Activities of Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1

– having regard to the Treaty on European Union (TEU), in particular Article 5 on the conferral of competences and subsidiarity, Article 10(1) on representative democracy, Article 10(2) on the representation of EU citizens, Article 10(3) on the right of EU citizens to participate in the democratic life of the Union, Article 10(4) on the role of European political parties, Article 11 on participatory democracy, Article 12 on the role of national parliaments, Article 48(3) on the ordinary revision procedure and Article 48(7) (passerelle clause) thereof,

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)

– having regard to the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations (recast);

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)

– having regard to the report of XX November 2023 on proposals of the European Parliament for the amendment of the Treaties;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the active involvement of national parliaments in the EU decision- process helps to foster citizens’ trust and therefore contributes to the sustainability and resilience of the European project;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas the existing tools for national parliaments’ participation in European Affairs are largely unknown, both among decision-makers and the general public; whereas considerable investment is needed to raise awareness on these tools, also in candidate countries;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the parliamentary accountability and scrutiny of national governments within the framework of European affairs, which depends on individual national practices, is the cornerstone of the role of national parliaments in the current European Treaty framework;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas this accountability and scrutiny can be facilitated by increased transparency in the Council, especially with regard to the voting record of Member States, as well as their positions relating to the legislative procedures and proposals and amendments to legislative texts which form part of the normal legislative process; whereas also access to documents of the other European institutions is key for a better involvement of national parliaments in EU affairs;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas the pluralism of national parliaments ~~is remarkably benef~~enriches the politicial ~~to the Union and the underrepresent~~debate at EU level and the views of nation ofal parliamentary minorities ~~in European affairs should be counterbalanced while fully respecting the majorities in each national parliament and in accordance with their proportions~~should be taken into account at EU level ;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas Protocol No 2 (Article 6) acknowledges that national parliaments may consult regional parliaments with legislative powers, yet the role of regional parliaments is largely dependent on the national arrangements and very often remains advisory; whereas many of the members of the Committee of the Regions hold a regional electoral mandate;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas a European public sphere could be fostered by a series of forums on the European agenda and such forums could be endorsed through a common ‘European Week’, in which members of national parliamentary chambers would simultaneously discuss European affairs with Commissioners, Members of the European Parliament and ministers from the sitting Council presidency; whereas this initiative could build on the existing parliamentary week held by the European Semester Conference and the Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the European Union;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)

Ia. whereas the involvement of national parliaments in EU affairs should also be strengthened on a thematic, committee based or ad hoc approach; whereas the format of Interparliamentary Committee Meetings (ICM) should be further fine-tuned;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas the implementation of the right of national parliaments to scrutinise compliance with the principle of subsidiarity, on the basis of the EWS, has ~~gradually improved relations between the EU institutions and national parliaments~~strengthened the involvement of national parliaments in EU decision-making;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L

L. whereas the reasoned opinions submitted by the national parliaments strengthen the European legislative process; whereas the eight-week period laid down in Article 4 of Protocol No 1 has proven to be inadequate for the timely monitoring of compliance with the principle of subsidiarity and must be considered in the framework of a future Treaty revision;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital R

R. whereas national parliaments have relevant competencies in the areas of freedom, security and justice pursuant to Articles 70, 85 and 88 TFEU and should therefore play an important role in the future of the Union’s security and defence policy;deleted

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital R a (new)

Ra. whereas European political parties play a critical role in bridging the gap between the EU and national parliaments; whereas these parties should be further empowered by enabling them to support their member parties in the campaign for the European elections and referendum campaigns touching on EU matters;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Takes the view that the accountability of national governments to national parliaments as acknowledged by Article 10(2) TEU is the keystone of the role of national parliamentary chambers in the European Union; considers that national parliaments are a partner in restoring and maintaining the EU institutional balance, which is increasingly eroded by intergovernmental decision-making; encourages national parliaments to fully exercise their European functions in order to directly influence and scrutinise the content of European policies, in particular via the monitoring of their national governments acting as members of the European Council and the Council; calls on members of national parliaments to foster an “EU- reflex” in their decision-making and to recognise the direct impact of EU policies on their constituents;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Calls on the Member States to ensure that national parliaments are granted enough time, the ~~capacity~~ressources and the necessary access to information in order to fulfil their constitutional role of scrutinising and thus legitimating the activity of national governments when these governments act at European level; recalls that the access to Council information for national parliaments is key and cannot be compromised on; recognizes that Council must adopt the necessary document security safeguards but underlines that national parliaments should at all times be able to carry out democratic scrutiny over their respective governments;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Considers that transparency of the working methods and decision-making processes of the EU institutions represents a precondition for enabling national parliaments to effectively fulfil their institutional role deriving from the Treaties; calls, therefore, for the voting records of Member States in the Council as well as their positions relating to the proposals and amendments to legislative texts which form part of the normal legislative process to be made public; calls, furthermore, for national parliaments to make full use of their respective competences, inter alia by adapting their internal organisation, timetables and rules of procedures to enable them to do so;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Believes that the interaction with national parliaments can be indirectly strengthened by empowering European political parties; reiterates its long standing call to enable these parties to actively engage in the Member States’ political spheres and support their member parties when EU issues are at stake; calls for the switf conclusion of the recast Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 to enable European political parties to support their member parties in the campaign for the European elections and referendum campaigns touching on EU matters;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Believes that the establishment of an annual European Week would allow Members of the European Parliament, Commissioners and ministers of sitting Council presidencies to stand before all national and, where appropriate, regional parliamentary assemblies in order to discuss and explain the European agenda alongside national and regional parliamentarians; believes, further, that meetings between national and European political groups in the framework of EU interparliamentary cooperation could bring added value in the form of authentic European political debate; considers that this initiative could build on the existing parliamentary week held by the European Semester Conference and the Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the European Union;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Notes that procedures such as the ‘yellow’ or ‘orange’ cards have not been used extensively; ~~believes, however, that the procedural shortcomings of the EWS should not be regarded as conclusive proof of failure to respect subsidiarity;~~ suggests that all EU institutions and Member States agree on a common culture regarding the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality based on the criteria contained in the Protocol on subsidiarity and proportionality originally attached to the Amsterdam Treaty, the relevant case law of the European Court of Justice and the Commission’s own practice; considers that the development of this common culture should allow for a broader understanding encompassing all the elements of subsidiarity; calls for a wider reflection on the possibility to upgrade the EWS to a tool enabling national parliaments to shape EU policies also from a political or substantive point of view;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Acknowledges the request by national parliaments to extend the eight- week period during which they can issue reasoned opinions under Article 3 of Protocol No 1; underlines, however, that the current Treaty framework does not provide for such an extension; notes that, as a mitigation measure, from 2019, the Commission began excluding the end-of- year festive period when setting the eight- week period for national parliaments to send reasoned opinions; considers, therefore, that ~~the eight-week period must be reconsidered in the framework of a future Treaty revision~~Treaties must be revised to extend the timeframe to issue reasoned opinions to twelve weeks and calls for a reflection on reducing the threshold for a reasoned opinion to 1/4;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates its suggestion of setting up a system, sometimes called a ‘green card’ procedure, whereby a~~t least one third~~ny of national parliaments can submit constructive proposals to the Commission with the aim of positively influencing the European debate and the Commission’s power of initiative, having first secured Parliament’s support; suggests, in this regard, that the Commission could enjoy the discretion either to take on board such proposals or to issue a formal response underlining its reasons for not doing so; points out that such a procedure cannot consist of a right of initiative or the right to withdraw or amend legislation as this would subvert ‘the Union method’ and the distribution of competences between national and European level, thus violating the Treaties;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Points out that strengthening political and technical dialogue between parliamentary committees, both at national and at European level, would be a highly productive step towards full interparliamentary cooperation; ~~is considering the possibility of~~commits to allocat~~ing~~e additional resources to achieve this aim, and of the use of videoconferences, where possible;

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Recommends that national parliaments be fully involved in the continuing development of the common security and defence policy; believes that such involvement should be promoted in close cooperation with the European Parliament and with full respect for the provisions of national constitutions regarding security and defence policies; invites national parliaments to reflect in more detail on defence capability prioritisation at EU level, including through joint interparliamentary meetings between representatives from national parliaments and Members of the European Parliament and via political dialogue;deleted

2023/10/16
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)

– Having regard to the final report of the Conference on the Future of Europe, and in particular its proposal 39 on EU decision-making process,

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)

– Having regard to its resolution of 3 May 2022 on the proposal for a Council Regulation on the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, repealing Council Decision (76/787/ECSC, EEC, Euratom) and the Act concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage annexed to that decision4a, _________________ 4a P9_TA(2022)0129

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 b (new)

– Having regard to its legislative resolutions of 15 June 20234b and of 14 September 20234c on the composition of the European Parliament, _________________ 4b P9_TA(2023)0243 4c P9_TA(2023)0311

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 c (new)

– Having regard to its legislative resolution of 23 May 2012 on a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament on the detailed provisions governing the exercise of the European Parliament's right of inquiry and repealing Decision 95/167/EC, Euratom, ECSC of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission4d _________________ 4d P7_TA(2012)0219

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas other SLPs are ~~envisaged for the Council, whereby it is the institution required~~quire Council to give ~~its~~ consent ~~to the European Parliament,~~ by qualified majority voting (QMV) or by unanimity to a European Parliament’s proposal;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

Ea. Whereas the respect of the authority and of the role of the institutions is one of the fundamental principles of constitutional laws of the Member States;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas cooperation between the institutions ~~is based on~~must be carried out in compliance with the principles of institutional balance and of mutual sincere cooperation, as laid down in Article 13(2) TEU;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Highlights that for most SLPs touching upon the electoral processes and the democratic functioning of the Union (such as the reform of the Electoral Law of the European Union), the Council is required to vote by unanimity, and Parliament is called to give consent; Regrets that this procedures fundamentally decrease the bargaining power of Parliament, regardless of its direct democratic legitimacy;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Acknowledges that the Treaties do not impose any time limit on Council to react to a legislative initiative adopted by Parliament; Is of the view, however, that Council should adopt its position within a reasonable time, with a view to comply with the principle of mutual sincere cooperation;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Recalls that on 23 May 20124e, Parliament put forward a proposal for a new regulation to modify the provisions governing the exercise of its right of inquiry, aimed at strengthening the available tools for inquiry and reinforcing the authority of committees of inquiry; _________________ 4e OJ C 264 E, 13.9.2013, p. 41.

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Regrets the deadlock in the negotiations with the Council and the Commission on the right of inquiry and their lack of effort towards a constructive dialogue with Parliament; Recalls that the protracted unwillingness of Council to react to Parliament’s proposal constitutes a violation of Art. 265 TFEU, and therefore a clear case of failure to act; Calls on the Council and the Commission to comply with the principle of mutual sincere cooperation enshrined in Article 13(2) TEU and to engage with Parliament in order to overcome the current institutional blockage;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2 a (new)

Acts adopted by Council or by the European Council on the initiative of Parliament and after receiving its consent

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Recalls that on 3 May 20225 , Parliament adopted a p~~osition on~~roposal on the reform~~ing~~ of the European electoral law aimed at fostering ~~a tru~~the Europeanisation of the Union public sphere, the emergence of a genuine pan-European political debate ahead of European elections ~~and increasing~~, citizens’ interest in European ~~affairs;~~ politics, and at increasing the democratic legitimacy of the Union; _________________ 5 OJ C 465, 6.12.2022, p. 171.

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Understand~~Acknowledges that some Member States have expressed reservations on certain elements of theat proposal~~, but also regrets the fact that the proposal is not being discussed regularly in the Council~~; Deplores, however, the undue postponement of the commencement of negotiations on Parliament’s report, which clearly disregards the principle of sincere cooperation; reiterates that the lack of unanimity on a draft legislative report does not represent a valid justification for not engaging constructively in the identification of a compromise;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Highlights that the ~~arguments used by the Council on the lack of respect for the subsidiarity principle and the breach of fund~~political and legal concerns expressed by the Council on Parliamental’s pr~~inciples~~oposal should be ~~counterbalanced by the political demand for increased democratic legitimacy and the enhancement of the Eur~~addressed in a timely manner in the framework of an opean ~~trans- national dimension~~and constructive dialogue between co-legislators;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Highlights that, in addition to the right to initiate the procedure, Parliament is called to give it consent to Council's position; believes that all delay in Council’s work jeopardises the democratisation of the Union in view of the 2024 elections, considering that Council’s decision can enter into force only after being approved by the Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recalls that on 23 May 20126 , Parliament put forward a proposal for a new regulation to modify the provisions governing the exercise of its right of inquiry, aimed at strengthening the available tools for inquiry and reinforcing the authority of committees of inquiry; _________________ 6 OJ C 264 E, 13.9.2013, p. 41.deleted

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Regrets the deadlock in the negotiations with the Council and the Commission on the right of inquiry and deplores the fact that Parliament has been unable to hold formal discussions with the other two institutions;deleted

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Calls on the Council and the Commission to comply with the principle of interinstitutional cooperation enshrined in Article 13(2) TEU and to resume negotiations with Parliament on these two special procedures;deleted

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3

~~Acts adopted by the Council requiring Parliament’s consent~~deleted

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Points out that the ~~Council lays down the provisions necessary for the elec~~European Council is required to adopt a Decision on the Composition of the ~~Members of~~European Parliament by ~~direct universal suffrage and that on 15 June 20237 , Parliament voted on a proposal seeking to increase the number of seats by 11, to a total of 716, ahead~~unanimity on the initiative of Parliament and after having obtained its consent by a majority of its component; Highlights that, by reason of the right of initiative attributed to Parliament for this procedure, and its direct impact on the representation of Union citizens, negotiations ofn th~~e European elections in June 2024; _________________ 7 Texts adopted, P9_TA(2023)0243.~~is Decision require a high degree of interinstitutional dialogue and concertation, in line with the principle of mutual sincere coopeation;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Recalls that, on 15 June 20236a, Parliament adopted a draft proposal for a European Council Decision on the Composition of the European Parliament for the legislative term 2024-2029, seeking to adjust the distribution of seats to ensure a degressively proportional representation of Member States; _________________ 6a P9_TA(2023)0243

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Stresse~~Recalls that Parliament ~~wishes to keep a reserve of 28 seats for members elected in a future~~’s proposal allocated 28 seats to a Union-wide constituency, in line with ~~Parliament’~~its proposal o~~n European electoral law, which is awaiting progress in the Council~~f 3 May 2022 on a reform of the European electoral law; Reiterates, in this respect, that the Decision on the Composition of the European Parliament and the reform of the European Electoral Law are politically and legally intertwined;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Regrets that the European Council failed to inform Parliament regarding its intention to delete key provisions of the proposal submitted by Parliament, namely the allocation of 28 seats to a Union-wide Constituency;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a (new)

Acts adopted by Council requiring Parliament’s consent

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)

13b. Recalls out that the adoption of the Regulation laying down the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) consists of a SLP whereby the Council acts unanimously after obtaining the consent of Parliament by absolute majority;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)

13c. Welcomes the development of inter-institutional practices whereby, despite Parliament is only called to give its consent, negotiations take place in the format of “trilateral dialogue” on a package comprising of the MFF Regulation, and of the own resources Decision;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)

13d. Regrets however the increasing role of the European Council in negotiations on the MFF, which severely alters the principle of interinstitutional balance as established by the Treaties; Holds that the Ordinary Legislative procedure should apply to negotiations on the MFF, and that Parliament should be given full budgetary powers, in line with the proposals of the Conference on the Future of Europe;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

~~14. Recalls that the Council decides on the composition of Parliament by unanimity and Parliament must give its consent by a majority of its component members;~~deleted

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Emphasises that, although the Council is not obliged to take Parliament’s opinion into account, the consultation of Parliament in the context of some SLPs constitutes an essential procedural requirement and sends a strong political signal;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Recalls that the Commission has submitted on November 2021 a proposal for a Council Directive laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for mobile Union citizens, for which Parliament’s consultation is required;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)

20b. Underlines that the Commission impact assessment attached to the abovementioned proposal lists a series of still existing serious impediments to the exercise of electoral rights by mobile citizens; recalls that Parliament has adopted its position in February 2023, with the aim of facilitating the entry into force of this directive in time for the 2024 European elections; regrets the lack of progress on this file in the Council;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Points out that the duty of mutual sincere cooperation between the institutions requires the institutions to keep each other informed and consult each other so that consent may be given at the end of the procedure; iInsists, therefore, that consent should not consist of a mere ~~‘yes or no’ question at the end of the procedure, but should be something the institutions aspire to achieve~~validation or rejection, but should be the result of a constant dialogue aiming at finding a mutually acceptable agreement;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Supports the opening of negotiations on an interinstitutional agreement on a clear framework to foster full respect for the respective participatory rights and the principles of institutional balance and mutual sincere cooperation in SLPs, including a series of procedural arrangements requesting co-legislators to engage in open and constructive dialogue and negotiations on an equal footing on legislative acts where a SLP is foreseen;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Highlights the need to define precise requirements on the time frame for the adoption of an act by the Council, to better ensure the compliance with the principle of mutual sincere cooperation, and to avoid institutional blockages;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Recalls the importance of early cooperation and coordinated legal analysis between European institutions, ~~in order to help find compromises on issues where concerns arise from misunderstanding~~which might contribute to preventing institutional blockages caused by purely legal concerns rather than ~~strong~~ political ~~divergenc~~reserves;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28a. Calls on Member States to agree on enhanced cooperation schemes pursuant to Art. 20 TEU and 326 TFEU to deepen integration on key policy areas when the achievement of unanimity in Council is not possible;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Reiterates its call for the Treaties to be amended urgently to extend the ~~areas of~~ application of the ordinary legislative procedure to all policy areas where Special Legislative Procedures are currently foreseen;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2083(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Calls for the immediate activation of passerelle clauses to move from SLPs to ordinary legislative procedures in key policy fields in order to improve the EU’s capacity to act, pending the entry into force of changes to the Treaties;

2023/09/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2079(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Believes that European legislation should be fit for purpose, proportionate, clear, transparent, future-proof and comprehensive in order to effectively benefit citizens and stakeholders;

2023/08/31
Committee: AFCO

2023/2079(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Underlines that Better Law Making is a centre piece of the “ever closer Union” and an objective shared by all EU institutions; reiterates that regulatory fitness, subsidiarity and proportionality as well as transparency, accountability and cooperation between the institutions, Member States, citizens and stakeholders, ensuring full respect of all fundamental European values, are essential prerequisites for EU democracy;

2023/08/31
Committee: AFCO

2023/2079(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Recalls the ‘Juncker’ Commission’s guideline: ‘big on big things and small on small things’;~~ considers that, while the COVID-19 crisis presented unprecedented challenges that resulted in the ~~Commission interpreting EU competences in an extensive manner~~beginning in a fractured response by Member States and a delayed and insufficient European cooperation, , the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality (Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union) should remain guiding principles in the development of EU and Member State policy in shared competence areas, focusing EU efforts on significant issues with EU added value that require collective action~~, and that other matters should be left to the national and regional levels~~;

2023/08/31
Committee: AFCO

2023/2079(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Points out that the structural consultation of stakeholders on all new EU policy initiatives is critical to assess the proportionality of these initiatives; welcomes the Commission’s efforts to consolidate the consultation process; believes that the public consultation process for strategic initiatives can be further strengthened, in particular to improve the outreach to under- represented groups, such as SMEs, young people and minorities;

2023/08/31
Committee: AFCO

2023/2079(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Reiterates its call for the establishment of a permanent participatory mechanism for citizens in the lead-up to the adoption of the Annual Work Programme of the European Commission and calls to revise the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making therefore;

2023/08/31
Committee: AFCO

2023/2079(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)

4c. Is concerned about the persistent lack of transparency in the Council’s decision-making process and the practice of over-classifying documents and applying an excessively broad interpretation of the exceptions included under Regulation (EU) 1049/2001; calls on the three institutions to ensure a forward-looking and consistent application of the above mentioned Regulation allowing appropriate access to registered documents and to all types of communication, provided they concern a matter relating to the policies, activities and decisions falling within the institution's sphere of responsibility;

2023/08/31
Committee: AFCO

2023/2079(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)

4d. Notes with concern the European Council’s practice of ‘tasking the Council and the Commission’ which goes beyond the role of strategic guidance assigned to it by the Treaties, and is therefore contrary to both the word and spirit of the Treaties; considers it necessary to respect the division of competences as defined in the Treaties in order to ensure the independence and the good functioning of the legislative process;

2023/08/31
Committee: AFCO

2023/2079(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that, in 2020 and 2021, no Commission proposals reached the threshold of four countries to trigger an aggregate response from the Commission to the reasoned opinions from national parliaments; encourages national parliaments to prioritise resources for subsidiarity and proportionality checks in order to strengthen their scrutiny of EU decision-making processes; calls to review the relevant Treaty provisions to strengthen the “yellow card” procedure and to introduce a “green card” procedure, enabling national parliaments to more effectively and constructively engage in the EU decision-making process;

2023/08/31
Committee: AFCO

2023/2079(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Reiterates that an effective enforcement of EU legislation is necessary to ensure the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity are observed in full; points out that disproportionate regulatory burden for citizens and businesses can often be attributed to Member State compliance issues; calls on the Commission to enforce EU legislation in full and without undue delay and to leverage all existing tools therefore; stresses that the Commission’s enforcement policy must be more predictable and transparent and reinforce legal certainty for all stakeholders

2023/08/31
Committee: AFCO

2023/2055(REG)

Gilles BOYER, Sandro GOZI, Alin MITUȚA

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 211 – paragraph 1

1. If a standing committee declares itself not to be competent to consider an item, or if a conflict arises over the competence of two or more standing committees, the question of competence shall be submitted to the Conference of Committee Chairs within ~~four~~two weeks of the ~~announcement in Parliament of the referral to committe~~referral to committee, as provided for in Rule 48(1). Weeks without parliamentary activities shall not be taken into account for that deadline.

2023/05/04
Committee: AFCO

2023/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1056 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 establishing the Just Transition Fund3a _________________ 3a OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 1

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 b (new)

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013 and (EU) No 1307/20133b, _________________ 3b OJ L 435, 6.12.2021, p. 1

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 c (new)

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2020/2220 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 December 2020 laying down certain transitional provisions for support from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and from the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) in the years 2021 and 2022 and amending Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013, (EU) No 1306/2013 and (EU) No 1307/2013 as regards resources and application in the years 2021 and 2022 and Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 as regards resources and the distribution of such support in respect of the years 2021 and 20223c, _________________ 3c OJ L 437, 28.12.2020, p. 1

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 30 a (new)

– having regard to the working paper produced by the Directorate- General for Regional and Urban Policy of the European Commission entitled “The geography of EU discontent and the regional development trap” published in March 2023,

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 30 b (new)

– having regard to the analysis produced by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) entitled “ITI and CLLD. The use of integrate territorial tools in cohesion policy” published in December 2022,

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas cohesion policy is the main investment policy for the EU’s regions and cities and the Territorial Agenda is the guiding instrument for the European Union’s territorial policy; whereas the Territorial Agenda provides orientation for strategic spatial planning, calls for strengthening the territorial dimension of sector policies at all governance levels and seeks to promote an inclusive and sustainable future for all places and to help achieve Sustainable Development Goals in Europe;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas the place-based approach to policy making based on integrated territorial development aims to unleash unique potential related to territorial capital, knowledge and assets, while recognising the need for tailored solutions in different types of territories;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas it appears that the main difficulties encountered by local actors for the period 2014-2020 were a lack of skills ~~and knowledg~~, knowledge and capacity building, a poor multi-level cooperation between different levels of governance, in addition to a slow absorption of funds and bureaucratic barriers;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas micro-cohesion is a form of balance for underdeveloped areas within more developed regions; whereas intraregional disparities can only be addressed by paying more attention to the diversity of territories, along with their development potential and challenges, and designing place-based policies and strategies;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

Ha. whereas the implementation of ITIs and CLLD remains uneven across the Union and several Member States and managing authorities show weak commitment in implementing integrated territorial development; whereas interpretation and implementation of Policy Objective “Europe closer to citizens” (PO 5) is not being understood and used in the same way in each Member States, resulting in low implementation of ITI and CLLD;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas the Territorial Agenda 2030 (TA2030) invites the European Parliament and its Committee on Regional Development to take its objectives into account by advocating its priorities in EU legislative processes; whereas integrated territorial development and place-based policies are necessary conditions to achieve the EU strategic objectives such as the green and digital transitions;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)

Ia. whereas place-based policies can help territories to escape from long-term economic decline and the so-called “regional development trap”, in which a region is unable to retain its economic dynamism in terms of income, productivity, and employment; whereas territories which feel left behind are faced with disengagement and discontent of their citizens in the long term;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)

-1. Highlights the importance of the bottom-up approach to territorial development, which is a vehicle for social innovation and capacity building, empowering citizens to take ownership of the development of their territories through the design and implementation of strategies and projects; calls for a paradigm shift in the implementation of cohesion policy and a mainstreaming of the bottom-up approach;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Stresses the valuable contribution to territorial development delivered by actions implemented through CLLD such as those under the LEADER programme; calls on the Commission and the Member States to reinforce LEADER by increasing its budgetary envelope, by guaranteeing high level of autonomy of the Local Action Groups regarding their constitution and their decision making and reducing the administrative burden;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls on the Commission to use the results of the 2024 evaluation report for the 2014-2020 programming period to support programmes for the period 2021-202716 ; ~~_________________ 16 Article 57 CPR tasks DG REGIO with conducting an evaluation of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund by the end of 2024~~notes the importance of qualitative analysis of territorial development tools; regrets, in this regards, the conclusion of the special report of the European Court of Auditors on LEADER and community- led local development16a; _________________ 16 Article 57 CPR tasks DG REGIO with conducting an evaluation of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund by the end of 2024. 16a European Court of Auditors, Special report 10/2022: LEADER and community-led local development facilitates local engagement but additional benefits still not sufficiently demonstrated.

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the Handbook of territorial and development strategies and the Handbook of Sustainable Urban Development Strategies as guides for the design, implementation and monitoring of territorial and urban development strategies; regrets, however, the belated publication of these Handbooks and encourages the Commission to produce timely guidelines to simplify the process for elaboration of the operational programmes; highlights the need to offer more guidance to Member States on the implementation of the Policy Objective “Europe closer to citizens” (PO 5) and incentives to allocate more funding to PO 5, such as allowing for projects contributing to more than one PO to count for thematic concentration of both POs;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Calls on the Member States to promote strategic spatial planning that takes into account territories as a whole beyond metropolitan, urban and functional areas; further calls on Member States to strengthen rural-urban links as one way to achieve better balanced territorial development across the Union;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the Commission to ~~promote~~earmark funding for ~~TA2030 programme~~integrated territorial development in rural areas and regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps in the same way that 8 % of the cohesion policy funds are earmarked for the development of programmes under the Urban Agenda;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses the need for a paradigm shift in the involvement of local and regional authorities in the implementation and management of territorial tools; calls for an effective implementation of the partnership principle and in-depth consultation with local authorities and stakeholders prior to the definition of ITI and CLLD actions;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls for territorial or local development strategies funded by more than one programme to merge into a single track in order to prevent delays and administrative obstacles; welcomes the possibility, introduced in the 2021-2027 programming period, to designate a leading fund for strategies funded by more than one fund;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses the clear distinction between Member States that are committed to developing ITIs or CLLDs and those that are not; calls on the Commission to clarify this differentiation in order to avoid geographical disparities; takes the view that ITI and CLLD should be mandatory for Member States;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Considers TA2030 to be a real and proper instrument that ensures the EU’s cohesion through the management of each of its regions; notes that territorial instruments such as CLLDs and ITIs are proven measures that can bring Europe closer to citizens;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Stresses that TA2030 actions should ~~be more decisive in the allocation of funds and~~play a central role in Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes; points out the need to promote the integration of the TA2030 into EU policies, with a focus on levels of governance closer to the ground; calls on the Commission to provide ~~the TA2030 with its own~~adequate funding in the future revision of the multiannual financial framework to finance actions implementing the TA2030 both in urban and rural areas;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Underlines as essential t~~he inclusion of~~o apply Territorial Impact Assessment (TIA) to analyse the potential asymmetric territorial impacts of EU policies and legislative proposals and to include TA2030 priorities and objectives in the legislative instruments and operational programmes of the cohesion policy funds which should be tailored to each territory and must respect the partnership principle; welcomes the TA2030 pilot actions that have been developed and calls on the Member States and the Commission to continue investing in these actions, improving their geographical balance and better coordinating them with the principles of the TA2030;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Calls for a strategy for ~~merging~~facilitating synergies between different EU funds for projects implemented through territorial tools and for the administrative simplification for pilot actions financed by more than one fund;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls on the Member States to develop their territorial agendas in line with the TA2030 as a basis for programming their territorial strategies and in order to stimulate the decision-making process and the design of territorial and urban policies; further calls on Member States to enable a CLLD approach for all EU regions including rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition, regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps, such as the northernmost regions and regions with very low population density, islands, cross-border regions and mountain regions;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to promote the implementation of the TA2030 beyond pilot actions, making this instrument a reference framework for action that provides concrete guidelines for EU territories to improve their performance; highlights the ~~opportunity to make regional funding conditional on achieving TA2030 prioriti~~need to include TA2030 priorities in Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes and calls on the Commission to develop monitoring indicators linking the TA2030 and the use of cohesion policy funds, in particular the ERFDF;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Calls for a single framework for strategies aimed at both urban and wider territorial development, treating territorial requirements as a whole by taking as a basis unit functional areas at level 3 of the nomenclature of territorial units for statistics (NUTS); stresses that this could significantly reduce bureaucratic barriers in the acquisition of fund; stresses that this could significantly reduce bureaucratic barriers in the acquisition of funds; believes that each territory should autonomously choose the appropriate level of local governance for the implementation of territorial strategies;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Underlines the need to simplify the access to funds identifying “one-stop shops” for potential beneficiaries of EU Cohesion funds and ITI or CLLD projects, in particular to access information about the type of financing, administrative requirements and eligibility;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)

18b. Requests Member States to foresee sufficient human resources in both managing authorities and implementation bodies in charge of ITI or CLLD, in order to ensure technical support and advisory service specifically for LAGs and for ITI partners to enable compliance with the regulations;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)

18c. Stresses that one of the main obstacles encountered by final beneficiaries of cohesion funds, especially for small-scale and local projects, is the delay in payments; encourages Member States to put in place a national scheme of cash advance for projects implemented through ITI and CLLD based on partnerships between managing authorities, public and private banks;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2048(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Laurence FARRENG, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Reiterates the need to strengthen the territorial dimension in the European Semester and improve the articulation between Cohesion Policy and the European economic governance, involving local and regional authorities at all stages of the procedures linked with the European Semester and its country specific recommendations;

2023/10/03
Committee: REGI

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 a (new)

– having regard to the EIB whistleblowing policy, published on 24 November 2021;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the EIB is bound by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and that human rights principles are integrated into its due diligence procedures and standards, including publicly available ex-ante assessments;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the EIB’s key priorities are sustainable investments in climate and the environment, development, innovation and skills, small and medium-sized enterprises, infrastructure and cohesion; whereas EIB investment has the capacity to support the social sector, including health, housing and education, tackling unemployment, poverty and social exclusion;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas Just Transition Mechanism is part of the EIB’s Climate Bank Roadmap;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Reiterates its call for a fair and transparent geographical distribution of projects and investment, with a focus on less-developed regions, especially in the health sector, innovation, digitalisation and infrastructure, with the view to promote inclusive growth and economic, social and territorial convergence and cohesion; calls for the EIB to be more active in addressing recurring shortcomings that prevent certain regions or countries from taking full advantage of the EIB's financial activities;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls on the Bank to continue playing a major role in addressing investment gaps in sectors such as social housing, small utilities, public transport, sustainable transport, accessibility for people with disabilities and education projects, while ensuring additionality and complementarity with other public funds and with commercial lenders;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Notes that in the present difficult context of the COVID pandemic recovery and the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the gap between economic situations and capacities of the Member States has deepened and underlines the importance to ensure that most affected regions and countries will adjust to the new circumstances so that no one is left behind;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Believes that innovation is a driver of competitiveness, climate-change mitigation and economic and social development and that a significant structural gap persists in EU innovation and digitalisation investment; calls on the Bank to foster Europe’s autonomy in key technologies and to back the technological transformation of European companies while accelerating digitalisation; calls on the Bank to support strengthening cybersecurity capacities in the EU, to make Europe more resilient and reactive in front of cyber threats, while strengthening existing cooperation mechanism and protecting critical entities and essential services, such as hospitals and public utilities.

