Activities of José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA
Plenary speeches (421)
Transatlantic relations (continuation)
Commission's annual policy strategy for 2005
European Council / Security
European Council / Security
Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreements with Central America and the Andean Community
Venezuela
Vote
Order of business
Speeches on matters of political importance
Broad political framework for the next financial perspective: Making Europe prosper – policy agenda and budgetary means for an enlarged Union 2007-2013
EU-UN relations
Programme of the Irish presidency
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
The Stability and Growth Pact
Legislative and work programme for 2004 – Eurostat
Vote (continuation)
Community cooperation with Asian and Latin American countries
Community cooperation with Asian and Latin American countries
Outcome of the European Council and progress report on the Intergovernmental Conference (Brussels, 16-17 October 2003)
Situation in Bolivia
2004 budget procedure
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Presentation by the Council of draft general budget - 2004
Safety at sea
EU-Cuba relations
Situation in Iraq
Situation in Iraq
Order of business
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Detergents
Human rights in Cuba
Human rights in Cuba
Security and defence – priorities and deficiencies
Question Time (Commission)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Outcome of the European Council (Brussels, 21-22 March, 2003)
War in Iraq
Opening of the session
Commission policy strategy for 2004/2004 budget guidelines
Question Time (Commission)
Question Time (Commission)
Venezuela
Freedom of movement and residence for EU citizens
EC-Chile Association Agreement
Vote
Vote
Vote
Vote
General election in Pakistan
Progress report on enlargement
Order of business
Announcement by the President
Situation in Iraq
CFSP (Common Foreign and Security Policy)
Mercosur
Order of business
Spanish Presidency (continuation)
Preparation of European Council (Seville, 21/22 June 2002), including situation between India and Pakistan
EU/Latin America Summit (Madrid, 17/18 May 2002)
Preparation for the EU/Latin America Summit (Madrid, 17/18 May 2002)
Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Ministers' meeting (Valencia, 22/23 April 2002)
Defence / armaments
Results of European Council (Barcelona, 15/16 March 2002)
Results of European Council (Barcelona, 15/16 March 2002)
Colombia
Spanish Presidency programme
European Council/Belgian Presidency
Presentation by Mr Prodi of the Commission work for the 2002 programme and the communication on the future of the European Union and strengthening the Community method
Draft general budget for 2002 (as amended by the Council) and Letter of Amendment 2/2002
EU/Latin America relations
EU/Latin America relations
EU/Latin America relations (continuation)
Common foreign and security policy (CFSP)
2002 budget
Extraordinary European Council of 21 September 2001 in Brussels – Preparatory work for the European Council in Ghent
Political and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan
Situation in the Middle East
DSABs 3 and 4/2001 – EU own resources in 2001-2002 budget (conciliation procedure)
European Council meeting of 15-16 June 2001 in Göteborg – Swedish presidency
Situation in the Middle East
State of the transatlantic dialogue
2002 budget guidelines/ Financial perspective
EU election assistance and observation
Air strikes in Iraq
Association agreements
Plan Colombia
Plan Colombia
Plan Colombia
Programme of the Swedish Presidency
Human rights
Human rights
European Council/ French Presidency (continuation)
Common foreign and security policy – Afghanistan
Central American Parliament
Moratorium on death penalty
European system of national and regional accounts (taxes and social contributions)
Human rights
Human rights
EU external action priorities (continuation)
Common Community diplomacy
Venezuela
Coup d'état in Paraguay
Peru
Security and defence
Reconstruction of Central America
Question Time (Commission)
Iraq
Human rights
Statement by the High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy
Next session of UN Human Rights Commission (continuation)
Venezuela
Middle East peace process (continuation)
Annex: Inauguration ceremony for the Louise Weiss Building
Agenda
Tribute
Preparation of European Council of 10-11 December 1999 in Helsinki
Turkey
Human Rights
Statement by Mr Solana
Question Time (Commission)
Question Time (Commission)
State of relations between Turkey and the EU
Adoption of the Minutes of the previous sitting
Preparation of the European Council meeting in Tampere (continued)
Situation in East Timor (continued)
Human rights in the world 2008 and the EU's policy on the matter (debate)
The state of transatlantic relations in the aftermath of the US elections (debate)
EU-Brazil Strategic Partnership - Mexico Strategic Partnership (debate)
EU-Brazil Strategic Partnership - Mexico Strategic Partnership (debate)
Annual Report (2007) on the main aspects and basic choices of the CFSP - European Security Strategy and ESDP - The role of NATO in the security architecture of the EU (debate)
Situation in the Middle East/Gaza Strip (debate)
Order of business
EU response to the world financial crisis: follow-up of the informal European Council from 7 November and of the G20 Summit from 15 November 2008 - Commission's legislative and work programme for 2009 (debate)
Commemoration of the Holodomor, the Ukraine artificial famine (1932-1933) (debate)
EU-Russia relations (debate)
Priorities of the European Parliament for the legislative and work programme of the Commission for 2009 (debate)
Situation in Georgia (debate)
Presentation of the programme of the French Presidency (debate)
Explanations of vote
The Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean (debate)
2006 Annual report on the CFSP - Annual report on the implementation of the European Security Strategy and ESDP (continuation of debate)
Explanations of vote
Human Rights in the World 2007 and the EU's policy on the matter - EU Election Observation Missions (debate)
Human Rights in the World 2007 and the EU's policy on the matter - EU Election Observation Missions (debate)
European Union-Latin America and Caribbean Summit (debate)
Lebanon (debate)
Annual policy strategy 2009 (debate)
Situation in Gaza (vote)
Kosovo (debate)
Situation in Iran (vote)
Situation in Iran (continuation of debate)
Situation in Gaza (debate)
Situation in Pakistan following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto (debate)
Voting time
Macro-financial assistance for Lebanon (debate)
Social reality stocktaking (debate)
Situation in Pakistan (debate)
Commission legislative programme and work programme for 2008 (debate)
Production of opium for medical purposes in Afghanistan (vote)
EU-Russia Summit (debate)
Murder of women in Mexico and Central America
Negotiations on an Interregional Association Agreement with Mercosur and the new bilateral strategic partnership with Brazil (debate)
Palestine (debate)
The situation in Palestine (debate)
Middle East (debate)
Situation in Palestine (debate)
Transatlantic relations (debate)
Transatlantic relations (vote)
Prospects for the EU's Common Foreign Policy in 2007, including the deployment of anti-missile defence systems in Europe by the United States (debate)
Euro-Mediterranean relations - Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area (debate)
Negotiation of an EU-Central America Association Agreement - Negotiation of an EU-Andean Community Association Agreement (debate)
Transportation and illegal detention of prisoners (debate)
Transportation and illegal detention of prisoners (debate)
Transportation and illegal detention of prisoners (continuation of vote)
Moratorium on the death penalty (debate)
Preparation for the European Council (14-15 December 2006) (continuation of debate)
Situation in Gaza (debate)
Peace process in Spain (vote)
EC-Syria Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement (debate)
Nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea (debate)
EU economic and trade relations with Mercosur (debate)
Bulgaria and Romania (European Council of 15-16 June 2006) (vote)
Human Rights in the World in 2005 and EU policy (debate)
A stronger partnership between the European Union and Latin America (vote)
Suspension of aid to the Palestinian authority (debate)
A stronger partnership between the European Union and Latin America (debate)
A stronger partnership between the European Union and Latin America (debate)
Situation in the Middle East following the elections in Israel (debate)
Results of the informal Council of foreign ministers (10-11 March 2006) (debate)
Results of the informal Council of foreign ministers (10-11 March 2006) (debate)
Order of business
Common foreign and security policy – 2004 (vote)
Common foreign and security policy – 2004 (vote)
Results of the elections in Palestine and situation in the Middle-East, and the Council's decision not to publish the report on East Jerusalem (vote)
Cuba (vote)
Results of the elections in Palestine and situation in the Middle-East, and the Council's decision not to publish the report on East Jerusalem
Extradition to Peru and trial of former President Alberto Fujimori
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Afghanistan
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Situation in the Middle East
Council Question Time
EU/Iraq - A framework for engagement
Programme of the British Presidency (continuation)
Human rights in the world 2004 and the EU's policy
Bulgaria's application to become a member of the Union
Bulgaria's application for membership of the EU
Applications for accession of Bulgaria and Romania
Order of business
Review of the Non-proliferation Treaty Nuclear arms in North Korea and Iran
Situation in Lebanon
Voting time: see Minutes
Voting time: see Minutes
Voting time (continued): see Minutes
Situation in the Middle East
EU aid for tsunami victims in Asia (continuation)
Transatlantic relations
2005 draft general budget, modified by the Council (all sections)
Turkey's progress towards accession
Situation in Colombia
Situation in Colombia
EU-Russia Summit
Statement by Mr Barroso, President-elect of the Commission
Question Time (Council)
Situation in Cuba
Statement by Mr Barroso, President-elect of the Commission
2005 budget procedure
Vote
Situation in Iraq
Statement by the President-designate of the Commission (continuation)
Russian pressure on Eastern Partnership countries and in particular destabilisation of eastern Ukraine (debate)
Main aspects and basic choices of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy (Article 36 TEU) - EU comprehensive approach and coherence of EU external action (debate)
Invasion of Ukraine by Russia (debate)
US NSA surveillance programme, surveillance bodies in various Member States and impact on EU citizens' fundamental rights (debate)
US NSA surveillance programme, surveillance bodies in various Member States and impact on EU citizens' fundamental rights (debate)
Situation in Venezuela (debate)
Situation in Ukraine (debate)
Situation in Ukraine (debate)
Situation in Egypt (debate)
European integration process of Kosovo (B7-0004/2014)
Modernisation of the EU-Mexico Free Trade Agreement - Modernisation of the EU-Chile Free Trade Agreement (debate)
Outcome of the Vilnius Summit and the future of the Eastern Partnership, in particular as regards Ukraine (debate)
Annual report from the Council to the European Parliament on the common foreign and security policy in 2012 (A7-0330/2013 - Elmar Brok) (vote)
Main aspects and basic choices of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy (Article 36 TEU) - Annual report from the Council to the European Parliament on the common foreign and security policy in 2012 (debate)
Main aspects and basic choices of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy (Article 36 TEU) - Annual report from the Council to the European Parliament on the common foreign and security policy in 2012 (debate)
Draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2014 - all sections (debate)
European Neighbourhood Policy, working towards a stronger partnership: EP's position on the 2012 progress reports (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
Situation in Egypt (debate)
Situation in Egypt (debate)
Situation in Turkey (debate)
2013 review of the organisation and functioning of the EEAS (debate)
A broader Transatlantic partnership (debate)
Modification of the agenda
Modification of the agenda
Situation of Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries (debate)
Voting time
Voting time
2011 discharge
Situation in Egypt (debate)
Syria, with specific reference to the humanitarian situation (debate)
State of play of EU-Mercosur trade relations (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
EU-Iraq partnership and cooperation agreement (debate)
EU-Iraq partnership and cooperation agreement (debate)
Situation in Mali (debate)
Explanations of vote
EU-Central America association agreement (debate)
EU-Central America association agreement (debate)
EU-Central America association agreement (debate)
EU-Central America association agreement (debate)
EU-Columbia/Peru trade agreement (debate)
EU-Columbia/Peru trade agreement (debate)
Situation in Gaza (debate)
Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the EC and Israel on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (CAA) (debate)
Situation in Syria (B7-0425/2012) (vote)
Main aspects and basic choices of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy (Article 36 TEU) - Annual report from the Council to the European Parliament on the common foreign and security policy (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
EU Special Representative for Human Rights (debate)
EU Special Representative for Human Rights (debate)
Latest developments in the Middle East, including the situation in Syria (debate)
Situation in Ukraine, case of Yulia Tymoshenko (debate)
EU trade agreement with Colombia and Peru (debate)
Order of business
Human rights in the world and the European Union's policy on the matter (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
Explanations of vote
Outcome of the presidential elections in Russia (B7-0177/2012) (vote)
Outcome of the presidential elections in Russia (debate)
Order of business
Situation in Syria (debate)
Question Hour with the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Question Hour with the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Iran and its nuclear programme (debate)
Situation in Syria (debate)
EU-US summit of 28 November 2011 (debate)
Ministerial week’s activity at the UN General Assembly, in particular the Middle East peace process and North Africa (debate)
Situation in Libya (debate)
State of play of the Middle East peace process (debate)
Situation in the Arab world and North Africa - Situation in Yemen - Situation in Syria (debate)
Main aspects of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy - Situation in Syria and in Camp Ashraf - Report: Albertini - Annual report from the Council to Parliament on the main aspects of CFSP in 2009 - Report: Gualtieri - Development of CSDP following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty - Report: Muñiz De Urquiza - The EU as a global actor: its role in multilateral organisations (debate)
Situation in Syria, Bahrain and Yemen
Preparation for the European Council meeting (24-25 March 2011) (debate)
Southern Neighbourhood, and Libya in particular, including humanitarian aspects (debate)
16th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (Geneva, 28 February - 25 March 2011) (debate)
16th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (Geneva, 28 February - 25 March 2011) (debate)
State of play of the peace process for the Middle East (debate)
Situation in Egypt (debate)
Situation in the Mediterranean, in particular in Tunisia and Egypt (debate)
Security situation in the Sahel region (debate)
Statement by the President of the European Parliament on the situation in Tunisia
Outcome of the NATO Summit in Lisbon (debate)
Situation in Western Sahara (debate)
Upcoming EU-US summit and Transatlantic Economic Council - EU-US Data Protection Agreement (debate)
Parliament's position on the 2011 draft budget as modified by the Council - all sections - Draft amending budget No 3/2010: Section III - Commission - BAM (Banana Accompanying Measures) (debate)
EU-China summit on 6 October 2010 (debate)
Implications for EU agriculture of the reopening of negotiations with Mercosur with a view to concluding an Association Agreement - Preparations for the forthcoming EU-Brazil summit on 14 July 2010 in Brasilia (debate)
Explanations of vote
European External Action Service (debate)
Israeli military operation against the humanitarian flotilla and the Gaza blockade (debate)
Kyrgyzstan (B7-0246/2010)
Explanations of vote
The EU strategy for relations with Latin America (debate)
The EU strategy for relations with Latin America (debate)
Cuba (debate)
Parliament’s priorities for the UN Human Rights Council (Geneva, 1-26 March 2010) (B7-0119/2010)
Parliament’s priorities for the UN Human Rights Council (Geneva, 1-26 March 2010) (debate)
2009 progress report on Croatia - 2009 progress report on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - 2009 progress report on Turkey (debate)
Situation in Iran (B7-0086/2010) (vote)
Progress made on resettling Guantánamo detainees and on closing Guantánamo (debate)
Situation in Iran (debate)
Situation in Yemen (debate)
Agenda
Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting
New EU action plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan (debate)
Conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council on the Middle East peace process, including the situation in eastern Jerusalem (debate)
Explanations of vote
Honduras (debate)
Situation in Libya (debate) ES
US recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli territory and the possible annexation of the West Bank settlements (debate) ES
Discharge 2017 (debate) ES
Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (debate) ES
Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) (debate) ES
Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) (debate) ES
Situation in Algeria (debate) ES
Report on financial crimes, tax evasion and tax avoidance (debate) ES
Situation of human rights in Guatemala ES
Situation of human rights in Guatemala ES
Recommendations for opening of negotiations between the EU and the US (debate) ES
Situation in Nicaragua (debate) ES
A European human rights violations sanctions regime (debate) ES
Emergency situation in Venezuela (debate) ES
Situation in Syria (debate) ES
EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement - EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (resolution) - EU-Singapore Investment Protection Agreement - EU-Singapore Investment Protection Agreement (resolution) - EU-Singapore Partnership and Cooperation Agreement - EU-Singapore Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (resolution) (debate) ES
EU Anti-Fraud Programme (debate) ES
EU Anti-Fraud Programme (debate) ES
Debate with the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, on the Future of Europe (debate) ES
Implementation of the EU-Colombia and Peru Trade Agreement - Implementation report on the trade pillar of the Association Agreement with Central America (debate) ES
EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement - EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (resolution) - EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement - EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement (resolution) - Adequacy of the protection of personal data afforded by Japan (debate) ES
Annual report on the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy - Annual report on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy (debate) ES
WTO: the way forward (debate) ES
Situation in Venezuela (RC-B8-0351/2018, B8-0351/2018, B8-0502/2018, B8-0504/2018, B8-0506/2018, B8-0507/2018, B8-0509/2018) (vote) ES
Presentation of the Court of Auditors' annual report - 2017 (debate) ES
The killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul (debate) ES
Situation in Venezuela (debate) ES
Discharge 2016: EU general budget - European Council and Council (debate) ES
The EU's input on a UN binding instrument on transnational corporations with respect to human rights (debate) ES
EU support to UNRWA, following the US withdrawal of financial support to UNRWA (debate) ES
Situation in Yemen (debate) ES
State of EU-US relations (debate) ES
The migration crisis and humanitarian situation in Venezuela and at its borders (debate) ES
Anti-corruption (debate) ES
Anti-corruption (debate) ES
Iran nuclear agreement (debate) ES
Negotiations on the modernisation of the EU-Chile Association Agreement (debate) ES
Situation in Gaza Strip and the status of Jerusalem (debate) ES
US tariffs in the steel and aluminium sector and the EU's response (debate) ES
Annual report on the implementation of the Common Commercial Policy (debate) ES
Situation in Syria (debate) ES
Implementation of the EU external financing instruments: mid-term review 2017 and the future post-2020 architecture (debate) ES
EU-Australia Framework Agreement - EU-Australia Framework Agreement (Resolution) (debate) ES
US decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium (debate) ES
Cutting the sources of income for Jihadists - targeting the financing of terrorism (debate) ES
Humanitarian situation in Syria, in particular Ghouta (debate) ES
Situation in Venezuela (debate) ES
Situation of UNRWA (debate) ES
EU support to the Colombian peace process (debate) ES
Situation in Iran (debate) ES
Annual report on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy - Annual report on the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy - Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) – opening a new chapter in European Security and Defence Policy (debate) ES
Iran nuclear deal (debate) ES
Instrument contributing to stability and peace (debate) ES
Multilateral negotiations in view of the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference (debate) ES
Multilateral negotiations in view of the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference (debate) ES
Presentation of the Court of Auditors' annual report - 2016 (debate) ES
EU-Egypt partnership priorities for 2017-2020 (debate) ES
Modernisation of the trade pillar of the EU-Chile Association Agreement - EU-Chile Agreement on trade in organic products - Protocol to the EU-Chile Association Agreement (accession of Croatia) (debate) ES
Situation in North Korea (debate) ES
Situation in Venezuela (debate) ES
EU political relations with Latin America (debate) ES
Conclusion of the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (Consent) - Conclusion of the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (Resolution) (debate) ES
Humanitarian situation in Yemen (debate) ES
2016 Report on Serbia (debate) ES
The new European Consensus on Development - our world, our dignity, our future (debate) ES
EU Strategy on Syria (debate) ES
Situation of Christians in the Middle East (debate) ES
State of play in Turkey, in particular with regard to the constitutional referendum (debate) ES
Situation in Venezuela (debate) ES
Addressing refugee and migrant movements: the role of EU External Action (debate) ES
Fraudulent practices in the Brazilian meat sector (debate) ES
Topical debate - EU security agenda: one year after the Brussels attacks (debate) ES
Constitutional, legal and institutional implications of a Common Security and Defence Policy: possibilities offered by the Lisbon Treaty (debate) ES
2016 Report on Montenegro (debate) ES
EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement - Conclusion of the EU-Canada CETA - EU-Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement (debate) ES
Deterioration of the situation in Eastern Ukraine (debate) ES
Situation in the West Bank, in particular settlements (debate) ES
Situation in the West Bank, in particular settlements (debate) ES
Rule of law crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Gabon (debate) ES
Reports (16)
Report on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of a Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Andean Community and its member countries, the Republics of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, of the other part - Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy PDF (263 KB) DOC (84 KB)
Recommendation on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of an Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States of the one part, and the Republic of Chile, of the other part - Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy PDF (142 KB) DOC (54 KB)
Report on a global partnership and a common strategy for relations between the European Union and Latin America - Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy PDF (97 KB) DOC (136 KB)
PDF (49 KB) DOC (74 KB)
REPORT with a proposal for a European Parliament recommendation to the Council on an EU-Mexico Strategic Partnership PDF (177 KB) DOC (103 KB)
REPORT EU Election Observation Missions : objectives, practices and future challenges PDF (201 KB) DOC (132 KB)
REPORT on enhanced cooperation between the European Union and Latin America PDF (303 KB) DOC (183 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion on behalf of the European Union of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Members States, of the one part, and the Republics of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, of the other part, with the exception of Article 49(3) thereof PDF (132 KB) DOC (59 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement establishing an Association between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and Central America, on the other PDF (156 KB) DOC (98 KB)
INTERIM REPORT on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement establishing an Association between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and Central America, on the other PDF (207 KB) DOC (128 KB)
RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL on the EU Special Representative for Human Rights PDF (138 KB) DOC (71 KB)
REPORT on the EU strategy for relations with Latin America PDF (207 KB) DOC (114 KB)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) PDF (571 KB) DOC (261 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the relevant Agreements under Article XXI of the General Agreement on Trade in Services with Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the Separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei), Columbia, Cuba, Ecuador, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Switzerland, and the United States, on the necessary compensatory adjustments resulting from the accession of Czechia, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden to the European Union PDF (167 KB) DOC (56 KB)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the EU Anti-Fraud Programme PDF (242 KB) DOC (106 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil pursuant to Article XXIV:6 and Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 relating to the modification of concessions in the schedule of the Republic of Croatia in the course of its accession to the European Union PDF (448 KB) DOC (56 KB)
Shadow reports (16)
REPORT on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017, Section IX – European Data Protection Supervisor PDF (165 KB) DOC (69 KB)
REPORT on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017, Section X – European External Action Service PDF (185 KB) DOC (75 KB)
REPORT on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017, Section VII – Committee of the Regions PDF (159 KB) DOC (60 KB)
REPORT on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017, Section VI – European Economic and Social Committee PDF (157 KB) DOC (59 KB)
REPORT on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017, Section VIII – European Ombudsman PDF (154 KB) DOC (61 KB)
REPORT on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017, Section IV – Court of Justice PDF (174 KB) DOC (72 KB)
REPORT on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017, Section V – Court of Auditors PDF (172 KB) DOC (67 KB)
SECOND REPORT on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2016, Section II – European Council and Council PDF (362 KB) DOC (60 KB)
REPORT on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2016, Section IV – Court of Justice PDF (410 KB) DOC (71 KB)
REPORT on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2016, Section VII – Committee of the Regions PDF (364 KB) DOC (56 KB)
REPORT on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2016, Section II – European Council and Council PDF (363 KB) DOC (56 KB)
REPORT on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2016, Section VIII – European Ombudsman PDF (362 KB) DOC (54 KB)
REPORT on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2016, Section IX – European Data Protection Supervisor PDF (389 KB) DOC (58 KB)
REPORT on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2016, Section VI – European Economic and Social Committee PDF (367 KB) DOC (56 KB)
REPORT on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2016, Section V – Court of Auditors PDF (361 KB) DOC (54 KB)
REPORT on control of spending and monitoring of EU Youth Guarantee schemes’ cost-effectiveness PDF (494 KB) DOC (90 KB)
Opinions (10)
OPINION Proposal for a Council decision providing Community macro-financial assistance to Lebanon
OPINION on the discharge for implementation of the European Union general budget for the financial year 2005
OPINION Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the flexibility instrument in favour of the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq according to point 24 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999
OPINION Draft opinion of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2005 - section III - Commission
OPINION on the General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2014 - all sections
OPINION on discharge for implementation of the European Union general budget for the financial year 2011, Section X – European External Action Service
OPINION on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2011, Section III – Commission
OPINION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Trade Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Colombia and Peru, of the other part
OPINION Parliament's position on the 2011 Draft Budget as modified by the Council - all sections
OPINION on the state of the debate on the Future of Europe
Shadow opinions (3)
OPINION on Discharge 2012: general budget - European External Action Service
OPINION on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2012, Section III – Commission and executive agencies
OPINION on implementation of the Youth Employment Initiative in the Member States
Institutional motions (142)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on China, notably the situation of religious and ethnic minorities PDF (153 KB) DOC (62 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cameroon PDF (153 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on China, notably the situation of religious and ethnic minorities PDF (152 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cameroon PDF (149 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Brunei PDF (140 KB) DOC (49 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the emergency situation in Venezuela PDF (151 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the emergency situation in Venezuela PDF (139 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iran, notably the case of human rights defenders PDF (150 KB) DOC (58 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on a European human rights violations sanctions regime PDF (153 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nicaragua PDF (148 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iran, notably the right of human rights defenders PDF (145 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on a European human rights violations sanctions regime PDF (144 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nicaragua PDF (137 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the future of the INF Treaty and the impact on the European Union PDF (153 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe PDF (159 KB) DOC (55 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the future of the INF Treaty and the impact on the EU PDF (138 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe PDF (154 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Chechnya and the case of Oyub Titiev PDF (144 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (145 KB) DOC (48 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (136 KB) DOC (44 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan PDF (153 KB) DOC (60 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Togo PDF (151 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Azerbaijan, notably the case of Mehman Huseynov PDF (142 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan PDF (155 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iran, notably the case of Nasrin Sotoudeh PDF (282 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Iran, notably the case of Nasrin Sotoudeh PDF (268 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Cuba PDF (273 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Sea of Azov PDF (148 KB) DOC (56 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (152 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Sea of Azov PDF (267 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (266 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Yemen PDF (158 KB) DOC (59 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the UAE, notably the situation of human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor PDF (260 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on deterioration of media freedom in Belarus, notably the case of Charter 97 PDF (268 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Yemen PDF (261 KB) DOC (47 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, notably the case of journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo PDF (153 KB) DOC (60 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia, notably the case of Kem Sokha PDF (158 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Uganda, arrest of parliamentarians from the opposition PDF (148 KB) DOC (56 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on autonomous weapon systems PDF (274 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, notably the case of journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo PDF (140 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia, notably the case of Kem Sokha PDF (159 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Uganda, arrest of parliamentarians from the opposition PDF (144 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Burundi PDF (162 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the political crisis in Moldova following the invalidation of the mayoral elections in Chișinău PDF (151 KB) DOC (57 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the migration crisis and humanitarian situation in Venezuela and at its terrestrial borders with Colombia and Brazil PDF (288 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Burundi PDF (150 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Somalia PDF (149 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the political crisis in Moldova following the invalidation of the mayoral elections in Chisinau PDF (144 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the migration crisis and humanitarian situation in Venezuela and at its borders PDF (268 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on autonomous weapon systems PDF (258 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of Rohingya refugees, in particular the plight of children PDF (291 KB) DOC (59 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Georgian occupied territories 10 years after the Russian invasion PDF (282 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Situation of Rohingyas refugees, in particular the plight of children PDF (144 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Georgian occupied territories 10 years after the Russian invasion PDF (264 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan, notably the situation of Noura Hussein Hammad PDF (156 KB) DOC (58 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of imprisoned EU-Iranian dual nationals in Iran PDF (159 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nicaragua PDF (154 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan, notably the situation of Noura Hussein Hammad PDF (151 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Situation of imprisoned EU-Iranian dual nationals in Iran PDF (144 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nicaragua PDF (256 KB) DOC (47 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the elections in Venezuela PDF (260 KB) DOC (47 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the elections in Venezuela PDF (261 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Belarus PDF (155 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Belarus PDF (151 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the violation of human rights and the rule of law in the case of two Greek soldiers arrested and detained in Turkey PDF (261 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on progress on the UN Global Compacts for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and on Refugees PDF (394 KB) DOC (71 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on mercy killings in Uganda PDF (156 KB) DOC (56 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the arrest of human rights defenders in Sudan, notably the case of Sakharov Prize Laureate Salih Mahmoud Osman PDF (165 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Syria PDF (408 KB) DOC (62 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on mercy killings in Uganda PDF (145 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the arrest of human rights defenders in Sudan, notably the case of Sakharov Prize laureate Salih Mahmoud Osman PDF (147 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Syria PDF (260 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the US attack on EU farm support under the CAP (in the context of Spanish olives) PDF (171 KB) DOC (69 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on child slavery in Haiti PDF (154 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, the case of Oyub Titiev and the Human Rights Centre Memorial PDF (285 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (279 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on child slavery in Haiti PDF (142 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, the case of Oyub Titiev and the Human Rights Centre Memorial PDF (145 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Democratic Republic of the Congo PDF (161 KB) DOC (58 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Nigeria PDF (285 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of the human rights activists Wu Gan, Xie Yang, Lee Ming-che and Tashi Wangchuk, and the Tibetan monk Choekyi PDF (290 KB) DOC (56 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Democratic Republic of Congo PDF (158 KB) DOC (56 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of human rights activists Wu Gan, Xie Yang, Lee Ming-cheh, Tashi Wangchuk and the Tibetan monk Choekyi PDF (157 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION Nigeria PDF (151 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia: notably the dissolution of CNRP Party PDF (283 KB) DOC (56 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on freedom of expression in Vietnam, notably the case of Nguyen Van Hoa PDF (280 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Afghanistan PDF (401 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of the Rohingya people PDF (292 KB) DOC (60 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Afghanistan PDF (275 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of the Rohingya people PDF (175 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Yemen PDF (294 KB) DOC (58 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Yemen PDF (261 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on freedom of expression in Sudan, notably the case of Mohamed Zine al-Abidine PDF (155 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on terrorist attacks in Somalia PDF (162 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Madagascar PDF (154 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Freedom of expression in Sudan, notably the case of Mohamed Zine El Abidine PDF (151 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Terrorist attacks in Somalia PDF (155 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of Crimean Tatar leaders Akhtem Chiygoz, Ilmi Umerov and the journalist Mykola Semena PDF (284 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of persons with albinism in Africa, notably in Malawi PDF (287 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of Crimean Tatar leaders Akhtem Chiygoz, Ilmi Umerov and journalist Mykola Semena PDF (152 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Situation of people with albinism in Malawi and other African countries PDF (152 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Moldova PDF (265 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Laos, notably the cases of Somphone Phimmasone, Lod Thammavong and Soukane Chaithad PDF (148 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia, notably the case of Kem Sokha PDF (151 KB) DOC (57 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Myanmar, in particular the situation of Rohingyas PDF (140 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Gabon, repression of the opposition PDF (271 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Laos: notably the cases of Somphone Phimmasone, Lod Thammavong and Soukane Chaithad PDF (137 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Cambodia: notably the case of Mr Kem Sokha PDF (137 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Burundi PDF (156 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Eritrea, notably the cases of Abune Antonios and Dawit Isaak PDF (169 KB) DOC (63 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo and Lee Ming-che PDF (153 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Burundi PDF (151 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Eritrea, notably the cases of Abune Antonios and Dawit Isaak PDF (151 KB) DOC (54 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the cases of Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo and Lee Ming-Che PDF (146 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian situation in Yemen PDF (162 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo PDF (276 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian situation in Yemen PDF (167 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo PDF (275 KB) DOC (54 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Ethiopia, notably the case of Dr Merera Gudina PDF (163 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zambia, particularly the case of Hakainde Hichilema PDF (153 KB) DOC (55 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on South Sudan PDF (164 KB) DOC (56 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on achieving the two-state solution in the Middle East PDF (286 KB) DOC (49 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the EU strategy on Syria PDF (295 KB) DOC (59 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Ethiopia, notably the case of Dr Merera Gudina PDF (144 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zambia, particularly the case of Hakainde Hichilema PDF (151 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on South Sudan PDF (147 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on achieving the two-state solution in the Middle East PDF (178 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the EU Strategy on Syria PDF (269 KB) DOC (53 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (278 KB) DOC (53 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela PDF (174 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Belarus PDF (288 KB) DOC (52 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Bangladesh, including child marriages PDF (152 KB) DOC (57 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, the arrest of Alexei Navalny and other protestors PDF (158 KB) DOC (49 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Bangladesh, including child marriages PDF (144 KB) DOC (50 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Belarus PDF (154 KB) DOC (52 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, the arrest of Alexei Navalny and other protestors PDF (143 KB) DOC (50 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Philippines – the case of Senator Leila M. De Lima PDF (156 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Zimbabwe, the case of Pastor Evan Mawarire and other cases of restriction of freedom of expression PDF (150 KB) DOC (48 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Ukrainian prisoners in Russia and the situation in Crimea PDF (157 KB) DOC (51 KB)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of human rights and democracy in Nicaragua – the case of Francisca Ramirez PDF (149 KB) DOC (48 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of human rights and democracy in Nicaragua, the case of Francesca Ramirez PDF (158 KB) DOC (51 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on conclusion of the EU-Canada CETA PDF (270 KB) DOC (52 KB)
Written explanations (2)
The EU-Africa Strategy: a boost for development (A8-0334/2017 - Maurice Ponga) ES
Coincido con las líneas generales del informe del Sr. Ponga, «Informe sobre la Estrategia UE-África: un impulso para el desarrollo», que pone de relieve importantes aspectos de la relación birregional a la vista de la próxima Cumbre de finales de este mes en Abiyán. Sin embargo no estoy de acuerdo con todo su contenido, en particular con algún elemento —que no se ha podido votar de forma separada— del apartado 42.
Prison systems and conditions (A8-0251/2017 - Joëlle Bergeron) ES
La delegación española del Grupo del PPE está de acuerdo con la idea sustantiva de la Resolución del Parlamento Europeo sobre condiciones y sistemas penitenciarios, pero los apartados 21 y 29 no los podemos aceptar porque el acercamiento de presos es una historia vinculada al sufrimiento de muchas víctimas inocentes del fenómeno terrorista en España. Tampoco podemos olvidar que la política de dispersión de presos ha jugado un papel crucial para la derrota de la organización terrorista ETA.
Written questions (45)
Wine harvest or sugar beet harvest PDF (41 KB) DOC (18 KB)
The chaptalisation paradox PDF (42 KB) DOC (18 KB)
The travesty of adding sucrose during winemaking PDF (42 KB) DOC (18 KB)
The essence of wine PDF (41 KB) DOC (18 KB)
The essence of wine PDF (41 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Sucrose and protected designation of origin of 'wine' PDF (41 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Labelling of PDO wines PDF (41 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Balance in wine and chaptalisation PDF (49 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Watering down and chaptalisation PDF (40 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Unfair market competition from chaptalised wines PDF (103 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Chaptalisation PDF (103 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Use of sucrose to increase the natural alcoholic strength of 'wine' PDF (104 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Consumer rights PDF (101 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Wines with added sucrose PDF (102 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Tackling climate change PDF (99 KB) DOC (17 KB)
Audit year n + 1 PDF (4 KB) DOC (17 KB)
EU-Taiwan investment agreement PDF (102 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Tobacco smuggling PDF (5 KB) DOC (17 KB)
EU-China Relations PDF (5 KB) DOC (17 KB)
Reducing the error rate in the Horizon 2020 programme PDF (102 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Cohesion policy PDF (5 KB) DOC (17 KB)
VP/HR - Institutional framework between the EU and Latin America PDF (5 KB) DOC (16 KB)
VP/HR - Mr Maikel José Moreno Pérez seen in The Hague PDF (103 KB) DOC (16 KB)
US duties on table olives PDF (104 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Protection of wolves in the Habitats Directive PDF (100 KB) DOC (19 KB)
The impact of the declaration of trilateral cooperation on third countries PDF (101 KB) DOC (17 KB)
Public procurement at sub-federal level in EU-Mexico agreement PDF (4 KB) DOC (17 KB)
Possible recovery of EU-India relations PDF (5 KB) DOC (17 KB)
Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy PDF (5 KB) DOC (17 KB)
Flexibility of funds PDF (5 KB) DOC (17 KB)
European funding for the Community of Madrid PDF (4 KB) DOC (17 KB)
EU budget contributions by third countries PDF (5 KB) DOC (17 KB)
Mafia activity in Libya PDF (5 KB) DOC (18 KB)
New communication channels and terrorism PDF (98 KB) DOC (17 KB)
Development aid package of EUR 300 million for the Caribbean region PDF (5 KB) DOC (17 KB)
Elections in Cambodia PDF (5 KB) DOC (17 KB)
Child soldiers in South Sudan PDF (5 KB) DOC (17 KB)
Situation faced by children in Yemen PDF (99 KB) DOC (18 KB)
Iraqi Christians PDF (5 KB) DOC (17 KB)
Cyber security PDF (4 KB) DOC (17 KB)
VP/HR - Insecurity in Somalia PDF (5 KB) DOC (16 KB)
VP/HR - Free elections in Venezuela PDF (101 KB) DOC (16 KB)
Definition of the term 'NGO' PDF (97 KB) DOC (15 KB)
Concept of justified carry-overs PDF (99 KB) DOC (15 KB)
Concept of a justified carry-over PDF (100 KB) DOC (15 KB)
Amendments (583)
Amendment 5 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Recital B
B. whereas trust in the European project and in the European Union will only be maintained, if the European Union institutions act as role models of the rule of law, transparency and good administration and prove to have sufficient internal check and balances to react adequately whenever these fundamental principles are threatened,
Amendment 7 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas all EU institutions have, under the Treaties, autonomy in matters related to their organisation and their personnel policy, including in choosing their top civil servants on the basis of merit, experience and trust, in line with the Staff Regulations and their respective rules of procedure,
Amendment 10 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Recital B b (new)
B b. whereas the Secretary-General of an EU institution is a position that requires particular experience and competence and notably the trust of the President of the respective institution whom the Secretary-General assists in his or her daily work so that, in the case of the Commission, in the context of the political guidelines laid down by its President, the Commission achieves the priorities it has set, as stated explicitly in Article 20 of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, which includes the legal job description of the Secretary-General of the institution,
Amendment 22 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 2 – indent 4
Amendment 23 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 2 – indent 7
- the President of the European Commission and his Head of Cabinet had known since 2015 that the then Secretary- General intended to retire soon after March 2018, an intention which was reconfirmed in early 2018; they both hoped to convince Mr Italianer to stay on as Secretary- General beyond 1 March 2018 and they continued to suggest this to him repeatedly until mid-February as their preferred choice had always been to keep Mr Italianer as SG until the end of the mandate; however, the President had not divulged this information in order not to undermine the authority of the then Secretary-General;
Amendment 29 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 2 – indent 8
- acting on a proposal from the President, in agreement with the Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources, and without the appointment of a new Secretary-General having been on the agenda of the meetafter the appointment was put on the agenda by the President during the meeting as last part of a well prepared series of senior management decisions, in line with his right under Article 6 (5) of the Rules of Procedure of the Commission which allows the President to add any item on the agenda while de College meeting is ongoing, the College decided to transfer the newly appointed Deputy Secretary-General with his post , pursuant to Article 7 of the Staff Regulations, to the position of Secretary- General of the European Commission (reassignment without publication of the post);
Amendment 34 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that, according to the Commission, the three previous Secretaries-General became Director, Director-General and Head of Cabinet before being transferred to the function of Secretary-General, whereas the new Secretary-General did not perform any management task in the Commission services; points out, in particular, thwas instrumental in preparing and organising the new set-up and new working methods of the Juncker Commission, of its political guidelines and of the successive Work Programmes of the Commission; he therefore had, as closest adviser and trusted manager of the President, a unique overview of all decision-making procedures, policy priorities, interinstitutional relat ion 21 February 2018 he was not Deputy Secretary-General in functions and the overall functioning of the institution; this made him a natural choice for the President to become Secretary-General, a choice supported by the First Vice- President, the Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources and the College of Commissioners;
Amendment 37 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 6
6. Takes note that the new Secretary- General was transferred in the interest of the service under Article 7 of the Staff Regulations and that the position was not published because the post was not considered vacant; hence no official could apply since the procedure was organised through a reassignment with post rather than as a transfer in the strict sense with proper publication of the vacant post, in view of the special function of the Secretary-General, whose tasks under the Commission’s Rules of Procedure it is chiefly to assist the President, it is unthinkable that a candidate would be chosen for this position who does not have the continuous trust and confidence of the President, which is why it is the President that proposes his choice of Secretary- General to the College;
Amendment 41 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that the Commission used the same procedure of transfer under Article 7 of the Staff Regulations for the three previous Secretaries-General (transfer with post rather than transfer in the strict sense); underlines that none of the previous Secretaries-General were appointed successively Deputy Secretary-General and Secretary-General during the same College meeting; underlines also that all three previous Secretaries-General were proposed to the College in the very same College meeting in which their respective predecessor was transferred to a different post or announced their retirement;
Amendment 44 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 9
9. Acknowledges that it is not Commission practice to transfer directors in grade AD 15 to Director-General posts but notes that the Commission considers that, legally, the College could have decided to transfer a principal advisor to the post of Secretary-General; welcomes that, instead of choosing this easier and swifter procedure, a procedure was followed that ensured that the new Secretary-General had participated in a full-day Assessment Centre for senior managers for the second time in his career before taking up his position at Director-General level in line with the Commission decision on Assessment Centres for Directors-General/ Deputy Directors-General of 2015;
Amendment 45 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 10
10. Questions why the Commission used different procedures to appoint Deputy Secretary-General and Secretary- GeneralUnderstands therefore fully that the Commission used a procedure for the appointment of Deputy Secretary-General that allowed for thoroughly assessing the competence and experience of the candidate before he was transferred, in line with Article 7 of the Staff Regulations, to the position of Secretary- General appointment which is subject to exactly the same conditions as the one of Deputy Secretary-General; noted that in the course of this Commission, 15 transfers of Deputy Directors-General to the position of Directors-General took place, in line with Article 7 of the Staff Regulations;
Amendment 51 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that the replies given by the Commission show that the President and his Head of Cabinet had been aware since 2015 of the intention of the former Secretary-General to retire soon after 1 March 2018, which he reconfirmed in early 2018; underlinestands that this knowledge would have allowed for a regular appointment procedure for his successor by one of the two public procedures foreseen by the Staff Regulations: (1) appointment by the College following publicaboth the President and his Head of Cabinet kept the hope until early 2018 that the former Secretary- General would stay on beyond 1 March 2018, as their preference was to keep the same Secretary-General until the end of the mandate in order not to jeopardise the smooth functioning of the post and selection procedure under Article 29 of the Staff Regulation; or, (2) transfer in the interest ofinstitution at a time of immerse internal and external challenges for the Union; understands that for this reason, they service pursuant to Article 7 of the Staff Regulations, equally upon publication of the post in order to allow any interested official to apply for such transfeuggested until mid-February repeatedly to the former Secretary-General to stay on, in view of the obvious difficulty to find swiftly an appropriate successor;
Amendment 56 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 12
12. Underlines that by opting for the procedure under transfer of Article 7 of the Staff Regulations in the form of reassignment of the newly appointed Deputy Secretary-General with his post to the position of Secretary-General, it was possible to avoidnot necessary to publishing the vacant post of the retiring former Secretary- General; notes that the same procedure was used for the appointments of previous Secretaries- General; stresses, however, that this tradition of non-publication has reac that in view of the high degree of trust and confidence that must exist, in line with the job description given in Article 20 of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, between the President of the Commission and the Secretary-General of thed its limnstitution, its insofar as it does nos logical that the choice of the President cforrespond anymore to modern standards of transparency this position is made between senior officials whom he knows well and who know the institution well;
Amendment 66 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 14
14. StaNotes that twhis procedurle some Commissioners may have sbeems to have taken all other members of the College by surprise and avoided a debate among the Commissioners, since the appointment of a new Secretary-General did not appear on the agenda of the meeting of the College of Commissioners on 21 February 2018n surprised at the beginning about the announcement of the retirement of the former Secretary- General, all agreed with the President’s proposal to appoint Mr Selmayr as new Secretary-General, and they did so unanimously; notes that in view of the fact that the Juncker Commission understands itself as a political Commission and is composed of several former Prime Ministers, former Foreign Ministers, former Finance Ministers and other seasoned politicians, the Members of this Commission are entirely capable of assessing quickly a new situation and deciding upon it instantly on a proposal of the President, in line with Article 6 (5) of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure which allows the President to put any item on the agenda also during an ongoing College meeting;
Amendment 68 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 15
Amendment 71 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 16
Amendment 75 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 17
17. Reminds that Directors-General in the European institutions are in charge of hundreds of staff members and the implementation of substantial budgets as authorizing officers, as well as having the obligation to sign a declaration of assurance in their annual activity report at the end of each financial year; questions therefore the Commission’s claim thatunderstands that according to Commission rules in place since 2004, Heads of Cabinets of the President could be considered equivalent to a Director- General position in terms of management and budgetary responsibilities; points out that the internal CommunicCommissioners are considered, in view of their important senior management function and of their important responsibility of preparing the weekly meetings of the College, as Director, while the Head of Cabinet of the President is considered, in view of his or her important responsibility for the smooth operation ofrom the President to the Commission governingdecision-making processes of the whole Commission in line with the composlition of the private offices of the Members of the Commission and of the Spokesperson’s service of 1 November 2014 does not supersede or modify the Staff Regulationscal guidelines of the President, as Director-General; while according to the Staff Regulations this function only allows a Head of Cabinet to move to a similar function in the Commission´s senior management after their service in a Cabinet if they have also achieved the necessary grade of AD14 or higher in their normal Commission career; noted that the new Secretary- General was AD14 in his normal Commission career since July 2014 and AD15 since January 2017;
Amendment 79 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 18
18. States that the two-steps nominationappointment of the new Secretary -General constitutes a coup-like action which stretched and possibly even overstretched the limits of the lawof the Commission, proposed by the President in agreement with the Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources after consultation of the First Vice-President, is fully in line with the Staff Regulations and the Rules of Procedure of the Commission; notes positively that the new Secretary-General, though not legally required, went through a full selection procedure for the level of Director- General/Deputy Director-General before his appointment as Secretary-General, and that he is the first Secretary-General of the Commission who has been subject to an Assessment Centre prior to his appointment;
Amendment 94 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 19
19. Points out that in order to maintain an independent, loyal and motivated European civil service, the Staff Regulations need to be applied in letter and spirit: this requires notably that Articles 4, 7 and 29 of the Staff Regulations need to be fully respected so that all “vacant posts in an institution shall be notified to the staff of that institution, once the appointing authority decides that the vacancy is to be filled” and that this obligation of transparency needs also to be respectedallows for transfers under Article 7 of the Staff Regulations, apart from very exceptional cases, as recognised by the Court of Justice;
Amendment 102 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 20
20. Recalls that only through proper publication of vacant posts is it, when possible, is the way to secure a wide choice of suitably qualified candidates allowing for informed and optimal appointment decisions; stresses that publication procedures whose sole purpose is to fulfil the formal requirement for publications, have to be avoided by all European institutions and bodies;
Amendment 103 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 21
21. Recommends that the decision- making processes and procedures of the College of Commissioners need to be strengthened in order to avoid any indiscriminate waving-through of appointments or other important decisions and that therefore it is necessary that all these items are included in the draft agendaCalls on the institutions to better explain to the public the way they make senior management decisions and the special requirements of the European Civil Service;
Amendment 105 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 22
Amendment 113 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 23
23. Invites the Commissall institutions to revokeassess its decisions by which it considers the function of Head of Cabinet of the President to be equivalent to the function of Director-General and the function of Head of Cabinet of a Commissioner to be equivalent to the function of Director; invites the Commission to put in place measures to ensure fair career advancement for members of cabinet; invites all institutions to put in place measures to ensure fair career advancement for members of cabinets and notably Heads of Cabinets, in view of their particular responsibility and senior management tasks;
Amendment 119 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on the Commission to review, before the end of 2018, its administrative procedure for the appointment of senior officials with the objective of fully ensuring that the best candidates are selected in a framework of maximum transparency and equal opportunities, thereby also setting an example for the other European institutinvite a roundtable meeting at the appropriate level to discuss with the other EU institutions whether and how the application of the EU Staff Regulations, which apply to all EU institutions, can be further developed and strengthened, preserving the autonomy of each EU institution in its personnel decisions;
Amendment 3 #
2018/2176(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the for the financial year 2017 / Postpones its decision on granting the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European External Action Service for the financial year 2017;
Amendment 11 #
2018/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Notes that a contribution of EUR 54,9 million was also received from the EDF and the trust funds. Additional carry-overs and appropriations released from decommitments brought the total amount to EUR 59,7 million (including also assigned revenues of the financial year); notes that at the end of 2017 execution in commitments was EUR 52,6 million (88,1%) and in payments EUR 46,5 million (78,0%); notes that the EDF credits which have not been committed are carried over to the following year as external assigned revenue and there is no loss of appropriations;
Amendment 13 #
2018/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Acknowledges that the number of budget lines used to finance the operations related to Commission staff in the delegations (34 different lines originating in various Headings of the Commission budget, plus the EDF Funds) increases the complexity of budget management; remembers that this topic was treated in the 2016 discharge report and takes note of the complexity in the simplification of reducing the budget lines; encourages therefore the EEAS to keep on working with the European Commission to simplify the budget lines when possible in order to reduce the complexity of budget management;
Amendment 14 #
2018/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Notes that in 2017 the Heads of Delegation provided a Statement of Assurance; observes that all Heads of Delegation, except the Head of Delegation to Syria, has provided a declaration without reservation; acknowledges that the Delegation to Syria is currently evacuated and that the delegation has indicated an action plan to alleviate the problems it has faced of having to function in a war zone; notes that the reservation is seen as non-material in terms of amounts for the whole of the EEAS budget;
Amendment 15 #
2018/2176(DEC)
12a. Notes that the value of all transfers made within the EEAS administrative budget amounted to EUR 14,4 million, of which the largest amount concerned an advance contract regarding Afghan security; notes also that the transfers reduced the EEAS headquarters’ budget by EUR 5,1 million and increased the delegation budget by a corresponding amount;
Amendment 16 #
2018/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes the continued reduction in the number of delegations exceeding the maximum space of 35m² per person from 83 in 2016 to 73 in 2017 in line with the recommendation of the Court in 2016; welcomes the launch of the real- estate management tool IMMOGEST and the acquisition of internal and external expertise to support building management, in particular in regard to delegations; calls on the EEAS to continue implementing, when possible, reasonable and efficient for the EU budget, the recommendations of the Court in its special report on the EEAS’s management of its buildings around the world7 and to keep the Parliament informed about the improvements; _________________ 7 Court of Auditors: Special Report No 07/2016: The European External Action Service’s management of its buildings around the world
Amendment 19 #
2018/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Is of the opinion that progress is necessary in this regard and therefore invites the EEAS to both identify and reflect on the reasons for this imbalance, and subsequently possibly refine its conditions and recruitment policies in order to attract all genders equally for management positions; encourages the EEAS to cooperate with national universities offering courses dedicated to a diplomatic career in order to promote the European diplomatic service at an early stage, and suggests to envisage promoting the creation of an academy dedicated to the education of future European diplomats;
Amendment 20 #
2018/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls for the creation of an institute dedicated to the education of future European diplomats and suggests to study the possibility of using the facilities of the European Parliament in Strasbourg to house this diplomatic institute;
Amendment 1 #
2018/2175(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the European Data Protection Supervisor discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2017; / Postpones its decision on granting the European Data Protection Supervisor discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2017;
Amendment 4 #
2018/2175(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that in 2017, the Supervisor had a total allocated budget of EUR 11 324 735, which represented a 21,93 % increase compared to the 2016 budget, and that the budget implementation in terms of commitment appropriations for 2017 amounted to EUR 10 075 534; notes with concern that the implementation rate continued decreasing from 94,66 % in 2015 and 91,93 % in 2016 to 89 % of the available appropriations in 2017; notes that the budget implementation in terms of payment appropriations amounted to EUR 9 368 686,15, corresponding to 77 % of the available appropriations; calls on the Supervisorhighlights in this regard Titles I and III with appropriation rates of 88,24% and 73,10%; calls on the Supervisor to step up its efforts and to define the budget estimates prudently;
Amendment 7 #
2018/2175(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Welcomes the inclusion of the detailed missions undertaken by the members of the Supervisor as requested in the last discharge resolution;
Amendment 1 #
2018/2174(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the European Ombudsman discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2017; / Postpones its decision on granting the European Ombudsman discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2017;
Amendment 7 #
2018/2174(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Takes note that in 2017 the overall number of new complaints dealt with was 2 181, of which 751 were within the mandate, compared to 1 880 complaints dealt with in 2016 of which 711 were within the mandate; notes therefore that the number of complaints within the mandate has increased by 5,5%;
Amendment 8 #
2018/2174(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the continuous efforts to reduce translation costs, primarily linked to the production of publications; welcomes that translation expenses decreased by 11 % from EUR 293 000 in 2016 to EUR 263 000 in 2017; takes note that the Ombudsman annual activity report recognises that a threshold has been reached below which it will be difficult to go in the future; therefore encourages the Ombudsman to mindfully keep on working in the efforts to reduce translation costs without endangering the good functioning of the translations and publications;
Amendment 9 #
2018/2174(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes the achievements made by the Ombudsman in terms of communication activities to increase its visibility and media impact, including an increase of its outreach on social media with 22 790 mentions in Twitter and an increase of followers of 16% reaching 19 200; welcomes the fact that the Ombudsman overhauled its website to make it more user-friendly and that an external contractor validated the website’s conformity with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines; welcomes, moreover, the fact that the Ombudsman awarded the first ‘Award for Good Administration’ in 2017, which was initiated to recognise examples of good practices in public administration and bring them to greater public attention;
Amendment 1 #
2018/2173(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Secretary-General of the Committee of the Regions discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Committee of the Regions for the financial year 2017 / Postpones its decision on granting the Secretary- General of the Committee of the Regions discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Committee of the Regions for the financial year 2017;
Amendment 20 #
2018/2173(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Notes that for the period 2017- 2018 the target of the Committee of the Regions for publications of files and studies launched was 15 each year and notes with concern that for 2017 the number of publications was 9 while in 2016 was 12; calls on the Committee of the Regions to put the necessary efforts in order to achieve the targets on publications and request a follow up of the situation in the follow up document of the discharge for the year 2017;
Amendment 25 #
2018/2173(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Notes with satisfaction that the number of subscribers and activity rate of the Committee of the Regions online course for regional and local authorities (MOOC) has risen in a 5% of subscribers and 5 percentage points of activity rate after the low numbers in 2016 due to the terrorist attacks that took place in Brussels and notes with satisfaction that the number of visitors increased in 14% in 2017;
Amendment 29 #
2018/2173(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Calls for a mediation between the former internal auditor of the Committee and the Committee with the aim to find an amicable settlement in the ongoing dispute in the interest of both parties; points out that such a mediation should also address the bona-fide whistle-blower status of the former internal auditor (as recognised by the Parliament in its resolution of 2004) and the fact that he was acting in the interests of the EU by reporting wrongdoings to the EU institutions;
Amendment 1 #
2018/2172(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Secretary-General of the European Economic and Social Committee discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Economic and Social Committee for the financial year 2017 / Postpones its decision on granting the Secretary-General of the European Economic and Social Committee discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Economic and Social Committee for the financial year 2017;
Amendment 16 #
2018/2172(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Takes note that the Committee in 2017 adopted a total of 155 opinions and reports, including 13 exploratory opinions on referral from the EU presidencies or the European Commission, 59 opinions on referral from the European Parliament and Council, and 45 on referral from the European Commission;
Amendment 18 #
2018/2172(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Takes note that as a result with the cooperation with the European Parliament, a total of 52 opinions were adopted in response to referrals coming from the European Parliament. Members of the EESC had over 60 meetings with EP rapporteurs and shadow rapporteurs as well as other MEPs, and participated in an active role in over 42 events in Parliament and in parallel, MEPs actively participated in 35 EESC legislative work meetings; encourages the Committee to keep on working and increase the cooperation with EP in legislative work;
Amendment 22 #
2018/2172(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Welcomes the Committee’s initiative to launch a staff survey on psycho-social risks at the end of 2016 in order to monitor the perception of stress- related issues by its staff; welcomes this close monitoring and actions to raise awareness at managerial and staff level, such as the Safety and Health at Work Week that were organised in October 2017; calls on the Committee to pursue its efforts in this regard and to take all necessary measures to ensure the well-being of its staff, taking into account that the absence rate has been increasing since 2015 from 4% to a 5.5% in 2017, and to take all necessary measures to ensure the well-being of its staff; notes in this regard that occasional telework has decreased from 62.5% in 2016 to 47.6% in 2017;
Amendment 1 #
2018/2171(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Secretary-General of the Court of Auditors discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2017 / Postpones its decision on granting the Secretary-General of the Court of Auditors discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2017;
Amendment 11 #
2018/2171(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the fact that in 2017 it took an average of 14,6 months from the commencement of an audit task to adoption of the special report; notes that this was the shortest average duration since the start of the 2013-2017 period; regrets, however, that only eight of the reports (29 %) published during the year complied with the 13 months target timeframe set out in the Financial Regulation; observes that the time until publication was 16 months on average which was around 2 months less than in 2016 and, in that light, calls on the Court to continue improving its performance in this regard, while not compromising the quality of the reports and the targeted nature of its recommendations;
Amendment 20 #
2018/2171(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Takes note that the Court in order to be aligned with the recommendations issued by the International Federation of Accountants aims to provide an annual average of 40 hours (5 days) of professional training to its auditors; observes that in 2017 the target was exceeded with 6.7 days of professional training per auditor;
Amendment 32 #
2018/2171(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Regrets that the information currently requested in mission orders is n the past was insufficient and doesid not allow the Court to assess whether the activity planned by members of the Court falls within the area of interest of the Court; calls on the Court to increase the amount of information required accordingly in order to prevent possible abuses;
Amendment 1 #
2018/2169(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Registrar of the Court of Justice discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Court of Justice for the financial year 2017 / Postpones its decision on granting the Registrar of the Court of Justice discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Court of Justice for the financial year 2017;
Amendment 9 #
2018/2169(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Takes note that in 2017 the CJEU allocated EUR 850 000 to meet the payment of damages, awarded by the General Court on the basis of a failure to adjudicate within a reasonable period of time in the context of three cases closed by the General Court in 2011 and 2013;
Amendment 11 #
2018/2169(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Takes note that the rate of implementation of the final appropriations from the chapter related to meetings and conferences in 2017 was 81,40%, compared with a rate of 95,5% in 2016; calls on the CJEU to keep working on this issue in order to again reach at least the same rate of implementation of the final appropriations for that chapter as the rate reached in 2016;
Amendment 26 #
2018/2169(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Asks the CJEU to put in place clear and robust rules for sponsoring that guarantee equal treatment of events after noting that the CJEU denied carrying out any sponsoring activities even though the CJEU provided the 18th congress of the International Federation of European Law (FIDE), held in May 2018 in Portugal, with 12 interpreters for a cost of EUR 10 859,05;
Amendment 1 #
2018/2168(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Secretary-General of the Council discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Council and of the Council for the financial year 2017 / Postpones its decision on granting the Secretary-General of the Council discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Council and of the Council for the financial year 2017;
Amendment 8 #
2018/2168(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the information provided on the Council’s building strategy in the Final Financial Statements of 2017; notes that in July 2017, the Belgian State and the GSC concluded negotiations on the final price for the Europa building, agreeing on a final price of EUR 312 143 710,53, as well as on the acquisition of four additional plots of land surrounding Council’s buildings for an amount of EUR 4 672 944; notes that the final agreement is expected to be signed in 2018; notes that all amounts relating to the final settlement of the Europa building were paid or accrued in 2017;
Amendment 10 #
2018/2168(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Takes note that despite the mandate to begin negotiations with Parliament and Commission on the Council's participation in the Transparency Register taken on 6 December 2017, the Council has still not joined the Transparency Register; calls on the Council to follow up the negotiations and to reach a successful outcome with representatives of Parliament and Commission in order for the Council to finally join the Transparency Register;
Amendment 16 #
2018/2168(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls on the Council to speed up its procedure for the discharge recommendations, with the goal to enable discharge in year n+1; asks the Council to fulfil its particular role and to give discharge recommendations to the other Union institutions;
Amendment 54 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Is deeply concerned that, despite all the activities organised by DG COMM, European citizens still feel that there is a lack of information about the Union and what the Parliament accomplishes and works on; calls on DG COMM to make a greaterkeep pushing its effort towards generating innovative ideas to counter this distance between the Union and its citizens and takes note of the innovative approach proposed for the institutional communication campaign proposed for the 2019 European elections;
Amendment 59 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. RTakes note of the increased communication activities realised by the liaison offices in 2017 involving daily relations with regional and local media, targeted social media presence and local community management, realisation of local events, relations with local authorities, school and stakeholders regrets that expenditure items such as salaries and mission costs were not communicated in response to the questionnaire; draws on the information provided during the 2016 discharge procedure, where salaries paid for EPLO staff amounted to EUR 23 058 210 and mission costs amounted to EUR 1 383 843; assumes that these amounts have not changed significantly for the budgetary year 2017 and remains concerned that costs may outweigh the benefits; acknowledges the importance of effective communication in Member States but stresses the need for cost-efficiency; and it is confident that the revised mission statement will contribute to this aim, invites all decision-making parties involved to strive for more added value particularly with regards to running costs;
Amendment 130 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
Paragraph 67
67. Notes that the new Parliament’s travel service will start operating on 1 January 2019; welcomes the fact that the new contract contains strengthened conditions, in particular with regard to ticket pricing and the availability of the travel service’s call centre at all times, including at weekends; stresses again the importance of a simple and user-friendly complaints mechanism to quickly highlight shortfalls, which allows for speedy resolution of any problems; emphasises that attention needs to be paid to the specific requirements of Members and their need for tailor-made services; is doubtfuloptimistic that services will significantly improve since former BCD staff will be taken on by the new travel serviceimprove under the new leadership;
Amendment 180 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79
Paragraph 79
79. Welcomes the significant progress made in 2017 to strengthen the Parliament’s security and safety; notes that perimeters around Strasbourg and Brussels buildings were set up, that security vetting by the Belgian authorities of all employees of outside firms working at the Parliament is in place, and that an interinstitutional project for a common warehouse has been launched with the Council and the Commission; welcomes the initiative of a common warehouse to allow for adequate security scans and screenings of items before they reach Parliament’s premises; notes, however, the lack of communication in emergency situations such as that which took place in the Strasbourg Chamber in December 2018 and concludes that the procedures can and must be improved; calls for the existing safety rules to be applied to the letter in emergency situations in order to prevent such uncertainty in the event of future emergencies;
Amendment 706 #
2018/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 102
Paragraph 102
102. Calls on the Commission to table a legislative proposal to ensure the automatic exchange of information between the relevant authorities, including law enforcement, tax and customs authorities, on beneficial ownership and transactions taking place in free ports, customs warehouses or SEZs;
Amendment 752 #
2018/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 111 a (new)
Paragraph 111 a (new)
111 a. Recalls the crucial importance of developing Public and Private Partnerships (PPPs) and highlights the existence and positive results of the only transnational PPP, the Europol Financial Intelligence Public Private Partnership, promoting the sharing of strategic and tactical information amongst banks, FIUs, LEAs and national regulators across States;
Amendment 835 #
2018/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 126 a (new)
Paragraph 126 a (new)
126 a. Recalls that EU FIUs are strongly encouraged to use the FIU.net system;
Amendment 838 #
2018/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 126 b (new)
Paragraph 126 b (new)
126 b. Highlights that information sharing between FIUs and LEAs, including with Europol, should be improved;
Amendment 849 #
2018/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 128
Paragraph 128
128. Points out that the non- standardisation of suspicious transaction report formats and non-standardisation of suspicious transaction report thresholds among Member States and with respect to the different obliged entities leads to difficulties in the processing and exchange of information between FIUs; calls on the Commission to explore mechanisms to set up standardised reporting formats for obliged entities in order to facilitate the exchange of information between FIUs in cases with a cross-border dimension and to reflect on the standardisation of suspicious transaction thresholds;
Amendment 32 #
2018/2094(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Is of the opinion that the pre- conditionality of policies has to be reinforced, where necessary and without this jeopardising the functionality of programmes, so as to ensure effective sound financial management in the implementation of the Union’s spending;
Amendment 11 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses the unsustainablecurrent structure of CAP expenditure: 44,7 % of all Union farms had an annual income of less than EUR 4000, and in 2016 on average the upper 10% of the beneficiaries of CAP direct support received around 60 % of the payments; notes that the distribution of direct payment largely reflects the concentration of land, 20 % of farmers also owning 80 % of the land, keeping in mind the differences between individual Member States;
Amendment 16 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Is worried that more than three years after the start of the 2014-2020 period, Member States have designated only 77 % ofReminds the Commission that, although almost all the programme authorities responsible for the cohesion policy funds; as of 1 March 2017 the Commission received final accounts with expenditure covering just 0,7 % of the budget allocated for the entire programming period; as of mid- 2017, the delays i have been designated, delays have occurred; expresses concern about these delays and their impact on budget implementation, were greater than they were at the same point in the 2007-2013 period; notes that consequently, the outstanding commitments at the end of the current financing period could be even higher than in the previous onehile acknowledging that implementation of the ESI Funds programmes was expedited in 2017 and anticipating that this trend will continue; calls for provision to be made for adequate payment appropriations to ensure proper implementation;
Amendment 20 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to speed up the delivery of cohesion policy programmes and related payments with a view to reducing the length of the implementation period, initially, to year n+2;
Amendment 104 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) The beneficiaries listed in Annex I need to be better prepared to address global challenges, such as sustainable development and climate change, and align with the Union's efforts to address those issues. Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union's commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this Programme should contribute to mainstream climate action in the Union's policies and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 % of the EU budget expenditures supporting climate objectives. Actions under this Programme are expectedshould aim to contribute 16 % of the overall financial envelope of the Programme to climate objectives, striving to achieve the goal that climate-related spending reaches 30 % of MFF expenditure by 2027. Relevant actions will be identified during the Programme's preparation and implementaexecution, and the overall contribution from this Programme should be part of relevant evaluations and review processes.
Amendment 112 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The Commission and the Member States should ensure compliance, coherence, consistency and complementarity of their assistance, in particular through regular consultations and frequent exchanges of information during the different phases of the assistance cycle. The necessary steps should also be taken to ensure better coordination and complementarity, including through regular consultations, with other donors. The role of civil society should bediverse independent civil society organisations and different types and levels of local authorities should be adequately enhanced both in programmes implemenexecuted through government bodies and as a direct beneficiary of Union assistance.
Amendment 125 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) The types of financing and the methods of implementaexecution under this Regulation should be chosen on the basis of their ability to achieve the specific objectives of the actions and to deliver results, taking into account, in particular, the costs of controls, the administrative burden, and the expected risk of non- compliance. This should include consideration of the use of lump sums, flat rates and unit costs, as well as financing not linked to costs as referred to in Article 125(1) of the Financial Regulation.
Amendment 126 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) The Union should continue to apply common rules for the implementation of the external actions. Rules and procedures for the implementapplication of the Union's instruments for financing external action are laid down in Regulation (EU) No [NDICI] of the European Parliament and of the Council. Additional detailed provisions should be laid down for addressing the specific situations in particular for cross- border cooperation, agriculture and rural development policy area.
Amendment 129 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) External actions are often implemented in a highly volatile environment requiring a continuous and rapid adaptation to the evolving needs of Union partners and to global challenges such as human rights, democracy and good governance, security and stability, climate change and environment and irregular migration and its root causes. Reconciling the principle of predictability with the need to react rapidly to new needs consequently means adapting the financial implementaexecution of the programmes. To increase the ability of the Union to respond to unforeseen needs, while respecting the principle that the Union budget is set annually, this Regulation should preserve the possibility to apply the flexibilities already allowed by the Financial Regulation for other policies, namely carry-overs and re-commitments of committed funds, to ensure an efficient use of the EU funds both for the EU citizens and the beneficiaries listed in Annex I, thus maximising the EU funds available for the EU external action interventions.
Amendment 132 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
Recital 33
Amendment 133 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
Recital 34
Amendment 134 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34 a (new)
Recital 34 a (new)
(34 a) The European Parliament should be fully involved in the design, programming, monitoring and evaluation phases of the instruments in order to guarantee political control and democratic scrutiny and accountability of Union funding in the field of external action. An enhanced dialogue between the institutions should be established in order to ensure that the European Parliament is in a position to exercise political control during the application of this Regulation in a systematic and smooth manner there by enhancing both efficiency and legitimacy.
Amendment 182 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. The financial envelope for the implementapplication of IPA III regulation for the period 2021-2027 shall be EUR 14 500 000663 000 in current prices.
Amendment 186 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. The amount referred to in paragraph 1 may be used for technical and administrative assistance for the implementaexecution of the Programme, such as preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities including corporate information technology systems and any activities related to the preparation of the successor programme for pre-accession assistance, in accordance with Article 20 of [NDICI Regulation].
Amendment 188 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. In implementapplying this Regulation, consistency, synergies and complementarities with other areas of Union external action, with other relevant Union policies and programmes, as well as policy coherence for development shall be ensured.
Amendment 190 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. The [NDICI Regulation] shall apply to activities implemenexecuted under this Regulation where referred to in this Regulation.
Amendment 199 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 8
Article 5 – paragraph 8
8. In duly justified circumstances and in order to ensure the coherence and effectiveness of Union financing or to foster regional cooperation, the Commission may decide to extend the eligibility of action programmes and measures referred to in Article 8(1) to countries, territories and regions other than those referred in Annex I, where the programme or measure to be implementapplied is of a global, regional or cross-border nature.
Amendment 202 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. The enlargement policy framework defined by the European Council and the Council, the agreements that establish a legally binding relationship with the beneficiaries listed in Annex I, as well as relevant resolutions of the European Parliament, communications of the Commission or joint Communications of the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, shall constitute the overallcomprehensive policy framework for the implementapplication of this regulation. The Commission shall ensure coherence between the assistance and the overall enlargement policy framework. The HR/VP shall ensure political coordination of the Union’s external action within the framework of the policy objectives set out in Article 3.
Amendment 208 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. Programmes and actions under this Regulation shall mainstream climate change, environmental protection, conflict prevention, migration, security, social and regional cohesion and gender equality and shall, where applicable, address interlinkages between Sustainable Development Goals34 , to promote integrated actions that can create co- benefits and meet multiple objectives in a coherent way. They shall aim to contribute 16 % of the overall financial envelope to climate objectives. _________________ 34 https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/policies/sust ainable-development-goals_en
Amendment 225 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter 3 – title
Chapter 3 – title
Amendment 239 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 5
Article 7 – paragraph 5
5. The IPA programming framework shall include indicators for assessing progress with regard to attainment of the targets set thereintake into account clear and verifiable performance indicators set out in Annex IV to this Regulation for assessing progress with regard to attainment of the targets set therein, inter alia progress and results in the areas of: a. democracy, the rule of law and an independent and efficient justice system; b. human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities and vulnerable groups; c. gender equality and women's rights; d. the fight against corruption and organised crime; e. reconciliation, peace-building, good neighbourly relations; f. media freedom The performance-based approach under this Regulation shall be subject to a regular exchange of views in the European Parliament and in the Council.
Amendment 245 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. In order to enhance the dialogue between the institutions of the Union, in particular the European Parliament and the Commission, and to ensure greater transparency and accountability, as well as the expediency in the adoption of acts and measures by the Commission, the European Parliament may invite the Commission and the EEAS to appear before it to discuss the strategic orientations and guidelines for the programming under this Regulation. This dialogue may take place prior to the adoption of delegated acts and of the draft annual budget by the Commission. That dialogue may also take place on an ad hoc basis in view of major political developments, at the request of the European Parliament or the European Commission. The Commission shall present to the European Parliament all relevant documents in that regard at least one month prior to the dialogue, or, in duly justified cases, later, as soon as these become available.
Amendment 252 #
Amendment 255 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. Assistance under IPA III shall be implemenexecuted in direct management or in indirect management in accordance with the Financial Regulation through annual or multi-annual action plans and measures as referred to in Chapter III of Title II of [NDICI Regulation]. Chapter III of Title II of [NDICI Regulation] shall apply to this Regulation with the exception of paragraph 1 of Article 24 [eligible persons and entities].
Amendment 256 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. European Parliament´s Assistance Programmes The Commission shall hold a dialogue with the European Parliament, and take into account the European Parliament’s views on areas in which the latter is running its own assistance programmes, such as capacity-building and election observation.
Amendment 278 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2
Article 12 – paragraph 2
2. Indicators to monitor implementaexecution and progress of the IPA III towards the achievement of the specific objectives set out in Article 3 are set in Annex IV to this Regulation.
Amendment 292 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 a (new)
Article 14 a (new)
Article 14 a Democratic Accountability 1. In order to enhance dialogue between the institutions of the Union, in particular the European Parliament and the Commission, and to ensure greater transparency and accountability, as well as the expediency in the adoption of acts and measures by the Commission, the European Parliament may invite the Commission and the EEAS to appear before it to discuss the strategic orientations and guidelines for the programming under this Regulation. That dialogue shall also foster the overall coherence of all External Financing Instruments. That dialogue may take place prior to the adoption of delegated acts and of the draft annual budget by the Commission. That dialogue may also take place on an ad hoc basis in view of major political developments, at the request of the European Parliament or the Commission. 2. The Commission shall present to the European Parliament all relevant documents in that regard at least one month prior to the dialogue, or, in duly justified cases, later, as soon as these become available. For the dialogue related to the annual budget, consolidated information on all action plans and measures adopted or planned inline with Article 21, information on cooperation for each country, region and thematic area, and the use of rapid response actions, the emerging challenges and priorities cushion, and the External Action Guarantee. 3. The Commission and the EEAS shall take utmost account of the position expressed by the European Parliament. In the event that the Commission does not take European Parliament's positions into account, it shall provide due justification.
Amendment 293 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – title
Article 15 – title
15 Adoption of further implementing rules
Amendment 296 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2
2. WThere reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No. 182/2011 shall apply Commission shall adopt action plans and measures by decision in accordance with the Financial Regulation.
Amendment 297 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16
Article 16
Amendment 345 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point g
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) Strengthening access to and quality of education, training and lifelong learning at all levels, and offering support to cultural and creative sectors, youth and sport. Interventions in this area shall aim at: promoting equal access to quality early- childhood education and care, primary and secondary education, improving the provision of basic skills; increasing educational attainment levels, reducing early school-leaving and reinforcing teachers’ training. Developing vocational education and training (VET) systems and promoting work-based learning systems to facilitate the transition to the labour market; improving the quality and relevance of higher education; encouraging alumni related activities; enhancing access to lifelong learning and sport activities and supporting investment in education and training and sport infrastructure particularly with a view to reducing territorial disparities and fostering non-segregated education and including through the use of digital technologies.
Amendment 350 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point i
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) Promoting social protection and inclusion and combating poverty. Interventions in this area shall aim at modernising social protection systems to provide effective, efficient, and adequate protection throughout all stages of a person’s life, fostering social inclusion, promoting equal opportunities and addressing inequalities and poverty, and promoting the transition from institutional to family and community based care. Interventions in this area shall also focus on: integrating marginalised communities such as the Roma; combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation; enhancing access to affordable, sustainable and high quality services, such asfamily and community based services, such as inclusive and non-segregated early childhood education and care, housing, healthcare and essential social services and long term care, including through the modernisation of social protection systems. Actions that contribute to any form of segregation or social exclusion should not be supported.
Amendment 371 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – paragraph 1 – point e
Annex III – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) encouraging tourism, sport, and cultural and natural heritage;
Amendment 372 #
2018/0247(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – paragraph 1 – point f
Annex III – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) investing in youth, sport, education and skills through, inter alia, developing and implementing joint education, vocational training, training schemes and infrastructure supporting joint youth activities;
Amendment 17 #
2018/0224(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The Programme should maintain a balanced and clear approach between bottom-up (investigator or innovator driven) and top- down (determined by strategically defined priorities) funding, according to the nature of the research and innovation communities that are engaged, the types and purpose of the activities carried out and the impacts that are sought. The mix of these factors should determine the choice of approach for the respective parts of the Programme, all of which contribute to all of the Programme’s general and specific objectives.
Amendment 19 #
2018/0224(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The Commission’s Communication on the interim evaluation of Horizon 2020 (COM(2018) 2 final) has provided a set of recommendations for this Programme, including its Rules for participation and dissemination, building on the lessons learnt from the previous Programme as well as input from EU institutions and stakeholders. It is stated in the evaluation that the programme is clearly underfunded given the number of proposals put forward that were deemed to have exceeded the stringent quality threshold, and it is estimated that applicants spent EUR 643 million preparing the proposals. Those recommendations put forward include to: invest more ambitiously in order to reach critical mass and maximise impact; to support breakthrough innovation; to prioritise Union research and innovation (R&I) investments in areas of high added value, notably through mission- orientation, citizen involvement and wide communication; to rationalise the Union funding landscape, including by streamlining the range of partnership initiatives and co-funding schemes; the development of more and concrete synergies between different Union funding instruments, notably with the aim of helping to mobilise under-exploited R&I potential across the Union; to strengthen international cooperation and reinforce openness to participation by third countries’ participation; and to continue simplification based on implementation experiences from Horizon 2020.
Amendment 20 #
2018/0224(COD)
(15) The Programme should seek synergies with other Union programmes, from their design, simplification and strategic planning, to project selection, management, communication, dissemination and exploitation of results, to monitoring, auditing and governance. With a view to avoiding overlaps and duplication and increasing the leverage of Union funding, transfers from other Union programmes to Horizon Europe activities can take place. In such cases they will follow Horizon Europe rules.
Amendment 36 #
2018/0224(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 44 – paragraph 1
Article 44 – paragraph 1
1. By derogation from Article 237(3) of the Financial Regulation, external experts of proven independence may be selected without a call for expressions of interest, if justified and the selection is carried out in a transparent manner.
Amendment 43 #
2018/0211(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15 a) In particular, the participation of entities established in countries which have an association agreement in force with the Union should be encouraged, with a view to strengthening the protection of the Union’s financial interests through cooperation on the customs;
Amendment 56 #
2018/0211(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 6 a (new)
Annex II – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 6 a (new)
Number and type of mutual assistance- related activities;
Amendment 18 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls that the funding for policies and projects should be in line with climate and energy objectives and the commitments made under the Paris Agreement; recalls, therefore, that at least 30 notes that the Commission proposes that a 25% of the EU’s expenditure should contribute to the climate objectives and agrees that this is best done by mainstreaming climate spending across all EU programmes; recalls the position of the Parliament that, following the Paris Agreement, climate- related spending should reach a 30% as soon as possible and at the latest by 2027;
Amendment 26 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Recalls that, in order to allow Parliament to draw up the political framework for each of the following five years, the budget cycle should be reduced from seven to five yearprogramming should be aligned to the legislative cycles; considers the MFF 2021-2017 to be a transitional period from a seven- to a new formula that both aligns to the five- year budgets legislative periods and does not jeopardize those policies where long term programming is needed;
Amendment 28 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Regrets that the published Spending Review provides neither a systematic assessment of programmes based on the criteria that the Commission defined for EU value added, nor clear overall conclusions on each programme’s EU value added; asks the Commission to develop and apply a robust and clarifying concept of EU value added on the basis of the seven criteria set out in the reflection paper;
Amendment 40 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Asks, once again, for the Commission and the Member States to rectify this anomaly, and stresses that the CAP financing schemes should focus more on farmers operating under special constraints, more specificallysuch as: small farms, ecologically and geographically challenging areas and sparsely populated regions;
Amendment 20 #
2017/2190(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the EIB to take into account, in the case of large-scale infrastructure projects, all risks likely to have an impact on the environment and to finance onlas a priority those which have demonstrated real added value for the environment, the economy andor the local population; stresses the importance of strict monitoring of possible risks of corruption and fraud and asks the EIB to freeze any loans to projects where an official investigation is underway;
Amendment 24 #
2017/2190(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses the need to optimise the use of EU funds and grants, in addition to the EIB’s approach to delivering technical assistance and financial advice to Member States in an easily accessible manner, based on a combination of lending (project loans, intermediated loans, microfinance, venture capital, equity and fund investment), blending (direct financing supported by additional sources of investment, e.g. guarantees, project bonds) and advice (financial and technical expertise); calls on the EIB therefore, in cooperation with the Commission, to provide more technical assistance in the fields of advisory and analytical services, project management and capacity-building to those Member States which receive a low share of EIB financing; recalls that financial instruments, such as project bonds, should be seriously assessed with regard to their financial, social and environmental impact, in order to prevent the entire burden of risk being shifted to the public; in this context, recalls with regret the role played by the EIB and the Commission in the Castor project, involving a risk assessment which did not take account of the risk of increased seismic activity associated with the injection of gas, despite the existence of studies clearly warning of the potential danger, as has occurred in some instances;
Amendment 54 #
2017/2190(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
Paragraph 53
53. Stresses the importance of the goals set by COP 21 with regard to transport in combating climate change; expresses its concern that transport represents almost a quarter of Europe’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and is the main cause of air pollution in cities, while emissions in this sector remain higher than in 1990; notes with concern that in the period 2014-2016 the EIB funded fossil energy projects in Member States amounting to a total of EUR 5.3 billion, namely two petroleum projects, one carbon project and 27 gas- related projects, in addition to EUR 976 million through the external guarantee to fund six non-EU projects, one of which concerned carbon and five fossil gas projects; underlines that financing should favour a shift from road transport to more sustainable forms of transport;
Amendment 1 #
2017/2144(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the European Data Protection Supervisor discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2016; / Postpones its decision on granting the European Data Protection Supervisor discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2016;
Amendment 5 #
2017/2144(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that in 2016, the Supervisor had a total allocated budget of EUR 9 288 043 (EUR 8 760 417 in 2015) and that the implementation rate was 91,93% (94,66% in 2015); notes the decrease of the implementation rate and the Supervisor’s forecast for maintaining this trend in the upcoming years; encouragescalls on the Supervisor to define its budget estimations prudently, taking into account the foreseeable increase of activity for the coming years;
Amendment 11 #
2017/2144(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Notes that the Supervisor has published in its annual activity report a chapter about inter-institutional cooperation with other institutions as it was requested in the 2015 discharge; notes that in 2016 the Supervisor signed two new Single Cooperation Agreements; calls to the Supervisor to continue strengthening the inter-institutional cooperation and update the achievements in the next annual activity report;
Amendment 14 #
2017/2144(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Notes that the Supervisor has published in its annual activity report the progress made in its Strategy 2015-2016; notes that in March 2015 the Supervisor re-evaluated their key performance indicators so as to monitor and adjust the impact of their work and use of resources; observes that the 2016 results show that the implementation of the Strategy is on track and encourages the Supervisor to keep on working in this matter;
Amendment 1 #
2017/2143(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the European Ombudsman discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2016; / Postpones its decision on granting the European Ombudsman discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2016;
Amendment 14 #
2017/2143(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the fact that the rate of satisfactory follow-up to the critical remarks the Ombudsman addressed to the different institutions in 2015 had a quite low rate of satisfactory follow-up (41%); recommends that, after identifying the reasons for that low rate, the Ombudsm6 was 63 % and ,therefore, higher than in 2015 (41%); recommends that the Ombudsman keep on working and analyseing possible solutions to overcome the institutions’ resistance to acting on those remarksreach at least the 88 % that was achieved in 2014;
Amendment 25 #
2017/2143(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Notes the Ombudsman’s commitment on improving transparency in Union decision-making; notes that in 2016 transparency-related inquiries again accounted for the greatest proportion of cases;
Amendment 30 #
2017/2143(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. NoteRegrets the lack of data from 2016 in different sections of the Ombudsman’s annual activity report for 2016; urges the Ombudsman to provide the follow up to the 2015 discharge, in compliance with Article 166 of the Financial Regulation.
