Activities of Kira Marie PETER-HANSEN related to 2020/0103(COD)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing a Technical Support Instrument
Amendments (36)
Amendment 49 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) At Union level, the European Semester of economic policy coordination is the principal framework to identify national reform priorities and monitor their implementationin the economic and social policy areas and monitor their implementation. The European Parliament has stated that socially responsible reforms in the context of the European Semester must be based on solidarity, integration, social justice and a fair distribution of wealth and income, thereby creating a model that ensures equality, equal opportunities and social protection, protects vulnerable groups and improves living standards for all citizens, which are key principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights. Member States develop their own national multiannual investment strategies in support of those reform priorities. Those strategies are presented alongside the yearly National Reform Programmes as a way to outline and coordinate priorities to be supported by national and/or Union funding. They should also serve to use Union funding in a coherent manner and to maximise the added value of the financial support to be received notably from the programmes supported by the Union under the structural and cohesion funds, and from other programmes.
Amendment 55 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Reflecting the European Green Deal as Europe’s growth strategy and the translation of the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the technical support instrument will contribute to mainstreaming climate actions and to the achievement of an overall target of 2540% of the EU budget expenditures supporting climate objectives and an additional 10% for maintaining biodiversity in Europe. Relevant actions should be identified during the instrument’s preparation and implementation, and reassessed in the context of the relevant evaluations and review processes. This should also tackle broader environmental and social challenges within the Union, including the protection of natural capital and the support to the circular economy and be in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Amendment 58 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The general objective of the technical support instrument should be to promote the Union’s economic, social and territorial cohesion by supporting Member States efforts to implement reforms necessary to achieve economic and social recovery, resilience and convergencestrengthen the administrative capacity of the Member States and subnational authorities insofar as their institutions, public administration and economic and social sectors are concerned and should assist national and subnational authorities in their endeavours to design, develop and implement reforms. Furthermore it should promote the Union’s economic, social and territorial cohesion by supporting Member States efforts to implement reforms and investments that will support a sustainable and fair economic, social and gender- equal recovery beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. To that effect, it should support the strengthening of the administrative capacity of the Member States to implement Union law, in relation to challenges faced by institutions, governance, public administration, and economic and social sectors.
Amendment 63 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The specific objectives of the technical support instrument should be to assist national authorities in their endeavours to design, develop and implement sustainable reforms, including through exchange of good practices, appropriate processes and methodologies and a more effective and efficient human resources management.
Amendment 69 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) In order for the reforms to gather wide support, Member States that wish to benefit from the Programme should be required, as part of the process of drawing up proposals for packages, to consult relevant stakeholders, such as local and regional authorities, the economic and social partners and civil society, in line with the relevant provisions of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/2014, as well as national parliaments.
Amendment 79 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) The work programmes for the implementation of technical support should be established. In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Horizontal financial rules adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on the basis of Article 322 of the Treaty apply to this Regulation. These rules are laid down in Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council (the Financial Regulation)17 and determine in particular the procedure for establishing and implementing the budget through grants, procurement, prizes, indirect implementation, and provide for checks on the responsibility of financial actors. Rules adopted on the basis of Article 322 TFEU also concern the protection of the Union's budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States in accordance with Regulation (EU) YYY/XX of the European Parliament and of the Council [on the protection of the Union's budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States], as the respect for the rule of law is an essential precondition for sound financial management and effective EU funding. __________________ 17Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 (OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1).
