Activities of Konstantinos ARVANITIS related to 2020/2222(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the evaluation of preventive measures for avoiding corruption, irregular spending and misuse of EU and national funds in case of emergency funds and crisis-related spending areas
Amendments (11)
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges that the need to respond swiftly and effectively to a crisis oftecan hasve a direct impact on the balance between the different powers of the state and recognises that governments and local authorities may be forced to adopt emergency measures with less public consultation than would generally be expected; calls attention to the great importance of upholding an effective system of checks and balances for all actions taken in response to an emergency;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Points out the need of making sure that all the mentioned funding reaches the beneficiaries, respects the local community and is always compliant with fundamental rights and legal obligations under national and international law. Thus, it is particularly important that appropriate mechanisms be put in place in order to monitor measures taken so that to ensure that the fundamental rights of the recipients of funds are being upheld and that the Commission and the Member States comply with their transparency requirements;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Recalls that any activity financed by the EU budget has to be implemented in full compliance with fundamental rights and respect for human dignity, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Calls on Member States to carry out independent investigation when cases of non-compliance are reported and on the Commission to request for reimbursement of costs in such cases of non compliance;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is of the opinion that the response to the current COVID-19 crisis, as example, may have increased the risk and instances of corruption; believes that the response to the COVID-19 crisis is also a reminder that openness, transparency, accountability and law enforcement are essential components of democratic governance;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to carefully review the policies they enacted during the COVID-19 crisis and to define new mechanismflexible European mechanisms, independent national authorities and protocols for any future emergency spending;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Acknowledges that this funding must be always traceable, whether it comes from national or third and private parties, therefore fully transparent and available at national and EU level. In order to meet the requirements in terms of accountability, transparency and monitoring of funding, the Commission, with the cooperation of the Member States, should publish information on the distribution and use of funds. Member States should be obliged to share all information, which should be centralised by the Commission and published on a single portal;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. PTakes note that the amounts of money involved in various forms of transnational corruption are so large that they affect not only the integrity of national economies, but European and international economic systems as well; points out that corruption in general undermines the functioning of the state and public authorities at all levels and is one of the key enablers of organised crime and money laundering ; emphasises that effective anti-corruption frameworks and, transparency and integrity in the exercise of state power can strengthen legal systems and trust in public authorities and democratic processes;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Notes that many governments have benefited from emergency assistance and top-up ISF money for border surveillance; deplores the lack of transparency of the Commission and Member States towards the European Parliament; condemns in particular the refusal by the Croatian government to provide the European Parliament with key documents regarding additional funding provided to Croatia for border surveillance; highlights such refusal impedes the Parliament to ensure its scrutiny role;
Amendment 36 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Calls on Member States and the European Commission to review and, where appropriate, strengthen national and European institutions, laws procedures and practices against various forms of corruption;
Amendment 40 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Recalls that strategies against corruption, irregular spending and misuse of European funds should be transparent, comprehensive and inclusive.Transparency as a necessary element of public vigilance, is a necessary condition for good governance and the respect of rule of law and an important element of the fight against corruption;
Amendment 41 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Calls for further cooperation at international level against corruption between European Institutions, Member States, the United Nations and intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations;