Activities of Olivier CHASTEL related to 2019/2028(BUD)
Plenary speeches (2)
General budget of the European Union for 2020 - all sections (debate)
2020 budgetary procedure: joint text (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2020
Amendments (45)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls on the Commission to afford proper technical assistance to the national authorities of the Member States so that they can take up the amounts allocated;
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Subheading 4 a (new)
Subheading 4 a (new)
Climate change 10b. Points out that the European Union has committed to making 20% of its budget climate-related; calls on the Commission to develop research, development and innovation in order to achieve this 20% target;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes the overall reduction of AMIF commitment appropriations by 15,4 % (-172 million euros) compared to 2019; regrets the decrease of commitment appropriations aimed at strengthening and developing the CEAS and enhancing responsibility-sharing between Member States (-29,5 %) compared to 2019; recalls the importance of providing adequate financial capacity to support the reception of asylum seekers in the Member States, effective return strategies, resettlement programmes, improve the integration of migrants as well as the re- integration of migrants who forcibly or voluntarily returned to a third country, and to respond to emergency assistance needs of Member States under migratory pressure; expresses its disappointment at the fact that the AMIF budget does not include some financial reserves to finance the reformed Dublin legislation and the new Union Resettlement schemes in case of adoption during 2020; proposes to foresee an amount in the reserve for temporary arrangements for disembarkation in the Union and relocation of people rescued in the Mediterranean; requests, in order to free financial resources, that the EU Trust Fund for Africa and the Regional development protection programmes for North Africa that primarily supportcalls the need to ensure better coordination between funds engaged to address the issue of migration under Heading III (Security and Citizenship) and the external policies of the Union are funded by Heading IV of the Union budget (Global Europe) instead of by AMIF under Heading III (Security and Citizenship);
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes the overall reduction of AMIF commitment appropriations by 15,4 % (-172 million euros) compared to 2019; regrets the decrease of commitment appropriations aimed at strengthening and developing the CEAS and enhancing responsibility-sharing between Member States (-29,5 %) compared to 2019; recalls the importance of providing adequate financial capacity to improve the reception of asylum seekers, the efficiency of asylum application examinations, the enforcement of decisions regarding asylum applications, the integration of migrants as well as the re- integration of migrants who forcibly or voluntarily returned to a third country, and to respond to emergency assistance needs of Member States under migratory pressure; expresses its disappointment at the fact that the AMIF budget does not include some financial reserves to finance the reformed Dublin legislation and the new Union Resettlement schemes in case of adoption during 2020; proposes to foresee an amount in the reserve for temporary arrangements for disembarkation in the Union and relocation of people rescued in the Mediterranean; requests, in order to free financial resources, that the EU Trust Fund for Africa and the Regional development protection programmes for North Africa that primarily support external policies of the Union are funded byduce the burden of the Member States of first entry; recalls that appropriate and coordinated actions need to be undertaken at the internal and the external levels, under Heading IVII of the Union budget (Global Europe) instead of by AMIF under Heading III (Security and Citizenship)Security and Citizenship) and Heading IV (Global Europe) respectively;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Subheading 5 a (new)
Subheading 5 a (new)
Horizon 2020 11a. Points out that the Horizon 2020 Programme enjoys the political support of the Member States; notes that research is a form of direct investment into smart, sustainable and inclusive growth that fosters employment; 11b. Considers that only by adopting an ambitious budget will the Union be able to develop scientific leadership to meet the challenges facing society in terms of employment, energy transition, digitalisation and medical and pharmaceutical research;
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates Parliament’s view that the 2020 Union budget should pave the way to the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and provide a solid starting point for the launch of the new generation of EU programmes and policies; recalls, moreover, that 2020 is the last year of the current MFF and, therefore, the last chance for the Union to come closer to meeting the political commitments set for this period, including towards reaching the EU climate target and implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); underlines that the budget 2020 should prepare the Union for an even more ambitious climate target in the 2021-2027 MFF in order to meet the expectations of the European citizens;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls for the 2020 budget to contribute to the fulfilment of the priorities outlined in the European Semester, namely to deliver high-quality investment and structural reforms that increase productivity growth and create jobs in line with the Europe 2020 strategy, continuing to ensure macro-financial stability and sound public finances, and deepening the Single Market, as well as the completion of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU);
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Notes the overall reduction of ISF commitment appropriations by 6,1% (- 32,6 million euros) compared to 2019; recalls the importance of financial support to strengthen police and judicial cooperation in criminal and terrorist matters, to harmonise border management and reinforce security checks, and to improve the detection and management of irregular immigration.