Amendment 81 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) ‘technical support’ means measures that help Member States or subnational administrative units to carry out institutional, and/or administrative and growth-reforms that improve sustainingability and resilience-enhancing reforms;
Amendment 82 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
(1a) ‘sustainable reforms’ means measures that: (i) modify in a lasting and sustainable way the structure of an economy, the institutional and regulatory framework in which societies operate, and the ability of public services in particular schools and childcare institutions as well as healthcare services, public administration and civil society to adapt to change, including improving their resilience to crises, (ii) thereby enhance cohesion, convergence and reduce the regional disparities in accordance with Article 174; and (iii) contribute to the realisation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement, the Union’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, and the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights;
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
The general objective of the instrument shall be to promote the Union’s economic, social and territorial cohesion by supporting Member States efforts to implement reforms necessary to achieve economic and social recovery, resilience and upward economic and social convergence, and to support Member States’ efforts to strengthen their administrative capacity to implement Union law in relation to challenges faced by institutions, governance, public administration, and economic and social sectors.:
Amendment 88 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a (new)
(a) to protect and promote the Union’s economic, social and territorial cohesion following the exceptional symmetric economic shock experienced in the Union as a consequence of the outbreak of COVID-19 by enabling all regions and Member States to support a sustainable recovery, and to incentivise and support regions and Member States to improve their economic, social and administrative crisis preparedness and resilience to future shocks;
Amendment 89 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b (new)
(b) to support Member States’ efforts to improve their administrative capacity at all levels of administration to implement Union law and policy objectives in line with the commitments of the Union and of Member States in the context of the Paris Agreement, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the European Pillar of Social Rights;
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c (new)
(c) to contribute to addressing national reform challenges of a structural nature aimed at improving the performance of the national economies and at promoting resilient economic, social and institutional structures in the Member States, thereby contributing to sustainable and gender-responsive economic development, cohesion, competitiveness, productivity, job creation, gender equality, social inclusion and sustainable real convergence; and
Amendment 91 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d (new)
(d) to contribute to strengthening the administrative and institutional capacity of the Member States, including, where appropriate, at subnational levels, in relation to challenges faced by institutions, governance, public administration, schools and childcare institutions, the public health system and economic and social sectors; and
Amendment 92 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e (new)
(e) to contribute to the economic, social, environmental and administrative resilience of Member States in the face of large-scale shocks at Union or national level.
Amendment 93 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
To achieve the general objective set out in Article 3, the instrument shall have the specific objectives of assisting supporting national and, where appropriate, subnational authorities in improving their capacity to design, develop and implement reforms, includithrough, among othrougher things, exchange of good practices, appropriate processes and methodologies, broad stakeholder involvement, and a more effective and efficient human resources management. Those specific objectives shall be pursued in close cooperation with the Member States concerned, and, when relevant, namely for policy areas under Article 5 (1) (d) and (e), according to laws and practice of the Member State concerned, with social partners of the Member State concerned.
Amendment 99 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The specific objectives set out in Article 4 shall refer to policy areas related to cohesion, competitiveness, education, pronvergence, the improvement of economic, social and administrative resilience, sustainable development, cohesion, gender equality, childcare, health care, elderly care, educativityon, research and innovation, smart, fair, sustainable, and inclusive growth, jobs and investment, with specific emphasis ton actions that foster the green and digital transitions, and in particular tosuch as one or more of the following:
Amendment 108 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) a sustainable business environment, including for small and medium-sized enterprises and social economy enterprises, re- industrialisation, private sector development, product and service markets, promoting sustainable and social investment, public participation in enterprises, privatisation processes, trade and foreign direct investment, competition and public procurement, sustainable sectoral development and support for research and innovation and digitisation;
Amendment 111 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) education and training, labour market policies, including social dialogue, for the creation of jobs, up- and re-skilling, in particular digital skills, media literacy, active citizenshiphigh quality jobs especially for young people and decent working conditions for all workers, up- and re-skilling, in particular digital skills, media literacy, active citizenship, participation and representation of workers and pursuing a comprehensive social dialogue, the fight against poverty and excessive income inequality, gender inequality, the promotion of social inclusion, adequate, high quality, affordable and inclusive social security and social welfare systems, accessible and affordable public health and healthcare systems, as well as cohesion, asylum, migration and borderin particular social protection measures with a focus on vulnerable groups; accessible and affordable public health and healthcare systems, affordable high-quality child care and care for the elderly and for persons with disabilities, as well as cohesion policies;
Amendment 119 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) climate change mitigation policies for implementing the digital and the greengreen and digital transitions, e- government solutions, e- procurement, connectivity, data access and governance, e-learning, use of Artificial Intelligence based solutions, the environmental pillar of sustainable development and environmental protection, climate action, sustainable mobility, promoting the circular economy, energy and resource efficiency, renewable energy sources, achieving energy diversification and ensuring energy security, and for the agricultural sector, soil and biodiversity protection, fisheries and the sustainable development of rural areas; and
Amendment 125 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. The financial envelope for the instrument may also cover expenses pertaining to preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities, which are required for the management of the instrument and the achievement of its objectives, in particular studies, meetings of stakeholders and experts, information and communication actions, including corporate communication of the political priorities of the Union, in so far as they are related to the objectives of this Regulation, expenses linked to IT networks focusing on information processing and exchange, including corporate information technology tools, and all other technical and administrative assistance expenses incurred by the Commission for the management of the instrument. Expenses may also cover the costs of other supporting activities such as quality control and monitoring of technical support projects on the ground and the costs of peer counselling and experts for the assessment and implementation of structural reforms.
