingual access pages, that can deliver, throughout the EU, an easy and user friendly Internet experience of high quality based on very high-speed broadband services, financial assistance should seek to attain a geographically balanced distribution.
Amendment 53 #
2016/0287(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11 a) The geographically balanced distribution referred to in the previous recital should take into account the principles of economic, social and territorial cohesion enshrined in article 174. of the TFEU, meaning particular attention shall be paid to rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition and regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicap.
Amendment 55 #
2016/0287(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 b (new)
Recital 11 b (new)
(11 b) Given the innovative nature of the vouchers scheme used, a preliminary evaluation report of the first phase of the implementation of this measure should be made available to the European Parliament and to the Council.
Amendment 60 #
2016/0287(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
EU Regulation n. 283/2014
Annex – section 4– paragraph 1
Annex – section 4– paragraph 1
Actions aiming at the provision of free local wireless connectivity in the centres of local public life, including outdoor spaces accessible to the general public that play a major role in the public life of local communities, using multilingual access pages shall be eligible for financial assistance.
Amendment 75 #
2016/0287(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
EU Regulation n. 283/2014
Annex – Section 4 – paragraph 5
Annex – Section 4 – paragraph 5
The available budget shall be allocated in a geographically balanced manner and taking into account the principles of economic, social and territorial cohesion enshrined in article 174. of the TFEU to projects meeting the above conditions in view of the proposals received and, in principle, on a 'first come, first served' basis.
Amendment 76 #
2015/2349(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that, in a context of growing urbanisation, transport needs to be increasingly integrated and multi-modal in nature, and that urban nodes have an increasingly central role to play in the organisation of mobility; stresses the growing impact of travel planning apps and the importance for small businesses of being included on the list of available apps as well as the challenges it poses for their existing capabilities;
Amendment 90 #
2015/2349(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that the development of collaborative business models permits the optimisation of vehicle and infrastructure use, which while it contributes to meeting these objectives is not a sufficient solution in itself; notes that the growing exploitation of user-generated data could eventually result in the majority of the added value being created in the transport chain ending up in the hands of digital operators, which could have an adverse effect both on the fair distribution of profits and on participation in infrastructure investments and in other relevant costs, which mainly takes place in the "real world";
Amendment 113 #
2015/2349(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Draws attention to the upheavals whichand new challenges arising from the development of connected and self-driving vehicles are likely to cause for small businesses;
Amendment 149 #
2015/2349(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to do moreact adequately and rapidly in order to combat anti- competitive practices by large integrated groups;
Amendment 203 #
2015/2349(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Regrets that the Member States’ response to the development of collaborative business models has so far been very fragmented, and considers that a coordinated, overall European level approachction is indispensable; notes the Commission’s reasonable approach to this ‘new business model’ and eagerly awaits the publication of its guidelines on this topic;
Amendment 225 #
2015/2349(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for the establishment of cooperation structures between small transport firms and regional and local authorities with a view to improving the organisation of urban and interurban mobility;
Amendment 145 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that well-managed international migration represents an important contribution to socioeconomic development, as it has done historically, and that it is necessary to encourage this by changing the current narrative and developing a positive one, countering xenophobic, populist and nationalistic discourses and adopting global, European, and local policies focused on the medium and long term that must be coherent, forward looking, and meaningful and not exclusively guided by immediate political pressures, while also addressing legitimate concerns regarding border management, social protection for vulnerable groups and integration of refugees and migrants;
Amendment 170 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that EU development cooperation should continue to address the root causes of forced displacement by promoting peace, democracy and secur, the basis for action being the core EU principles set out in Articles 208 TFEU and 21 TEU and the prime objective, to reduce and ultimately eradicate poverty and to promote democracy and the principles underlying ity, reducing poverty and inequality, strengthening basic services, addressing state fragility and promoting human rightsthe rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and observance of the principles laid down in the United Nations Charter and international law; notes that the promotion of peace, security, justice, and equity, strengthening institutions, administrative capacity building, and good governance, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 16 in the new 2030 Agenda, are further principles to take into account;
Amendment 215 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls that children – particularly unaccompanied ones –, people with disabilities and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to abuse, including sexual and gender-based violence, even once they have reached places deemed secure; calls for these groups to be given special assistance and greater humanitarian protection as part of their resettlement/integration process;
Amendment 235 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 264 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines that the resettlement of forcibly displaced persons is a responsibility of the international community; considers it crucial to implement as a matter of urgency a coordinated response in third countries to grant asylum for people in need of international protection, instead of leaving the burden onis heavy burden to be shouldered primarily by the front-line states or countries neighbouring conflict zones; highlights the fact that financial support is outpaced by the scope and scale of displacement, compounded by the lack of solutions to address the root causes of this forced displacement;
Amendment 287 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses nonetheless the need to find political solutions to violent conflicts and to invest in effective early-warning and conflict- prevention mechanisms so as to reduce them in the future; calls for the EU to take a more active and effestronger and more proactive role in the field of prevention and mediation; stresses that the response to forced displacement needs to be based on respect for human rights-based and take account of the population’s vulnerabilities – in particular as regards women and minors, children, and the elderly – and not be limited to humanitarian assistance but also involve development actors;
