Activities of Maria GRAPINI related to 2022/2046(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on upscaling the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework: a resilient EU budget fit for new challenges
Amendments (15)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls the European budgetary principles of unity, budgetary accuracy, annuality, equilibrium, unit of account, universality, specification, sound financial management and transparency, which must be respected in the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF); recalls that the Committee on Budgetary Control is responsible for the control of the implementation of the EU budget with a view to rationalising European expenditure, among other responsibilities;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. DNotes the need for flexibility in times of crisis but deeply regrets the fact that the protection of the EU budget, including the comprehensive processing of information, the ease of accessibility, the feasibility of in-depth audits, substantive scrutiny and the possibility to monitor, follow up on and evaluate the financed actions, as envisaged by the RRF Regulation, has not been adequately embedded within the current MFF package as a whole; acknowledges that this shortcoming enormously weakens both the level of transparency of the implementing actions and the effectiveness of scrutiny and monitoring; calls for the revision of the 2021-2027 MFF to address these shortcomings; calls, therefore, for a mandatory single interoperable database to be introduced during the current programming period, including relevant information on the direct and ultimate beneficiaries of EU funds, providing a clear overview of the recipients of EU funding and ensure accountability, credibility and better control of expenditure, so as to prevent misuse of funds, corruption, fraud, conflicts of interest, etc. ;
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas, in line with Parliament’s long-standing position, new policy commitments and objectives need to be matched with fresh money, and are not to be financed at the expense of other Union programmes and priorities;
Amendment 7 #
4. Welcomes the Regulation on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the EU budget (the Conditionality Regulation); emphasises the clear link between respect for the rule of law and the efficient implementation of the EU budget; notes that any upscaling of the 2021-2027 MFF should aim to reinforce the protection of the EU’s financial interests, ensuring alignment with rule of law conditionality and strengthening public procurement rules to avoid any potential conflict of interests and increase transparency; asks the Commission to indicate how it will verify the functioning of the rule of law to ensure the uniform application of conditionality for all Member States;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Calls on the Commission to urgently carry out an economic and social assessment of the consequences of the war on all modes of transport in the EU market and to swiftly present, where necessary, support, including through further legislative and/or financial measures, to mitigate the negative effects and to ensure the well-functioning and fair level playing field for the European transport sector;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls onReiterates its requests to the Commission to ensure that the European Anti-Fraud Office, the Court of Auditors and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office have the necessary means and staff to investigate potential cases of fraud against the EU budget.
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates its calls for increased financing of transport infrastructure through EU funding, particularly the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF); suggests to this end, for the current multiannual financial framework (MFF), the mobilisation of unused funds under the Recovery and Resilience Facility and calls on, given the rising needs of the transport sector; calls for the necessary adjustment of the 2021-2027 MFF through its forthcoming revision, taking also into account the new geopolitical context; acknowledges in that regard the Commission’s intention to use the CEF to support interoperability and connectivity projects of the Union's transport network with Ukraine; further urges the Commission to plan a successor programme to CEF II for the MFF 2028- 2034, with reinforced funding;
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Deplores the undue reallocation of EUR 400 million from CEF, including EUR 250 million from CEF-Transport, to finance the Chips for Europe Initiative; regrets this technical budgetary practice, which reduces the CEF budget at a time when the transport sector is facing multiple challenges;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recommends further strengthening synergies between the CEF and other programmes such as Horizon Europe and InvestEU, in order to support, innovation, sustainability and safety in the transport sector and optimise the use of budgetary resources particular, EU joint undertakings related to transport, in order to boost innovation and research in sustainability, performance and safety in the sector;
Amendment 38 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Welcomes the role of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and related national plans in stimulating the recovery in the transport and tourism sectors while advancing the Union’s priorities for a green and digital transition; calls on the Commission to support the Member States in committing the relevant projects by the end of 2026, paying particular attention to accelerating priority projects of the TEN- T such as cross-border projects; calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure that the tourism sector receives a proper share of assistance under the RRF;
Amendment 42 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that in the current geopolitical context, achieving the goals of the European Green Deal should be tackled together with the reduction of the EU’s energy dependency, which is critical for the transport sector; welcomes in this respect the Commission’s initiative for a REPowerEU plan and calls on the Commission to promptly adopt further measures to address rising transport and energy costs; such as the funding of energy interconnections between Member States, notably those between the Iberian peninsula and the rest of Europe, to diversify energy supply in the internal market and help tap into the long-term potential for renewable hydrogen; takes note that the Commission foresees the mobilisation of CEF funding to achieve the targets set on renewable hydrogen production, infrastructure and end-use appliances;
Amendment 48 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that the transition to a smart and sustainable mobility system has to be fair and inclusive and requires mitigating the risk of energy and mobility poverty and protecting the most vulnerable; considers that to ensure a successful transition, it is essential to invest in the upskilling and reskilling of workers; therefore insists on targeted measures within the ‘Fit for 55’ package in that respect, in coordination with Member States’ plans; welcomes, the creation of the Social Climate Fund (SCF) as an essential element to alleviate the cost of the transition; calls for a swift implementation of the new own resources, which will partly finance the SCF;
Amendment 49 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Points out that digitalisation and innovation for all modes of transport are of utmost importance; therefore, calls on the Commission to come forward with an investment programme for the transport industry, including investments in infrastructure, digitalisation, innovation, and sustainability; believes that particular attention should be paid to autonomous driving; highlights the importance of training programmes for all workers along the value chain to upskill and reskill them for the new type of jobs that could be created due to digitalisation and innovation; urges the Commission to offer concrete guidance as to how artificial intelligence can be used to enhance transport links, as well as to raise awareness on cyber-risks and build preparedness in the transport sector;
Amendment 52 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Calls on the Commission to further spell out the ‘Global Gateway’ initiative, to foster joint infrastructure investments in particular in those countries which are sharing universal values with the European Union;