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses that trust funds should be established only when their use is justified and the required action is not possible through other existing financing channels; further calls on the Commission, in line with the principle of budget unity, to consider putting an end to trust funds that are unable to attract a significant contribution from other donors or that do not provide an added value when compared to ‘traditional’ Union external instruments;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls the need to step up efforts to fully achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the key role that the European Semester can play in achieving them;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Welcomes the overall increase of the funds available through the Justice Programme; regrets, however, the decrease in commitments for the component Facilitating and supporting judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters (-23,6 %); reiterates the importance of judicial cooperation, especially in criminal matters, for reaching the objectives of establishing a Security Union and stresses the need for adequate financing of this area;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Insists that the European Public Prosecutor Office (EPPO) has to be adequately financed and staffed; points out that the EPPO has to be operational already as from November 2020; stresses the importance of having a clear division of tasks and good coordination between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and OLAF;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Stresses the importance of ensuring adequate funding, staffing and staff training for all JHA agencies, the importance of cooperation among them, the need for technological innovations and adaptation, with adequate financial and human resources for them to properly perform their vital role in reinforcing cooperation and coordination among the Member States;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Recalls the importance of the Youth Employment Initiative in promoting the participation and integration of young people into the labour market;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the increases of Commitment appropriations of JHA Agencies such as EASO (41,5 %), EBCG (34,6 %), CEPOL (14 %), EMCDDA (7,7 %), and FRA (5,4 %), Eurojust (5,2 %), and Europol (2,1 %) compared to the budget 2019;
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Strongly believes that it is imperative to rise to the climate challenge in a way that boosts employmentsustainable growth investing in R&D and innovation; is convicted of the need to support SMEs as a vector of jobs and to strengthens competitiveness; welcomes the powerful calls for action made by EU leaders at the recent UN climate change summit and the commitments made recently by several Member States to ramp up spending in areas such as energy efficiency and transport and energy infrastructure;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that the budget of the EBCG has increased by 34,8 % (+108 million euros) in 2020 which is by far the largest increase among all JHA agencies; recalls that the Court of Auditorin line with the strengthening of the EBCG mandate, scope of activities and human resources as identified as part of the discharge of the 2017 Budget that Member States overestimated the financial need of the EBCG in 2017; underlines that when the objective of providing the EBCG with more human resources (10.000 border guards by 2027), the number of migrants arriving irregularly over sea or land in the Union has substantially decreased compared to previous years; suggests that such boost in resources should also bcided by the Union legislator in 2016; notes that this budget increase is necessary to achieve the objective of providing the EBCG with more human resources (10.000 border guards by 2027); recalls that the objective of safer borders in the Union is essential to ensure the used for rescuing lives at sea; regrets the remarkable difference between the commitment appropriations assigned to EBCG (420 million euros) in 2020 and the amount accorded to EASO (133 million euros); suggests that the budget and staffing of EASO should be increased for a better performance of the duties entrusted to the Agencycurity of Union citizens and of third- countries nationals;
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that the budget of the EBCG has increased by 34,8 % (+108 million euros) in 2020 which is by far the largest increase among all JHA agencies; recalls that the Court of Auditors identified as part of the discharge of the 2017 Budget that Member States overestimated the financial need of the EBCG in 2017; underlines that when the objective of providing the EBCG with more human resources (10.000 border guards by 2027), the number of migrants arriving irregularly over sea or land in the Union has substantially decreased compared to previous yearsconsistent with the objective of providing the EBCG with more human resources (10.000 border guards by 2027); suggests that suchthis boost in resources should also be used for rescuing lives at sea; regrets the remarkablnotes the difference between the commitment appropriations assigned to EBCG (420 million euros) in 2020 and the amount accorded to EASO (133 million euros); suggests that the budget and staffing of EASO should be increased for a bettertter reflect the increased needs in order to ensure an optimal performance of the duties entrusted to the Agency;