Amendment 318 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that EU external action should be forward-looking instead of mainly reactive with changing objectives in response to new crises; recalls that the migration phenomenon stems from quite a complex set of causes such as a growing population, poverty, insufficient job creation, political instability andthe low school enrolment rate and the lack of opportunities, political instability and environmental degradation, not least climate change;
Amendment 379 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the new Partnership Framework with third countries as a signal of real political action; stresses that the success of the approach outlined in the communication of June 2016 depends on the EU’s capacity to offer real, commonly agreed incentives to third countries and is concerned by the limited offer mainly focused on border management or Assisted Voluntary Return schemes, which – while essential and needed – constitute only a short-term partial response to thean extremely complex situation; highlights the need to balance and complement this response, focusing on the development of local economies, qualification and regional mobility and improved levels of protection in countries of transit and origin;
Amendment 421 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. WelcomesPoints to the importance of the high-level dialogues carried out by the VP/HR and the Commission, and in some cases by Member States on behalf of the EU as a whole, as good and effective practices fostering coordination practices; stresses that coordination should be undertaken by the Commission and the EEAS; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to keep Parliament regularly informed of these dialogues and to report on the exact operational implementation of the Rabat and Khartoum processes and the priority initiatives agreed at the Valletta Summit; notes that the packages designed for priority countries as part of the new Partnership Framework, by the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States, have neither been presented nor debated by the elected representatives of European citizens;
Amendment 474 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Supports the Commission’s proposal for a new and ambitious External Investment Plan (EIP) to mobilise investments in neighbouring countries and developing third countries; considers that supporting private sectors in third countries while fostering an environment of good governance and business practices should not be presented as a new measure; calls on the Commission to ensure coherence between financing instruments – for example with the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) and the European Development Fund (EDF) – and projects in order to focus the EU’s assistance on priorities and to avoid the scattering of funds and efforts;
Amendment 493 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Underlines that the EU has to provide itself with the means necessary to attain its objectives and carry through its policies (Article 311 TFEU), the implication being that without sufficient funding the EU cannot perform the functions it is expected to, nor meet the expectations of the European people; underlines the political and economic costs of inaction; notes that the mid-term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) – or the negotiation of the next MFF at the latest – provides a necessary opportunity for the revision of the external instruments related to migration, and also to increase the EU’s budget in such a manner that it would allow an end to ad hoc instruments and restore the unity of the budget;
Amendment 507 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
Amendment 80 #
2015/2328(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Urges the Member States to increase the Creative Europe budget in lineto bring it into line both with the expectations of European citizens and with the ambitions of the programme proper;
Amendment 19 #
2015/2327(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that Erasmus+ is one of the key drivers of growth, employment, competitiveness and social cohesion in that it makes a positive contributesion to improving European education and training systems and employability, and thus provides Europeans with an opportunity to acquire transversal and transferable sets of skills and competences via studies, training and work experience abroad; stresses the programme’s contribution towards affirming an effective active European citizenship;
Amendment 70 #
2015/2327(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that the Student Loan Guarantee Facility was only launched in February 2015 after signature of the delegation agreement with the European Investment Fund (EIF) in December 2014, and that to date there are only three banks in France and Spain participating in this innovative tool; Stresses the importance of the rapid expansion of this mechanism to more banks and Member States;
Amendment 73 #
2015/2327(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to work with the Members States on stronger cooperation between education establishments and key stakeholders (businesses, VET facilities, research organisations, social partners, local/regional authorities and the youth sector) in order to enhance the responsiveness of the education and VET systems to genuine labour market needs, and to guarantee that this cooperation is reflected in Erasmus+, thereby reinforcing the two-way nature of this process and interactions between them; believes that active involvement of beneficiaries in the design and implementation of the programme increases its success and added value;
Amendment 88 #
2015/2327(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that, despite clear improvements in recognition and validation systems in education and VET, problems – which need to be clearly identified and overcome – still persist; calls for specific targets such as the implementation of a fully operational credit transfer system and recognition, and for validation of competences acquired through non-formal and informal learning.;
Amendment 140 #
2015/2327(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the introduction of two types of strategic partnerships as a first and important positive step towards increasing the chances forentivising small-sized organisations to participate in the programme; calls on the Commission to make further improvementscarry out improvements that will make the programme even more appealing and streamlined in order to include more small-sized organisations in programme activities;
Amendment 223 #
2015/2327(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls not only for the current budget level to be secured for the next programme generation under the new MFF, but considers a further budget increase to be an important step for the continuedalso for a budget increase commensurate with the success ofthat the programme achieved;
Amendment 2 #
2015/2317(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that trade and finance is one of the five priority areas of policy coherence for development; stresses that for PCD to be successful it requires the full commitment of all stakeholders involved both from the EU side and also from the partner countries.
