Activities of Davor ŠKRLEC related to 2015/2210(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
European Semester for economic policy coordination: implementation of 2015 priorities (A8-0307/2015 - Dariusz Rosati) HR
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the European Semester for economic policy coordination: implementation of 2015 priorities
Amendments (9)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges the new approach for a more streamlined European Semester 2015 to focus on the four key priorities for economic growth: boosting investment, implementation of structural reforms, fiscal responsibility and improving employment policy; welcomesunderlines the need for 'greening' the European Semester to better integrate environmental sustainability into the wider cycle of economic governance; takes note of the country-specific recommendations (CSRs) 2015, which address the growth drivers that can allow sustainable recovery and through which progress can be achieved within a shorter timeframe (12- - 18 months);
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that the macroeconomic framework seems to be essentialelements explain only part of the convergence process in Europe aiming to achieving the objective of reducing disparities in the levels of development as defined in Article 174 of the TFEU and that cohesion policy can be a strong driver for achieving this objective if accompanied by a sound macro-economic framework; is deeply concerned that, in an economic environment with high government debt levels and macro-economic imbalances, the effectiveness of ESI funds can be greatly diminished;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Reminds the initial rejection by the European Parliament of the macroeconomic conditionality in Cohesion Policy; asks the Commission to avoid the application of Article 23 CPR;
Amendment 11 #
3. Welcomes the closer links between the objectives of the European Semester process and the programming of the ESI Funds 2014-2020, and especially the systematic references to CSRs and NRPs (National Reform Programmes) in the programming exercise; considers that cohesion policy investments could play a very important role in supporting structural reforms by following up the relevant CSRs and NRPs; calls for steps to be taken to ensure compleimentarity and synergies between the ESI Funds, the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI) and the other EU-subsidised programmes and initiatives, as well as national public investments and private financial instruments, in order to obtain maximum added value from the investments effected;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Urges the Commission and the Member States to ensure the quality of interventions co-financed by cohesion policy and compliance with most relevant CSRs and NRP; notes that, in the 2013 and 2014 financial years there were more CSRs with relevance for ESI Funds programming and that medium- term structural reforms related to ESI Funds investments are still necessary and are very often contained in the ex-ante conditionalities of the ESI Funds common framework;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes with great concern the persistently high unemployment rates across most Member States, especially as regards youth and long-term unemployment; stresses the need for structural reforms to be implemented at regional, national and EU level in order to create sustainable employment opportunities and boost quality job creation;
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Urges the Member States to ensure swift and effective implementation of the respective CSRs for 2015 and those outstanding from previous years in order to achieve sustainable growth and jobs; deplorestakes note in this connectiontext of the non- binding natures of the recommendations; recalls that the quality of ESI Funds interventions as policy responses to the challenges identified in the CSRs will will partly depend on how Member States connect their structural reforms, better spending and the use of ESI funds through the National Reform Programmes and the ensuing programme implementation;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. WelcomesTakes note of the entry into force of the regulation on the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI);, underlines the strong combined potential of the Investment Plan for Europe and the ESI Funds in terms of boosting competitiveness, sustainable economic growth and job creation; urges the Commission and the Member States, therefore, to step up the structural reforms and to improve the regulatory and administrative environment in order to substantially improve the business and investment climate and reap the full benefits of scarce public finances;
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to consider innovative ways to encourage investment in the EU and highlights the fact that the increased use of financial instruments within the 2014- 2020 cohesion policy can help to produce a multiplier effect with the EU budget and also to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of ESI Funds investment; emphasizes, however, the need to ensure transparency, accountability and scrutiny for financial instruments or any other mechanisms that involve the EU budget, and in particular the EFSI.