Activities of Răzvan POPA related to 2018/0197(COD)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund
Amendments (50)
Amendment 18 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Horizontal principles as set out in Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union ('TEU') and in Article 10 of the TFEU, including principles of subsidiarity and proportionality as set out in Article 5 of the TEU, should be respected in the implementation of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, taking into account the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Member States should also respect the obligations of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and ensure accessibility in line with its article 9 and in accordance with the Union law harmonising accessibility requirements for products and services. Member States and the Commission should aim at eliminating inequalities and at promoting equality between men and women and integrating the gender perspectivemainstreaming and gender equality, as well as at combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The Funds should not support actions that contribute to any form of segregation. The objectives of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund should be pursued in the framework of sustainable development and the Union's promotion of the aim of preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment as set out in Articles 11 and 191(1) of the TFEU, taking into account the polluter pays principle. In order to protect the integrity of the internal market, operations benefitting undertakings shall comply with State aid rules as set out in Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU.
Amendment 19 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) In order to enable the ERDF to provide support under ETC/Interreg in terms of both investments in infrastructure and the associated investments, training and integration activities, for the improvement and development of administrative skills and competences, it is necessary to provide that the ERDF may also provide support for activities under the specific objectives of the ESF+, set up under Regulation (EU) 2018/XXX of the European Parliament and of the Council [new ESF+]18. __________________ 18 [Full reference - new ESF+].
Amendment 20 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) The ERDF should help to redress the main regional imbalances in the Union and to reduce disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured and less developed regions including those facing challenges due to the decarbonisation commitments. ERDF support under the Investment for jobs and growth goal should therefore be concentrated on key Union priorities in line with policy objectives laid down in Regulation (EU) 2018/xxx [new CPR]. Therefore support from the ERDF should be concentrated on the policy objectives of 'a smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation' and 'a greener, low-carbon Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate adaptation and risk prevention and management'. That thematic concentration should be attained at national level while allowing for flexibility at the level of individual programmes and between the three groups of Member Stateregions formed according to respective gross national incomedomestic product. In addition, the methodology to classify Member States should be set out in detail taking into account the specific situation of the outermost regions.
Amendment 22 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) This Regulation should set out the different types of activities the costs of which may be supported by means of investments from the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, under their respective objectives as set out in the TFEU. The Cohesion Fund should be able to support investments in the environment and in TEN-T. With regard to the ERDF, the list of activities should be simplified and it should be able to support investments in infrastructure, investments in relation to access to services, productive investments in SME's, equipment, software and intangible assets, as well as measures with regard to information, communication, studies, networking, cooperation, exchange of experiences and activities involving clusters. In order to support the programme implementation, both funds should also be able to support technical assistance activities including for the improvement and development of administrative skills and competences. Finally, in order to support provide for a broader range of interventions for Interreg programmes, the scope should be enlarged to also include the sharing a broad range of facilities and human resources and costs linked to measures within the scope of the ESF+.
Amendment 24 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – introductory part
(a) 'a smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation' and efficient public administration ('PO 1') by:
Amendment 25 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv a (new)
(iva) ensuring the protection of intellectual property rights;
Amendment 26 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv b (new)
(ivb) promoting public administration modernisation and innovation;
Amendment 27 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv c (new)
(ivc) strengthening cyber security
Amendment 29 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iv a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iv a (new)
(iva) developing social entrepreneurship and social innovation
Amendment 31 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Amendment 34 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) those with a gross national income ratio equal to ormore developed regions, whose GDP per capita is above 100 % of the EUGDP average ('of the EU-27 (‘group 1'’);
Amendment 38 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) those with a gross national income ratio equal to or aboveransition regions, whose GDP per capita is between 75 % and below 100 % of the EU average GDP of the EU-27 ('group 2');
Amendment 40 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) those with a gross national income ratio belowless developed regions whose GDP per capita is less than 75 % of the EU average GDP of the EU-27 ('group 3').;
Amendment 42 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
For the purposes of this Article, the gross national income ratio meansclassification of a region in one of the three rcatio between the gross national incomeegories of regions shall be determined on the basis of the ratio of the GDP per capita of a Member Stateeach region, measured in purchasing power standardsparities (‘PPP’) and calculated on the basis of Union figuresdata for the period from 2014 to 2016, and the average gross national income per capita in purchasing power standards of the 27 Member StatesGDP of the EU-27 for thate same reference period.