Amendment 9 #
2015/2317(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that trade liberalisation is not positive, per se, in terms of reducing poverty and could have negative effects on sustainable development if it is not accompanied by re-distribution through fair and progressive tax systems;has helped millions of people out of poverty; welcomes in that respect the positive impact that trade in general and particularly GSP has had in developing countries in terms of economic diversification; notes that not all developing countries have gained from trade liberalization and welcomes, for example, the Aid for Trade programmes conceived to help those countries tap into the full opportunities offered by trade agreements.
Amendment 24 #
2015/2317(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to take measures to prevent the potential negative effects of mega trade deals, such as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the TNotes that most available studies show the impact of TTIP on developing countries would likely be limited although positive, leading to more demand for their products, in fact reducing regulatory divergences and improving market access; Is confident that TiSA could have positive effects both on developed and developing countries by removing unnecessary barriers to trade in Sservices Agreement (TiSA), on developing countries; and fostering investment.
Amendment 38 #
2015/2317(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission toStresses the importance of safeguarding the right of countries to regulate and preserve policy space in order to develop infant industries; urges the Commission to ensure that trade agreements and policies do not undermine developing countries’ efforts to increase the domestic value added in order to upgrade along the global value chains;an adequate balance between commitments and policy space; recalls that through GSP and the preferential market access provisions, the EU shows its firm commitment to promote sustainable development and human rights reducing poverty in beneficiary countries.
Amendment 50 #
2015/2317(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the importance of participation through broad and transparent consultations of civil society organisations and trade unionsall interested stakeholders, including from civil society in the negotiation, implementation and monitoring of EU trade and investment agreements and policies;
Amendment 54 #
2015/2317(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 62 #
2015/2317(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the EU and its Member States to actively engage with the UN Human Rights Council in its work towards an international treaty that would hold transnational corporations accountable for human rights abusStresses the fundamental role that the private sector plays in the fight against poverty and in that respect, welcomes the Commission's 2014 communication "A Stronger Role of the Private Sector in Achieving Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Developing Countries"; Recalls that the EU is the World's leading actor in terms of National Action Plans for CSR; Encourages the continued efforts to consolidate CSR best practices.
