Activities of Rasmus ANDRESEN related to 2024/0176(BUD)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025
Amendments (64)
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14
Citation 14
– having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, including the climate, biodiversity and gender-related provisions, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources14 , _________________ 14 OJ L 433I, 22.12.2020, p. 28.
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)
Citation 14 a (new)
– having regard to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) special report on global warming of 1,5 °C, its special report on climate change and land, and its special report on the ocean and cryosphere in a changing climate,
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 b (new)
Citation 14 b (new)
– having regard to the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services by the United Nations' Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services,
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 c (new)
Citation 14 c (new)
– having regard to the European Environmental Agency Report No 1/2024 - European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA),
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 d (new)
Citation 14 d (new)
– having regard to the special report of the European Court of Auditors Special Report 09/2022: Climate spending in the 2014-2020 EU budget - Not as high as reported, May 2022,
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 e (new)
Citation 14 e (new)
– having regard to the UN Sustainable Development Goals,
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 (European Climate Law),
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 b (new)
Citation 15 b (new)
– having regard to the Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP21) in Paris on 12 December 2015 (the Paris Agreement),
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 c (new)
Citation 15 c (new)
– having regard to the Agreement adopted at the 15st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Biodiversity Conference on global biodiversity framework (the Kumin-Montreal Agreement),
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Is adamant that, in times of geopolitical and institutional change, financial pressure, climate change and biodiversity crisis, as well as of societal challenges, a reliable, robust, flexible, investment oriented EU budget remains instrumental for the implementation of the Union’s policies and is central in responding to people’s increasing needs, in leaving no-one behind through the green and digital transitions, in delivering prosperity and security for people and in boosting the competitiveness of the Union economy, in order to defend the social dimension of Union spending, therefore reinforcing budgetary lines that have a direct impact on improving peoples’ lives as well as responding to the global challenges in its reading;
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises that Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine and its economic and societal consequences continue to put a severe strain on the everyday lives of people across Europe and frontline countries, in Ukraine as well as worldwide; acknowledges that a confluence of political, security, socio- economic, climate, biodiversity and environmental challenges demand a resolute response from the Union, including by exploiting to the fullest possible extent the prevention as well as the crisis response capacity of the EU budget; considers it crucial for the Union to be able to act swiftly and adequately in emergency situations caused by major natural disasters, linked to the worsening climate and biodiversity crisis, humanitarian emergencies or public health crises in Member States and accession countries, ands well as to support third countries suffering from conflicts, refugee crises or natural disasters and impacts of climate change and of extreme weather events;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Is extremely concerned by the growing urgency to tackle climate change and the biodiversity crisis in the view of the latest IPCC reports as well as mounting extreme weather events and natural disasters such as heat waves, droughts, floods and wildfires; further stresses the need to accelerate the just transition in line with the political commitments taken in the context of the Green Deal and mobilize more investment for climate mitigation and adaptation, just transition and modernisation towards circular economy as a vital European interest;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes with concern that while inflation has begun to subside compared to previous years’ peaks, its longer term impact on the cost of living, energy and food prices continues to be a burden for people across Europe, on households’ purchasing power and companies’ competitiveness and productivity; stresses that, against this background, a combination of policy responses comprising regulatory, fiscal and budgetary measures will have to be deployed to adequately address the broad range of challenges; reminds that the Union budget, in complementarity with the national budgets of the Member States and private finance should play a central role in this regard; recalls that the EU budget is an investment budget in line with Union’s political priorities and programmes which generates a return on investment and growth possibilities; emphasises that the 2024 European Parliament elections have sent a clear message for more solidarity among people of Europe, as well as between Member States and more investments in policies and programmes which improve people’s lives, in particular in areas such as public health, housing and environment; highlights that this call must not be answered by ever more budgetary cuts and by a reduction in badly needed resources to help people go through these