Amendment 30 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for adequate resources for the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) in view of their new tasks; underlines that the ESAs should continue to increase their efficiency, particularly the European Banking Authority (EBA), should continue to increase their efficiency as regards combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism without compromising on the quality of their work with a focus on continuous re-assessment of working methods and of effective use of human and financial resources; emphasises that the ESAs must stick to the tasks and to the mandate assigned to them by the European legislator;
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that the budget of the EBCG has increased by 34,8 % (+108 million euros) in 2020 which is by far the largest increase among all JHA agencies; recalls that the Court of Auditors identified as part of the discharge of the 2017 Budget that Member States overestimated the financial need of the EBCG in 2017; underlines that when the objective of providing the EBCG with more human resources (10.000 border guards by 2027), the number of migrants arriving irregularly over sea or land in the Union has substantially decreased compared to previous years; suggests that such boost in resources should also be used for rescuing lives at sea; calls on the Commission to urgently set up a new Union mission for search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea; regrets the remarkable difference between the commitment appropriations assigned to EBCG (420 million euros) in 2020 and the amount accorded to EASO (133 million euros); suggests that the budget and staffing of EASO should be increased for a better performance of the duties entrusted to the Agency;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Considers that the increase of the EASO budget (+39 million euros compared to 2019 in Commission's proposal) should be proportionally as important as the increase of the EBCG budget (+108 million euros compared to 2019 in Commission's proposal); stresses that an efficient, equal and humane treatment of asylum-seeker applications is a priority in the Union; suggests that the budget and staff of EASO are increased for a better performance of the duties entrusted to the Agency;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Proposes further targeted reinforcements to other budget lines related to Parliament’s priorities, in areas such as SMEs, digitalisation, cancer research, security and justice cooperation, migration and external policyartificial intelligence, cancer research, rare and orphan diseases, security and justice cooperation, migration and external policy including the financing of development aid and humanitarian aid in developing countries;
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets thaIs concerned about the Commission did’s draft budget not following the budgetary request of Europol and proposeding to underfund the Agency by 30 million euros in 2020; notes that the decrease of the eu-LISA commitment appropriations by 18,7 % (- 55 million euros) correspo, which would lead to a decrease of 25% of the Agency staff in 2020 compared to 2019; notes that Europol’s support has been crucial in joint investigations across the Union and that, if adequately funded, the Agency could do more to handle criminal intelligence, to combat terrorism ands to the end of the development of the Entry Exit System; reiterates the need to ensure adequate financial support for JHA Agencies to deliver the tasks assigned to them in full transparency and to fight against cross-border serious crime in full compliance with fundamental rightsprevent, detect and help investigate child trafficking, child labour and sexual exploitation; also regrets that the Commission did not follow the budgetary request of Eurojust (funding gap of 3,7 million euros), noting that not just arrests, but also successful prosecutions in serious cross-border crime areas, including terrorism and migrant smuggling, are essential for the security of Union citizens; considers that cross-border police cooperation and judicial cooperation in the Union are two prerequisites for a Union of Security; notes that these funding gaps will lead to staff and operational budget decreases, which are not coherent with the strengthening of Agencies’ missions such as Europol and Eurojust; requests the Commission to re- evaluate the amount provided to these Agencies and to abandon any decrease in their staff;