Amendment 1 #
2017/2142(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Secretary-General of the Committee of the Regions discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Committee of the Regions for the financial year 2016; / Postpones its decision on granting the Secretary- General of the Committee of the Regions discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Committee of the Regions for the financial year 2016;
Amendment 14 #
2017/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines the importance of a positive assessment of the cooperation agreement between the Committee and the European Parliament; asks that the Committee’s strategy strengthen connections first of all with Parliament, but also with other Union institutions in order to increase the involvement of the regions in the EU legislative process;
Amendment 19 #
2017/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. AsksCalls on the Committee to ensure an overall execution rate for payments of around 90% at minimum;
Amendment 23 #
2017/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Notes that in the Annual Activity Report for 2016, the Committee had as target 15 file notes and studies and the result was 12; encourages the Committee to keep on working in order to fulfil the targets and invites the Committee to communicate detailed results in this regard in its annual activity report for 2017;
Amendment 32 #
2017/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Notes in this regard that the objective of getting a 10 % more subscribers to the Committee’s eNewsletter has not been achieved, nor the objective of getting a 5 % more enrolments to the Committee’s online course for regional and local authorities (MOOC), with a loss of 49 % compared to 2015; notes with concern the 30 % loss of visitors groups probably influenced by the terrorist attacks of 2016;
Amendment 36 #
2017/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Notes that one whistleblowing file was opened in 2016 and has been forwarded to OLAF; asks the Committee to keep Parliament informed of the progress of the casthe discharge authority informed of the outcome and possible legal proceedings of this specific case and any other that may come;
Amendment 43 #
2017/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Notes that the average time for payment to the Committee’s creditors has increased from 20 days in 2015 to 26 days in 2016; calls on the Committee, to improve the average payment time to its creditors as a matter of urgency, while taking into account that payments need to be made within 30 days.; calls on the Committee to report to the discharge authority on the actions made in order to turn this negative trend, and the results achieved respectively;
Amendment 1 #
2017/2141(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Secretary-General of the European Economic and Social Committee discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Economic and Social Committee for the financial year 2016 / Postpones its decision on granting the Secretary-General of the European Economic and Social Committee discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Economic and Social Committee for the financial year 2016;
Amendment 14 #
2017/2141(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is concerned with the high amount of expenditure related to travel expenses and allowances of the Committee members; nNotes that the final appropriations for travel and subsistence allowances for members were EUR 19 561 194; calls on the Committee to provide a detailed breakdown of members’ expenditure, particularly those concerning item 1004, in its next annual activity report or the report on budgetary and financial management, and asks for the adoption of appropriate measures in order to make savings and reduce environmental pollution; urgecalls the Committee members to increase the use of videoconference and telepresence facilitieassess the potential of other instruments, which may contribute to economic savings, such as on travel expenses;
Amendment 18 #
2017/2141(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Is of the opinion that a joint assessment of the budgetary savings resulting from the cooperation between the Committee and Parliament is of interest to both institutions and to the Union citizens; suggests that the Committee propose that exercise toproposes that this exercise be conducted jointly with the European Parliament as part of the strategy to strengthen contacts between the two institutions; is aware that the Committee is building up a capacity in terms of policy assessment for accompanying its role in the legislative process as a consultative body; asks the Committee to submit to the discharge authority a detailed analysis of the functioning of those activities in its next annual activity report;
Amendment 23 #
2017/2141(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that the agreement to transfer some Committee posts to the EPRS service in the Parliament has been concluded and that the established staff plan is complying with the interinstitutional agreement to reduce staff by 5 % over the period of five years with a considerable decrease of 43 posts;
Amendment 26 #
2017/2141(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes a general increase of the absence rate due to sickness in the Committee; stresses the importance to put in place measures for improving wellbeing at work and asks for a closer monitoring of absences; welcomes the initiatives taken by the Committee like the creation of the figure of “confidential counsellor” to fight against harassment and to foster respect for human dignity in the work place;
Amendment 28 #
2017/2141(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes with interestsatisfaction that the proportion of women holding middle management position in the Committee is above 40%; encourages the Committee to make additional efforts in order to achieve the same results insofar as senior management positions are concerned and to do the necessary to improve the still considerable geographic imbalance;
Amendment 33 #
2017/2141(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Notes the continued increase of the outsourcing rate of translation (from 9,74 % in 2015 to 16,61 % in 2016) provided for in the cooperation agreement between the Committee and the Committee of the Regions, due to the higher translation output and to the reduction of staffing levels in the directorate (more than 9 % compared to 2015); takes note of the 2016 internal audit on translation outsourcing and of its practical implementation and restrictions, and looks forward to being informed of the internal auditor’s recommendations in the next Committee annual activity report;
Amendment 1 #
2017/2140(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Secretary-General of the Court of Auditors discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2016 / Postpones its decision on granting the Secretary-General of the Court of Auditors discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2016;
Amendment 5 #
2017/2140(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
Amendment 16 #
2017/2140(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Takes note of the creation of a post- graduation university diploma in “Audit of public organisations and policies” and a master’s degree programme on “Management of public organisations” in cooperation with the University of Lorraine; asks the Court to provide the discharge authority with further information about the agreements related to the creation of these programmes and the results aimed for, and to clarify whether the course laureates are being oriented towards a career in Union institutions and bodies;
Amendment 2 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Registrar of the Court of Justice of the European Union discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Court of Justice of the European Union for the financial year 2016 / Postpones its decision on granting the Registrar of the Court of Justice of the European Union discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Court of Justice of the European Union for the financial year 2016;
Amendment 6 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that in 2016, the CJEU had appropriations amounting to EUR 380 002 000 (compared to EUR 357 062 000 in 2015) and that the implementation rate was 98,2%; notes the decreasacknowledges the high rate of the utilisation rate when; notes, however, a slight decrease compared to previous years;
Amendment 10 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Notes that the commitments for missions in 2016 were EUR 342 000 whereas payments were only EUR 157 974; calls on the CJEU to put more effort into better financial planning in order to avoid a similar discrepancy in the future;
Amendment 14 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the CJEU's budget is mostly administrative, with around 75% being used on expenditure concerning persons working within the institution and the remaining on buildings, furniture, equipment and special functions carried out by the institution; notes that, following the Parliament’s request, the CJEU has asked its administrative services to introduce the results-based budgeting principle in their field of activity; asks the CJEU to continue applying that principle in its daily administrative operations, and to report back to the discharge authority on its experiences, and the results achieved;
Amendment 19 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes the entry into force of the Code of Conduct for Members and former Members of the Court of Justice of the European Union which sets rules reflecting several of the Parliament’s concerns regarding declarations of interest and external activities; supports the CJEU’ in implementing its decision to set up rules on ‘revolving doors’ in 2018;
Amendment 23 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes with regret that in some cases in 2016, the General Court exceeded the reasonable period of time within which a litigant is entitled to expect judgement to be delivered compared to the previous year; calls on the CourtJEU to include in its annual activity report the number of cases where it exceeded the reasonable period of time, whether the litigant asked for an indemnity and the amount of any corresponding payment, complying with data protection rules;
Amendment 25 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Maintains that information on the external activities of each judge should be made accessible to the general public and therefore publishedReiterates its call for a greater level of transparency on the external activities of each judge; calls on the CJEU to provide information regarding other posts and paid external activities of the judges on theits website of the CJEUand includeand in its annual activity reports in order to enhance transparency;
Amendment 27 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Is of the opinion that the CJEU should consider produceing minutes of meetings held with lobbyists, professional associations and civil society actors, when this does not undermine the confidentiality of ongoing cases;
Amendment 31 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. CriticisesNotes with concern that the Court for refusinged the access for the Court of Auditors to all the documents relevant in audit of the performance review of the CJEU and for only allowing the auditors to consult publicly available documents; reminds the CJEU that the Court of Auditors’ Members and its auditors are bound by confidentiality and professional secrecy in the performance of their duties6 ; calls to the CJEU to keep on working with the Court of Auditors and keep on improving its cooperation with the auditors providing all the necessary documents when they do not compromise the duties of the CJEU or the data protection rules; regrets that référendaires could not be interviewed despite their crucial role in the CJEU’s work; _________________ 6 Please see the Code of Conduct for Members of the European Court of Auditors in article 6 and the Ethical guidelines for the European Court of Auditors applying to the staff in paragraph 4 concerning professional secrecy.
Amendment 34 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. NotUnderlines that the role of the référendaires are very influential within the CJEU but that their role and the rules governing their conduct remain unknown to the outside worldis to assist the Members of the Court in examining cases and in drafting under their supervision legal documents, such as judgments, orders, opinions or memoranda; underlines that the decision from 2009 related to the rules of conduct of these agents is still in force;
Amendment 48 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. EncouraAcknowledges the CJEU’s actions taken in 2016 to improve gender balance in senior and middle-management posts; notes with concern the geographic imbalance at middle and senior management level and calls on the CJEU to workaim towards improvements in this regard;
Amendment 51 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Notes the CJEU’s investment in IT tools to improve case management; asks the CJEU to provide detailedquantitative and qualitative financial information on IT projects within the CJEU since 2014;
Amendment 52 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Notes that the CJEU has increased its communication activities in order to make itself more accessible to citizens; welcomes the fact that the CJEU has taken the decision to update its website in order to be more user friendly and asks the CJEU to make efforts to improve its database by making it more focused on users; congratulates the CJEU on its efforts with regard to online communication channels and encourages it to keep up the good work;
Amendment 56 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Welcomes the CJEU’s adoption of guidelines on information for and protection of whistleblowers in the beginning of 2016 and recalls that the protection of whistleblowers is one of the main issues in public administration. an issue taken seriously within the public administration of the Union and shall always be considered carefully;
Amendment 3 #
2017/2138(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Secretary-General of the Council discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Council and of the Council for the financial year 2016 / Postpones its decision on granting the Secretary-General of the Council discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Council and of the Council for the financial year 2016;
Amendment 4 #
2017/2138(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants/Refuses to grant the Secretary- General of the Council discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Council and of the Council for the financial year 2016;
Amendment 9 #
2017/2138(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates its call for progress reports on building projects and a detailed breakdown of the costs incurred to date; insists on being informed of the costs related to the delayed completiontakes note of the publication of the Council Financial Activities report 2017, which puts the cost of the Europa building at EUR 312 143 710.53;
Amendment 10 #
2017/2138(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that in 2016 the Secretary- General of the Council published his Decision 3/2016 adopting internal rules for reporting serious irregularities - Procedures for the implementation of Articles 22a, 22b and 22c of the Staff Regulations (‘Whistleblowing’); recalls that the protection of whistleblowers is one of the main issuesan issue taken seriously within the public administration of the Union and shall always be considered carefully;
Amendment 13 #
2017/2138(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes with concern that the late delivery of the Europa building had a significant impact on the 2016 budget of the European Council and of the Council; asks to be informed of the overall financial impact of the delay; asks for full public access to theregrets that there is still a lack of information on buildings policy and related expenditures, which should be public as a sign of transparency for the European citizens;
Amendment 14 #
2017/2138(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Regrets that the Council has still not joined the EU transparency register despite being one of the most important institutions involved in the EU’s decision- making process; therefore calls for a successful outcome on the interinstitutional negotiations between the Council presidency and representatives of the Parliament and the Commission, leading the Council to finally join the transparency register;
Amendment 16 #
2017/2138(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Notes that in the meantime the Secretary-General of the Council was invited by CONT to attend the exchange of views with the secretaries-general of the other institutions, which took place on 4 December 2017, and that a written questionnaire was sent to the Secretary- General of the Council on 26 November 2017; observedeeply regrets that the Council reiterates its position of non-attendance to the exchange of views and that the questionnaire sent to the Council services with questions from the Members remainings unanswered;
Amendment 191 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 116
Paragraph 116
116. Remains convinced that better and more numerous links are needed between economic governance mechanisms and cohesion policy; positive incentives could be foreseen for that purpose;
Amendment 219 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 144
Paragraph 144
144. Attaches great importance to the ex-ante conditionalities, which set out sector-specific and horizontal conditions to ensure effective spending; believes that once the ex-ante conditionalities are fulfilled, together with the 10% retention from payments foreseen by the revised regulation, implementation of projects will be easier and less error-prone, although stresses that they have been a source of complexity and the cause of delays in the implementation of certain programmes, calls on the Commission to continue with its simplification trend also in this regard;
Amendment 309 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 187 – point b
Paragraph 187 – point b
(b) building a stronger link, between cohesion, economic governance and the European semester considering, among others, positive incentives;
Amendment 331 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 201
Paragraph 201
201. Is of the opinion that some of the larger farm incomes do not necessarily need the same degree of support for stabilising farm incomes as smaller farms in times of income volatility since they may benefit from economies of scale which are likely to make them more resilient;
Amendment 349 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 222
Paragraph 222
222. RegretNotes that the greening schemes are more an instrument for enhan cinstrument for supporting farmers’ income than to enhance CAP’s environmental and climate performance; g CAP’s environmental and climate performance rather than supporting farmers’ income; agricultural programmes to address environmental and climate needs should include performance targets and funding which reflect the costs incurred and the income lost as a result of activities going beyond the environmental baseline;
Amendment 350 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 223
Paragraph 223
223. Deplores the fact that, as they are part of area-based payments, the greening schemes willin the actual design of the program could increase the imbalances in the distribution of CAP support; calls in this direction to the Commission to consider follow the recommendations made by the Court in the Special Report n° 21/2017;
Amendment 353 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 226
Paragraph 226
226. DeploresTakes note the fact that greening adds significant complexity to the CAP due to overlaps with the CAP’s other environmental instruments (cross- compliance and the Pillar II environmental measures), which creates the risk ofin this regard takes note of the Court special report n°21/2017 on greening, where it states that “the Commission and Member States mitigate the related risk of deadweight and double funding”;
Amendment 366 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 233 – point a
Paragraph 233 – point a
(a) Farmers should only have access to CAP payments if they meet a single set of basic environmental norms including GAECs and greening requirements which are both meant to go beyond the requirements of environmental legislation;
Amendment 392 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 254
Paragraph 254
254. Calls on the Commission to consider putting an end to trust funds that are unable to attract a significant contribution from other donors and thus not capable to achieve the objectives for which they were established;
Amendment 4 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the seven-year duration of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is not synchronised with the five- year mandates of Parliament and the Commission, nor aligned with the Union’s 10-year strategic planning cycle and the Europe 2020 strategy; is of the opinion that this lack of synchronisation could undermine the image of the Union’s democratic legitimacy and of the efficiency of its political governance, given that situations may arise where Parliament and the Commission are bound by agreements on political objectives and finances made in the previous framework period; stresses that this could create an impression that the European elections are somewhat irrelevant in the context of long-term budgetary and strategy planning;
Amendment 8 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls Parliament’s view that the duration of the MFF should be reduced from seven to five years so that it is aligned with the political mandate periods of Parliament and the Commission1, without jeopardising the implementation or administration of on-going programmes; points out that in 2020 there will be an opportunity to bring the long-term strategy cycle in line with the budgetary cycle, and strongly recommends that this opportunity be taken; considers that the Commission should also examine the possibility of introducing a rolling programme in which each MFF, while having the same duration as now, would partially cover the previous one, on the premise that overlapping could help mitigate naturally existing peaks and troughs; __________________ 1 See paragraph 73 of its resolution of 6 July 2016 on the preparation of the post electoral revision of the MFF 2014-2020: Parliament’s input ahead of the Commission’s proposal (Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0309) and paragraph 5 of its resolution of 27 April 2017 with observations forming an integral part of the decisions on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2015, Section III – Commission and executive agencies (Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0309).
Amendment 16 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 – indent 1
Paragraph 4 – indent 1
- the allocation of resources in the EU budget reflects the EU’s strategic priorities and opportunities to add value, in particular in policies that have shown to drain a lot of resources while serving merely redistributive functions, such as the Cohesion Policy and the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), and in recent priority policy fields that have shown to have insufficient budget measures in times of variable circumstances, such as immigration policy and external action, and the extent to which
Amendment 44 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Encourages the Commission to examine the possibility of changing the structure of the EU expenditure in the Cohesion Policy since a majority of the original Union objectives can be considered achieved, and since more efficient results could be gained with emphasis on naturalIs of the opinion that the economic, social and territorial Cohesion Policies of the Union should still provide support for the less developed regions, and for better cross-border comopetiration on development and modernisation, instead of sustaining the current framework for, and practices of, mere redistributive financial support; is, however, of the opinion that the economic, social and territorial Cohesion Policies of the Union could still provide support for the less developed regions, and for better cross- border cooperation, but should focus even more on, and encourages the Commission to not only provide mere redistributive financial support but to focus even more on the development and modernisation of growth, innovation, mobility, climate change, energy and environmental transition, while applying the same criteria to the whole of the EU;
Amendment 50 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
Amendment 59 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Points out that a new balancon the basis of existing commitments there is a need to strike a balanced between, on the one hand, the CAP and Cohesion Policies, and, on the other hand, the other EU internal policies and a reinforced external capacity of the Union, including the elements of security and defence; encourages the Commission to emphasise cooperation in security and defence when preparing its proposal for MFF post-2020, and when reforming and implementing financial instruments of the EU such as the European Fund for Strategic Investments (ESIF); supports the idea of further European integration and concrete initiatives in the field of security and defence;
Amendment 63 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Recalls its remarks of the unsustainabl5 concerning the structure of CAP expenditure: 44.7 % of all Union farms had an annual income of less than EUR 4000, and on average 80 % of the beneficiaries of CAP direct support received around 20 % of the payments, which also highlights the need to take into account the differences in size across the Member States; points out that in times of volatility or crisis, larger farms do not necessarily need the same degree of support for stabilising farm incomes as smaller farms do, since they often benefit from potential economies of scale that are likely to make them more resilient; considers that in the CAP financing schemes could focus more onmore attention could be paid to farmers under special constraints: small farms, climatically and geographically challenging areas and sparsely populated regions; __________________ 5 See paragraph 207 of its resolution of 27 April 2017 with observations forming an integral part of the decisions on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2015, Section III – Commission and executive agencies (Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0309).
Amendment 64 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls upon the Commission, as it reflects on a simplified and modernised CAP, to assess whether a different policy design, or a different model of distribution of direct payments, could provide a better means of targeting public funds to agri- environment and climate action objectives; stresses, however,Stresses the need to provide financial compensation to cover the costs of maintaining high standards in food production, and the high production costs associated with the challenging climate condition in some geographical areas, as the farmers in Europe often struggle with global competition;
Amendment 68 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
Amendment 77 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Considers that if any possible new budgetary capacity is proposed specifically for Member States in the euro area, it should be developed within the Union framework and subject to proper democratic scrutiny and accountability through the existing institutions, and any financial assistance from this capacity should be made conditional oncompatible with the implementation of agreed structural reformrules and procedures;
Amendment 19 #
2017/2044(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Underlines that Parliament, as discharge authority, is called upon to express views on the political objectives and indicators presented by the Commission in the draft budget and that the Parliament should scrutinise the European added value of each budget lineit should check the cost/benefit, weighing up all the factors that influence the efficiency of projects;
Amendment 20 #
2017/2044(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that direct payments under the common agricultural policy (CAP) may not fully play their role as a safety net mechanism for stabilising farm income, particularly for smaller farms, given that the current distribution of payments leads to 20 % of all farms in the Union receiving 80 % of all direct payments, and that this also indicates the need to take account of differences in the size of farms, which varies between Member States;
Amendment 23 #
2017/2044(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Asks the Commission, in the context of CAP reform, to assess whether the CAP direct payment scheme is properly designed to stabilise farm income of all farms or whether a different model of distribution of direct payments could result in a better adjustment of public funds to that objective; notes that this assessment should have an impact on the budgetary proposals regarding the market measurchievement of the objectives;
Amendment 4 #
2017/2043(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Calls for maintaining the EU support to sports policy, the sports chapter of the Erasmus+ programme and the financing of Special Events, such as the Special Olympics in 2017;
Amendment 64 #
2017/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph b
Paragraph b
(b) to push for stronger multilateral commitments to find sustainable political solutions to current conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa, particularly in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya; to continue to support UN special envoys’ work, actions and initiatives aimed at solving these conflicts; to call for continued humanitarian, financial and political assistance from the international community in order to address the humanitarian situation and to work towards the immediate cessation of violence; to support efforts deployed by the UN to find a sustainable resolution to the conflict in Syria and Iraq, and to continue to back the EU’s role in the humanitarian field and the EU’s regional initiative; to support the UN peace plan initiative in Yemen and to tackle the ongoing humanitarian crisis as a matter of urgency; to call for stronger support for the UN-backed government in Libya;
Amendment 135 #
2017/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph o a (new)
Paragraph o a (new)
(oa) welcomes the adoption by the Security Council of Resolution 2307 and congratulates the government and people of Colombia on their quest for peace;
Amendment 207 #
2017/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph aa a (new)
Paragraph aa a (new)
(aaa) welcomes the multidimensional nature of the new Agenda 2030; points out that although the extreme poverty rate in low-income countries is very high, currently 70% of people living in extreme poverty are to be found in middle-income countries; emphasises that, above and beyond GDP, it is also necessary to focus on other indicators in order to assess the true situation in developing countries more precisely and take effective action to combat poverty and support sustainable development;
Amendment 224 #
2017/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph ab a (new)
Paragraph ab a (new)
(aba) stresses that sustainable management, infrastructure and access to a safe, reliable and affordable water supply and proper sanitation raise living standards, boost local economies and foster the creation of more decent forms of employment and greater social inclusion;
Amendment 1 #
2017/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
whereas the YEI is an initiative to support young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEETs), long- term unemployed youngsters and those not registered as job-seekers living in regions where youth unemployment was higher than 25% in 2012;
Amendment 2 #
2017/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2
Citation 2
whereas the YG and the YEI cover different actions, with the YG being intended to encourage structural reform in education while the YEI is a funding instrument and serve as a short-term measure to combat youth unemployment, while the YEI is a funding instrument; whereas the YG is financed through the European Social Fund (ESF), national budgets and the YEI, while the YEI can finance the direct provision of jobs, apprenticeships, traineeships or continued education for the YEI target group in the eligible regions; whereas while the YG applies to all 28 Member States, only 20 Member States are eligible for YEI support; whereas, finally, YEI intervention has no predefined duration, while the YG requires an offer to be made within four months; notes that it has not been possible, in any country, to guarantee that all young people not in employment, education or training have an opportunity to take up an offer within the four-month period, basically owing to budget shortages
Amendment 3 #
2017/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
whereas the Youth Guarantee has led to the implementation of structural reforms in the Member States, with a view to, notably, aligning their models of education and training with the labour market so as to achieve its objectives;
Amendment 4 #
2017/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 b (new)
Citation 2 b (new)
whereas in 2015, in order to speed up the mobilisation of YEI actions, a decision was taken to increase the resources made available to prefinance the initiative by EUR 1 billion, which represented a rise from the initial 1-1.5% to 30% for eligible Member States;
Amendment 5 #
2017/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 c (new)
Citation 2 c (new)
whereas external factors, such as the particular economic situation or the production model of each region, influence the achievement of the goals set in the Youth Guarantee;
Amendment 7 #
2017/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the fact that the YEI main objectives are to boost job creation for young people and to assist Member States into establishing proper systems for identifying young peoples’ needs and corresponding support; stresses, therefore, that the effectiveness of the YG and YEI should, in future, be assessed on the basis of progresachievements towards creating or improving Member States’ systems for supporting young people in the school-to- work transition; takes the view that, for the Youth Guarantee to function properly, local public employment services must also function effectively;
Amendment 9 #
2017/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Welcomes the fact that YEI measures have provided support to more than 1.4 million young people and led to Member States consolidating operations amounting to over EUR 4 billion;
Amendment 10 #
2017/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes the existence of delays in the implementation of the YEI caused by the late appointment of the relevant managing authoritiein the Member States, chiefly for procedural reasons; considers this a shortcoming of the YEI legal basis that should be overcome by the Member States through speedy implementation of frontloaded financing;
Amendment 12 #
2017/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. RegretNotes that mostit would be desirable for Member States that have not established a comprehensiveyet done so to establish a definition of a ‘quality offer’; urges the Member States and the Commission to use the existing networks to developwork on the development of commonly agreed criteria forharacteristics of this concept, taking into consideration the various existing sources and involving cooperation withe relevant stakeholders12; stresses that thisbased on characteristics such as an offer shouldthat matches participants’ qualification level, profile and labour market needs, provideoffering opportunities for work that enable them to earn a living income and, to enjoy social protections and to be offered prospects for development, leading to sustainable, well- matched integration into the labour market;
Amendment 13 #
2017/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls for specific expertise and administrative and all kinds of capacity to be developed in the Member States within public employment services (PES) in order to support people that cannot find a job within four months after becoming unemployed or leaving formal education;
Amendment 14 #
2017/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that a lack of information on the potential cost of implementing a scheme in a Member State can result in inadequate funding for implementing the scheme and achieving its objectives, therefore stresses the need to set up a system of indicators and measures to assess and monitor the effectiveness of both public employment schemes and the Youth Guarantee, since even though provision was made for such a system from the start, there are still many shortcomings; calls on the Member States to make an ex-ante analysis and to establish an overview of the cost of implementing the YG;
Amendment 16 #
2017/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Believes that, in order to assess the scheme's effectiveness, all aspects need to be evaluated, including the value for money of the scheme; takes note of previous estimates provided by the International Labour Organisation and Eurofound and asks the Commission to confirm or update these projections;
Amendment 2 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15
Citation 15
— having regard to its previous resolutions on Cuba, in particular the ones of 17 November 2004 on Cuba, of 2 February 2006 on the EU's policy towards the Cuban Government, of 21 June 2007 on Cuba and of 11 March 2010 on prisoners of conscience in Cuba,
Amendment 4 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
- having regards to the findings of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances on Cuba issued on 17 March 2017,
Amendment 6 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 b (new)
Citation 15 b (new)
- having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights treaties and instruments,
Amendment 11 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the historical, economic and cultural ties linkingexist between Europe and Cuba are characterised by their depth and strength;
Amendment 12 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas pursuant to Article 21 of the Treaty of the European Union, the external action of the Union should be guided by the principles of democracy, rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and the respect for the principles of the UN Charter and the international law;
Amendment 13 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the European Union maintain's relations with the Community of Latin America and the Caribbean and there is broad consensus among its 33 member states on the desirability of expanding relations between the European Union and Cubaoffer an opportunity to expand relations between the European Union and Cuba on the basis of democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights, fundamental freedoms and international law;
Amendment 17 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas Cuba was the only country in Latin America and the Caribbean with which the EU had not signed any type of agreement; whereas 20 of its Member States have signed various types of bilateral agreements;
Amendment 19 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas what is known as the ‘cCommon pPosition of the EU’, adopted in 1996, has been superseded by the bilateral agreements with Cuba that have been signed during this period by 20 EU Member States96/697/CFSP was replaced by Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/2233 of 6 December 2016;
Amendment 25 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas human rights feature in both the political dialogue and cooperation chapters; whereas in particular the protection of the universality and indivisibility of human rights, including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights is one of the main objectives of the European Union, both internally and in its relations with third countries; whereas in this sense the full compliance with human rights and the defence of democracy and the rule of law, must be an essential condition of the EU- Cuba Agreement;
Amendment 33 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas on three occasions the European Parliament have awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Cuban activists, Oswaldo Payá in 2002, the Ladies in White in 2005 and Guillermo Fariñas in 2010;
Amendment 37 #
2017/2036(INI)
K. whereas issues discussed at the second meeting of the human rights dialogue held in Cuba in June 2016 with the participation of line ministries and agencies included freedom of association and human rights issues in a multilateral context, such as the death penalty; whereas the next meeting of the human rights dialogue is due to be held in Brussels during the first half of 2017; whereas the political dialogue between the EU and the Cuban Government, must include the direct 'intensive dialogue with civil society and the peaceful opposition' without any restriction, and must follow the EU's criteria on democracy, universal human rights and fundamental freedoms' such as freedom of expression, assembly and political association, as well as its 'worldwide policy of support to human rights defenders';
Amendment 65 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital S
Recital S
S. whereas Cuba is a signatory to 11 of the 18 United Nations human rights conventions and has ratified eight of them; whereas Cuba has not ratified the International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
Amendment 72 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital V
Recital V
V. whereas the United Nations General Assembly has adopted 26 consecutive resolutions calling for the end of the United States embargo on Cuba, and the resolution was adopted unanimously for the first time in October 2016; whereas Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament decided to send a long -pending delegation to Cuba without any positive response from the Cuban authorities yet;
Amendment 81 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomNotes the signing in Brussels, on 12 December 2016, of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Cuba and states that it constitutes an instrument that will offer an appropriate new framework for relations, in keeping with the EU’s interests in its relationship with between the EU and Cuba;
Amendment 86 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Affirms the high strategymbolic value of the relationship between the EU and Cuba;
Amendment 89 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the structure, content and dynamic of the agreement match the principles and valuoutlines established by the EU institutions for its external relations;
Amendment 93 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. RecogniStresses the high level of commitment that the Republic of Cuba is undertaking with the European Union in a wide range of fields and through a sophisticated system of political dialogueresponsibility which Cuba is undertaking with the European Union to meet the commitments set out in the agreement;
Amendment 101 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Demands that the Cuban authorities permit members of the political opposition, human rights activists and all citizens to travel abroad and return freely to Cuba; calls for free and full access for the Cuban population to information in all forms;
Amendment 111 #
2017/2036(INI)
7. Recognises the efforNotes the statements made by Cuba ton incorporateing the United Nations fundamental principles on human and labour rights into its national legislation, and calls on Cuba to ratify the United Nations human rights conventions still pending, specifically the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;
Amendment 122 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. WelcomNotes the process of normalising relations that has been achieved between Cuba and the United States of America with the restoration of diplomatic ties in 2015;
Amendment 132 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the fact that the human rights dialogue between the EU and Cuba was launched before the conclusion of the PDCA negotiations; reiterates that the objectives of the European Union's policy towards Cuba has to continue to be the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, encouragement of a process of transition to a pluralist democracy and a lasting economic recovery aimed at improving the living standards of the Cuban population;
Amendment 135 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recognises that the PDCA can contribute to the reform, adjustment and modernisation processes already proposed in Cuba, in particular with regard to the diversification of Cuba’s international partners and the establishment of a general framework of political and economic development; urges the European institutions and the Member States to assist the economic and political transition in Cuba, encouraging the evolution towards a fully democratic regime that respects the basic rights of all its citizen; supports the use of the various EU's foreign policy instruments, and in particular the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) in order to reinforce EU's dialogue with Cuba's civil society and those who support a peaceful transition in Cuba;
Amendment 143 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recalls that the PDCA, as the first agreement between the EU and Cuba, will mark a turning point in bilateral relations between the two Parties; welcomes the fact that both Parties have agreed to develop this relationship in a structured manner, mutually subscribing to an agenda and binding obligations for both signatories;
Amendment 147 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Underlines the relevance of the inclusion of the political dialogue chapter and the establishment of an institutionalised EU-Cuba Human Rights dialogue; urges the EU to promote and provide guarantees for the work of the human rights defenders and the active participation of civil society actors in this process, including all peaceful dissidents;
Amendment 153 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls that the PDCA includes a provision for suspension of the agreement in case of violation of the provisions on human rights; calls to ensure the establishment of a transparent and binding road map which should be aimed at safeguarding and monitoring all human ,environmental and labour rights provisions mentioned in this resolution; in this sense calls on the EU to closely follow and report back to the European Parliament about the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba within the provision of suspension of the agreement;
Amendment 156 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Stresses that the PDCA should contribute to improving the living conditions and social rights of Cuban citizens, reaffirming the importance of working systematically in promoting the values of democracy and human rights, including freedom of expression, association and assembly;
Amendment 167 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls for Cuba to be included as an eligible country under the EIB’s external mandate provided it meets the requirements laid down by the EIB;
Amendment 170 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the PDCA’s explicit references to civil society as an actor of cooperation; voices its profound solidarity with the entire Cuban population and its support for needed progress towards democracy and respect and promotion of fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 172 #
2017/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Confirms its decision to send an official long- pending delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament to Cuba, and urges the Cuban authorities to allow the entry of such a delegation without any further delays in the view of the upcoming PDCA; calls on the Cuban authorities to ensure unimpeded access to all venues and meetings with the requested interlocutors;
Amendment 2 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12
Citation 12
– having regard to its resolutions on Venezuela, in particular the resolutions of 8 June 2016 and of 27 April 2017 on the situation in Venezuela2 , _________________ 2 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0269.