difficult times;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underscorlines that while the MFF revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework has been partly successful and partly unsatisfactoryrepresents a clear improvement on the status quo, it is still leaving the EU budget under pressure, with limited margins and flexibility, with cuts to key programmes and with reduced ambition in important future-oriented policy areas; acknowledges that the revision has resulted in providing additional resources for Ukraine, the Western Balkan and several other budget lines of strategic importance as well as replenisincreases in thed flexibility mechanism; welcomes that the Commission has proceeded with translating the outcome of the MFF revision into the Financial Programming as well as amending budgets 2024 and the draft general budget for 2025 (the “DB”); underlines once again that the higher than foreseen repayment costs of the European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI) should have been placed fully in a EURI special instrument over and above the MFF ceilings with a view to restoring some margin within Heading 2b and protecting budgetary space in the Flexibility and Single Margin Instruments; recalls the Interinstitutional Agreement adopted as part of the 2020 MFF agreement, according to which expenditure to cover NGEU financing costs “shall aim at not reducing programmes and funds”;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that the 2025 Budget will be the first full annual budgetary procedure under the revised MFF ceilings and rules; insists that the spirit and letter of the MFF revision be respected and the additional appropriations resulting from the revision be fully authorised and committed; reminds that a certain level of redeployments, in particular under headings 1 and 6 was part of the MFF revision package; wishes to not see such reductions repeated or made worse in the annual procedure;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Reiterates its concern, that, despite the MFF revision, overall ceilings and margins are still very low in the Financial Programming and the DB and stand at zero in several headings (Heading 2b, Heading 5, Heading 7); takes note that the NGEU overrun costs, i.e. the needs for the EURI refinancing costs which have not yet been programmed, amount to approximately EUR 2,6 billion, twice the Commission’s forecast; is aware that the Amending Letter 1/2025 will update the needs estimation for 2025; is keenly aware that identifying the sources of financing the EURI borrowing costs, this amount, without causing undue collateral damage to essential programmes and maintaining some flexibility for unforeseen future events, constitutes the biggest challenge in the 2025 procedure;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes note that the Council, in its position which it calls “prudent”, proposes to cut commitment appropriations by EUR 1.52 billion across the MFF headings, leaving a total of EUR 191,527 billion, and reduces payment appropriations by EUR 876 million across the MFF headings; stresses that, by cuttinglargely unjustified cuts across headings on programme lines to generate additional unallocated margins, the Council’s position may conveyreading in time of crisis sticks to an approach and ambiguous message of c budget reatding additional availabilities for 2025; underlines that this approach, however, is not in accordance with thethat is not fit for purpose; underlines that this approach is not based in reality of current budgetary needs, as these margins are not intended for use in the annual budget 2025 at all;
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Emphasises its strong preference for covering a larger share of EURI borrowing costs by availabilities in the de- commitment compartment of the EURI Special Instrument over and above the MFF ceilings which would have the effect of restoring some margin within Heading 2b and creating budgetary space in the Flexibility Instrument; proposes, therefore, to cover 65% of the overrun costs in 2025 by the de-commitment compartment of the EURI special instrument;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 9 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Horizontal Budgetary Aspects
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Reiterates its calls on Council and Commission to apply Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget in full; stresses in particular that compliance with the rule of law is a fundamental pre-requisite to access EU funds; stresses that funds cannot be disbursed if Member States do not comply with all relevant requirements; reiterates that systemic issues with the rule of law, such as the violation of the principle of separation of powers or recent attempts in some Member States to attack the independence of the judiciary or to dismantle the institutions to fight against corruption constitute clear risks to the financial interests of the EU and the protection of the EU Budget and calls on the Commission to allow no backsliding on achievements in the area of rule of law and safeguard institutions;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9 b. Deplores the absence of progress in the Council on the reform of the own resources system; recalls its position on the amended Commission proposals, which endorses the introduction of new own resources; considers that the introduction of fresh genuine revenue sources, in line with the roadmap in the interinstitutional agreement, would serve to cover the additional budgetary burden arising from NextGenerationEU borrowing and would thereby shield the margins and flexibility mechanisms, which in turn would facilitate budgetary decision-making on unforeseen needs as well as new strategic foresight initiatives; urges, furthermore, the Commission to continue the efforts to identify fresh, new and preferably genuine own resources and other revenue sources for the EU budget beyond the IIA;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9 c. Stresses that the 20254 Union budget should be aligned with the Union’s ambitions of making the Union climate neutral by 2050 at the latest, as well as the Union’s international commitments in particular the Paris Agreement and the Kunmin-Montreal Agreement and significantly contribute to the implementation of the implementation of the European Green Deal, the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, of the Farm to Fork Strategy, of the Circular Economy Action Plan, of the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability and of a Zero-pollution Action Plan;