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)

18b. Highlights the role that the EIB is called upon to play in supporting the EU’s economy via the Just Transition Mechanism; underlines that EIB supports all three pillars of the Just transition mechanism; welcomes the agreement signed in September 2022, between the Commision and EIB on the Public Sector Loan Facility, the third pillar of the Just Transition Mechanism, which will finance public investments, worth EUR 10 billion in EIB loans, in the regions most affected by EU’s green transition; calls on the EIB to provide potential beneficiaries from the most affected areas with advisory support to prepare and implement projects;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for the European economy and points out that 23 million SMEs in the Union account for 99 % of all businesses and provide around two thirds of all jobs; believes that SMEs have a major role to play in the inclusive transition to climate neutrality, the digital transformation of European industries and the competitiveness of EU entrepreneurs, and avoid any new excessive requirements that would create more bureaucracy for SMEs;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Calls for the strengthening of technical assistance for and the financial expertise of local and regional authorities, especially in regions with low investment capacity, before project approval, in order to improve accessibility to EIB funding;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)

18c. Underline that EU farmers are facing increasing challenges, such as the need to adapt to the Green Deal objectives but also disruption caused by the effects of energy crisis, rising inflation, the war in Ukraine; highlights that agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors are key players for growth and development inrural areas; calls on the EIB to provide better assistance and support these relevant sectors;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Welcomes the EIB Board of Directors’ decision in October 2022 to raise the Group’s clean energy financing volumes in support of the REPowerEU objective of ending Europe’s dependence on Russian fossil fuel imports, following which an additional EUR 30 billion will be invested over the next five years; understands that the REPowerEU package is expected to mobilise an estimated additional EUR 115 billion by 2027, thus making a substantial contribution to Europe’s energy independence and the EIB Group’s target to mobilise EUR 1 trillion in climate finance this decade; insists to strengthen investments with an EU added value by supporting transnational cooperation projects in energy production and in infrastructures;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24a. Recalls the importance for EIB to contribute to the development of our EU industrial capacities, by creating the right investment conditions to ensure security of supply in the entire value chain, and to contribute to our European future industrial leadership to strengthen our geopolitical weight;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Is aware that, in its activities outside the EU, the EIB Group supports the objectives and priorities of the EU’s external actions, deploys its expertise and experience outside the EU in priority areas such as climate action, health and digitalisation, EU values, and good governance principles;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Welcomes the EIB’s financial and technical support to the Republic of Moldova, taking into account the energy dependency and vulnerability in the current geopolitical context; calls on the EIB to continues to support Moldova in accelerating its EU accession and it’s long-term energy autonomy and diversification;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)

31a. Welcomes the first financial agreement signed between EIB and the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) , that will provide IFAD EUR 500 million in support of IFAD’s programme to improve food security and reduce poverty in rural areas and to assist small-scale farmers to adapt to climate change;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)

35a. Underlines the need for a regular structured dialogue between European Parliament and EIB; reiterates its request for an interinstitutional agreement between Parliament and the EIB in order to improve access to EIB documents and data;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. ~~Acknowledges the efforts made~~Notes the steps taken by the EIB in recent years to improve the gender balance across its staff, in particular at management and senior-official levels; encourages the Bank to persist in its efforts to achieve a clearer gender balance within its organisation; observes that, in the EIB, by end 2022 women represented 44.5 % of the executive category (D/6; E/5; F/4), and, within this group, women represented 35.6 % of staff at senior officer level (6/D) and 44.3 % of staff at officer level (5/E), while at analyst/junior officer level (F/4) women represented 64.4 %; notes that, at end 2022, women represented 33 % of management staff categories (30.6 % at the EIB Group level), achieving the target set in the Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2018-2021;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2046(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41

41. Understands that the EIB is progressing in the internal discussion on the ‘New Approach on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging’ which will replace the strategy valid for 2018-2021 and encourages the Bank to adopt it without delay; reiterates its call to the EIB to ensure proper geographical representation, including at middle and senior management levels, and calls on it to publish, annually, a gender and nationality breakdown of middle and senior management positions;

2023/04/28
Committee: CONT

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. whereas rural areas, are more affected than other regions by demographic decline and insufficient talent development, suffering from high numbers of young people leaving, ~~a lack of~~low generational renewal, which contributes to ageing demographics and overall population decline;

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the European Parliament Resolution1a on "A long-term vision for the EU's rural areas" underlined the need to ensure access to services of general interest in rural communities, with due consideration to education, training, lifelong learning and upskilling, in particular with regard to digital and business skills; _________________ 1a European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2022 on “a long-term vision for the EU's rural areas – Towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040”

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas the CAP 2023-2027 is structured around ten specific objectives, and the objectives related particularly to supporting generational renewal, ensuring vibrant rural areas and fostering knowledge and innovation will support strategies to counteract the talent development trap;

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Recital A c (new)

Ac. whereas farming will require more know-how from farmers and other professionals and constant adaptation, due to the the rapid progress of digitalisation and farming related technologies;

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Stresses that a concerted effort is needed to harness the potential of ~~rural~~ people living in rural areas and resources in order to ensure ~~sustainable development;~~ that their communities are vibrant, offering work opportunities and good services and fostering sustainable development and diverse economic activities, both agricultural and non- agricultural;

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Recalls that access to basic services of general interest, infrastructure, health and education and a prerequisite to keep communities attractive for residents and potential newcomers; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure appropriate public support and targeted investments to tackle these challenges;

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Points out that the ‘talent development trap’ occurs in many regions with insufficient skilled workers, a~~s well as a lack of~~nd constitutes a greater challenge particularly for communities that are far away from universityies and higher education institutions~~; points out that innova~~ or where effective transport solutions a~~nd education play a crucial role in ensuring that all EU~~re not available to enable access to these. Calls on the Member States to cooperate with regions can ~~build a supportive innovation environment and develop their populations’ talents in order to ensure their future competitiveness; considers it therefore necessary to introduce a range of policie~~d local stakeholders to develop efficient strategies to ensure that suitable transport solutions are in place to allow citizens living in rural areas to tac~~kle depopulation resulting in a loss of talent~~cess higher education or vocational training;

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. points out that innovation and education play a crucial role in ensuring that all EU regions can build a supportive innovation environment and develop their populations’ talents in order to ensure their future competitiveness; stresses that rural areas face a greater challenge than urban areas in ensuring its population takes up digital skills and calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure broadband connectivity in rural areas and improve the level of digital skills;

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Highlights that regions faced with shrinking ~~regions~~workforce need to develop economic diversification strategies to ~~promo~~foster local resilience, offer more work opportunities and increase their attractiveness;

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. recognises the importance of the EU Pact for Skills in the agri-food sector and calls on the Commission and the Member States to allocate funding for agicultural and rural development innovation, training & advisory hubs for training on farming skills, digital skills and administrative or financial issues, beyond the compliance with the CAP obligations; stresses that such support could help particularly young farmers, promote greater innovation, entrepreneurship and higher incentives to enter farming;

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Calls on the Member States to strengthen cooperation between vocational training institutions and local businesses, in order to tailor curricula to the labour market, better connect theory with practice on the ground and seize local and regional opportunities.

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Recognises the important role women and young people play in areas at risk of depopulation; calls therefore for measures to create economic, social and other opportunities, as well as innovative and sustainable jobs and services, in particular a view to support generational renewal in the farming sector and the set- up of new business in the rural areas;

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Calls on the Commission to increase the EU funding for research into support for women in rural areas, to strengthen evidence-based future policies;

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Highlights the economic potential of women in rural areas and calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure targeted support, to facilitate access to funding opportunities and business skills, with a view to increasing female entrepreneurship in rural areas;

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Recognises the role played by the CAP in fostering cooperation at local level, by offering the Member States a range of instruments, such as the EIP AGRI Network, LEADER, Smart Villages and the support to producer organisations. Underlines the importance of including young people’s perspectives in relevant strategies, policies, action plans and measures;

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Considers that the establishment of the Rural Observatory should be taken as an opportunity to improve databases and better reflect local realities, especially regarding age and gender-disaggregated data;

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Stresses that the increasing use of digital technologies in agriculture, and in particular space data is helping to address a host of challenges that farmers are faced with, improving farm profitability and resource efficiency whilst contributing to sustainability goals. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to make full use of the potential of space data in agriculture, and in doing so increasing farm profitability and the attractiveness of farming for younger people.

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Stresses the increasing opportunities for rural areas stemming from the digital transition, especially in agriculture, through artificial intelligence, geospatial data, IoT data and high-speed connectivity and warns of the wide rural digital gap in the EU; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure stable, high-speed broadband coverage throughout the EU, including in rural areas, to certify geospatial data usage for precision agriculture, to ensure that digitalisation is inclusive and accessible and to support farmers with training, resources, and incentives to adopt new technologies;

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2044(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Points out that EU funding, ~~such as the 2014-2020~~on the rural development programme, plays a crucial role in the ability of rural regions to react to demographic challenges. Underlines that where national, regional or local strategies allow for synergies between the EU Cohesion Policy and the rural development dimension of the new CAP, the implementation should be carefully planned to maximise simplification and avoid administrative burdens on the beneficiaries;

2023/07/04
Committee: AGRI

2023/2028(INI)

Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Sandro GOZI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Calls for~~Welcomes the progress made on the negotiations towards the EU’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights ~~to be finalised~~(ECHR), as required by the Treaty of Lisbon, and the recent provisional agreement of the draft revised accession instruments reached; calls for the accession to be finalised as soon as possible in order to complete and strengthen the protection of fundamental rights of EU citizens and for the EU to accede to the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages;

2023/09/04
Committee: AFCO

2023/2028(INI)

Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Sandro GOZI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Rec~~Calls for strengthening the key role of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), including by expanding its tasks and powers to promote and protect fundamental rights across the EU further; stresses the role of Member States at all levels, notably at national parliaments’, national and local administrations’ and law enforcement authorities’ levels, in ensuring the full application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights when implementing EU law;

2023/09/04
Committee: AFCO

2023/2028(INI)

Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Sandro GOZI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Takes note of the Council of Europe’s report of 6 October 2022 entitled ‘Freedom of political speech: an imperative for democracy’ ; stresses th~~at freedom of expression in the EU must not b~~e importance of media pluralism and freedom of expression; stresses the need to ensure the limited by the interests, constitutional framework or political choices of a Member State; reiterates the need for a mechanism for democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights, which should be established through an interinstitutional agreementpartiality and effective independence of national regulatory authorities from governments; strongly condemns unjustified and disproportionate interference by these authorities into journalistic expression and editorial decisions in some Member States; welcomes in this regard the proposal for an European Media Freedom Act and calls for its swift approval;

2023/09/04
Committee: AFCO

2023/2028(INI)

Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Sandro GOZI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses that the Northern Ireland Protocol is a prerequisite for a smooth relationship between the EU and the UK; calls for continued vigilance in order to preserve the Good Friday Agreement; welcomes the Windsor Framework and believes that this political agreement can provide new impetus for the EU-UK partnership based on mutual trust and cooperation; stresses that the implementation of this framework should at all times preserve the integrity of the single market;

2023/09/04
Committee: AFCO

2023/2028(INI)

Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Sandro GOZI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Considers that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine places the EU in a new situation, namely that of a prospective enlargement to include~~Reiterates that the future enlargement of the Union, such as the accession of Ukraine, Moldova ~~and~~, Georgia, ~~with the Copenhagen criteria as a fundamental basis; calls for all refugees to be treated with humanity, solidarity and generosity~~and the Western Balkans will have the Copenhagen criteria as a key requirement, notably the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities;

2023/09/04
Committee: AFCO

2023/2028(INI)

Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Sandro GOZI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls for the full implementation of art 2 TEU, particularly as regards solidarity and respect for human rights, so that all refugees to be treated with humanity, fraternity and generosity; welcome the ongoing negotiations on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum that will implement these priorities for the migrants and asylum seekers;

2023/09/04
Committee: AFCO

2023/2028(INI)

Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Sandro GOZI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Calls on the Commission to take a very firm stance against persistent attacks on the rule of law in certain Member States;~~ Welcome the adoption of the European Rule of Law Mechanism by the European Commission and consequently the annual publication of the Rule of Lay report since 2020; calls on the Commission to take a very firm stance against persistent attacks on the rule of law in certain Member States, by using all tools available; welcomes the 2023 Rule of law report carried out by the European Commission and especially the set of specific recommendations to Member States on national justice systems, anti- corruption frameworks, media freedom and pluralism and institutional issues related to check and balances; reiterates its support for the full implementation of the Rule of Law Conditionality regulation and its call for a new mechanism for democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights, through an interinstitutional agreement; stresses that art 7 (3) TEU needs to be reformed and strengthened through Treaty change to ensure its applicability and effectiveness;

2023/09/04
Committee: AFCO

2023/2028(INI)

Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Sandro GOZI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Calls on the creation of annual conferences on the rule of law following the Commission’ Rule of law report, with delegations from all Member States, involving randomly selected and diverse citizens, parliamentarians, local authorities, social partners and civil society on the basis of the proposal coming from the Conference on the future of Europe;

2023/09/04
Committee: AFCO

2023/2028(INI)

Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Sandro GOZI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Deplores the recent scandals that have tarnished the EU’s image, such as Qatargate corruption scandal and State espionage using Pegasus, with MEPs among the targets; calls for all the consequences of these scandals to be drawn and the full restauration of the European Parliament reputation and credibility in order to preserve citizens’ trust in public institutions;

2023/09/04
Committee: AFCO

2023/2028(INI)

Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Sandro GOZI, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Welcomes, in this light, the work done to amend the internal Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament with the aim of strengthening its integrity, independence and accountability;

2023/09/04
Committee: AFCO

2023/2028(INI)

Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Sandro GOZI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Welcomes the work of the committee of inquiry set up in the European Parliament (PEGA) to investigate into existing national laws regulating surveillance, and establish whether spyware was used for political purposes against, for example, journalists, politicians and lawyers; stresses that the illegitimate use of spyware by national governments undermines the European democracy and decision making process ; call for a greater transparency within the Member States regarding the laws regulating surveillance in order to prevent any new mass surveillance scandal to emerge.

2023/09/04
Committee: AFCO

2023/2028(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

~~10. Calls for all the consequences of these scandals to be addressed and for Parliament’s credibility to be fully restored.~~deleted

2023/09/04
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas European democracy can generate further legitimacy through change and adaptation to current developments; whereas we urgently need to reform parliamentarism, European citizenship and participatory elements of European democracy as fundamental parts for a comprehensive reform of the democratic fundament of the Union;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas Parliament is the only EU institution directly elected by the citizens; whereas the absence of Parliament’s direct rights of initiative does not allow it to properly represent the voice of citizens, civil society and the social partners within the European institutions, effectively leaving the Commission with a monopoly on the exercise of legislative initiative;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas it is necessary to correct institutional imbalances and increase the accountability of the executive toward the legislative, in particular to grant the Parliament scrutiny powers over the European Council and the Council, as well as improve the political accountability of the Commission towards the Parliament;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas, the relationship between the Parliament and the Council often portrayed as a bicameral legislative system, has not yet been accepted nor institutionalised;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)

Bc. whereas the persistence of unanimity voting in the Council has become a de facto impediment obstacle to the advancement of the European agenda and genuine reform of the European democracy, and a threat to the development of a real European democracy, as it allows governments of Member States to block EU decision- making in order to promote their own national agendas, often to the detriment of the European interest;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B d (new)

Bd. whereas it is important for the European institutions to take into account the role played by the Committee of the Regions and European Economic and Social Committee in the legislative framework as representatives of local and regional authorities and organised civil society;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFE) call for more democracy and for representative democracy to be enhanced through greater citizen participation; whereas the CoFE and other existing successful projects on citizen participation have demonstrated that citizens would like to be included in EU decision-making processes on a regular basis; whereas the CoFE provided valuable experience of engaging with citizens on a large scale, from which lessons will have to be drawn;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the conclusions of the CoFE call for more democracy and for representative democracy to be enhanced through greater citizen participation and for European Citizenship to be strengthened through the elaboration of a European Citizenship Statute establishing specific rights and freedoms;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas the European citizenship and its related rights, introduced by the Treaty of Maastricht and further enhanced by the Treaty of Lisbon, have been only partially implemented; whereas many European citizens are often not fully aware of their rights deriving from citizenship of the Union;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. Whereas any measures to strengthen citizen participation and democracy must address the digital divide in the EU and the difficulties it creates for such participation to be effective;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)

Cb. whereas European citizenship is currently granted together with the citizenship of a Member State, but without any control from the European Union;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)

Cc. whereas despite the arrangements under Council Directive 93/109/EC and Council Directive 94/80/EC respectively regarding the participation of non- national Union citizens in European Parliament and municipal elections in their country of residence, non-national Union citizens still face many obstacles in exercising their electoral rights in elections to the European Parliament;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)

Cd. whereas several Member States are still offering so-called ‘golden visa programmes’ and investor schemes as means of obtaining their nationality and European citizenship consequently;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C e (new)

Ce. whereas according to Article 10(3) TEU citizens shall have the right to participate in the democratic life of the Union and decisions shall be taken as openly and as closely as possible to the citizens, whereas participatory democracy has been seen as a way to improve political awareness and dialogue with all citizens of the Union;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C f (new)

Cf. whereas there is still lack of awareness of the existing participatory instruments, such as the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), petitions to the European Parliament, complaints to the European Ombudsman, public consultations and Citizens’ Dialogues;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C g (new)

Cg. whereas participatory democracy in the EU is affected by high fragmentation and lack of follow-up, which limits the success of existing participatory instruments that do not add up to a comprehensive and efficient participatory infrastructure;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C h (new)

Ch. whereas the new citizens’ panels proposed by the Commission as a follow up to the CoFE are limited in scope and do not fully integrate a comprehensive vision of participatory democracy;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C i (new)

Ci. whereas the referendum as a direct democracy instrument is currently not available at the EU level.

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Notes with regret an increasing power imbalance shifting towards the Council and the European Council , which erodes the institutional architecture of the EU as established by the Treaties; believes that the balance should be restored in favour of democratic legitimacy through equivalent rights for Parliament;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Proposes that the Council be transformed into a true legislative chamber by reducing the number of Council configurations to one by means of a European Council decision, so as to create a genuinely bicameral legislative system based on the Council and Parliament, with the Commission acting as the executive; suggests that a the General Affairs Councils becomes the legislative Council meeting in public, similarly to the EP plenary, while all other Council configurations become transparent preparatory structures, with regular meetings to be held in public, similarly to the functioning of the committees in the Parliament;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for Parliament, the Council, and the Commission to improve cooperation modalities with the CoR and the EESC; including at the pre-legislative stage during the conduct of impact assessments, in order to ensure that their opinions and assessments can be taken into account throughout the legislative process, suggests in particular that the rapporteurs of the CoR and EESC be invited to participate in considering draft reports in the parliamentary committee and committee debriefing meetings on interinstitutional negotiations, where applicable;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Emphasises the key role of parliaments at the heart of democracy and calls for closer coordination and political dialogue between national parliaments and the European Parliament to make it more meaningful and substantial, also in frameworks such as Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC); stresses the importance of the subsidiarity principle as laid down in Article 5 TEU; points out, in this regard, that national parliaments are best placed to mandate and scrutinise at national level the action of their respective governments in European affairs, while the Parliament should ensure the democratic accountability and legitimacy of the European executive;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Stresses the importance of the subsidiarity principle as laid down in Article 5 TEU which is binding on all Union institutions and bodies, and of the instruments contained in Protocol No 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality; recalls in this context the need to improve the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality in the work of the EU institutions, in particular by cooperating with national parliaments in order for them to use the possibilities of engagement that already included in the current Treaties and to give them and local and regional authorities a more prominent role in the process in order to achieve ‘active subsidiarity’, aiming to promote greater ownership of EU policies.

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. It recalls that European Citizenship reflects the democratic identity that connects citizens in the Union and that the Statute will serve to make the principles and values of the Union more tangible and will provide a new tool for citizens to defend it;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Highlights that effective citizens’ dialogues and active citizens’ participation are strongly linked to the European dimension of citizenship education~~, which should be enhanced~~; stresses therefore the need to enhance the European dimension of citizenship education in order to enable citizens’ participation in the EU decision-making process and ability to act as informed citizens and to fully participate in civic and social life at both, the European and Member State level, based on understanding of political, legal, social and economic concepts and structures; calls on the Commission to develop a comprehensive European strategy to enhance citizenship competences in the EU and develop supportive measures aimed at providing equal access to citizenship education to all people residing in the EU in order to enable them to exercise their political rights; underlines the important role that civil society, universities and other research organisations should play in such a strategy;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to better inform non- national Union citizens (i.e. Union citizens who reside in a Member State of which they are not nationals) about their right to vote in or run for office in municipal and European elections; stresses that such ‘mobile’ EU citizens’ right to vote and stand should be expanded to regional and national elections in Member States; calls on the Council and the Commission to introduce these rights through the procedure outlined in Article 25 TFEU, while in the long-term it should be anchored in Article 22 TFEU through Treaty change; highlights the need for awareness-raising campaigns and the involvement of civil society in them; stresses that all administrative barriers and discrimination that still exist must be removed to ensure equal possibilities for all mobile Union citizens, including for persons with disabilities;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Recalls that a single harmonised age for voting and for standing as a candidate should be introduced across the EU~~; is of the opinion that the minimum age for voting should be set at 16~~ in order to ensure equality and to avoid discrimination in access to those most fundamental civic and political rights; is of the opinion that the minimum age for voting should be set at 16; highlights further that the right to vote and to stand as candidate, and access to information and voting should also be ensured on an equal basis for all citizens, including for persons with disabilities;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Believes that the expectation of Europeans to be more regularly and meaningfully involved in the EU decision- making process 1acan inter alia be addressed by improving and expanding participatory mechanisms within the European Union; _________________ 1a https://cor.europa.eu/en/events/Document s/Future-of- Europe/Next_Level_Citizens_Participatio n_in_the_EU.pdf

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Stresses the need to create a comprehensive participation infrastructure in the EU, with better connection and integration of existing participatory instruments through a one-stop shop for all European participatory instruments and new avenues for permanent participation; suggests in particular improving the architecture of the existing European participatory instruments through providing a mandatory and meaningful follow-up;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Underlines the need to address the fragmentation of the EU participation infrastructure through creating a one- stop-shop for all European participatory instruments with an institutional framework set up to administer the central hub and its relations to the citizens; believes that this measure will increase the public visibility of the participation process and instruments;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. It recalls that no progress on participation will be possible without addressing the problem of the digital divide and the difficulties it creates for effective participation in the Union;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)

15b. It calls for the necessary measures to be taken to avoid any kind of discrimination in access to participation infrastructures in the Union, in particular those related to the digital skills possessed by the individual;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)

15c. It proposes that applications to promote citizen participation should be simple and intuitive in order to minimise the digital divide and strengthen participation and democracy in a practical way;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 d (new)

15d. It calls for the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) and others aimed at promoting digital transformation in the EU to include simplifying access to administrations through the various services or the use of citizen participation applications among their objectives; it calls for research and investment lines aimed at facilitating such access in order to minimise the digital divide and maximise social and democratic quality;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Proposes the institutionalisation of representative deliberative processes of participation based on the model of the CoFE’s European Citizens Panels; believes that the use of ‘mini-publics’ with randomly selected participants representing subsets of the socio-economic structure of the Union will help prevent unequal access to participation in EU decision-making, offering citizens that otherwise will not have this chance a way of expressing their vision;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Underlines the need to address the low literacy of EU policies and decision- making among citizens through a sustained deliberative process where the citizens engaged in citizens panels are given the necessary information to be able to engage in open debates that can result in recommendations and conclusions;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Proposes, in particular, the creation of a permanent representative and deliberative mechanism called the European Agora, which will start in January each year by deliberating on the Commission’s annual work programme and the specific theme of the European Year; further proposes that in the first four months of the year the Agora should focus on the EU’s priorities for the year ahead with the results of the deliberations to be presented on 9 May as an input to the consultation process on the wCommission Annual Work pProgramme (CAWP), established through the Interinstitutional Agreement for Better Law Making; believes that this will ensure that the results of the European Agora will be taken into account in the decision-making process of the EU; notes that those results should also include a proposal for the specific theme for the European Year in the following annual cycle;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Calls for revision of the Interinstitutional Agreement for Better Law Making in order to integrate this permanent representative deliberative model in the annual deliberations on the CAWP;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Suggests that a Youth component of the Agora should form a European Youth Assembly, which will also monitor the application of the ‘youth check’ throughout the EU’s legislative process; proposes that the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee should establish a structure that convenes representatives of youth civil society and young local elected politicians, which should cooperate closely with the Youth Assembly to implement the youth check; underlines in this regard the need to engage with young people in particular in a political debate on the future of Europe, as today’s decisions will determine their future;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Calls on the Member States to introduce e-democracy tools at local and national level, and properly integrate them in the political process, facilitating democratic participation for both citizens and residents;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2017(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Reiterates its long-standing call to amend the EU Treaties to allow for EU- wide referendums on matters relevant to the Union’s actions and policies; points out that any European referendum should be organised on the same day throughout the Union;

2023/05/26
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)

– having regard to Council Directive 93/109/EC of 6 December 1993 laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for citizens of the Union residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals,

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)

– having regard to the proposal for a for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations (recast),

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 b (new)

– having regard to the proposal for a Council Directive laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for Union citizens residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 c (new)

– having regard to the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the transparency and targeting of political advertising

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 d (new)

– having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the European democracy action plan

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the reform of the European Electoral Law would address the current fragmentation into 27 different electoral systems and it would make electoral rules more ~~modern and uniform within~~fit for purpose and consistent throughout the EU; whereas for example the deadline for registering on the electoral roll varies greatly from one Member State to another, ranging from 90 days to 3 days prior to elections;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the ~~failure to implement the lead candidate system has led to disappointment among many voters; whereas such a disappointment must be avoided~~2019 elections did not culminate in the choice of a Commission President through the lead candidate system, also as a result of the failure to reform the European Electoral Law, which resulted in reduced trust in the process; whereas the election of the Commission President depends on securing the support of the majority of Members of the European Parliament; whereas only some of the EU citizens who took part in the European elections believed that their vote could make a difference when it came to the election of the President of the Commission, highlighting the need to raise awareness of the process among EU citizens; whereas the procedure should be fully complied with at the next European elections;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas several Member States still restrict voting rights and/or have not adequately addressed persisting barriers for people with disabilities, thus preventing the meaningful participation and representation of these citizens in democratic processes;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

Da. Whereas the full exercise of the electoral rights granted by the Treaties to mobile citizens in elections to the European Parliament is still hampered by unjustified barriers to democratic participation, such as the lack of awareness regarding conditions and rules applicable to the registration into the electoral rolls of the Member of State of residence;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)

Db. Whereas the Commission has issued a legislative proposal amending Council Directive 93/109 laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for Union citizens residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals; Whereas Parliament has adopted its position on 13 December 2022; whereas this proposal should among others enable mobile citizens to register for the electoral roll as soon as they register for residence, strengthen existing information requirements, ensure the same standards for the submission of candidacies for national and mobile EU citizens and facilitate the exercise of the right to vote by vulnerable and marginalised groups;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

Ea. Whereas political campaigns for the European elections conducted in the Member States too often are insufficiently “European”, but rather are dominated by policy discussions of a purely national, regional and local nature; whereas political parties and candidates have a responsibility to adequately inform citizens on the policy challenges at EU level;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Emphasises the important role of European political parties and foundations in contributing to the debate on European public policy issues and in forming European political awareness; ~~note~~regrets, however, that ~~owing to~~ restricti~~ve measures at European and national levels,~~ons under the current EU and national regulatory frameworks prevent European political parties ~~cannot~~from fully participateing in European election campaigns; ~~stresse~~regrets, moreover, that they are not allowed to campaign in national referendums that concern European matters; stresses that these restrictions prevent them from fully assuming their core task as set forth in Article 10.4 TFEU; encourages European political parties to reach an agreement on how to ~~adapt the provisions in this resolution to develop~~conduct the electoral campaign to the European elections and on how to proceed during the post-electoral process;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Calls for the enhanced visibility of European political parties in public debates and media campaigns; insists that ~~all national political parties should make the logos of the European political parties visible on ballots~~national political parties should consistently identify their European counterpart in their public communication and that the logos of the European political parties should be made visible on ballots; points to the ongoing negotiations on the draft proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations (recast) and encourages European political parties and foundations to comply with the foreseen new provisions before they are formally adopted and in force, in particular during the upcoming electoral campaign; calls on the European political parties to draft manifestos in good time ahead of the elections so as to be able to share their proposals; considers that European political parties’ manifestos should be known before the elections, which requires clear and transparent rules on campaigning;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Underlines that the electoral campaign for European elections should favour competition between national and European political parties on the basis on their programmes and policy planning regarding the EU; Regrets the practice of some national political parties and candidates to focus their electoral campaigns ahead of European elections on purely national-specific topics; Calls on European Political Parties to encourage their Member parties to use the European Manifestos as the basis for conducting their electoral campaigns;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Points out that the introduction of transnational lists would further empower European political parties as key actors in European politics, enabling them to participate in and help shape European representative democracy;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)

3c. Recalls in this respect that Parliament, in its proposal of 3 May 2022 on the reform of the European electoral law, has proposed the establishment of a Union-wide constituency for the elections to the European Parliament, allowing citizens to directly vote for both a transnational and a national list;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Regrets that the lead candidate system for the election of the President of the European Commission was not implemented at the last European elections~~; regrets further a lack of progress on this issue since 2019; acknowledges that this led to disappointment among many voters~~ as a consequence of the failure to reform the European electoral law; believes that a clear and credible link between the choice of voters and the election of the Commission President is needed; calls on the European political parties, national political parties and national governments to work together to ensure this outcome at the next elections; points out, however, that the election of the Commission President always depends on securing the support of the majority of Members of the European Parliament so that the electoral results are fully taken into account, as envisaged in the Lisbon Treaty;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Highlights, however, that without transnational lists, the lead candidate system lacks full democratic legitimacy, since European citizens are prevented from directly voting for their preferred candidate to the Commission Presidency

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Expects European political parties to nominate their candidates for theop EU position ~~of President of the Commission~~s at least 12 weeks before election day;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the establishment of an interinstitutional agreement between the Parliament and the European Council on the lead candidate system within the framework of Article 17(7) TEU, following the adoption of the European Parliament Proposal adopted on 3 May 2022 on the new European electoral law; asks the President of the European Parliament to immediately start the preparatory work leading to such an agreement after the first session of the new Parliament following the elections; believes that European political parties and their respective parliamentary groups should engage in negotiations after the next European election to agree on behalf of the European Parliament on a common candidate to preside over the Commission before the European Council makes its proposal;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Believes that establishing a single common European voting day would create a more coherent pan-European election and therefore suggests fixing 9 May as the European Election day, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls, with the possibility of that day becoming a public holiday;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls for the swift approval by the Council of the European ~~Union of the entire European~~ Parliament Proposal adopted on 3 May 2022 on the new European electoral law; Expects the Council to reach a balanced compromise even on the most far-reaching parts of Parliament’s proposal;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Calls for a reform of the Treaties and in particular of Article 223 TFEU on, with a view to allow the provisions necessary for the election of the Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage; to be adopted by the Ordinary Legislative Procedure

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Recalls that Parliament has adopted a resolution3a and a Report containing proposals for the amendment of the Treaties, among others to increase the EU’s democratic legitimacy, and to grant a proper follow-up to the proposals adopted by the Conference on the Future of Europe; _________________ 3a P9_TA(2022)0244

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11b. Notes that the 2024 elections represent a unique occasion to commence a EU-wide debate on the reform of the Union on the basis of the proposals for the reform of the Treaties put forward by Parliament; Calls on the European Council to expeditiously adopt a position on the holding up of a convention after the adoption by Parliament of the abovementioned Report; calls on national and European political parties to make the persisting institutional challenges at EU level a focal point of their electoral campaigns;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)

11c. Recalls that the Conference on the Future of Europe served as a Union-wide bottom-up democratic exercise aiming at identifying the short, medium, and long- term objectives of the EU in a wide-array of policy areas, such as environmental policy, external action of the Union, and institutional reforms; Calls on European Political Parties to discuss with the electorate the proposals which stem from the Conference;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2

Citizens’ participation and ~~enfranchisement~~political rights

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Considers it essential to guarantee that all citizens of the Union who have the right to vote and stand as a candidate, including mobile Union citizens, citizens with disabilities and citizens in a situation of homelessness, are able to exercise that right; points out that the creation of a single European electoral certificate could help implement the rights guaranteed by the Treaties for mobile citizens;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates its call on Member States to allow all citizens of the Union living or working in a third country to be granted the right to cast their vote in elections to the European Parliament; Regrets that the lack of progress in the Council on the Commission proposal on a Council Directive laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for mobile Union citizens in elections to the European Parliament will prevent the entry into force of the innovations put forward by Commission and Parliament in time for the 2024 Elections;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Acknowledges the efforts made by the EU institutions to tackle disinformation and foreign interference, such as the 2022 Code of Practice on Disinformation and the Rapid Alert System; highlights, nonetheless, the need for more robust safeguards and measures against disinformation and internal and external interference in the electoral process; commits to step up its efforts in combating foreign interference attempts within the European Parliament;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2016(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Guy VERHOFSTADT, Max ORVILLE, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Points to the ongoing interinstitutional negotiations on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the transparency and targeting of political advertising; calls on the Commission and the Council to pursue interinstitutional negotiations in the spirit of sincere cooperation, with a view to allow its legal provisions to be in force ahead of the electoral campaign for the 2024 European elections;

2023/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2023/2015(INI)

Dacian CIOLOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4

– having regard to the Council conclusions of 16 March 2022 on enhancing the potential of plant-based proteins in Europe in line with the objectives set out in the European Green Deal, submitted by Austria and subsequently signed by 19 other Member States,deleted

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)

– having regard to the JRC study of June 2020 on Future of EU livestock: how to contribute to a sustainable agricultural sector?

