40 Amendments of Urmas PAET related to 2017/2052(INI)
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the EU is faced with multiple challenges that affectand hybrid challenges and situations that threaten global stability and that can only be tfackled with strategic, long- term and holistic external actions; recalls that EU external action is built on a values-based foreign policy; recalls the ambition of EU leaders as expressed in the Rome Declaration to strive towards a Union that is ‘big on big issues and small on small ones’; calls for the multi-annual financial framework (MFF) to make this a realityshow ambition by substantially increasing external action appropriations (in strategic sectors for Heading 4), thereby making common foreign policy a core EU functionelement of the EU;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas having regard to the draft report on the implementation of the EU external financing instruments: mid-term review 2017 and the future post-2020 architecture(2017/2280(INI));
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that increased fundingand targeted funding in strategic areas is needed for an effective European response to modern challenges and to tackle Europe’s new priorities, some of which are reflected in the EU Global Strategy and the renewed European Neighbourhood policy, including development aid, human rights violations, bagood governance, security threatsand hybrid threats, propaganda and armed conflicts, and natural disasters and climate change as well as the refugee and migratory challenges caused by these issues;
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that increased funding is needed for an effective European response to modern challenges and to tackle Europe’s new priorities, which are reflected in the EU Global Strategy and the renewed European Neighbourhood policy, including development aid, human rights violations, bad governance, security threats and armed conflicts, and natural disasters and climate change as well as the refugee and migratory challenges caused by these issues; calls for a significant increase in funding for the EU defence sector;
Amendment 32 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls the importance of enhanced flexibility that allows for the mobilisation of additional resources to respond to unforeseen situations; stresses the necessity of resource availability to be ready to respond to rapidly developing new threats like hybrid warfare and cyber attacks; stresses, however, that increased flexibility should not be achieved at the expense of long-term policy objectives; calls for a considerable strengthening of the flexibility mechanisms (‘special instruments’) under the MFF;
Amendment 59 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the importance of strengthenedat support for the rule of law, democracy and human rights as ashould remain the cornerstones of EU foreign policy and takes the view that these issues should remain cross- cutting issues in all EU instruments and foreign policy objectives, especially in view of ongoing developments in the European Neighbourhood and beyond.
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is convinced that the next MFF should build on the Union’s well- established policies and priorities, which aim at promoting peace, democracy and human rights, at boosting welfare, long- term and sustainable economic growth, high-quality jobs, sustainable development and innovation, protecting healthy living environment, fighting climate change and at fostering economic, social and territorial cohesion, as well as solidarity between Member States and citizens; considers that these pillars are prerequisites for a properly functioning single market, the Energy Union and Economic and Monetary Union as well as for reinforcing Europe’s position in the world; trusts that they are more relevant than ever for Europe’s future endeavours;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls, therefore, for continuous support for existing policies, in particular the long-standing EU policies enshrined in the Treaties, namely the common agricultural and fisheries policies, and the cohesion policy; rejects any attempt to totally renationalise these policies, as this would neither reduce the financial burden on taxpayers and consumers, nor achieve better results, but would instead hamper growth and the functioning of the single market while widening the disparities between territories and economic sectors; intends to secure the same level ofan adequate funding for the EU-27 for these policies in the next programming period while further improving their added value and simplifying the procedures associated with them;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Recalls the accountability to taxpayers and consumers and therefore urges for a strong budget discipline in the upcoming MFF in order to take duly into account the financial burden of citizens; stresses that the cost effectiveness of current policies and programmes should be reviewed and, where necessary, take appropriate measures.