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 d (new)
Paragraph 9 d (new)
9 d. Reiterates its call for the phase-out of harmful subsidies and for coherence between all EU funds and programmes; insists that projects and programmes which are inconsistent with the objective of limiting global warming to under 1.5°C, or with the objective of halting and reversing biodiversity loss, should not be eligible for support under the EU budget in line with the do no significant harm; recalls that the 8th Environment Action Programme lays down the enabling condition of phasing out of environmentally harmful subsidies, including through setting a deadline for the phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies consistent with the ambition of limiting global warming to 1,5°C as well as a binding Union framework to monitor and report on Member States’ progress towards phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, based on an agreed methodology;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 e (new)
Paragraph 9 e (new)
9 e. Takes note that climate mainstreaming target of 30% is projected to be met with 33.5% while the biodiversity target will be below 8,5% following the CAP revision and the 10% target will not be met in 2026; Stresses the need for continuous efforts towards the achievement of climate and biodiversity mainstreaming targets laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 in the Union budget and the European Union Recovery Instrument expenditures (IIA); Welcomes the efforts for a more transparent and comprehensive reporting in the budgetary documents as well as the performance website, and emphasises the need to carry out sufficient ex-post evaluations with a particular focus on impact; Calls on the Commission to carefully take into account the conclusions of the special report of the European Court of Auditors on climate spending in the 2014-2020 EU budget as well as the performance audit from November 2022 as well as the NextGenerarion EU Green Bonds Allocation and Impact report;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 f (new)
Paragraph 9 f (new)
9 f. Stresses the need to ensure consistency between climate and biodiversity funding and calls on the Commission to publish the amounts and shares of expenditure that will contribute to both targets per programme when presenting the draft budget; recalls that the do-no-significant-harm principle is mainstreamed in all Union activities through the budgetary implementation as agreed in the IIA; stresses the need to ensure consistency between climate and biodiversity funding and the respect of the ‘do no significant harm’ principle thought the entire budget also as regards to sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources, circular economy, pollution prevention and control; calls on the Commission therefore to monitor the implementation of the ‘do no significant harm’ principle thought the entire budget and all the programs and to take immediately necessary corrective measures if and when needed; recalls in this respect the relevant provisions in the recast of the Financial Regulation;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 g (new)
Paragraph 9 g (new)
9 g. Welcomes that the Commission has further developed a methodology to track gender equality-related spending in the 2021-2027 MFF, which looks at policy design and resource allocation and in particular the presentation of an ex-post gender impact assessment on a more granular level and reporting on volumes; at the same time is extremely concerned that only 17.9 million EUR have been spent in the first three years of this MFF which resulted in a direct positive impact for women; calls on the Commission to assess holistically gender impact and facilitate that all the relevant data is collected and available to assess the gender impact of the budget;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Subheading 2
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Highlights that the 2025 annual budgetary procedure will be the first exercise based entirely on the MFF Revision; rRecalls that, according to the MFF Revisiongulation in force, the Flexibility Instrument has beenis reinforced and that a maximum allocation of EUR 1 546.1 billion to be mobilised in 2025 has been topped up by 495 million and amounts carried over from 2024; notes that the Commission proposes to use an amount of EUR 1 192.8 million under the Flexibility Instrument for the EURI cascade Step 2 but the Council deviates from the Commission approach in several significant aspects;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Reiterates its position that before having recourse to the special instrument, the budgetary authority is expected to examine the possibility for covering part of any shortfall within the headings and through the Flexibility and Single Margin Instruments; emphasises that this process must be objective and based on real needs and cannot be driven by any arbitrary benchmarks; recalls, in this context, that the Joint Declaration agreed by the three institutions as part of the 2020 MFF agreement, whereby expenditure to cover NGEU financing costs ‘shall aim at not reducing