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Dacian CIOLOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)

– having regard to the UN FAO report of 2022 on Thinking about the future of food safety - a foresight report,

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Dacian CIOLOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have had dramatic effects on global trade and have made it more apparent that the EU needs to diversify its food supply chains and strengthen its production;

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Dacian CIOLOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas plant-based proteins are ~~crucial for~~one of the enabling elements in the transition towards more sustainable food systems with a reduced climate impact;

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the market for ~~plant-based and alternative sources of~~sustainably produced animal and plant-based protein food is steadily increasing due to consumer demand;

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Dacian CIOLOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas ~~cell-based agriculture and~~ seafood farming ~~are~~is promising and innovative solutions;

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Dacian CIOLOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas research and innovation on ~~plant~~sustainable production of all sources of proteins needs to be scaled up;

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Dacian CIOLOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Calls on the Commission to urgently present a comprehensive EU protein strategy introducing effective measures to increase the EU’s sustainable production of ~~protein in the short, medium and long term~~all types of protein (animal and plant-based) in the short, medium and long term; The production of protein crops should be prioritised;

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Dacian CIOLOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point 2 a (new)

2a. Principles of circular economy;

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Dacian CIOLOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point 3

3. The development of plant-based and alternative protein for ~~food and~~ feed;

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point 5

5. Concrete policy actions on innovation, research and development of sustainably produced proteins;

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Dacian CIOLOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Considers that developing the production of ~~plant and alternative sources of~~sustainably produced proteins in the EU is an effective way of addressing many of the societal, environmental and climate challenges that the EU faces; Believes that farmers could play a pivotal role in increasing protein production if properly supported and remunerated;

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

~~19. Considers that innovative cell- based food can help increase protein production and support agriculture;~~deleted

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Stresses that insects should be considered as alternative sources of protein~~, particularly~~ for animal nutrition;

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Notes that the cell-based food presents ethical, social, environmental and economic challenges, and the Novel Food regulation is not fit for purpose; highlights that consumer interests and expectations must be better reflected;

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Dacian CIOLOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. ~~Is of the opinion that authorisations made solely through novel food legislation should be based on~~Reiterates the lack of knowledge and underlines that ethical, social, environmental and economic considerations should be properly assessed prior to any authorisation; is of the opinion that the Commission should put in place a more rigorous process for authorising the placing on the market of a novel food, guaranteeing the safety of the product;

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that food in the EU should originate from sustainable farming systems; recalls the link between sustainable food production, nature, farmers and rural development and underlines the added value and ecosystem services provided by farmers;

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)

21b. Calls on the Commission to present a comprehensive impact assessment of novel food for human consumption on the European agricultural model, society, human health, environment and economy; stresses that the precautionary principle should be considered;

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 – point i – point a (new)

a) A proper legislative framework to assess demands of authorization for cell- based food, considering the ethical, social, health, environmental and economic dimensions of such products;

2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI

2023/2015(INI)

Valérie HAYER, Christophe GRUDLER, Dominique RIQUET, Fabienne KELLER, Moritz KÖRNER, Nicola BEER, Alin MITUȚA, Eva Maria POPTCHEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20

(20) Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation, and its European Innovation Council (EIC) provides for support for innovations with potential breakthrough and disruptive nature with scale-up potential that may be too risky for private investors. Additional flexibility should be provided for under Horizon Europe~~, so that t~~ to improve the participation of SMEs and their access to finance, in particular to the EIC. The EIC Accelerator ~~can~~should provide equity- only support to non-bankable SMEs, including start-ups, and non- bankable SMEs and small mid-caps, carrying out innovation in the technologies supported by the STEP and regardless of whether they previously received other types of support from the EIC Accelerator. The implementation of the EIC Fund is currently limited to a maximum investment amount of EUR 15 million except in exceptional cases and cannot accommodate follow-on financing rounds or larger investment amounts. Allowing for equity- only support for non-bankable SMEs and small mid-caps would address the existing market gap with investments needs in the range of EUR 15 to 50 million. Moreover, experience has shown that the amounts committed for the EIC Pilot under Horizon2020 are not fully used. These unused funds should be made available for the purposes of the EIC Accelerator under Horizon Europe. The Horizon Europe Regulation should also be amended to reflect the increased envelope for the European Defence Fund.

2023/09/08
Committee: BUDG ITRE

Draft opinion
Recital D b (new)

D b. whereas the Union has created own resources for specific aims such as the Next Generation EU;

2023/01/16
Committee: AFCO

2022/2172(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

1. Notes that the introduction of new genuine own resources is behind the schedule set out in the legally binding roadmap of Annex II to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 20204 ; reiterates the need to move swiftly; urges the Council, therefore, to approve the first basket of new genuine own resources without any further delay; _________________ 4 OJ L 433 I, 22.12.2020, p. 28.

2023/01/16
Committee: AFCO

2022/2172(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Underlines that new genuine own resources (also known as ‘fresh income’) are urgently needed in order to make the Union budget more resilient and autonomous so as to allow the Union to deliver on its policies and to ensure its standing as a credible and smart debt issuer; underlines that such new resources should also enable the Union to repay the common debt and interests under Next Generation EU

2023/01/16
Committee: AFCO

2022/2172(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Insists that ~~new genuine own resources will reduce the Union budget’s dependence o~~the increase in revenue financed through new genuine own resources must be coupled with the progressive reduction in gross national income- based contributions ~~and thus reduce Member States’ tendency to think in terms of net position~~from Member States; insists that national rebates should be cancelled;

2023/01/16
Committee: AFCO

2022/2172(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Stresses that the practice of transferring resources allocated for the Cohesion Policy to other instruments, such as the Resilience and Recovery Facility, to finance emergency policies risks undermining the balance between the long-term and short-term policy objectives of the Union;

2023/01/16
Committee: AFCO

2022/2172(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5 b. Highlights that an effective response to exogenous shocks requires the creation of a dedicated fund, financed through specific own resources; Supports in this respect the continuation of the interinstitutional dialogue aimed at establishing a Strategic autonomy Fund for Europe;

2023/01/16
Committee: AFCO

2022/2172(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5 c. Underlines that the decision- making procedures laid down by Article 311(3) TFEU, which binds the adoption of new own-resources to unanimity voting in the Council, and to the ratification by all 27 Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements, severely hamper the Union's capacity to swiftly adapt its macroeconomic interventions;

2023/01/16
Committee: AFCO

2022/2172(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Calls in this regard for Article 311(3) TFEU to be amended to allow Parliament to co-decide when adopting new own resources;

2023/01/16
Committee: AFCO

2022/2172(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls furthermore for the application of the ordinary legislative procedure when adopting the implementing measures of the Own Resources Decision, and to give Parliament full budgetary powers;

2023/01/16
Committee: AFCO

2022/2172(INI)

Sandro GOZI, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Suggests assigning green and digital-related new genuine own resources to expenditures in the areas of climate protection and digital change; believes that such links would improve coherence and transparency within the EU budget;deleted

2023/01/16
Committee: AFCO

2022/2153(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas the EIB is bound by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and that human rights principles are integrated into its due diligence procedures and standards, including publicly available ex-ante assessments;

2022/11/16
Committee: CONT

2022/2153(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

B b. whereas EIB investment has the capacity to support the social sector, including health, housing and education;

2022/11/16
Committee: CONT

2022/2153(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas ~~sustainability and support for cohesion ar~~territorial and social cohesion, sustainable development and tackling unemployment, poverty and social exclusion should be at the heart of the EIB’s activity – sustainability is required to be integrated into any lending, borrowing and advisory activities because the EIB’s remit is to foster sustainable growth within the European Union and abroad, and support for cohesion is enshrined in its Statute;

2022/11/16
Committee: CONT

2022/2153(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Notes that the InvestEU programme, the successor to the European fund for strategic investments (EFSI), is to be deployed under the European Union’s 2021-2027 MFF and that the EIB will also be the key implementing partner, responsible for managing 75 % of the overall budget of the mandate; understands that over the 2021-2027 period, InvestEU’s EUR 26.2 billion guarantee, with provisioning from the MFF and NGEU, is expected to mobilise more than EUR 372 billion in additional private and public investment in Europe, mainly for sustainable infrastructure, research innovation, digitalisation, SMEs’ access to finance, social investment and skills;

2022/11/16
Committee: CONT

2022/2153(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19 a. Reiterates its call for a fair and transparent geographical distribution of projects and investment, with a focus on less-developed regions, especially in innovation, digitalisation and infrastructure, with the view to promote inclusive growth and economic, social and territorial convergence and cohesion; calls for the EIB to be more active in addressing recurring shortcomings that prevent certain regions or countries from taking full advantage of the EIB's financial activities;

2022/11/16
Committee: CONT

2022/2153(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)

19 b. Notes that in the present difficult context (the post pandemic crisis and the Russian aggression against Ukraine), the gap between economic situations and capacities of the Member States has deepened and underlines the importance to ensure that most affected regions and countries will adjust to the new circumstances so that no one is left behind;

2022/11/16
Committee: CONT

2022/2153(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Is concerned that the current high energy prices ~~could~~are seriously affecting European SMEs’ competitiveness; calls on the EIB to assess whether the current level of support for SMEs is sufficient in the context of high energy prices and rising costs of raw materials and to inform Parliament about how it intends to adapt its actions to tackle these new challenges;

2022/11/16
Committee: CONT

2022/2153(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22 a. Reiterates its call for the strengthening of technical assistance for and the financial expertise of local and regional authorities, especially in regions with low investment capacity, and for projects of common interest to several Member States which are of such a size or nature that they cannot be entirely financed by the various means available in the individual Member States, before project approval, in order to improve accessibility to EIB funding;

2022/11/16
Committee: CONT

2022/2153(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Stresses that the requirement for financial intermediaries and corporate clients to draw up decarbonisation plans as soon as possible and at the latest by the end of 2025 must ~~not prevent SMEs from~~facilitate access~~ing~~ to finance to SMEs;

2022/11/16
Committee: CONT

2022/2153(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24 a. Emphasises the need to achieve an adequate level of energy security, for being able to achieve a fast and stable independence of European countries;

2022/11/16
Committee: CONT

2022/2153(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Calls on the EIB to increase financing in order to boost the technological transition, provide funds to SMEs for long-term research and innovation, support the development of skills adapted to real labour market needs, and promote investment in employees’ and entrepreneurs’ digital skills, digital infrastructure and capacity-building for digitalisation; stresses, that European SMEs are lagging behind in embracing digital technologies with only 55% of EU SMEs have at least a basic level in digitalisation;

2022/11/16
Committee: CONT

2022/2153(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25 a. Calls on the EIB to continue to prioritise investments in the health infrastructure, personnel training and in the quality of the health services, in order to reduce inequalities between countries

2022/11/16
Committee: CONT

2022/2153(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26 a. Underlines the crucial role of the EIB in meeting the goals of the Just Transition Mechanism and asks for more involvement and concrete actions in this respect;

2022/11/16
Committee: CONT

2022/2153(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)

26 b. Underlines that agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors are key players for growth and development in rural areas; calls on the EIB to provide better assistance and support innovation in these relevant sectors, which can significantly contribute to food security; underlines that financial needs of farmers, especially young and new entrants are significant, and that farmers and enterprises in this sector have a lower rate of success when applying for financing; calls for the EIB to further work on new financial tools that will boost accessibility for the agricultural sector;

2022/11/16
Committee: CONT

2022/2153(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 d (new)

26 d. Is concerned about the energy dependency and vulnerability of the Republic of Moldova that the current energy crisis has exacerbated; urges the EIB to support investments in the Republic of Moldova’s long-term energy autonomy and diversification;

2022/11/16
Committee: CONT

2022/2153(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 c (new)

26 c. Considers that the Commission should provide more transparency on its opinions on the projects financed by the EIB, as this would help clarify their role to the Union’s policy objectives;

2022/11/16
Committee: CONT

2022/2153(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

45. ~~Acknowled~~Is concerned that the targets the efforts made by the EIB in recent years to improve the gender balance of its staff, in particular at management and senior official levels; notes that the targets set in the Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2018-2021 were not fully achievedset in the Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2018- 2021 were not fully achieved; calls on the EIB to make concrete efforts to improve the gender balance of its staff, in particular at management and senior official levels;

2022/11/16
Committee: CONT

2022/2153(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 – point 3

3. measures to strengthen support for SMEs and eligible economic operators when implementing EU policies; and avoid any new requirements that should create more bureaucracy for SMEs;

2022/11/16
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)

— having regard to Decision (EU) 2019/1798 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 appointing the European Chief Prosecutor of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office,

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)

— having regard to the Commission’s Proposal for a Council Implementing Decision on measures for the protection of the Union budget against breaches of the principles of the rule of law in Hungary adopted 18 September 2022,

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)

— having regard to Commission communication of 14 December 2020 on the review of the European Union under the Implementation Review Mechanism of the United Nation Conventions against Corruption (UNCAC) (COM(2020)0793),

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)

— having regard to its recommendation of 17 February 2022 to the Council and the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy concerning corruption and human rights,

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas the implementation of the RRF will increase the pressure on European and national administrations in the coming years, as it coincides with the 2021-2027 spending programmes, and whereas the Member States will need to master different management modes linked to the implementation of the various funds and the Commission will need to improve its monitoring skills;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas the diversity of legal and administrative systems in the Member States ~~needs to be adequately addressed in~~ is a disadvantage and whereas it needs to be adequately addressed to be able to create more unified, interoperable and comparable administrative and reporting systems in the EU to effectively prevent and fight in order to overcome irregularities and combat fraud and corruption;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Recital L

L. whereas the Commission’s knowledge of the extent, nature, and causes of fraud is somewhat limited and many potential frauds are not reported through the irregularity management system; whereas corruption undermines citizens’ trust in the EU and ~~represents a burden on~~jeopardise the Union’s financial interests and the EU economy as a whole, as well as posing a serious threat to democracy and the rule of law in the EU;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Recital N

N. whereas the unprecedented increase in EU spending under Multiannual Framework 2021-2027 the NextGenerationEU (NGEU) recovery plan offers significant potential for misuse of funds by organised criminals; however the Commission is capable of monitoring approximately 10% of all expenditures;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Reiterates its concern that the occurrence of oligarchic groups has reached an unprecedented magnitude in the past several years; is concerned that oligarchic systems are often connected to widespread corruption, tight control over media and a judicial system which is not independent from the oligarchs themselves; emphasises that, in order to protect themselves, oligarchic groups seek to gain control over the media and the judiciary so as to avoid media exposure of possible criminal activities and prosecution;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Stresses that corruption, especially high level corruption is a particularly serious crime with a cross- border ~~dimension~~possibilities, whose impact affects the Union’s financial interests and the EU economy as a whole, representing a serious threat to democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law across Europe, undermining citizens’ trust in democratic institutions in the EU and in the Member States;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17 a. Recalls that weakening of the independence of the institutions responsible for monitoring and controlling finances in certain Member States seriously harm the Union’s financial interests while also representing a threat to the rule of law;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)

35 a. Emphasizes that the Early Detection and Exclusion System (EDES), as the EU’s Blacklist, has a huge potential flagging people and companies that misuse EU funds; welcomes the Commission's proposal to change of the Financial Regulation in order to allow EDES to be operational not only in direct management but also in indirect and shared management as well;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 a (new)

40 a. Regrets that the participation of Member States in EPPO is not obligatory; reiterates its call on the Member States which refused so far to join the EPPO as soon as possible; calls on the Commission to incentivise participation in the EPPO through positive measures;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46

46. Acknowledges, on customs-related matters, the extremely close operational coordination between OLAF, EUIPO, Interpol and the World Customs Organization (WCO); regrets the weakness of the alert systems of the Member States;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)

49 a. Calls on the Commission to establish a complaint mechanism for SMEs faced with high level of corruption, severe misconduct by national authorities, irregular or biased treatment intenders or the distribution of subsidies, pressure or intimidation from criminal structures, organised crime or oligarchic structures, or another severe infringement of their rights to lodge a complaint directly with the Commission;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50

50. Underlines the important role the Member States play in protecting the Union’s financial interests; is aware that, under the new delivery model adopted with the RRF, the Member States have ~~the biggest~~increased responsibility in preventing and countering fraud, corruption, conflicts of interest and double funding; however, it believes that the European level of protection is also crucial for the protection of the EU’s financial interest and believes that cooperation between the EU and the national authorities is essential for proper delivery;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51

51. Believes that uneven and fragmentary legislations, controlling mechanisms and reporting systems across EU Member States represent~~s an~~ obstacles to the effectiveness of the protection of the Union’s financial interests;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 a (new)

51 a. Stresses the need for complete transparency in accounting for the transfers and loans provided for under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), so that any potential fraud to EU financial interest be pursued by the EPPO and/or OLAF and calls on the Commission to provide for the European Parliament to have full access to all relevant information;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 b (new)

51 b. Asks the Commission to increase the EPPO’s and OLAF’s financial and staff resources to enable it to tackle the challenges that will arise from the spending of the exceptionally large recovery fund; asks the EPPO and OLAF to avoid any overlapping of work and any delays in proceedings; is of the opinion that OLAF and the EPPO should complement each other’s work and focus their investigations on those fields where the other institution has no competences;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 c (new)

51 c. Is of the opinion that OLAF should also follow up on its financial recommendations in order to compare them with the amounts recovered at the end of the procedures by the Commission and contribute to the overall monitoring of the recovery of funds;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 d (new)

51 d. Recognises the principle of confidentiality of OLAF investigations; is of the opinion, however, that there is an overarching public interest and that EU citizens also have the right to access the reports and recommendations relating to closed OLAF investigations and national follow-up procedures, as recognised by the CJEU in Case T-517/19; therefore asks OLAF to set up a mechanism to publish the reports and recommendations for which there is no longer any legitimate reason to maintain the principle of confidentiality;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 a (new)

53 a. Notes with concerns that the European Commission opened infringement proceedings against 15 EU Member States for not having transposed the Directive on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law (the "EU Whistleblower’s Directive" (2019/1937)).

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61

61. Recalls that Member States’ ineffective or untimely cooperation or non- cooperation with the EPPO and OLAF constitutes grounds for action under the Conditionality Regulation, therefore calls on the EPPO and OLAF to report each case of lack of compliance with the Member States’ obligations to inform, to assist, to take appropriate action and precautionary measures and to ensure appropriate and timely follow up of reports and recommendations;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62 a (new)

62 a. Considers that the Conditionality regulation is sufficient only and able to prevent or remedy democratic backsliding, if it is used in a timely manner with strict and clear conditions and if the national remedial measures are followed up with strong monitoring of the implementation of those measures;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2152(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62 b (new)

62 b. Deeply regrets that under the Rule of Law Conditionality mechanism the Commission presented Hungary with a set of 17 conditions as remedial measures, which are not sufficient enough to restore the serious breaches of the rule of law; regrets that the Commission did not request more substancial changes and safeguards to restore the independence of the judiciary, to improve the level of corruption and to guarantee the adequare protection of the EU's financial interest;

2022/11/17
Committee: CONT

2022/2143(INI)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Max ORVILLE, Sandro GOZI

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas, as a legal community, the EU is dependent on the effective and uniform application and enforcement of its law; whereas such effectiveness and uniformity can only be ensured if EU law takes precedence over national law; whereas the principle of primacy therefore constitutes a cornerstone of the EU’s legal order, which is essential for the EU’s functioning; whereas, in the same spirit, the principle is a centre piece in the creation of an “ever closer union among the peoples of Europe”, as foreseen by the Treaties;

2023/09/06
Committee: JURI AFCO

2022/2143(INI)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Max ORVILLE, Sandro GOZI

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the principle of primacy is not explicitly enshrined in the Treaties, but has developed over decades through the case- law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU); whereas, ever since its landmark Costa v E.N.E.L. judgment of 15 July 1964 in Case C-6/646 , the CJEU has on countless occassions reaffirmed that EU law takes precedence over the law of the Member States, regardless of the rank of the national legislation or the time of its adoption; whereas the principle of primacy therefore applies to any provision of domestic law, including provisions of a constitutional nature, in accordance with the well- established case-law of the CJEU; whereas, by virtue of the same jurisprudence, the principle also applies to international agreements concluded by Member States where those agreements are covered by the sphere of competence of the EU; _________________ 6 Judgment of the Court of Justice of 15 July 1964, Costa v E.N.E.L., C-6/64, ECLI:EU:C:1964:66.

2023/09/06
Committee: JURI AFCO

2022/2143(INI)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Max ORVILLE, Sandro GOZI

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas the case-law establishing the principle of primacy ~~has been implicit~~is widely accepted by the Member States, which have never ~~used a Treaty revision to lay down~~amended the Treaties to introduce exceptions to the pr~~ecedence~~imacy of EU law;

2023/09/06
Committee: JURI AFCO

2022/2143(INI)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Max ORVILLE, Sandro GOZI

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas ~~several~~certain national constitutional courts have nevertheless ~~defend~~argued the existence of certain limits to the principle of primacy; whereas these reservations mostly concern respect for EU competences and the national constitutional identity;

2023/09/06
Committee: JURI AFCO

2022/2143(INI)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Max ORVILLE, Sandro GOZI

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the principle of primacy ~~does not imply a hierarchy between the legal orders of the EU and the Member States, but rather~~ requires that, in the event of conflicting provisions of EU and national law, national ~~courts must disapply~~authorities and courts cannot apply or enforce those national provisions, and that national authorities and courts interpret their national law in conformity with EU law; whereas the principle furthermore requires that conflicting national provisions must be repealed or amended to comply with EU law;

2023/09/06
Committee: JURI AFCO

2022/2143(INI)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Max ORVILLE, Sandro GOZI

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas, in accordance with Article 258 TFEU, the Commission has ~~the possibility~~, as guardian of the Treaties, the task of opening an infringement procedure before the CJEU against a Member State that has failed to fulfil the obligations resulting from the principle of primacy;

2023/09/06
Committee: JURI AFCO

2022/2143(INI)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Max ORVILLE, Sandro GOZI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Reiterates that, by their accession to the EU, the Member States have adhered to ~~a certain number of~~the EU acquis and all the core EU values and principles that underpin it, which they share and have undertaken to respect at all times; recalls that these include the principle of primacy;

2023/09/06
Committee: JURI AFCO

2022/2143(INI)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Max ORVILLE, Sandro GOZI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Recalls in this regard that, in accordance with consistent case-law and on the basis of Article 4(2) TEU, although the Member States have a certain degree of discretion in implementing the principles of EU law, their obligations ~~as to the result to be achieved~~ do not vary from one Member State to another and the executive force of EU law may not vary from one Member State to another; emphasises that the same logic applies within the Member States, as compliance with EU law and its principles may not vary over time as a result of national legal, political or social changes;

2023/09/06
Committee: JURI AFCO

2022/2143(INI)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Max ORVILLE, Sandro GOZI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Points, however, to the negative consequences of any decision of a national constitutional court that challenges the principle of primacy; stresses that, if every national constitutional court could decide on the limits of the primacy of EU law, the effectiveness and uniformity of EU law would ~~be seriously jeopardised~~cease to exist, and thereby the guarantee for equal treatment of citizens and businesses across the Union; underlines that challenging CJEU judgments on the basis of national constitutional reservations concerning respect for EU competences or the national constitutional identity genuinely undermines the CJEU’s authority, as well as the legitimacy and proper functioning of the EU;

2023/09/06
Committee: JURI AFCO

2022/2143(INI)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Max ORVILLE, Sandro GOZI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Welcomes the changes proposed by the Court in the pending draft regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Protocol No 3 on the Statute of the Court of Justice of the European Union; believes that a more balanced distribution of labour between the Court of Justice and the General Court should give way for a more intense judicial dialogue between EU and Member States’ courts and tribunals, enabling them to resolve persisting tensions surrounding the principle of the primacy of EU law; encourages the EU and national courts and tribunals to also intensify their judicial dialogue through informal channels;

2023/09/06
Committee: JURI AFCO

2022/2143(INI)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Max ORVILLE, Sandro GOZI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Encourages~~Calls on the Commission to initiate infringement procedures under Article 258 TFEU in response to judgments of national constitutional courts that challenge the principle of primacy; underlines that such procedures provide the opportunity for supreme courts to engage in a judicial dialogue; stresses also the need to make clear to other national constitutional courts that there are consequences for failing to respect the principle of primacy; reiterates that challenges to the principle of primacy of EU law are sometimes part of a systemic undermining of the Rule of Law by a Member State government, which merit further action by the EU institutions, including activating and advancing Article 7 proceedings and the EU Rule of Law budget conditionality Regulation;

2023/09/06
Committee: JURI AFCO

2022/2143(INI)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Max ORVILLE, Sandro GOZI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Notes that the general application and implementation of EU law is the very precondition for its primacy; calls on the Commission to step up its efforts to enforce EU law, in particular by increasing infringement actions where Member States are failing to implement EU law;

2023/09/06
Committee: JURI AFCO

2022/2143(INI)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Max ORVILLE, Sandro GOZI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)

10b. Notes that in some cases, Member State authorities are not implementing CJEU judgments, without this being followed by further enforcement action by the Commission, meaning that individuals and businesses have a judgement by the highest EU court ignored by their national authorities without any further available remedy; calls on the Commission to produce an implementation scoreboard for each CJEU judgement and, should implementation fail, initiate infringement procedures against the Member State;

2023/09/06
Committee: JURI AFCO

2022/2133(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17 a. Notes with concern that the average annual rate of interim staff remained high, representing 18 % of statutory staff; recalls that the high level of contractual staff tends to increase significantly the Joint Undertaking’s staff turnover rate and further destabilises the staffing situation; emphasises, moreover, that the use of interim staff should remain a temporary solution or it could negatively affect the Joint Undertaking’s overall performance, such as the retention of key competences, unclear accountability channels, possible judicial disputes and lower staff efficiency; reminds that the Joint Undertaking should develop a formalised model or guidance on how to estimate staff needs (including essential competences), with the objective of optimising the use of staff resources;

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2133(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28 a. Welcomes that in 2022 all Joint Undertakings have started implementing actions for error rate reductions in line with the action proposed by the ECA including exploring the options of simplified forms of costs such as unit costs, lump sums and flat rates, targeting more “error-prone” types of beneficiaries such as SMEs and new beneficiaries;

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2132(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14 a. Notes with concern that during the period from 2018 to 2021 the average annual rate of interim staff for all Joint Undertakings remained high at around 11 % of statutory staff; recalls that the high level of contractual staff tends to increase significantly the JU’s staff turnover rate and further destabilises the staffing situation; emphasises, moreover, that the use of interim staff should remain a temporary solution or it could negatively affect the JU’s overall performance, such as the retention of key competences, unclear accountability channels, possible judicial disputes and lower staff efficiency;

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2132(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Notes, from the Annual Activity Report. that the decrease in the error rates in 2021 could be due, among other reasons, to the beneficiaries’ increased knowledge of the eligibility rules and the inherent learning curve, as well as to the results of the communication campaigns, targeted webinars and training, addressed in particular to newcomers and SMEs; stresses that the error rates should be treated with caution, as they may change subject to the availability of additional data from audit results.

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2132(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20 a. Emphasises that the Court’s finding confirmed persistent systemic errors for declared personnel costs and that in particular, SMEs and new beneficiaries are more error-prone than other beneficiaries; highlights that these errors are also regularly reported in Court’s previous annual reports since 2017; emphasises therefore that streamlining of the H2020 rules for the declaration of personnel costs and wider use of simplified cost options is a precondition to stabilise error rates to below materiality level; emphasises that JU should strengthen its internal control systems to address the increased risk regarding SMEs and new beneficiaries and strongly encourage the use of the Personnel Costs Wizard by certain categories of beneficiaries that are more prone to errors, such as SMEs and new beneficiaries; welcomes that in 2022 all Joint Undertakings have started implementing actions for error rate reductions in line with the action proposed by the Court including exploring the options of simplified forms of costs such as unit costs, lump sums and flat rates.

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2131(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11 a. Notes with concern that during the period from 2018 to 2021 the average annual rate of interim staff for all Joint Undertakings remained high at around 11 % of statutory staff; recalls that the high level of contractual staff tends to increase significantly the Joint Undertaking’s staff turnover rate and further destabilises the staffing situation; emphasises, moreover, that the use of interim staff should remain a temporary solution or it could negatively affect the Joint Undertaking’s overall performance, such as the retention of key competences, unclear accountability channels, possible judicial disputes and lower staff efficiency;

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2131(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14 a. Emphasises that the Court’s finding confirmed persistent systemic errors for declared personnel costs and that in particular, SMEs and new beneficiaries are more error-prone than other beneficiaries. Highlights that these errors are also regularly reported in Court’s previous annual reports since 2017; emphasises therefore that streamlining of the H2020 rules for the declaration of personnel costs and wider use of simplified cost options is a precondition to stabilise error rates to below materiality level; emphasises that Joint Undertaking should strengthen its internal control systems to address the increased risk regarding SMEs and new beneficiaries and strongly encourage the use of the Personnel Costs Wizard by certain categories of beneficiaries that are more prone to errors, such as SMEs and new beneficiaries; welcomes that in 2022 all Joint Undertakings have started implementing actions for error rate reductions in line with the action proposed by the Court including exploring the options of simplified forms of costs such as unit costs, lump sums and flat rates.

