Activities of Daniele VIOTTI

Daniele VIOTTI, Pina PICIERNO, Paolo DE CASTRO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Believes that, given the urgent need to provide a quick response to the migration challenge as well as to the difficulties that Parliament and the Council are already facing in agreeing on a first proposal for the extension of the Facility for Refugees in Turkey, the 2017 surplus, amounting to EUR 555,5 million, provides an excellent solution to finance the Union contribution to this instrument for 2018 without taking the Union general budget to its limits;

2018/05/31
Committee: BUDG

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Calls for a fair distribution of direct payments between ~~the~~ Member States, ~~so that the gaps between the different regions of the Union can be~~which must take into account reliable socio- economic indexes, such as standard gross margins, added value per hectare, employment rates as well as labour, inputs and land clos~~ed sooner~~ts;

2018/04/09
Committee: BUDG

2018/0166R(APP)

Paragraph 31

31. Welcomes, in this context, as a~~n importan~~ first step towards a more ambitious reform, the Commission’s set of proposals adopted on 2 May 2018 on a new system of own resources;

2018/10/18
Committee: BUDG

2018/0166R(APP)

Paragraph 32

32. Supports the suggested modernisation of existing own resources, which implies: - maintaining the customs duties as traditional own resources for the EU, whilst ~~decreasing the percentage Member States retain as “collection cost”~~eliminating any collection costs retained by Member States; - simplifying the Value Added Tax- based own resource, i.e. introducing a uniform call rate without exceptions; - maintaining the GNI-based own resource, with the objective of reducing, ~~to less than 6~~down to 40%, its share in the financing of the EU budget, while preserving its balancing function;

2018/10/18
Committee: BUDG

2018/0166R(APP)

Paragraph 33

33. ~~Takes positive note~~Requests, in parallel, of the ~~Commission proposal to gradually~~programmed introducetion of a basket of new own resources which, without increasing the fiscal burden for citizens, would correspond to two strategic objectives of the EU, the European added value of which is evident and irreplaceable: - the proper functioning, the consolidation and the strengthening of the single market in particular by the implementation of a common consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB) and the taxation of over the top players that takes advantage of the single market, especially in the digital sector; - the fight against climate change and the acceleration of energy transition, through measures such as a share of the emission trading scheme (ETS) income and a contribution based on the quantity of non- recycled plastic packing;

2018/10/18
Committee: BUDG

2018/0166R(APP)

Paragraph 34

34. Requests the extension of the list of potential new own resources, that could include ~~a share of a digital tax, to be presented in the years to come, as well as further consid~~ A Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) based own resource, according to which all Member States shall join the current scheme implemented under enhanced cooperation; The introduction of a carbon border adjustment mechanism as a new own resource for the EU budget, which should ensure a level playing field in internation ~~of the Financial Transaction Tax;~~ al trade and reduce the off- shoring of production, while internalising the costs of climate change into the prices of imported goods;

2018/10/18
Committee: BUDG

2018/0166R(APP)

Paragraph 35

35. ~~Approves strongly the~~Insists on the need of suppression of all rebates and other correction mechanisms~~, accompanied, should the need arise, by a limited period of phasing out~~;

2018/10/18
Committee: BUDG

2018/0166R(APP)

Paragraph 36

36. ~~Call~~Insists on the introduction of other revenue of which the allocation to the EU budget cannot be put into question: - fees linked to the implementation of mechanisms in direct relation with the EU, such as the ETIAS system; - fines paid by companies for breaching the Union’s rules or fines for late payments of contributions; - ~~Seigniorag~~proceeds from fines generated by rulings of the European Court of Justice, including penalties on Member States stemming from infringement cases under the same court, provided that these proceeds are not deducted from the GNI based contribution; - Seigniorage, in form of assigned revenue, for the purpose of financing a new investment stabilisation mechanism;

2018/10/18
Committee: BUDG

2018/0166R(APP)

Paragraph 37

37. Points to the need to maintain the credibility of the EU budget vis-à-vis the financial markets ~~which implies an increase of the own resources ceilings~~; In this sense, takes positive note of the Commission proposal on Own Resources Ceiling and the Ceiling for Appropriations for Commitments and considers that it need to be at least respectively at 1,29% and 1,35% in order to leave sufficient headroom for emergency situations as well as resources for the European Investment Stabilisation Function to efficiently perform its role;

2018/10/18
Committee: BUDG

2018/0166R(APP)

Daniele VIOTTI, Terry REINTKE, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Tanja FAJON

Paragraph 37 a (new)

37 a. Very much supports the presentation by the European Commission of a proposal for a Council Regulation laying gown implementing measures for the system of won resources of the European Unions, reminds that the European Parliament has to deliver its consent on this Regulation: recalls that this regulation is an integral part of the own resources package presented by the European Commission and expects the Council to address the 4 related texts on Own resources as a single package together with the MFF;

2018/10/18
Committee: BUDG

2017/2286(BUD)

Daniele VIOTTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Believes that the European Union must prepare European economy and EU citizens to face up to the challenge of digitalisation, to manage migration flows, and to put an end to various kinds of discrimination, such as discrimination against women or LGBTI people;

2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG

2017/2286(BUD)

Daniele VIOTTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. Believes that as the arm of the budgetary authority directly elected by citizens, the European Parliament should fulfil its political role and put forward proposals for Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions expressing its political vision for the future; Commits itself, in this context, to propose a package of Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions elaborated in close cooperation with each of its committees to find the right balance between the political will and the technical feasibility as assessed by the European Commission;

2018/02/06
Committee: BUDG

2017/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)

- having regard to its resolution of 4 February 2014 on the EU Roadmap against homophobia and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity,

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Terry REINTKE, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 b (new)

- having regard to the European Commission’s List of Actions to advance LGBTI Equality and to the Council conclusions on LGBTI equality, adopted on 16 June 2016,

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Terry REINTKE, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)

- having regard to Fundamental Rights Agency’s EU LGBT Survey (2013), to its report entitled ‘Being Trans in the European Union – Comparative analysis of the EU LGBT survey data’ (2014), to its focus paper on the Fundamental Rights Situation of Intersex people (2015), and to its report entitled 'Professionally speaking: challenges to achieving equality for LGBT people' (2016);

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Terry REINTKE, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 b (new)

- having regard to Resolution 2191 (2017) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Promoting the human rights of and eliminating discrimination against intersex people;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Article 2 TEU states that the EU is founded on respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the primacy of the law and human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities – values which are shared by all the Member States and which must be upheld by the EU and each Member State individually in all their policies, both internally and externally; whereas Article 17 TEU states that the Commission must ensure the application of the Treaties; whereas the protection of the human rights of the most vulnerable groups, such as ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities, LGBTI persons, people with disabilities, women, children, asylum seekers and migrants deserves special attention;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas states have the ultimate responsibility to safeguard all human rights of people though enacting and implementing international human rights treaties and conventions, monitoring human rights violations and ensuring effective remedy for victims;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the influx of migrants into Europe is continuing; whereas many of these migrants place their lives in the hands of traffickers and criminals; whereas , according to UNHCR data, 27% of the migrants arriving in Europe via the Mediterranean are children; whereas , according to the IOM, 23% of these children stated that they had never been to school; whereas particularly vulnerable populations, including women, LGBTI people and people with disabilities continue to experience heightened levels of discrimination, violence and re- traumatisation during the asylum process;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Terry REINTKE, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas the ongoing wave of terrorist attacks across the EU has fuelled widespread mistrust of Muslim migrants, and whereas certain political parties are employing the rhetoric of cultural isolationism and hatred of those who are different; including ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities, LGBTI persons, and people with disabilities;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas hate speech includes all forms of expression both online and offline which propagate, encourage, promote or justify racial hatred, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, homophobia, transphobia or other forms of hatred based on intolerance; whereas the development of new kinds of media is making it easier to engage in online hate speech;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Terry REINTKE, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas there is a risk that the increased levels of hatred, xenophobia ~~and Afro~~, Afrophobia, homophobia and transphobia, whether expressed in the form of hate crimes, ~~anonymous~~ messages spread on social networks and other internet platforms, protests or political propaganda, will come to be seen as normal in the Member States;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Terry REINTKE, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas , as the Council of Europe has stated, the phenomenon of online hate speech requires further analysis and action with a view to regulating and finding new ways of combating rhetoric of this kind; whereas all grounds of discrimination must be considered in such analysis and action, including against ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities, LGBTI persons, people with disabilities, women, children, asylum seekers and migrants;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Strongly condemns increasing restrictions on freedom of assembly, such as on Pride marches, in some cases with violent responses from authorities against protesters; reaffirms the crucial role of these fundamental freedoms in the functioning of democratic societies and the responsibility of states in ensuring such rights are upheld and participants protected; calls on the Commission to take an active role in promoting these rights in line with international human rights standards;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view, therefore, that a clear distinction should be drawn between migrants who can legitimately claim refugee status and those who cannot; calls for migrants to be identified and for their requests for entry into the EU to be processed before they come; in the meantime calls on Member States to respect and fully implement the adopted common European asylum package and the common migration legislation, particularly to safeguard vulnerable asylum seekers, such as LGBTI people, against violence, discrimination and re- traumatisation during the asylum process; calls on Member States to recognise that specific vulnerabilities of LGBTI people must be considered in classifying whether a third country is “safe”, and to factor this into decisions on applications, country placements and deportation; calls for specific medical needs to be unconditionally provided for throughout the migration and asylum process, especially for particularly vulnerable populations, including women, trans and intersex people and people with disabilities; calls on EASO to provide appropriate training to Member States to enable appropriate and sensible proceedings; calls on Member States to recognise the gender identity of trans asylum seekers already in asylum proceedings; calls on Member States to participate in resettlement programmes, giving access to family reunification and granting humanitarian visas;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Strongly condemns the upsurge in the trafficking of human beings in ~~Africa and~~all parts of the world, including towards Europe, the perpetrators of which – including official and governmental players – should be made to feel the full force of the law;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Takes the view that legal channels should be available for migration, including from Africa~~, but not for all the men and women hoping to come to Europe~~; takes the view that the best way to protect the rights of persons who cannot legally enter Europe ~~would be to bring about the rapid and robust development of Africa, which Europe could promote by st~~is to address the root causes of migration flows and thereby the external dimension of the refugee phenomenon, including by finding sustainable solutions to conflicts and by developing cooperation and partnerships with the third countries concerned, while keepping ~~up its involvement on the African continent~~in sight the importance of ensuring the respect of human rights in those countries;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Stresses the imperative need for persons of Islamic faith and culture, including those who have already been living here for a long time, to be integrated as effectively as possible into European society; stresses that integration of this kind will be the best way to tackle Islamic radicalisation in Europe;deleted