Amendment 43 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – point a
(a) Member States of group 1 shall allocate for the category of more developed regions (group 1):at least 85 % of their total ERDF resources under priorities other than for technical assistance to PO 1 and PO 2, and at least 60 % to PO 1;
Amendment 44 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – point a
(a) Member States of group 1 shall allocate at least 85 % of their total ERDF resources under priorities other than for technical assistance to PO 1 and PO 2, and at least 630 % to PO 12;
Amendment 45 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – point a
(a) Member States of group 1 shall allocate at least 875 % of their total ERDF resources under priorities other than for technical assistance to PO 1 and PO 2, and at least 60 % to PO 1;
Amendment 46 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – point b
(b) Member States of group 2 shall allocatefor the category of transition regions (group 2): at least 45 % of their total ERDFled resources under priorities other than for technical assistance to PO 1, and at least 30 % to PO 2;
Amendment 47 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – point b
(b) Member States of group 2 shall allocate at least 435 % of their total ERDF resources under priorities other than for technical assistance to PO 1, and at least 30 % to PO 2;
Amendment 48 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – point c
(c) Member States of group 3 shall allocate for the category of less developed regions (group 3):at least 35 % of their total ERDF resources under priorities other than for technical assistance to PO 1, and at least 30 % to PO 2.
Amendment 49 #
(c) Member States of group 3 shall allocate at least 350 % of their total ERDF resources under priorities other than for technical assistance to PO 1, and at least 3025 % to PO 2.
Amendment 50 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) productive investments in SMEs and also in other domestic enterprises, if acting in clear public interest and focusing on projects which would not have been implemented without ERDF support;
Amendment 51 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point f
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point f
(f) technical assistance, including improvement and development of administrative skills and competences of local authorities in managing these funds.
Amendment 52 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) development of sustainable, climate resilient, intelligent and intermodal national, regional and local mobility, including improved access to TEN-T and cross-border mobility;
Amendment 53 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b b (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b b (new)
(bb) promotion of sustainable multimodal urban mobility;
Amendment 54 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Amendment 55 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Member States shall ensure an appropriate balance between investments under points (a), (b), (c) and (bd).
Amendment 72 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Horizontal principles as set out in Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union (‘TEU’) and in Article 10 of the TFEU, including principles of subsidiarity and proportionality as set out in Article 5 of the TEU, should be respected in the implementation of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, taking into account the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Member States should also respect the obligations of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and ensure accessibility in line with its article 9 and in accordance with the Union law harmonising accessibility requirements for products and services. Member States and the Commission should aim at eliminating inequalities and at promoting equality between men and women and integrating the gender perspective, as well as at combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The Funds should not support actions that contribute to any form of segregation. The objectives of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund should be pursued in the framework of sustainable development and, notably the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as well as the Union’s promotion of the aim of preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment as set out in Articles 11 and 191(1) of the TFEU, taking into account the polluter pays principle. In order to protect the integrity of the internal market, operations benefitting undertakings shall comply with State aid rules as set out in Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU.
Amendment 74 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Horizontal principles as set out in Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union (‘TEU’) and in Article 10 of the TFEU, including principles of subsidiarity and proportionality as set out in Article 5 of the TEU, should be respected in the implementation of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, taking into account the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Member States should also respect the obligations of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and ensure accessibility in line with its article 9 and in accordance with the Union law harmonising accessibility requirements for products and services. Member States and the Commission should aim at eliminating inequalities and at promoting equality between men and women and integrating the gender perspectivemainstreaming and gender equality, as well as at combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The Funds should not support actions that contribute to any form of segregation. The objectives of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund should be pursued in the framework of sustainable development and the Union’s promotion of the aim of preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment as set out in Articles 11 and 191(1) of the TFEU, taking into account the polluter pays principle. In order to protect the integrity of the internal market, operations benefitting undertakings shall comply with State aid rules as set out in Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU.
Amendment 75 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) In order to identify the type of activities which can be supported by the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, specific policy objectives for providing support also for the improvement and development of administrative skills and competences from those funds should be laid down to ensure that they contribute to one or more of common policy objectives set out in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/xxx [new CPR].
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) In order to enable the ERDF to provide support under ETC/Interreg in terms of both investments in infrastructure and the associated investments, training and integration activities, for the improvement and development of administrative skills and competences, it is necessary to provide that the ERDF may also provide support for activities under the specific objectives of the ESF+, set up under Regulation (EU) 2018/XXX of the European Parliament and of the Council [new ESF+]18. __________________ 18 [Full reference - new ESF+]. [Full reference - new ESF+].