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2130(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Notes with concern that during the period from 2018 to 2021 the average annual rate of interim staff for all Joint Undertakings remained high at around 11 % of statutory staff; recalls that the high level of contractual staff tends to increase significantly the Joint Undertaking’s staff turnover rate and further destabilises the staffing situation; emphasises, moreover, that the use of interim staff should remain a temporary solution or it could negatively affect the Joint Undertaking’s overall performance, such as the retention of key competences, unclear accountability channels, possible judicial disputes and lower staff efficiency;

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2130(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Notes, from the Annual Activity Report, because of persistent systemic errors in declared personnel costs, particularly on the part of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and new beneficiaries (who are more error-prone than other beneficiaries), the Joint Undertaking had already strengthened its internal control to address the increased risk regarding SMEs and new beneficiaries. The results of these measures were evident for the first time in 2021 and contributed to significantly lowering the representative error rate from SMEs and new beneficiaries in the last 2 years; welcomes the positive results in terms of reduced error rates and the willingness of the Joint Undertaking to continue with the reinforced risk-based controls in 2022, with aid of the reinforced monitoring tool available in the corporate COMPASS/SyGMa system for H2020 grants management.

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2130(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22 a. Emphasises furthermore that streamlining of the H2020 rules for the declaration of personnel costs and wider use of simplified cost options is a precondition to stabilise error rates to below materiality level; welcomes that in 2022 all Joint Undertakings have started implementing actions for error rate reductions in line with the action proposed by the Court including exploring the options of simplified forms of costs such as unit costs, lump sums and flat rates.

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2129(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Points out that changes in key assumptions for the above estimate and in risk exposure may lead to further cost increases and projects delays and, for 2021 considers that, based on the Court’s report, special attention should be paid to ~~som~~the events that may have a significant impact on the estimate at completion, namely: the new baseline for the ITER project planned for the first quarter 2023, the late delivery of components, the sanctions on Russia, the ongoing approval of the French Nuclear Safety Authority for the assembly of the components of the tokamak pit and the expected revision of the cost estimate for the Hot Cell Complex;

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2129(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Notes, however, that the respective provisions of the Joint Undertaking’s Statutes require that the total amount of membership contributions shall not exceed 10 % of the Joint Undertaking’s annual administrative costs, suggesting an employer contribution of around €740 013 per year for the Joint Undertaking (based on 2021 figures); notes, therefore, that the concurrence of these different legal provisions risks the elaboration of diverse interpretations regarding the calculation of the Joint Undertaking’s employer contribution, with varying financial impact; welcomes the Joint Undertaking’s preparedness to engage with the Commission for a clearer alignment of the relevant legal bases;

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2129(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28 a. Notes with concern that the Joint Undertaking has become more dependent on external staff in recent years; stresses that this Court’s observation remained outstanding since 2019 when the external staff represented 62 % of statutory staff of the Joint Undertaking; highlights that according to the JU’s current strategic resource plan for 2021-2027, the number of external staff is envisaged to increase in 2022 to 93 % of the maximum statutory staff number approved by the Commission, and then gradually decrease to 70 % by 2027; recalls that this situation presents significant risks for the Joint Undertaking concerning the retention of key competences, unclear accountability, possible judicial disputes, and lower staff efficiency due to decentralised management ; emphasises, moreover, that the use of interim staff should remain a temporary solution; reminds that the Joint Undertaking’s management should strengthen the measures already undertaken to mitigate the risks related to the use of external staff, in particular, the risk of inefficient management due to the unclear division of responsibilities between statutory and external staff;

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2129(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Notes that, in the 202~~0’s~~1 CAAR, the Joint Undertaking concluded that all the components are operating together in an integrated manner; notes, however, that due to the fact that one component was found to have a critical deficiency (the issue occurred with the formalisation of legal commitments for operational expenditure in the Joint Undertaking’s contract management tool that was adapted for new contracts while remote working during the Covid-19 pandemic) impacting the Internal Control System and included by the Director as a reservation in his Declaration of Assurance, namely Control activities -Issue on wellbeing of staff, the Joint Undertaking Management concluded that the overall internal control system was partially effective.

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2128(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Notes with concern that the Joint Undertaking still lacks reliable procedures for certifying and validating in-kind contributions, reported by its private members and Participating States and that it is the only Joint Undertaking that does not have a strategic implementation plan for the achievement of other members’ contributions; emphasises therefore that the Joint Undertaking should implement reliable procedures for the certification and validation of in-kind contributions, as well as a strategic implementation plan (road map) with realistic milestones and annual contribution targets for both Participating States and private members at programme level; notes furthermore the Joint Undertaking’s acknowledgement of the action proposed by the Court and its committment to address this matter in a timely manner.

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2128(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Notes that the main concerns identified by the ECA is that the Joint Undertaking has been understaffed; notes that the lack of sufficient statutory staff, has led to increased use of interim staff, which can lead to weaknesses in financial, budgetary and staff management, and may pose risks in terms of continuity of activities, retention of key competences ~~and~~, lack of sufficient internal controls, and consequently, may negatively affect achievement of the Joint Undertaking’s objectives; notes that, under the new regulation, the Joint Undertaking is able to take steps to rectify this issue and has initiated the recruitment process while prioritising essential positions which relate to key functions of the Joint Undertaking and risk mitigation, such the Internal Auditor positions;

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2128(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28 a. Welcomes that in 2022 all Joint Undertakings have started implementing actions for error rate reductions in line with the action proposed by the Court including exploring the options of simplified forms of costs such as unit costs, lump sums and flat rates, targeting more “error-prone” types of beneficiaries such as SMEs and new beneficiaries;

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2127(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Notes with concern that during the period from 2018 to 2021 the average annual rate of interim staff for all Joint Undertakings remained high at around 11 % of statutory staff; recalls that the high level of contractual staff tends to increase significantly the Joint Undertaking’s staff turnover rate and further destabilises the staffing situation; emphasises, moreover, that the use of interim staff should remain a temporary solution or it could negatively affect the Joint Undertaking’s overall performance, such as the retention of key competences, unclear accountability channels, possible judicial disputes and lower staff efficiency;

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2127(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. Emphasises that the Court’s finding confirmed persistent systemic errors for declared personnel costs and that in particular, SMEs and new beneficiaries are more error-prone than other beneficiaries, highlights that these errors are also regularly reported in Court’s previous annual reports since 2017; emphasises therefore that streamlining of the H2020 rules for the declaration of personnel costs and wider use of simplified cost options is a precondition to stabilise error rates to below materiality level; emphasises that Joint Undertaking should strengthen its internal control systems to address the increased risk regarding SMEs and new beneficiaries and strongly encourage the use of the Personnel Costs Wizard by certain categories of beneficiaries that are more prone to errors, such as SMEs and new beneficiaries; welcomes that in 2022 all Joint Undertakings have started implementing actions for error rate reductions in line with the action proposed by the Court including exploring the options of simplified forms of costs such as unit costs, lump sums and flat rates.

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2126(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. Notes with concern, from the follow-up of previous years’ observations of the Court that the situation with the increased use of interim staff during the past years remains high at around 13% of statutory staff; recalls that the high level of contractual staff tends to increase significantly the Joint Undertaking’s staff turnover rate and further destabilises the staffing situation; emphasises, moreover, that the use of interim staff should remain a temporary solution or it could negatively affect the Joint Undertaking’s overall performance, such as the retention of key competences, unclear accountability channels, possible judicial disputes and lower staff efficiency; notes the Joint Undertaking’s reply that it has been obliged to constantly enlarge the use of interim staff during the past years due to the limitations of the rigid staff establishment plan under the condition of increasing tasks and workload, and that this trend is expected to continue with the two programmes – the Clean Sky 2 and the new Clean Aviation programme running in parallel; notes, furthermore that a more optimal solution would be to provide more flexibility to the Joint Undertaking with regards to number of contract agents’ posts in the staff establishment plan; reminds, however that the Joint Undertaking should develop a formalised model or guidance on how to estimate staff needs (including essential competences), with the objective of optimising the use of staff resources;

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2126(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11 a. Emphasises that the Court’s finding confirmed persistent systemic errors for declared personnel costs and that in particular, SMEs and new beneficiaries are more error-prone than other beneficiaries, highlights that these errors are also regularly reported in Court’s previous annual reports since 2017; emphasises therefore that streamlining of the H2020 rules for the declaration of personnel costs and wider use of simplified cost options is a precondition to stabilise error rates to below materiality level; emphasises that JU should strengthen its internal control systems to address the increased risk regarding SMEs and new beneficiaries and strongly encourage the use of the Personnel Costs Wizard by certain categories of beneficiaries that are more prone to errors, such as SMEs and new beneficiaries; welcomes that in 2022 all Joint Undertakings have started implementing actions for error rate reductions in line with the action proposed by the Court including exploring the options of simplified forms of costs such as unit costs, lump sums and flat rates.

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2125(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19 a. Notes with concern that the average annual rate of interim staff remained high, representing 19 % of statutory staff; recalls that the high level of contractual staff tends to increase significantly the Joint Undertaking’s staff turnover rate and further destabilises the staffing situation; emphasises, moreover, that the use of interim staff should remain a temporary solution or it could negatively affect the JU’s overall performance, such as the retention of key competences, unclear accountability channels, possible judicial disputes and lower staff efficiency; reminds that the JU should develop a formalised model or guidance on how to estimate staff needs (including essential competences), with the objective of optimising the use of staff resources.

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2125(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27 a. Emphasises that the Court’s finding confirmed persistent systemic errors for declared personnel costs and that in particular, SMEs and new beneficiaries are more error-prone than other beneficiaries. Highlights that these errors are also regularly reported in Court’s previous annual reports since 2017; emphasises therefore that streamlining of the H2020rules for the declaration of personnel costs and wider use of simplified cost options is a precondition to stabilise error rates to below materiality level; emphasises that JU should strengthen its internal control systems to address the increased risk regarding SMEs and new beneficiaries and strongly encourage the use of the Personnel Costs Wizard by certain categories of beneficiaries that are more prone to errors, such as SMEs and new beneficiaries; welcomes that in 2022 all Joint Undertakings have started implementing actions for error rate reductions in line with the action proposed by the ECA including exploring the options of simplified forms of costs such as unit costs, lump sums and flat rates.

2023/02/02
Committee: CONT

2022/2095(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Ilana CICUREL, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Notes that, as regards gender balance reported for 2021, the Centre’s senior management is unevenly composed by 4 men (66,7%) and 2 women (33,3%); also notes the management board is composed by 80 men (51%) and 76 women (49%); deplores the high number of members of the Board (156 composed by 84 voting members observers and alternates ) which does not facilitate decision-making and simplified management; notes further that regarding its staff overall the gender breakdown is 57% women and 43% men; welcomes the presence of gender equality indicators among the social sustainability indicators; recalls the importance to develop a long term HR policy including work-life balance, lifelong guidance and career development, the gender balance, the teleworking, the geographical balance and the recruitment and integration of people with disabilities;

2023/02/21
Committee: CONT

2022/2095(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Ilana CICUREL, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Notes with concern that the Discharge Authority’s recommendations about the staff members’ affiliation with the national healthcare system have not been addressed by the Centre, but welcomes that a new health and wellbeing committee has been established in July 2022;deleted

2023/02/21
Committee: CONT

2022/2095(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Ilana CICUREL, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Notes the Centre’s longstanding practice of cooperation and information exchange with other agencies such as ETF and Eurofound; recalls in particular the service legavel agreement signed by the Centre with the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) on 4 May 2020 to share resources; points out that such resources regard, as of 2021, also the Data Protection Officer; calls on the Centre to regularly report on the implementation of the agreement; notes further that a Memorandum of Understanding was agreed in 2022 with the European Labour Authority, and that cooperation in the context of EURES and Skills-OVATE has been identified as a key priority;

2023/02/21
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls its strong commitment to the fundamental principles and values enshrined in the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), including sound financial management as set out in Article 317 and the combating of fraud and protecting the financial interest of the Union as set out in Article 325;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Stresses that transparency, accountability, and integrity are essential ethics principles within the Union institutions; recalls the Court’s conclusions and recommendations in its special report 13/2019 on the ethical frameworks of Union institutions, as well as Parliament’s resolution of 16 September 2021 on strengthening transparency and integrity in the Union institutions by setting up an independent Union ethics body with, on the one hand, a preventive role via awareness-raising and ethical guidance, and, on the other hand, a compliance and advisory role with the ability to issue recommendations on ethical matters, including conflicts of interest;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Emphasises the role of the EPPO, the EU Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust), Europol and OLAF in the fight against corruption; calls for the capacities of and cooperation between the EPPO and OLAF to be strengthened further; calls for common anti-corruption rules applicable all staff of EU bodies;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Recalls the importance of an ex post evaluation including for financial programmes created to respond to a crisis; The evaluation of the performance of the programme in relation to effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence and EU added value would be in line with the financial regulation, the “Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making” and the “Better Regulation Guidelines”;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Underlines the relevance of reporting on the performance of the Union budget’s programmes for the discharge procedure; draws attention to the fact that the added value of the invested resources is closely linked to the results achieved and their contribution to improving the daily life of Union citizens and the economic impact within the EU;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Reiterates its deep concerns regarding the situation concerning the rule of law in a number of Member States, which is deeply worrying in its own right and leads to serious losses for the Union budget; underlines that Union funds must not be used for anti-democratic activities or for strengthening authoritarianism; welcomes the first application of the conditionality mechanism in the case of Hungary, procedure launched in November 2021 and concluded in December 2022 with the freezing of 55% of three cohesion policy programmes (around EUR 6,35 billion); reiterates its strong conviction that Member States must respect democracy and the rule of law in order to receive Union funds and draws attention to the Commission that the rule of law situation has also been deteriorating in other Member States, calls therefore on the Commission to trigger without delay the application of the conditionality mechanism whenever breaches of the principles of the rule of law are identified to be affecting or are in serious risk of affecting the sound financial management of the Union budget or the protection of the financial interests of the Union in a sufficiently direct way; moreover stresses th~~at Parliament, Council and the Commission need to closely co-operate together as allies~~e need for a strong cooperation between Parliament, Council and the Commission; underlines its strong and repeated requests to the Commission and executive agencies to ensure the protection of the Union budget by making global and systematic use of digital and automated systems for reporting, monitoring and audit and by a common anticorruption rule and by making the interinstitutional Transparency register [AS1] mandatory for all EU institution even agencies;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Reiterates its deep concerns regarding the situation concerning the rule of law in a number of Member States, which is deeply worrying in its own right and leads to serious losses for the Union budget; underlines that Union funds must not be used for anti-democratic activities or for strengthening authoritarianism; welcomes the first application of the conditionality mechanism in the case of Hungary, procedure launched in November 2021 and concluded in December 2022 with the freezing of 55% of three cohesion policy programmes (around EUR 6,35 billion), although the facts would have justified the freezing of 100%; reiterates its strong conviction that Member States must respect democracy and the rule of law in order to receive Union funds and draws attention to the Commission that the rule of law situation has also been deteriorating in other Member States, calls therefore on the Commission to trigger without delay the application of the conditionality mechanism whenever breaches of the principles of the rule of law are identified to be affecting or are in serious risk of affecting the sound financial management of the Union budget or the protection of the financial interests of the Union in a sufficiently direct way; moreover stresses that Parliament, Council and the Commission need to closely co-operate together ~~as alli~~while reinforcing the institutional checks and balances ; underlines its strong and repeated requests to the Commission and executive agencies to ensure the protection of the Union budget by making global and systematic use of digital and automated systems for reporting, monitoring and audit;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses the need to enlarge the areas where the EDES is used beyond direct management and requests the Commission to use it for all Union funds including funds under shared management: notes that, the EDES has to be used systematically to ensure that companies and beneficial owners who have been convicted in relation to fraud, corruption or other serious economic criminal activities cannot benefit from Union funds; stresses the need to harmonise the indicators in ARACHNE with the exclusion grounds of EDES to ensure that excluded economic operators are also visible in ARACHNE; calls for maximum interoperability between ARACHNE, EDES and other software to reduce the need to insert information items into various IT systems multiple times and keep the administrative burden as low as possible; believes that not more but better targeted control systems are needed, including the use of new technologies in order to fight fraud, corruption or other serious economic criminal activities that cannot benefit from Union funds;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Reiterates the imperative need of a single mandatory integrated and interoperable information and monitoring system provided by the Commission, allowing for the electronic recording and storage of data on the recipients of Union funding, including their beneficial owners and allowing for the availability of this information for data-mining and risk- scoring purposes; underlines that it is essential to get a clear overview of the distribution and potential concentration of Union funds disbursed, including through a functionality that allows for the aggregation of these funds; underlines that this would reduce the bureaucratic burden on the financial actors, on controllers and auditors, as well as on the recipients of Union funds, and should facilitate risk assessment for the purposes of selection, award, financial management, monitoring, investigation, control and audit and would also contribute to effective prevention, detection, correction and follow-up of fraud, corruption, conflicts of interest, double funding and other irregularities; notes that this digitalisation is overdue and indispensable given the cross-border nature of misuse of funds, fraud, misappropriations, conflicts of interests, double-funding and other systemic problems; underlines that this single datamining tool should be easily searchable and available for OLAF, EPPO and the Commission, in order to enhance the protection of the Union budget and Next Generation EU against irregularities, fraud and conflicts of interests;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Reiterates the need to better balance the further simplification of rules and procedures with better controls over the most repeated areas of irregular spending, develop mandatory training sessions and practical information for applicants, in particular new applicants, and improve the assistance and guidelines for SMEs, spin- offs, start- ups, administration and payment agencies and all other relevant stakeholders;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Is concerned about the increasing number and complexity of the Commission’s quasi-legal instruments such as opinions, recommendations, communications, non-legislative resolutions, notices, guidance documents and statements of administrative priorities; calls on the Commission to simplify and streamline these instruments; Recalls the REFIT programme to simplify EU rules and reduce unnecessary burdens, while achieving the benefits of legislation (REFIT programme) and by introducing the ‘one in, one out’ approach. Asks for the systematic application by the Commission of the principle that means that newly introduced burdens are offset by removing equivalent burdens in the same policy area;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Reiterates the need to step up the efforts in the fight against fraud both at Union and Member State level, in close cooperation with the EPPO and OLAF; appreciates the remarkable efforts and stresses the role of the EPPO in the investigation and prosecution of fraud and other criminal offences affecting the financial interests of the Union; highlights the importance of the EPPO’s full independence and impartiality for the effective exercise of its functions; recalls the importance of providing the EPPO and OLAF with sufficient financial and human resources; invites the Commission to urgently take action on the requests made by the EPPO on its budgetary implementation, so that the EPPO can become a fully effective prosecution office;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

~~14.~~ Points to the Court Special Report ~~14.~~ 17/2022 "External consultants at the European Commission" which emphasises that the European Commission contracts about EUR 1 billion each year on external consultants' services, using them to support a wide range of consultancy, study, evaluation and research activities and concluded that Commission's management of the use of external consultants did not ensure that it maximises value for money, nor fully safeguards its interests; ~~demands in this context the Commission to~~stresses furthermore that there are significant gaps in the framework governing the use of these services, with potential risks related to the concentration of service providers, overdependence and conflicts of interest which are not sufficiently monitored; demands in this context the Commission to further develop its framework governing the use of external consultants, make better use of the results of external consultants’ services, enhance monitoring to mitigate the risks arising from using external consultants’ services and improve its reporting on the use of external consultants' services, providing accurate and complete data on the volume and types of acquired services. Moreover stresses the unused potential of Union Agencies to provide for specific, relevant information and the same quality products as external consultants, if their mandates would allow for it; invites the Commission to look into this possibility in the future for consultancy and research purposes in specific areas;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Is concerned by the findings of the Court in its first annual assessment of the RRF; considers that the implementation of the RRF takes place under time pressure, with however a much more straight forward delivery model that puts much, lighter requirements on the Commission, and reduces the control burden from the Commission towards the Member States, in particular in comparison with the cohesion policy; is therefore concerned by the types of findings of the Court which fundamentally calls into question whether the Commission can handle even this reduced control burden; calls on the Commission not to apply the performance based delivery model as used in the implementation of the RRF for other policies until the advantages and disadvantages are more clear, following the evaluation of the implementation of the RRF by 20 February 2024; Recalls the importance to know whether the absorption of funds is on course, as 2023 is the mid-point of the RRF;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Expresses concern about the limited number of cross-border projects under the RRF~~, which calls into question the Union added value of this instrument~~;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)

20b. Encourages the Commission, the ECA and the Council to work towards accelerating the discharge process to N+1;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)

20c. Calls on the Commission to continue promoting a gender balance and gender budgeting approach as well as a better geographical balance in the allocated funds; calls on the Commission to urgently develop gender mainstreaming methodology in order to integrate a gender equality perspective in all policy areas;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Notes that the Court found that low-risk expenditure was free from material error but that high-risk expenditure remained affected by material error; Highlights that the biggest contributors to the 3.0 % error rate were 'Cohesion, Resilience and Values' (1.2 percentage points), followed by 'Natural Resources and Environment' (0.7 percentage points), 'Neighbourhood and the World' (0.4 percentage points) and 'Single Market, Innovation and Digital' (0.4 percentage points);

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

~~35. Notes that the Court found that low-risk expenditure was free from material error but that high-risk expenditure remained affected by material error;~~deleted

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37

37. Notes ~~that, despite~~ the fact that the Court considers the RRF expenditure accepted in the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021 as legal and regular in all material respects~~, there is one milestone in the payment to Spain that is not satisfactorily fulfilled, casting doubt~~. However doubts remain on the Commission’s assessment of the milestone and targets associated with the related RRF expenditure; recalls that ~~the~~ only ~~reason the identified error was not quantified was the absence of a~~a strong methodology ofor partial payments ~~by the Commission~~would permit to quantify identified error found in one Member State;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)

38a. Calls on the Commission to take initiatives such as technical assistance to increase the absorption rate in the Member States on a permanent basis; calls on the Commission to closely monitor the progress of implementation in Member States, in particular in the cases of under-implementation and low absorption rates and to deliver a country- analysis to the discharge authority, identifying the recurrent problems, as well as the measures taken to optimise the situation;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Notes with concern that at the end of 2021, total outstanding commitments reached a record high of EUR 341,6 billion; highlights that outstanding commitments are likely to exceed EUR 460 billion in 2023 but that they will then normally fall as NGEU draws to a close; underlines that a certain level of outstanding commitments is a logical consequence of the Union budget system with commitment appropriations and payment appropriations but recalls that a too important amount of outstanding commitments can constitute a risk for the smooth operation of the budget in the future;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 – point a

a. ensure the protection of the Union budget by making general and systematic use of digital and automated systems for reporting, monitoring and audit (ARACHNE, EDES etc.) and urgently establish a compulsory integrated and interoperable system building on, but not limited to, existing tools and databases in the context of the upcoming revisions of the Financial Regulation; develop the Recovery and Resilience Scoreboard to ensure that the description of milestones and the target and outcome of the audit are transparent; ensure that all Member States use the systems and central registers to report on beneficial owners and end beneficiaries;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 – point e

e. work with the Court to align the respective risk categorisation methodologies and the audit working methodologies;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58

58. Notes with concern that Customs duties are at risk of either not being declared or being declared incorrectly to the national customs authorities by importers; highlights that these evaded amounts, known as the ‘customs gap’, are not captured in Member States’ TOR accounting systems and do not fall within the scope of the Court’s audit opinion on revenue; notes with concern that the customs gap may affect the amounts of duties established by Member States; is worried that, according to the Court, for a third year in a row, the Union actions taken to reduce the gap and mitigate the risk that TOR are not complete; is worried that serious weaknesses persist since several years in Member States’ accounting and management of TOR; notes with concern the insufficient progress on a number of actions of the Commission’s Customs Action Plan;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67

67. Notes with concern that the rules for declaring personnel costs under H2020 remain complex, despite simplification efforts, and their calculation remains a major source of error in the cost claims; regrets that one of the main causes of error is the incorrect application of the methodology for calculating personnel costs; emphasises therefore that streamlining of the H2020 rules for the declaration of personnel costs and wider use of simplified cost options, such as unit costs, lump sums and flat rates, is a precondition to stabilise error rates to below materiality level; draws attention to the Court’s observation that private entities, in particular SMEs and new entrants, are prone to error;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71 – point f

f. increase awareness, coherence, and sustainability of the support to SME internationalisation; Reiterates the need to simplify rules and procedures, develop compulsory training sessions and practical information for applicants, in particular new applicants, and improve the assistance and guidelines for SMEs, spin-offs, start-ups, administration and payment agencies and all others relevant stakeholders;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 87

87. Takes note that the Court, in its Special Report 14/2022 “The Commission’s response to fraud in the Common Agricultural Policy” found that fraud risks vary between the CAP payment schemes; welcomes that the Commission has taken action on fraud spending; regrets that according to the Court, the actions taken by the Commission were not sufficiently proactive in addressing certain fraud risks, such as illegal ‘land- grabbing’; emphasises that weaknesses in Member States’ checks are prone to be exploited by the fraudsters and that the Commission should monitor national anti-fraud measures better, provide more concrete guidance, and promote the use of new technologies for preventing and detecting fraud; notes with concern that some paying agencies have indicated a need for more practical advice from the Commission;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 91 – point b

b. make better use and encourage to systematise the use of AI and data from new technologies such as the Union owned Copernicus Sentinel satellites to monitor and control the correct use of all CAP funds;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 98

98. Furthermore, calls on the Commission to consider the activities employed by DG CNECT for the Horizon Europe Funds in support of SMEs, such as webinars and coordinator days, and copy successful elements of DG CNECT’s approach to the EDF, notably to give more specific knowledge of Union funding to SMEs and decrease the administrative burden for them;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 20

Neighbourhood and the world

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 116 – point b

b. continue its work to ensure a fair geographical balance of its staff at all levels, and especially at senior management level, where strong imbalances persist, while at the same time fulfilling the requirements in the staff regulation regarding competences and merits of candidates; Stresses that according to the Article 27 of the Staff Regulations of Officials, the Commission like all European institutions, must ensure that all Member States are proportionally represented;

2023/03/08
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 124

124. Notes the Court’s observation regarding the RRF in its 2021 Annual Report concerning the first payment request from Spain; notes that the Court assessed the Commission’s ex-ante work on all milestones associated with the payment to Spain in 2021; ~~observe~~regrets that it will not be possible for the Court to assess all milestones associated with future payments and urges the Commission to put in place a serious ex ante and ex post work to check if all milestones and targets are really implemented;

2023/02/28
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 125

125. Is worried by the Court’s serious finding that for the payment made to Spain in 2021, one milestone was not satisfactorily fulfilled; regrets to note that the Court was not able to quantify this error because of the absence of a methodology to quantify the impact of (partially) not achieving a milestone or target; notes the Commission’s Internal Auditor also observed the absence of this methodology; ~~considers it grave negligence of~~regrets that the Commission todid not have ~~this~~a stronger methodology in place before making payments~~, as this calls into question the Commission’s sincerity of assess~~; regrets that not all Member States make use of the Commission’s data-mining and risk- scoring tool for identifying projects, beneficiaries and contractors at risk of fraud, conflict of interest and irregularities under the RRF; notes that five of the Member States ing the ~~satisfactory fulfilment of mileston~~Court's audit sample (Greece, Spain, France, Croatia and Italy) will use the Commission’s data mining and risk scoring tool; recalls that a common data- mining and risk-scoring tool is a key element in protecting the EU’s financial interests and, more specifically, in preventing fraud, conflicts of interest and ~~targets~~double funding, and in increasing transparency and accountability;

2023/02/28
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Alin MITUȚA, Eva Maria POPTCHEVA, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 125

125. ~~Is worried by~~Notes the Court’s ~~serious~~ finding that for the payment made to Spain in 2021, one milestone was not satisfactorily fulfilled; regrets to note that the Court was not able to quantify this error because of the absence of a methodology to quantify the impact of (partially) not achieving a milestone or target; ~~not~~Welcomes the ~~Commission’s Internal Auditor also observed the absence of this methodology; considers it grave negligence of the Commission to not have this methodology in place before making pay~~establishment of a methodology for the partial suspension of payments in case of non-fulfillment of some milestones or targets as established in the Annex II of the Communication from the Commission on the “Recovery and Resilience Facility: Two years on A unique instruments, ast th~~is calls into question the Commission’s sincerity of assessing the satisfactory~~e heart of the EU’s green and digital transformation”; Calls on the Commission to remain vigilant and rigorous in his assessments of the fulfilment of all milestones and targets;

2023/02/28
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Alin MITUȚA, Eva Maria POPTCHEVA, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 126

126. Notes that the Commission’s Internal Audit Service did not perform any audit engagement as regards the NGEU programme in 2021; notes that the Internal Auditor draws attention to the need to continue work on control design and implementation of appropriate financial management, and audit and control strategies; considers the Internal Auditor to be an essential element of internal checks and balances within the Commission and that independent and objective information derived from its own audit activities is indispensable for the Internal Auditor to function effectively; underlines that the work by the Court as external auditor cannot substitute the work of the Internal Audit Service; Notes the conclusions by the CONT Mission to Spain on the 20- 23rd of February 2023, whereby the difficulties with the full implementation of the management and control platform for the Spanish RRF funds, CoFFEE, were acknowledged, especially in relation to the lack of interoperability with regional and EU platforms; notes that there are indices that the European Commission evaluated positively the Spanish Recovery Plan milestone related to the full functionality of the COFFEE platform at a time where, according to several stakeholders, this was not yet the case; regrets the lack of transparency as regards final beneficiaries of the NGEU funds and execution rates in terms of payments, which could be provided to the public in an aggregated and comprehensible manner; calls on the Commission to thoroughly evaluate the fullfilment of milestones in targets, and in particular reforms;

2023/02/28
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 126

126. ~~Note~~Regrets that the Commission’s Internal Audit Service did not perform any audit engagement as regards the NGEU programme in 2021; notes that the Internal Auditor draws attention to the need to continue work on control design and implementation of appropriate financial management, and audit and control strategies; considers the Internal Auditor to be an essential element of internal checks and balances within the Commission and that independent and objective information derived from its own audit activities is indispensable for the Internal Auditor to function effectively; underlines that the work by the Court as external auditor cannot substitute the work of the Internal Audit Service;

2023/02/28
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 127

127. Recalls the CONT committee’s opinion to the committee on Budgets and the committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation establishing the RRF; recalls the call therein for a list of all final beneficiaries and projects of the Facility; considers that Article 22(2) (d) of that Regulation puts the requirement on the Member States to keep these records, and that the provisions in Article 22(3) call for making the data concerned available in the framework of discharge, for the discharge authority; regrets the lack of information on how the Commission protects the European Union’s financial interests while disbursing payments;

2023/02/28
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 134 a (new)

134 a. Calls on the Commission to initiate a dedicated and detailed Scoreboard for the Rule of Law milestones, taking into account the reforms of Member States and the degree to which they comply with the milestones and CJEU case law, with the input of all competent Commission services and independent academic and civil society contributions;

2023/02/28
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 146

146. Notes that it is important that all funds allocated to the Member States under the RRF will result in investments and reforms, as only then the discharge authority can be sure that all funds were allocated to final beneficiaries in full respect of the principle of additionality; recalls the criticism expressed in previous discharge reports of the practice that some Member States systematically overbook funding programmes in shared management and withdraw projects from Union funds when irregularities and/or fraud are discovered in its related expenditure, thereby effectively evading Union investigations and/or an effective follow-up and possible corrections; deplores that the burden of these irregularities and possible fraud is shifted to the national budget, and thus, the national tax-payer;

2023/02/28
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 147 a (new)

147 a. Stresses that compliance with the milestones can only be established on the basis of a detailed assessment and clear and fixed criteria, and not on the basis of political negotiations;

2023/02/28
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 153 – point c a (new)

c a. assess the Member States’ fulfilment of the Rule of Law milestones in the RRPs on the basis of a detailed assessment, clear and fixed criteria, and fully in line with CJEU case law, not merely looking at the formal adoption of reform legislation but also at the legal and practical application, and not on the basis of political negotiations;

2023/02/28
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 153 – point c b (new)

c b. not approve any payment request unless all Rule of Law milestones have been fully met;

2023/02/28
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 153 – point r

r. address the tension between cohesion and the RRF, in particular concerning the involvement of local, regional, economic and social partners and civil society organisations, that makes it easier to absorb RFRF funding in comparison to cohesion funding, by putting more emphasis on involvement of these actors in the implementation of the RRF;

2023/02/28
Committee: CONT

2022/2081(DEC)

Domènec RUIZ DEVESA, Alin MITUȚA, Brando BENIFEI, Niklas NIENASS, Cyrus ENGERER, Dimitrios PAPADIMOULIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 153 – point s

s. strongly encourage Member States that seek to amend their RRPs to include cross-border projects in their investments and to put more emphasis on such truly European projects in general; Recalls that cross-border projects should address existing bottlenecks in energy transmission, distribution and storage, thus providing European added value;

2023/02/28
Committee: CONT

2022/2051(INL)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)

– having regard to the Proposal of a Manifesto for a Federal Europe: Sovereign, Social and Ecological, adopted by the Spinelli Group on 29 Augus 20221 1.https://thespinelligroup.eu/wp- content/uploads/2022/10/20220912_P roposal-Manifesto-for-a-Federal- Europe-political-social-and- ecological.pdf

2023/10/02
Committee: AFCO

2022/2051(INL)

Sandro GOZI, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Sophia IN 'T VELD

Annex to the motion for a resolution Treaty on European Union – Article 4 – paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. The Treaties and law adopted by the institutions of the Union in exercising competences conferred on it shall have primacy over the law of the Member States.