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Terry REINTKE, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Stresses that integration is best achieved through schooling for young people and education in European citizenship for older people, that the EU should therefore promote a policy reception and integration in all the Member States, and that it is unacceptable that certain Member States should claim that the migration phenomenon is not their concern; calls for the protection, promotion and implementation of human rights and democratic principles to remain at the core of all actions.

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Takes the view that particular attention should be paid to the situation of women and the rights of women in the EU, be they immigrants, victims of abuse or modern slavery, alone or accompanied by children; points out that the EU and the Member States must set an example in this regard; calls in this regard on the Council to finally adopt the Council directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation (COM(2008)0426);

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Terry REINTKE, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Expresses concern at the rhetoric of hatred and fear directed at migrants entering Europe and the upsurge in ~~anti- Islamic, anti-Semitic and anti-African rhetoric~~discrimination, hate speech and hate crime on grounds such as race, colour, religion and belief, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, language, culture, social origin, caste, birth, age, disability or any other status; calls in this regard on the Commission to propose a recast of the Council Framework Decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law to cover other forms of bias crime, including on grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Calls on Member States which have adopted legislation on same-sex partnerships and/or marriage to recognise provisions with similar effects adopted by other Member States; recalls the Member States' obligation to fully implement Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States, including for same-sex couples and their children; welcomes the fact that more and more Member States have introduced and/or adapted their laws on cohabitation, civil partnership and marriage to overcome the discriminations based on sexual orientation lived by same-sex couples and their children and calls on other Member States to introduce similar laws; calls on the Commission to bring forward a proposal for the full mutual recognition of the effects of all civil status documents across the EU, including legal gender recognition, marriages and registered partnerships, in order to reduce discriminatory legal and administrative barriers for citizens who exercise their right to free movement;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Terry REINTKE, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)

15b. Calls for EU wide training for police enforcement officials in the EU to effectively combat hate crimes against LGBTI persons, provided by the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) and building upon best practices on national level and the work of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights(FRA); underlines the importance of diversity in law enforcement agencies which increases trust;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Terry REINTKE, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Points out that social networks and the anonymity guaranteed by many different ~~media~~internet platforms encourage many forms of expression of hatred, ~~from jihadist preaching to anti-Islam speech,~~ including xenophobia, homophobia and transphobia, and calls for this phenomenon to be curbed through closer monitoring and the identification and prosecution of the authors of statements or words incompatible with European ~~culture and~~ law;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Terry REINTKE, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Welcomes initiatives prohibiting LGBTI conversion therapies and banning pathologisation of trans identities and urges all member states to adopt similar measures that respect and uphold the right to gender identity and gender expression;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Terry REINTKE, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)

17b. Urges Member States to prohibit invasive and irreversible sex- “normalising” surgery and hormonal treatments on intersex children when they can be deferred, until the child can provide fully informed consent; welcomes gender sensitive birth registration systems and legal gender recognition procedures;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Terry REINTKE, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Stresses the importance of maintaining and stepping up efforts in the areas of data protection, safeguards for children, the protection of victims of criminal acts, Roma people, violence against women, freedom of religion and belief, public health, the recognition of marital status in the EU~~, gender equality, the rights of p~~ for all couples regardless of sexual orientation; and equality between people of all gender identities and gender expressions; banning of conversion~~s with a disability and the rights of elderly persons~~ therapies, forced sterilisation and the introduction of quick, accessible, transparent legal gender recognition based on self-determination and the de-pathologisation of transgender identities, especially of children, while ensuring access to trans-specific healthcare;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2125(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Terry REINTKE, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. calls on the European Union and Member states to ratify and implement the Istanbul Convention as soon as possible; calls on the Commission and Member States to mainstream the fight against gender-based violence and violence against LGBTI people, including in their work with third countries;

2017/11/20
Committee: LIBE

2017/2122(INI)

Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK, Tanja FAJON, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN

Motion for a resolution
Citation 18 a (new)

- having regard to the Guidelines to Promote and Protect the Enjoyment of All Human Rights by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Persons, adopted by the Council on 24 June 2013,

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK, Tanja FAJON, Liliana RODRIGUES

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the protection of the human rights of the most vulnerable groups, such as ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities, LGBTI persons, women, children, asylum-seekers and migrants deserves special attention;

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK, Tanja FAJON, Liliana RODRIGUES, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. whereas human rights violations such as torture and inhuman treatment, hate crimes, forced disappearances, violation of bodily integrity, and many other violations continue to be a cause for serious concern;

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK, Tanja FAJON, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas placing a high value on freedom and the principle of holding periodic and genuine elections, as well as protecting the fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and expression, are essential elements of democracy;

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK, Tanja FAJON, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Reiterates the fact that freedom of expression online and offline is a vital component of any democratic society, as it nourishes a culture of pluralism that empowers civil society and citizens to hold their governments and decision-makers to account, and supports respect for the rule of law; stresses, therefore, that the EU should intensify its efforts to promote freedom of expression through its external policies and instruments; reiterates its request for the EU and its Member States to enhance their monitoring of all types of restrictions on freedom of expression and the media in third countries, including when they are used to silence minority groups, and to rapidly and systematically condemn such limitations; emphasises the importance of ensuring the effective implementation of the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline and of regularly monitoring their impact; welcomes the new European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) launched in 2016, with its specific focus on training EU delegations and media actors in third countries on how to apply the Guidelines;

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK, Tanja FAJON, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Strongly condemns increasing restrictions on freedom of assembly and association of opposition movements or minority group events, such as Pride marches, in some cases with violent responses from authorities against protesters;reaffirms the crucial role of these fundamental freedoms in the functioning of democratic societies and the responsibility of states in ensuring such rights are upheld and participants protected;calls on EU delegations, relevant institutions, bodies and individuals to take an active role in promoting these rights in line with international human rights standards;

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Is deeply concerned that civil society is increasingly under attack worldwide; recalls that independent civil society plays an essential role in the defence and advancement of human rights and in the functioning of democratic societies; calls for the EU and its Member States to constantly monitor and raise cases of violations of freedom of assembly and association, including the various forms of bans and limitations on civil society organisations (CSOs) and their activities through restrictive legislation, heavy administrative burdens, monitoring or other means that inhibit the functioning of the organisations; calls, in addition, for the EU and its Member States to use all available means, such as human rights dialogues, political dialogues and public diplomacy, to systematically raise individual cases of human rights defenders (HRDs) and civil society activists at risk, particularly those in prison;