Amendment 95 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) The ERDF should help to redress the main regional imbalances in the Union and to reduce disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured and less developed regions including those facing challenges due to the decarbonisation commitments. ERDF support under the Investment for jobs and growth goal should therefore be concentrated on key Union priorities in line with policy objectives laid down in Regulation (EU) 2018/xxx [new CPR]. Therefore support from the ERDF should be concentrated on the policy objectives of ‘a smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation’ and ‘a greener, low-carbon Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate adaptation and risk prevention and management’ across all Member States with a focus towards less developed regions. That thematic concentration should be attained at national level while allowing for flexibility at the level of individual programmes and between the three groups of Member States formed according to respective gross national incomedomestic product. In addition, the methodology to classify Member States should be set out in detail taking into account the specific situation of the outermost regions.
Amendment 99 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) The ERDF should help to redress the main regional imbalances in the Union and to reduce disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions including those facing challenges due to the decarbonisation commitments. ERDF support under the Investment for jobs and growth goal should therefore be concentrated on key Union priorities in line with policy objectives laid down in Regulation (EU) 2018/xxx [new CPR]. Therefore support from the ERDF should be concentrated on the policy objectives of ‘a smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation’ and ‘a greener, low-carbon Europe by promoting clean and fair energyenergy, a just transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate adaptation and risk prevention and management’. That thematic concentration should be attained at national level while allowing for flexibility at the level of individual programmes and between the three groups of Member States formed according to respective gross national income. In addition, the methodology to classify Member States should be set out in detail taking into account the specific situation of the outermost regions.
Amendment 104 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) At the same time, it is important to identify synergies on the one hand and clarify those activities which fall outside the scope of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, including investments to achiev on the othe reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from activities listed in Annex I to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council20 in order to avoid duplication of available financing, which already exists as part of that Directiver hand; this in order to achieve multiplication effects or avoid duplication of available financing. In addition, it should be explicitly set out that the overseas countries and territories listed in Annex II of the TFEU are not eligible for support from the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund. __________________ 20 Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC (OJ L 275, 25.10.2003, p. 32).
Amendment 114 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. In accordance with the policy objectives set out in Article [4(1)] of Regulation (EU) 2018/xxxx[new CPR] and in a coherent and consistent way, the ERDF shall support the following specific objectives:
Amendment 123 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv
(iv) developing skills for smart specialisation, industrial transition and entrepreneurship leading to sustainable industries and entrepreneurship based on just transition strategies;
Amendment 124 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv
(iv) developing skills for smart specialisation, industrial transition, just transition to a low carbon economy and entrepreneurship;
Amendment 126 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv a (new)
(iva) improvement and development of administrative skills and competences of local authorities in managing these funds;
Amendment 142 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point vii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point vii
(vii) enhancing biodiversity, green infrastructure in the urban and rural environment, and reducing pollution;
Amendment 147 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i
(i) enhancing digital connectivity; in particular facilitating 5G networks and access to Very High Capacity Networks in underserved areas (remote areas, outermost regions)
Amendment 149 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i a (new)
(ia) reduce the digital divide (between regions and Member States)
Amendment 155 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point i
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point i
(i) enhancing the effectiveness of labour markets and access to high quality employment through developing social innovation and infrastructure;
Amendment 168 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 3 – subpoint 1 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 3 – subpoint 1 a (new)
(1) Resources allocated to Member States under ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, may, at the request of a Member State, be transferred to specific projects under the Horizon Europe Programme, under the condition that they contribute to the objectives of the ERDF and CF, respectively. The Commission shall implement those resources directly in accordance with point (a) of Article 62(1) of the Financial Regulation or indirectly in accordance with point (c) of that Article. Those resources shall be used for the benefit of the Member State concerned.
Amendment 172 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Amendment 173 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) those with a gross national income ratio equal to ormore developed regions, whose GDP per capita is above 100 % of the EUGDP average of the EU-27 (‘group 1’);
Amendment 174 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) those with a gross national income ratio equal to or aboveransition regions, whose GDP per capita is between 75 % and below 100 % of the EU average GDP of the EU -27 (‘group 2’);
Amendment 175 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) those with a gross national income ratio belowless developed regions whose GDP per capita is less than 75 % of the EU average GDP of the EU -27 (‘group 3’).
Amendment 176 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
For the purposes of this Article, the gross national income ratio means the ratio between the gross national income per capita of a Member Stateclassification of a region in one of the three categories of regions shall be determined on the basis of the ratio of the GDP per capita of each region, measured in purchasing power standardsparities (‘PPP’) and calculated on the basis of Union figuresdata for the period from 2014 to 2016, and the average gross national income per capita in purchasing power standards of the 27 Member StatesGDP of the EU-27 for thate same reference period.
Amendment 202 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point f
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point f
(f) technical and administrative assistance.
Amendment 218 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) investment in disposal of waste in incinerators or landfill;