2023/10/02
Committee: AFCO

2022/2051(INL)

Alin MITUȚA, Sandro GOZI

Annex to the motion for a resolution Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union – Article 22 – paragraph 1

1. Every citizen of the Union residing in a Member State of which he is not a national shall have the right to vote and to stand as a candidate at municipal, regional and national elections in the Member State in which he resides, under the same conditions as nationals of that State. This right shall be exercised subject to detailed arrangements adopted by the Council, a~~cting unanimously~~nd the European Parliament, acting in accordance with ~~a special~~the ordinary legislative procedure ~~and after consulting the European Parliament; the~~. Those arrangements may provide for derogations where warranted by problems specific to a Member State.

2023/10/02
Committee: AFCO

2022/2046(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Sandro GOZI, Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ, Ondřej KNOTEK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Reiterates its concern as regards the significant delay in the implementation of cohesion policy for the 2021-2027 period, as well as its call for the Commission and the Member States to speed up the adoption of the partnership agreements and programmes, without undermining their quality and while respecting the EU’s political priorities and the applicable principles; calls on the Member States to ensure that local authorities are included in the design and implementation of all programmes; reiterates the need for special consideration to be given to less-developed regions ~~and island~~, islands, outermost regions and rural, remote and depopulated areas in this context;

2022/07/27
Committee: REGI

2022/2046(INI)

Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Gilles BOYER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses the serious risk that the amount of outstanding commitments (reste à liquider – RAL) continues to rise; ~~calls on the Commission to closely monitor this issue and to make every effort to ensure that it remains under control~~asks the Commission to monitor the low absorption rate of Members States; calls on the Commission to closely monitor this issue by delivering a country-by-country analysis to the discharge authority, as well as the measures taken to optimize the situation and to prepare a detailed plan of actions in order to reduce the amount of outstanding commitments; calls on the Commission to present that plan to the discharge authority;

2022/09/06
Committee: CONT

2022/2046(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Sandro GOZI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Recalls that in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 all actions implemented under cohesion policy shall take into account gender equality as a horizontal principle throughout their preparation, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation; calls on the Commission to implement a gender budgeting analysis as part of the mid-term review of the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework; strongly believes that publicly available gender assessments of the budget should be made on a yearly basis and allow adjustments within the next annual budget; recalls that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated gender disparities which necessitates targeted action;

2022/07/27
Committee: REGI

2022/2046(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Sandro GOZI, Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2 b. Welcomes the European care strategy as a new initiative with a strong gender dimension; calls on the Commission for a dedicated investment package to promote the EU care sector and care economy as well as to ensure coordination among the different programmes and initiatives towards an effective implementation of the strategy;

2022/07/27
Committee: REGI

2022/2046(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Sandro GOZI, Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Underlines the necessity of providing the regions with appropriate financial means in order to deal with the waves of migration caused by the Russian aggression against Ukraine and its multifaceted consequences; recalls the pressing energy and food security concerns, and emphasises the need to address the grave difficulties that the current rise in energy costs is causing for ~~the regions~~people, and to identify suitable financial instruments ~~to deal with them at a regional le~~directly accessible at a regional level; stresses the need to further strengthen the Union’s solidarity capacities in times of crisis, and calls on the Commission to put forward a legislative proposal establishing a Ukrainian crisis Adjustment Reservel;

2022/07/27
Committee: REGI

2022/2046(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Sandro GOZI, Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ, Ondřej KNOTEK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls for a significant increase in the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) budget, which would help regions to anticipate and mitigate the effects of climate change, and for the scope of the EUSF to be broadened, so that it can also support more climate-resilient restoration or construction of public and private infrastructure; stresses the importance of the social dimension of the green transition and the need to provide targeted support to the regions, industries, workers and households facing the biggest challenges;

2022/07/27
Committee: REGI

2022/2046(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Sandro GOZI, Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ, Ondřej KNOTEK

4 a. Stresses the role of urban areas in tackling the climate emergency, reiterates the need for further funding opportunities for cities to implement programmes locally; reminds that EUR 400 000 000 of the resources for the Investment for jobs and growth goal shall be allocated to the EuropeanUrban Initiative under direct or indirect management by the Commission as laid out in Regulation (EU) 2021/1058, calls for the European Urban Initiative to begiven a greater budget and scope, in order to support the delivery of the Urban Agenda in the next programming period;

2022/07/27
Committee: REGI

2022/2046(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Sandro GOZI, Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ, Ondřej KNOTEK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4 b. Recalls that among the many inequalities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the digital divide is a serious one; highlights the need to allocate sufficient funds for the development of digital skills; calls for digital inclusion to be recognised as a right for all generations and for a clear commitment to achieve universal internet connectivity;

2022/07/27
Committee: REGI

2022/2021(INI)

Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14 a. Regrets that the MFF, as well as the national Recovery Plans still do not give a strong signal towards infrastructure investments nor priority to the completion of the TEN-T (no increase of CEF Transport envelope, no explicit dedicated financing under the Recovery Plan to transport); regrets the strong disparities between Member States in terms of investments planned for transport infrastructure; recalls the reduction of the budget of the Military Mobility from 5.9 bns euros to 1.69 bns

2023/03/01
Committee: CONT

2022/2021(INI)

Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24 a. Calls for the Commission and Member States to rapidly establish a financial framework to better foster and attract private investments towards infrastructure projects, and to develop innovative financial arrangements, notably through blending mechanisms

2023/03/01
Committee: CONT

2022/2021(INI)

Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER, Ilana CICUREL, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25 a. Calls for the creation, in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MMF) 2028-2035, of a budget envelope dedicated to “external transport” in the CEF III, in order to increase cooperation with thirds countries regarding cross- border projects and infrastructure deployment;

2023/03/01
Committee: CONT

2022/2020(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Points out the importance of information and awareness campaigns for the reduction of unintentional errors; calls on the Member States to organise such campaigns timely and involve all relevant stakeholders.

2022/06/16
Committee: AGRI

2022/2020(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Welcomes in this regard the provision established in the Regulation (EU) No 2021/2116 that give the CAP beneficiaries possibility to retroactively correct errors in their aid application that were done in good faith and similarly welcomes the early awareness mechanism that points out to CAP beneficiaries minor non-compliance without deducting any payments at first.

2022/06/16
Committee: AGRI

2022/2020(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)

2c. Stresses the simplifications and streamlining on the penalties for non- compliance that make a clear distinction between cases of intentional and non- intentional non-compliance and sets the penalties at lower level for the latter.

2022/06/16
Committee: AGRI

2022/2020(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Recalls that the Commission plays a supervisory role, ensuring that the arrangements governing the management and control system are compliant by, among others, verifying the effective functioning of this system and making financial corrections, where necessary.

2022/06/16
Committee: AGRI

2022/2020(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Calls on the Member States to do their utmost to guarantee sound financial management, further reduction of errors and to avoid any delays in the implementation of CAP;

2022/06/16
Committee: AGRI

2022/2020(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Acknowledges that the strategies of fraudsters are constantly evolving to evade detection; underlines, therefore, the importance of regular analysis of the effectiveness of measures taken to combat fraud in order to ensure consistently high standards and effectiveness;

2022/06/16
Committee: AGRI

2022/2020(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7b. Encourages Member States to evaluate regularly their audit practices and internal control systems for EU funds under shared management to ensure that they are reliable and function effectively in preventing, detecting and correcting irregularities, including new forms of irregular practises;

2022/06/16
Committee: AGRI

2022/2020(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Stresses that many fraudulent irregularities still remain unreported every year and calls for stronger efforts to collect comparable data on irregularities and fraud cases in a more reliable and accurate way, as well as immediate reporting of suspicions of fraud to the EPPO; believes that a wider use of Arachne tool could strengthen European Commission and Member States' analytical capacity; highlights the need to allow EPPO to access Arachne when carrying out investigations, in line with its mandate and with data access and protection framework.

2022/06/16
Committee: AGRI

2022/2020(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Underlines that the digitalization offers various opportunities when it comes to the management and control of Union’s policies and programmes and in particular in conducting audits; calls on the Member States, the Commission and all relevant authorities to take advantage of new IT tools and techniques to increase the reliability of audits and controls.

2022/06/16
Committee: AGRI

2022/2020(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)

8b. Invites the EPPO, OLAF, the Commission, ECA and the Member States to strengthen their cooperation, including by, for example, creating more training programmes on the use of e-tools and audit practices, as well as on how to improve them.

2022/06/16
Committee: AGRI

2022/2020(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 c (new)

8c. Encourages Member States, which have not joined the EPPO yet, to do so to ensure that more cases of fraud are investigated and prosecuted.

2022/06/16
Committee: AGRI

2022/2020(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 d (new)

8d. Welcomes the Commission’s “EU Budget Focused on Results” strategy aimed at to improve efficiency of spending and achieve more with the available resources.

2022/06/16
Committee: AGRI

2022/2020(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 e (new)

8e. Calls on the Commission to continue its efforts in the field of simplification of EU funding, especially with regard to reducing the burden of implementation and management of EU- funded projects;

2022/06/16
Committee: AGRI

2022/2020(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 f (new)

8f. Reiterates that the creation of an integrated, interoperable and harmonised system to collect, monitor and analyse information about final beneficiaries in all Member States can help to further enhance the protection of Union finances and enable even closer scrutiny;

2022/06/16
Committee: AGRI

2022/2016(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Highlights that for wood-based products to contribute optimally to climate change mitigation and a circular economy requires that they be used in the most efficient and sustainable way; believes that the cascading principle8 is a good guideline for efficient use, but must not use a static approach and therefore must be adjusted regularly to reflect innovative uses and to take into account national specificities; stresses that a well-functioning, un- distorted market incentivises the efficient use of wood- based resources; _________________ 8 As outlined in the Commission’s ‘Guidance on cascading use of biomass with selected good practice examples on woody biomass’.

2022/03/28
Committee: AGRI

2022/2016(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Recalls that the EU is increasingly affected by desertification, which can have major negative social and economic consequences, including on agricultural production. Calls on the Commission and Member States that, in the context of the 3 billion trees planting pledge, to pay a special attention to planting young trees in areas with degraded land and those affected by desertification.

2022/03/28
Committee: AGRI

2022/2016(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Reiterates its call for the protection of primary and old-growth forests; Notes the various definitions of primary and old-growth forests available at international level and stresses the need to create a definition for what constitutes primary and old-growth forests; welcomes the ongoing work of the Working Group on Forests and Nature and underlines the need to consider a diverse set of attributes and ensure flexibility to account for specific conditions in bio- geographic regions and forest types;

2022/03/28
Committee: AGRI

2022/2016(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Highlights that primary and old- growth forests play a key role for biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration and storage or fresh water provision. Recalls the pronounced mapping deficit of primary and old- growth forests and calls for strengthened efforts for a comprehensive and harmonised mapping, based on clear operational criteria.

2022/03/28
Committee: AGRI

2022/2016(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. Highlights that cooperation between all relevant stakeholders, including citizens and civil society will be crucial in fulfilling the objectives of the EU Forest Strategy; Encourages Member States and the European Commission to ensure an inclusive representation of all stakeholders in the consultation process and to urge the environmental and forestry stakeholders to reach out to broader segments of population through various educational tools and programmes.

2022/03/28
Committee: AGRI

2022/2016(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Believes that in order to ensure the availability of high-quality data, remote sensing technologies must be combined with data acquired by ground-based monitoring and must be interpreted in close cooperation with local experts; Believes that the synergy and complementarity between satellite imagery and positioning and location data can become key enablers for forestry managers and governmental bodies. Stresses the importance of Copernicus allowing for the remote monitoring and health assessment of forest inventories as well as the detection of issues such as illegal logging and deforestation.

2022/03/28
Committee: AGRI

2022/2016(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Considers that Copernicus data should be used as evidence for law enforcement and policymaking through the certification of the data and its derived information products and calls for the certification of Copernicus data to be realised, in the context of an upcoming legislative proposal for a framework on forest observation, reporting and data collection. Stresses that such certified data could play a key role in monitoring diverse phenomena (forest land coverage, illegal logging, forest health, trees characterisation, growth patterns, impact of forest fires and others) as well as in compliance.

2022/03/28
Committee: AGRI

2022/2016(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)

25b. Stresses the importance of Galileo/EGNOS and Copernicus data in precision forestry operations, effective for the planting and cultivation of young trees, especially in the framework of Green Deal initiatives and European Commission’s pledge to plant 3 billion trees by 2030. Calls on the Member States to make use of such data.

2022/03/28
Committee: AGRI

2022/2016(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Expresses its concern about reports of illegal logging and calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase their efforts to effectively implement relevant national and EU legislation; Stresses that illegal logging has major economic, social and environmental negative impact and generate revenue losses for local communities; Calls on the European Commission and Member States to expand the European Public Prosecutor Office mandate to environmental crimes, including illegal logging.

2022/03/28
Committee: AGRI

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Welcomes the up-date of the New Industrial Strategy after one year into the Covid-19 pandemic; highlights the fact that the recovery prospects vary significantly amongst the industrial ecosystems and also amongst different regions of the European Union; underlines that the recovery process is endangered by the new energy crisis affecting different regions in very different ways requesting adapted regional and local recovery, resilience and development strategies;

2022/04/29
Committee: REGI

2022/2008(INI)

Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6 b. Welcomes the new approach of the European Commission for reducing the strategic and industrial dependencies and working towards diversifying the international supply chains; underlines the important role of innovative SMEs in this process;

2022/04/29
Committee: REGI

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)

6 c. Underlines the need to better analyse the possibility of shortening the supply chains through the use of the new technologies and the databases with regional and local resources including the raw materials, the specific of the local labour force; welcomes in this regard the creation of the industrial alliances, such as The Battery Alliance, Alliance on processors and semiconductor technologies, the Alliance for Industrial Data, Edge and Cloud, Alliance on Space Launchers and considers that it is very important to disseminate the information at regional and local level encouraging the main regional actors to join these alliances;

2022/04/29
Committee: REGI

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 d (new)

6 d. Highlights the need to better support the traditional industries and economic specificities of the regions on their way to the green and digital transition, encouraging the forming and growing of industrial hubs in order to help the regional development and reach the cohesion policy targets;

2022/04/29
Committee: REGI

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 e (new)

6 e. Underlines the need of better synergies between the European funds, prioritizing the innovation and the ecological approach, opening the eligibilities to all industries, including the food processing industry according to the regional specificities;

2022/04/29
Committee: REGI

2022/2008(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Irène TOLLERET, Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Nathalie LOISEAU, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Stéphanie YON-COURTIN, Dominique RIQUET, Javier NART, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Christophe GRUDLER, Olivier CHASTEL, Ivars IJABS, Karen MELCHIOR

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2

2. The objectives shall be pursued with an emphasis on strengthening ~~and~~, developing, modernising, and expanding the Union defence industrial base to allow it to address in particular ~~the most~~ urgent and critical defence products needs, especially those revealed or exacerbated by the response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine, taking into account the work of the Defence Joint Procurement Task Force.

2023/02/13
Committee: AFET ITRE

7. Underlines the fact that the main objective of the long-term vision should be to fight depopulation, ageing and rural abandonment, including through investment in infrastructure, ensuring efficient connectivity, including broadband connections, and the provision of services, including digital, as well as economic diversification, job creation and innovative mobility solutions; underlines the role of SMEs in achieving these objectives;

2022/04/29
Committee: REGI

Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Irène TOLLERET, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Ulrike MÜLLER, Charles GOERENS, Dacian CIOLOŞ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Calls on the Commission, Member States and local authorities to promote interactions between urban and rural areas; underlines that urban and rural areas would benefit from an improved cooperation; underlines that it would be opportune to develop town-twinning and alliance mechanisms between urban and rural areas;

2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2254(INI)

20a. Notes that the silver economy is expected to contribute more than €5.7trn to Europe’s economy by 2025, offering abundance of opportunities for the rural areas, their population and economy; calls on the EC and the Member States to develop strategies to effectively harness the benefits that the silver economy will offer.

2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2254(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Elsi KATAINEN, Irène TOLLERET, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Highlights that Smart City technologies are increasingly present in the population daily living; Stresses that Smart City technologies provide efficient city services, as a central instrument of receiving various services for residents (healthcare, energy and water supply, urban infrastructure, public services transportation etc.); calls on the Commission and on the Member States to dedicate sufficient financial resources for the development of Smart City technologies, taking into account their significant added value for the development of the rural areas, improving citizens' standard of living and the business environment for the SMEs.

2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2254(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Elsi KATAINEN, Irène TOLLERET, Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Urges Member States to address the specific challenges of rural areas, their communities and the SMEs operating there, during the implementation of the current multiannual financial framework programmes and to provide the investments needed for social inclusion ~~and~~, job creation, and innovation in order to foster competitiveness and enable a just digital and green transition and revive these areas;

2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2254(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Regrets the persistent obstacles to the multi-fund approach, which hamper the deployment of integrative approaches in rural areas; calls on the Commission to improve synergies and coordination between EU funding instruments such as the Common Agricultural Policy, the Cohesion Policy and other relevant sources, and with national instruments, and to pursue simplification, in particular for smaller projects and micro-financing, which are key for rural areas; highlights the importance of using rural development programmes in synergy with the programmes of other sectors, such as tourism, environmental protection and culture.

2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2254(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Stresses the role that all EU policies and funds, both shared and those under direct management, must play in supporting rural areas and highlights that the absence of an integrated approach to funding mechanisms can make it more difficult to achieve the synergies needed for a successful rural development in the EU;

2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2254(INI)

Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Irène TOLLERET, Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Charles GOERENS, Dacian CIOLOŞ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24a. Calls on the Member States to effectively use the various funding opportunities to improve the prospects of rural areas, the community living there and the SMEs, also through the opportunities offered by the Next Generation EU, the RRF and the measures and tools foreseen to cushion the negative impact of Russia's invasion in Ukraine has on the rural sectors; calls on the Commission to monitor and assess whether the support reaches rural areas and benefits its community;

2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2254(INI)

Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Irène TOLLERET, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Invites the Commission to adapt the state aid Framework to give Member States the opportunity to help very specific rural areas where population density is very low based on precedents that already exist in some regions;

2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2254(INI)

Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Irène TOLLERET, Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Charles GOERENS, Dacian CIOLOŞ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)

25b. underlines the success of payments for areas with natural constraints provided by the CAP in terms of economic dynamics and preservation of sustainable activities in those areas; stresses the importance to maintain those payments in the future too;

2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2254(INI)

Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Irène TOLLERET, Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Charles GOERENS, Dacian CIOLOŞ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26a. Stresses the importance of short supply chains and organic agriculture for the development of rural areas and strengthening their economic and social development; encourages the Commission and Member States to promote these agricultural models alongside other sustainable models;

2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2254(INI)

Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Irène TOLLERET, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Ulrike MÜLLER, Charles GOERENS, Dacian CIOLOŞ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Calls for more community-based ~~policy~~and less centralized policy and support measures design, involving local actors, authorities and civil society, and insists therefore that they must play an active role from decision-making to policy implementation and evaluation;

2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2254(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Elsi KATAINEN, Irène TOLLERET, Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE, Ulrike MÜLLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Calls for more community-based policy design, involving local actors, authorities and civil society, and insists therefore that they must play an active role from developing policies, decision-making to policy implementation and evaluation;

2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2254(INI)

Irène TOLLERET, Ulrike MÜLLER, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Dacian CIOLOŞ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27a. Stresses the importance of strengthening the bottom-up approach to rural and local development and the valuable contribution to rural development made by Leader actions; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure a high level of autonomy for local action groups in terms of their constitution (no top-down design of areas and villages to be regrouped into a local action group, but full autonomy) and decision-making, reducing the administrative burden on local authorities and simplifying access, promoting local ownership of community-led development projects and encouraging participation in local action groups.

2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2254(INI)

Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Irène TOLLERET, Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Charles GOERENS, Dacian CIOLOŞ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28a. Recalls that some projects for the benefit of rural areas are not implemented because of a lack of dedicated skills or human resources in those areas; invites the Commission to support capacity building in rural areas which lack capabilities and dedicated skills to implement relevant projects; stresses that, going beyond project design for rural areas, a particular effort should be placed into their implementation;

2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2254(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Elsi KATAINEN, Irène TOLLERET, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Recalls that ~~the future of rural areas~~rural areas and their prosperity is of paramount importance for Europe’s food security and food autonomy, as the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have clearly demonstrated; stresses that they will be even more important in future, taking into account the general decline of the number of farmers and the aging of the population;

2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2254(INI)

Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Irène TOLLERET, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Ulrike MÜLLER, Charles GOERENS, Dacian CIOLOŞ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30a. Underlines the importance of generational renewal and the facilitation of access to land for the sustainability and prosperity of the sector; highlights the important role that young farmers play in modernizing EU agriculture and creating more opportunities in rural areas; calls on the Commission and on Member States to develop targeted policies to encourage generational renewal and remove all existing barriers for access to land and funding, as well as to remove the administrative burdens facilitating further development of the sector; stresses that, given the general decline of the number of farmers and the aging of the population, young farmers will play an even more important role in the future;

2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2254(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Calls for the long-term vision to be developed into a ~~tru~~concrete and measurable rural strategy at EU level to be fully integrated into future programming periods and calls on all Member States to develop rural strategies at national level;

2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2251(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Jordi CAÑAS, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Monica SEMEDO

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)

A a. whereas youth have significant decrease in personal income and a higher risk of poverty and social exclusion, as well as a considerable risk for the future labour market involvement; whereas immediate action is needed to secure and improve the future and well-being of young people; whereas the youth unemployment rate in the EU, while showing initial signs of recovery by mid- 2021, still stood at 17.4% in Q2-2021, nearly triple the unemployment rate of the population aged 25-741a; _________________ 1a https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files /economy- finance/2022_european_semester_propos al_for_a_joint_employment_report_0.pdf

2022/03/25
Committee: EMPL

2021/2251(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Notes that by mid-February 2022, all Member States but one had submitted national recovery and resilience plans (NRRPs), requesting in total EUR 337.5 billion in grants and EUR 166 billion in loans; further highlights that four of these NRRPs are pending assessment by the Commission;

2022/03/21
Committee: CONT

2021/2251(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Jordi CAÑAS, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Monica SEMEDO

Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)

A b. whereas, according to the Recovery and Resilience Scoreboard, Member States have put forward 228 measures with a focus on supporting children and youth; whereas 74% of the measures focus on general, vocational and higher education and training capacity, as well as accessibility, affordability, quality and inclusiveness, including digitisation and infrastructure, the performance of education and increasing capacity in higher education; whereas 14% of the measures that Member States included are dealing with early childhood education and care, early school leaving and child poverty; whereas 12% of the measures focus on tackling youth unemployment through job creation, hiring, job transition incentives and support for self-employment;

2022/03/25
Committee: EMPL

2021/2251(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ramona STRUGARIU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Notes that out of EUR 385.8 billion available for loans, seven Member States have requested loans amounting EUR 166 billion, leaving a considerable amount available for Member States to request loans at a later stage if needed; urges the European Commission to explore ways in which unused loans could address the economic, social and energy consequences impacting Member States, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine;

2022/03/21
Committee: CONT

2021/2251(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Jordi CAÑAS, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Monica SEMEDO

Draft opinion
Recital B

B. whereas the RRF created an unprecedented structure adapted to addressing the complex effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on economy, society and institutions; whereas the RRF will drive Member States' reforms and investments in line with the EU’s priorities as set out in the six pillars;

2022/03/25
Committee: EMPL

2021/2251(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ramona STRUGARIU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Is concerned about the fact that all Member States have received a B-rating for the criteria evaluating whether the estimated total costs of the NRRPs are reasonable; calls on the Commission to ensure that costs are plausible and that proper cost analysis is being conducted in order to tackle fraud and corruption; urges the Commission to evaluate milestones before accepting payment requests and performing disbursements of funds;

2022/03/21
Committee: CONT

2021/2251(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Jordi CAÑAS, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Monica SEMEDO

Draft opinion
Recital C

C. whereas social and territorial cohesion is one of the six pillars of the RRF; whereas creating and fostering high- quality employment creation is one of the objectives included in the RRF Regulation; whereas this should be achieved through a comprehensive package of reforms and investments in order to promote social impact investments, as well as stable employments contracts, decent wages, collective bargaining and social protection coverage;

2022/03/25
Committee: EMPL

2021/2251(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the Recovery and Resilience Scoreboard that provides an overview of the progress made in the implementation of the NRRPs and thereby fosters the transparency, public scrutiny and accountability of the Facility; welcomes the development of other monitoring tools on implementation at national level by governments, civil society organisations or relevant stakeholders; calls on the Commission to consider the integration of these datasets in the Scoreboard;

2022/03/21
Committee: CONT

2021/2251(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Jordi CAÑAS, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Monica SEMEDO

Draft opinion
Recital C a (new)

C a. whereas policies for the next generation, children and youth, including education and skills, is one of the six pillars of the RRF; whereas the constant development of digital skills, as well as the development of skills with economic potential, such as green or entrepreneurial skills, is key for a healthy inclusive and future-oriented European labour market and should create access for every European to quality and paid employment; whereas the same applies to vocational education, trade skills and life skills; whereas in 2022 and 2023 3.4 million jobs are expected to be created1a,making it will be essential to ensure young people take part of these new employment opportunities; whereas an increasing number of young adults are now relying on the parental home to protect them from poverty, but 29 % of households with three generations are at risk of poverty and 13 % are severely deprived2a; whereas 40% of employers cannot find people with the right skills to fill their vacancies3a; whereas the EU needs to overcome all forms of skills mismatch in order to make effective use of its human capital4a; whereas access to proper digital infrastructure and training on digital skills should be available to all in order to avoid widening the gap between people on digital literacy and ensure equal opportunities for all in the education system and in the labour market; _________________ 1a European Commission Autumn 2021 Economic Outlook, p.2. 2a Source: Recital N – EP Resolution on Strong Social Europe for Just Transitions) 3a Source : https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId =1146⟨Id=en 4a Source: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/ etudes/BRIE/2016/573893/EPRS_BRI%2 82016%29573893_EN.pdf

2022/03/25
Committee: EMPL

2021/2251(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Considers that the reliability of the performance data concerning the targets and milestones of the Facility is of the utmost importance; urges Member States to publicly provide detailed and timely information in order to ensure effective reporting of the impact of the Facility;

2022/03/21
Committee: CONT

2021/2251(INI)

Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Recalls that serious irregularities such as fraud, corruption, conflicts of interest and double funding, may lead to the reduction of financial contributions or the recovery of funds by the Commission;

2022/03/21
Committee: CONT

2021/2251(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ramona STRUGARIU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Recalls that irregularities may lead to the reduction of financial contributions ~~or the~~, delays in disbursement of funds or recovery of funds by the Commission;

2022/03/21
Committee: CONT

2021/2251(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ramona STRUGARIU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses that the Commission, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the Court of Auditors and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) ~~may~~shall exercise their rights laid down in Article 129(1) of the Financial Regulation with regard to the Facility to ensure prevention, detection and investigation of fraud, conflicts of interest and corruption, and correction of irregularities; asks the Commission to provide information about the measures ensuring ~~the~~ early detection of the abuse of EU funds;

2022/03/21
Committee: CONT

2021/2251(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Monica SEMEDO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Highlights that the COVID-19 crisis has already left many young people jobless or in precarious employment; calls on the Commission and Member Sstates to fight against youth unemployment and to ensure that young people, especially those not in employment, education or training (NEETs), receive adequate, paid and quality first working experience; condemns the practice of unpaid internships as a form of exploitation of young workers, and a violation of their rights, and calls on the Commission and the Member States, in collaboration with Parliament, and respecting the principle of subsidiarity, to propose a common legal framework to ensure fair remuneration for traineeships and apprenticeships in order to avoid exploitative practices;

2022/03/25
Committee: EMPL

2021/2251(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Notes with satisfaction from the Commission’s assessments of NRRPs that Member States’ prevention of double funding, arrangements to correct serious irregularities and recovery of funds are in general quite well developed; insists on the necessity of a close cooperation between all EU institutions and bodies as well as with national authorities to ensure the efficient and proper use of funds;

2022/03/21
Committee: CONT

2021/2251(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Calls on the Commission to encourage Member States to use ARACHNE and, in the meantime, to make sure that the alternative measures to risk- score the entities and individuals involved in implementation of the Facility are equivalent to ARACHNE; highlights the need to ensure a harmonised data collection process and interoperability of ARACHNE with national and local databases; calls on the Commission to make sure that, in addition to the information on the beneficiaries of the programme, data on beneficial owners is also collected by the Member States;

2022/03/21
Committee: CONT

2021/2251(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Jordi CAÑAS, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Monica SEMEDO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Stresses that Member States must adopt reforms and include~~Highlights that, according to the Commission estimates provided to the European Parliament working group on the Recovery and Resilience Facility, Member States included in their plans measures dedicated to children and youth worth EUR 49.21 billion, representing approximately 11,5% of the total budget of the 22 recovery and resilience plans currently approved; stresses that Member States must include reforms and investments in the next generation, children and the youth in line with the objectives of the Child Guarantee and reinforced Youth Guarantee; recalls that there is RRF funding expressly available for the development of education, training and skills, particularly digital skills; stresses, further, the importance of the mutual recognition of skills, qualifications and competences in fostering labour mobility in order to access financing under the RRF and ensure complementarity between RRF, ESF+ and EU programmes; calls on the Commission to closely monitor Member States' investment in this area via the Semester cycle and the national reform programmes in line with the RRF, while involving social partners in the monitoring and evaluation of the national recovery and resilience plans;

2022/03/25
Committee: EMPL

2021/2251(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that the absorption of grants under the Facility is projected to be front- loaded with 42 % of the total amount of allocated grants to euro area Member States to be spent by the end of 2022; notes that most grants are geared towards funding private and public investments; ~~recalls that such investments are relatively more prone to errors;~~ calls on the Commission to be vigilant, especially for payment requests from Member States where systematic failures in the management and control systems exist;

2022/03/21
Committee: CONT

2021/2251(INI)

Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 14

14. Calls on the Commission to make approval of the NRRPs conditional on the observance of the rule of law and the prevention and detection of, and the fight against, fraud, conflicts of interest ~~and~~, corruption and double funding; stresses that all measures set out in the NRRPs must comply with the Union’s values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union;

2022/03/21
Committee: CONT

2021/2251(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Jordi CAÑAS, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Monica SEMEDO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Stresses the need to address skills gaps and skills obsolescence in the EU in order to address labour market shortages which are holding back productivity and economic growth; stresses the need to transform and modernise education and training in light of the digital and green transitions enhancing the acquisition of digital skills and education particularly and promoting VET and lifelong learning; recalls the RRF funding expressly available for the development of education, training and skills, particularly digital skills; further stresses the importance of the mutual recognition of skills, qualifications and competences in fostering labour mobility and addressing labour market; demands and welcomes in this regard the Commission proposals for Council Recommendations on individual learning accounts and micro-credentials and urges the Council to adopt and implement the proposals without delay;

2022/03/25
Committee: EMPL

2021/2251(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 15

15. Reiterates its concerns expressed in its resolution of 10 June 2021 on the views of Parliament on the ongoing assessment by the Commission and the Council of the national recovery and resilience plans1 that many Member States have not, or have only inadequately, involved regional and local authorities in the drafting process of the NRRPs; recalls that regional and local authorities and civil society organisations are at the forefront of NRRP local implementation and asks the Commission and the Member States to ensure proper involvement of social partners, civil society, youth organisations and other relevant stakeholders in the implementation of the NRRPs, as well as an effective coordination between the relevant levels of government; _________________ 1 OJ C 67, 8.2.2022, p. 90.