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Considers it deeply regrettable that torture, ill-treatment and the death penalty continue all over the world~~, and~~ against dissenting members of society and against vulnerable groups, such as ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities, LGBTI persons, women, children, asylum seekers and migrants; calls for the EU to intensify its efforts to eradicate these serious human rights violations; urges the EEAS and the VP/HR to engage more strongly in the fight against torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, including the death penalty, through increased diplomatic efforts and more systematic public positioning; recommends that the EEAS, the EU delegations and the Member States use all existing instruments, such as the EU Guidelines on Torture, to their full potential; welcomes the fact that the UN’s resolution on a moratorium on the use of the death penalty was adopted by the UNGA in December 2016 with the support of 117 countries;

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK, Tanja FAJON, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11 a. Condemns violations of bodily integrity against women as well as minority groups which are in breach of the fundamental right to bodily integrity and identity, such as female genital mutilation (FGM), intersex genital mutilations, forced sterilisation of people belonging to ethnic minority groups and people with disabilities;calls on states to outlaw these practices, address perpetrators and support victims;highlights that transgender people are psychopathologised and subjected to forced sterilisation in order to obtain legal recognition of their gender identity;calls on states to establish fast, accessible and transparent procedures for legal gender recognition, based on self-determination only and to depathologise trans identities in accordance to the ICD-11;

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK, Tanja FAJON, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Welcomes the adoption of the EU Gender Action Plan 2016-2020 which sets out a comprehensive list of measures to improve the situation of women in terms of equal rights and empowerment; emphasises the importance of ensuring its effective implementation; welcomes, in addition, the adoption of the Strategic Engagement for Gender Equality 2016-2019, which promotes gender equality and women’s rights worldwide; requests that the Commission, the EEAS and the VP/HR step up their fulfilment of the obligations and commitments in the area of women’s rights under the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); believes that the EU should continue mainstreaming support for women within common security and defence policy (CSDP) operations, conflict prevention and post- conflict reconstruction; recalls that the 2016 Sakharov Prize was awarded to Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar, survivors of sexual enslavement perpetrated by ISIS/Daesh; strongly condemns all forms of abuse and violence against all women and girls, including violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics, in this connection;

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK, Tanja FAJON, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Welcomes the signing of the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence by the European Union;highlights the importance of fighting against gender-based violence in the countries of the Council of Europe and beyond;calls on the EU and Member States to ratify the Istanbul Convention as soon as possible;calls on the EU, EU delegations and Member States to mainstream the fight against gender- based violence and violence against women, including lesbian and bisexual women and transgender and intersex people, in their work with third countries;

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK, Tanja FAJON, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Condemns in the strongest terms all forms of discrimination, including on grounds of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, language, culture, social origin, caste, birth, age, disability or any other status; stresses that the EU should intensify its efforts to eradicate all types of discrimination, racism and xenophobia through human rights and political dialogues, the work of the EU delegations and public diplomacy; stresses, in addition, that the EU should continue promoting the ratification and full implementation of all UN conventions that support this cause;

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Expresses profound concern that minorities, such as ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities, LGBTI persons, persons with disabilities, women, children, asylum seekers and migrants, are still at a heightened risk of discrimination and are especially vulnerable to political, economic, environmental and labour- related changes and disruptions; notes that many have little or no access to political representation and are acutely affected by poverty; stresses that the EU should intensify its efforts to eradicate the violations of human rights committed against minorities; stresses the need to mainstream recognition and support for the specific needs of people experiencing multiple vulnerabilities, such as LGBTI asylum seekers, and ethnic or religious minority persons with disabilities;

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Reiterates its support for the introduction of human rights clauses in international agreements between the EU and third countries; recalls that all human rights must be considered of equal value, being indivisible, interdependent and interrelated; calls on the Commission to monitor the implementation of such clauses effectively and systematically and to provide Parliament with regular reports on partner countries’ respect for human rights; takes a positive view of the GSP+ preference system as a means to stimulate the effective implementation of 27 core international conventions on human rights and labour standards; expects the Commission to report back to Parliament and to the Council on the status of its ratification; reiterates the importance of the proper implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights;

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Reaffirms the fact that the activities of all companies, including European ones, operating in third countries should be in full compliance with international human rights standards; reaffirms, moreover, the importance of promoting corporate social responsibility and of European enterprises playing a leading role in promoting international standards on business and human rights; emphasises that European enterprises should serve as examples of good practice by enforcing within their workforce and across vertical and horizontal value chains equal treatment and suitable support for women and minorities, such as ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities, LGBTI people, people with disabilities, children, asylum seekers and migrants; acknowledges that global value chains contribute to enhancing international core labour, environmental and social standards, and represent an opportunity for sustainable progress, especially in developing countries;

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Strongly condemns the heinous crimes and human rights violations committed by non-state actors such as Boko Haram in Nigeria and ISIS/Daesh in Syria and Iraq; is horrified at the vast range of crimes committed, including murder, torture, rape, enslavement and sexual slavery, the recruitment of child soldiers, forced religious conversions and the systematic killing of ~~religious~~ minorities, including ~~Christians, Yazidis and others~~ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities, LGBTI people, people with disabilities, women and children; emphasises that the EU and its Member States should support the prosecution of members of non-state groups such as ISIS/Daesh by seeking a consensus within the UN Security Council to confer jurisdiction to the International Criminal Court (ICC);

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Liliana RODRIGUES, Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK, Tanja FAJON, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Considers that the EU should continue its efforts to enhance respect for the human rights of LGBTI people, in line with the EU Guidelines on the topic; ~~recommends that the Guidelines be implemented~~calls for the full implementation of the Guidelines, including through the training of EU staff in third countries; regrets that 72 countries still criminalise homosexuality, 13 of which have the death penalty, and believes that practices and acts of violence against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics, such as forced outings, hate crimes and hate speech both online and offline, corrective rape, and intersex genital mutilations should not go unpunished;

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK, Tanja FAJON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Expresses its conviction that the revised European neighbourhood policy should continue to have the promotection, promotion and implementation of human rights and democratic principles at its core; reiterates the fact that the promotection, promotion and implementation of human rights and democracy are in the interest of both partner countries and the EU;

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK, Tanja FAJON, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Reiterates its view that the adoption of the EU Strategic Framework and the first Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy in 2012 constituted a major milestone for the EU in placing human rights and democracy at the core of its external relations; welcomes the adoption by the Council in July 2015 of a new Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy for 2015-2019 and the performance of a mid-term review in 2017; calls on the VP/HR, the EEAS, the Commission, the Council and the Member States to ensure the efficient and coherent implementation of the current Action Plan, including through genuine collaboration with civil society organisations; stresses that the Member States should report back on how they have implemented the Plan; draws particular attention to the importance of increasing the effectiveness and maximising the local impact of the tools used to promote respect for human rights and democracy worldwide;

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2122(INI)

Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Soraya POST, Ulrike LUNACEK, Daniele VIOTTI, Malin BJÖRK, Tanja FAJON, Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Reiterates its view that a solid consensus and enhanced coordination between Member States and the EU institutions, as well as genuine collaboration with civil society organisations at local, national and international level, is required in order to advance the human rights and democracy agenda coherently and consistently; stresses firmly that Member States should take greater ownership of the implementation of the Action Plan and the EU Strategic Framework and use them as a blueprint for promoting human rights and democracy bilaterally and multilaterally;

2017/09/15
Committee: AFET

2017/2056(INI)

Hilde VAUTMANS, Soraya POST, Brando BENIFEI, Tanja FAJON, Terry REINTKE, Daniele VIOTTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p

(p) to include provisions related to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms aimed at ending political prosecutions and abductions, the targeting of political dissidents, independent journalists, human rights defenders, NGO representatives and members of some minority groups including the LGBTQI community; to ensure explicit naming of vulnerable groups, such as LGBTI people, journalists, NGO representatives, dissidents, in any provisions; to set up a reinforced forum for a human rights dialogue between the EU and Azerbaijan to encourage and support in particular the implementation of comprehensive reforms of the judiciary, all in line with EU standards;