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Believes that, by translating the political priorities of the EU into concrete investments, the multiannual financial framework constitutes an excellent instrument for the long-term planning of the European projectunion spending and for ensuring a certain stable level of public investment in the Member States; regrets however the lack of mutually agreed long-term strategic vision for the European project; recalls, furthermore, that the EU budget is predominantly an investment budget that serves as an additional and complementary source of funding for actions undertaken at national, regional and local levels;
Amendment 175 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Is of the opinion that the decision on the duration of the MFF should strike the right balance between two seemingly conflicting requirements: on the one hand, the need for several EU policies – especially those under shared management, such as agriculture and cohesion – to operate on the basis of the stability and predictability of a commitment of at least seven years, and, on the other hand, the need for democratic legitimacy and accountability that results from the synchronisation of each financial framework with the five-year political cycle of the European Parliament and the European Commission;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Underlines, therefore, the need for the MFF’s duration to move progressively towards a 5+5 period with a mandatory mid-term revision; calls on the Commission to elaborate a clear proposal setting out the methods of the practical implementation of a 5+5 financial framework;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Calls, in particular, for a substantial increase in the financial envelope of the Flexibility Instrument of up to an annual allocation of at least EUR 2 billion; recalls that the Flexibility Instrument is not linked to any specific policy field and can thus be mobilised for any purpose that is deemed necessary; considers, therefore, that this instrument can be mobilised to cover any new financial needs as they occur during the MFF;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Points to the role of the Emergency Aid Reserve in providing a rapid response to specific aid requirements for third countries for unforeseen events, and stresses its particular importance in the current context; calls for a substantial increase in its financial envelope of up to an annual allocation of EUR 1 billion;
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Notes, in particular, the significant mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund to provide assistance in a number of serious natural disasters with substantial budgetary consequences; stresses also the positive impact that this instrument has on public opinion; proposes the reinforcement of its financial envelope to an annual allocation of EUR 1 billion;
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 9
Subheading 9
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
Amendment 236 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Agrees that the search forachieving real European added value should be one of the main principles guiding the EU institutions when deciding about the type of spending in the next MFF; points out, however, the existence of multiple interpretations of the concept and calls for a clear definition of the criteria thereof that should take territorial specificities into account;;
Amendment 255 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Considers that better spending, i.e. the efficient use of every single euro of the EU budget based on critical assessment of current expenditure, can be achieved not only by directing EU resources towards actions with the highest European added value and the greatest increase in the performance of the EU’s policies and programmes, but also by achieving greater synergies between the EU budget and the national budgets, and by ensuring the tangible improvement of the spending architecture;
Amendment 258 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46a. Reiterates that focus should equally be put on the relationship between spending and performance of the EU budget; supports the recommendations of the 2016 Annual Report of the European Court of Auditors, for an efficient measurement framework of indicators for the spending programmes, more streamlined and balanced reporting on performance, and an easier access to the assessment results.;
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Underlines that the ‘health check’ of EU spending cannotshould provide for a reduction in the level of EU ambition or a sectoralisation of EU policies and programmes, nor should it lead to a replacement of grants by financial instrumentsn opportunity to re-prioritize with a view to generating some savings, as the great majority of actions supported by the EU budget are not suitable to be funded by the latter;
Amendment 278 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Questions the justification and added value of establishing instruments outside the Union budget; considers that decisions to set up or maintain such instruments are in reality driven by attempts to conceal the real financial needs and to bypass the constraints of the MFF and own resources ceilings; deplores that they often also result in bypassing Parliament in its triple responsibility as legislative, budgetary and control authority and lead to less transparency towards the general public and beneficiaries;
Amendment 318 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65
Paragraph 65
65. Believes, therefore, that the current presentation of the headings requires some improvements, but is against any unjustified radical changes; proposes, as a result, the following structure for the MFF post-2020; Heading 1: A stronger and sustainable economy Including programmes and instruments supporting: under direct mcalls on the Commission to propose a new structure for the MFF post-2020; transport, digitalisation, energy environment and climate chanagement: - research and innovation - industry, entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises - large-infrastructure projects - - adaptation - - - supporting investments in Europe (possible umbrella agriculture and rural development maritime affairs and fisheries horizontal (financial) instrument at EU level, incl. EFSI) Heading 2: Stronger cohesion and solidarity in Europe Including programmes and instruments supporting: - cohesion (under shared management): investments in innovations economic, social and territorial education and life-long learning culture, citizenship and health and food safety asylum, dmigitalisation, reindustrialisation, SMEs, transport, climate change adaptation employment, social affairs and social inclusion - - communication - - justice and consumers - national administrations Heading 3: Stronger responsibility in the world Including programmes and instruments supporting: - development - - - - - external relations facilities Heading 4: Security, peace and stability for all Including programmes and instruments supporting: - - - policy - Heading 5: An efficient administration at the service of Europeans - - equipment of EU institutionsration and integration, support to and coordination with international cooperation and neighbourhood enlargement humanitarian aid trade contribution to EU trust funds and security crisis response and stability common foreign and security defence financing EU staff financing the buildings and
