22 Amendments of Fabio Massimo CASTALDO related to 2018/0247(COD)
Amendment 69 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The objectives of an instrument for pre-accession are substantiallycomplementary to, but distinct from, the general objectives of Union external action as this instrument aims to prepare the beneficiaries listed in Annex I for future membership of the Union and support their accession process. It is therefore essential to have a dedicated instrument in support of enlargement, while ensuring its complementarity with the general objectives of Union external action and in particular with the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI).
Amendment 74 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The enlargement process is built on established criteria and fair and rigorous conditionality. Each beneficiary is assessed on the basis of its own merits. The assessment of progress achieved and the identification of shortcomings aim to provide incentives and guidance to the beneficiaries listed in Annex I to pursue the necessary far-reaching reforms. For the prospect of enlargement to become a reality, a firm commitment to the principle of the 'fundamentals first'15 remains essential. Progression towards accession depends on each applicant's respect for the Union's values and its capacity to undertake and implement the necessary reforms to align its political, institutional, legal, social, administrative and economic systems with the rules, standards, policies and practices in the Union. _________________ 15 The 'fundamentals first' approach links rule of law and fundamental rights with the two other crucial areas of the accession process: economic governance – strengthened focus on economic development and improved competitiveness – and the strengthening of democratic institutions and public administration reform. Each of the three fundamentals is of crucial importance for the reform processes in the candidate countries and potential candidates and addresses key concerns of the citizens.
Amendment 77 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The enlargement policy of the Union is an investment in peace, security, prosperity and stability in Europe. It provides increased economic and trade opportunities to the mutual benefit of the Union and the aspiring Member States. The prospect of Union membership has athe potential to produce powerful transformative effect,s and to embedding positive democratic, political, economic and societal change.
Amendment 99 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Strengthening the rule of law, including the fight against corruption and organised crime, and good governance, including public administration reform, remain key challenges in most of the beneficiaries listed in Annex I and are essential in order for beneficiaries to come closer to the Union and later to fully assume the obligations of Union membership. In view of the longer-term nature of the reforms pursued in those areas and the need to build up track records, financial assistance under this Regulation should address the requirements placed on the beneficiaries listed in Annex I as early as possible.
Amendment 102 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) IThe parliamentary dimension remains key in the accession process: for this reason, in accordance with the principle of participatory democracy, parliamentary oversight in each beneficiary listed in Annex I should be encouraged by the Commission, which should also make the best possible use of the powers of the European Parliament.
Amendment 114 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The Commission and the Member States should ensure compliance, coherence, and complementarity of their assistance, in particular through regular consultations and frequent exchanges of information during the different phases of the assistance cycle. The necessary steps should also be taken to ensure better coordination and complementarity, including through regular consultations, with other donors. The role of civil society should be enhanced both inCivil society organizations should be both part of the design, monitoring and evaluation of the programmes implemented through government bodies and as abe direct beneficiaryies of Union assistance.;
Amendment 116 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) The priorities for action towards meeting objectives in the relevant policy areas which will be supported under this Regulation should be defined in a programming framework established by the Commission for the duration of the Union multiannual financial framework for the period from 2021 to 2027 in partnership with the beneficiaries listed in Annex I, taking into account, and consulting, civil society in the beneficiary countries, that definition being based on the enlargement agenda and their specific needs, in line with the general and specific objectives defined by this Regulation and taking relevant national strategies and the relevant resolutions of the European Parliament into due account. The programming framework should identify the areas to be supported through assistance with an indicative allocation per area of support, including an estimate of climate-related expenditure.
Amendment 117 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) It is in the Union's interest to assist the beneficiaries listed in Annex I in their efforts to reform with a view to Union membership. Assistance should be managed with a strong focus on concrete results and with significant incentives for those who demonstrate their commitment to reform through efficient implementation of pre-accession assistance and progress towards meeting the membership criteria. It is important not only to assess the adoption of reforms by beneficiaries but to take account of their actual implementation.
Amendment 141 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of IPA III shall be to support the beneficiaries listed in Annex I in adopting and implementing the political, institutional, legal, administrative, social and economic reforms required by those beneficiaries to comply with Union values and to progressively align to Union rules, standards, policies and practices with a view to Union membership, thereby contributing both to their stability, security and prosperity and to those of the Union.
Amendment 157 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) To reinforce the effectiveness and transparency of public administration and support structural reforms and, good governance and efforts to combat corruption at all levels;
Amendment 169 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) To strengthen economic and social development including through increased connectivity and regional development, agriculture and rural development and social and employment policies, to reduce poverty and social exclusion, to reinforce environmental protection, increase resilience to climate change, accelerate the shift towards a low-carbon economy and develop the digital economy and society.
Amendment 176 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) To support territorial and cross- border cooperation. and reduce regional imbalances;
Amendment 216 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. In line with the principle of inclusive partnership, the Commission shall ensure that relevant stakeholders of partner countries, including civil society organisations and local authorities, are duly consulted and have timely access to relevant information allowing them to play a meaningful role during the design, implementation and associated monitoring processes of programmes.
Amendment 230 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The IPA programming framework shall take relevant national strategies and, sector policies and the resolutions of the European Parliament into due account.
Amendment 232 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Assistance shall be targeted and adjusted to the specific situation of the beneficiaries listed in Annex I, taking into account further efforts needed to meet the membership criteria as well as the capacities of those beneficiaries. Assistance shall be based on the principle of conditionality and therefore be differentiated in scope and intensity according to needs, commitment to reforms and progress in implementing those reforms.
Amendment 235 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. Without prejudice to paragraph 4, the IPA programming framework shall be adopted by the Commission by means of an implementing act. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure of the Committee delegated act as referred to in Article 164.
Amendment 282 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 4
Article 12 – paragraph 4
4. In addition to the indicators referred to in Annex IV, the enlargement reports and the relevant resolutions of the European Parliament shall be taken into account in the results framework of IPA III assistance.
Amendment 302 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. An observer from the European Parliament shall take part in the committee's proceedings.
Amendment 351 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point i
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) Promoting social protection and inclusion and combating poverty. Interventions in this area shall aim at modernising social protection systems to provide effective, efficient, and adequate protection throughout all stages of a person’s life, fostering social inclusion, promoting equal opportunities and, addressing inequalities and poverty and promoting the transition from institutional to family and community based care. Interventions in this area shall also focus on: integrating marginalised communities such as the Roma; combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation; enhancing access to affordable, sustainable and high quality services, such as inclusive and non-segregated early childhood education and care, housing, healthcare and essential social services and long term care, including through the modernisation of social protection systems. Actions that contribute to any form of segregation or social exclusion should not be supported;
Amendment 359 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point k
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point k
(k) Improving the private-sector environment and competitiveness of enterprises, including smart specialisation, as key drivers of growth, job creation and cohesion. Priority shall be given to projects which improve the local and regional business environment.
Amendment 365 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
(p a) Promoting activities and improving long-term strategies and policies aimed at preventing and countering radicalization and violent extremism. IPA III shall contribute in developing effective rehabilitation and reintegration programs especially for returning foreign fighters, by tackling social marginalization and exclusion, preventing further acts of violence, as well as mitigating further radicalization among young people. It shall promote the active participation of family members, civil society organizations and religious leaders in full complementarity with all the other thematic priorities.
Amendment 373 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
Annex III – paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
(i a) Improving cross-border police and judicial cooperation and information exchange to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of cross-border organised crime and linked cases of economic and financial crime and corruption, trafficking and smuggling;