2018/04/13
Committee: AFET

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas between 1988 and 2014 the share of own resources (traditional and TVA-based own resources) decreased from 85 % to 23 %of the EU budget and the share of the GNI-based resource has significantly increased ~~over the years~~from 11 % to 69 %, and t~~oday~~hus represents today the largest source of revenue of the EU budget; whereas the GNI-based contribution currently accounts for some 69 % of the EU budget, the VAT resource for around 12 %, the traditional own resources (customs duties, agricultural duties and sugar and isoglucose levies) for around 13 % and the remaining percentage is covered by other revenue, including taxes paid by EU staff or fines paid by companies in breach of competition laws;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas, since the introduction in 1984 at the Fontainebleau European Council of the British rebate, whereby 66 % of the UK’s net contribution is reimbursed, regrettably various other rebates and correction mechanisms have been progressively introduced in order to address the ~~so-called ‘operating budgetary balances’ of certain Member States; whereas such corrections may concern principally either a reduction on the financ~~political shortcomings of certain Member States using of the ~~UK correction, or a gross reduction in the annual GNI contribution~~EU budget;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas in 2011 the Commission put forward an ambitious legislative package on own resources10 , presented jointly with the 2014-2020 MFF proposals, with a view to achieving the simplification of Member States’ contributions, the introduction of new own resources – a reformed VAT and a Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) – and the reform of correction mechanisms; whereas these proposals were ~~not taken on board by the Council; _________________ 10 COM(2011)0510~~completely ignored by the Council;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Jens GEIER, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas, as a result of the 2014- 2020 MFF negotiations, a High Level Group on Own Resources (HLGOR) was established, including representatives of all three main EU institutions and chaired by Mario Monti; whereas in December 2016 the HLGOR presented its final report and recommendations, which ~~represent the basis~~have been duly taken into account for the elaboration of Parliament’s position as set out in the present report; highlights that the final report was adopted by all of its members, including by the members appointed by the Council;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Notes that the Commission will present its proposals on the post-2020 MFF by May 2018; ~~expect~~requires that the future MFF proposed by the Commission will include ambitious proposals to revise the Own Resources Decision and all related legislative acts, as well as to introduce new own resources; underlines that both the expenditure and the revenue side of the next MFF will be treated as a single package in the upcoming negotiations between the Council and Parliament;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Presents this report in order to express its position on the main elements of the reform of the EU’s system of own resources, including the composition of a basket of new own resources, as well as the elements of the current system that should remain in place; ~~expects that~~calls on the Commission ~~will~~to take due account of Parliament’s position in ~~the~~ prepar~~ation of its~~ing the legislative proposals on the EU’s own resources ~~legislative package; is convinced of the imperative need to make significant progress on the revenue side of the EU budget, in order to facilitate an agreement on the next MFF~~, which should be ambitious in scope and presented together with the MFF proposals; stresses that both the expenditure and the revenue side of the next MFF will be treated as a single package in the upcoming negotiations, and that no agreement will be reached on the MFF without corresponding headway being made on own resources;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Recalls that Article 310 TFEU stipulates that ‘the revenue and expenditure shown in the budget shall be in balance’; notes, accordingly, that the revenue should cover the totality of expenditure, as adopted every year by the budgetary authority; ~~stress~~notes that ~~the EU budget cannot run an annual deficit or be financed by~~neither Article 310 TFEU nor any other legislative provision forbid the recourse to borrowing money on ~~the~~ financial markets to finance EU policies;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that, in this legislative act, the Council sets inter alia the ceiling of own resources, and may establish new categories of own resources or abolish an existing category; underlines that even if the ORD has no expiry date, it is directly linked to the respective MFF that sets the maximum level of expenditure for the same period it covers;deleted

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Recalls that the Treaty of Lisbon introduced new provisions regarding the implementing legislation on own resources, providing for the possibility of the Council adopting a regulation by qualified majority after obtaining the consent of Parliament; regrets, however, that several implementing provisions, especially those relating to the calculation of the GNI resources, still remain in the ORD; therefore calls for a smoother adoption procedure of the ORD, which shall be adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure, implying qualified majority voting within Council and co-decision with Parliament; recalls that according to Article 48(7), TEU the European Council may adopt a decision allowing for acts not falling under the ordinary legislative procedure to still be processed under such procedure, which remains far more democratic and open; calls on the European Council to trigger such a mechanism without any delay;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Stresses that the current system of own resources is highly complex, non- transparent and totally incomprehensible to the EU citizens; points in particular to the opacity of the calculations relating to the national rebates and correction mechanisms which apply to the system of own resources or the statistical VAT-based resource; stresses, moreover, that this system is not subject to any effective parliamentary control at EU level and in essence lacks democratic legitimacy and accountability;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Underlines that the way the system of own resources has evolved, gradually replacing genuine own resources by the so- called ‘national contributions’, places a disproportionate emphasis on net balances between Member States, thus largely ignoring the ~~European added value; note~~real contribution of the EU budget for the benefit to all Member States and citizens alike; regrets that the total share of national contributions to the EU budget, calculated either on the basis of GNI or as a percentage of the statistical VAT-based resource, represents around 83 % of total EU revenue;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Is convinced that the dominance of the GNI resource has reinforced the budgetary logic of ~~‘fair~~juste retourn’ that has ~~prevailed in~~monopolized the debates in the Council, on both the revenue and expenditure sides of the EU budget; re~~call~~grets, in this context, the introduction of the British rebate and a series of related drebates and other correction mechanisms on the revenue side, on the one hand, as well as the inability to agree on a sufficient level of appropriations for the EU budget in the annual budgetary procedure, on the other hand;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Jens GEIER, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Considers, in particular, that the decision on the size of the annual EU budget is affected by ~~financial considerations at national level and that~~political and financial factors internal to each MS, thus creating constraints on the budgetary negotiations ~~often result~~and ending in a zero- sum game between net payers and net beneficiaries in the Council; considers that, as a result, a number of EU policies that show the highest European added value are often the areas where cost savings are proposedagreement ;regrets that, as a result, cuts are proposed on some EU programmes ignoring the Union commitments, including the ones taken by Council; considers that national contributions to the EU budget as well as the contributions made by MS to co- finance EU programmes should not be taken into account when calculating the national spending deficit for compliance with the Maastricht criteria, thus facilitating the negotiations and improving the implementation of these programmes;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Is convinced, therefore, that the current system of own resources violates, in essence, the letter and the spirit of the Treaty; reiterates its long-standing position that an in-depth reform of EU resources is imperative in order to realign the financing of the EU budget with the requirements of the Treaty, notably Article 3 TEV, and the needs of the Union as a whole;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Underlines that the post 2020-MFF will need to ensure the proper financing of EU policies and programmes with a clear European added value, but also to provide additional means for addressing new challenges that have already been identified in fields such as growth and jobs, competitiveness, cohesion, innovation, migration, security and defence, but also to comply with the Member States’ current and future commitments;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses, moreover, the need to avoid the shortcomings of the current MFF and to provide from the outset for a level of resources that will enable the Union to respond effectively to unforeseen events or crises that may occur during the period of the next financial framework; ; recalls the need to solve the recurrent problem of lacking sufficient payment appropriations in the annual budgetary procedure and the necessity to endow coherence between the revenue and the expenditure in the EU budget in order to allow the Union to pursue its policy agenda with adequate financing for its programmes and initiatives;;recalls the substantial mobilisation of the MFF flexibility provisions that was needed in order to confront the ~~migration and refug~~unforeseen c~~risis alone~~ircumstances but also underfinanced programmes;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Expects that, without prejudice to the financial settlement, the consequences of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU will represent an important challenge also for the next MFF and all related budgetary decisions; considers that, ahead of a decision on the post-2020 MFF, options will need to be examined for bridging the ‘Brexit gap’ while excluding a decrease or redeployments in EU resources;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. ~~Supports~~Takes note of the proposal made by the President of the Commission, Jean- Claude Juncker, for the creation of a specific line dedicated to the euro area within the EU budget, included in his ‘state of the union’ speech to the European Parliament and further developed in the Commission communication of 6 December 2017 on new budgetary instruments for a stable euro area within the Union framework~~;11 _________________ 11~~ COM(2017)0822

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Favours, in order to provide stable finances at EU level, the establishment of a transparent, simpler, more predictable and fairer new system of own resources, building on elements of the current system where they have proved effective; ~~considers that the reform of the system of own resources should be based on a series of guiding principles;~~