Amendment 7 #
2015/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that while several Commission statements and EU delegations to Iran have focused on trade and economic ties, the delegation from the Commission did not include the Trade Commissioner;
Amendment 22 #
2015/2274(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Expresses concern about the high levels of corruption and trade- circumventing sanctions, which have lead to a grey economy; stresses, therefore, the need to fight corruption and increase transparency, and for a truly private sector and market economy to develop in Iran;
Amendment 51 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that EU-Iran relations should be developed through multi-layered dialogue involving political, diplomatic, economic, academic, technical and people- to-people contacts; supports the opening of EU-Iran relations for the mutual benefit of both parties, based on a realistic assessment of common interests and, differences and idiosyncrasies, with a view to encouraging step-by-step expansion of cooperation in a climate of confidence-building, foremost for the benefit of the peoples of Iran and the EU; supports, in this regard, the Commission’s commitment to a renewed engagement with Iran based on ‘a dialogue of the four Cs’: a dialogue that is comprehensive in scope; cooperative in the fields where Iran and the EU have mutual interests; critical, open and frank in areas where Iran and the EU disagree but are looking for common ground; and that is overall constructive in tone and practice;
Amendment 62 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the institutional changes made within the European External Action Service (EEAS) to reflect the new period of EU-Iran relations; welcomes the steps taken by the EEAS for the establishment of an EU Delegation in Tehran, to enable better public educationknowledge within the country about the EU itself, to counter misunderstandings and to build a stronger basis of popular support for growinghelp to build confidence among our peoples for stronger relations and cooperation between the EU and Iran;
Amendment 79 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Insists on the importance of developing the parliamentary dimension of EU-Iran relations as part of the strategy for re-establishing mutual trust; reiterates its support, in this regard, for the proposal discussed between Parliament and the Majlis for an inter-parliamentary dialogue on counter-terrorism; welcomes the renewed political dialogue between the EU and Iran, including on human rights; recognises that while there is suspicion and mistrust on both sides, there is also a long history between many Member States and Iran and that Iran has a strong ambition to have good relations with Europe, which provides the potential for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect; reiterates that the EU does not seek to interfere in internal political choices in this country or in any other, but seeks cooperation based on mutual respect for international standards and principles; believes that the full normalisation of relations can only occur by means of regular and sustained dialogue and that the immediate priority should be to broaden the scope of EU-Iran relations in areas where there is common agreement to do so; believes, however, that the ultimate aim must be one ofthe establishment of a partnership between Iran and the EU;
Amendment 96 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recognises that differences exist between the EU and Iran on the use of the death penalty; nevertheless believes cooperation on anti-narcotics programmes and on the question of juvenile executions, in line with Iran’s own commitments, could provide a common agenda for addressing this questio and calls for an immediate moratorium on the carrying out of death sentences in Iran;
Amendment 154 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes note of Iran’s stated objective of achieving a yearly growth rate of 8 %; believes that European investments are key for Iran to achieve this goal; stresses that for Iran to realise its economic potential, it will have to take steps to create a transparent economic environment conducive to international investment and take anti-corruption measures, particularly regarding compliance with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force; calls on the EU to fully support Iran’s efforts in this process via, in particular, support for work towards forging a bilateral investment treaty between the EU and Iran; calls for the EU to develop commercial, financial and economic cooperation with Iran; takes note that Iran is the world’s largest economy outside the WTO; supports, in this regard, Iran’s bid to join the WTO;
Amendment 247 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Takes note that because of its geostrategic location, the size of its population and economy, its oil and natural gas reserves and its influence in the region, Iran is a major player in the Middle East and the Gulf region; stresses that the pursuit of Iranian interests does not and should not be in competition with other major players in the region;
Amendment 355 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Believes that Iran’s revolutionary legacy and its constitution as an Islamic State must not be an impediment for finding common ground on matters related to democracy, the rule of law or human rights;
Amendment 379 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Notes with concern that Iran has the highest level of death-penalty executions per capita in the world; stresses that eliminating the death penalty for drug- related offences would dramatically decrease the number of executions; welcomes, in this regard, the possibility that the newly-elected Majlis is considering legislation to exclude some drug-related offences from the list of crimes punishable with the death penalty;
Amendment 396 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Welcomes the fact that the adoption of the 2013 Islamic Penal Code and Iran’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child prohibits child executions and allows all juvenile offenders sentenced to death prior to 2013 to seek retrial; calls on Iran to ensure this prohibition is fully implemented and that all relevant offenders are made aware of this right; calls on Iran to declare a moratorium on the death penalty, at least for juvenile offenders; calls on Iran to declare an immediate moratorium on the death penalty;
Amendment 464 #