Amendment 40 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets that the Commission did not follow the budgetary request of Europol and proposed to underfund the Agency by 303,5 million euros in 2020; notes that the decrease of the eu-LISA commitment appropriations by 18,7 % (- 55 million euros) corresponds to the end of the development of the Entry Exit System; reiterates the need to ensure adequate financial support for JHA Agencies to deliver the tasks assignedis concerned that, coupled with the reduction envisaged by the Commission regarding Europol personnel, this would affect the ability of the Agency to deliver on its priorities, as set out in the Europol Strategy 2020+; points out that Europol would thus face short-term restrictions in the two them in full transparency and to fight against cross-border serious crime in full compliance with fundamental rightcore pillars of its strategy, operational support and technical innovation; calls for an appropriate level of human and financial resources;
Amendment 41 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that funding to accounting entities and tax authorities should continue, in particular to support them in the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion;
Amendment 46 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Welcomes the proposal from the Commission regarding the budget for eu- LISA, as well as the proposal concerning the allocation of additional staff, which is highly relevant taking in account all the new tasks assigned to the Agency and its operational needs; emphasises the importance of timely implementation of the Entry-Exit System, ETIAS and Interoperability Regulations and the role of eu-LISA for its achievement; notes that the decrease of the eu-LISA commitment appropriations by 18,7% (-55 million euros) in 2020, compared with previous year, corresponds to the planning for implementation of the Entry-Exit System; reiterates the need to ensure adequate financial support for JHA Agencies to deliver the tasks assigned to them in full transparency and to fight against cross- border serious crime in full compliance with fundamental rights;
Amendment 48 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Notes the increasing recruitment of “temporary agents” as compared to “contract agents” in the EU agencies; considers that the sensitivity of information accessible to the staff of Agencies in the JHA field requires a strict policy of confidentiality, in particular with regard to the staff recruitment and management.
Amendment 50 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Notes that the decrease of the eu- LISA commitment appropriations by 18,7% (-55 million euros) corresponds to the end of the development of the Entry- Exit System;
Amendment 52 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6 c. Reiterates the need to ensure adequate financial support for JHA Agencies to deliver the tasks assigned to them in full transparency and to fight against cross-border serious crime in full compliance with fundamental rights;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Points out that Horizon 2020 provides very strong European added value and makes a vital contribution to the development of green technology and climate- and environment-friendly innovation, so as to lay the foundations for a decarbonised future; stresses, moreover, the importance of the programme for other significant areas of European research such as digitalisation, artificial intelligence and cancer research; significantly increases, therefore, the allocation of Horizon 2020 over the level of the DB by EUR 737,8 million in commitment appropriations; furthermore, in accordance with Article 15(3) of the Financial Regulation, makes available the entire amount of EUR 280,7 million in commitment appropriations de- committed in 2018 as a result of non- implementation of research projects, for the budget lines of Horizon 2020 that are most relevant to climate-related research projects;
Amendment 58 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Reiterates its call on the Commission to strengthen support for investigative journalism, including cross- border investigative journalism, and media freedom through dedicated funds as a measure contributing to revealing and combatting crime, as well as raising awareness among Union citizens;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Steps up funding for technical assistance, to address the complexity of project management procedures, from the preparation of applications to financial management and impact monitoring, which is a major obstacle to a better absorption of 'Structural Funds' and thus help to reduce the divide between Member States in Europe;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Proposes necessary increases for selected budget lines, in particular for the financing of measures to address the impact of African swine fever in several Member States and for supporting the beekeeping sector;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Reinforces, against the background of an unrealistically low ceiling since the beginning of the current MFF, funding for Parliament’s priorities in the fields of internal security, migration and fundamental rights, respect of the rule of law and fundamental rights in order to promote non-discrimination, equity, equality, and to combat gender-based violence; strongly objects to Council’s cuts to the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and Internal Security Fund (ISF) and rejects the Council’s proposal