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Stresses th~~e need to link revenues to policy objectives~~at EU policies and competences, as stated in the Treaties and secondary legislation, in particular ~~to the~~ single market, ~~the~~ energy union, ~~and the~~ environment, climate and transport ~~policies; is convinced in this respect that the EU budget should focus on policies with real European added value~~, can generate new resources and should therefore be considered as revenue for the EU budget;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Underlines that new own resources cannot all be introduced at the same time, and points out the need for progressive implementation; suggests introducing in the first place less technically complex own resources whose collection is easily manageable at a reasonable cost, with this being followed by the gradual introduction of each additional new own resource, on the basis of a fixed timetable until all have reached cruising speedBelieves that a strong and comprehensive own resources system shall be put into place in order to allow the Union to carry on a fast track implementation mechanism leading to quick and efficient income generation;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. ~~Consider~~Believes that the introduction of new own resources ~~should have a dual purpose, i.e. first, to bring about~~will allow the Member States to benefit from a substantial reduction inof the ~~propor~~ir nation ofal GNI-based contributions to the EU budget, thus creating savings for Member State budgets, and second, to enable the financing of an higher level of EU spending under the post-2020 MFF, also covering the gap resulting from the withdrawal of the UK; recalls in this context that the new own resources do not aim to increase the overall fiscal burden for the EU taxpayers and underpinning national budgets;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22 a. Considers that the introduction of new own resources should enable the financing of a higher level of EU spending under the post-2020 MFF, also covering the gap resulting from the withdrawal of the UK; recalls in this context that new own resources aim at reducing the overall fiscal burden for the EU citizens;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)

22 b. Expects the total share of GNI contributions to be reduced by 40% as a result of the revision;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls for the ~~suppression~~abolishment of all rebates and corrections~~, while~~ so as to ensur~~ing~~e fair treatment between Member States; underlines in this context that ~~Brexit will mean that the UK rebate and the related ‘rebates on the rebate’ will become obsolete and cease to exist, whil~~the reform of the statistical VAT-based own resource will become inevitable;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Considers that the traditional own resources, namely customs duties, agricultural duties and the sugar and isoglucose levies, constitute a reliable and genuine source of EU revenue, as they arise directly from the EU being a customs union and from the legal competences and common commercial policy linked to that; takes the view, therefore, that the traditional own resources should be retained as a source of revenue for the EU budget; ~~considers that if the proportion of collection costs~~believes that, even though customs duties on imports from outside the EU constitute already an own resource, the 20 % retained by the Member States ias ~~reduced, a bigger share of this revenue can be secured for the EU budget~~collection costs for the purpose of the management fees should be cancelled for the benefit of the EU own resources;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Jens GEIER, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24 a. Calls for accounting the existing and future own resources such as VAT or custom duties, collected by a Member State on behalf of the EU, in a separate budgetary item in the national budget of the Member State which collects the revenue; deplores that OLAF repeatedly found severe cases of customs fraud in Member states which created a significant loss of income to the Union budget; points to the ECA special report 19/2017 on import procedures and is concerned that fraudsters will continue to find the ‘weakest link’ among Member states as their points of entry to the customs union, and that losses to the Union budget will continue even during the next MFF; calls on the Commission and the Member states to take the necessary measures to stop these activities that are damaging to the Union budget;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Acknowledges that the GNI-based contribution ~~provides a reliable and stable source of revenue for the EU budget, and benefits from very strong support from a large majority of Member States; believes, therefore, that it~~ should be preserved as a balancing and residual resource for the EU budget, ~~which would put an end to the budgetary logic of ‘fair return’~~; stresses the need, in this context, to ensure that the GNI contribution is classified in the same manner in all national budgets, namely as revenue attributed to the EU and not as expenditure of national governments; believes that the reform should exclude the GNI-based contribution to the EU budget as well as national contributions to initiatives supported by co-financing with the EU from the deficit calculations under the Stability and Growth Pact, so as to encourage investment;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. ~~Recalls that~~Shares the view of the report of the High Level Group on Own Resources (HLGOR) ~~proposes~~, according to which the following criteria toshall be taken into account for identifying potential new own resources: equity/fairness; efficiency; sufficiency and stability; transparency and simplicity; democratic accountability and budgetary discipline; focus on European added value; subsidiarity principle and fiscal sovereignty of Member States~~; and limiting political transaction costs;~~

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30 a. welcomes the High Level Group’s proposal for its vision of the VAT-based own resource with the aim to make it simpler, to lower its administrative costs and to strengthen the link with EU VAT policy and actual VAT receipts;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. SNotes the Commission Fair taxation package, “towards a Single EU VAT area” from 4 October 2017; supports an in-depth reform of the VAT system in the EU, which should aim at broadening the tax base, reducing the scope for fraud and compliance costs, and generating new revenue; considers that a fraction of such new revenue should be allocated to the EU budget;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Takes notes of the Commission’s proposals for a CCCTB, while recalling its request that this consolidated base be extended to a~~s many~~ll companies a~~s possible~~fter a transition period; draws attention to the fact that current proposals for a CCCTB suggest also covering the digital economy; suggests, on the basis of these proposals, that the digital presence of a company shou1d be treated in the same way as the physical establishment ~~thereof~~by defining and identifying a permanent digital establishment;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)

38 a. Considers that, drawing from the conclusions of the review of the CCCTB Directive, the Commission shall propose the terms and conditions to allocate a part of the tax revenues generated from the common consolidated corporate tax base to the budget of the European Union;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)

39 a. Is of the opinion that income stemming for the European Central Bank profits (ECB revenue made from issuing currency) and thus having a direct link to the EU monetary union, shall build a new own resource instead of being paid out to national treasuries;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. ~~Not~~Welcomes the efforts undertaken under enhanced cooperation by a group of 11 Member States with a view to establishing a tax on financial transactions, following the 2011 Commission proposal;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41

41. Considers, however, that such a tax, chargeable at the moment the transaction occurs, must be applied throughout the EU, so as to limit purely speculative operations and reduce the number of divergent national approaches to financial transaction taxation, since this is a source of disruption for the financial markets and for the smooth functioning of the single market;deleted

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)

41 a. Urges the other MS to join urgently the a abovementioned group;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44

44. ~~Not~~Welcomes the conclusions of the informal Council of finance ministers of 16 September 2017 calling for the development of new digital taxation rules, in response to the Four Finance Ministers’ letter requesting the Commission to examine ‘effective solutions based on the concept of establishing a so-called equalisation tax’ on the turnover generated in the EU by digital companies; notes the European Commission communication to the European Parliament and the Council of 21 September 2017 entitled "A fair and efficient tax system in the European Union for the Digital Single Market"; believes that the CCCTB offers the basis to address the tax challenges posed by the digital economy;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

45. Agrees that the digital economy should have a modern and stable fiscal framework, in order to stimulate innovation, tackle market fragmentation and unfair competition, and enable all players to take advantage of the new equitable and balanced conditions; insists that digital platforms and companies should pay their fair share of taxes, where they generate their profits; points out, moreover, that it is essential to ensure tax ~~securi~~certainty for business investment, to close the current gaps , and to prevent the emergence of new tax loopholes within the single market;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47

47. ~~Calls, in principle, fo~~Insists that a long-term solution is needed to answer these c~~reation of a new own resource~~ hallenges rather than quick fixes; believes therefore the Union budget to be levied on transactions in the digital economy; considers, however, that in view of the important ongoing negotiations at both EU and OECD level, it is too early to decide on the exact arrangements for the establishment of such a resourceat a digital permanent establishment nexus based on a significant and sustained digital presence in the CCCTB Directive would address the tax challenges that arise from the context of digitalisation; considers, however, the need to take into account ongoing negotiations at both EU and OECD level;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS, Kathleen VAN BREMPT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49

49. Confirms that the fight against climate change isand the transition towards a sustainable , circular, low carbon economy and the commonly agreed Energy Union targets are a major objective of EU policies;;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS, Kathleen VAN BREMPT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50

50. Reiterates its conviction that only common energy or environmental taxes at EU level can ensure fair competition among businesses and the proper functioning of the single market;; furthermore, believes that environmental taxes at EU level can be a en engine towards a more progressive and sustainable development model;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS, Kathleen VAN BREMPT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 a (new)

50 a. calls for a significant proportion of ETS auctioning revenues from Phase4 (2021) onwards to be considered as a new EU own resource; recalls that this option has been discussed in the HLGOR

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS, Kathleen VAN BREMPT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51

51. Calls for the introduction of a ~~carbon border adjustment tax~~ own resource reflecting the ~~form of import fees levied on goods manufactured in countries without domestic emission pricing systems of their own~~carbon content of consumer goods sold in the single market, including goods imported into the single market such as a carbon border adjustment mechanism or a carbon added tax (CAT);

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS, Kathleen VAN BREMPT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52

52. Underlines that a carbon border adjustment ~~tax~~mechanism or a CAT, as a new own resource for the EU budget, should also have the effect of ensuring a level playing field in international trade and reducing the offshoring of production, while internalising the costs of climate change into the prices of imported goods; underlines that these proposals obtained the highest possible score in the parameters established by the HLGOR and are also totally in line with the criteria that should be met by new own resources;

