19 Amendments of Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS related to 2023/0397(COD)
Amendment 148 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) Taking into account that more than 20 years after Thessaloniki summit, Western Balkan states are in different stages of accession process, upholding different dynamics in their efforts in fulfilling obligatory negotiating chapters.
Amendment 149 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 b (new)
Recital 1 b (new)
(1b) Having regard to geostrategic importance of enlargement strategy towards Western Balkans for security, peace and stability of EU Member States in the light of dynamic changes in international environment, specifically with Russia's aggressive invasion on Ukraine.
Amendment 154 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) To reduce this disparity, the European Commission adopted a Communication on a Growth Plan for the Western Balkans based on four pillars: (a) increasing integration with the EU’s Single Market; (b) boosting regional economic integration, based on EU rules and standards, by fully implementing the existing Common Regional Market Action Plan; (c) deepening reforms aiming at accelerating growtheconomic development in the region, promoting inclusive and sustainable economic convergence and strengthening regional stability; and (d) establishing a new Financing Instrument: the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans.
Amendment 159 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The implementation of that Growth Plan requires increased funding under a dedicated new Financing Instrument, the Reform and Growth Facility, to assist the region in implementing the growth- promoting reforms, forming a stable investment environment, regional integration and Common Regional Market.
Amendment 161 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) The support under the Facility should be made available under the precondition that Beneficiaries continues to respect parliamentary democracy, effective democratic mechanisms and institutions, including appropriate checks and balances, a multi-party parliamentary system, good governance at all levels, free and fair elections in line with EU's values, the rule of law including an independent judiciary and public prosecutor, continued advances in fighting corruption. Western Balkans should also continue to guarantee respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, and work towards increased women's participation in decision-making.
Amendment 162 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 b (new)
Recital 4 b (new)
(4b) The general objectives of the Reform and Growth Facility should be inter alia to assist Beneficiaries fostering democratic social, economic, environmental and territorial cohesion and resilience, and a progressive integration into the Union and global economy and markets as well as an upward economic, social and environmental convergence towards Union standards. Such objectives should be pursued in a mutually reinforcing manner and with a regular monitoring of the evolving social and economic circumstances in Western Balkans. Beneficiaries should guarantee public access to the information on funding opportunities under this Facility, as well as free and fair competition during tendering process and grant allocation under the Facility.
Amendment 168 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) To achieve these goals, special emphasis with respect to investment areas should be placed on sectors that are likely to function as key multipliers for social and economic development: connectivity, including transport, energy, green and digital transitions, research and innovation, education and skills development.
Amendment 187 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The support under the Facility should be provided to meet general and specific objectives, based on established criteria and with clear payment conditions. The general objectives of the Facility should be to accelerate regional economic integration, progressive integration with the Union single market, socio-economic convergence of Western Balkans economies and alignment with Union laws, rules, standards, policies and practices with a view to Union membership. The Facility should also help accelerate reforms related to fundamentals of the enlargement process, including rule of law, public procurement and State aid control, public finance management and, fight against corruption and organized crime. These objectives should be pursued in a mutually reinforcing manner.
Amendment 319 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point g
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point g
(g) boost innovationaccelerate research and innovation, boosting cooperation between academic institutions and industry, particularly for start-ups and SMEs and in support of the green and digital transitions;
Amendment 325 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point h
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point h
(h) boost quality education, training, reskilling and upskilling, and employment policies to address the needs of youth and women in particular; strengthen the policies targeting NEETs;
Amendment 347 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point j
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point j
(j) reinforce the effectiveness of public administration and support transparency, structural reforms and good governance at all levels, including in the areas of public financial management and public procurement and State aid control; support initiatives and bodies involved in supporting and enforcing international justice in the Western Balkans Beneficiaries; further promote the role of civil society and its involvement in governance at all levels of administration.
Amendment 391 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The Beneficiary countries shall as precondition and on country by country basis be in full alignment with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy decisions and declarations, including restrictive measures.
Amendment 395 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall monitor the fulfilment of the preconditions set out in paragraph 1 before funds are released to Beneficiaries under the Facility and throughout the period of the support provided under the Facility taking duly into account the latest Enlargement Package. The Commission may adopt a decision concluding that some of these preconditions are not met, and in particular, withhold the release of funds referred to in Article 21, irrespective of the fulfilment of payment conditions referred to in Article 16(3). The Commission shall take into account the relevant recommendations of international bodies, such as the Council of Europe and its Venice Commission in this process. The Commission’s assessment shall be transmitted simultaneously to the European Parliament and the Council.
Amendment 419 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall conclude a Facility Agreement with each Beneficiary for the implementation of the Facility setting out the obligationspecific arrangements for the management, control, supervision, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and audit of funds aund payment conditions of the Beneficiaries for the disbursement of Facility fundinger the Facility, as well as to prevent, detect, investigate and correct irregularities, fraud, corruption and conflicts of interest. That framework agreement, including any related documentation, shall be transmitted to the European Parliament and the Council simultaneously and without delay and shall be made public.
Amendment 422 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The establishment of monitoring committees inspired by the European Code of Conduct on Partnership following the best practices for the preparation of calls for proposals, progress reports, monitoring and evaluation of projects, measures and activities;
Amendment 535 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 22 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(da) expressly authorise the EPPO to exert its rights as provided for in Regulation 2017/1939.
Amendment 538 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 22 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Persons and entities implementing funds under the Facility, as well as persons knowledgeable about the implementation process, shall be able to report the cases of alleged corruption, fraud, irregularities and maladministration through a dedicated digital tool, with the relevant whistleblower protection provisions.
Amendment 551 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 2
Article 28 – paragraph 2
2. The recipients of Union funding shall, especially governmental and other public institutions, shall actively and transparently acknowledge the origin and ensure the visibility of the Union funding, including, where applicable, by displaying the emblem of the Union and an appropriate funding statement that reads ‘funded by the European Union’, in particular when promoting the actions and their results, by providing coherent, effective and proportionate targeted information to multiple audiences, including the media and the public.
Amendment 552 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 28 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The recipients’ future access to Union funding shall be conditional upon fulfilling the visibility criteria as defined in paragraph 2.