2015/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Welcomes President Rohani’s campaign promise to present a charter for citizens’ rights; underlines the importance of respecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in providing the necessary legal certainty required for foreign direct investments to take place; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to work together with the Iranian authorities in areas such as judicial reform, reform of the prison system, government accountability, respect for the rule of law, freedom of speech, citizens’ rights and the fight against corruption; believes that these measures will increase legal certainty in Iran and the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors while also benefiting Iranian citizens.;
Amendment 19 #
2015/2086(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas in the area of adoption, the basic principle must always be that any decision should be taken in the best interests of the child and respect for his or her fundamental rights;
Amendment 29 #
2015/2086(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the purpose of adoption is not to give adults the right to a child, but to give the child a loving and caring environment to grow uphat will meet his or her needs and provide a favourable context for his or her growth and develop in; ment;
Amendment 47 #
2015/2086(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas compliance with Article 21 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which all Member States have ratified, is of the utmost importancemust be scrupulously respected in the best interests of the child;
Amendment 52 #
2015/2086(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas measures need to be adopted to ensure that international activities in this area are undertaken with the aim of preventing the abduction, sale of, or trafficking in children;
Amendment 101 #
2015/2086(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital R
Recital R
R. whereas currently, when moving to another Member State, parents may be obliged to go through specific national recognition procedures, or even re-adopt the child, creating significant legal uncertainty and insecurity;
Amendment 122 #
2015/2086(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on the authorities of the Member States to take all decisions in adoption matters with the best interests of the child and respect for his or her fundamental rights in mind, and taking into account the specific circumstances of theat particular case;
Amendment 166 #
2015/2086(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Points out that further efforts could be made in order to facilitate the operatrespect and scrupulously enforce the provisions of the Hague Convention, as some Member States require additional administrative procedures or charge disproportionate fees in connection with the recognition of adoptions, for example in order to establish or amend civil status records or to obtain nationality, although this is contrary to the provisions of the convention;
Amendment 191 #
2015/2086(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses the need to cooperate closely to prevent the cross-border trafficking of children for adoption purposes, as well as to avoid and prevent the abduction and sale of children;
Amendment 7 #
2015/0218(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Olive oil is Tunisia’s main agricultural export product to the Union and the olive oil industry is an important part of the country’s economy, as it is for some regions of certain Member States.
Amendment 11 #
2015/0218(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The Union can best support Tunisia’s economy, on a short term basis and in accordance with the objectives set out in the European Neighbourhood Policy and in the Euro- Mediterranean Agreement, by providing an attractive and reliable market for Tunisia’s exports of olive oil. This requires autonomous trade measures allowing for the import of this product into the Union on the basis of a duty free tariff quota, established for a maximum period of two years.
Amendment 17 #
2015/0218(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In order to prevent fraud and to guarantee consumer rights and fair competition, the envisioned autonomous trade measures should be subject to compliance by Tunisia with the Union’s relevant rules regarding the origin of products and the procedures related thereto, as well as to Tunisia’s effective administrative cooperation with the Union.
Amendment 19 #
2015/0218(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) The preservation of the stability of the olive oil market in the Union requires that the additional volume generated by the autonomous trade measures is only made available after the exhaustion of the volume of the annual olive oil duty free tariff rate quota laid down in Article 3(1) of Protocol 1 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement. In order to prevent major harm to Union production setups, this Regulation also provides for safeguard measures so as to preclude market distortions:
Amendment 31 #
2015/0218(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Amendment 41 #
2015/0218(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
The Commission shall administer the tariff rate quota in accordance with Article 184 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013. and by establishing monthly import licences to be issued between January and October of 2016 and 2017 in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1918/20061a. __________________ 1aCommission Regulation (EC) No 1918/2006 of 20 December 2006 opening and providing for the administration of tariff quota for olive oil originating in Tunisia (OJ L 365, 21.12.2006, p. 84)
Amendment 46 #
2015/0218(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 a (new)
Article 5 a (new)
Article 5a Safeguard measure In the event that the obligations laid down in this Regulation lead to or threaten a serious distortion of the Union market, they shall be suspended by the Commission. The suspension shall last as long as necessary for a return to normal market conditions and may be extended up to exhaustion of the quota. If the quota is reopened during the year of validity, the Commission shall, where necessary, modify the management thereof by means of an implementing act with a view to adopting the most appropriate measures aimed at encouraging greater market stability.
Amendment 52 #
2015/0218(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 2
It shall apply from 1 January 2016 until 31 December 20176. This Regulation may be extended up to December 2017 in accordance with the conditions laid down in Article 1.