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Isabelle THOMAS, Kathleen VAN BREMPT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54

54. Considers it essential that, when introducing environmental taxes, a financial mechanism be set up for the benefit of those Member States where the financial burden per citizen exceeds the EU average;deleted

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2053(INI)

Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL, Jens GEIER, Isabelle THOMAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 a (new)

61 a. Highlights that in 2016, assigned revenues to EU decentralised agencies such as fees and charges from industries and contributions from national budgets amounted to approximately EUR 1 billion, thereby providing a significant contribution to the Union budget; points to the ongoing study commissioned by the European Parliament Budgetary Committee on exploring ways to extend the scope of fee-financing; underlines that some agencies such as ACER, EBA, EIOPA, and ERA provide services to industries, but do not have the possibility to charge fees yet; asks the Commission to propose a consistent approach as regards fee-financing of agencies in the next MFF

2018/01/31
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Expresses its political support for the establishment of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) and welcomes the legislative proposal put forward in this regard by the Commission; considers, however, that, pending a decision on the financing of the ESC and the adoption of the relevant regulation under the ordinary legislative procedure, no financial provision should be entered for this purpose in the 2018 Budget in accordance with Article 54(1) of the Financial Regulation; decides, therefore, that relevant appropriations and redeployments, entered by the Commission in the Draft Budget 2018 (DB), should be for the moment reversed, as the decision on the 2018 Budget should not prejudge in any way the outcome of the legislative negotiations; remains fully committed to integrate the decision on ESC financing in next year’s budget immediately via an amending budget, in case the negotiations on the relevant regulation are not concluded before the end of the 2018 budgetary procedure;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Believes that, while at present the peak of the migratory and refugee c~~risi~~hallenges seems to ~~have pas~~slightly decreased, the Union must stand ready to respond to any ~~unforeseen~~further future event in this area; therefore urges the Commission to continuously monitor the adequacy of allocations under Heading 3 and make full use of all available instruments under the current MFF to respond in a timely manner to any unforeseen event that might require additional funding; decides therefore to reinforce ~~in a limited manner~~ the Asylum Migration ~~and~~, the Integration Fund and ~~the~~ Internal Security Fund and the European Asylum and Support Office (EASO) to provide the adequate financial and human resources; notes, once again, that the Heading 3 ceiling is vastly insufficient to provide for appropriate funding for the internal dimension of the migration and refugee c~~risi~~hallenges as well as other priority programmes, such as the culture and citizenship programmes;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Underlines that Heading 3 has been largely mobilised in recent years to address ~~challenges arising from~~ the migratory and refugee crisis and that such actions should continue for as long as needed; insists however that in the light of recent security concerns across the Union, funding under that heading should also pay particular attention to measures which will lead to enhancing security of Union citizens; decides for this reason to reinforce agencies in the field of Justice and Home Affairs which due to increased workload and additional tasks, have been facing shortage of staff and funding in the past yearshallenges and that such actions should continue for as long as needed;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Underlines that in the light of recent security concerns across the Union, funding under Heading 3 should also pay attention to measures which will lead to enhancing security of Union citizens; decides for this reason to reinforce agencies in the field of Justice and Home Affairs which due to increased workload and additional tasks, have been facing shortage of staff and funding in the past years;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Reiterates that part of the solution to the migratory and refugee c~~risi~~hallenges as well as to the security concerns of Union citizens lie in addressing the root causes of migration and devoting sufficient financial means to external instruments that aim at tackling issues such as poverty, lack of employment, education and economic opportunities, instability, conflict and climate change; is of the opinion that the Union should make an optimal use of financial means under Heading 4 which proved to be insufficient to equally address all external challenges, considering that the resources are clearly insufficient and should be increased in a more organic way;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Regrets that, while preparing its position, Parliament has not been sufficiently informed about the budgetary impact of a possible political decision to extend the Facility for Refugees in Turkey (FRT); reiterates its longstanding position that new initiatives shall not be financed to the detriment of existing EU external projects; calls therefore on the Commission, in the event of the prolongation of the FRT, to propose its financing through fresh means; notes that the Heading 4 ceiling is vastly insufficient to provide a sustainable and effective response to the current external challenges, including the migration and refugee ~~crisis;~~ phenomenon;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Concludes that, for the purpose of adequately financing all pressing needs, and considering the very tight MFF margins in 2018, all means available in the MFF Regulation in terms of flexibility will need to be deployed; expects that the Council will share this approach and that an agreement will easily be reached in conciliation, allowing the Union to rise to the occasion and effectively respond to the challenges ahead; underlines that the constant deviation of the original programming under the current MFF each budgetary year advocate in favour of an upward adjustment of the ceilings in the MFF post-2020;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14 a. Underlines that the constant deviation of the original programming under the current MFF advocates in favour of an upward adjustment of all headings ceilings in the MFF post-2020;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Stresses the importance of stimulating cooperative defence research in Europe for addressing key capability shortfalls at a time when international developments increasingly require Europe to step up its efforts on defence; ~~fully~~ supports the increased allocation for the Preparatory Action on defence research; reiterates, nevertheless, its longstanding position that new initiatives sh~~ould~~all be financed through fresh appropriations and not ato the ~~expense~~detriment of existing EU programmes;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Notes that, while the number of migrant crossings on the Central and Eastern Mediterranean routes into the Union fell in the first eight months of 2017, pressure on the Western Mediterranean route remains high; is of the opinion that ~~additional~~increased funding is needed to fully cover the needs of the Union in the field of asylum and migration, notably through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund to support Members States in improving integration measures and practices for those in need of international protection, especially unaccompanied minors, and, where necessary, carrying out return operations for those not entitled to protection while fully respecting the principle of non-refoulement sound return operations; in this context also insists that the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) will be equipped with adequate, increased financial and human resources to allow the agency to fulfil its assigned tasks and deliver the best possible results;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30 a. Is in favour of the creation of a new budget line for a Research and Rescue Fund to support Member States in their obligations under international maritime law; asks the Commission to present a legislative proposal to set up such an EU Research and Rescue Fund;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Is convinced that, in order to effectively tackle security concerns of Union citizens, the budget of the Internal Security Fund ~~must be boosted~~needs additional funds to equip the Member States better in the fight against terrorism, cross-border organised crime, and radicalisation ~~and cybercrime~~; underlines, in particular, that sufficient resources must be provided for reinforcing security infrastructures and boosting information- sharing between law enforcement agencies and national authorities, including through improving the interoperability of information systems;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Reiterates its conviction that it is time to boost funding for important EU programmes in the areas of culture and citizenship, in particular Creative Europe and Europe for Citizens ~~and~~, which have a key role in supporting cultural and creative industries, as well as participatory citizenship, especially in view of the European elections in 2019; reiterates that all institutions must honour the political agreement found on the 2018 funding for the European Year of Cultural Heritage by providing sufficient appropriations for it through Creative Europe’s Culture sub- programme, in the absence of a separate budget line for the Year;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Is in favour of increased transparency of and visibility for the Daphne objective of the Rights, Equality and Citizenship programme, as a key Union tool in combatting all forms of violence against children, young people, women, LGBTI people and other at-risk groups; supports setting up a European monitoring centre on gender-based violence within the European Institute for Gender Equality;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Reinforces Heading 3 by EUR 108,8 million in commitment appropriations above the Commission’s proposal, excluding pilot projects and preparatory actions, and proposes to finance these reinforcements by a further mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Stresses once again that the Union’s external action is faced with ever growing funding needs which greatly exceed the current size of Heading 4 as well as the related margin ; considers that the mobilisation of the Union budget to respond to the migration challenge will continue to require dynamic responses in the coming years; stresses that an ad hoc one-year increase, such as that in 2017, cannot be considered sufficient in view of the complex challenges that the Union is facing and the urgent need for stronger Union external presence in today’s global world;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Is of the opinion that priority should be given to the Union’s immediate neighbours and to measures aimed at tackling the main issues they are facing, namely the migratory and refugee ~~crisis~~phenomenon and corresponding humanitarian challenges in the Southern Neighbourhood, and the Russian aggression in the Eastern Neighbourhood; believes that stability and prosperity of the EU Neighbourhood are beneficial to both the concerned regions and to the Union as a whole; reiterates that supporting countries which are implementing association agreements with the Union is pivotal to facilitating political and economic reforms, but stresses that such support should apply as long as those countries meet the eligibility criteria, especially as regards the rule of law and enforcing democratic institutions; therefore decides to increase resources for the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), for the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) and for Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA); stresses the importance of the role that Europe plays at global level in eradicating poverty and bringing development in the most deprived regions of the globe, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals; therefore, allocates additional financial resources to the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) and Humanitarian Aid; reminds that, since a consistent share of migrants crossing the |Mediterranean Sea is coming from Sub- Saharan Africa, Union support in this region is the key for tackling the root causes of migration;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Is of the opinion that priority should be given to the Union’s immediate neighbours and to measures aimed at tackling the main issues they are facing, namely the migratory and refugee crisis and corresponding humanitarian challenges in the Southern Neighbourhood, and the Russian aggression in the Eastern Neighbourhood; believes that stability and prosperity of the EU Neighbourhood are beneficial to both the concerned regions and to the Union as a whole; reiterate its call to increase support to UNRWA to cope with growing needs, in order to achieve EU’s stated objective to promote development and stability in the region and support the resilience and staying power of Palestine refugees; reiterates that supporting countries which are implementing association agreements with the Union is pivotal to facilitating political and economic reforms, but stresses that such support should apply as long as those countries meet the eligibility criteria, especially as regards the rule of law and enforcing democratic institutions; therefore decides to increase resources for the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), for the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) and for Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA);