to move EUR 400 million in commitment appropriations into a reserve awaiting a break-through on the reform of the Dublin III Regulation; underlines that it is of paramount importance for an effective work to invest in adequate funding and staffing levels for all agencies operating in the fields of migration, security and border control, in particular Europol, Eurojust, EPPO and Frontex; stresses that EPPO must have the means to investigate and prosecute cross-border terrorism;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Underlines the need for the EU budget to contribute more to climate change mitigation and adaptation measures in the countries covered by the Development Cooperation Instrument and the Union Civil Protection Mechanism; recalls the importance of mobilising innovative financial instruments, including the EU's external investment plan, to support the preparation and the financing of climate-related development projects in Africa;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Increases two lines above the DB, due to new elements impacting the transitional allowances for 2020 budget, which it was not possible to prevent: the higher non re-election rate following the European elections (63 %, whilst the average of 50 % served as the calculation base) and the postponement of Brexit until 31 October 2019; increases also the line on European political foundations, since their work is crucial in promoting democracy and fighting fake news and disinformation and on artificial intelligence in promoting a coordinated approach to the human and ethical dimension of artificial intelligence to create a sustainable business model;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 – indent 1 a (new)
Paragraph 37 – indent 1 a (new)
- on the basis of the principle of equal treatment in matter of purchasing power between EU officials irrespective of their place of employment, calls for a specific corrective coefficient to be put in place in Luxembourg city as is done for other European capitals such as London, Paris, Warsaw, Dublin;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 – indent 1 b (new)
Paragraph 37 – indent 1 b (new)
- reiterates its calls for a transparent decision-making process in the field of buildings policy; disagrees therefore, with the on-going practice of the year-end 'mopping up Transfer' to contribute to current building projects, which takes place systematically on the same chapters, titles and, often, exactly on the same budgetary lines; considers that the building policy should be financed in a transparent manner from budgetary lines dedicated to it;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 37 – subparagraph 1 (new)
- reiterates its request to the Secretary General for detailed estimations and coast breakdown of the preparatory technical works in the SPAAK building in view of renovation, projected at EUR 12,4 million;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 – indent 5 a (new)
Paragraph 37 – indent 5 a (new)
- reiterates its call, given that the 2020 budget includes final instalments of substantial investments started back in 2006 with a view to significantly improve Parliament security, for a detailed summery of all expenses linked to the buildings security since 2016;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 – indent 5 b (new)
Paragraph 37 – indent 5 b (new)
- reiterates its call on a greater use of videoconferences and other technologies in order to protect the environment and to save resources, in particular to reduce staff duty travel between the three places of works.
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 – indent 5 c (new)
Paragraph 37 – indent 5 c (new)
- reiterates its request to the Secretary General for detailed information on the budgetary envelope of five new Europa Experience centres in Liaison Offices, which would cover not only the exhibition infrastructure but also the exhibition areas, including rental charges and possible transformation works;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Notes that the 2020 DB reflects in the main the estimates of the various institutions falling within the other sections of the budget and therefore matches, with some exceptions, their financial requirements; considers that the cuts proposed by the Council would therefore have a deleterious effect on the working of the institutions concerned and consequently on the vital contribution they make to the functioning of the European Union; on that account, proposes to restore the levels of the 2020 DB in almost all cases, including with regard to the establishment plans of the European Data Protection Supervisor and the European External Action Service; decides not to restore the level of the 2020 DB concerning the Council and European Council, as they didn't submit a request;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 – point c a (new)
Paragraph 39 – point c a (new)
c a) d) in relation to the European Data protection Supervisor to cut one budget line (200 - Rents, charges and buildings expenditure);
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39 a. e) in relation to the EEAS to cut also one budget line (3001 - External staff and outside services);