Amendment 8 #
2014/2252(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises the need to determine how the principle of subsidiarity should apply when trade policies include provisions on investments different from the foreign direct ones covered by the EU's exclusive competence under the common commercial policy as stated in the Treaty; notes namely the most recent controversies regarding the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and the UN Convention on Transparency in Treaty- based Investor-State Arbitration; calls for respect for the proportionality principle to be enforced when bilateral safeguard clauses are negotiated and applied;
Amendment 22 #
2014/2252(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes with regret that the Commission's ex-ante impact assessments of envisaged far-reaching trade agreements often prove to be excessively optimistic and raise false hopes about their positive impact on EU citizens and businesses, in particular on SMEs; points out that the assessment of economic, social and environmental implications is carried out only after the launch of negotiations in the form of the so-called sustainability impact assessment; is convinced that these two assessment tools should be merged so as to assess the economic, social and environmental implications before launching trade negotiations, and cCalls on the Commission to carry out the sustainability impact assessments before the launch of trade agreements negotiations in a broader ex-ante impact assessment exercise to assess the economic, social and environmental impact on EU citizens and business, in particular SMEs; Calls on Parliament and the Commission to fully cooperate in this regard;
Amendment 157 #
2014/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Highlights the importance of the new EU investment instrument, the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), and emphasises that it should be complementary and additional to the ESI Funds; points out that the EFSI is not clearly linked to the Europe 2020 strategy, but that through its objectives it contributes to the implementation of the strategy, in specific areas; stresses, moreover, the imperative of ensuring full coherence and synergies between all EU instruments, in order to avoid overlapping or contradictions among them or between the different levels of policy implementation; appreciateconsequently demands that the review of the Europe 2020 strategy, reconfirms it as the EU's long-term strategic framework for growth and jobs, must and addresses this challenge of coordinating policy instruments, including EFSI, with a view to using all the available resources effectively and achieving the expected results as regards the overarching strategic goals;
Amendment 174 #
2014/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Emphasises European Parliament's role to oversight Europe 2020 Strategy and Cohesion Policy implementation, in a coordinated manner not only within the Parliament, but also with all relevant institutions; in this regard, calls for timely European Parliament involvement in all relevant discussions targeting the design of the policies covered by the strategy, their implementation and evaluation; remembers the importance of also mobilising in these exchange of views the CoR, the EESC, national parliaments, LRAs, other stakeholders and interested parties;
Amendment 184 #
2014/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Points out that both future cohesion policy and the future EU long-term strategy will be designed at the end of the current mandate, reminding there will be elections for the European Parliament and a new Commission entering into functions in 2019 imposing significant specific time constraints on the co- legislators as regards the negotiation calendar; notes, at the same time, that negotiations will be also entered into on the future MFF; calls on the Commission, therefore, to take into consideration all the specific constraints generated by interlinkages and timing coordination requirements and to develop a coherent approach as regards the future EU long- term growth and jobs strategy, the EU budget and the instruments under the MFF;
Amendment 9 #
2014/2233(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recognises that private investments and finance are likely to be the key engine for growth, which is projected to be approximately 5 % in developing countries in the coming years; emphasises that the future public-private partnerships (PPPs) within the post-2015 development agenda must have a greater focus oin poverty reductionromoting greater social justice and other sustainable development outcomes and be aligned with partner countries own national strategies and reform agendas;
Amendment 25 #
2014/2233(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that properly structured and efficiently implemented PPPs can bring many benefits such as innovation; outlines that PPPs in developing countries are so far concentrated mostly in the energy and telecommunications sectors, whereas private engagement in social infrastructure remains rare; however, the intention is to promote PPPs in other important sectors as substitute of public-funded projects, offering integrated solutions that can promote a sustainable development of these countries;
Amendment 62 #
2014/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that SMEs and larger companies can provide unique private-sector know- how, experience, good practices and networks involving public authorities in non-EU countries;, helping to deliver vigorous sustainable development policies, considers that SMEs can achieve their potential if they perform at the global level and enter markets outside Europe, inter alia through PPPs, often by acting as subcontractors for larger EU companies;
Amendment 103 #
2014/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission to work towards gaining substantial market access commitments internationally in the World Trade Organisation and in ongoing bilateral negotiations with third countries in a positive reciprocity approach, which allows international competition, in order to redress the asymmetries in the level of openness of EU government procurement markets as compared with those of other trading partners, including provisions relating to investments and access to public procurement, to ensure a level playing field for EU companies involved in PPP projects;
Amendment 120 #
2014/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Is convinced that increased participation by EU companies in large- scale international PPPs would lead to substantial benefits in terms of job creation, productivity, competitiveness, technologyical capabilities and innovation development in Europe, in line to what is proposed by the European Fund for Strategic Investment internally; recalls that the report ‘Internationalisation of European SMEs’ highlights the positive link between internationalisation and innovation in terms of product, service and processes;
Amendment 31 #
2014/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates the great importance of the transatlantic transport sector for tradehe euroatlantic trade expansion as well as for economic growth and jobs creation in both economies; reiterates its call for the negotiations to address in a meaningful way and in the spirit of reciprocity all relevant issues, taking into account existing EU standards;