Amendment 16 #
2017/2027(INI)
A. whereas the Latin American and Caribbean region (LAC) constitutes a key partner for the EU when it comes to jointly facing current global challenges, such as universal respect of Human Rights, peace, security, corruption, impunity, fight against terrorism, narcotraffic, organized crime, the eradication of poverty, access to drinking water, peace and security, socioeconomic development, sustainability, the fight against climate change, the digital transformation and managing migration;
Amendment 21 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the EU – Latin American and Caribbean region (LAC) partnership is founded on close historical and cultural ties, extensive people to people exchanges, strong and growing trade and investment flows and shared values such as democracy, human rights and rule of law;
Amendment 23 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the 33 LAC countries have diverse political, economic and cultural realities that require different approaches within a coherent framework in the context of EU external actionrelationship with the 33 LAC countries forms part of a general framework of shared principles and values, but those countries have diverse political, economic and social realities;
Amendment 33 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the LAC region has undergone significant changes in the past decade, such as the elevation of a large part of the population to the middle class through economic reforms and social policies ands well as the overall consolidation of democracy, but also the end of the commodities super-cycle that made millions of people vulnerable to falling back into poverty;
Amendment 39 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the rule of law mirrored into stable legal frameworks with guarantee of legal certainty, is a crucial element to attract the investments needed to promote the economic recovery;
Amendment 42 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas the Association Agreements between the European Union and LAC countries help to improve the Political and Trade Dialogue and the investment climate turning to open the service sector and public procurement markets allowing the implementation of infrastructure projects;
Amendment 47 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the EU has also experienced important shifts in the plast years, namely the economic crisis, an increase in inequality, the challenges linked to Brexit, the refugee crisis, and the significant rise in citizen discontent with political institution and the refugee crisis;
Amendment 57 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the main geopolitical shifts currently in play in LAC countries, marked by the increasing presence, among others, of Asian states seeking economic partnership in the region, require that the EU stands up asreinforces its position of a truthful ally to its partners in the LAC region;
Amendment 60 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the EU is the main investor, one of the main trade partners and the main source of development assistance in the LAC region, and whereas European cooperation is strong as a result ofs reflected in the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) 2014 – 2020, and whereas common strong financial and triangular cooperation must be enhanced;
Amendment 65 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the Commission is drafting a new development agenda as part of the 2030 Agenda, and whereas the concept of sustainable development must be applied in and include all the countries in Latin America (including middle- income countries), and whereas that new approach must take account of other criteria in addition to per capita income;
Amendment 92 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Emphasises the important role played by the EU’s strategic partnerships with countries in the region such as Brazil and Mexico, and calls for Argentina to be granted the status it deserves as an outstanding player in the region, and as a member of Mercosur and the G20;
Amendment 97 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the importance of the EU-CELAC summits as an instrument of the strategic bi- regional partnership in a new framework for political dialogue, and calls on the EU and on CELAC to reinforce this partnership and political dialogue by working on clearly identified common interests in order to address jointly key global challenges in multilateral fora, such as the United Nations and the G- 20;
Amendment 102 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates its support tofor regional integration inside the LAC region, and stresses the need for greater coordination between the different regional integration schemes existing in the region, while respecting differences in the pace of integration; stresses the need to speed up negotiations in order to reach anfor the swift conclusion of a comprehensive, balanced and mutually beneficial EU- Mercosur agreement that could establish an economic area based on similar trade and investment rules for almost all LAC and EU countriesssociation agreement, as referred to in the European Council conclusions of 9 March 2017, so as to make it possible to complete the network of agreements in force between the EU and Latin America;
Amendment 106 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses out that political stability, economic rules and institutional strength guaranteeing respects of rule of law and transparency, are cornerstones of the environment attracting long term investments in line with legal certainty; reminds that such legal framework requires strong democratic institutions and responsible economic planning, as well as an effort to strengthen the political dialogue and economic partnerships with the region as with external partners; in this context recalls that the partnership with the European Union plays a central role;
Amendment 112 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that current global challenges, including Human Rights, peace, security, corruption, impunity, narcotraffic, the eradication of poverty, the digital transformation, mass migration, cybersecurity, organised crime and terrorism, climate change, geopolitical shifts, inequality within and across countries, and drug trafficking, offer new opportunities and cooperation channels for a strategic EU-LAC partnership in which abased on common vision is shared;
Amendment 118 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that the goal of eradicating poverty and reducing inequality must be addressed through economic reforms, increased work opportunities, social cohesion and inclusion, and highlights the necessity of widening the middle class and protecting it from the effects of economic cycles;
Amendment 125 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the need to integrate the LAC economies in global value chains, based on a circular economic model, and to recognise the importance of developing bilateral and multilateral commercial agreements as one of the most effective tools tackling common global challenges;
Amendment 137 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Reiterates that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable DSupports the Commission’s new development, along with the SDGs, should be the main tools of the EU-LAC cooperation, including all their dimensions of economic, social and sustainable development, not just poverty eradication; underlines the fact that the EU mustgenda as part of the 2030 Agenda, and maintains that the concept of sustainable development objectives must be applied in and include all the countinue to supply Official Development Assistance to LAC countries, ries in Latin America (including middle- income countries that no longer qualify for bilateral development cooperation under the differentiation principl), on the basis of a new approach which, in taking other criteria into account, goes beyond per capita income;
Amendment 146 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Urges the effective inclusion of women in all spheres of political, economic and social life, with a view to enhancing their political participation, strenuously combatting femicides, guaranteeing the physical and psychological security, and employment equality, of women, and ensuring their fundamental rights, including sexual and reproductive rights;
Amendment 166 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Highlights the advances in freedoms and social rights made in the last decade (although serious concerns remain in some countries), and the great efforts made to elaborate public policies to distribute wealth and economic growth equally; notes the necessity to guarantee the rights and safety of religiousall minorities, indigenous groups, the LGTBI community and populations in rural areas LAC region;
Amendment 180 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates that policies and practices on migration in the EU-LAC area must guarantee respect for human rights, with special attention given to women and minors, i.a. by re-evaluating the emphasis on the securitisavulnerable groups such as women and minors, while keeping in mind the challenges on the protection of borders and the non-criminalisation of migrants; calls for measures to facilitate and improve mobility between the regions, while ensuring the mutual consistency of labour rights and enhancing the coordination of social security systems;
Amendment 188 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Highlights the challenges both regions face in terms of security, which include terrorism and the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime, and encouragescalls for continued efforts to strengthen security cooperation through police and military coordination, and for Latin American countries to participate in EU crisis management and peacekeeping missions, as they are already doing in Colombia and Chile;
Amendment 213 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Highlights the importance of the opening of negotiations for the modernisation of the EU-Mexico Global Agreement, the progress made in the negotiations for the modernisation of the EU-Chile Association Agreement, and the speeding up of the EU-Mercosur negotiations, andand calls for that agreement to be concluded, and for the EU-Chile Association Agreement to be renewed, as soon as possible, preferably before the end of this year; calls foron the ratification ofMember State parliaments that have not yet done so to ratify the EU- Central America Association Agreement by all national parliaments of the EU Members States;
Amendment 225 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses the importance of the recent adhesion of Ecuador to the Multi- Party Agreement with Colombia and Peru, and invitesreminds that the doors are open for Bolivia to join as well, and welcomes the implementation of the Schengen short-stay visa waiver for Peru and Colombia, all of which contributes to enhancing the EU’'s economic and cultural ties with these countries;
Amendment 231 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Recognises the importance of the Ibero-American summits, under the leadership of the Ibero-American General Secretariat General (SEGIB), and itsthe added value it brings to the overall partnership between the two regions as a forum for dialogue, coordination and cooperation, in particular in the fields of youth, education and entrepreneurship, and highlights its efforts to strengthen South-South cooperation; in that regard, calls for the establishment of a cooperation mechanism – that could take the form of a memorandum of understanding or a framework cooperation agreement between the Commission and/or the EEAS and SEGIB – that is able to optimise the relationship and place it on a more structured, orderly and systematic footing between the two bodies;
Amendment 232 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Reiterates that the EuroLat Assembly is, as well as the Parliamentary Delegations, are a very successful and useful tool for the parliamentary dimension of the strategic partnership, and for the political dialogue between EU and LAC, including civil society, as well as an important vehicletool for transferring citizens’' demands to the EU- CELAC summits; stresses the importance of ensuring the visibility and diffusion of its discussions and conclusions, both via interaction with EU-CELAC summits and via national and regional institutional channels;
Amendment 241 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Reiterates its support to the peace process in Colombia and undertakes to support the Colombian Government in its implementation, ensuring; in this regard welcomes the involvement of the whole of Colombian society, notably victims and civil society organisations, and guaranteeing of the safety and protection of human rights activists and community leaders by the Government ; urges the EU and its Member States to uphold their political and financial support, including regulation IDC (Art 5, paragraph 2) and the EU Trust Fund for Colombia, and supports the role of VP/HR’'s Special Envoy for Colombia; express its wish that NLA will also commit to the ongoing peace process;
Amendment 245 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Expresses grave concern at the serious deterioration in the situation as regards democracy, human rights and the socio-economic situation in Venezuela, with a growing climate of political and social instability; calls on the Venezuelan Government to ensure the separation and independence of powers, and to fully restore the constitutional authority of the National Assembly; calls for consideration to be given to the possible freezing of assets, as well as to restricting access to EU territory for all those involved in serious violations of human rights in Venezuela;
Amendment 246 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Expresses its grave concern at the seriously deteriorating situation as regards democracy, human rights and the socio-economic situation in Venezuela, in a growing climate of political and social instability; calls on the Venezuelan Government to safeguard the separation and independence of powers, restore full constitutional authority to the National Assembly, ensure the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and to present as soon as possible an electoral calendar that will allow free and transparent electoral processes to take place;
Amendment 251 #
2017/2027(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. WelcomesTakes note of the signing on December 2016 of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Cuba; stresses the importance of speeding up its implementation, which can have a positive impact on the overall EU- CELAC partnership, and insists on the need for tangible results in the human rights dialoguesituation according with the EP resolutions;
Amendment 6 #
2017/0024(NLE)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) In the interests of a more transparent procedure, it would be desirable for the Commission to carry out a wide consultation with the full participation of interested parties, as well as drawing up the requisite report on the impact of the proposed measures.
Amendment 3 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission’s White Paper on the Future of Europe,
Amendment 5 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas youth unemployment has been and continues to be a serious problem in a number of Member States, with more than 4 million young people aged between 15 and 24 unemployed in the EU in 2016;
Amendment 7 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas a large number of active employment policies have been put in place to tackle high youth unemployment, with varying results;
Amendment 8 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas there is another group of young people, whose number and composition vary significantly between Member States, who are not engaged in any form of education or professional training and who doare not actively seekin work (NEETs), whose number and composition vary greatly between Member Statesand who can be classified in two categories: unemployed NEETs, who are available to start work and are actively seeking a job, and inactive NEETs, young people who are not studying, are not receiving training and are not proactively seeking employment;
Amendment 9 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas since the introduction of the European employment strategy in 1997, the Commission has supported a number of measures designed to improve young people’s employment and education prospects4, and, since the crisis, the EU's efforts have placinged particular emphasis on the Youth Guarantee (YG), which was established by the Council in April 2013, and the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), which was launched in late 2013; _________________ 4 Other measures include the ‘Youth on the Move’ initiative launched in September 2010, the ‘Youth Opportunities Initiative’ launched in December 2011 and the ‘Youth Action Teams’ launched in January 2012.
Amendment 11 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the YEI is an initiative to support young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEETs), long-term unemployed youngsters and those not registered as job-seekers living in regions where youth unemployment was higher than 25% in 2012;
Amendment 12 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas in 2015, in order to speed up the mobilisation of YEI actions, a decision was taken to increase the resources made available to prefinance the initiative by EUR 1 billion, which represented a rise from the initial 1-1.5% to 30% for eligible Member States;
Amendment 13 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the Youth Guarantee has led to the implementation of structural reforms in the Member States, with a view to, notably, aligning their models of education and training with the labour market so as to achieve its objectives;
Amendment 15 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)
Recital F b (new)
Fb. whereas external factors, such as the particular economic situation or the production model of each region, influence the achievement of the goals set in the Youth Guarantee;
Amendment 16 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F c (new)
Recital F c (new)
Fc. whereas the White Paper on the Future of Europe recognises that there is indeed 'a mismatch between expectations and the EU’s capacity to meet them';1 a _________________ 1aPage 12 of the Commission’s White Paper on the Future of Europe
Amendment 17 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the youth unemployment rate in the EU has decreased in the past few yearsin four years of the YG's implementation, from 2013 to 2017, the youth unemployment rate in the EU has decreased by more than 7 percentage points, from 23.8% in April 2013 to 16.6% in April 2017, which means that almost 2 million young people have ceased to be unemployed; notes that, since the implementation of Youth Guarantee schemes, more than 14 million young people have taken part in some type of YG scheme; regrets, however, that in mid- 2016 18.8 % of young people in the EU were still unemployed; urges the Member States to utilise available EU support in order to tackle this longstanding issue;
Amendment 22 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that the younger people are and the less training they have, the higher the rate of youth unemployment, and this trend has been accentuated with the crisis, which has also affected young adults over 25 without qualifications, who form a group that may be pushed into a situation of serious economic vulnerability unless investment is made in their training;
Amendment 23 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Notes that, despite the progress made, access for the most vulnerable unemployed young people to public employment services remains inadequate and this group, together with young graduates, are those least likely to register as jobseekers;
Amendment 27 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that the integration of NEETs requires significantly more EU financing and that the Member States should mobilise additional resources from their national budgetsboth enhancing the effectiveness of the resources available and increasing those resources, as well as greater Member State involvement and mobilisation;
Amendment 34 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Takes the view that, for the Youth Guarantee to function properly, local public employment services must also function effectively;
Amendment 37 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the fact that the YEI was frontloaded in the years 2014 and 2015 and the increase of the initial pre-financing to EUR 1 billion designed to ensure a swift mobilisation of resources;
Amendment 40 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Welcomes the fact that YEI measures have provided support to more than 1.4 million young people and led to Member States consolidating operations amounting to over EUR 4 billion;
Amendment 44 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls for specific expertise and administrative and all kinds of capacity to be developed in the Member States within public employment services (PES) in order to support people that cannot find a job within four months after becoming unemployed or leaving formal education;
Amendment 46 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Regrets that the majority of NEETs in the EU do not yet have access to any YG scheme, inter alia because they are generally not registered with public employment services; asks the Council to consider continuing a learning exchange within the existing PES network with a view to developing strategies based on best practices to reach and support NEET youth;
Amendment 55 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes with regret that mostthat it would be desirable for Member States that have not yet done so to established a definition of a ‘quality offer’; urges the Member States to use the existing networks to work on the development of commonly agreed characteristics of this concept; welcomes the ECA’s recommendation in its Special report No 5/2017 that more attention needs to be paid to improving the quality of offers;
Amendment 63 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Notes that most issues causinge existence of some delays to implementation of the YEI byouth Employment Initiative in the Member States are of a, chiefly for procedural naturereasons; calls on the MS concerned to continue making effortCommission and Member States to make more efforts with regard to the remaining funds under the Initiative so as to improve itsthe implementation of schemes, boosting the level of procedural simplification and reducing administrative burdens;
Amendment 68 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
Amendment 70 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Recognises the significant efforts made by the Member States to implement the YG and notes that it has not been possible, in any country, to guarantee that all young people not in employment, education or training have an opportunity to take up an offer within the four-month period, basically owing to budget shortages; observes, however, that most reforms have not yet been fully implemented, in particular in the forging of partnerships with social partners and young people and in supporting those facing multiple barriers; concludes that considerable efforts and financial resources are needed in the long term to achieve the YG objectives;
Amendment 75 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Believes that a cost estimation of the YG is a necessary contribution to assess, in order to assess the scheme's effectiveness, all aspects need to be evaluated, including the value for money of the scheme; takes note of previous estimates provided by the International Labour Organisation and Eurofound and asks the Commission to confirm or update these projections;
Amendment 76 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Stresses the need to set up a system of indicators and measures to assess and monitor the effectiveness of both public employment schemes and the Youth Guarantee, since even though provision was made for such a system from the start, there are still many shortcomings;
Amendment 78 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. (New heading:) Improvements to be made
Amendment 79 #
2016/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19c. Calls on the Commission and Member States to manage expectations by setting realistic and achievable goals and targets, to assess disparities, to analyse the market before implementing schemes, to improve supervision and notification systems, and to improve the quality of data so that the results can be measured effectively;
Amendment 2 #
2016/2224(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas whistle-blowers play an important and sometimes even crucial role in preportventing, detecting and disclosing irregularities, illegalities, fraud, corruption and other breaches of the rule of law at European and national level;
Amendment 8 #
2016/2224(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas Parliament has recently adopted two documents:1 a rResolution1 on the role of whistle- blowers in the protection of EU’s financial interests; _________________ 1 and a Report on the protection of the EU’s financial interests – Fight against fraud;1 _________________ 1 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2017)0022. Texts adopted, P8_TA(2017)0022.
