16 Amendments of Mauri PEKKARINEN related to 2021/2071(INI)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation -1 a (new)
Citation -1 a (new)
— having regard to Articles 2 and 7 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU),
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
— having regard to the Commission communication of 30 September 2020 on the 2020 Rule of Law Report – the rule of law situation in the European Union (COM(2020)0580),
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 b (new)
Citation 3 b (new)
— having regard to the Commission’s reasoned proposal for a Council decision of 20 December 2017 on the determination of a clear risk of a serious breach by the Republic of Poland of the rule of law, issued in accordance with Article 7(1) of the Treaty on European Union (COM(2017)0835),
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)
Recital -A (new)
-A. whereas the conditionality mechanism set out by the Regulation was part of the overall political agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027, the Next Generation EU (NGEU) recovery plan and the Own Resources Decision, and should not be delayed in its application, in particular with regard to the application of the aforementioned instruments;
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A b (new)
Recital -A b (new)
-A b. whereas according to the Regulation, respect for the rule of law is an essential precondition for compliance with the principles of sound financial management;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that guidelines are not legally binding and by no means could delay the application of the Regulation already in force; notes that the Commission is deviating from its usual practice of drafting guidelines for the application of a legal act only in cases where the actual implementation of the act over a certain period of time shows the need for guidance;
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. UStresses that measures under the Regulation are necessary in particular in cases where other procedures set out in Union legislation would not allow the Union budget to be protected more efficiently; therefore urges the Commission to avoid any further delay in the application of the Regulation and to investigate swiftly and thoroughly any potential breaches of the principles of the rule of law in the Member States that affect or seriously risk affecting the sound financial management of the Union budget or the protection of the financial interests of the Union in a sufficiently direct way; reiterates that the situation in some Member States already warrants immediate investigation under the Regulation, in particular Member States already under the procedure of Article 7 TEU;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Recalls that the political guidelines for the European Commission 2019-2024 stated that 'there can be no compromise when it comes to defending our core values' and that it would be ensured that the full Union toolbox would be used at European level; recalls that the Commission ‘shall be completely independent’, and its members ‘shall neither seek nor take instructions from any Government’ in accordance with Article 17(3) of the TEU and Article 245 of the TFEU; recalls further that in accordance with Article 17(8) of the TEU, the Commission ‘shall be responsible to the European Parliament’;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recalls that identification of breaches of the principles of the rule of law requires objective, impartial, fair and thorough qualitative assessment by the Commission, taking into account relevant information from available sources and recognised institutions, including information in the public domain and from fact-based investigative journalism;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Points out that the Regulation covers all Union funds and applies to ‘systemic’ breaches as well as to cases of serious risk to the sound financial management of the Union budget or the protection of the financial interests of the Union, which may be difficult to address by other Union procedures that only apply to specific spending programmes and relate to effects on the budget that have already occurred; underlines that the Regulation is the only EU legislation linking the respect of the rule of law to the EU budget; considers, therefore, that its unique provisions should be fully applied to ensure a complementary protection of the rule of law in addition to EU finances;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines that ‘systemic’ breaches, for instance those affecting the functioning of the justice system, the independence of judges and media or the neutrality of public authorities, have in general a clear iand direct impact on the proper management, spending and control, including civilian oversight, of Union funds;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Recalls that Articles 6 and 7 of the Regulation sets out all steps and a precise timeline for the adoption and lifting of measures under the Regulation; underlines that the procedure for adopting and lifting measures respects the principles of objectivity, non-discrimination and equal treatment of Member States and is to be conducted using a non-partisan and evidence-based approach;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls that the Council is bound to act upon any proposal of the Commission to adopt appropriate measures under the Regulation within a period of one month, which may be extended by a maximum of two additional months in exceptional circumstances; considers that the Commission should ensure that these time references are fully respected for a timely decision;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Recalls that under the Regulation, it is essential that the legitimate interest of final recipients and beneficiaries are properly safeguarded;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Recalls that the Regulation shall be applied in a manner that ensures the protection of persons reporting on breaches of Union law, in line with the principles set out in Directive (EU) 2019/1937;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the Commission to analyse all information at its disposal and do its utmost to ensure that any amount due from government entities or Member States is in fact paid to final recipients or beneficiaries, which may entail recovering payments that have been made or making financial corrections by reducing Union support to programmes in line with applicable sector- specific and financial rules; asks the Commission to further clarify which other sources of funding could be used by Member States to ensure that they respect their obligations to final recipients or beneficiaries, when EU funds are suspended; asks the Commission to present its view on the management of a suspended EU fund in a concerned Member State;