Activities of Igor ŠOLTES related to 2018/0247(COD)
Plenary speeches (2)
Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) (A8-0174/2019 - José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Knut Fleckenstein) (vote)
Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) (debate) SL
Amendments (26)
Amendment 79 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Assistance should also be provided in compliance with the agreements concluded by the Union with the beneficiaries listed in Annex I. Assistance should mainly focus on assisting the beneficiaries listed in Annex I to strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law, reform the judiciary and public administration, respect fundamental rights and promote gender equality, tolerance, social inclusion and non-discrimination. Assistance should also support the key principles and rights as defined in the European Pillar of Social Rights.17 Assistance should continue to support their efforts to advance regional, macro-regional and cross-border cooperation as well as territorial development, including through implementation of Union macro-regional strategies. It should also enhance their economic and social development and economic governance, underpinning a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth agenda, including through implementation of regional development, agriculture and rural development, social and employment policies and the development of the digital economy and society, also in line with the flagship initiative Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans. As regards rural development and agriculture it is of particular importance to also sustain and promote regional cooperation structures. _________________ 17 European Pillar of Social Rights solemnly proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission at the Gothenburg Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth, Gothenburg 17 November 2017.
Amendment 82 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Assistance should also be provided in compliance with the agreements concluded by the Union with the beneficiaries listed in Annex I. Assistance should mainly focus on assisting the beneficiaries listed in Annex I to strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law, reform the judiciary and public administration, respect fundamental rights and promote gender equality, tolerance, social inclusion and non-discrimination, in particular people in vulnerable situations. Assistance should also support the key principles and rights as defined in the European Pillar of Social Rights.17 Assistance should continue to support their efforts to advance regional, macro-regional and cross-border cooperation as well as territorial development, including through implementation of Union macro-regional strategies. It should also enhance their economic and social development and economic governance, underpinning a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth agenda, including through implementation of regional development, agriculture and rural development, social and employment policies, reducing poverty, regional imbalances and social exclusion, and the development of the digital economy and society, also in line with the flagship initiative Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans. _________________ 17 European Pillar of Social Rights solemnly proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission at the Gothenburg Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth, Gothenburg 17 November 2017.
Amendment 87 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7 a) In addition to the beneficiaries listed in Annex I, financial assistance under this Regulation could also be granted to the Cypriot community living in the part of Cyprus where the Union acquis is suspended with the aim of facilitating a comprehensive settlement leading to the reunification of Cyprus.
Amendment 93 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Enhanced strategic and operational cooperation between the Union and the beneficiaries listed in Annex I on security is pivotal to addressing effectively and efficiently security, organised crime and terrorism threats.
Amendment 95 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) It is essential to further step up cooperation on migration including border management and to promote social protection and social inclusion, ensuring access to international protection, sharing relevant information, strengthening the development benefits of migration, facilitating legal and labour migration, enhancing border control and pursuing our effort in the fight against irregular migration, trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling as well as access to affordable, sustainable services such as early child education and care, housing, healthcare and essential social services and long term care.
Amendment 100 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Strengthening the rule of law, ensuring the independence of the judiciary, including the fight against corruption and organised crime, and good governance, including public administration reform, providing support for human rights defenders and civil society organisations, monitoring compliance with the rule of law and defence to whistle-blowers 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 106 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) The beneficiaries listed in Annex I need to be better prepared to address global challenges, such as sustainable development and climate change, and align with the Union's efforts to address those issues. Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union's commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this Programme should contribute to mainstream climate action in the Union's policies and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 % of the EU budget expenditures supporting climate objectives. Actions under this Programme are expected to contribute at least 16 % of the overall financial envelope of the Programme to climate objectives. Relevant actions will be identified during the Programme's preparation and implementation, and the overall contribution from this Programme should be part of relevant evaluations and review processes.
Amendment 131 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
Recital 32
(32) In order to take account of changes in the enlargement policy framework or of significant developments in the beneficiaries listed in Annex I, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of adapting and updating the thematic priorities for assistance listed in Annexes II and III. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert and civil society level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts.
Amendment 143 #
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 to their peace, stability, security and prosperity.