Amendment 9 #
2016/2224(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. Whereas since 1 July 2014 almost all European institutions and agencies have incorporated, as is mandatory, measures to protect whistleblowers into their internal rules of procedure, in accordance with Articles 22(b) and (c) of the Staff Regulations;
Amendment 12 #
2016/2224(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on the Commission and Member States to take all necessary steps to implement the resolution on the role of whistle-blowers in the protection of EU’s financial interests and, in particular, to submit legislative proposals aimed at establishing a minimumnd ensuring an adequate level of protection for European whistle-blowers andwhistleblowers, as set out in Article 33 of the UN Convention against Corruption, which clearly lays down the rights and responsibilities of people reporting wrongdoing, and to establish an effective and comprehensive European whistle- blower protection programme;
Amendment 24 #
2016/2224(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the fact that the Commission has recently introduced a channel for whistle-blowers to report or disclose information on competition and cartel agreements, but stresses the need for simplifying procedures and insists that there should not be an excessive number of channels;
Amendment 30 #
2016/2224(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls, therefore, on the Commission to build on the resolution recommendation to establish an independent information- gathering, advisory and referral EU body, with offices in all Member States which are in a position to receive reports and complaints of irregularities, with sufficient budgetary resources, adequate competences and appropriate specialists, in order to help internal and external whistle- blowers use the right channels to disclose their information, while protecting their confidentiality at all times as per the definition of the concept of whistleblowing and with sufficient verification capabilities to carry out an initial sorting and filtering the notifications and information received; urges the Commission to look into the feasibility of entrusting the European Ombudsman with these tasks;
Amendment 11 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out, however,Stresses that the reputational risk to Parliament in the case of the Parliament’sinadequate budgetary and financial management of resources allocated to it is relatively high, especially against the background of the Members of Parliament (MEPs) being the representatives of the citizens in the Union and hence any irregularities do not only damage the administration’s reputation, but also undermine the credibility of the MEPs as an institution;
Amendment 23 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that for such a thorough analysis of the accounts it is essential to have special in-house expertise on accounts and auditing that rapporteurs can make use of in the preparation of their discharge reports; cConsiders that in this respect the experience of a number of national parliaments that have created special supportive units for their members, such as the Parliamentary Bureau for Research and Public Expenditure of the Parliament of the Netherlands has been positive;
Amendment 25 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls upon the secretary-general to createonsider the possibility of creating a similar supportive unit in the Parliament, for example, within the Directorate- General for Parliamentary Research Services (DG EPRS);
Amendment 56 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
Amendment 65 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Welcomes that the attention of the media and the public at large for the Parliament and its administration is increasing, but is concerned that journalists find it difficult to obtain the specific information they are looking for, as is evident, for example, in the court case introduc; notes, however that access to non-confidential information for members of the public and the media should be improved oin 13 November 2016 by journalists from all Union countries, following the refusal by the Parliament to disclose records about MEP's allowancesorder to ensure the principles of transparency in the public service, proximity and access to information;
Amendment 141 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Is not convinced of the need to have information offices of the Parliament in all Member States, especially in view of the fact that for effective communication physical presence may not always be necessary and can easily be replaced by effective and responsive internet facilities; is in particular sceptical about having an information office in the cities of Brussels and Strasbourg as in both cities the Parliament itself can be visited and in addition for interested visitors there is or will be a Parlamentarium at their disposalCalls for the adoption of a Parliament information office strategy based on full use of new communication and social media technologies, with the aim of promoting greater public participation (for example, by organizing debates with Members in Parliament and civil society representatives), so that both social networks and media can be heard, in a bid to achieve this aim;
Amendment 155 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Notes that the survey obtained a low MEP response rate of 18 %, corresponding to 137 MEPs, and that it must be concluded that even among MEPs there is no consensus on the usefulness of themore work must therefore be done of on publicising and promoting the LUX Prize;
Amendment 159 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Notes that, although during the years the amount of spectators has increased, a number of 43 000 within the Union is still very low and makes the justification of the Lux Prize questionablelow;
Amendment 214 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80
Paragraph 80
80. Emphasises that in 2015 Parliament had stalled EUR 300 million on banking accounts raising no interest income whatsoever; invites the sSecretary-gGeneral to examine whether it is necessary to have such a high amount of liquidity and, in particular, to improve treasury management in this respect and possibly find ways of increasing returns thereon;
Amendment 220 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 86
Paragraph 86
Amendment 239 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 97
Paragraph 97
97. Deems it of utmost importance, therefore, that the Parliament sets itself new more challenging targets; notes on this regard the Bureau 2015 decision to offset the total amount of Parliament's carbon emissions, including emissions from flights by MEPs between their country of origin and the Parliament’s working places;
Amendment 242 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 98
Paragraph 98
98. Calls the Bureau to set up without delatudy an incentive scheme for promoting the use of bicyclesefficient transport for home-work commuting; notes that such a scheme is already established in other institutions notably the European Economic and Social Committee;
Amendment 258 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 107
Paragraph 107
107. Emphasises nevertheless that the current system of internal and external controls is clearly insufficientcould be improved so as to avoid major irregularities; takes note of the declarations of the external accountant, EY, that its audits are aimed at obtaining a reasonable assurance that the annual accounts are free of material misstatements and that the entity has complied with in scope rules and regulations, and that they include examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the opinion; also notes, however, that the examinations do not include investigations of possible fraudulent statements and documents; that, therefore, the audits provide only for a superficial insight in the dealings of European political parties and foundations;
Amendment 39 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the seven year duration of the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is not synchronised with the five years mandates of the Parliament and the Commission; furthermore, points out that the 10 year strategic planning cycle is not aligned either with the seven year cycle for managing the EU budget; is of the opinion that this is the cause of a major deficiency of the Union political governance since the Parliament and the Commission are bound by previous agreements on political objectives and finances which maycould create the impression that the European elections are uselessirrelevant in this context;
Amendment 40 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – introductory part
Paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Notes, therefore, that in 2015 the budget of the Union had not only to support the achievement of the objectives of two different long term political programmes:
Amendment 43 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that Union policies may have different short-, medium- and long-term objectives, whose realisation cannot necessarily be determined by a single multi-annual financial framework; is therefore convincbelieves consideration needs thato be given to a new balance must be struck between political agenda setting, policy implementation and financial frameworks needs;
Amendment 44 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 81 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Regrets that the backlogs in the use of 2007-2013 Structural Funds are significant; notes that by the end of 2015, payment of 10 % of the total €446.2 billion allocated to all approved operational programmes was still outstanding;
Amendment 83 #
2016/2151(DEC)
17. Stresses that this situation may indeed pose a significant challenge as in some Member States the unclaimed Union contribution, together with required co- financing, exceeds 15 % of the total general government expenditure when the last two financial framework periods, 2007-2013 and 2014-2020, are taken into account;
Amendment 86 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Points out that five Member Statesby the end of 2015 five Member States, the main recipients of monies allocated, (Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, Poland and Romania) accounted for more than half of the unused commitments of Structural appropriations under the European Structural and Investment Funds that have not led to payment;
Amendment 95 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Finds inadmissibleNotes that by the end of 2015 fewer than 20 % of the national authorities responsible for European structural and Investment funds with the exception of the European Agricultural Fund for Regional Development (EAFRD) had been designated by the Member States which is a necessary step for Member States authorities to submit statements of expenditure to the Commission;
Amendment 99 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Deeply regrets that, as a consequence, there is a risk that delays in budget execution for the 2014-2020 programming period will be greater than those experienced for the 2007-2013 and warns of the pressure this may mean for payment appropriations at the end of the current programming period;
Amendment 111 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Requests that the Commission considers in its budgetary and financial management the administrative capacity constraints of certain Member States, increasing where necessary the technical assistance provided, in order to avoid the underutilisation of funds and to increase the absorption rates especially in the area of the ESI funds;
Amendment 122 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Regrets that despite the improvement, payments are affected by a most likely error rate of 3,8 %; recalls that the most likely error rate for payments was estimated in the financial year 2014 at 4,4 %, in the financial year 2013 at 4,7 %, in the financial year 2012 at 4,8 % and in the financial year 2011 at 3,9 %;
Amendment 283 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 168
Paragraph 168
Amendment 6 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the EFSI was initially designed to address various forms of market failure and sub-optimal investment situations due to various nationala number of regulatory barrdifficultiers;
Amendment 29 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that in order to adequately respond to the investment demand and to better address the needs of countries and sectors, it is essentialwould be appropriate to conduct a preliminary analysis at national level into the possible causes of the market and private investment gaps in the sectors and type of activity assigned to the EFSI;
Amendment 32 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Highlights that it is crucial to consider and enhance cross-border European added value in the implementation of the selected projects and whether they make an effective contribution to the existing EU common policy and economic objectives;
Amendment 35 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that the geographical distribution of projects has been hitherto uneven; recalls that for the benefit of cohesion and sustainability objectives, the widest possiblea better geographical spreadbalance should be considered in implementing the EFSI pipeline, taking into account the potential of sparsely populated areas in the EUfocusing on feasibility, practicability and financial criteria, to improve fund performance and enhance its primary objectives;
Amendment 39 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. StresseConsiders that funding for projects should not be concentrated in markets or investments where it ismore less obvious or needed in line with EFSI objectives;
Amendment 42 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Asks the EIB to correct the currentimprove the geographical imbalances and as far as possible and open up the sectorals concentration ofed in the EFSI portfolio, namely under the Infrastructure and Innovation Window (IIW) and the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Window (SMEW), by enhancing its advisory activities for project design in Member States and technical assistance through the European Investment Advisory Hub (EIAH), including the possibility of increasing its budget when justified;
Amendment 46 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the EIB to simplify the application process and stresses the need to strengthen the visibility of, and interest in and awareness about the EFSI, especially for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in the Member States;
Amendment 48 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Invites the EIB to also consider expanding the number of sectors eligible for EFSI funding (to include, for example, the environment, bio-economy or social infrastructure) or better adapting the type and size of the projects to market needs in the Member States;
Amendment 49 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Takes note ofWelcomes the increase in volume of the EIB’s special activities resulting from the first year and a half of the EFSI, which reflects an evolution of the EIB’s prudent risk culture and lending policy;
Amendment 51 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the EIB to further provide information on the leverage effect by operation and not only on an average basis, while also showing the magnitude of private funding attracted; considers, furthermore, that the effectiveness of interventions should not only be assessed on the basis of the potential of financial instruments bu, taking account also onf the quantifiable results obtainable;
Amendment 58 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Believes that the transparency of the operation selection process shouldcan be improved to include disclosure of all operational information on signed operations through the scoreboard of indicators; considers, furthermore, that consultation with local and regional authorities should be enhanced and dustepped up and suitably documented during assessment of the projects;
Amendment 254 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 60
Recital 60
Amendment 328 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 178
Recital 178
Amendment 428 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 3
Article 30 – paragraph 3
Amendment 463 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 48 – paragraph 1
Article 48 – paragraph 1
The Commission section of the budget may include a "negative reserve" limited to a maximum amount of EUR 4200 000 000. Such a reserve, which shall be entered in a separate title, shall comprise payment appropriations only.
Amendment 535 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 125
Article 125
Amendment 692 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 264 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 264 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Regulation (EU) 1301/2013
Article 3, in paragraph 1, point (a)
Article 3, in paragraph 1, point (a)
"(a) productive investment which contributes to creating and safeguarding sustainable jobs, through direct aid for investment in SMEs;" (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1301&from=EN)enterprises;" Or. en
Amendment 693 #
2016/0282(COD)
"(b) productive investment, irrespective of the size of the enterprise concerned, which contributes to the investment priorities set out in points (1) and (4) of Article 5, and, where that investment involves cooperation between large enterprises and SMEs, in point (2) of Article 5;" (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1301&from=EN)delete" Or. en
Amendment 694 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 264 – paragraph 1 c (new)
Article 264 – paragraph 1 c (new)
Regulation (EU) 1301/2013
Article 12, paragraph 5
Article 12, paragraph 5
"5. By way of derogation from points (a) and (b) of Article 3(1), the ERDF may support productive investment in enterprises in the outermost regions, irrespective of the size of those enterprises." (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1301&from=EN)delete" Or. en
Amendment 696 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 16, new paragraph 4a
Article 16, new paragraph 4a
Where applicable, the Member State shall submit each year by 31 Januaryby 31 December 2017 and by 31 December 2019 or upon the request of the Commission an amended Partnership Agreement following the approval of amendments of one or more programmes by the Commission in the previous calendar year in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 30(2).
Amendment 699 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 8 Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 8 Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Amendment 700 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 10 a (new)
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 10 a (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 37, paragraph 8
Article 37, paragraph 8
"8. Final recipients supported by an ESI Fund financial instrument may also receive assistance from another ESI Funds priority or programme or from another instrument supported by the budget of the Union in accordance with applicable Union State aid rules. In that case, separate records shall be maintained for each source of assistance and the ESI Funds financial instrument support shall be part of an operation with eligible expenditure distinct from the other sources of assistance." (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1303&from=." Or. en)
Amendment 703 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point b – point i – indent 1
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point b – point i – indent 1
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 38, paragraph 4, point b
Article 38, paragraph 4, point b
- operates under a public policy mandate given by the relevant authority of a Member State at national or regional level, to carry out economic development activities contributing to the objectives of the ESI Funds under the control of a public authority;
Amendment 704 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point b – point i – indent 1
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point b – point i – indent 1
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 38, paragraph 4, point b
Article 38, paragraph 4, point b
Amendment 707 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point b – point i – indent 1
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point b – point i – indent 1
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 38, paragraph 4, point b
Article 38, paragraph 4, point b
Amendment 709 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point b – point ii (new)
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point b – point ii (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 38, paragraph 4, second subparagraph
Article 38, paragraph 4, second subparagraph
Institutions and bodies referred in points b) iii) and c) can have the status of intermediate body as regulated in Article 123.6.
Amendment 711 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point b – point i
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point b – point i
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 39, paragraph 4, point (a)
Article 39, paragraph 4, point (a)
by way of derogation from Article 37(2), it shall be based on an ex-ante assessment at Union level carried out by the EIB and the Commission or, where more recent data is available, on national or regional ex-ante assessment carried out by the EIB or the participating Member State.
Amendment 712 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point c a (new) Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point c a (new) Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
(ca) The following paragraph 7a is inserted: 7a. By way of derogation from Article 130.1, the Commission shall reimburse as interim payment 100% of the amounts included in payment applications made according to paragraph 7
Amendment 714 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 39a
Article 39a
1. Member States may use ESI Funds to provide a contribution to financial instruments referred to in point (c) of Article 38(1) to attract additional private sector investment.
Amendment 715 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 39a
Article 39a
2. TIn order to attract additional private sector investment, the contribution referred to in paragraph 1 shall not exceed 25 % of the total support provided to final recipients. In the less developed regions referred to in point (b) of Article 120(3), the financial contribution may exceed 25% where duly justified by the ex-ante assessment, but shall not exceed 50%. The total support referred to in this paragraph shall comprise the total amount of new loans and guaranteed loans as well as equity and quasi-equity investments provided to final recipients. The guaranteed loans referred to in this paragraph shall only be taken into account to the extent that ESI Funds resources are committed for guarantee contracts calculated on the basis of a prudent ex ante risk assessment covering a multiple amount of new loans.
Amendment 717 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 20
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 20
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 56, paragraph 5
Article 56, paragraph 5
Amendment 718 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 21
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 21
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 57, paragraph 3
Article 57, paragraph 3
Amendment 720 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 24 a (new)
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 24 a (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 61, paragraph 1
Article 61, paragraph 1
"This Article shall apply to operations which generate net revenue after their completion. For the purposes of this Article 'net revenue' means cash in-flows directly paid by users for the goods or services provided by the operation, such as charges borne directly by users for the use of infrastructure, sale or rent of land or buildings, or payments for services less any operating costs and replacement costs of short-life equipment incurred during the corresponding period." Operating cost- savings generated by the operation shall be treated as net revenue unless they are offset by an equal reduction in operating subsidies." (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1303&from=en)r. en
Amendment 721 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 26 – point b
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 26 – point b
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 67
Article 67
Amendment 722 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 28 – introductory part
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 28 – introductory part
28. the following Articles 68a, 68b and 68bc are inserted:
Amendment 723 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 28 (new)
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 28 (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 68a
Article 68a
1a. In the case of aid schemes under Article 107 TFEU, the public contribution paid to the beneficiary calculated as a result of the application of the present Article to an operation, is considered as compatible assistance, provided that the Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 of 17 June 2014 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty, is applicable to that operation.
Amendment 724 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 28
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 28
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 68a
Article 68a
Amendment 725 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 28 (new)
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 28 (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 68c
Article 68c
2a. Article 68c Compatibility of ESI Funds and aid schemes under Article 107 TFEU In the case of aid schemes under Article 107 TFEU, the public contribution paid to the beneficiary calculated as a result of the application of the Articles 67, 68, 68a and 68b to an operation, is considered as compatible assistance, provided that the Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 of 17 June 2014 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty, is applicable to that operation.
Amendment 726 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 29 – point d
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 29 – point d
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 70
Article 70
For operations concerning technical assistance or communication and promotional activities, including the activities devoted to boost the internationalization of SMEs, and for operations under the thematic objective of strengthening research, technological development and innovation, including financial contributions to international research centres, expenditure may be incurred outside the Union provided that the conditions set out in point (a) of paragraph 2 and the obligations in relation to management, control and audit concerning the operation are fulfilled.
Amendment 727 #
2016/0282(COD)
34a. in Article 84 the following paragraph 2 is added:
Amendment 728 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 35
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 35
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 84
Article 84
Amendment 729 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 35 – indent 1 (new)
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 35 – indent 1 (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 84
Article 84
– 2. For accounts submitted before the end of the accounting period, the Commission shall apply procedures for the examination and acceptance of the accounts and inform the Member State as to whether it accepts them no later than four months after the date of submission by the Member State.
Amendment 730 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 37 – point b
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 37 – point b
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 102
Article 102
Where the independent quality review has not been notified to the Commission within 618 months of the submission of that information to the independent experts or where the relevant appraisal is negative, the corresponding expenditure shall be withdrawn and the declaration of expenditure shall be rectified accordingly.;
Amendment 731 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 40 – point e Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 40 – point e Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
(a) informthe designation onf the selection of the joint action plan by the managing authority in accordance with Article 125(3)beneficiary responsible for the implementation of the joint action plan, providing guarantees of its competence in the domain concerned as well as its administrative and financial management capacity;
Amendment 732 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 45 – point a
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 45 – point a
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 114
Article 114
1. An evaluation plan shall be drawn up by the managing authority or Member State for one or more operational programmes. The evaluation plan shall be submitted to the monitoring committee no later than one year after the adoption of the operational programme. In the cases of dedicated programmes referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph of Article 39(4) adopted before this Regulation has entered into force, the evaluation plan shall be submitted to the monitoring committee no later than one year after the date this Regulation enters into force.;
Amendment 733 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 45 – point b
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 45 – point b
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 114
Article 114
Amendment 735 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 52 a (new)
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 52 a (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 130
Article 130
52a. Article 130, paragraph 1, is replaced by the following:
Amendment 736 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 52 b (new)
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 52 b (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 130, paragraph 1
Article 130, paragraph 1
"The Commission shall reimburse as interim payments 90 % of the amount resulting from applying the co-financing rate for each priority, laid down in the decision adopting the operational programme, to the eligible expenditure for the priority included in the payment application. The Commission shall determine the remaining amounts to be reimbursed as interim payments or to be recovered in accordance with Article 139." (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1303&from=en)Or. en
Amendment 737 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 52 c (new)
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 52 c (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 131, paragraph 4, (b)
Article 131, paragraph 4, (b)
52 c. In Article 131, paragraph 4, the condition b) is supressed
Amendment 738 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 52 d (new)
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 52 d (new)
REGULATION (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 131, paragraph 4, condition b)
Article 131, paragraph 4, condition b)
"(b) those advances do not exceed 40 % of the total amount of the aid to be granted to a beneficiary for a given operation;" (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1303&from=en)deleted" Or. en
Amendment 739 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 53
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 53
REGULATION (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 134
Article 134
Amendment 740 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 53 a (new)
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 53 a (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 134
Article 134
53a. Article 134 is amended as follows:
Amendment 741 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 53 b (new)
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 53 b (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 134, paragraph 2
Article 134, paragraph 2
"2. An annual pre-financing amount shall be paid before 1 July in the years 2016 to 2023. It shall be a percentage of the amount of the support from the Funds and the EMFF for the whole programming period to the operational programme as follows: (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1303&from=en)deleted" Or. en
Amendment 742 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 53 c (new)
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 53 c (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 134, paragraph 3
Article 134, paragraph 3
"3. When calculating the amount of initial pre-financing referred to in paragraph 1, the amount of support for the entire programming period shall exclude the amounts from the performance reserve which were initially allocated to the operational programme. (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1303&from=" Or. en)
Amendment 744 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 60
Article 265 – paragraph 1 – point 60
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 152
Article 152
Amendment 746 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 265 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 265 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 2, Point (9)
Article 2, Point (9)
"(9) 'operation' means a project, contract, action or group of projects selected by the managing authorities of the programmes concerned, or under their responsibility, that contributes to the objectives of a priority or priorities; in the context of financial instruments, an operation is constituted by the financial contributions from a programme to financial instruments and the subsequent financial support provided by those financial instruments." (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R1303&from=en)." Or. en
Amendment 60 #
2016/0281(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Amendment 62 #
2016/0281(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) contribute to economic and social development, with particular focus on sustainability and job creation (in particular for youth and wome, women and people at risk of exclusion), thus addressing root causes of migration and contributing to sustainable reintegration of returned migrants in their countries of origin;
Amendment 65 #
2016/0281(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) target socio-economic sectors, in particular infrastructure including sustainable energy, water, transport, information and communications technologies, environment, sustainable use of natural resources and blue growth, social infrastructure, human capital, in order to improve the socio-economic environment, while also taking account of the priorities of the beneficiaries of the guarantee;
Amendment 69 #
2016/0281(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) provide finance in favour of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises with a particular focus on private sector developmentdeveloping a stable private sector that is viable over time;
Amendment 73 #
2016/0281(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) are demonstrated to be economically and financially viable, taking also into account the possible support from, and co-financing by, private and public partners to the project;
Amendment 82 #
2016/0281(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 a (new)
Article 17 a (new)
Article 17a The counterparts shall also facilitate access to information on the legal bases that exist and shall strategically publicise financing and investment operations in order to bring the Fund’s activities closer to citizens, public opinion and possible private investors.
Amendment 85 #
2016/0281(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1
Article 20 – paragraph 1
1. In their financing and investment operations, the eligible counterparts shall not support any activities carried out for illegal purposes, including money laundering, terrorist financing, organised crime, tax fraud and tax evasion, corruption, and fraud or other activities affecting the financial interests of the Union. The eligible counterparts shall not participate in any financing or investment operation through a vehicle located in a non- cooperative jurisdiction, in accordance with its policy towards weakly regulated or non-cooperative jurisdictions based on policies of the Union, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development or the Financial Action Task Force.
Amendment 39 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) For the period after 2020, the Commission intends toshould put forward the necessaryan appropriate legislative proposals to ensure that strategic investment will continue at a sustainable level, promote and strengthen the Union's strategic investments at sustainable levels throughout the financial period covered by the post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework.
Amendment 52 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) In order to reinforce the take-up of the EFSI in all regions, and particularly in less-developed and, transition and outermost regions, the scope of the general objectives and the conditions making them eligible for EFSI support should be enlarged.
Amendment 60 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) In order to partly finance the contribution from the general budget of the Union to the EU guarantee fund for the additional investments to be made, aunallocated margins should be earmarked first under the Multiannual Financial Framework ceilings and transfer shs could also be made from the available envelope of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council4 . Moreover, EUR 1 145 797 000 of appropriations should be transferred from the CEF financial instruments to the grant part of the CEF with a view to facilitating blending with the EFSI or to other relevant instruments, in particular those dedicated to energy efficiency. _________________ 4 Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility, amending Regulation (EU) No 913/2010 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 680/2007 and (EC) No 67/2010, OJ L 348, 12.2013, p. 129.
Amendment 64 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) In line with the exceptional market demand for SME financing under the EFSI which is expected to continue, the EFSI SME Window should be enhanced. Particular attention should be paid to social enterprises, including through the development and deployment of new instruments.Does not affect the English version.)
Amendment 24 #
2015/2318(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that, according to the 2015 DG RTD Annual Activity report10, the European Union contributed EUR 44.56 billion to the FP7 programme, of which 58 % went to Germany (16 %), the United Kingdom (16 %), France (11 %), Italy (8 %) and Spain (7 %)five Member States; _________________ 10 http://ec.europa.eu/atwork/synthesis/aar/do c/rtd_aar_2015.pdf, p. 33.
Amendment 25 #
2015/2318(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes the fact that DG RTD had completed and closed, by the end of 2015, 3 035 grant agreements out of 4 950, and 1 915 projects, with EUR 1.6 billion still to be paid; DG RTD made 826 final payments in 2015; encourages the DG to develop these statistics in subsequent financial years;
Amendment 32 #
2015/2318(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Notes that by the end of 2015 the amount to be recovered was EUR 49.4 million, of which EUR 31.5 million was effectively collected, meaning that 36.24 % of appropriations were not recovered; presses for an improvement in these figures and for new mechanisms or improvements to be examined that would cut figures for resources not recovered;
Amendment 40 #
2015/2318(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Emphasises the importance of financial instruments in the area of research and innovation; points, in this context, to the fact that ‘The Risk-Sharing Finance Facility (RSFF 2007-2013) offers loans and hybrid or mezzanine finance to improve access to risk finance for R&I projects. The Union’s 2007-2015 RSFF contribution of EUR 961 million supported activity accounting for over EUR 10.22 billion of an expected EUR 11.31 billion. (...)’; notes that the Risk- Sharing Instrument (RSI) for SMIs provided financing of over EUR 2.3 billion, to which the Union contributed EUR 270 million11; is of the opinion that these figures underscore the high interest of companies and other beneficiaries in risk finance; _________________ 11 COM(2016)0675, pp. 18 and 19. COM(2016)0675, pp. 18 and 19.
Amendment 42 #
2015/2318(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. RegretNotes that the followcertaing measures recommended by the external auditor and/or the internal audit service of the Commission are not completed:, namely two measures concerning the control systems for the supervision of external bodies, and three measures for the Participants Guarantee Fund, have not been included;
Amendment 49 #
2015/2318(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Notes that the Commission endeavoured to further simplify the implementation of Horizon 2020 compared with FP7; emphasises, however, that the importance of all policy areas, including structural funds, should benefiting from simplification with a view to maintaining equal treatment of beneficiaries of European financial assistance;
Amendment 50 #
2015/2318(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. RecognisesIs pleased to note that DG RTD is trying to further reduce overhead costs by outsourcing contract management to executive agencies and other bodies; stresses in the context that, under Horizon 2020, 55 % of the budget will be managed by executive agencies;
Amendment 56 #
2015/2318(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5
Subheading 5
Amendment 58 #
2015/2318(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Notes with respect the vote of the citizens of the United Kingdom of 23 June 2016, in which they expressed the political will to leave the European Union;
Amendment 60 #
2015/2318(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 38 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Urges the DG, owing to the United Kingdom suddenly leaving the European Union, to examine strategies to facilitate the allocation of resources available so they are not left as unallocated appropriations;
Amendment 4 #
2013/2259(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 90 – paragraph 4
Rule 90 – paragraph 4
4. At any stage of the negotiations and from the end of the negotiations to the conclusion of the agreement, Parliament may, on the basis of a report from the committee responsible, and after considering any relevant proposal tabled pursuant to Rule 121, adopt recommendations and require them to be taken into account before the conclusion of the international agreement under consideration.
Amendment 11 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points to the urgent need for strengthening the securability of the EEAS and of EU delegations to defend themselves against spying activities from third countries, including by strengthening the security of their IT networks and by building systems of secure communication networks, and insists that an assessment of related budgetary needs is made without delay;
Amendment 12 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. In the context of the EU-Central America Association Agreement, emphasises the need for the Union to create a delegation in Panama, an important partner and the only country in the region without its own delegation, and calls on the EEAS to take action to this end as soon as possible as already requested last year;
Amendment 2 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. NStresses that the Union's resources must be managed in line with the principles of transparency and good governance; notes the Court of Auditor's finding that the increase in the rate of material errors in Heading 4 for the 2012 financial year is owed to a change in the sampling approach that now includes the clearing of advances paid in previous year;
Amendment 5 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Supports all of the Court of Auditors recommendation with regard to Heading 4, in particular for the improvement of supervisory and control systems with regard to the clearing of advances, while recalling that the Union's external assistance is implemented partly by entities external to the Union, often under difficult conditions including crises and conflicts, and requires a certain amount of adaptability and flexibility and speed to be effective; Insists that, nevertheless, the European Commission must strengthen its control of the results and effectiveness of European assistance implemented by third organisations;
Amendment 9 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Supports the Commission's continuing efforts to shift from an input-based to a performance- and impact-oriented approach and urges the adoption of specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timed benchmarks for all programmes in Heading 4 as advocated by the Court of Auditors; expresses its hope that these programmes will not be affected by the same shortcomings as those audited in this year's report;
Amendment 3 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 33 a (new)
Citation 33 a (new)
– having regard to the Presidential Policy Directive (PPD-28) on Signals Intelligence Activities, issued by US President Barack Obama on 17 January 2014,
Amendment 4 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 34
Citation 34
– having regard to legislative proposals currently under examination in the US Congress, in particularcluding the draft US Freedom Act, the draft Intelligence Oversight and Surveillance Reform Act, and others,
Amendment 5 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 36
Citation 36
– having regard to the ruling of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Klayman et al. v Obama et al., Civil Action No 13-0851 of 16 December 2013, and to the ruling of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, ACLU et al. v James R. Clapper et al., XXX of 27 December 2013,
Amendment 14 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the ties between Europe and the United States of America are based on the spirit and principles of democracy, liberty, justice and solidarity; whereas cooperation between the United States and the European Union and its Member States in counter-terrorism remains vital for the security and safety of both partners;
Amendment 49 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the District Court for the District of Columbia, in its Decision of 16 December 2013, has ruled that the bulk collection of metadata by the NSA is in breach of the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution25 ; whereas, however the District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled in its Decision of 27 December 2013 that this collection was lawful; __________________ 25 Klayman et al. v Obama et al., Civil Action No 13-0851, 16 December 2013.