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42

42. Is of the opinion that in order to adequately tackle disinformation campaigns, ~~especially those coming from the Russian Federation,~~ and to promote an objective image of the Union outside its borders, additional financial means are needed; calls therefore to step up funding to counter disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks; decides therefore to increase resources for strategic communication actions to be carried out in the Southern and Eastern Neighbourhood as well as in the Western Balkans;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)

43 a. Stresses the importance of election observation missions in strengthening democratic institutions and building public confidence in electoral processes, which in return promote peace-building and stability; emphasizes the need to ensure sufficient financial resources for this objective;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 b (new)

43 b. Points out that DCI funding shall not be redeployed in order to finance the new Capacity Building for Security and Development (CBSD) initiative under the IcSP; deplores the draft budget proposal to redeploy EUR 7,5 million from the DCI to the CBSD and stresses the urgent need to find alternative solutions to fill this gap;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46

46. Considers that Council’s cuts do not reflect the real needs and th~~erefore restores~~us jeopardise the already significantly rationalised administrative expenditure; restores therefore the DB for all Commission administrative expenditure, including administrative and research support expenditure in Headings 1 to 4;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47

47. Decides, in line with the conclusion of the "Joint Opinion of the Legal Services of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on three aspects of the relationship between OLAF and its Supervisory Committee" of 12 September 2016, to hold 10% of appropriations of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) until the Supervisory Committee is granted access to OLAF cases files, while slightly reinforcing its budget, in line with increased responsibilities;deleted

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51

51. Considers that additional appropriation and staff are needed for the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) to fulfil its expanded mission related to the ~~implementation of the electricity and gas network codes and guidelines and its monitoring~~coordination between National Regulatory Authorities inthe fields of electricity and natural gas;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54 a (new)

54 a. Stresses therefore the efforts made by the Parliament in this regard and asks the Commission to show good will in the implementation of the adopted PP-PAs at the end of the budgetary procedure, regardless its implementability assessment, as for any decision of the budgetary authority;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57

57. Is concerned about the current under-execution trend in payments throughout the Union budget, not only in subheading1b but also in Headings 3 and 4, despite the ~~surge in crisis-related expenditure~~need to answer the surge of new challenges and the setting-up of flexible funding mechanisms; recalls that for the past two years the payment level of the Union budget was considerably decreased, coupled with a high level of budget surplus; expresses, therefore, its concern that the DB still leaves an unprecedented margin of EUR 10 billion below the payment ceiling, which reflects a low execution trend that may lead to an acute payment pressure at the end of the current MFF;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2044(BUD)

Isabelle THOMAS, Daniele VIOTTI, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58

58. ~~Decides~~Insists on the necessity to restore the DB in payments on all lines cut by the Council and reinforces payment appropriations in targeted manner, mostly on those lines which are amended in commitment appropriations;

2017/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls that in its resolution of 15 March 2017, Parliament confirmed that growth, ~~jobs and security~~decent, quality and stable jobs, socio-economic cohesion and convergence, security, energy transition, migration and climate change are the core issues and main priorities for the 2018 EU budget;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Isabelle THOMAS, Daniele VIOTTI, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that in general terms the Commission proposal corresponds to Parliament’s view that the 2018 EU budget must enable the EU to continue to generate growth ~~and jobs while ensuring the security of its citizen~~, decent jobs, socio-economic convergence and energy transition while ensuring the security of its citizens, facing the challenge of climate change and addressing the migration challenges;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Jean-Paul DENANOT, Daniele VIOTTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that in general terms the Commission proposal co~~rresponds to Parliament’s view~~uld be a good starting point for this year negotiations, considering that the 2018 EU budget must enable the EU to continue to generate growth and jobs while ensuring the security of its citizens;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that in general terms the Commission proposal corresponds to Parliament’s view that the 2018 EU budget must enable the EU to continue to generate ~~growth~~sustainable growth, public investment and jobs while ensuring the security of its citizens;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Isabelle THOMAS, Daniele VIOTTI, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the decision of the Commission to already include in the draft budget the results of the mid-term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020; is convinced that while the formal adoption is still blocked in the Council, the proposal of the Commission sends a strong signal about the importance of this MFF revision, and the need for increased flexibility in the EU budget that could enable the Union to effectively respond to new emergencies and finance its political priorities; underlines that the European Parliament acted swiftly to grant its consent to the revised MFF Regulation, asks the British government to lift its blockade on the vote in the Council with no further delay and expects that the Council will finalise without any further delay the adoption of the MFF revision~~, following the UK elections on 8 June 2017~~;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Reiterates its firm conviction that in order to achieve sustainable growth and job creation in the EU, investments in research, innovation, infrastructure, education and SMEs are key; welcomes in this respect the proposed reinforcements to Horizon 2020, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and Erasmus+ as these programmes will contribute directly to reaching these goals; but considers that the reinforcements should offset the cuts operated in these policies’ financing to the benefit of EFSI financing; regrets, however, that the proposed allocation for COSME is lower in comparison with the 2017 budget and points to the need to further reinforce SMEs, which are the main source of job creation in the EU and have a crucial role in reducing the investment gap and contributing to the prosperity of the EU;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Commends the role of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) in bridging the investment gap across the EU and supports its extension until 2020; underlines its position in the on-going legislative negotiations that no further cuts should be incurred on existing EU programmes in order to finance this extension; considers that EFSI, whose guarantee fund is mostly financed by the EU budget and therefore through contributions from taxpayers, shall not serve the purpose of supporting business operations established or incorporated in jurisdictions non-complying with international tax standards;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Welcom~~Notes theat EU initiatives in the field of defence research, ~~which will contribute to achieving economies of scale in the sector and thus lead to greater coordination among Member States in the fi~~lead to greater coordination among Member States in the field and, if developed correctly, lead to a more rational defence spending at EU and National leveld;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Regret~~Notes that the Commission has not followed up on Parliament’s request to put forward an assessment and relevant proposals for an ‘18th Birthday Interrail Pass for Europe’; is convinced that this proposal has the potential to boost European consciousness and identity and can serve as a concrete example of European added value; strongly reiterates its previous call on the Commission to put forward relevant proposals in this regardreiterates that any new expenditure must be financed by new means and without prejudice for existing programs;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Jean-Paul DENANOT, Daniele VIOTTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Welcomes the fact that the draft budget 2018 includes an additional allocation for the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), responding thus to Parliament’s previous calls for the continuation of the programme; notes, in parallel, the proposal for draft amending budget 3/2017 that integrates the provision of EUR 500 million in commitments for YEI, as agreed upon by Parliament and the Council in the 2017 budgetary conciliation; is convinced that while the proposed amounts alone will not be sufficient to tackle youth unemployment, YEI will continue to contribute to the Union’s priority objective of growth and jobs; underlines that YEI can be further improved and become more efficient; notably by ensuring that it brings real European added value to youth employment policies in the Member States and does not replace the financing of former national policies;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Welcomes the fact that the draft budget 2018 includes an additional allocation for the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), responding thus to Parliament’s previous calls for the continuation of the programme, but highlights that this amount is clearly insufficient for the YEI to reach its goals; notes, in parallel, the proposal for draft amending budget 3/2017 that integrates the provision of EUR 500 million in commitments for YEI, as agreed upon by Parliament and the Council in the 2017 budgetary conciliation; is convinced that while the proposed amounts alone will not be sufficient to tackle youth unemployment, YEI will continue to contribute to the Union’s priority objective of growth and jobs; underlines that YEI ~~can~~needs to be further improved ~~and~~in order to become more efficient;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Isabelle THOMAS, Daniele VIOTTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Stresses that in 2018, cohesion policy programmes are expected to reach cruising speed and emphasises Parliament’s commitment to ensuring adequate appropriations for these programmes; is however preoccupied by the unacceptable delays in the implementation of operational programmes at national level; calls on Member States to ensure that the designation of managing, auditing and certifying authorities is concluded and implementation is accelerated; considers that a higher level of visibility on the implementation of the ESI Funds could result in an increased number of project applications submitted by Member States; and recognises that, by long negotiations of the legal basis, the EU negotiating institutions have their part of responsibility in the low implementation rate;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recalls that the cohesion policy plays a primary role for the development and growth of the EU; Stresses that in 2018, cohesion policy programmes are expected to reach cruising speed and emphasises Parliament’s commitment to ensuring adequate appropriations for these programmes; is however preoccupied by the unacceptable delays in the implementation of operational programmes at national level; calls on Member States to ensure that the designation of managing, auditing and certifying authorities is concluded and implementation is accelerated;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Is particularly concerned at the possible reconstitution of a backlog of unpaid bills towards the end of the current MFF period, and recalls the unprecedented amount of EUR 24.7 billion reached at the end of 2014; welcomes the fact that the Commission, on the occasion of the MFF mid-term revision, provided a payment forecast until 2020 for the first time, but stresses that this needs to be duly updated every year, in order to allow the budgetary authority to take the necessary measures in time; is convinced that the credibility of the EU is also linked to its ability to ensure an adequate level of payment appropriations in the EU budget that will allow it to deliver on its commitments; underlines, considering the importance for the private sector and notably EU SMEs of the contracts with public bodies, the detrimental effect on the EU growth of their late payments;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Reiterates that while growth and jobs should remain the underlying priority of the EU budget, obtaining sustainable progress in these fields will be impossible if the citizens feel unsafe or insecure; emphasises, moreover, that the unprecedented mobilisation of special instruments has shown that the EU budget was not initially designed to address the magnitude of the migration and refugee crisis; believes that moving to a post-crisis approach is premature given the volatility of the situation in the EU Neighbourhood and the terrorist threat within the EU; questionEmphasises that the unprecedented mobilisation of special instruments has shown that the EU budget was not initially designed to address issues like the current refugee and migration situation. Opposes therefore the proposed cuts in Heading 3 compared to the 2017 Budget which doare not ~~seem to be~~ in line with the EU pledge to deal in an efficient manner with the ~~migration and refugee crisis, enforce security and tackle terrorism and radicalisation~~overall financial need for an efficient management of asylum procedures and common borders management;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Reaffirms that tackling the root causes of the migratory and refugee ~~crisis~~phenomenon represent the long-term sustainable solution and that investments in the countries of origin of migrants and refugees are key to achieving this objective; notes therefore with surprise the decreases in Heading 4 which cannot be fully justified in the framework of past budgetary increases or low implementation rate; is convinced that the EU ~~cannot enter in a post-migratory crisis scenario yet~~must be always vigilant and maintain a high level of engagement with our neighbourhood countries and that the efforts to address the instabilit~~y in the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood~~ies must be enhanced;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Isabelle THOMAS, Daniele VIOTTI, Jean-Paul DENANOT, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes the increase proposed for the eastern component of the European Neighbourhood Instrument responding to Parliament’s previous calls; is convinced that in order to counter the activities of an increasingly aggressive Russian Federation, the EU’s support, especially for the countries that have signed Association Agreements, is essential;asks for an increase in the financial resources dedicated to UNRWA and reminds the importance of ensuring sufficient funds for the Southern Neighbourhood, since stability in the Middle East is a key element for addressing the root causes of migration.