2022/03/21
Committee: CONT

2021/2251(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Jordi CAÑAS, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Monica SEMEDO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2 b. Welcomes the fact that the Commission has already received first payment requests under the RRF; urges the Commission to ensure a fast deployment of payments and to closely monitor the implementation of reforms and investments;

2022/03/25
Committee: EMPL

2021/2251(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Alin MITUȚA, Jordi CAÑAS, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Monica SEMEDO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. CNotes that, according to the Commission estimates provided to the European Parliament working group on the Recovery and Resilience Facility, EUR 188 bln have been allocated for measures related to the social and territorial cohesion in the 22 approved plans; regrets that social investment measures were rather restricted towards social infrastructure and did not allow the development of proper care services and temporary relief measures; calls on the Commission and the Member States to support legislative and policy initiatives aimed at reducing inequalities and promoting decent working conditions for all, with a particular focus on telework, the right to disconnect, mental well-being at work, occupational health and safety, ensuring quality jobs for essential workers, and strengthening the role of the social partners and collective bargaining; calls in this regard for the swift adoption of the directives on improving working conditions in platform work and on adequate minimum wages in the European Union;

2022/03/25
Committee: EMPL

2021/2251(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Jordi CAÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Notes that, according to the Commission estimates provided to the European Parliament working group on the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the total expenditure on healthcare-related measures is estimated at EUR 37 billion; welcomes the opportunity for investment in health and long-term care systems which are essential in the demographic change; regrets that Member States did not include measures to make mental health care accessible and affordable for all age groups, especially in early ages, and to address health inequalities through the provision of adequate support to vulnerable groups; recalls those living alone, those with lower socio-economic status, and those who were unemployed1a had higher rates of mental distress, while that the mental health of young people has worsened significantly or almost doubling in several Member States compared to the pre-crisis level; highlights that mental health should represent an integral part of the EU’s socio-economic recovery from the pandemic and an occupational health priority, in particular in educational and workplace environments; _________________ 1a OECD Tackling the mental health impact of the COVID-19 crisis: An integrated, whole-of-society response https://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/policy- responses/tackling-the-mental-health- impact-of-the-covid-19-crisis-an- integrated-whole-of-society-response- 0ccafa0b/

2022/03/25
Committee: EMPL

2021/2251(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Jordi CAÑAS, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Monica SEMEDO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the ~~creation and publication of the Recovery and Resilience Scoreboard.~~ steps taken by the Commission in order to ensure full transparency in implementing of the RRF, such as making the Operational Arrangements concluded with the Member States available of the dedicated RRF website as well as launching Recovery and Resilience Scoreboard, that contains data on the plans submitted by Member States, approved by the Commission and endorsed by the Council; Reiterates the importance of the Recovery and Resilience Scoreboard in providing a clear framework for the additionality impact, as well as ensuring a qualitative analysis of the reforms and investments proposed; urges the Member States to provide detailed information to the Commission in order to ensure an effective reporting of the impact of the RRF;

2022/03/25
Committee: EMPL

2021/2251(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Alin MITUȚA, Jordi CAÑAS, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Monica SEMEDO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Deplores that national parliaments, regions and local authorities, as well as civil society organisations, including youth organisations have had a limited involvement in designing national plans; recalls that regions and local authorities and civil society organisations are at the forefront of RRP local implementation and asks the Commission and the Member States to ensure proper and deep involvement of social partners, civil society, youth organisations and other relevant stakeholders in the implementation of the plans, as well as effective coordination between the relevant levels of government;

2022/03/25
Committee: EMPL

2021/2251(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Jordi CAÑAS, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Monica SEMEDO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4 b. Reiterates the importance of a successful implementation by the Member States in order to ensure a long-term impact on the EU economy and society; urges the Commission to use all lessons learned from the creation and implementation of the RRF in shaping the new EU economic governance framework;

2022/03/25
Committee: EMPL

2021/2239(INI)

Ulrike MÜLLER, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Irène TOLLERET, Elsi KATAINEN, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Jan HUITEMA

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production and labelling of organic products obliges farmers to comply with a conversion period during which they have to apply all rules on organic production; whereas this period may last up to 3 years; whereas farmers during this period have to bear higher costs of production without benefiting from higher market prices for organic products;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Emma WIESNER, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Jan HUITEMA

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas it is essential to ensure that consumers and food services are in a position to make informed choices when purchasing food;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Emma WIESNER, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

Fa. whereas organic farming has a potential to contribute to environmental protection and biodiversity and at the same time revitalise rural areas, creating employment, supporting the sustainability of small farms, bringing consumers and producers closer, enhancing the connections with the local economy and stimulating positive economic multipliers;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Jan HUITEMA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines that the development and growth of the organic sector must be ~~accompanied by~~ market-driven and accompanied by holistic supply chain developments as well as measures to stimulate further the demand for organic food and ensure consumer trust, in order to safeguard the future profitability of the organic market and organic farming in the EU;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Emma WIESNER, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Jan HUITEMA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Highlights that stimulating agricultural sustainability and resilience of the EU foodsystem should be a priority; underlines that co-existence of different farming systems is important as diversity is key to food system security and resilience and benefits sustainable development; points out that there is no single farming model that fits all countries and regions and stresses that the benefits of the different sustainable farming models should be recognised;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Points out that for an EU action plan to succeed, it must stimulate and mobilise the Member States~~; expresses the view, therefore,~~, taking into account their specificities and different starting points; stresses that Member States should be encouraged to develop their own national OAPs with concrete, time-bound actions; highlights that the national OAPs should create predictability and clarity for farmers and industry, thus encouraging the conversion to organic farming and the commercialisation of organic products;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Points out that for an EU action plan to succeed, it must stimulate and mobilise the Member States; expresses the view, therefore, that Member States should be encouraged to develop their own national OAPs with concrete~~, time-bound action~~ objectives, incentives, actions, time-frames and budgets;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that Member States should engage all stakeholders, especially organic farmers and associations, local and regional authorities, consumer and private sector representatives and the hospitality industry, in a consultative process when ~~adop~~designing, adopting and implementing their national OAPs to achieve the best possible synergies;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Jan HUITEMA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that Member States should engage all stakeholders, especially organic farmers and associations, local and regional authorities, consumer and private sector representatives ~~and~~, the hospitality and food industryies, in a consultative process when adopting their national OAPs to achieve the best possible synergies;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Emma WIESNER, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Recognises the importance of speeding up the development of organic aquaculture and wild organic picking areas in the EU;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Emma WIESNER, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Jan HUITEMA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Is of the opinion that legislation and OAPs must provide sufficient room for flexibility for Member States' different organic practices and prerequisites, such as climate zones and length of growing seasons;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Emma WIESNER, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Jan HUITEMA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Stresses the need for modern and innovative methods when developing new organic seeds and agriculture practices, maintaining high level of protection of human health and the environment;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Emma WIESNER, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Jan HUITEMA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)

6a. Expresses its concern about misleading labels, packaging and advertising that makes it difficult for consumers to distinguish conventional products from organic products; emphasizes that the terms 'locally produced' or 'regionally produced' should only be used if the main ingredients of the food product concerned are actually from that region, and that the terms 'authentic' or 'natural' should never be allowed for industrially processed foods;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 d (new)

6d. Welcomes the launch of an annual EU organic day; believes that it represents an opportunity to improve the visibility and the recognition for organic farming and raise awareness of the benefits of organic production;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Emma WIESNER, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Supports the Commission in further promoting the EU organic logo among consumers, including th~~rough organic school schemes~~e promotion of local and organic logos that exists in several Member States and are used together with the EU organic logo; emphasises that it is of paramount importance that consumer surveys on organics are followed by actions to further raise awareness of organic ~~farming~~production;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Supports promoting the consumption of organic food in European schools as it can be an important driver for the development of the organic sector;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Emma WIESNER, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7b. Reminds that demands from professional kitchens differ from those of the households; stresses the importance to create added value for the supply chain and increase the processing level of organic products to respond for the needs of professional kitchens;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Believes that ~~increasing~~ green public procurement (GPP) in the Member States can serve as a ~~strong~~ stimulus for action towards the organic target; believes that the EU institutions should lead by example; calls on the Commission to research current structural and logistical barriers and to promote the use of GPP criteria in the Member States; believes that the increase of the green public procurement should be decided and national level in accordance with the national demand and targets set in the national OAPs;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Emma WIESNER, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Jan HUITEMA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Points out that local and regional authorities play an important role in supporting the structuring of the organic sector in terms of production, logistics and trade, facilitating the ~~creation of organised~~ cooperation between producers, food services and consumers, as well as raising public awareness a~~t local level~~bout the differences between various sustainable farming methods and developing educational programmes for preschools and schools;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Underlines that it is essential for the Commission, the Member States and stakeholders to engage actively in identifying ways in which the existing certification and control mechanisms can be made more robust to prevent fraud in organic production and trade, both in the EU and in non-EU countries~~, as well as to prevent additional administrative burdens and costs for farmers, including by using IT solutions;~~; stresses that the certification process in the conversion to organic farming continues to be cumbersome and difficult to implement, especially for small farmers; thus, underlines the need for simplification, reduction of administrative burdens and costs.

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Jan HUITEMA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Considers that concrete action to promote exports of EU organic products is needed; acknowledge, in this regard, the potential of the existing EU promotion policy for organic production; underlines that any promotion policy should recognise the wide range of sustainable production methods, practises and products in the EU; requests that the Commission report regularly on forthcoming negotiations with the EU’s trading partners to inform Parliament about the potential for expansion of the organic market;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Considers that an adequate common agricultural policy (CAP) budget should be provided to create incentives for farmers to convert to and maintain organic farming practices at national level, through rural development measures or newly introduced eco-schemes, or a combination of the two; calls on the Member States to support generational renewal in organic farming; considers that the Commission, in the process of approval of strategic plans, should ensure that Member States have allocated sufficient funding for the conversion to organic farming, especially through eco-schemes; points out that the conversion to organic farming will not be possible without adequate incentives and financial support;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Emma WIESNER, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Jan HUITEMA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Considers that an adequate common agricultural policy (CAP) budget should be provided to create incentives for farmers to ~~convert to and maintain~~further develop organic farming practices at national level, through rural development measures or newly introduced eco-schemes, or a combination of the two; calls on the Member States to support generational renewal in organic farming;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Ulrike MÜLLER, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Irène TOLLERET, Elsi KATAINEN, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Jan HUITEMA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Welcomes the availability of eco- schemes under the new CAP to support conversion; reiterates that the uptake and growth of the organic sector must be accompanied by market-driven and supply chain developments1a; welcomes, in this regard, voluntary initiatives by retailers to buy conversion products at a higher price and believes such initiatives should be promoted; takes due note of the difficulties they are facing in marketing these conversion products to consumers due to the lack of harmonised rules and calls on the Commission to assess measures to facilitate their marketing, such as through harmonised labelling; _________________ 1a European Parliament resolution of 20 October 2021 on a farm to fork strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally- friendly food system (2020/2260(INI))

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Emma WIESNER, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Recognise the potential of a common European agriculture data space to increase the consumer knowledge and trust as well as to make the organic supply chain traceable;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Emma WIESNER, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Jan HUITEMA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Stresses the need for research and innovation to overcome restrictions in organic agriculture, such as the availability of organic protein feed, vitamins, plant protection products, fertilisers and genetic resources and to encourage meeting societal expectations on animal welfare and efficient resource use; reminds the importance of livestock manure as an organic fertilizer and encourages its sustainable use in the cultivation cycle; welcomes the Commission’s intention to earmark Horizon Europe funding in this respect; calls on the Commission to stimulate and foster cooperation between research communities working on organic and conventional food and farming;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Emma WIESNER, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Jan HUITEMA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Underlines that bio-fertilizers and bio-based soil improvers are important components of organic farming practices; stresses therefore the need to incentivise innovation with regard to the production of bio-fertilizers and bio-based soil improvers from various types of biomass waste such as animal manure and food waste;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Emma WIESNER, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Jan HUITEMA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)

18b. Stresses the need to support the development of safe, effective and affordable alternative to plant protection products as an important element of the development of organic production;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2239(INI)

Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET, Emma WIESNER, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Martin HLAVÁČEK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Highlights the importance of sufficiently available, high-quality organic seeds, heterogeneous material and high- yielding plant varieties, also varieties that are locally adopted; points out their potential in strengthening resilience against plant diseases and the impact of climate change; encourages the Commission and the Member States to step up efforts to improve the functioning of the organic seed market and believes that transitional periods would be helpful in achieving this;

2022/01/26
Committee: AGRI

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2

— having regard to the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Moldova (hereinafter referred to as Moldova), of the other part (AA), which includes a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) and fully entered into force on 1 July 2016,

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş TUDORACHE, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)

— having regard to the outcome of the 12th EU-Moldova Human rights dialogue held on the 13th of September 2021 by videoconference,

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas after a period of political instability and democratic backsliding Maia Sandu won the presidential election with 57,75% of the votes on 15 November 2020 and Party of Action and Solidarity received 52,8%of the votes and won 63 of the 101 seats in the Parliament of Moldova in the early parliamentary elections on 11 July 2021;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş TUDORACHE, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas during the last Presidential and parliamentary elections the people of the Republic of Moldova have demonstrated their strong commitment to democracy, the rule of law and the European future of their country by giving the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) a strong mandate for an ambitious program of reforms;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Vlad GHEORGHE, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas participants in the 10th meeting of the EU-Moldova PAC held on 2 December 2021, took note of the resolve of the Republic of Moldova President, government and parliamentary majority to implement the EU-Moldova Association Agenda thoroughly, thus bringing tangible improvements to the Moldovan citizens' lives;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Vlad GHEORGHE, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas the concrete outcomes of the sixth EU-Moldova Association Council that took place on 28 October 2021 give new impetus for closer and enhanced cooperation on key areas;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş TUDORACHE, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas according to recent opinion polls, 71,6% of the citizens of the Republic of Moldovan support the objective of the European integration of their country;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş TUDORACHE, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)

Bc. whereas Moldova ranks 105th out of 180 countries in the 2021 Corruption Perception Index (up from 115th in 2020) and persistent challenges remain in this area, as for years corruption has seriously affected the state apparatus, stunted economic growth and modernization and undermined democracy;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş TUDORACHE, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Recital B d (new)

Bd. whereas Moldova ranks 89th out of 180 countries in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index (up by two places compared to the previous year) and concerns remain linked notably to concentration of media ownership, monopolisation of the advertising market, lack of editorial independence and control of media institutions by economic and political groups;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş TUDORACHE, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Believes the European Union should affirm more clearly its support to the European aspirations of the Republic of Moldova and make the benefits of European integration more tangible for its citizens; underlines that a clear position on the European integration of the country will be a powerful incentive to continue with the much needed reforms;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Stresses that the high expectations by people of Moldova need to be fulfilled by achieving tangible improvement in their livelihoods and restoring their trust in state institutions;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş TUDORACHE, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls on the Commission to increase its engagement with its Moldovan counterparts and to maximise its political, technical and financial support to the Republic of Moldova during this crucial time in order to give further impetus to progress and to ensure adequate absorption capacity for EU assistance; points out, in this respect, that the European Union should be more strategic in its support and calls for the establishment, at the level of the Commission, of a Support Group for the Republic of Moldova on the model of the one already established for Ukraine; underlines that such a group could play a pivotal role in advancing reforms in the key areas of justice and the fight against corruption, to stimulate long-term socio-economic development and recovery, for the benefit of the people of Moldova;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Vlad GHEORGHE, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Calls on the Commission to~~Welcomes the intensified high- level political dialogue with the Moldovan authorities and calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to further increase its engagement with its Moldovan counterparts and to maximise its political, technical and financial support to the Republic of Moldova during this crucial time in order to give further impetus to progress and to ensure adequate absorption capacity for EU assistance;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Alin MITUȚA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Vlad GHEORGHE, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Stresses the need to look into ways to consolidate and enhance the capacity of Moldovan public institutions in this regard;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Klemen GROŠELJ, Alin MITUȚA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Vlad GHEORGHE, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Dragoş PÎSLARU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Stresses the importance of an updated Association Agenda for the guidance of the implementation of the AA/DCFTA; reiterates its call on the Commission to adopt regular annual comprehensive reports assessing implementation of reforms based on clear benchmarks and a common methodology;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş TUDORACHE, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the results of the sixth Eastern Partnership summit held on 15 December 2021, which reaffirmed the significant achievements of cooperation in this format and charted an ambitious course for future cooperation based on shared values and focusing on recovery, resilience and reform; acknowledges the initiative by the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine to enhance their cooperation as the three associated partners of the EU (‘Association Trio’); welcomes that the summit acknowledged the European aspirations and the European choice of the Association Trio countries;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Klemen GROŠELJ, Alin MITUȚA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Vlad GHEORGHE, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Encourages the three countries to work together to further advance the reform agenda and exchange best practices; calls on the Commission to respond to the interest of the associated countries to deepen sectoral cooperation with the EU in areas of mutual interest while maintaining the principle of inclusivity;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Notes and urges the steps undertaken by the authorities to continue their efforts to address the issue of unfounded asylum applications and alignment of the Republic of Moldova's visa policy with the EU lists of visa- required third countries as well as in the areas of financial fraud, anti-money laundering, prevention and fight against corruption, and organised crime;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Stresses the importance of a clear and effective policy in the area of recovering embezzled funds and fraudulent assets by establishing international cooperation with a focus on better liaison with EUROPOL and EUROJUST; encourages the Moldovan authorities to build a framework dedicated to strategic collaboration with the European Public Prosecutor's Office for better management of fraud and anti- corruption investigations;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Urmas PAET, Frédérique RIES, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Klemen GROŠELJ, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5c. Encourages ongoing and close cooperation between the General Prosecutor's Office in Chisinau and the EUROJUST office, including a regular secondment of Moldovan representatives to the EUROJUST office as a preparatory step for building a task force dedicated to recovering embezzled funds and fraudulent assets;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş TUDORACHE, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Welcomes the Commission’s decision to provide the Republic of Moldova with EUR 60 million through a new budget support programme in order to deal with a gas supply crisis artificially created by Gazprom and to mitigate the impact of the rising prices on the most vulnerable Moldovans; notes that the crisis further underscores the importance of the diversification of energy supplies and routes, strengthening energy efficiency and of building long-term resilience through a transition to more sustainable energy sources and investing in key infrastructure; notes that this could also help build resilience against any potential efforts by third parties to use energy as a geopolitical lever;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET, Frédérique RIES, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Underlines the geostrategic importance of severing the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine energy dependency on Russia and notes the urgency of implementing and further developing energy interconnection projects with the EU; asks the Commission to urgently set up a dedicated structure within its administration that will work to support the Republic of Moldova’s and Ukraine’s integration with the European continental power grid (ENTSO-E); notes that the support and promotion of the EU enhanced cooperation with the EaP associated countries in these sectors will also create economic growth and will strengthen the energy resilience of the region;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Welcomes the approval of the National Strategy for Regional Development for the years 2022-2028 and calls for an administrative-territorial reform focused on growing competitiveness and sustainable development; underlines the necessity of a balanced social and economic growth in all regions of Moldova and efficient implementation of national policies of regional development;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses the inadmissibility of the weaponisation of the gas supply in order to put political pressure on the Republic of Moldova to change its geopolitical orientation; urges the Commission and the European External Action Service to continue providing the Republic of Moldova with the financial and technical support necessary to ensure its resilience against such external interference; calls on the Moldovan authorities to maintain the country’s commitment as a member of the Energy Community to implementing the EU’s Third Energy Package, in particular the unbundling of gas and electricity transmission and distribution;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş TUDORACHE, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Welcomes that, as a complement to the assistance already provided by the EU in the context of the energy crisis, the EU Delegation in Chișinău mobilized EUR 5 million to provide support to vulnerable categories of population most affected by the rise in energy prices;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Klemen GROŠELJ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Notes that while the presidential and the early parliamentary elections were well managed and competitive, persistent shortcomings need to be addressed by implementing the recommendations of the Council of Europe Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR; underlines the fact that the election campaign was dividing and conducted in a negative way which involved intolerant rhetoric and attacks on the person; calls for better monitoring of campaign spending, transparency of political party funding and a system to better identify voting day irregularities;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Welcomes the agreement between the EU and the Republic of Moldova on launching a High-Level Political and Security Dialogue~~; invites the Republic of Moldova to further align its positions with those of CFSP and to continue its contribution to Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and its miss~~ and the renewed engagement on security and CSDP through the bilateral political staff-to- staff consultations; encourages the EEAS and the Republic of Moldova to make full use of these platforms in order to advance cooperation on matters such as, but not limited to combating hybrid threats, enhancing resilience, strengthening cybersecurity, enhancing strategic communications;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Invites the Republic of Moldova to further align its positions with those of CFSP and to continue its contribution to Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and its missions as well as encourages EU and the Republic of Moldova to identify ways to expand this cooperation;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Klemen GROŠELJ, Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş PÎSLARU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Calls on the EU institutions to include the Republic of Moldova in new formats of cooperation concerning cybersecurity, hybrid threats and cyber- crime investigations;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)

9c. Calls for an increase of the budget and a strengthening of the European Union's Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM), which plays a very important role in harmonising border management and customs regime to that of the Union, also with regard to the solution of the Transnistrian issue;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Klemen GROŠELJ, Alin MITUȚA, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Reiterates its support for a comprehensive and peaceful settlement of the Transnistria conflict based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, within its internationally recognised borders, with a special status for the Transnistrian region, inside a viable Moldovan state;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Underlines that any resolution to the Transnistrian issue must respect the Republic of Moldova’s sovereign right to choose its own defence and foreign policy orientation;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Urmas PAET, Frédérique RIES, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Klemen GROŠELJ, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)

10b. Expresses its concern over the numerous military exercises conducted by the Russian military forces in Transnistria and calls on the Russian Federation to withdraw its military forces and armaments from the Transnistria region fully and in an orderly manner, in accordance with the repeated requests of the Moldovan authorities and in respect of the Republic of Moldova's sovereignty and territorial integrity;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)

10c. Calls on the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, EU Member States and other international partners to cooperate on the total removal and destruction of the about 20 000 tons of old Soviet-era ammunition stored at the Cobasna ammunition depot, which, due to it being long time expired, represents a grave danger for the people on both banks of the Dniester river;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Frédérique RIES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 d (new)

10d. Encourages the Moldovan Government to continue promoting an environment favourable to the settlement of conflicts and supporting activities that increase confidence and people-to-people contacts across conflict-divided communities;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Urmas PAET, Vlad GHEORGHE, Frédérique RIES, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 e (new)

10e. Praises the Moldovan authorities for the support offered to the Transnistria region in the context of the COVID- 19pandemic, including through the donation of 10% of its vaccines supply, the training of medical staff and the processing of COVID-19 tests;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Klemen GROŠELJ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 f (new)

10f. Expresses its concern regarding the deteriorating human rights situation in the Transnistrian region; reminds the Russian Federation of the responsibility it has regarding the respect of human rights in the Transnistria region, as confirmed by several rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR); calls on the Russian authorities to execute all the ECHR judgements regarding violations of human rights and the right to freedom and security in the Transnistria region;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Calls on the Council to extend the areas of cooperation with the Republic of Moldova under the European Peace Facility; encourages Moldovan authorities to make further use of the potential European Peace Facility assistance in subsequent annual programmes in order to consolidate its capacity in countering cyber and hybrid threats; encourages the EEAS and the Council to further support strengthening capacity of the defence sector through assistance measures under this instrument;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11b. Calls for an increased and better communicated EU support for development projects in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ, Dragoş PÎSLARU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Reiterates the fundamental importance of justice reform and the fight against corruption; recognises the magnitude of the challenge faced by the authorities and encourages them to focus on established priorities; calls for the ~~adoption and~~ implementation of the amendments to the Constitution on justice that were voted by the Parliament on 23 September 2021, as well as of the Strategy for Ensuring the Independence and Integrity of the Justice Sector 2021- 2-20245;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş TUDORACHE, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Stresses that the EU must offer more support, including increased financial allocations, for the complex reform of the justice system in the Republic of Moldova; strongly supports the objective of cleaning the justice system of persons that have integrity problems and bringing about comprehensive changes that would build strong foundations for Rule of Law in the country; underlines the importance of ensuring a merit-based and transparent selection process for judicial appointments; takes note of the steps taken by the authorities in order to pursue extraordinary vetting of judges and prosecutors in office and to improve the system of selection and appointment of judges and prosecutors; recalls the importance of consulting and implementing the recommendations of the Venice Commission in the framework of the judicial reform process;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Calls the Moldovan authorities to continue cooperation with the Council of Europe and the European Union on justice reform, including on initiatives related to the extraordinary evaluation of judges and prosecutors (vetting) and evaluation of the integrity of candidates for the position of members of Superior Council of Magistracy and Superior Council of Prosecutors (pre-vetting);

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Deplores the fact that the investigation into the bank fraud exposed in 2014 has still not yielded significant results in terms of bringing those responsible to justice and recovering lost assets; stresses that this lack of progress has a serious negative effect on the credibility of the justice system in the eyes not only of the people of the Republic of Moldova, but also of the country’s international partners; calls for an intensification of the process of completing criminal cases against persons involved in the "Russian laundromat" and bank fraud;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Dragoş TUDORACHE, Ramona STRUGARIU, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Frédérique RIES, Urmas PAET, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Welcomes the new regulations in the field of public procurement, but emphasizes the need for public monitoring of procurement processes and the importance of clearer and permanent reports to the general public; encourages the simplification of the mechanisms by which civil society representatives can be part of procurement processes and emphasizes the need to replace bureaucratic processes with transparent ones that remove barriers and restore confidence in the allocation and use of public budgets;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş TUDORACHE, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Stresses the importance of tackling financial fraud, money laundering and organised crime through comprehensive legislation and effective implementation; calls for increased international cooperation on these issues, including with the relevant EU agencies and platforms;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Vlad GHEORGHE, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş TUDORACHE, Klemen GROŠELJ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)

13b. Welcomes the plans to enact in the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova legal changes aimed at improving the legal framework to make it possible to implement the mechanism of extended confiscation of assets accumulated through corruption;

2022/02/14
Committee: AFET

2021/2237(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Takes note of the working arrangement signed on 3 September 2021 for a framework cooperative relationship between both the EPPO the ECA; notes, moreover, the administrative arrangements signed in 2019 between the OLAF and the European Court of Auditors;

2022/04/08
Committee: CONT

2021/2234(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER

32. Welcomes the fact that the EPPO became operational on 1 June 2021; ~~expect~~welcomes its first annual report ~~very soon; deeply regrets that there are still five Member States not participating in the EPPO; calls on these Member States to join the EPPO as soon as possible~~; welcomes that EPPO opened 576 investigations and that EPPO requested that €154.3 million be seized, of which the seizure of €147 million was granted; is concerned about the estimation of the EPPO on the total damages of EUR 5.4 billion caused by fraud and corruption; deeply regrets that there are still five Member States amongst them Poland and Hungary as biggest beneficiaries of the EU funds are not participating in the EPPO; calls on these Member States to join the EPPO as soon as possible; urges furthermore the non- participating Member States to sign cooperation agreements with EPPO; is of the opinion that the failure of Member States to cooperate with the EPPO has a direct effect on the protection of the EU’s financial interest; calls on the Commission to incentivise participation in EPPO with positive measures;

2022/04/08
Committee: CONT

2021/2234(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Welcomes the joint efforts of OLAF and Europol to assess the threats and vulnerabilities of the RRF instrument; welcomes 'Operation Sentinel' launched by Europol which intends to focus on proactive intelligence sharing, information exchange and supporting the coordination of operations to tackle fraud against COVID-19 EU recovery funds; welcomes the involvement of EPPO and OLAF and 19 EU Member States; is concerned about the fact those Member States which are major beneficiary of the Cohesion Funds, amongst others Poland, Hungary or Bulgaria do not participate in the operation; calls on all Member States to join to the operation; furthermore calls on the Member States to cooperate closely with one another and the EU bodies to allow action to be taken against fraud involving several countries;

2022/04/08
Committee: CONT

2021/2234(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35

35. Notes that in July 2020 the Council appointed the 22 European prosecutors; recalls that the EPPO is to work hand in hand with national law enforcement authorities and that it exercises the function of prosecutor in the competent courts of the participating Member States while at the same time closely cooperating with EU agencies and bodies such as Eurojust, Europol and OLAF; notes that this peculiar position is designed to allow EPPO drawing upon the existing experience and best practices at national and EU level; expects the Commission to duly consider EPPO reassessment of its staff needs based on its workload experience and to implement the needed financial adjustments to guarantee EPPO operational effectiveness and efficiency;

2022/04/08
Committee: CONT

2021/2234(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)

38 a. Welcomes the judgements of the CJEU of 16 February 2022 and its conclusions confirming that the EU indeed has competences regarding the Rule of Law in the Member States that the Rule of Law Conditionality Mechanism is in line with EU law;

2022/04/08
Committee: CONT

2021/2234(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Is of the opinion that it is high time for the Commission to fulfil its duties as ‘gGuardian of the Treaties’ and to tackle the ongoing violations of the principles of the rule of law in several Member States, which represent a serious danger to the Union’s financial interests; ~~calls on the Commission, therefore, to take urgent action and~~welcomes the announcement of the Commission to apply the Rule of Law Conditionality Mechanism ~~immediately~~ by sending a written notification under Article 6(1) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 to Hungary; is of the opinion that the rule of law is a universal concept and the Commission should consider the application of the Rule of Law Conditionality Mechanism against all Member States which fail to respect the rule of law without discrimination; warns that the delay might already have detrimental impact on the financial interest of the EU and the state of the rule of law in certain Member States;

2022/04/08
Committee: CONT

2021/2234(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. Recognises the importance of the annual rule of law report and the fact that the fight against corruption is an integral part of the report; is of the opinion, however, that it cannot substitute the anti- corruption report; welcomes the Commission’s intention to equip the rule of law report with specific recommendations to the Member States; is of the opinion that the Commission should consider the establishment of a “Corruption Index” based on a strict and easy to apply criteria should reflect upon the opinion about the performance of the Member states in fighting corruption and add it to the anti- corruption chapter of the Rule of Law report;

2022/04/08
Committee: CONT

2021/2234(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42

42. Considers that the financing of the EU has entered a new era with the adoption of the NextGenerationEU recovery plan and that this provides the EU’s anti-fraud architecture with additional challenges; is therefore strongly of the opinion that the anti-fraud architecture needs to be further strengthened; stresses that OLAF, the EPPO, Europol and Eurojust are understaffed and lacking in financial resources especially in light of the new mandates adopted to Eurojust and Europol; reminds the Commission and the Council that every euro spent on monitoring and investigation returns to the EU budget;

2022/04/08
Committee: CONT

2021/2234(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46

46. Reiterates the unsatisfactory level of analysis provided in the annexes to the PIF report regarding cases of conflicts of interest; calls for the Commission to engage in such analysis, following the amendment of the Article 61 of the Financial Regulation and the issue on 7 April 2021 to the benefit of the Member States of the ‘Guidance on the avoidance and management of conflicts of interest under the Financial Regulation’;

2022/04/08
Committee: CONT

2021/2234(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47

47. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission and the Member States.

