11 Amendments of Daniel BUDA related to 2023/0397(COD)
Amendment 3 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1 a) The European Union must boost the enlargement process and strengthen its presence in the region. The membership for the Western Balkans is in the Union's and its partners' political, security and economic interest. The current geopolitical situation reaffirms the importance of stability and democratic development in the countries and regions at the EU’s external borders, including Western Balkans.
Amendment 4 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) There is a need to bring forward some of the advantages of Union membership before accession. Economic convergence is at the heart of these benefits. The objective should be to enable partners to step up reforms and investments to significantly accelerate the speed of the enlargement process and the growth of their economies. Currently, the convergence of Western Balkans in terms of GDP per capita expressed in purchasing power standards remains low at between 30% and 50% of the Union average and is not progressing fast enough.
Amendment 13 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5 a) The countries of the Western Balkans must be supported to have a clean energy transition, considering that coal provides approximately 70% of the region's electricity 1a and to build a modern, dynamic and decarbonised economy with improved employment opportunities. _________________ 1a https://webalkans.eu/en/themes/connectivi ty/energy/
Amendment 14 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 b (new)
Recital 5 b (new)
(5 b) Prioritizing digitization in Western Balkan countries should continue as a key focus, aiming to enhance overall societal well-being, boost digital literacy, and rapidly expand broadband connectivity.
Amendment 17 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6 a) Improving connectivity within the Western Balkans, as well as between the Western Balkans and the European Union, is a key factor for growth and jobs and will bring clear benefits for the region’s economies and citizens, having regard that infrastructure development in the region is about 50% lower than the EU average2a _________________ 2a https://www.eib.org/en/stories/infrastructu re-development-western-balkans
Amendment 26 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9 a) It is essential that all these investments by the European Union in the Western Balkans are brought to the public's attention, to raise awareness of the significance of EU membership and to diminish the influence of Russia or China in the region.
Amendment 29 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Activities under the Facility should support progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and should not contribute to environmental degradation or cause harm to the environment or climate. Measures funded under the Facility should be in line with the Beneficiaries’ National Energy and Climate Plans, their Nationally Determined Contribution and ambition to reach climate neutrality by 2050. The Facility should contribute to the mitigation action and to the ability to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change, and foster climate resilience.
Amendment 70 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. Support from the Facility shall be additional to the support provided under other Union programmes and instruments. Activities eligible for funding under this Regulation may receive support from other Union programmes and instruments provided that such support does not cover the same cost. Stresses the need for synergies with other EU funding tools which have the same geographic and thematic coverage, in order to avoid any double funding.
Amendment 75 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 5
Article 4 – paragraph 5
5. Beneficiaries and the Commission shall ensure that equality between men and women, gender mainstreaming and the integration of a gender prespective are taken into account and promoted throughout the preparation of the Reform Agendas and the implementation of the Facility. Beneficiaries and the Commission shall take appropriate steps to prevent any discrimination based upon gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The Commission will report on these measures in the context of its regular reporting under the Gender Action Plans.
Amendment 76 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 6
Article 4 – paragraph 6
6. The Facility shall not support activities or measures which are incompatible with the Beneficiaries’ National Energy and Climate Plans, their Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, and ambition to reach climate-neutrality by 2050 or that promote investments in fossil fuels, or that cause significant adverse effects on the environment or the climate.
Amendment 86 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 4
Article 11 – paragraph 4
4. The Reform Agendas shall be consistent with and support the reform priorities identified in the context of the Beneficiary’s accession path, and other relevant documents, such as the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, the National Energy and Climate Plan, the Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement and the ambition to reach climate neutrality by 2050.