programmes and funds’, still applies and serves as a reference point for the budgetary authority; intends, therefore, to ensure that all programmes are properly resourced and that the budget’s flexibility and response capacity is maintained through the annual budgetary procedure;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Highlights that the Commission’s DB estimates the EURI ‘overrun’ costs to amount to EUR 2,5 billion and applies a 50:50 approach to the cascade mechanism; notes that the Commission proposes, therefore, to cover an amount of EUR 1.24 billion from the budget - i.e. 50% of the costs overruns - stemming by the unallocated margin under sub-heading 2b for an amount of EUR 46.2 million and by the Flexibility Instrument for an amount of EUR 1 192.8 million, with the remaining half to be mobilised through the new EURI instrument over and above the ceiling, covered by de-commitments made since 2021; acknowledges thatnd therefore under this scenario no recourse to the ‘back-stop’ is required;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. RegretsIs extremely concerned with the Council’s approach to opt for what it calls “prudent” budgeting but which is nothing else, but merely, creating artificial margins under the MFF ceilings; notes that the Council, in its position on the 2025 budget, and similar to 2024, reduces appropriations dedicated for EURI borrowing costs; points out that the Council’s position to cover only around 35% of the overrun costs by the EURI Special Instrument runs counter to the 50:50 benchmark that the Council itself insisted on during the MFF negotiations and that is specifically mentioned in the MFF Regulation; alerts that in order to finance the difference and create additional unallocated margin (mostly in H2b but also in other headings, presumably in view of using it in future years through the SMI), sizeable reductions to a number of flagship programme envelopes have been proposed that have repercussions in 2025 as well as in 2026 and 2027; the cuts in heading 2b are particularly concerning as the only motivation is to use the money for financing EURI in light especially of the people-centered nature of the programs anchored in the same heading as EURI; recalls that the most affected programmes, Horizon Europe, CEF digital, EU4Health and Erasmus, are well-established priorities for the European Parliament and flagship programmes of the Union; highlights that the Council targets for reductions are across several headings and even touch some programmes that were already subject to the MFF redeploymentreduced during the MFF revision process, such as Horizon, reduced by 400 million; or and EU4 Health; and additionally lines that were topped up in previous years, such as Erasmus+, reduced by 295 million, EU4Health or LIFE;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Recalls the Interinstitutional Agreement adopted as part of the 2020 MFF agreement, whereby expenditure to cover NGEU financing costs “shall aim at not reducing programmes and funds”; questions whetherrecalls that the EURI special instrument should be mobilized in accordance with the MFF regulation, the applicable sectoral rules and other legal obligations and taking into account priorities, prudent budgeting and sound financial management, which require in particular appropriate margins for unforeseen expenditure; is of the opinion that the Council’s approach is in line with the MFF agreement on the cascade;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. IntendRestores, therefore, to restore the cuts proposed by Council; to ensure that programmes are properly resourced and that the budget’s flexibility and response capacity are maintained throughout the annual budgetary procedure; insists on the need for the Commission to provide reliable, timely and accurate information on NGEU borrowing costs and on expected Recovery and Resilience Facility disbursements throughout the budgetary procedure; recalls that Parliament is deeply while remaining concerned about the impact of the inherent uncertainty for the EURI interest line and questions the forecast from the Commission on NGEU borrowing costs and expected Recovery and Resilience Facility disbursements throughout the budgetary procedure; welcomes the cut-off date of the end of September for the budgeting of the EURI costs which brings more predictability to the procedure; is aware that the Amending Letter 1/2025 will update the needs estimation for 2025 therefore; is adamant to cater fully and timely for the NGEU repayment costs that will fall due in 2025; highlights in this regard that EURI borrowing costs are largely a reflection of the level of payments in the Recovery and Resilience Facility which reflect the level of implementation of the facility and insists in this regard in the need to speed up implementation;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Underlines, once again, that repayment of the EURI borrowing costs is a legal obligation for the Union and a non- discretionary expenditure item in the EU budget; is adamant, therefore to cater fully and timely for the NGEU repayment costs that will fall due in 2025; agrees to apply, in thisnsist on transparency in the implementation of the cascade in the annual budgetary procedure and insist to have a regmard,k in the newly established EURI cascade mechanism, in the letter and the spirit of the recently revised MFF Regulationbudget showing the share of by de-commitment of appropriations, other than external assigned revenue, made since the beginning of the current MFF on the budget line; proposes to finance 65% of the overrun costs by the de- commitment compartment of the EURI Special Instrument; deems the margin of EUR 46.2 million, which was programmed before the DB was submitted, to be available for reinforcing programmes under the ceiling of Heading 2b; intends to revisit the amendments linked to the cascade