Amendment 149 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) To strengthen the rule of law, democracy, the respect of human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, gender equality, fundamental rights and international law, civil society, peace and security, the respect for cultural diversity, non- discrimination and tolerance as well as improve migration management including border management;
Amendment 155 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
(a a) to promote inclusive and integrated education by paying special emphasis on preventing ethnic-based separation in schools, narrowing the gender gap, providing early childhood education and preventing early school leaving, thus aiming at reducing ethnic, social and regional disparities;
Amendment 160 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) To shape the rules, standards, policies and practices of the beneficiaries listed in Annex I in alignment to those of the Union and to reinforce reconciliation, both internally and externally, and good neighbourly relations, as well as peace- building and conflict prevention, including through people to people contacts, freedom of the media and communication;
Amendment 167 #
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, reducing poverty, regional imbalances 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 170 #
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, also via regional cooperation structures, and regional development, agriculture and rural development and social and employment policies, 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 171 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(d a) Enhancing economic, social and territorial cohesion by strengthening the capacities of community-based initiatives and engaging local and regional beneficiaries, as well as by supporting adequate sectoral and enterprise structures, SMEs at those levels and investment in rural areas;
Amendment 172 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d b (new)
(d b) To strengthen social protection and social inclusion, including by promoting equal opportunities and addressing inequalities, ensuring access to international protection, facilitating legal and labour migration and integrating marginalised communities.
Amendment 212 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. Programmes and actions under this Regulation shall mainstream climate change, environmental protection, conflict prevention, peaceful conflict resolution and gender equality and shall, where applicable, address interlinkages between Sustainable Development Goals34 , to promote integrated actions that can create co-benefits and meet multiple objectives in a coherent way. _________________ 34 https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/policies/sust ainable-development-goals_en
Amendment 219 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. When preparing, implementing and monitoring assistance under this Regulation, the Commission shall in principle act in partnership with the beneficiaries listed in Annex I. The partnership shall include, as appropriate, competent national and local authorities, as well as civil society organisations. Coordination among the relevant stakeholders shall be encouraged by the Commission. The capacities of civil society organisations shall be strengthened, including, as appropriate, as direct beneficiaries of assistance.
Amendment 222 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 4 b (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. The Commission, in liaison with Member States, shall contribute to the implementation of Union commitments towards increased transparency and accountability in the delivery of assistance, including by publicly disclosing information on assistance volume and allocation, ensuring that data is internationally comparable and can be easily accessed, shared and published.
Amendment 242 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 5
Article 7 – paragraph 5
5. The IPA programming framework shall include indicators for assessing progress with regard to attainment of the targets set therein, inter alia progress and the establishment of track records in the areas of: · strengthening democracy, the rule of law and an independent and efficient justice system, · respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities and vulnerable groups, fundamental freedoms, · gender equality and women's rights, · the fight against corruption and organised crime, · reconciliation, peace-building, good neighbourly relations, · freedom of the media, · cultural diversity.
Amendment 246 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. The Commission shall include progress against those indicators in its annual reports.
Amendment 249 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 a (new)
Article 7 a (new)
Article 7 a Suspension of Union assistance 1. Where a beneficiary fails to respect the principle of democracy, the rule of law, human rights or fundamental freedoms or violates the commitments taken in the relevant agreements concluded with the Union, the Commission shall be empowered, in accordance with Article 14, to adopt a delegated act to amend Annex I to this Regulation in order to suspend or partially suspend Union assistance. In the event of a partial suspension, the programmes for which the suspension applies shall be indicated. 2. Where the Commission finds that the reasons justifying the suspension of assistance no longer apply, it shall be empowered to adopt a delegated act, in accordance with Article 14 to amend Annex I in order to reinstate Union assistance. 3. In cases of suspension, Union assistance shall primarily be used to support civil society organisations and non state actors for measures aimed at promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms and supporting democratisation and dialogue processes in partner countries
Amendment 349 #
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. Interventions in this area shall also focus on: ensuring access to international protection, facilitating legal and labour protection and integrating marginalised communities such as migrants and 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 asfamily and community based 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 370 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – paragraph 1 – point b
Annex III – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) protecting the environment and promoting climate change adaptation and mitigation, risk prevention and management through, inter alia: joint actions for environmental protection; promoting agriculture, regional development and relevant regional cooperation structures; promoting sustainable use of natural resources, coordinated maritime spatial planning, resource efficiency and circular economy, renewable energy sources and the shift towards a safe and sustainable low-carbon, green economy; promoting investment to address specific risks, ensuring disaster resilience and disaster prevention, preparedness and response;
Amendment 381 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
Annex IV – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
1 a. Composite indicator on partners’ efforts related to reconciliation, peace- building, good neighbourly relations and gender equality and women’s rights.
Amendment 382 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – paragraph 1 – point 1 b (new)
Annex IV – paragraph 1 – point 1 b (new)
1 b. Absence of violence indicator in conjunction with reductions in drivers of conflict (e.g. political or economic exclusion) built on a baseline assessment.