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
Paragraph 67
67. Highlights the importance of completing the European research area, the energy union, the Single European Transport Area and the digital single market as fundamental elements of the European single market and reiterates the need for appropriate funding of the Connecting Europe Facility as strategic tool to support the attainment of these objectives;
Amendment 386 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73
Paragraph 73
73. Insists on the importance of the MFF for sectors relying on long-term investment, such as the transport sector; highlights that transport infrastructures are the backbone of the single market and the basis for sustainable growth and job creation; notes that accomplishing a single European transport area connected to neighbouring countries requires major transport infrastructure and must be treated as a key priority in terms of the EU’s competitiveness and for economic, social and territorial cohesion, including for peripheral areas; considers, therefore, that the next MFF should provide for sufficient funding for projects that contribute in particular to the completion of the TEN-T core network and its corridors, which should be further extended; stresses that an updated and more effective CEF programme should cover all modes of transport, in particular railway and other modes of transport, which contribute to reducing CO2 emissions, and focus on interconnections and the completion of the network in peripheral areas while using common standards;
Amendment 427 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77
Paragraph 77
77. Affirms that the common agricultural policy is fundamental for food security and autonomy, the preservation of rural populations, sustainable development and the provision of high-quality and affordable food products for Europeans; stresses the need to secure agricultural production in all parts of the EU as well as in the areas of natural constraints; points out that food requirements have increased, as has the need to develop environmentally friendly farming practices and the need to tackle climate change; underlines that the CAP is one of the most integrated policies and is mainly financed at EU level and, therefore, replaces national spending;
Amendment 452 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78
Paragraph 78
78. Expects the global amount of direct payments to be kept intact under the next MFF, as they generate clear EU added value and strengthen the single market by avoiding distortions of competition between Member States; opposes any total renationalisation and any national co- financing in that respect; stresses the need to increase funding in line with responses to the various cyclical crises in sensitive sectors, to create new instruments that can mitigate price volatility and to increase funding for Programmes of Options Specifically Relating to Remoteness and Insularity (POSEI); concludes, therefore, that the CAP budget in the next MFF should be at least maintained at its current level for the EU-27receive an adequate funding for the EU-27 based on an analysis of the needs and taking into account the evaluation of the implementation of the policy;
Amendment 472 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80 a (new)
Paragraph 80 a (new)
80a. Draws attention to the first recommendations of the High Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance1a,including those relating to the multiannual financial framework, and emphasize that the sustainability objectives must be supported by a financial system capable of promoting long-term, sustainable growth; calls on the Commission also to examine and address these recommendations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework, including the need to develop a 'sustainability test' for all future EU financial regulations and policies, and for financial instruments to achieve greater policy steering effects; __________________ 1a https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/17 0713-sustainable-finance-report_en.pdf
Amendment 493 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81
Paragraph 81
81. StressUnderlines that cohesion policy post- 2020 should remainis the main investment policy of the European Union covering all EU regions while concentrating the majority of the resources on the most vulnerable ones; believes that, beyond the goal of reducing the disparities between levels of development and enhancing convergence as enshrined in the Treaty, it should focus on the achievement of the broad EU political objectives and proposes, therefore, that under the next MFF, the three cohesion policy funds – the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Cohesion Fund – should concentrate mainly on providing support for innovation, structural reforms, digitalisation, reindustrialisation, SMEs, transport, climate change adaptation, employment and social inclusion; calls, moreover, for a reinforced territorial cooperation component and an urban dimension for the policy;
Amendment 509 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82
Paragraph 82
82. Considers maintaining thStresses the need for an adequate financing of cohesion policy post-2020 for the EU-27 at least abased on an analysis of the needs and taking into account the level of the 2014- 2020 budget to be of the utmost importancealuation of the implementation of the policy; stresses that GDP should remain one of the parameters for the allocation of cohesion policy funds, but believes that it should be complemented by an additional set of social, environmental and demographic indicators to better take into account new types of inequalities between EU regions; supports, in addition, the continuation under the new programming period of the elements that rendered cohesion policy more modern and performance-oriented under the current MFF;
Amendment 549 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 84
Paragraph 84
84. Emphasises in particular the continuous need to fight unemployment, especially among young people, and calls, therefore, for a doubling of the Ysubstantial strengthening of initiatives to boost youth Eemployment Initiative envelope in the next programming period; considers that investment to boost education and training, especially the development of digital skills, remains one of the top priorities of the EU; insists that the Union's resources in support of these initiatives result in a net increase in the funds available for NEETs (young people not in employment, education or training) and shall not replace expenditure previously financed by national budgets.