mechanism once the Amending Letter provides updated estimations of the actual needs for the EURI line in 2025;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Recalls that programmes under Heading 1 play a key role in ensuring that the green and digital transitions leave no- one behind, as well as to make sure that the European union will be successful in reaching its climate and energy targets, by providing the necessary support for research and innovation, in; underlines the importance of key sectors such as health, climate and natural resources, by boosting funding for cross- border infrastructure, in particular in the transport sector, by bolstering the Union’s investment in cutting-edge technology, and by improving the competitiveness of the Union economy, with an emphasis on SMEs and youth entrepreneurship;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Highlights that the impact and consequences of the outbreak of COVID- 19 pandemics exacerbated persistent weaknesses in health systems in several countries and need for strong public health systems; stresses in particular the accute problem of mental health issues rising globally, including the acute mental health issues suffered by young people; underlines in this sense the importance to increase EU efforts in investing in health research and in particular in the mental health research;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17 b. Underline the importance of research in the fight against climate change by better understanding its causes, evolution, risks, impacts and opportunities, and by making the energy and transport sectors more climate and environment-friendly; at the same time stresses the importance of the EU research programmes for meeting the EUs climate objectives and targets and Green Deals goals and invites to pay special attention and support to the research projects in the area of de- carbonisation;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Highlights the vital role that Horizon Europe plays in this context; recalls that the programme remains heavily over-subscribed and is therefore unable to support a large number of research projects evaluated as ‘excellent’; proposes, therefore, to increase allocations for the programme by a total of EUR 242 million compared to the DB, with reinforcements for the European Research Council, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and Clusters ‘Health’, with particular aim to reinforce the mental health research, ‘Culture’ ‘Climate, Energy and Mobility’, ‘Food’, EIC and ‘Widening participation’;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Recalls that the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is key to boosting investment in high-performance, sustainable trans-European networks and to decarbonising the Union economy, thereby accelerating the green transition and promoting interconnectivity; in this sense calls for more CEF Transport investments into the climate and environmentally friendly cross-border transport infrastructure, in particular to the rail projects and investment in clean mobility and on the project linked to the de- carbonistion of transport; at the same time calls on increasing the CEF Energy investments for deploying the renewables energy, energy efficiency and other sustainable energy projects; proposes, to increase appropriations for CEF Transport by EUR 40 million above the DB in 2025; further proposes to top-up CEF Energy with an additional EUR 30 million;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Recalls that the execution of operational programmes in the Member States and regions should be accelerated and thatcalls on Member States to prevent any possible delays caused by a lack of administrative capacity should be avoided at all levels of governance; wishes to allocate the remaining margin of EUR 755 965 to the budget line for Operational technical assistance, to contribute towards accelerating implementation ;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Stresses, in an effort to spare the programmes under this heading from undue budgetary rigidity, that it deems the margin of EUR 46.2 million to be available for the programme top-ups in Heading 2b; wishes the equivalent amount for the EURI cascade to be covered by the de-commitment compartment of the EURI special instrument;
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Recalls that programmes under Heading 2b play a key role in ensuring resilience and values by providing support and opportunities for young people through Erasmus+, including the Special Olympics World Games (SOWG) 2025, and through the European Solidarity Corps; reinforcingEmphasises that both programmes are required by law to put in place measures to boost participation rates among people with fewer opportunities; regrets that participants from disadvantaged backgrounds are often prevented from taking part in the programme given that grants are insufficient in a context of soaring inflation and the increased cost of living; is committed to ensuring that Erasmus+ does not become a de facto selective programme open only to those who can afford to participate; recalls that the Commission is required to put in place financial support measures for people with fewer opportunities and calls for a readjustment of Erasmus+ grants to account for higher inflation and higher living costs; also proposes to reinforce support for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme; to investing in preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer diseases affecting children and improving mental health by increasing EU4Health; to investing in skills development; to ensuringe social security coordination in order to facilitate labour mobility and easier transfer of social security benefits; to supporting vulnerable communities, as well as rural, isolated and mountainous areas, social dialogue and trade unions, cultural and