Amendment 54 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas in his Presidential Policy Directive on Signals Intelligence Activities of 17 January 2014 and the related speech, US President Barack Obama insisted that mass electronic surveillance continues to be necessary for the United States to protect its national security, citizens and the citizens of US allies and partners, as well as to advance its foreign policy interests; whereas this policy directive limits the authorisation for the bulk collection of signals intelligence and specifically excludes the gathering of any kind of signals intelligence for commercial purposes; whereas the policy directive mandates the development of safeguards for the personal information of all individuals, regardless of their nationality or residence, partly providing for treatment equivalent to that enjoyed by US citizens; whereas however President Obama did not announce any concrete proposals in terms of the introduction of administrative and judicial redress for non-US persons;
Amendment 148 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Considers it very doubtfulIs strongly convinced that mass data collection of such magnitude is only guided by the fight against terrorism, as it involves the collection of all possible data of all citizens; points thereforeand electronic surveillance must meet specific requirements related to national security and that its use for other purposes, such as political and economic espionage, must be credibly excluded; deplores that the magnitude of the mass surveillance disclosed leaves doubts as to the possible existence of other power motives such as political and economic espionagethan the fight against terrorism and that these need to be comprehensively dispelled;
Amendment 156 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Condemns in the strongest possible terms the vast, systemic, blanket collection of the personal data of innocent people, often comprising intimate personal information; emphasises that the systems of mass, indiscriminate surveillance by intelligence services constitute a serious interference with the fundamental rights of citizens; stresses that privacy is not a luxury right, but that it is the foundation stone of a free and democratic society; points out, furthermore, that mass surveillance has potentially severe effects on the freedom of the press, thought and speech, as well as a significant potential for abuse of the information gathered against political adversaries; emphasises that these mass surveillance activities appear also to entail illegal actions by intelligence services and raise questions regarding the extra-territoriality of national laws;
Amendment 220 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Welcomes in this regard the remarks made and the Presidential Policy Directive issued by US President Obama on 17 January 2014 as a step towards limiting the authorisation for the use of surveillance and data processing to national security purposes and towards equal treatment of all individuals' personal information, regardless of their nationality or residence, by the US intelligence community; however awaits in the context of the EU-US relationship further specific steps which will, most importantly, strengthen trust in transatlantic data transfers and provide for binding guarantees for enforceable privacy rights of EU citizens, as outlined in detail in this report;
Amendment 235 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Calls on the Commission to present by June 2014 a comprehensive assessment of the US privacy framework covering commercial, law enforcement and intelligence activities in response to the fact that the EU and the US legal systems for protecting personal data are drifting apart; encourages the Commission to engage with the US administration and the US Congress to enhance compatibility of EU and US privacy frameworks;
Amendment 294 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
Paragraph 59
59. Strongly emphasises, given the importance of the digital economy in the relationship and in the cause of rebuilding EU-US trust, that the consent by the European Parliament to the final TTIP agreement is endangered without a prior adequate solution for data privacy rights of EU citizens, including administrative and judicial redress; underlines that the European Parliament will only consent to the final TTIP agreement provided the agreement fully respects fundamental rights recognised by the EU Charter, and that the protection of the privacy of individuals in relation to the processing and dissemination of personal data must continue to be governed by Article XIV of the GATS;
Amendment 328 #
2013/2188(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69
Paragraph 69
69. Urges the Commission to present, by September 2014, a proposal for a legal basisInsists that a proper legal basis must be established for the EU to develop its own intelligence and data collection facility; urges the HR/VP to regularly account for the activities of the EU Intelligence Analysis Centrer (IntCen), as well as a proper oversight mechanism adapted to its activities, including regular reporting to the European Parliamentincluding full compliance with fundamental human rights and applicable EU data privacy rules; notes that the IntCen is part of the European External Action Service, and as such produces strategic analysis for EU decision makers based on information provided by the EU Member States and that it does not collect data itself; calls for regular reporting to the responsible bodies of the European Parliament and intends to improve the present oversight mechanism in this regard;
Amendment 3 #
2013/2145(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes with grave concernDeplores the substantive cuts of 12,5% in commitments appropriations and a cut of 8,2% in payment appropriations compared with the 2013 budget for Heading 4; emphasises that even in times of increased budgetary discipline and constraints, it is of vital importance to maintain appropriate funding for the EU's global activities to enable it to live up to its ambitions outlined in the Lisbon treaty; stresses that all efforts should be made to limit the deep cuts and their repercussions for the EU as a global actor;
Amendment 5 #
2013/2145(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that the provisions of the 2014 Draft Budget do not match the initial ambitions of the proposal of the European Commission for the MFF 2014-2020 in order to make the EU a relevant global actor;
Amendment 10 #
2013/2145(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes with particular concernRegrets the especially severe reductions applied to the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), which could considerably endanger relations with the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood, one of the main priorities of the EU's external action; stresses that without adequate funding, the ‘more for more’ principle as core mechanism in the relevant financial instruments will be fundamentally undermined; strongly urges to restore a substantial amount of the cuts in commitments to the ENI;
Amendment 13 #
2013/2145(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes with particular concernRegrets the especially severe reductions applied to the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), which could considerably endanger relations with the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood, one of the main priorities of the EU's external action; stresses that without adequate funding, the ‘more for more’ principle as core mechanism in the relevant financial instruments will be fundamentally undermined; strongly urges to restore a substantial amount of the cuts in commitments to the ENI, also taking into consideration civil society;
Amendment 21 #
2013/2145(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that in the Southern Mediterranean, there is an urgent need for the EU to play an active role and that it is in the EU's interest to support further democratic developments in the Eastern Neighbourhood in particular with regards to the Vilnius summit; expresses its concern that with deep cuts in the relevant instruments, there would be little room to react to sudden developments and maintain the level of support required to help countries in transition which could fundamentally undermine the EU's policy objectives in the area;
Amendment 22 #
2013/2145(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that in the Southern Mediterranean, there is an urgent need for the EU to play an active role and that it is in the EU's interest to support further democratic developments in the Eastern Neighbourhood; expresses its concern that with deep cuts in the relevant instruments, there would be little room to react to sudden developments and maintain the level of support required to help countries in transition which could fundamentally undermine the EU's policy objectives in the area; expresses the need to further support the efforts of the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean to develop concrete socioeconomic projects of regional scope;
Amendment 24 #
2013/2145(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses that the search for peace and political stability in the Middle East plays a key role in the EU's foreign policy; reiterates therefore its call for long term programming and sufficient funding for assistance to UNRWA, Palestine and the Peace process;
Amendment 27 #
2013/2145(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Questions whether the level of payments for Emergency Aid Reserve will be sufficient to ensure the EU's capacity to respond rapidly to any urgent crisis;
Amendment 29 #
2013/2145(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. NoteRegrets that the distribution of the decreases in commitments among the different instruments remains largely unexplained which is especially disconcerting given the enormous differences in the depth of the cuts; asks the Commission to provide further clarification on the reasons for this distribution of cuts;
Amendment 14 #
2013/0110(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The obligation to disclose their diversity policies for their administrative, management and supervisory bodies with regard to aspects such as age, gender, geographical diversity, disability, educational and professional background should only apply to large listed companies. Therefore small and medium- sized companies that may be exempted from certain accounting obligations under article 27 of Directive 78/660/EEC should not be covered to by this obligation. Disclosure of the diversity policy should be part of the corporate governance statement, as laid down by Article 46a of Directive 78/660/EEC. Companies not having a such a diversity policy should not be obliged to put one in place, but they should clearly explain why this is the case.
Amendment 26 #
2013/0110(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 78/660/EEC
Article 46a – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 46a – paragraph 1 – point g
a description of the company’s diversity policy for its administrative, management and supervisory bodies with regard to aspects such as age, gender, geographical diversity, disability, educational and professional background, the objectives of this diversity policy, how it has been implemented and the results in the reporting period. If the company has no such policy, the statement shall contain a clear and reasoned explanation as to why this is the case.
Amendment 96 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. to carry out a systematic and in-depth audit ofunify and put in common the external policy-related structures put in place by the Commission and the Council Secretariat, with a view to overcoming current duplications; to make this report available to Parliament;
Amendment 99 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. in the same vein, to further develop the practice of joint technical and logistical services between institutions, with a view to achieving economies of scale and improved efficiency; as a first step, to put under a "single joint structure" the various conflict prevention, risks assessments and security tasks currently dispersed in different Commission, EEAS and Council Services in order to avoid the existing overlapping and waste of resources and to ensure greater consistency and effectiveness;
Amendment 117 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. to that end, to establish under the authority of the HR/VP a Political Council, of whom shall be members the Executive Secretary General, the political deputies, the EUSRs and other relevant political counsellors, in order to assist the HR/VP to assess and evaluate the political impact of any foreseeable action to be undertaken by the EEAS;
Amendment 123 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. to set up a "Strategic Planning Center" under the management of the Executive Secretary General that provides for integrated strategic policy planning and programming drawing on both CSDP, IfS and geographic expertise, and in accordance with the mandate and instructions received from the HR/VP and the Political Council;
Amendment 135 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. to make the necessary so that appointments at the head of EU Delegations are done on the basis of merits and sound knowledge of the Union's interest, values and policies, in order to ensure motivation and the highest degree of quality and efficiency among those selected for such sensitive functions;
Amendment 136 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
Amendment 140 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. to seriously develop the opportunities opened up by the EEAS Decision and by the TEU, notably by enhancing the coordinating role of delegations, especially in crisis situations, and by enabling them to provide consular protection to EU citizens from Member States who are not represented in a given country; to ensure any additional tasks do not take resources away from existing policies and priorities, unless there is a reorientation and redeployment of staff is to take up these new challengein this regard that the necessary resources are allocated by the Commission relevant services and, if necessary, redeployed within EU Delegations;
Amendment 147 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. to ensure that, whenever applicable, every EU delegation has a human rights focal point; and, in the case of the most important posts, a parliamentary liaison officer;
Amendment 274 #
2012/2050(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 a (new)
Paragraph 51 a (new)
51 a. Welcomes, as well, that the Trade Agreement between the European Union and Colombia and Peru will be signed shortly and be subject in the European Parliament to the consent procedure; recalls that this agreement cannot be seen as a definitive framework for the relationship between the EU and these countries, but as one more step towards a global association agreement, leaving the door open for other Andean Community countries to join it;
Amendment 4 #
2012/0309(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Exemption from the visa requirement for nationals of Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, the United Arab Emirates and Vanuatu should not come into force until bilateral agreements on visa waiver between the Union and the countries concerned have been concluded in order to ensure full reciprocity.
Amendment 6 #
2012/0309(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 1 – point a
Article 1 – point 1 – point a
(a) in point 1, the references to Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, the United Arab Emirates and Vanuatu are deleted and a reference to South-Sudan is inserted;
Amendment 7 #
2012/0309(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 2 – point a – two last references
Article 1 – point 2 – point a – two last references
"Tuvalu*", "United Arab Emirates*" and "Vanuatu*"
Amendment 63 #
2012/0000(RSP)
Paragraph 14
14. Requests the European Commission and at bothe Andean Countries to ensure the establishment of a transparent and binding Action Plan on Labour Rights aimed essentially at preventing all types of violence against employeeAgenda aimed essentially at enhancing and improving Labour Rights, especially trade unionists rights; suggests it tothat they take into account the Action Plan related to Labour Rights between Colombia and the US and comprisingin particular the following: • the enacting of newenforcing and implementing legislation and policy measures which guarantee freedom of association and the right to bargain collectively, without loopholes, in particular for workers in the informal sector, and especially • strict labour inspections which lead to • clear and verifiable steps to strengthen • To assess progress in implementingthrough eliminating the use of especially through eliminating the use cooperatives, collective pacts or other of cooperatives, collective pacts or measures that have the purpose or other measures that have the purpose or effect of denying workers their trade effect of denying workers their trade union rights or the benefits of a direct union rights or the benefits of a direct employment relationship; employment relationship; • strict labour inspections which lead to penalties in the case of discrimination, penalties in the case of discrimination, non-justified dismissals, intimidation non-justified dismissals, intimidation and threats against workers; and threats against workers; • clear and verifiable steps to strengthen social dialogue on the regional and social dialogue on the regional and local level as well as on the side of local level as well as on the side of enterprises; enterprises; • To assess progress in implementing this Action Plan, the parties should this Agenda, the parties should produce produce an annual report, to be a regular report, to be presented and presented and assessed by the assessed by the European Parliament. European Parliament.
Amendment 2 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Takes note of the fact that the supervisory and control systems for External Action / Development / Enlargement policies are considered only partially effective;, and calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to take and implement all necessary measures to improve the regularity of payments;
Amendment 3 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Recalls that the main risks linked to budget support (namely the risk to how effective the aid is as well as the risks of fraud and corruption) do not appear in the Statement of Assurance audit; invites the Commission to rigorously monitor these risks;
Amendment 4 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is, however, of the opinion that, unlike the Union's internal policies, the Union's external action entails inherent and sometimes unavoidable risks, and that the environment in which this assistance is delivered may, in some cases, provide an explanation for the shortcomings encountered which needs to be addressed by specific accountability strategies;
Amendment 5 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Welcomes the Court's statement that "EuropeAid has set up a comprehensive control strategy and continued to bring significant improvements to the design and implementation of its supervisory and control systems." (Annual Report, Annex 5.3);
Amendment 7 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses, however, that the cost/benefit ratio cannot always be considered, in itself, as a sufficient criterion for assessing the appropriateness of the Union's intervention in a third country; is in fact of the conviction that the effectiveness of assistance in respect of the goals of Union Foreign Policy needs to be systematically evaluated and should include additional criteria - such as, for example, the strategic interests of the Union, the need for a Union presence on the ground, or the implementation of projects and actions fostering Union values and fundamental principles - should also be taken into consideration;
Amendment 8 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Agrees with the Court of Auditors' opinion that a variety of fields of Union intervention could, in some cases, be optimised and impact of assistance could be increased by means of better coordination with Member States whose external action should not be considered competitive, but rather complementary; calls therefore for greater efforts in respect of donor coordination inside the Union, with third countries and international organisations;
Amendment 11 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. RecallEmphasises that the external action of the Union could become even more efficient and effective if Union delegations' staff, regardless of their institution of origin, cooperated closely and flexibly; as a result, calls on the Commission and the High Representative / Vice-President to implement, without delay, all necessary administrative and regulatory measures in order to facilitate and improve cooperation between staffall Union staff working for Commission or EEAS within Union delegations.
Amendment 9 #
2011/2113(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes, in this context, the launch of the EU-Tunisia Task Force, the first task force put in place with a southern Mediterranean country with a view to ensuring better coordination of European and international support for the country’s transition; welcomes the fact that Parliament was involved in the first meeting; asks the VP/HR and the Commission to continue to involve Parliament, as an observer, in this and future initiatives; welcomes the creation within the European Parliament of a monitoring group on the Southern Mediterranean to monitor the EU response to the crises in the Mediterranean countries;
Amendment 19 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas global partnerships are instrumental in achieving jointly identified global goals; whereas the EU is the world's largest provider of development aid and a major partner of the UN in its efforts across all three pillars of its work, including in crisis and post-crisis situations, and the Member States' contribution amounts to 38% of the UN's regular budget; whereas a solid and stable EU- UN partnership is fundamental to the work of the United Nations and key to the EU's role as a global actor,
Amendment 24 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to advance effective multilateralism as the overriding strategic concern of the Union and to strengthen the coherence and visibility of the EU as a global actor at the UN, inter alia by reducing the emphasis on internal EU consultations on UN issues and by moving on to promote greater outreach on a wide range of issues, so that the EU can successfully pursue its UN agenda and meet the expectations of UN members regarding its ability to act; to foster greater cohesion both within the UN system and between the positions of EU Member States and candidate and potential candidate countries, so as to maximise the potential offered by the Lisbon Treaty to strengthen the EU's impact through the coordinated and strategic use of its various and distinctive (EU and Member States) entry points,
Amendment 41 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d
Paragraph 1 – point d
(d) to fully support UN Women inand advocate an adequate budget for UN Women in order for it to be able to fulfil its role of promoting gender equality and to protect and empower women, including in conflict and post-crisis situations, working in close coordination with other parts of the UN system, and to maintain close contacts with this organization,
Amendment 76 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point j
Paragraph 1 – point j
(j) to create a broader strategic framework for the crisis-management partnership between the EU, the AU and the UN and regional and sub- regional organizations, such as the AU, the Arab League or the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and to strengthen, in particular, a triangular relationship between the AU Peace and Security Council, the UNSC and the EU Political and Security Committee, in order to help ensure coherence and mutual reinforcement of efforts in support of the AU; to enhance the predictability, sustainability and flexibility of the financing of UN-mandated peace operations undertaken by the AU; to seek solutions that make for closer EU-AU cooperation in their particular operational areas, thereby improving early-warning and conflict-prevention capacities and making for exchanges of best practices and expertise in the area of crisis management,
Amendment 88 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l
Paragraph 1 – point l
(l) to promote the implementation of the recommendations of the 2010 NPT review, in particular to seek a safer world for all and to achieve, as a long-term objective, peace and security in a world without nuclear weapons, to further enhance transparency so as to increase mutual confidence, to achieve faster genuine progress towards nuclear disarmament, to take effective nuclear disarmament measures which are consistent with the fundamental principles of transparency, verification and irreversibility, to encourage nuclear- weapons states to report regularly on the implementation of their commitments, and to review implementation,
Amendment 99 #
2011/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point q
Paragraph 1 – point q
(q) to prepare for and activelycontinue to participate actively in the review of the HRC and the follow-up to that review; to address the HRC's ability to tackle urgent situations involving serious human rights violations, to improve its capacity to implement existing international norms and standards and enhance its role as an early-warning and preventive mechanism able to prioritise and address the root causes of human rights violations with the aim of preventing fresh or further escalation of human rights violations, including through its support for capacity building for national human rights institutions; to seek ways of improving the HRC's election procedures in order to address the issue of the quality of HRC membership; to develop a viable working relationship between the HRC and the Third Committee, and between the HRC and the UNHCR , and to address growing signs of divisions between Member States concerning their votes in the HRC,
Amendment 3 #
2011/2020(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses again, in this context, the need to providethat in light of the latest developments, in particular in Libya, adequate support for the neighbouring South Mediterranean countries, is crucial in order to help the transition to democracy and to build democratic institutions and that these developments should be reflected in the final budgetary vote;
Amendment 6 #
2011/2019(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Is convinced that with the creation of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy post and the EEAS, the system of permanent analysis and monitoring mechanisms of the democratic parliamentary control on national and European level of the foreign policy should be put in place under the auspices of the European Parliament; such a mechanism would be instrumental to allow to meet the challenges of the democratic legitimacy of the European Union in the area of EU Foreign Policy;
Amendment 8 #
2011/2019(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the need to provide adequate support for the neighbouring South Mediterranean countries and the Eastern Partnership, to help them make the transition to democracy and build democratic institutions, including support for civil society; underlines that the increased support for the Southern Neighbourhood should be matched by a similar approach applied to the Eastern Neighbourhood within the overall budget;
Amendment 14 #
2011/2019(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates that EU relations with Latin America are underfunded, taking into account the strategic partnership between both regions and the conclusions of the Madrid Summit from May 2010, as well as the potential of Latin America as an emergent region and economic growth hub. This underfunding is specially aggravated by the deadlock of the allocation of funds from the ICI + programme, since the legal basis for the participation of several Latin American countries entitled to benefit from ICI+ has not yet been adopted; calls therefore for a swift adoption of the ICI+ legislation in 2011;
Amendment 18 #
2011/2019(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Emphasises the need to provide more flexibility and ensure better-targeted assistance, particularly aimed at civil society, respect of human rights and aspiration towards democracy, including local level, so as to promote a bottom-up approach; calls alsoin the frame of the ENP review for a comprehensive efficiency analysis of ENPI in coordination with other instruments, with the aim of making better use of financial instruments available in the EU's relations with southern and eastern neighbours and of ensuring that developmentEU assistance is used adequately in beneficiary countries based on conditionality of the more-for-more concept and differentiated according to the specific situation of each beneficiary country;
Amendment 28 #
2011/2019(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Believes that savings need to be made given the economic difficulties and resulting budgetary restraints in many EU Member States; is convinced that targeted savings can be made by identifying overlaps and inefficiencies across all headings and flagging up areas where results are not in line with the expectations and requests of the European Parliament in order to create the necessary budgetary leverage for key political priorities including the foreign affairs priorities.
Amendment 56 #
2011/0415(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Supported actions shall ensure that accessibility criteria for disabled people are observed
Amendment 63 #
2011/0415(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) Global grants can ensure small size projects for vulnerable groups.
Amendment 83 #
2011/0415(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 8
Article 8 – paragraph 8
8. Tenderers, applicants and candidates who have been awarded contracts shall respect applicable environmental legislation including multilateral environmental agreements as well as internationally agreed core labour standards, and the principles of non discrimination and accessibility for people with disabilities.
Amendment 143 #
2011/0412(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
(ii) fostering cooperation by civil society with international and regional intergovernmental organisations, and supporting civil society activities, including capacity building of NGOs representing vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities and women, aimed at promoting and monitoring the implementation of international and regional instruments concerning human rights, justice, the rule of law and democracy;
Amendment 277 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) needs, based on criteria including population, income per capita, the extent of poverty, social vulnerability, income distribution and the level of human development;
Amendment 280 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) the potential impact of EU development aid.
Amendment 294 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5
Article 3 – paragraph 5
5. In implementing this Regulation, consistency shall be ensuredthe Union shall strive for consistency with other areas of Union external action and with other relevant Union policies. To this end, measures financed under this Regulation, including those managed by the EIB, shall be based on the cooperation policies set out in instruments such as included in agreements, declarations and action plans between the Union and the third countries and regions concerned, and on the Union's decisions, specific interests, policy priorities and strategies.
Amendment 304 #
2011/0406(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 9
Article 3 – paragraph 9
9. The Union wishall support inter alia the implementation of bilateralcountry-specific, regional and multilateral cooperation and dialogue, the development dimension of partnership agreements, south-south and triangular cooperation.
Amendment 354 #
Amendment 355 #
Amendment 356 #
Amendment 357 #
Amendment 142 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. The Union aims to establish an area of prosperdemocracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, prosperity, stability and good neighbourliness involving the European Union and the countries and territories listed in the Annex to this Regulation (hereinafter ‘the partner countries’) by developing a special relationship based on those common values and cooperation.
Amendment 179 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) creating conditions for well managed mobility of people and promotion of people-to-people contacts, including appropriate measures to avoid illegal immigration;
Amendment 202 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 3
Article 2 – paragraph 3
3. The achievement of these objectives shall be measured taking into account the overall progress and the level of commitment to reform, and using notably the relevant EUnion periodic reports on the implementation of the policy, and for paragraphs 2(a), (d) and (e), the relevant indicators established by international organisations and other relevant bodies; for paragraphs 2(b), (c) and (d) the uptake of the EU regulatory framework by the partner countries as relevant; for paragraphs 2(c) and (f), the number of relevant agreements and cooperation actions. The indicators will include, among others, adequately monitored democratic elections, level of corruption, trade flows, indicators enabling measuring internal economic disparities, including employment levels.
Amendment 214 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. Union support provided under this Regulation to each partner country shall be differentiated in form and amounts according to the partner country's commitment to reforms and its progress in implementing these reforms. Such differentiation shall reflect the level of ambition of theunder points (a) and (b) of Article 6 (1) shall be incentive-based and differentiated in form and amounts according to the needs and capacities of the partner country concerned, the partner country'’s partnership with the Union, its progress in building deep and sustainable democracy, its progresscommitment to progress in building democracy and in implementing agreedother reform objectives, the level of ambition of the country'’s needs and capacities,partnership with the Union and the potential impact of Union support.
Amendment 255 #
2011/0405(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4
Article 9 – paragraph 4
4. The indicative allocations of funds to the joint operational programmes shall be based primarily on the population of the eligible areas and its level of development. When determining the indicative allocations, adjustments may be made to reflect the need for a balance between the contributions from the European Regional Development Fund and the contributions provided under the budget of this Instrument as well as other factors affecting the intensity of cooperation, such as the specific characteristics of border areas and their capacity to manage and absorb Union support.
Amendment 111 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21 a (new)
Recital 21 a (new)
(21a) The actions should be consistent with United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) that entered into forced for the Union on 22nd January 2011, Council Decision No 2010/48 and the European Disability Strategy. The IPA should reflect the Union's commitment and ambitions of the external relations chapter of the Union's Disability Strategy, where it promotes the rights of people with disabilities in the Union's enlargement programmes.
Amendment 137 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point v
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point v
(v) development of physical capital, the improvement of connections with Union and regional networks, including accessible environment to increase physical mobility of people with reduced mobility.
Amendment 162 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, including the principles of non discrimination, accessibility for persons with reduced mobility and participation of representative NGOs, shall be ensured under all policy areas. The building of the capacities of vulnerable groups enabling them to participate in and access the instrument shall also be ensured.