2022/04/08
Committee: CONT

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)

— having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 February 2021 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility,

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas inthe European Semester provides a common framework for the surveillance and coordinatingon of economic, budgetary, and employment ~~and social~~ policies inacross the EU Member States~~, the European Semester must respect rules on sound public finance~~ in order to ensure sound public finances, to prevent excessive macroeconomic imbalances, to support structural reforms and to boost investment; whereas the Semester has also been following the creation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility which will drive Member States' reforms and investments in line with the EU’s priorities as set out in the six pillars, while addressing the challenges identified in forthcoming country-specific recommendations;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the EU and its Member States have committed to upholds the fundamental values of the Treaties and t~~he United Nations, and whereas the consequence~~o implement the Paris Agreement, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the European Pillar of Social Rights; whereas the 2022 Annual Sustainable Growth Survey must ensure that the continued mitigation of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, ~~social affairs and employme~~employment and society, taking into account, the ~~European G~~particular impact on childreen ~~Deal and poverty must be taken into account in the 2022 annual sustainable growth strategy~~and youth, as well as the need for a sustainable, digital and resilient recovery which will create jobs and growth and will consolidate our strategic autonomy are the EU's priority in the coming Semester cycle;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas it is crucial to ensure that the Semester coordinates and monitors Member States’ efforts to deliver on the principles of the EPSR in particular the EU headline targets set out in the EPSR Action Plan ensuring that by 2030 at least 78% aged 20 to 64 are in employment, at least 60% of all adults should participate in training every year and that the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion should be reduced by at least 15 million, including at least 5 million children;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas while the economy has experienced a sharp downturn as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic~~; whereas,~~ according to the autumn 2021 European economic forecast, growth is expected to be 5 % in 2021, 4.3 % in 2022 and 2.5 % in 2023, ~~but~~higher than previously projected; whereas the recovery will however be heavily dependent on further pandemic developments1 and the restrictions to economic activity to contain it; __________________ 1European Commission institutional paper of November 2021 entitled ‘European Economic Forecast: Autumn 2021’, p. 2.

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. whereas the impact of the crisis presents a stark challenge but also an opportunity to relaunch our economies and societies and accelerate the green and digital transitions in a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive manner; whereas such transformation should reverse increasing inequalities, bolster social cohesion and ensure that no one is left behind;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)

C b. whereas the Recovery and Resilience Facility created an unprecedented structure adapted to the complex effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on economy, society and institutions; whereas the European Semester, as part of the EU's economic governance framework must adapt and upgrade in order to ensure recommendations to the Member States take into account not only the economic and social objectives, but also the objectives related to the green and digital transitions, consolidation of health systems, and access and opportunity for children and youth;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic is placing a heavy burden on ~~families~~people in the EU, particularly those from more vulnerable groups such as women, people with disabilities, children, young people and the elderly in terms of their everyday lives, working lives and general livelihoods2 ; __________________ 22021 report of the Bundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung entitled ‘Belastungen von Kindern, Jugendlichen und Eltern in der Corona-Pandemie’.

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

D a. whereas the youth unemployment rate in the EU, while showing initial signs of recovery by mid-2021, still stood at 17.4% in Q2-2021, nearly triple the unemployment rate of the population aged 25-74; whereas the impact of the COVID crisis on the labour market reversed a six- year decline in the number of NEETs partially as a result of the precarious labour market positions of young people1a; __________________ 1a https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files /economy- finance/2022_european_semester_propos al_for_a_joint_employment_report_0.pdf

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas while attaining the EU’s climate targets ~~represent a~~is of the utmost importance the challenge to ~~the~~adapt our economyies and societ~~y; whereas they also present opportunities for businesses and opportunities to redeploy workers, which will mean that socially vulnerable people, familie~~ies must be managed to ensure a fair and just transition; whereas the emergence of new related sectors also present opportunities for businesses and opportunities to re- and up-skill workers for future-oriented and sustainable jobs, which will require support both at EU and national level to manage social impacts on vulnerable households and micro- enterprises ~~will come under pressure~~;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas ~~the increased need for funding to strengthen the economy is placing budgetary constraints on the Member State~~Member States, supported by the EU, have extended unprecedented fiscal support and liquidity assistance to their economies to avoid mass lay-offs, preserve incomes and protect businesses in response to the COVID-19 crisis; whereas the activation of the ‘general escape clause’ within the procedures of the Stability and Growth Pact, adoption of the Next Generation EU plan and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the CRII and CRII+ and the introduction of the SURE have been instrumental in this regard; whereas this strong and coordinated policy response highlights the importance of continued strong coordination of economic, employment and social policies through various policy and funding tools;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas demographic change affects social systems and markets3 and requires a comprehensive approach based on a mix of policy solutions in the fields of pensions, social security, child and long-term care services, housing, early childhood schools, health systems, social inclusion, integration of minorities and migrants, work-life balance and gender equality; __________________ 3 Commission report of 17 June 2020 on the impact of demographic change (COM(2020)0241).

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Notes that the well-being of the EU isMember States’ economies and societies must be at the heart of a modern sustainability and economic strategy; points out that the ~~dimensions~~four mutually reinforcing dimensions of competitive sustainability set out in the annual sustainable growth strategy – ~~social and~~ environmental sustainability, productivity, ~~equity~~fairness and macroeconomic stability – s~~erve as guiding principles for the development of the national r~~hould be complemented with the six pillars of the Recovery and rResilience ~~plans and necessary reform~~Facility, and be in line with the objectives of the UN SDGs, EPSR and the Green Deal and serve as guiding principles for Member States' reforms and investments;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses that ~~the aim of sustainable economic growth must be to weather future crises~~ Member States’ long- term competitiveness and sustainable economic growth prospects can only be assured by ensuring a sustainable and inclusive recovery which leaves no one behind, bolstering the EU economic and social resilience to future shocks and addressing the challenges and reaping the be~~st possible way;~~ nefits of the green and digital transitions;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Is concerned that~~Stresses the need for Member States, with EU support, to countries were already heavily indebted before the COVID-19 pandemic, that these debts are to be borne by future generations and that some Member States have little room for manoeuvre to support economic recovery through national measures; is convinced that additional instruments are needed that do not place a lasting burden on national budgetsinue to provide targeted and temporary fiscal support in 2022 while safeguarding fiscal sustainability in the medium term; welcomes the activation of the general escape clause under the Stability and Growth Pact until at least the end of 2023 to provide Member States with the necessary flexibility to weather the economic and social impacts of the pandemic; stresses the need for Member States to enhance investment to achieve the twin transitions, to stimulate economic activity and create quality employment while simultaneously ensuring necessary reforms to enhance their resilience;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Highlights that democratic accountability for the current Semester evaluation process needs to be strengthened; calls on the Commission and the Member States to reform the financial legal framework and the European Semester process in order to ensure that the new economic governance framework will strengthen democratic accountability and the involvement of the European Parliament, strengthen the role and participation of EU and national social partners, and ensure a performance based and results oriented approach for policy objectives;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Is convinced that bureaucratic obstacles hinder economic growth; calls on the Commission to recommend reforms to all Member States for immediate implementation to cut red tape and simplify access to funding opportunities, in particular for entrepreneurs, SMEs and social economy enterprises;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises the central role inof the EU strategic framework of health and safety at work~~; notes that p~~ 2021-2027 in ensuring healthy and safe workplaces in particular anticipating and managing change in the context of greven~~tion so as to ensure safe and healthy working conditions contributes to the health of workers in order to maintain~~, digital and demographic transitions; stresses the importance of improving the prevention of work-related accidents and diseases, eliminating work- related deaths and increasing preparedness to respond to current and future health crises in order to maintain workers' health and safety thereby ensuring productivity and competitiveness;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Considers that increasing purchasing power is a guaranteed means of ensuring further economic recovery; stresses the importance of tackling in- work poverty, energy poverty and long- term unemployment in this regard;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Notes that 22.4 % of the EU population is at risk of poverty or social exclusion, of which 24.9 % are children6 ; stresses that the COVID-19 pandemic ~~makes~~and its impact on children makes delivering the cChild gGuarantee ~~even more important; calls on the Commission to be more active in combating poverty, especially child poverty~~more crucial than ever; calls on the Member States to utilise the resources available inter alia under the RRF and the ESF+ to ensure the Guarantee prevents and combats the social exclusion and poverty of children in need and fosters equal opportunities; further calls on the Commission to ensure the robust implementation of Member States' Child Guarantee Action Plans and to carefully monitor progress in this area via the forthcoming country-specific recommendations; __________________ 6European Commission web page entitled ‘Poverty and social exclusion’, accessed on 10 January 2022.

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Notes that families are the main victims of the COVID-19 pandemic; calls on the Commission to introduce a 25/25 child cost allowance; stresses that the amount will be split between a national allowance under the responsibility of the Member States and a direct EU benefit; stresses that families need this money, and that they would spend it and in turn contribute to the economy;deleted

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Recalls that young people have been hardest hit by the impacts of the pandemic, being overrepresented in sectors most impacted by pandemic restrictions and more likely to work on temporary or part-time contracts, most likely to experience housing insecurity compared with other groups and experiencing a disproportionate impact on their life satisfaction and mental well- being with nearly two-thirds of young people at risk of depression1a ; calls for a reinforced Youth Guarantee Instrument and updated national schemes with the objective of reducing long-term and youth unemployment by at least 50% by 2030, also including criteria for quality job creation in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 8 of the UN’s 2030 Agenda; believes it is time to make the Youth Guarantee both binding for all Member States and inclusive, including active outreach measures towards long- term NEETs and young persons from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, such as young persons with disabilities and young Roma people; __________________ 1a https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/sites/def ault/files/ef_publication/field_ef_docume nt/ef20036en.pdf

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)

8 b. Highlights that it is necessary that Member States continue to invest sufficient ESF+ resources in measures supporting targeted actions and structural reforms for quality youth employment, vocational education and training, particularly apprenticeships and entrepreneurial skills; further stresses that Member States must include reforms and investments in the next generation, children and the youth in line with the objectives of the Child Guarantee and Youth Guarantee in order to access financing under the RRF; calls on the Commission to closely monitor Member States' investment in this area via the Semester cycle and the national reform programmes in line with the RRF;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Considers that a 25/25 child allowance is an economic stimulus package that is geared towards people, combats poverty, generates purchasing power and provides incentives that favour demographic change;deleted

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

~~10. Stresses the need to ensure social equality in employment relationships;~~deleted

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Stresses the need to address skills ~~shortages; notes that these~~gaps and skills obsolescence in the EU in order to address labour market shortages which are holding back productivity and economic growth; ~~exp~~stresses ~~concern that digital skills~~ the need to transform and modernise education and training in light of the digital and green transitions enhancing the EU need to play catch up and that this is reflected in the shortage of IT professionals; emphasises the importance of focusing vocational training on the digital and green transitions; demands that EU training content become more uniform and qualifications more widely recognisedacquisition of digital skills and education particularly and promoting VET and lifelong learning; recalls the RRF funding expressly available for the development of education, training and skills, particularly digital skills; further stresses the importance of the mutual recognition of skills, qualifications and competences in fostering labour mobility and addressing labour market; demands and welcomes in this regard the Commission proposals for Council Recommendations on individual learning accounts and micro-credentials and urges the Council to adopt and implement the proposals without delay;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Stresses that ~~training, education and research~~investment in the adoption of advanced digital technologies and research and innovation are key to future economic policyies to manage the digital transition; urges the Commission and Member States to address the digital investment gap in both the public and private sectors, in particular supporting SMEs;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Stéphane BIJOUX

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Points to the need for the principles of production, service and trade with certification to be improved so as to improve quality; stresses, with reference to the Commission’s proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on improving working conditions in platform work (COM(2021)0762), that adherence to social standards in the context of platform work is necessaryCalls on the Commission and the Member States to support legislative and policy initiatives aimed at reducing inequalities and protecting decent working conditions for all, with a particular focus on telework, the right to disconnect, mental well-being at work, occupational health and safety, ensuring quality jobs for essential workers, and strengthening the role of the social partners and collective bargaining; calls in this regard for the swift adoption of the directives on improving working conditions in platform work and on adequate minimum wages in the European Union;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2233(INI)

Dragoş PÎSLARU, Alin MITUȚA, Sylvie BRUNET, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR, Ilana CICUREL, Jordi CAÑAS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. CRecalls ~~on the Commission to include recomme~~the role that socially responsible public procurement can play in creating job opportunities, decent work, social and professional inclusion and better condaitions for ~~a social register suitable for the certification of companies; calls on the Commission to~~vulnerable groups; stresses that Member States should finance reforms in this area, including through the RRF to make procurement rules more dynamic and transparent, address social and labour marke ~~certification mandatory for EU-wide public tenders~~t policy objectives and foster in particular social economy enterprises' access to public tenders in line with the Social Economy Action Plan;

2022/01/20
Committee: EMPL

2021/2208(INI)

Hilde VAUTMANS, Ulrike MÜLLER, Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Emma WIESNER, Irène TOLLERET, Elsi KATAINEN, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Stresses that a policy on ensuring food security in developing countries must mirror the founding principles of the common agricultural policy, in that its primary goal must be to provide affordable safe food for its citizens while ~~afford~~guaranteeing a fair standard of living for and the social and economic well-being of its farmers;

2021/12/08
Committee: AGRI

2021/2208(INI)

Jérémy DECERLE, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Welcomes any initiative to implement or strengthen agricultural policies at national or regional level, which aim to ensure greater food self- sufficiency and sustainability for agricultural production;

2021/12/08
Committee: AGRI

2021/2208(INI)

Hilde VAUTMANS, Ulrike MÜLLER, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Emma WIESNER, Irène TOLLERET, Elsi KATAINEN, Alin MITUȚA, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Emphasises that agriculture and food security are the foundation blocks for broader economic development~~, and insists that agricultural development must supp~~; therefore encourages the transition of developing countries towards morte self-sufficien~~t agricultural production systems and food sovereignty in developing countrie~~cy; notes that this transition should follow sustainable development criteria; highlights that agricultural production area should not be increased at the expense of environment protection and conservation of biodiversity-rich habitats;

2021/12/08
Committee: AGRI

2021/2208(INI)

Jérémy DECERLE, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Elsi KATAINEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Stresses the need to recognize the leading role of farmers, producer organizations and their representatives in any strategy to enhance food security;

2021/12/08
Committee: AGRI

2021/2208(INI)

Hilde VAUTMANS, Ulrike MÜLLER, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Emma WIESNER, Irène TOLLERET, Elsi KATAINEN, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Recalls the importance of systematically assessing the effects of new policies and strategies on developing countries and taking action in order to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals;

2021/12/08
Committee: AGRI

2021/2208(INI)

Hilde VAUTMANS, Ulrike MÜLLER, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Emma WIESNER, Irène TOLLERET, Elsi KATAINEN, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Underlines that the fFarm to fFork sStrategy is the EU’s most ambitious ~~policy framework~~strategy to promote a more sustainable and resilient EU agrifood system and support a global transition to sustainable agrifood systems, which benefit people, nature and economic growth;

2021/12/08
Committee: AGRI

2021/2208(INI)

Hilde VAUTMANS, Ulrike MÜLLER, Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Emma WIESNER, Irène TOLLERET, Elsi KATAINEN, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS, Asger CHRISTENSEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses the necessity to reinforce research ~~and~~, share innovations and encourage knowledge exchange between the EU and developing countries to increase agrifood system resilience, especially in the context of climate change;

2021/12/08
Committee: AGRI

2021/2208(INI)

Hilde VAUTMANS, Ulrike MÜLLER, Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Emma WIESNER, Irène TOLLERET, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Encourages increased consistency ~~between EU~~and complementarity between EU external, development and trade policies to support the global transition to sustainable agrifood systems;

2021/12/08
Committee: AGRI

2021/2208(INI)

Hilde VAUTMANS, Ulrike MÜLLER, Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Emma WIESNER, Irène TOLLERET, Elsi KATAINEN, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Supports the development of trade opportunities between the EU and developing countries, which have the potential to boost local agriculture and enable regions to enhance and extend their production potential; underlines in this regard that trade agreements need to uphold the principle of fair trade and this for both trading partners;

2021/12/08
Committee: AGRI

2021/2208(INI)

Hilde VAUTMANS, Ulrike MÜLLER, Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Irène TOLLERET, Elsi KATAINEN, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Notes that ~~while~~, throughout the history of the common agricultural policy, lifting export subsidies and decoupling direct payments has significantly reduced the risk of dumping practices~~, some areas of concern persist and should be closely monitored, in particular agricultural sectors still tied to coupled income support in many EU Member States.~~;

2021/12/08
Committee: AGRI

2021/2208(INI)

Hilde VAUTMANS, Ulrike MÜLLER, Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Emma WIESNER, Irène TOLLERET, Elsi KATAINEN, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Deplores the fact that land- grabbing is rife in many developing countries; points out that it is a brutal practice that undermines food security and endangers rural communities;

2021/12/08
Committee: AGRI

2021/2208(INI)

Hilde VAUTMANS, Ulrike MÜLLER, Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Emma WIESNER, Irène TOLLERET, Elsi KATAINEN, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)

8b. Stresses the essential contribution of young girls and women to agricultural and rural economies in developing countries; however regrets that many women do not have the same rights as men, have more limited access to land and face many constraints that reduce their agricultural productivity; considers it therefore of crucial importance to support and enhance the empowerment of young girls and women in developing countries;

2021/12/08
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)

— Having regard to the Council Recommendations (EU)2021/1004 of 14 June Establishing a European Child Guarantee9a _________________ 9a OJ L 223, 22.6.2021, p. 14.

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)

— having regard to the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) and its first five surveys carried out between 2007 and 2020,

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the promotion of healthy diets and a healthy lifestyle is a ~~sensitive and~~n increasingly important issue in our society and an integrated and comprehensive approach is needed between nutrition and lifestyle;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Elsi KATAINEN, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Hilde VAUTMANS, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas it is hugely important to raise awareness and educate children on matters such as healthy diets supported by scientific research, local food chains, organic farming, seasonality, sustainability in food production and food waste;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas measures designed to provide healthy food products to all schoolchildren, irrespective of their socio- economic background, can have cumulative positive effects on, contributing to their physical and mental health, to their development, but also has an indirect positive effect on the development of local communities, in particular small and family farms;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

Fa. whereas poorer diets and underlying health issues, such as obesity, are more prevalent among children from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Regrets the fact that in many cases, the amount of EU funding that the Member States receive is insufficient to reach all target groups and generate the desired impact at national level; in order to guarantee the continuation of well functioning programs the current distribution of aid should be taken as a minimal basis for distribution also in the future;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Elsi KATAINEN, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Deplores the fact that some Member States are not making full use of the budget available~~Calls the Commission and the Member States to cooperate in view of the next School Scheme revision, to assess national performances, in order to produce sound analysis of the causes behind Member States displaying different absorption rates of the budget available, and provide more guidance built on best practices from Member States;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Calls on the Commission to increase the total budget envelope for the school scheme for fruit, vegetables, milk and dairy products and to consider a redistribution among the participants of the scheme, in case there has been an underuse of the amount allocated to a Member State; emphasises that increasing the budget for the scheme would make it possible to increase the frequency of distribution every week and the duration of distribution throughout the school year;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Urges the Commission to take steps to ensure that the Member States guarantee ~~a certain level of quality~~a minimum quality standard for the products covered by the scheme, which could also be factored into the take-up of the budget and the achievement of national participation targets; recalls that the provision of poor quality products has a negative impact on the implementation of the scheme, leading to a lack of interest in consumption and contributing to food waste;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls on the Commission to assess the possibility of synergies between the EU School Scheme and other sources of EU funding, and allow top-ups from other relevant funds, in cases when Member States have already used the existing budget allocated to the School Scheme;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Elsi KATAINEN, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Acknowledges the importance of educational measures in the context of achieving the scheme’s objectives; points out that farm visits are a critical tool to enable children and adolescents to reconnect with agriculture and to get to know and experience at first hand the vital role played by farmers in ensuring access to safe, nutritious and sustainable food;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase the uptake of digital tools and digital learning materials, building on the learnings following the COVID-19 pandemic;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission to provide more guidance on the content of the educational measures, drawing on best practices from Member States, such as a focus on healthy eating habits, agriculture in general and sustainable agriculture in particular, including organic farming and actions to counteract food waste;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure appropriate involvement of national authorities responsible for health and nutrition, environment, agriculture and education in drawing up appropriate accompanying measures suitable for the age group and local specificities in terms of diet, cultural habits or farming practices;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Underlines the need to increase the participation of other stakeholders in the educational measures, including greater involvement of parents ~~and teacher~~, teachers, school staff, local producers, as well as relevant civil society organisations;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Underlines the need to increase the participation of other stakeholders in the educational measures, including greater involvement of parents and teachers; suggests additional training and support for the actors responsible for the implementation of the programmes, namely for teachers, canteen personnel, chefs and dieticians;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Stresses that the products for distribution should be unprocessed, or~~ganic and originate in the EU~~, in exceptional cases, minimally processed, locally produced where available, and originate in the EU; calls on the Commission to introduce a requirement for at least 25% of the products distributed by each Member State to be organic, in line with the objectives of the Farm to Fork Strategy and the Organic Action Plan; calls on the Commission to introduce requirements to ensure that the products comply with objective criteria, including health, environmental, quality and ethical considerations, seasonality, variety, the availability of local produce, and giving priority to short supply chains; stresses that in the case of bananas, fair- trade products from third countries may only be given priority when equivalent products originating in the EU are not available; emphasises that products should reflect local eating habits and crop types as far as possible;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Stresses that the products for distribution should be unprocessed, organic and originate in the EU; calls on the Commission to introduce requirements to ensure that the products comply with objective criteria, including health, environmental and ethical considerations, seasonality, variety, the availability of local produce, and giving priority to short supply chains; stresses that in the case of bananas, fair-trade products from third countries may only be given priority when equivalent products originating in the EU are not available; emphasises that products should reflect local eating habits and crop types as far as possible and prioritise seasonal fruits and vegetables; There should be a balance between different products, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, honey and nuts;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Elsi KATAINEN, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Insists that products containing added sugars, fats, salt or sweeteners should not be permitted within the scheme; ~~urges~~calls on the Commission ~~to remov~~, in cooperation with Member States and health and nutrition authorities, to closely analyse the exceptions that allow for the distribution of certain types of products with limited sugar and fat content, in view of their strict limitation or removal, in order to ensure that the scheme remains aligned with its objectives and wider EU policy goals; calls on Member States to enable close and effective cooperation between health and nutrition, agriculture, environment and education authorities in drawing the list of eligible products and educational activities, in full respect of the objectives of the School Scheme;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to carry out an evaluation of the quantities of food waste generated by the School Scheme, identify potential causes and provide guidance on curbing food waste associated with the Scheme, in line with Farm to Fork Strategy, while avoiding administrative burdens for Member States, schools or suppliers.

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Recalls that access to healthy and sustainable food and to proper nutritional education is influenced by socio-economic environment and invites the Commission to explore a review of the target groups, in order to ensure that children at risk of poverty or social exclusion have priority access to healthy and nutritional food and educational measures, in line with the Farm to Fork Strategy and the European Child Guarantee objectives; calls on the Commission and the Member States to allow for flexible formulas between products and educational measures, based on the actual needs of the target groups;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12b. Calls on the Commission to assess the possibility of synergies with other breakfast initiatives or the distribution of regular school meals, with a view to reach a higher number of children and ensure coordination between initiatives at national, regional, local level or those carried out by NGOs or private entities.

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Recalls that procurement procedures, even simplified ones, should comply with the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT) criteria for award; insists that ~~large suppliers must not have a predominant position~~procurement procedures shall ensure that equal access and fair competition is in place, so that large suppliers are not unfairly advantaged to the detriment of small farmers participating in the scheme;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Recalls that procurement procedures, even simplified ones, should comply with the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT) criteria for award; insists that large suppliers must not have a predominant position to the detriment of farmers participating in the scheme; calls on the Commission and Member States to prioritise products that are locally produced and which are from short supply chains, as well as products supplied by producer organisations(POs), agricultural cooperatives and farmers markets;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Ulrike MÜLLER, Hilde VAUTMANS, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Calls on the Commission to explore the option for schools to have longer- lasting contracts, with the possibility to renegotiate prices, as this would reduce the need for such extensive documentation; highlights that this could be an incentive for smaller producers to participate in the scheme;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Calls on the Commission to explore the option for schools to have longer- lasting contracts, as this would reduce the need for such extensive documentation; longer-lasting contracts will provide more predictability and stability for farmers and will encourage more farmers to join the scheme;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Ulrike MÜLLER, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Hilde VAUTMANS, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Urges the EU to encourage the Member States to reduce and simplify the level of documentation required of the beneficiaries of the scheme in order to alleviate the administrative burden they face and calls on the Commission and Member States to increase the uptake of digital tools in the management of documentation;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Hilde VAUTMANS, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Proposes establishing a forum to encourage the Member States to share best practices in order to identify successful ways of streamlining the implementation of the scheme; recalls the existence of the Civil Dialogue Group meetings, held by the European Commission, which already include regular discussions on the EU School Scheme and recommends building up on this forum;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Hilde VAUTMANS, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Calls on the Commission to explore the possibility for the candidate countries to participate as observers in the forum dedicated to the School Scheme, in order to foster international cooperation, as it is already the case for research, monitoring and data sharing on child obesity and policies to counteract it, under the WHO COSI platform.

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Elsi KATAINEN, Ulrike MÜLLER, Dacian CIOLOŞ, Jérémy DECERLE, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6 a (new)

Calls on the European Commission to explore the possibility of launching a School Scheme for candidate countries, financed through existing instruments such as the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance and the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2205(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Sophia IN 'T VELD

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Asks the Commission to explore the possibility of introducing common indicators to serve as a basis for evaluating the implementation of the scheme beyond 2023; points out that the databases that could be used to develop these indicators are already available through the national strategies and should be incorporated within the scheme in future;

2022/10/21
Committee: AGRI

2021/2180(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Ramona STRUGARIU, Gilles BOYER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls that Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget (the Conditionality Regulation) integrated the conditionality mechanism into a wider framework, requiring the Commission to use its own annual rule of law reports as a source for its assessments under the Regulation; calls, once again, on the Commission to implement the Conditionality Regulation without any further delay; recalls that for budget-related measures in the event of violations of the rule of law in a Member State, the competences of parliamentary committees should be determined on the basis of Annex VI of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure if the infringements under the Conditionality Regulation procedure are dealt with in Parliament;

2022/02/16
Committee: CONT

2021/2180(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Ramona STRUGARIU, Gilles BOYER, Michal WIEZIK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Welcomes the European Court of Justice decision to reject the actions brought by Hungary and Poland against the Conditionality Regulation; deplores the time wasted since its entry into force by the European Commission, who unilaterally decided to abide by non- binding European Council conclusions, which led the European Parliament to take action under Article 265 TFEU for failure to act; highlights that the Commission’s 2021 Rule of Law Report contains multiple and detailed examples of breaches of the rule of law that fall within the scope of the Conditionality regulation, which should have led the European Commission to trigger the conditionality mechanism a long time ago;

2022/02/16
Committee: CONT

2021/2180(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Ramona STRUGARIU, Gilles BOYER

1 b. Strongly regrets the fact that the Commission’s failure to act since January 2021 has let the rule of law situation to deteriorate in several Member States, as shown in the Commission’s 2021 Rule of Law Report;

2022/02/16
Committee: CONT

2021/2180(INI)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Michal WIEZIK, Katalin CSEH, Gilles BOYER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Recalls its resolution of 8 July 2021 on the creation of guidelines for the application of the Conditionality Regulation; insists that the Commission include in its annual rule of law reports a section dedicated to cases where rule of law breaches in a Member State could affect or seriously risk affecting the sound financial management of the Union budget or the protection of the Union’s financial interests in a sufficiently direct way; calls on the Commission to conclude each country chapter with a ‘traffic light’ assessment of the fulfilment of the conditions of the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation;

2022/02/16
Committee: CONT

2021/2180(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Ramona STRUGARIU, Gilles BOYER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Recalls its resolution of 8 July 2021 on the creation of guidelines for the application of the Conditionality Regulation; insists that ~~the Commission include in its~~a more direct link between the Commission’s annual Rule of Law Report and the triggering of the Conditionality Regulation should be established, for example by including in the annual rule of law reports a section dedicated to cases where rule of law breaches in a Member State could affect or seriously risk affecting the sound financial management of the Union budget or the protection of the Union’s financial interests in a sufficiently direct way ;

2022/02/16
Committee: CONT

2021/2180(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Regrets that the Commission’s 2021 Rule of Law Report is mostly descriptive and lacking clear conclusions, with precise follow-up actions and proposals of remedial measures ; regrets also the lack of prioritisation of the breaches of the rule of law listed in the report, with the same attention and tone given to systemic major breaches and to isolated minor ones; calls therefore on the Commission to address these shortcomings and improve the annual report to transform it into a comprehensive tool to be used by Member States to fix the identified rule of law breaches;

2022/02/16
Committee: CONT

2021/2180(INI)

Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Calls on the Commission to develop proposals to further strengthening of the Rule of Law toolbox if, despite the current instruments and efforts, significant violations of the values enshrined in Article 2 of the TEU persist; proposes to expand the scope of the non- discrimination clause in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, and to render it universal, to enable the enforcement of the Rule of Law in Member States and the Union consistent with article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights; calls, in the meantime, on all EU institutions to give the non-discrimination clause the broadest possible legal interpretation;

2022/02/01
Committee: AFCO

2021/2180(INI)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Gilles BOYER, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Pierre KARLESKIND

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Regrets the mostly descriptive nature of the Commission's 2021 Rule of Law Report and calls on the Commission to address this aspect by including country-specific recommendations with regards to problems identified; furthermore asks the Commission to include yearly follow-ups on these matters until the full implementation of such recommendations;

2022/02/16
Committee: CONT

2021/2180(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Pierre KARLESKIND, Ramona STRUGARIU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. 3. Stresses that the four areas assessed in the 27 country chapters of the Commission’s 2021 rule of law report (the justice system, the anti-corruption framework, media pluralism, and other institutional checks and balances) are key interdependent pillars for upholding the rule of law, fighting fraud and corruption and protecting the Union’s financial interests; is of the opinion that other important elements of the Venice Commission’s 2016 Rule of Law Checklist should be included into the evaluation, particularly a chapter on shrinking civic space; welcomes the evaluation of the effects of COVID-19 on the four issues assessed; highlights the importance of continuing this evaluation in future annual rule of law reports; points out that COVID- 19 pandemic has shortened legislative processes and reduced parliamentary debate and shortened or stopped consultation of civil society and other stakeholders;

2022/02/16
Committee: CONT

2021/2180(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Ramona STRUGARIU, Gilles BOYER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Considers that the European Union should lead by example in its respect for the rule of law principles; reiterates therefore its call to the European Commission include in its annual Rule of Law Report an assessment of the EU institutions’ performance in the areas addressed by the report, where applicable;

2022/02/16
Committee: CONT

2021/2180(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Pierre KARLESKIND, Ramona STRUGARIU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines that corruption prevention policies cover many fields, typically including ethical rules, awareness-raising measures, rules on asset disclosures, incompatibilities and conflicts of interest, internal control mechanisms, rules on lobbying, and revolving doors; ~~reiterates the role of national measures in preventing fraud and corruption;~~ calls on further corruption prevention measures on European level including transparency of ownership structures, prohibition of involvement of offshore or shell companies into the spending of European funds; reiterates the role of national measures in preventing fraud and corruption but considers that the EU institutions need to be fully equipped to prevent and investigate fraud and corruption;

2022/02/16
Committee: CONT

2021/2180(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Gilles BOYER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Notes with great concern the deteriorating situation of freedom of expression, protection of the right to information, and protection of journalists in 2021 compared to 2020 according to the Media Pluralism Monitor; recalls that media pluralism and media freedom is essential for the protection of the EU’s financial interests as investigative journalism is often at the source of the identification of issues such as corruption, fraud, or conflicts of interest in the use of EU funds;

2022/02/16
Committee: CONT

2021/2180(INI)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Gilles BOYER, Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Deeply regrets the fact that the safety of journalists across the EU has been deteriorating in 20201a; highlights the key role of investigative journalists in the fight against corruption, fraud and illegal activities that negatively impact the EU budget; reiterates in this regard the need to protect investigative journalists from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) through a strong EU-wide legal framework, as well as against personal harassment, intimidation and threats to life in order to assure freedom of expression and the right to information and safeguard the journalistic profession. _________________ 1ahttps://rm.coe.int/final-version-annual- report-2021-en-wanted-real-action-for- media-freed/1680a2440e

2022/02/16
Committee: CONT

2021/2180(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Gilles BOYER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Is concerned about the Commission’s 2021 Rule of Law Report’s findings that, in some countries, the state- sponsored harassment and intimidation of the LGBTI organisations is affecting their ability to access funding; calls on the Commission to take a closer look at the issue and to make sure that the non- discrimination principle governing the access to EU funds is fully complied with, everywhere in the EU; considers that these findings reinforce the long-standing position of Parliament that the scope of the Rule of Law report should be broadened to include all Article 2 TEU values;

2022/02/16
Committee: CONT

2021/2180(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Gilles BOYER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5 b. Welcomes the variety of sources used by the European Commission to feed its assessment in the 2021 Rule of Law Report, including from civil-society organisations and NGOs; highlights, in this regard, the key role played by those grassroots organisations in identifying and reporting breaches of the Rule of Law at national and local level;

2022/02/16
Committee: CONT

2021/2180(INI)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to use the Commission’s annual rule of law reports and its findings to resolutely fight against systemic corruption and devise all effective instruments available under EU financial legislation and the applicable sector- specific and financial rules for preventing, combating and sanctioning corruption and fighting fraud, as well as for regularly monitoring the use of public funds, including recovery and resilience facility funds.