creative industries;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Is alarmed by the growing impact of natural disasters in Europe, including such as extreme floods, droughts, heatwaves and wildfires in Europe as well as globally, and its neighbourhood and concerned about the Union’s ability to respond effectively and in timely manner; underlines that these disasters are often linked to the worsening climate change and are therefore likely to occur with greater frequency and intensity in the future; wishes to protect human lives and to augment the Commission’s crisis response capacity; stresses the need to invest in climate mitigation and adaptation measures, in particular in vulnerable regions and to boost the Union’s response capacity; increases, therefore, appropriations for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism by EUR 42 million above DB; calls for a prioritisation of investments that help reduce the impact of natural disasters as well as in the investments in the preventive measures and resilience; stresses that the Union, being based on solidarity, will find the resources for the citizens affected by the recent floods;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33 a. Is highly concerned by the current mental health crisis in Europe, exacerbated by recent global events, which demands immediate action; is of the opinion that Europe cannot afford to overlook the devastating impact that a lack of initiative in this sector has on our society; highlights that the alarming statistics on the rise of mental health disorders, particularly among young people, are a wake-up call we can no longer ignore; stresses that the lack of adequate mental health care not only compromises individual well-being but also undermines the foundations of our society;
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Underlines the importance of a stronger Health Union and enhanced preparedness; highlights the vital role that the EU4Health programme plays in this respect; proposes, therefore,deplores that despite the ongoing necessity to bolster the Health Union, the EU4Health budget faces significant constraints due to reductions in the Multiannual Financial Framework; reiterates the need to allocate sufficient budgetary allocations under the EU4Health programme to support actions including the gender aspect of health, including Sexual and Reproductive Health, universal access, as well as quality of services, especially considering the backlash against women’s rights and access to safe and legal abortion in several Member States; proposes to increase the programme’s appropriations by EUR 50 million above DB in support of investments in preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, diseases affecting children and supporting the actions for improving the mental health of European citizens, particularly teenagers;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Reiterates its unwavering support for promoting the learning mobility of young people; proposes to reinforce, against this background, the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programmes, which play a vital role in supporting learning mobility opportunities, improving people’s skills and employability and promoting social inclusion; emphasises that both programmes aimneed to boost participation rates among people with fewer opportunities - an objective that is challenged by soaring inflation and the increased cost of living; is committed to ensuring that Erasmus+ does not become a de facto selective programme open only to those who can afford to participate and recalls that the Commission is required to put in place financial support measures for people with fewer opportunities; proposes, therefore, an increase of EUR 70 million for Erasmus+ (57 million EUR for Promoting learning mobility of individuals and groups, and cooperation, inclusion and equity, excellence, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of education and training — Indirect management; 5 million EUR for Promoting non-formal and informal learning mobility and active participation among young people, and cooperation, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of youth; 8 million EUR for Promoting learning mobility of sport staff, and cooperation, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of sport organisations and sport policies); insists that the top-up be used to contribute in particular to the programme’s over- arching aim of becoming more accessible, including by providing the necessary increased financial support per participant with fewer opportunities; proposes, moreover, a reinforcement of EUR 1 million for the ESC above DB, specifically to ensure the programme is accessible for all;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36 a. Emphasises the key role that Creative Europe plays in supporting the cultural and creative sectors, fostering media literacy and combatting disinformation, and promoting and protecting media freedom and pluralism as the basis for a functioning democracy; underscores that soaring energy prices and inflation, following on from the COVID-19 pandemic, have had a significant impact on the cultural and creative sectors, which are often made up of small organisations and individual artists; proposes, therefore, to increase financing for the Creative Europe programme by EUR 8 million above DB;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Reiterates the indispensable role of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme in promoting European values and citizens’ rights, in fostering active civic engagement, in building resilient societies, in combatting gender-based violence, which is in particular important in the context of the measurable increase in cases of violence against women and against the LGBTQI+ persons, and in supporting the key principles of democracy, the rule of law, solidarity, inclusiveness, justice, non- discrimination