Amendment 879 #
2011/0294(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Volume 16/33
Annex I – Volume 16/33
add the following rail freight transport sections to the core network: – Almería – Málaga – Algeciras (along the coast) – Granada – Motril – Castejón – Logroño – Miranda – León – Gijón / Avilés – Palencia – Santander – Madrid – Cáceres – Mérida – Mérida – Badajoz – Portuguese border – Mora – Ciudad Real – Mérida
Amendment 881 #
2011/0294(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Volume 16/33
Annex I – Volume 16/33
Amendment 891 #
2011/0294(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Volume 17/33
Annex I – Volume 17/33
add the following rail passenger transport sections to the core network: – Madrid – Toledo – Madrid – Alcázar – Albacete – Murcia – Almería – Málaga – Algeciras (along the coast) – Avilés – Oviedo – Bilbao – Santander – Oviedo – El Ferrol – A Coruña – Castejón – Logroño – Miranda – Mora – Alcázar – Linares – Moreda/Jaén/Córdoba – Ourense – Vigo (via Cercedo) – Ourense – Monforte – Lugo – A Coruña – Palencia – Santander – Segovia – Ávila – Sevilla – Cádiz – Sevilla – Huelva – Portuguese border – Valencia – Alicante (along the coast) – Motilla – Albacete – La Encina – Santiago – Vigo – Portuguese border – Granada – Motril – Antequera – Málaga – Madrid – Ávila – Salamanca – León – Monforte – Torralba – Soria – Castejón – Plasencia – León – Gijón
Amendment 892 #
2011/0294(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Volume 17/33
Annex I – Volume 17/33
add the following rail passenger transport sections to the comprehensive network: – Almendricos – Águilas – Barcelona – Massanet – Barcelona – Puigcerdá – Játiva – Alcoy – Lleida – Manresa – Barcelona – Los Rosales – Zafra – Madrid – Burgos – Villalba – Segovia
Amendment 110 #
2010/2298(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses the need for a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council by building, on the basis of a first-ever negotiation text and widespread support for UNSC reform, a more cohesive position among EU Member States on the issues of legitimacy, composition, effectiveness and regional representation; reiterates the view that an EU seat in an enlarged UNSC remains a goal of the European Union; invites EU Member States on the UN Security Council to keep other EU Member States adequately informed of their positions and activities and share information about developments in the UNSC with other EU Member States; hopes that the EU and Member States will establish cooperation mechanisms to ensure that Member States on the UNSC represent and defend a common position within the Security Council; welcomes the newly established practice whereby a representative of the EU is generally invited to attend most scheduled UNSC deliberations and participate with some limited right to speak at the UNSC;
Amendment 132 #
2010/2298(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Considering that regular meetings take place already on all levels, permanent military liaison arrangements have already been established and occasional joint meetings are organised between the EU's Political and Security Committee (PSC) and NATO's North Atlantic Council (NAC), calls on the EU and NATO to redouble their efforts towards the establishment of a framework for integrated cooperation including permanent structures for cooperation; proposes that mutual observer status should be established at the level of the NAC and the PSC in order to improve cooperative arrangements in the spirit of the Treaty of Lisbon and following the adoption by NATO of its new strategic concept as well as due to the ambition to develop an EU- NATO strategic partnership; welcomes in this respect the existing cooperation with the European Parliament and its participation in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly;
Amendment 138 #
2010/2298(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. In the context of a formal agreement between the EU and the OSCE, calls for serious reflection on how the EU can take on greater responsibilities and participate more efficiently in achieving joint objectives, for which implementing a system of permanent dialogue, agreeing on joint initiatives and coordinating local activities may be appropriate instruments; calls on the EU and its Member States and the OSCE Permanent Council to jointly develop a mechanism aimed at enhancing cooperation, coordination and consultations between the two organisations; considering also that Article 220(1) TFEU explicitly added the OSCE to the list of international organisations with which ‘appropriate forms of cooperation’ are to be established, emphasises the need for the VPC/HR to represent the EU as an observer at the OSCE and to take the lead as spokesperson and coordinator of the position of EU Member States on OSCE matters; emphasises the need to establish effective cooperation mechanisms in the field of election missions between the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the European Parliament with a view to overcoming some of the shortcomings that have arisen on certain occasions;
Amendment 146 #
2010/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Points out that, since 21 out of 28 NATO members are EU Member States, close cooperation on the basis of the principle of decision making autonomy between the EU and NATO in the area of military capabilities is of vital importance to avoid duplication of effort; reiterates the urgent need to resolve the underlying political problems hamperingany outstanding issue having a negative influence in EU- NATO cooperation and calls for the improvementcomplete and more effective implementation of the 'Berlin Plus' arrangements in order to enable the two organisations to intervene effectively in current and future crises;
Amendment 96 #
2010/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Recalls the constant, almost unbearable pressure on the financing of the EU’s activities as a global player, with its room for manoeuvre caught between low financial margins, unpredictable crises in third countries and an ever-growing desire to affirm its priorities on the world stage; underlines the need to equip the Union with the necessary financial means for a consistent and adequate response to unforeseen global challenges;
Amendment 97 #
2010/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 a new
Paragraph 40 a new
40 a. Points to the need for a revision of the 2006 Inter-Institutional Agreement on budgetary discipline concerning Parliament's prerogatives regarding the CFSP/CSDP budget under the Lisbon Treaty, including the need for new rules on the flexible use of the CFSP budget for civilian CSDP missions and the full transparency over military crisis management operations, in particular the use of the start-up fund;
Amendment 100 #
2010/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41.Points out that, following an amending budget for 2010, 2011 will be the first fully operational year for the European External Action Service (EEAS); intends to provide the EEAS with the necessary means to fulfil its mission, but recalls that, under the treaty and in full accordance with the common intention to increase the EP’s involvement in the shaping and management of the EU’s external relations, it will fully exercise its scrutiny over the budget and budgetary control of EEAS; underlines that full budgetary transparency regarding the establishment plan of the EEAS needs to be ensured;
Amendment 106 #
2010/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Reaffirms its firm commitment to assist the Haitian people to the largest possible extent in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that has struck their country; asks the Commission to present, on the basis of an extensive needs assessment, the most ambitious assistance plan possible for Haiti; recalls that such a plan should not jeopardise existing cooperation withmmitments towards other developing and less advanced countries, and should consist mainly of new funding sources;
Amendment 108 #
2010/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a new
Paragraph 44 a new
44 a. Recalls the importance of appropriate funding for the stabilisation of the Western Balkans´ region, and for its gradual integration into the European Union;
Amendment 110 #
2010/2004(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 a new
Paragraph 45 a new
45a. Recalls that the theme of the VI EU- LAC Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held in 2010 will be "Innovation and technology for sustainable development and social inclusion", as the Latin American region is the most unequal on the planet; in this context, hopes that the priorities that emerge from the Summit are given all due attention;
Amendment 122 #
2010/2002(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
Paragraph 47
47. Is extremely worried by the proposed decrease of more than 32% for CA for financial assistance to Palestine, the peace process and UNRWA; considers that the Commission's statement on "the exceptionally high allocations of previous years [that] cannot be maintained without jeopardising the funding for other countries in the region" reinforces the urgent need for a substantial revision of financing capacities under heading 4, and should not lead to a decreased financial assistance which is vital for the Palestinian people, the Palestinian Authority, and UNRWA; reiterates its support for the Palestinian Authority in reinforcing its institutional capacities, which is essential to set up an independent and viable, democratic Palestinian State in the context of the peace process and the achievement of the two-state solution;
Amendment 131 #
2010/2002(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 a new
Paragraph 51 a new
51a. Reiterates its intention to provide the European External Action Service with the necessary administrative means to fulfil its mission; points in particular to the need to ensure that EU Delegations to multilateral organisations are adequately staffed in order to cope with the onerous additional tasks resulting from the fact that they take over the role of rotating Presidency of the Council; underlines however that the allocation of new resources for the inclusion of personnel originating in the diplomatic services of the Member States and the costs for the necessary infrastructure should be linked to an appropriate increase of the EU budget related to external action;
Amendment 132 #
2010/2002(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 a new
Paragraph 51 a new
51b. Is of the view that EU Special Representatives should carry out their mandate, as set out in Art. 33, within the EEAS, under the authority of the High Representative, and that their mandate, defined by the Council, should continue to be financed under the CFSP budget;
Amendment 139 #
2010/2002(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Welcomes the increase of appropriations for CFSP to 327,4 million (CA), as foreseen in the financial programming and in line with the ever ambitious role the EU wishes to play in zones in a stabilisation process or affected by conflicts; takes note of the emptying of the budget line for EU Special Representatives, as foreseen in the setting up of the EEAS, anddeletion recalls that the specific provisions regarding CFSP in the IIA will have to be substantially rethought in the framework of the negotiation on a revised IIA and of the adoption of a proposal on the EEAS;
Amendment 140 #
2010/2002(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 a new
Paragraph 52 a new
52a. Underlines that pending the adoption of the revised regulation on the cooperation with industrialised countries (ICI), ways have to be found to finance non-ODA assistance to middle-income countries;
Amendment 18 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the international community has implicitly recognised that nine years of war and international involvement have not succeeded in eliminating the Taliban insurgency and bringing peace and stability to the country, and whereas a new counterinsurgency policy has been introduced from last year and around 45 000 troops dispatched as reinforcements,
Amendment 25 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas an impasse has been reached in Afghanistan:it is difficult to see an obvious end in sight with a coalition of occupying powers in place but unable to defeat the Taliban only through military means, and an insurgency movement unable to prevail against these military forces; and whereas there is no obvious end in sight,
Amendment 44 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
Amendment 67 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
Amendment 71 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Is aware however of the set of factors hampering progress in Afghanistan but, given space constraints, has chosen to focus in this report on four main elements where, it believes, efforts expended will result in very significant improvements that could turn the course of events: international aid; implications of the peace process; impact of police training; elimination of opium cultivation through alternative development;
Amendment 76 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Expresses support for the new concept of a counter insurgency strategy, which aims at the protection of the local population and the rebuilding of areas whose security has been assured, and support for the EU’s Action Plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan;
Amendment 82 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes, therefore, that a newthe EU strategy for Afghanistan will have to take as its starting point two premises: an acknowledgement of the continuing deterioration in security and socio- economic indicators in Afghanistan despite almost a decade of international involvement and investment; and the need to encourage a profound shift in the mindset of the international community, which has all too often in the past, in particular prior to the counter insurgency strategy, shaped plans and decisions with scant regard for Afghan involvement;
Amendment 132 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that these disappointing indicators are not compensated for byNotes however the limited progress made in infrastructure, telecommunications and basic education usually cited as achievements by donors and the Afghan Government;
Amendment 136 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 144 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 153 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Points out that, contrary to the widespread perception that Afghan Government corruption is responsible for the lack of provision of essential services to its citizens, the majority of resources for socio-economic development have been channelled through international organisations, regional development banks, NGOs, international contractors etc,, and not through the central government;
Amendment 160 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Is appalled by the absence ofCalls for coordination among international donors and of, for detailed evaluations on the impact of the international civilian and military intervention, by the lack offor transparency and by the limited mechanisms for donor accountability;
Amendment 173 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls, too, on all the main humanitarian and development bodies active in Afghanistan (from EU Member States and the US to the UNDP and UNOPS, and from the World Bank to the main NGOs) to drastically prune their operating expenses by allocating funds (at least 80% more than at present) directly to Afghan institutions; notes that, among Afghan institutions preference should be given to local and regional governments provided that at this level allegiance, the rule of law and democracy have been properly ascertained; points out that the allocation of funds at local and regional level shall require the approval of the central Government to enhance its role and responsibility;
Amendment 185 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Recognises the potential for local corruption but believes that this will be outweighed by the strengthened legitimacy the Afghan State will gain by begiving responsible for implementing aidapproval for the allocation of the funding and by ensuring that aid effectiveness indicators and effective monitoring mechanisms, agreed upon by both donors and the Afghan Government, are in place;
Amendment 196 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
Amendment 213 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Believes that much of the blame for the present impassesituation in Afghanistan rests with early miscalculations prior to the new counter-insurgency strategy by coalition forces who foresaw a speedy military victory over the Taliban and an easy transition to a stable country run by a legitimate government with strong Western backing;
Amendment 234 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Recognises that the final stage would be a political solution; considers that in order to achieve this and for the Taliban to realize that they should sit at the negotiating table, the new counter insurgency policy must be given time to succeed according to the time table announced by President Obama; recognizes that once the conditions have been met, so that the Taliban do not negotiate under conditions of strength, then the only possible solution is a political one, and; strongly believes that negotiations with the Talibanall the Afghan sides engaged in the conflict – which should take place against the backdrop of a ceasefire – lie at the heart of thisa political process, with the aim of forming a government of national unity which can put an end to the civil war that has raged in the country for almost three decades;
Amendment 254 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Recognises that the Taliban are not one single uniform entity: there are at least 33 top leaders, 820 mid-level/junior leaders, and 25 000 - 36 000 "foot soldiers" distributed among 220 communities, some fighting for ideological, others for monetary, reasons; believes therefore, that negotiations should be encouraged from now on at local level between the democratically elected local government and members of the armed opposition "who renounce violence, have no links to international terrorist organizations, respect the Constitution and are willing to join in building a peaceful Afghanistan", according to paragraphs 13 and 14 of the Kabul communiqué of 20 July 2010;
Amendment 286 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Urges the EU to encourage the USallied forces to move away from itsthe policy of circumventing domestic institutions in the delivery of international aid and the privatisation of security, as well as its parallel and seemingly contradictory (to the peace process) attempt to "decapitate" the insurgency leadership usnd acknowledges the new orders by General Petraeus that due regard should be given to all military and security operations in avoiding civilian casualties as this is one of the factors alienating the local population against ISAF; pays tribute to the servicemen and women of all the Allied Forces who have lost their lives ing drones and US Special forces, which is of questionable legal status and results in frequent civilian casualefending freedom, and expresses its condolences to their families, as well as to the families of all innocent Afghan victiems;
Amendment 296 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Points out that the EU Member States and their allies' military presence in Afghanistan has the objective of combating the threat of international terrorism and tackling the fight against drug cultivation and trafficking;
Amendment 307 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Notes that there can be no stability or peace in Afghanistan without guaranteeing security for its citizens, and that part of the Taliban's early success in establishing themselves was due to an ability to maintain order and security;
Amendment 315 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47 a. Gives merit to the idea of General Petraeus that local, democratically elected authorities could be accorded with a local gendarmerie to maintain law and order and protect the local population;
Amendment 329 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Notes from ISAF sources that of the 94 000 men in the Afghan National Police almost 90%of them are illiterate, 20% and a substantial number are drug users, and over 30% or go missing after a year, not to mention the 1 000 or so killed in service every year;
Amendment 335 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
Paragraph 51
51. Believes that one of the main factors behind the ineffectiveness of overall training has been the practice, predominantly by the US, of relying on private contractors to train the police;
Amendment 338 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Notes that, while the EU and its Member States do not share the US approach, their commitment to the creation of a professional Afghan police force risks being compromised by the prevalence of practices such as the "fast- track" approach (poor vetting of recruits, six weeks of training with no textbooks because of trainee illiteracy, minimal field training, recruits then given a badge, uniform and gun and sent out on patrol) implemented by a few big US security companies;
Amendment 341 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
Paragraph 53
53. Is equally disturbed to learn of the poor financial controls being applied to these private companies, and cites a 2006 joint US Defense and State Department report, whose findings are still valid today, which found that the police force in Afghanistan was incapable of carrying out routine law enforcement work and that no effective field training programme existed; acknowledges General McChrystal's attempts, during his tenure,the attempts by the general command and under the counterinsurgency policy to exercise some degree of control over the private foreign militias operating with impunity in Afghanistan;
Amendment 344 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
Paragraph 54
54. Recommends unequivocally, therefore, that responsibility for police training no longerthat police training should as soon as possible cease to be carried out by private contractors;
Amendment 358 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56
Paragraph 56
56. Recommends that salaries for the Afghan police be increased and that the whole recruitment process be reviewed, only admittinggive preference to recruits with a basic standard of literacy, who are not drug users and are better qualified psychologically and physically than the present cohort;
Amendment 362 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57
Paragraph 57
57. Recalls that Afghanistan is the source of 90% of the world's illicit opium, and yet that when coalition forces entered Kabul in 2001, no opium poppies were being grown in Afghanistan owing to the UN's success in getting the Taliban to impose a ban on their cultivation in the 90% of the country under their controlcultivation has not diminished in recent years;
Amendment 368 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
Paragraph 59
59. Notes, however, that the opium problem was not considered a priority by the Bush AdministrationGeneral Command prior to the counter insurgency policy, which preferred to cooperate with the warlords in the name of the war on terror;
Amendment 370 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62
Paragraph 62
62. Draws attention, however, to the findings of a recent UNODC report, whereby the Taliban only capture 4% of the annual narcotics trade, and local farmers 21%, with 75% going to government officials, the police, local and regional brokers, and traffickers; in short, notes that NATO allies are in fact getting the lion's share of the profits from the drugs trade;
Amendment 385 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70
Paragraph 70
Amendment 137 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Considers democratisation, good governance and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rights of minorities and the rule of law to be basic principles for and of peaceful and stable democratic states; welcomes the initiation of the human rights dialogue between EU and Georgia and Armenia and calls on Azerbaijan to agree to the parallel cooperation structure;
Amendment 235 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Considers that the ENP Action Plans and the implementation thereof constitute an essential basis for evaluating respect for commitments, in accordance with the principle of conditionality, for evaluating the progress of bilateral relationships with the EU and for considering upgrading of agreements with the countries concerned; notes Armenia's and Georgia’s strong commitment to the implementation of the ENP Action Plans and calls on Azerbaijan to accelerate its efforts in this regard; takes the view that the European Parliament should be involved in this process; notes the different progress made by the three countries in the implementation of the respective ENP Action Plans; believes that negotiations on the new association agreements should take into account this diversity and the different objectives but at the same time that the process of negotiation should preferably move at the same pace for all three countries, taking into account the regional dimension;
Amendment 245 #
2009/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Believes that providing support to conflict resolution processes is crucial and that the EU is well placed to support confidence-building, reconstruction and rehabilitation and has the possibility to help involve the communities affected; furthermore considers it essential to maintain a high level of international attention to all the conflicts in the region to ensure their swift resolution; recognizes the regional cooperation as a necessary condition for confidence building and reinforcement of security in accordance with the ENP priorities; calls on all parties to fully engage in the multilateral cooperation track of the Eastern Partnership without linking it to the final solution of the conflicts;
Amendment 14 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas relations between the EU and Latin America are based on common values, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is a key aspect of the strategic partnership,
Amendment 15 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas gender mainstreaming in all policies can help render societies fairer and more democratic, in that men and women are then viewed as equals in all walks of life,
Amendment 54 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls for the continuation and deepening of a constructive dialogue on migration issues in the Euro-Latin American area, with both countries of destination and countries of origin and transit; with this in view, supports the structured and global biregional dialogue on migration between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean, which began on 30 June 2009, thereby providing an impetus for the attainment of the undertakings given at the Lima Summit; also welcomes the setting up of a working group on migration within the Eurolat Parliamentary Assembly with the aim of creating a forum for dialogue and proposals in this area;
Amendment 61 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Urges that climate change and global warming should remain a priority on the political agenda between the EU and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, and that additional efforts be made to meet the Copenhagen targets; stresses also that it is the poorest, and in particular the indigenous populations, who are the main victims of the adverse effects of climate change and global warming;
Amendment 76 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Recommends, with a view to concerted action, coordinating the positions of both regions on the question of how to achieve the millennium development goals in the run-up to the high-level session of the United Nations scheduled for September 2010, in particular those concerning action to combat poverty, the creation of stable, quality jobs, and the social inclusion of marginalised groups, in particular indigenous groups, children, women and disabled persons;
Amendment 87 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Reiterates the importance of pooling experience in connection with issues of shared interest, such as social cohesion as a means of combating poverty and reducing inequalities; welcomes, in this connection, the EU-LAC Forum on Social Cohesion held at ministerial level in Lima from 8 to 10 February, which focused on the theme of 'The promotion of decent work for young people: promoting social cohesion', and the Bahia Declaration issued at the end of the IVth International Meeting of EUROsociAL Networks on 25 June 2009;
Amendment 89 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Welcomes the EU-LAC meeting on the coordination of social security systems to be held between ministers and senior officials with responsibility for social security matters in Alcalá de Henares (Madrid) on 13 and 14 May 2010, and also supports the work of the Ibero- American Social Security Organisation (OISS) in promoting economic and social well-being by means of social-security- related coordination and experience pooling;
Amendment 98 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Reiterates its proposal for the creation of a Europe-Latin America and Caribbean Foundation, a public-private institution whose primary purpose would be to prepare for the summits, follow up on the decisions and political courses of action adopted at the summits, and act as a forum for dialogue and coordination in the periods between summits for all the political, economic, institutional, academic and civil society bodies working to strengthen Euro- Latin American relations, including the EuroLat Assembly;
Amendment 99 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25. Proposes that the organisational structure of the above Foundation should be on similar lines to that of the Anna Lindh Foundation, with a President and an Advisory Council having the role of making recommendations on the Foundation's strategic orientations to its Governing Council, Director and national networks and forwarding those recommendations to all levels concerned;
Amendment 111 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Stresses the importance and desirability of working towards harmonisation of the regulatory and supervisory aspects of the various Latin American financial systems with a view to bridge-building and convergence, as far as possible, with the European system, which has achieved concrete results in developing advanced models for supervising crossborder bodies;
Amendment 45 #
2009/2133(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls on the Commission, the Council, the Member States and the next High Representative to consider the strategic importance of European world languages as a fundamental part of Europe's public diplomacy, especially when establishing the linguistic rules by which the EEAS is to operate.
Amendment 6 #
2009/0155(NLE)
Draft opinion
last paragraph
last paragraph
The Committee on Foreign Affairs calls on the Committee on International Trade, as the committee responsible, to draw up an interim report under Rule 81(3)propose that Parliament give its consent.
Amendment 14 #
2008/2289(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 − point b
Paragraph 1 − point b
b) favours institutionalising theannual EU- Mexico summits within the framework of the Strategic Partnership, as is already the case for those with the US, Russia, China and Brazil;
Amendment 21 #
2008/2289(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 − point e
Paragraph 1 − point e
e) wishes to see clear guidelines on how best to ensure close cooperation with a view to promoting effective multilateralism and reinforcing the UN's capacities for preserving and consolidating peace, while also tackling, in the framework of international law, common threats to peace and security such as trafficking in drugs and arms, organised crime, terrorism and the mafias which profit from illegal immigrationhuman trafficking, in line with the Lima Declaration;
Amendment 39 #
2008/2289(INI)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 − point l
Paragraph 1 − point l
l) believes there must be a regular flow of information from the EU institutions and the Mexican government to the EP and, EUROLAT and the EU-Mexico Joint Parliamentary Committee on the state of play regarding the Strategic Partnership and on the monitoring of the actions taken under it;
Amendment 3 #
2008/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that peace and stability are beneficial forsult in development progress; notes and that the absence of hostilities that marks post-conflict situations does not automatically lead to entrenched and lasting stability; stresses, therefore, that peace, security and durable stability are basic prerequisites for national reconstruction in post-conflict situations;
Amendment 10 #
2008/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers it vitally important that causes of instability only be tackled by development measures that are in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals and other social and economic measures aimed at eliminating poverty and fostering economic and social development that canand post-conflict problems be tackled by the adoption of a series of institutional, economic and social reforms; such measures should be targeted on creating institutional and administrative capacities, improving the quality of life of the population and consolidating the rule of law, with a view to createing the environment required to prevent the resurgence of conflict;
Amendment 16 #
2008/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2b. Stresses the vital need for the support of the international community for the authorities of states in process of reconstruction, the need being to assume a major responsibility and establish the rule of law; emphasises that such support is fundamental for the construction of the national constitutional and political system as such;
Amendment 17 #
2008/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Amendment 23 #
2008/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that many African countries have the basic natural resources required for their development; hHighlights the need for the proper management and redistribution of thesenatural resources, as a fundamental element of reconstruction; deplores the implication of various (local, regional, international and trans-national) actors in the misappropriation and exploitation of these resources (e.g. diamonds in Angola and Sierra Leone and coltan in the Democratic Republic of Congo); draws attention to the need for transparency in the extractive industries and welcomes initiatives such as the Kimberley process in avoiding major conflict potential;
Amendment 39 #
2008/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 43 #
2008/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Considers that international donors should take account of regional and local circumstances when devising a policy of reconstruction for stability and democracy, starting out from the experience acquired in promoting economic development in post-conflict societies;
Amendment 46 #
2008/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Points out that there should be no military component to development aid and that the aid should always be in accordance with international law and in line with the United Nations; notes with interest the experience of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission; expresses its concern at the current approach adopted by donors who do not take local views into account but work on the basis of Western models; considers that African solutions should be applied to African problems.aid for post-conflict reconstruction should be rationalised on a basis of coordination among the donors, in accordance with international law and in line with the United Nations; advocates closer coordination, in the interests of effectiveness, between military and police actions;
Amendment 3 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)
Citation 16 a (new)
Amendment 36 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that recourse to sanctions should be envisaged in the case of actions by authorities or non-state actors which seriously undermine security and human rights or where all contractual and/or diplomatic options have been explored or have clearly reached stalemate, owing to the actions of the third party;
Amendment 37 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 44 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Regrets that the existence of intra-EU disagreements on policies towards a given country such as Cuba or the reluctance of Member States to antagonise major partners such as Russia have led the EU to adopt only 'informal sanctions' in Presidency Conclusions, reflecting an unbalanced or inconsistent application of EU sanctions; recognises, however, that measures included in the Council conclusions, such as the deferral of the signing of agreements with countries such as Serbia, could be a useful tool in order to pressure third countries to fully cooperate with international mechanisms; observes that, with regard to Cuba, the Common Position adopted in 1996 and periodically renewed implies a roadmap for peaceful transition to democracy on the island, is being fully implemented and is not the subject of controversy in the European institutions; notes that the differences within the European Union arise from the measures adopted in June 2003 to complement the Common Position; stresses that certain measures such as the suspension of high-level visits to Cuba, the reduction of cultural cooperation and the incitement of dissidents by the EU Member States to engage in organised initiatives have to a degree penalised the Cuban population; expresses concern that, following their adoption, the Cuban authorities unilaterally decided to end cooperation with the EU; urges that any decision regarding the authorities of that country should be accompanied by firm, concrete and tangible requirements regarding human rights and that such requirements be binding also on the European Union institutions in their relations with the Cuban regime; accordingly calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience together with the immediate recognition of the freedom of all Cubans, including the Sakharov Prize winners Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas and the Ladies in White, to enter and leave their own country;
Amendment 46 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that the argument of the 'ineffectiveness' of sanctions cannot be used in favour of lifting them as it encourages those targeted to simply resist pressure; takes the view that thend that their continuation or not of sanctions should depend solely on whether their objectives have been achieved, and that their type may be strengthened or altered on the basis of their evaluation; considers that, to this end, sanctions should always be accompanied by clear benchmarks;
Amendment 62 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Stresses therefore that the removal of restrictive measures must not, under any circumstances, be used as a preliminary condition for initiating dialogue with a third country; in this connection, the revision thereof must be conditioned solely by perceptible progress regarding the factors which led to the sanctions being imposed;
Amendment 77 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on the Council and the Commission to set up an exemplary sanctions review process, notably involving the systematic inclusion of a review clause which entails revisiting the sanctions regime on the basis of the established benchmarks and assessing whether the objectives have been met; insists that declarations of intent or the will to establish procedures that will produce positive results – such as human rights dialogues – are to be welcomed but stresses that they should under no circumstances, when sanctions are evaluated, replace the achievement of tangible and genuine progress in meeting reference criteria;
Amendment 106 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)
Paragraph 48 a (new)
48a. Reiterates however that the system of anti-terrorist lists, provided that it respects the most recent case law established by the Court of Justice, is an effective instrument and one of the pillars of European Union anti-terrorist policy;
Amendment 107 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 b (new)
Paragraph 48 b (new)
48b. Stresses that terrorism is a threat to safety and freedom and urges therefore that the Council review and update the list of terrorist organisations, taking into account their activities on all continents;
Amendment 109 #
2008/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Considers that EU sanctions policy is more effective where it remains explicitly transformable into a policy of positive measures; considers that a strategy of openness and a policy of sanctions are not mutually exclusive; in this respect, notes with great interest the cycle of sanctions imposed in respect of Uzbekistan from November 2007 to April 2008: while continuing for one year the sanctions imposed for failure to satisfy initial criteria pertaining to investigations into the Andijan massacre and respect for human rights, the Council decided to suspend the implementation of the visa ban, leaving the Uzbek regime six months in which to fulfil a set of human rights criteria, and with the looming threat of the automatic re-establishment of the visa ban; notes that the mix of engagement and sanctions produced some positive developments, thanks to the possible automatic re-establishment of the sanctions and the definition of precise conditions; underlines that these conditions must be capable of being satisfied within a limited time frame and relevant to the general sanction regimea strategy of openness and a policy of sanctions are not mutually exclusive; takes the view therefore that the EU's sanctions policy may help to improve respect for human rights in the sanctioned country when revised for the express purpose of introducing a policy of positive action based on specific criteria;
Amendment 16 #
2008/2025(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9.Supports – given the need to strengthen the EU´s relations with Central Asia on the basis of the strategy adopted in 2007 – the frontloading of assistance to that region for 2009; calls also for relations with Latin America to be appropriately funded in line with the results of the Lima Summit;
Amendment 6 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers, in the light of this, that election observation is merely a first step towards democracy and that it needs to be complemented by other, adequately funded activities for the promotion of democracy; therefore requests the maintenance of the budgetary ceiling agreed by the Commission of around 25% of EIDHR for EU EOMs;
Amendment 17 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that this success has made the EU a leading organisation in the field of international election observation and that the focus on professionalism of EU EOMs is significantly contributing to the emergence of a significant number of highly qualified and experienced electoral experts; considers in this respect that the experience of former MEPs as short-term observers and long-term observers could be considered;
Amendment 20 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Commission to take the appropriate measures to further strengthen the adequate participation of civil society organisations and local observers in electoral processes;
Amendment 32 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on the Commission to consider, in the negotiation of association agreements or strategic partnerships, how to include the feasibility of observing electoral processes in southern Mediterranean countries and Middle East countries;
Amendment 34 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Suggests that the implementation of the recommendations made by EU EOMs be closely followed up, in particular where election assistance is not provided;
Amendment 40 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Recommends the establishment of a political dialogue in cases where the recommendations made by EU EOMs are not implemented;
Amendment 41 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Suggests, in line with the above point, that the European Parliament should be present at the opening of a new parliament whose election has been observed and that cooperation with such newly elected parliament should be strengthened;
Amendment 47 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Confirms its willingness to establishalls for an analysis of the conditions in which short term joint election observation delegations could be organised with the counterpart members of the ACP-EU JPA, the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA) and the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLatPA);
Amendment 48 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Considers that electronic voting is already playing, and will increasingly play, a crucial role in electoral processes, giving birth to a new kind of electoral fraud; urges the Commission to take the appropriate measures for the reliable observation of such voting and to properly train observers for that purpose;
Amendment 49 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Calls for the adoption by Parliament of an annual report on EU Election Observation Missions;
Amendment 50 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and to the Co-Presidents of the ACP-EU JPA, the President of the EMPA and the Co-Presidents of EuroLatPA. , the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Director of the ODIHR.
Amendment 51 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital - A (new)
Recital - A (new)
-A. whereas elections must be organised in accordance with internationally recognised standards,
Amendment 58 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the principles highlighted in that Declaration include full coverage, independence and impartiality, transparency and publicity, professionalism, analysis and advice, respect for the sovereignty of the host country including the need to receive an invitation to observe, cooperation between the different observer organisations, and the non-legitimatisation of clearly undemocratic electoral processes,
Amendment 59 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas, since the adoption of the above-mentioned Commission Communication of 2000, more than 50 EU EOMs have been deployed in 32 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America; whereas it is remarkable, however, that far fewer EU EOMs have been deployed in southern Mediterranean countries,
Amendment 60 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas under the EDIHR more than EUR 30 million are made available each year for EU EOMs,
Amendment 61 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)
Recital C d (new)
Cd. whereas, in a given country where elections have taken place, a democratically elected parliament is of limited value if that institution enjoys no significant power and is dominated by the executive,
Amendment 62 #
2007/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C e (new)
Recital C e (new)
Ce. whereas some key future challenges remain to be addressed in the field of EU election observation, such as the increasing significance of electronic voting,