Amendment 130 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i a (new)
(ia) consultations with a broad range of stakeholders through different fora, including women’s organisations, representatives of vulnerable groups and the social partners;
Amendment 133 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point c – point iii a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point c – point iii a (new)
(iiia) gender impact assessments and gender-based aggregated and non- aggregated data bases;
Amendment 135 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) studies, research, analyses and surveys, evaluations and impact assessments, gender impact assessments, the results of which shall be automatically exchanged amongst Member States and with the Commission in order to ensure the highest level of transparency and to secure EU-wide policy coherence in the field of gender equality, and the development and publication of guides, reports and educational material;
Amendment 138 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Member States that wish to benefit from the instrument shall consult, where appropriate, relevant stakeholders as part of their requests for technical support.
Amendment 140 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) the implementation of reforms by Member States, undertaken on their own initiative, in particular to support a sustainable recovery [in line with Regulation (EU) No YYY/XX], achieve sustainable economic growth and job creation and enhance, promote high-quality job creation, social inclusion, environmental protection, climate change mitigation, gender equality as well as social and economic resilience;
Amendment 142 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) the implementation of growth- socially balanced, employment-sustaining and resilience-enhancing reforms in the context of EU economic governance processes, in particular the country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester or actions related to the implementation of Union law;
Amendment 143 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(da) In policy areas in Article 5 (1) (d) and (e) the Member State submitting a request for technical assistance will specify how their request impacts labour market institutions, including social partners and when relevant will specify how social partners have to be involved according to national rules and practices.
Amendment 144 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point d b (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point d b (new)
(db) If the technical assistance is demanded to implement a country specific recommendation that requires the involvement of social partners, social partners are promptly informed about the existence of the request and modalities of their involvement.
Amendment 145 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Based on that analysis, and taking into account the existing actions and measures financed by Union funds or other Union programmes, the Commission shall come to an agreement with the Member State concerned on the priority areas for support, the objectives, an indicative timeline, the scope of the support measures to be provided and the estimated global financial contribution for such technical support, involvement of social partners when relevant, which shall be set out in a cooperation and support plan.
Amendment 148 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall transmit, with the consent of the Member State concerned, the cooperation and support plan to the European Parliament and the Council without undue delay. The Member State concerned may refuse to give such consent in the case of sensitive or confidential information, the disclosure of which would jeopardise public interests of the Member State.
Amendment 150 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Amendment 152 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a
Amendment 153 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point b
Amendment 156 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
Article 12 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
6. In order to implement the technical support, the Commission shall adopt work programmes by way of implementing acts, and inform the European Parliament and the Council thereof.delegated acts in accordance with Article 16b,
Amendment 161 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 a (new)
Article 16 a (new)
Article 16 a Transparency 1. Beneficiaries shall ensure, for the benefit of the general public, maximum transparency concerning the actions and financial flows under this instrument. Such transparency may only be limited by legal acts related to commercial confidentiality, applicable data protection rules or undergoing administrative or criminal investigations by EU bodies. 2. Beneficiaries shall, in line with Directive (EU) 2019/1024 on open data and the re-use of public sector information, publish all relevant information concerning their projects in a standardized and comparable open and machine readable format on an official publicly available register, including but not only: project proposals, declaration on non-conflict of interest, meeting minutes, impact assessments, contracts, evaluation and audit reports, as well as all public procurements shall be published on the EU Open Data Portal. 3. The Member States should by default make all the results of the cooperation (including data, studies, software tools, etc.) available to the general public or explain the nature of the confidentiality of the file. 4. All the published data mentioned in paragraphs 1-3 should be available indefinitely. Union Institutions and the Member States should offer cooperation in logistical measures to keep all these data available to the general public even after the beneficiary ceases to exist.
Amendment 162 #
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 3 a (new)
Chapter 3 a (new)
CHAPTER IIIA A Exercise of the delegation Article 16b Exercise of the delegation 1. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article. 2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 12(6) shall be conferred on the Commission until 31 December 2028. 3. The delegation of power referred to in Article 12(6) may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force. 4. Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making. 5. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council. 6. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 12(6) shall enter into force if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of three months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by three months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.