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes the increase proposed for the eastern component of the European Neighbourhood Instrument responding to Parliament’s previous calls; is convinced that in order to ~~counter the activities of an increasingly aggressive Russian Federation~~stabilise this neighbourhood and to reaffirms the inviolability of the borders, the EU’s support, especially for the countries that have signed Association Agreements, is essential;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Alfred SANT, Daniele VIOTTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Maintains that the EU needs to focus on an investment strategy towards its southern neighbourhood;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Notes that the draft budget 2018 leaves very limited margins or no margin under the MFF ceilings throughout Headings 1a, 1b, 3, 4 and 5; considers this as a logical consequence of the significant new initiatives taken since 2014 (EFSI, migration-related proposals, and lately defence research and the European Solidarity Corps), which have been squeezed within the MFF ceilings agreed in 2013; recalls that the MFF, in particular, once its revision is finalised by the Council, provides for flexibility provisions which, albeit limited, should be used to their fullest in order to maintain the level of ambition of successful programmes and tackle the new and unforeseen challenges; expresses Parliament’s intention to further mobilise such flexibility provisions as part of the amending process;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Takes note of the Commission’s proposal to set up a European Solidarity Corps (ESC); notes, however, with concern that, despite Parliament’s warnings, the legislative proposal adopted on 30 May 2017 envisages that three fourths of the ESC budget would be financed by redeployments from existing programmes, and mainly from Erasmus+ (EUR 197.7 million); is concerned by the risk that this situation would pose to those EU programmes; and reiterates that any new political commitments should be financed with new appropriations and not through flexibility instruments or redeployments of appropriations

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. ~~Welcom~~Notes the proposed scaling-up of the preparatory action on defence research and the presentation by the Commission of a legislative proposal for a defence industry development programme; recalls its earlier position that new initiatives in this area should be financed by additional funds and not be detrimental to existing programmes; recalls its earlier position that new initiatives in this area should be financed by additional funds and not be detrimental to existing programmes;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Stresses the need for the implementation of the 2014-2020 programmes to reach full speed, and strongly believes that any ‘abnormal’ build-up of unpaid bills must be avoided in the future; calls, in this context, on the Commission and the Member States to resolve, as a priority, any outstanding issues linked with the delayed designation of national managing and certifying authorities, as well as other bottlenecks for the submission of payment applications; sincerely hopes that both the national authorities and the Commission have improved their estimates of the payment needs in the 2018 budget and that the proposed level of payment appropriations will be fully executed; recognizes that the lengthy negotiation regarding the legal basis between the EU institutions are among the several causes of this current low implementation rate;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Notes the proposed EUR 3 473.1 million in commitment appropriations for Heading 3; emphasises the need for joint, comprehensive and sustainable solutions to the current migration and refugee ~~crisis~~situation, and to addressing safety and security concerns; welcomes, therefore, the Commission’s proposal for an additional EUR 800 million dedicated to tackling these issues;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Considers that 2018 will be a pivotal year in the establishment of the European Agenda on Migration, with several of its key components under development; underlines the need to carefully assess the budgetary implications of a number of legislative proposals on the table, such as the reform of the Dublin common asylum system, the new Entry- Exit and European Travel Information and Authorisation Systems, including the possibility of their late adoption ; stresses the importance of adequate financing to match the Union’s ambition in this regard and urgently achieve the set-up of an effective European asylum and migration policy based on solidarity among Member States ;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36

36. Believes, however, that the level of cuts of the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) and the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), especially for the southern component, is not ~~entirely~~ justified given the longer-term needs of the EU action on migration, going beyond the migration compacts under the Partnership Framework; in this context, calls forincreasing the financial resources dedicated to UNRWA and reminds the importance of ensuring sufficient funds for the Southern Neighbourhood, since stability in the Middle East is a key element for addressing the root causes of migration.

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. Notes the increased support for political reforms for Turkey (IPA II); ~~expects however the same logic to apply to the Western Balkans which are~~calls on the European Commission to suspend the pre-accession funds if accession negotiations are suspended; asks, in case that scenario unfolds, to use those funds to directly support Turkish civil society and refugees in Tur~~gent need of financial support for reform~~key, and to invest more in people-to-people exchange programmes, such as Erasmus+ for students, academics and journalists;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)

38 a. Underlines the need for financial support for the political reforms in the Western Balkans;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. Calls on the Commission, which makes repeated references to a possible prolongation of the FRT, to put forward a genuine proposal for its prolongation as soon as possible if it intends to do so; recalls the commitment by Parliament, the Council and the Commission to ensuring that the establishment of the FRT and trust funds be transparent and clear, and consistent with the principle of the unity of the Union budget, with respect to the prerogatives of the budgetary authority, including parliamentary scrutiny;

2017/06/21
Committee: BUDG

2017/2043(BUD)