and equality; is highly concerned by by the increase of the violence against the LGBTQI+ persons in Europe and believes that financial sanction should apply on countries where the rights of the LGBTQI+ persons are threatened; proposes, therefore, to increase appropriations for the programme by EUR 9 million above the DB, with reinforcements for the equality and rights, ‘citizens’ engagement and participation’, Daphne and ‘Union values’ strands;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Reiterates its concern about the negative impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on global food security and affordability and about farmers’ aHighlights the importance of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and the common fisheries policy for food security and greater EU autonomy in high-quality food production; underlines the role of CAP in ensuring a sustainable and decent income for EU farmers, notably small and medium-sized as well as young farmers; notes that the labour shortage and difficult working conditions represent a real challenge for the agricultural sector and calls for adequate resources to be mobilitysed to withstand inflationary pressure and increased input pricesfacilitate the implementation of high level social protection measures; calls for appropriate investments to accelerate and facilitate the transition towards a sustainable and affordable food system; remphasises the need to help new and young farmers as well as small and medium-sized farmers with additional means and thereby ensure the sustainability of the sector and generational renewal; proposes, therefore,inds that under the common agricultural policy, Member States can cap subsidies for the largest companies and support small and medium-sized farmers more; reminds that the European Union gives almost 30% of the EU budget for the common agricultural policy and created a legal framework with financial benefits for healthy food, pesticide-free and less polluting, by supporting with money all the farmers who make efforts in this green transition beneficial for the health of citizens and for local producers; calls on the Commission to compensate those who are making the effort so that people can eat healthier food; proposes to increase income support to young farmers by EUR 40 million above the DB;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Underscores the negative impact of droughts and other extreme, climate change induced, weather patterns on the agricultural sector; stresses the need to better address the impacts of floods, droughts and wildfires on agricultural production, food security and farmers' income; calls for an adequately funded European plan for water use, reuse and storage and smart sharing; underlines the importance of the fruit and vegetables sector, of school schemes as well as promotional measures of agricultural products under the Common Agricultural Policy; decides, therefore, to increase the allocation of these budget lines under the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund by a total of EUR 56 million above the DB; emphasises equally the importance of investing in the digitalisation of small and medium-sized farms and the acquisition of equipment to implement good environmental practices in farming and to contribute to environmental sustainability in Union agriculture;
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)
Paragraph 44 a (new)
44 a. Calls on the Commission to address the conclusions of the European Court of Auditors regarding overstated climate spending in particular as regards the mainstreaming targets in the CAP, and insist on the importance of the CAP Strategic Plans; expresses concern about the possibility that the 2026 and 2027 targets might not be reached and calls on the Commission to enhance its efforts to reach the targets; recalls that primary importance of the CAP for biodiversity mainstreaming and calls on the Commission the implement the recommendations of the study in this regard; calls on the Commission to address the concerns raised by the Court of Auditors as regards the ineffectiveness of biodiversity spending in the CAP and calls on the Commission to publish the amounts and shares of expenditures that will contribute to both targets per program when presenting annual budgets; calls on Member States to ensure the integration of biodiversity in partnership agreements and operational programmes as well as in their CAP strategic plans;
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Underlines the indispensable and complementary role that the LIFE programme playsat Europe is the fastest warming continent and is facing worsening climate and biodiversity crisis with heavy impacts on people, communities, environment and nature and increased extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and wildfires; highlights the indispensable and complementary role that the LIFE programme, as EU flagship programme, plays in catalysing measures towards climate adaptation and mitigation, in delivering on the European Green Deal and achieving the Union’s climate neutrality goal by investing in nature and biodiversity, reducing emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy, and creating a circular economy, protecting ecosystems and reversing the alarming trend of biodiversity loss; emphasises the role of the LIFE programme in accelerating the just transition; proposes, therefore, to increase appropriations for the programme by EUR 49 million above the DB; supports the EEA with a modest increase in funding and staff;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. UStresses that compliance by Member States with their obligations, including the protection of fundamental rights such as the right to seek asylum and the effective, humane and fair management and protection of the Union’s external borders, are key to ensuring the security of the Union, guaranteeing the smooth and efficient implementation of the Union’s migration and asylum policy and preserving the free movement of people within the Union; underlines that instability in neighbouring regions, as well as poverty and underlying trends in economic development, demographic changes, globalisation in transport and communications continue to create migration flows towards the Union, placing significant pressure on programmes and agencies under Heading 4;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 a (new)