Amendment 586 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 86
Paragraph 86
86. Expects that in the post-2020 period, the European Union will move from crisis-management mode to a permanent, European common policy in the field of asylum and migration; stresses that the actions in this field should be covered by a dedicated instrument, i.e. the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund; emphasises that the future fund, as well as the relevant Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) agencies, must be equipped with an adequate level of funding for the whole of the next MFF to address the comprehensive challenges in this area; believes, furthermore, that the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) should be complemented by additional components tackling this issue under other policies, in particular by the cohesion funds and the instruments financing external actions, as no single tool could hope to address the magnitude and complexity of needs in this field; recognises, moreover, the importance of cultural, educational and sports programmes in integrating refugees and migrants into European society;
Amendment 588 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 87
Paragraph 87
87. Recognises the European added value of collaboration in addressing common public health threats; notes that no single Member State can tackle cross- border health challenges alone, and calls for the next MFF to reflect the EU’s responsibility to support Member States in reducing health inequalities; considers that, on the basis of the positive outcome of the ongoing actions in this field, the next MFF should include a robust next generation Health programme that addresses these issues on a cross-border basis, notably by making innovative solutions for healthcare delivery, such as the European Reference Networks; recalls that good health is a prerequisite for achieving other goals set by the EU and that policies in such fields as agriculture, environment, employment, social issues or inclusion also have an impact on the health of Europeans; calls, therefore, for the strengthening of health impact assessments and for cross- sectoral cooperation in the next MFF in this field;
Amendment 606 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 88
Paragraph 88
88. Stresses that the world is confronted with multiple challenges including conflicts, cyber-attacks, terrorism, disinformation, natural disasters, climate change, biodiversity loss; marine pollution; human rights violations and protracted crises; believes that the Union has a particular political and financial responsibility which is founded on rules- based foreign policy, cooperation with partner countries, poverty eradication and crisis response;
Amendment 608 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 88
Paragraph 88
88. Stresses that the world is confronted with multiple challenges including conflicts, cyber-attacks, hybrid warfare, terrorism, disinformation, natural disasters, climate change, human rights violations and protracted crises; believes that the Union has a particular political and financial responsibility which is founded on rules-based foreign policy, cooperation with partner countries, poverty eradication and crisis response;
Amendment 625 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 90
Paragraph 90
90. Is ready to consider a streamlinedRecalls that the European Parliament is already engaged in the post- 2020 architecture of the EU's external financingal instruments, as long as the Commission and the High Representative clearly demonstrate the expected advantages of such changes and provided that the specificities of the underlying Union policies are respected; reiterates that the objective of a modelling of the current structure should be increased transparency, accountability, efficiency, coherence as well as flexibility; stresses the need for EU external action to be policy, rather than instrument driven; notes that such architecture should include a budgetised EDF, a more transparent incorporation of trust funds and facilities, as well as a possible continuation of the External Investment Plan based on its evaluation; could consider, as part of an overall increase in the external financing instruments, a larger unallocated reserve aimed at increasing in- built flexibility, but stresses that this should not be achieved at the expense of long-term geographic and thematic prioritiesincreased flexibility cannot be detrimental to funds allocated for pre-defined goals and objectives, including in the field of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, support to civil society, conflict resolution, fragile states, development policy, economic and social development and support to countries in various stages of EU accession;
Amendment 673 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 96
Paragraph 96
96. Welcomes initiatives by the institutions, bodies and agencies to further enhance efficiency through increased administrative cooperation and the pooling of certain functions, thereby generating savings to the Union budget; highlights that, for certain agencies, further efficiency gains could be made, especially through increased cooperation among agencies with similar tasks, such as in the field of the financial market supervision and of agencies with multiple locations; calls, in a more general way, for a thorough assessment of the strategic interest and tasks of all agencies and the possibilities of grouping agencies according to the strategic nature of their mission and their result;