Paragraph 50 a (new)
50 a. Underlines the importance of saving lives at sea; highlights the need for the Commission to present a legislative proposal to establish an EU Search and Rescue Fund to show solidarity among Member States in the carrying out of SAR obligations;
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
Paragraph 51
51. Underlines the important role that the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) plays in managing the Union’s external borders and in particular in supporting Member States with reinforced border protection capabilities including physical infrastructure, buildings, equipment, systems and services required at border crossing points; underlines that the instrument should also support the acceleration of Romania’s and Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area; proposes therefore to increase appropriations for the BMVI by EUR 35 million above DB;
Amendment 252 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Highlights the need for the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) to have the requisite resources to carry out its operational activities effectively and decides, therefore, totasks in accordance with its mandate; restore the DB for the agency; notes, however, with concern, that the Agency continues to struggle with its absorption capacity and has not yet managed to hire the necessary staff to fulfil its mission; reiterates that the enhanced competences and resources allocated to the Agency must be accompanied by increased transparency and accountability, as well as full respect for and protection of fundamental rights; calls on the Agency to continue to improve its efficiency and effectiveness;
Amendment 268 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 a (new)
Paragraph 60 a (new)
60 a. Reiterates its full support to Ukraine in fight for its freedom and democracy; deplores the terrible impact of lives and the suffering of Ukraine People caused by unprovoked and unjustifiable Russia's war of aggression; welcomes the decision to grant the Ukraine candidate country status and insists on the need to deploy the necessary funds to support its accession process;
Amendment 280 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62 a (new)
Paragraph 62 a (new)
62 a. Highlights the need to further reinforce the work of civil society organisations, human rights defenders and journalists given the shrinking space for civil society in many countries; a special focus should be on supporting organisations working on protecting sexual and reproductive rights as well as with LGBTIQ+ population to promote gender sensitive protection measures; at the same time underlines the importance of ensuring sufficient EU support to promote the protection of women’s rights and LGBTIQ+ rights, in particular in countries where these rights are under threat; believes that financial sanction should apply on countries where the rights of the LGBTQI+ are threatened;
Amendment 283 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64
Paragraph 64
64. Shares the Council’s assessment that the need for humanitarian aid needs have reached new heights; considers that, given the highly challenging international context, increasing geopolitical instability, accelerating humanitarian catastrophes around the globe including for example in Gaza or Sudan, extreme poverty and hunger, and the ongoing climate change- induced emergencies, humanitarian aid needs in 2025 are likely to be even higher than estimated by the Council, in particular since humanitarian aid to Ukraine will continue to be covered under Heading 6 rather than the Ukraine Facility; recalls that Ukraine’s humanitarian aid needs will not be covered by the Ukraine Facility and therefore underlines that humanitarian aid in 2025 budget will need to be strengthened also in this context; underlines that insufficient access to humanitarian aid hits the most vulnerable hardest, in particular women and children; points out that the Union’s humanitarian aid budget has relied heavily on the SEAR, driving resources away from the SEAR’s other objectives and reducing the Union’s ability to respond to emergencies; reminds that outturn of 2023 budget for HUMA was 2,3 bn in commitments and almost 2,4 bn in payments and that humanitarian aid was budgeted for 1,8 billion EUR for 2024 and has already been increased by 300 million EUR from EAR in DEC 6 and with 273 million in DEC/10 to just under 2,4 bn EUR to use all resources available but clearly not meeting the needs; insists that the proposal with the possible mobilisations of EAR will still fall short of needs; proposes, therefore, to increase appropriations for humanitarian aid by EUR 120 million compared to the DB;
Amendment 305 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 a (new)
Paragraph 73 a (new)
73 a. Takes note that Article 44(2) of the Implementing Measures of the Members of the European Parliament Statute provides for the possibility to finance extra costs linked to the parliamentary assistance budgets transferring appropriations from their General Expenditure Allowance (GEA); calls on Parliament's administration to take the necessary measures to enable Members who wish to do so to use their GEA to cover the cost of APA missions; highlights that such a measure would help Members to address their increasing staffing needs while being budgetary neutral;