2022/02/16
Committee: CONT

2021/2180(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Regrets the fact that the report fails to clearly recognise the deliberate process of the rule of law backsliding in Poland and Hungary which can result in further backsliding not only in the above mentioned Member States but it seriously risk affecting other Member States in the Union as well;

2022/02/16
Committee: CONT

2021/2177(INI)

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

B a. Having regard to the Commission communication of 20 May 2020 entitled ‘A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system’ (COM(2020)0381),

2022/01/13
Committee: AGRI

2021/2177(INI)

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Irène TOLLERET, Alin MITUȚA, Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI

Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)

B b. Having regard to the Commission communication of 18 February entitled “ Trade Policy Review - An Open, Sustainable and Assertive Trade Policy” (COM(2021) 66 final),

2022/01/13
Committee: AGRI

2021/2177(INI)

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Recital B c (new)

B c. Having regard to the WTO’s condemnation of India’s sugar subsidies in its recent panel report “India – Measures Concerning Sugar and Sugarcane”,

2022/01/13
Committee: AGRI

2021/2177(INI)

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Recital B d (new)

B d. Having regard to the EU regulation 1151/2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and food stuffs, EU regulation 664/2014 on the logos to be used for PDOs, PGIs and TSGs, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) on how regulation (EU) No1151/2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs should be applied, EU implementing regulation 2019/34 regarding applications for protection of designations of origin, geographical indications and traditional terms in the wine sector, EU delegated regulation 2019/33 supplementing regulation 1308/2013 regarding applications for protection of designations of origin, geographical indications and traditional terms in the wine sector, EU regulation 1308/2013 on establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products, EU regulation 1306/2013 on the financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy, EU regulation 606/2009 on rules governing categories of grapevine products, oenological practices and applicable restrictions, EU regulation 555/2008 on the implementation of EU regulation 479/2008 on the common organisation of the market in wine for support programmes, trade with third countries, production potential and controls in the wine sector, EU regulation 2018/273 on vine plantings, the vineyard register, accompanying documents and certification, the inward and outward register and compulsory declarations, EU Regulation 2019/787 on the definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs, EU Regulation 2021/1235 supplementing EU Regulation 2019/787 concerning applications for registration of geographical indications of spirit drinks, amendments to product specifications,cancellation of the registration and the register, EU Regulation 2021/1236 implementing EU Regulation 2019/787 on applications for registration of geographical indications of spirit drinks, the opposition procedure, amendments to product specifications, cancellation of the registration, EU regulation 251/2014 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical indications of aromatised wine products,

2022/01/13
Committee: AGRI

2021/2177(INI)

Jérémy DECERLE, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Calls, in accordance with the Farm to fork strategy, that any future trade agreement between India and the European Union should include a dedicated framework on sustainable agri- food systems and products;

2022/01/13
Committee: AGRI

2021/2177(INI)

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Recalls that India continues in protectionist policies regulating exports and constantly imposing import restrictions and technical barriers to trade;

2022/01/13
Committee: AGRI

2021/2177(INI)

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9 b. Notes that, as a result of the above circumstances, the EU-India agricultural and food trade balance last year reached a deficit of EUR 1.8 billion;

2022/01/13
Committee: AGRI

2021/2177(INI)

Jérémy DECERLE, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Martin HLAVÁČEK, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9 b. Insists that any new trade agreement must be built in a way that respects the food security of both India and the European Union;

2022/01/13
Committee: AGRI

2021/2177(INI)

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 c (new)

9 c. Calls on the Commission to resume negotiations on a balanced, ambitious and comprehensive free trade agreement with the aim to secure improved market access with a significant reduction in barriers to trade taking into account sensitive EU products along with ambitious commitments under trade and sustainable development chapter; Calls for the introduction of mirror measures that would ensure that imported products from India conform with EU internal market, health, environmental and animal welfare standards and that the same protection for consumers regardless of the origin of the products is ensured;

2022/01/13
Committee: AGRI

2021/2177(INI)

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 d (new)

9 d. Calls on the Commission to suspend India’s CXL quota for sugar and requests that the upcoming EU-India trade negotiations make sure that WTO- incompatible sugar subsidies are removed;

2022/01/13
Committee: AGRI

2021/2177(INI)

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Alin MITUȚA, Irène TOLLERET, Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Ulrike MÜLLER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 e (new)

9 e. Calls on the Commission to ensure that in the EU-India free trade agreement the protection of the EU quality schemes for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine, spirit drinks and aromatised wines is being upheld.

2022/01/13
Committee: AGRI

2021/2162(INI)

Pascal DURAND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Valérie HAYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Katalin CSEH, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas the Commission acknowledged1a the need to reflect on amendments to the Financial Regulation that prevent selecting bidders that can be in a situation of conflict of interests and to improve implementation guidelines (Vademecum on public procurement) on the application of the notion of conflicting professional interests; _________________ 1a Case 853/2020/KR

2021/10/06
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2162(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Pierre KARLESKIND, Pascal DURAND, Katalin CSEH

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas respect for the rule of law is an essential precondition for compliance with the principles of sound financial management;

2021/10/06
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2162(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Valérie HAYER, Pascal DURAND, Olivier CHASTEL, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Moritz KÖRNER, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Gilles BOYER, Fabienne KELLER, Katalin CSEH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Reiterates that ensuring the respect of all the values enshrined in article 2 of the TEU is a form of ensuring the protection of the EU budget and of the EU’s financial interests; highlights that Regulation 2021/1060 (CPR) equipped the Commission with strong ex-ante control mechanisms to ensure that managing authorities are in full compliance with the respect of EU values, in particular the non-discrimination principle; believes, however, that there is still a strong risk that final beneficiaries of EU funds use them in a way that is not compliant with EU values throughout their execution; calls therefore on the Commission to include in the Financial Regulation provisions setting out ex-post control mechanisms and procedures ensuring that every euro of the EU budget is used for projects or organisations that respect EU values, in addition to existing mechanisms; believes that a mandatory single, inter-operable and transparent database of direct and ultimate beneficiaries of EU funds would facilitate the detection of such breaches of EU values;

2021/10/06
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2162(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Pierre KARLESKIND, Pascal DURAND, Katalin CSEH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Highlights that the role of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is to investigate and prosecute fraud against the budget of the European Union and other crimes against the EU's financial interests; underlines the importance of cooperation between the EU institutions, the Member States, and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) with the EPPO; calls on the remaining Member States to ensure that their European and Delegated Prosecutors are appointed in a timely and impartial manner; recalls the need to provide the EPPO with adequate resources in order to ensure its proper functioning;

2021/10/06
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2162(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Pierre KARLESKIND, Pascal DURAND, Katalin CSEH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10 a. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to ensure greater interoperability of IT systems, of existing European and national databases and data-mining tools for the purposes of risk analysis and detection of fraud;

2021/10/06
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2162(INI)

Pascal DURAND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Valérie HAYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Katalin CSEH, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Notes that the ~~Commission’s Vademecum on public procurement was last updated in January 2020; notes that the~~ current definition of ‘professional conflict of interest’ is limited to a conflicting interest that affects the capacity of an economic operator to perform a contract; calls on the Commission to provide for a more explicit definition and to ensure that its implementation rules on public procurement do not permit the awarding of policy-related service contracts to undertakings that are under the economic control of a parent company or a group that owns shares related to activities that are not in line with the EU’s environmental, social and Green Deal objectives; believes that such a revised definition should take into account the risk of conflict of interests of a performer that is developing sectoral guidelines it will have to comply with, with particular scrutiny when it comes to policy-related projects and studies;

2021/10/06
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2162(INI)

Pascal DURAND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Valérie HAYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Katalin CSEH, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Notes that the Commission’s Vademecum on public procurement was last updated in January 2020~~; notes that the current definition of ‘professional conflict of interest’ is limited to a conflicting inter~~ but has not been made public nor shared with the European Parliament for opinion; requests that ~~affects the capacity of an economic operator~~the Parliament should be able to ~~per~~form a contract; calls on the Commission to provide for a more explicit definition and to ensure that its implementation rules on public procurement do not permit the awarding of policy-related service contracts to undertakings that are under the economic control of a parent company or a group that owns shares related to activities that are not in line with the EU’s environmental, social and Green Deal objectiveulate an opinion on future revision of the Commission’s Vademecum on public procurement; calls on the Commission to share regular updates with the Parliament’s relevant committees on the revision of its Vademecum before it is finalised either through the discharge procedure of the European Commission or during dedicated hearings;

2021/10/06
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2162(INI)

Pascal DURAND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Valérie HAYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Katalin CSEH, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17 a. Asks the Commission to amend Article 167 – c) of the Financial Regulation to include professional conflict of interests, that is based on a revised definition, to the list of criteria for awarding policy-related service contracts;

2021/10/06
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2162(INI)

Pascal DURAND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Valérie HAYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Katalin CSEH, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)

17 b. Stresses that the General Conditions of the Commission’s public procurement contracts for services contain standard provisions on professional conflicting interests with requirements from contractors to proactively notify situations that could constitute a conflict of interests; asks the Commission to perform additional checks and thorough verifications before the signature of the contract, in order to avoid relying on voluntary notifications only from the applicants and to better assess possible professional conflict of interests; calls on the Commission to develop adequate sanctions, such as a temporary ban from public tender procedures, for economic operators that would be found in a situation of professional conflict of interests;

2021/10/06
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2162(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Pierre KARLESKIND, Katalin CSEH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Considers that all EU institutions conducting public procurement should publish clear rules on their websites regarding acquisition, expenditure and monitoring, as well as all contracts awarded with the fullest possible transparency; Notes the guidance provided by the Commission on using the public procurement framework in the emergency situation related to the COVID-19 crisis; encourages the Commission to gather and evaluate the experience of contracting authorities with the public procurement framework in this regard and to reflect the lessons learned in the Financial Regulation, by identifying criteria for defining exceptional/unusual circumstances in which temporary/framed/necessary flexibility in the implementation of public procurement rules can be applied;

2021/10/06
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2156(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21 a. Emphasises that the Court’s findings confirmed persistent systemic errors in the personnel costs declared, and that in particular SMEs and new beneficiaries are more error-prone than other beneficiaries. Highlights that such errors are also regularly reported by the ex post audits of the CAS and its contracted auditors; emphasises therefore that streamlining of the H2020 rules for the declaration of personnel costs and the wider use of simplified cost options is a precondition for stabilising error rates to below materiality level. The Joint Undertaking is also encouraged to strengthen its internal control systems to address the increased risk regarding SMEs and new beneficiaries;

2022/02/02
Committee: CONT

2021/2155(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19 a. Emphasises that the Court’s findings confirmed persistent systemic errors in the personnel costs declared, and that in particular SMEs and new beneficiaries are more error-prone than other beneficiaries. Highlights that such errors are also regularly reported by the ex post audits of the CAS and its contracted auditors; emphasises, therefore, that streamlining of the Horizon 2020 rules for the declaration of personnel costs and the wider use of simplified cost options is a precondition for stabilising error rates to below materiality level. The Joint Undertaking is also encouraged to strengthen its internal control systems to address the increased risk regarding SMEs and new beneficiaries;

2022/02/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2154(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21 a. Emphasises that the Court’s finding confirmed persistent systemic errors for declared personnel costs and that in particular, small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs)and new beneficiaries are more error-prone than other beneficiaries. Highlights that those errors are also regularly reported by the ex post audits of the Common Audit Service and its contracted auditors; emphasises therefore that streamlining of the Horizon 2020 rules for the declaration of personnel costs and wider use of simplified cost options is a precondition to stabilise error rates to below materiality level. IMI2 Joint Undertaking is also encouraged to strengthen its internal control systems to address the increased risk regarding SMEs and new beneficiaries;

2022/02/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2153(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Notes that the FCH2 maintained the position of “Service knowledge management” with constant assignments to interim staff for a period of around 2.5 years due to the request of the FCH2 Governing Board to enhance the role of knowledge management and that, according to the Commission’s framework contract for interim services the use of interim staff, however, is limited to office work of a one-off or temporary nature, arising from an exceptional increase in workload and/or the performance of a one- off activity, or to fill a vacant post pending the recruitment of a permanent staff member and that that the FCH2 practice is against this principle and in fact creates a permanent post, in addition to those foreseen in the staff establishment plans; notes the FCH2’s reply that the interim staff was needed to face the turnover for the post of Knowledge Management Officer between the years 2015 to 2020 and ~~that that~~which explains partly the need for interim staff to ensure continuity of the service, and that furthermore, the FCH2 could only ensure the consequent increased workload with interim staff, following the special request of its Governing Board; emphasises however that the use of interim staff should remain a temporary solution otherwise it could negatively affect the FCH2’s overall performance, such as the retention of key competences, unclear accountability channels, and lower staff efficiency; calls on the FCH2 to report to the discharge authority any development in that regard;

2022/02/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2153(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19 a. Emphasises that the Court’s finding confirmed persistent systemic errors for declared personnel costs and that in particular, SMEs and new beneficiaries are more error-prone than other beneficiaries. Highlights that these errors are also regularly reported by the ex post audits of the Common Audit Service (CAS) and its contracted auditors; emphasises therefore that streamlining of the Horizon 2020 rules for the declaration of personnel costs and wider use of simplified cost options is a precondition to stabilise error rates to below materiality level. FCH2 is also encouraged to strengthen its internal control systems to address the increased risk regarding SMEs and new beneficiaries;

2022/02/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2152(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Notes with concerns from the Court’s follow up of 2019’s observations that corrective actions towards problems and risks at senior management and corporate culture level identified by an external expert panel are still ongoing; reiteraits that this situation, if remaining unsolved, could negatively affect the performance of the staff; calls on the Joint Undertaking to report to the discharge authority in that regard; notes that in 2020 the Policy on Contracts of Employment in the Joint Undertaking was modified;

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2152(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18 a. Notes with concerns that staff continued to decrease slightly by 0.9% in 2020; reiterates that problematic Joint Undertaking’s human resources have been flagged by ECA also during previous audits; stresses that lack of sufficient statutory staff leads to increased use of interim staff or the contractual insourcing of workers; is of the opinion that this presents particular risks that could negatively affect the JU’s overall performance, such as the retention of key competences, unclear accountability channels, and lower staff efficiency;

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2152(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Notes from the Court’s report that the Joint Undertaking uses its own e- Procurement portal, which is not fully synchronized with the Commission’s eProcurement solution and could lead to unnecessary duplications with the Commission's development efforts and investment in the future; reminds that this is not in line with the principle of a single ‘electronic data interchange area’ for participants, as foreseen by the EU financial regulation; notes from the Joint Undertaking reply that when the tool offered by the Commission covers all procurement procedure types relevant for the Joint Undertaking and the incident reported rate decreases, the Joint Undertaking will evaluate a potential move to the Commission toolset and take a decision based on Joint Undertaking’s operational requirements; calls on the Joint Undertaking to report to the discharge authority in that regard;

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2151(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Notes that at the end of 2020, a total of 11 recruitments have been completed, including the Executive Director, and the selected staff are working for the Joint Undertaking; notes from the Court’s report that as the need for key administrative staff has yet to be addressed, it presents risks in terms of weaknesses in financial, budgetary and staff management, and in internal control processes for operational payments and in-kind contributions, and that the high proportion of contractual staff (74 %) may result in a significant level of staff turnover in the near future, further increasing the risks to its management systems; points out that it could negatively affect the Joint Undertaking’s overall performance, such as the retention of key competences, unclear accountability channels, and lower staff efficiency; calls on the Joint Undertaking to report to the discharge authority of any development in that regard;

2022/02/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2151(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Notes from the Court’s report that at the end of 2020, the Joint Undertaking had neither developed reliable procedures for the validation and certification of in- kind contributions declared by its private members and Participating States, nor established an appropriate accounting procedure for the recognition of these in- kind contributions; highlights that this situation impedes Joint Undertaking’s ability to manage, monitor and report on the achievement of the minimum level of in-kind contributions to be made by these Private Members and Participating States; calls on the Joint Undertaking to report to the discharge authority in that regard;

2022/02/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2150(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Notes from the Court’s report that the Joint Undertaking has not planned to use all the modules of the e Procurement platform due to its low number of high value procurement procedures; nevertheless, in line with the principle of a single electronic data exchange, foreseen by the Financial Regulation, invites the Joint Undertaking to join the Commission’s e Procurement solution in order to ensure the competition on the broadest possible basis; notes that the Joint Undertaking made to the most possible extent use of the various Service Level Agreements already concluded with relevant Commission Services, as well as its private members and made use of inter- institutional framework contracts, and that in 2020, the Joint Undertaking run very few procurement procedures mainly for low value contracts, as well as one re- opening of competition;

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2150(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20 a. Emphasises that the Court’s finding confirmed persistent systemic errors for declared personnel costs and that in particular, SMEs and new beneficiaries are more error-prone than other beneficiaries. Highlights that these errors are also regularly reported by the ex post audits of the CAS and its contracted auditors; emphasises, therefore, that streamlining of the Horizon 2020 rules for the declaration of personnel costs and wider use of simplified cost options is a precondition to stabilise error rates to below materiality level. Encourages the Joint Undertaking to strengthen its internal control systems to address the increased risk regarding SMEs and new beneficiaries;

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2149(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Notes with concern from the Court’s report that although the Joint Undertaking’s statutory staff remained static at 42 from 2017 to 2020, during the same period, the Joint Undertaking significantly increased its use of interim staff from three to ten full-time equivalents, that is, from 8 % to 24 % of the Joint Undertaking’s statutory staff, that the tasks performed by the interim staff are however, not of a one-off or temporary nature, arising from an exceptional increase in workload or the performance of a one-off activity, but rather are permanent in nature (e.g. legal service assistant, secretarial support, communication assistant, and project officer assistant), and the Joint Undertaking’s practice creates de- facto permanent posts, in excess of those; underlines that the high level of contractual staff tends to increase significantly the Joint Undertaking’s staff turnover rate and further destabilises the staffing situation. Emphasises, moreover, that the use of interim staff should remain a temporary solution, otherwise it could negatively affect the Joint Undertaking’s overall performance, leading to, for example, difficulties in retaining staff necessary in order for the Joint Undertaking to exercise key competences, unclear accountability channels, and lower staff efficiency; notes the Joint Undertaking’s reply that it has been obliged to constantly enlarge the use of interim staff during the past years due to the limitations of the rigid staff establishment plan under the condition of increasing tasks and workload, and that this trend is expected to continue with the two programmes – the Clean Sky 2 and the new Clean Aviation programme running in parallel, and, moreover, that the Joint Undertaking has put in place mitigation measures (such as appropriate supervision mechanisms, limiting tasks for interims to non-core tasks and ensuring appropriate training and mentoring support), and that however, this situation is not optimal on a medium and long-term perspective and that the Joint Undertaking considers that the solution would be to provide more flexibility with regard to number of contract agents posts in the staff establishment plan;

2022/02/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2149(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22 a. Emphasises that the Court’s findings confirmed persistent systemic errors in the personnel costs declared, and that in particular SMEs and new beneficiaries are more error-prone than other beneficiaries. Highlights that such errors are also regularly reported by the ex post audits of the CAS and its contracted auditors; emphasises therefore that streamlining the H2020 rules for the declaration of personnel costs and the wider use of simplified cost options is a precondition for stabilising error rates at below materiality level. The Joint Undertaking is also encouraged to strengthen its internal control systems to address the increased risk regarding SMEs and new beneficiaries;

2022/02/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2148(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Notes, that Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 requires that all EU institutions and bodies, including Joint Undertakings, design and implement solutions for the submission, storage and processing of data submitted in award procedures, and to that end, put in place a single “electronic data interchange area” for participants; notes that the Commission is developing the eProcurement solution with the integrated Funding and Tenders portal and the TED eTendering, where all published tenders are publicly accessible; notes that the eProcurement solution offers a harmonised approach and established corporate practices for procurement processes, supporting them through a fully integrated approach; notes, however, that the Joint Undertaking has not planned to use all modules of the platform due to their low number of high value procurement procedures; invites the Joint Undertaking to join the Commission’s eProcurement solution in line with the principle of a single electronic data exchange, foreseen by Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 , thus ensuring that their procurements are subject to competition on the broadest possible basis; calls on the Joint Undertaking to report to the discharge authority in that regard;

2022/02/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2148(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Notes that these recruitments were finalised over the past years and an efficient use of reserve lists was fundamental to ensure timely replacement of staff leaving the Joint Undertaking in 2019; notes, moreover, that in order to cope with the peak period of workload, the Joint Undertaking concluded – via the Commission framework contract for interim services - several short-term contracts for interim services to address specific needs of the Programme Office; emphasises, however, that the use of interim staff should remain a temporary solution otherwise it could negatively affect the Joint Undertaking’s overall performance, such as the retention of key competences, unclear accountability channels, and lower staff efficiency;

2022/02/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2148(DEC)

Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19 a. Emphasises that the Court’s finding confirmed persistent systemic errors for declared personnel costs and that in particular, SMEs and new beneficiaries are more error-prone than other beneficiaries. Highlights that these errors are also regularly reported by the ex post audits of the CAS and its contracted auditors; emphasises therefore that streamlining of the Horizon 2020 rules for the declaration of personnel costs and wider use of simplified cost options is a precondition to stabilise error rates to below materiality level. Joint Undertaking is also encouraged to strengthen its internal control systems to address the increased risk regarding SMEs and new beneficiaries;

2022/02/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER, Michal WIEZIK

Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Grants/~~Refuses to grant the Executive Director of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2020;

2022/09/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH

Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Grants the Executive Director of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2020 /~~ Postpones its decision on granting the Executive Director of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Agency for the financial year 2020;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER, Michal WIEZIK

Proposal for a decision 2
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Approves the closure of the accounts of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency for the financial year 2020 /~~ Points out that a proposal to close the accounts of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency for the financial year 2020 must be submitted at a subsequent part-session;

2022/09/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH

Proposal for a decision 2
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Approves the closure of the accounts of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency for the financial year 2020 /~~ Postpones the closure of the accounts of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency for the financial year 2020;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Notes the resignation of the executive director of the Agency on 28 April 2022 ~~and~~, following numerous reports and journalistic investigations exposing wrongdoing particularly in the field of upholding human rights; further notes the appointment by the management Board of an executive director ad interim as of 1 July 2022; notes the vacancy notice for a new executive director of the Agency published on 21 June 2022; calls on the management board of the Agency to appoint an executive director as soon as possible; highlights that the new executive director should commit to ensuring full respect of fundamental rights in all activities of the Agency as well as have high-level administrative and management skills; in line with Parliament's prerogatives, invites the management board and the Commission to actively engage with the Parliament in this process, committing to full transparency and accountability before Parliament;

2022/09/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the briefing note on ‘Actions taken by Frontex management during transition period’ that was sent to the Committee on Budgetary Control on 27 June 2022 that informs the discharge authority on the measures taken by the interim management of the Agency, in anticipation of the appointment of a new executive director; welcomes the acknowledgement by the acting executive director of the standing problems of the Agency and appreciates her commitment to ensuring that the Agency fully implements its mandate and operates in full respect of the rule of law and fundamental rights, to changing the organisational culture of the Agency, including making sure people are not afraid to speak up about possible wrongdoings and that there is proper follow-up, to establishing a dialogue with the members of staff, to encouraging delegation of powers and to building relationships of trust with other institutions and the public; further welcomes also her commitment to transparency; calls on the interim management and on the to be appointed executive director to continue with pro- actively informing the discharge authority on its response to its observations and recommendations;

2022/09/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Calls on the executive management of the Agency to continue with the implementation of the Agency’s mandate; reiterates that clarity, transparency, open dialogue and communication both internally and externally, the delegation of responsibilities and tasks, as well as abiding by high standards of ethics and respect for fundamental rights are essential for changing the organisational culture within the Agency, ensuring good governance and improving its functioning towards a full implementation of its mandate, as established by Regulation (EU) 2019/1896; reminds that this is a collective effort which requires the sincere cooperation of the executive management, the Agency's Management Board and the Commission; reiterates Parliament's support within this process; recalls remarks made in the meeting of the Committee on Budgetary Control on 13 July 2022 that the fast growing pace imposed by the new mandate of the Agency caused difficulties that were, with hind sight, underestimated, leading to delays in recruitment in particular; notes that the current corrective coefficient has a negative impact on recruitment and calls for a revision taking into account the reality of cost of life in order to improve geographical balance within the Agency;

2022/09/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the report of the Agency on the implementation of the seven conditions formulated for the 2019 discharge of the Agency; notes ~~that~~however that only five of the seven conditions are reported as being implemented by the Agency; regrets to note that two conditions still have not been fully met;

2022/09/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Not~~Deplores that one of the conditions not yet met is the recruitment of 40 fundamental rights monitors (FRMs), as on 1 June 2022, 31 FRMs were in service, with three more to take office on 1 September 2022, more than one and a half year after the deadline set in the Agency’s founding regulation (5 December 2020); notes that the Agency now strives to have 46 FRMs; notes the explanation provided by the Agency that the delay was due to lengthy recruitment procedures in Union institution; highlights that according to Article 110(6) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1896, the Agency had the obligation to recruit at least 40 fundamental rights monitors (FRMs) by 5 December 2020; recognises the recent progress made by the Agency in the recruitment and welcomes the intention to operate a first increase in the number of FRMs from 40 to 46; highlights that Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 provides the framework for further increases in the number of FRMs, as the Agency expands; reiterates its calls on the Agency to conduct all future FRMs recruitments and appointments at AD level; notes the explanation provided by the Agency that the delay was due to lengthy recruitment procedures in Union institutions; underlines however the findings of the Frontex Scrutiny Working Group indicating that the former executive director of the Agency had caused a significant and unnecessary delay in the recruitment of FRMs;

2022/09/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Notes that the second condition not yet met is the call on the Agency to suspend its support-related activities in Hungary, in accordance with Article 46 of Regulation (EU) 2019/18961 ; notes that the Agency, instead of suspending the support-related activities, rather takes additional safeguarding measures to get assurance from the Hungarian authorities that fundamental rights have been respected, and monitors this closely; notes that the Agency’s Fundamental Rights Officers recommend partially suspending return operations and additional safeguards when conductions return operations; underlines however that the Agency must refrain from participating in any operations governed by national legislation provisions that had been deemed incompatible with the Union law by the Court of Justice of the European Union (hereinafter - Court of Justice) until all such provisions are in line with the acquis communautaire; further notes with concern that the Court of Justice established through its judgement of 30 June 2022 that Lithuanian legislation was incompatible with Union and international law; deplores the fact that the Agency has failed to act in accordance with Article 46, even after the Court of Justice judgement; notes the progress made by the Agency through the adoption of the detailed Standard Operating Procedures for Article 46, in the form of an Executive Director Decision in January 2022; highlights the importance of implementing these procedures abiding by the highest standards of respecting fundamental rights; _________________ 1 Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 November 2019 on the European Border and Coast Guard and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1052/2013 and (EU) 2016/1624 (OJ L 295, 14.11.2019, p. 1).

2022/09/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Concludes that the Agency has implemented most of the conditions formulated by the discharge authority in a satisfactory manner; calls nevertheless on the Agency to ~~adopt~~ promptly a ~~detailed procedure for the implementation of Article 46 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1896, in line with the recomme~~ct and comply with all condaitions ~~made by the Agency’s Fundamental Rights Officer in its annual report for 2022~~stipulated by the Parliament in its previous discharge resolutions;

2022/09/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes the Court’s remark that, for the financial planning of its return operations, the Agency relies on estimates provided by the cooperating countries and that complete and timely availability of this information is crucial; notes the Court’s observation that in 2020 in one case a national authority included two previously unannounced return operations, totalling EUR 355 000, in a grant agreement at the financial closure of the action, resulting in a sudden budgetary deficit for the Agency, that forced the Agency to make an ex-post budgetary commitment, contravening the Agency’s Financial Regulation; acknowledges the dependence of the Agency on cooperating countries and calls on the Agency to be more strict in setting and enforcing standards related to completeness and timeliness for the receipt of information related to financial planning of operations, including the return operations; recalls that rules and principles of the Agency's Financial Regulation must be observed and respected in all situations;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Notes that OLAF and the Agency’s management board have made an anonymised version of the OLAF final report on the Agency’s activities available to the Members of the Committee on Budgetary Control and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs; deeply regrets the long delay taken towards granting that access; underlines that this delay has hampered Members’ scrutiny of the Agency; recalls that having access to that report was deemed necessary by the discharge authority to take a fully informed decision on the 2020 discharge;

2022/09/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Recalls the discharge authority’s observations on the application of the unit- cost approach for the deployment of heavy technical equipment and calls on the Agency to inform the discharge authority on the results of the suggested contacts with the Court and the Commission toand to urgently solve the issue of lacking supporting evidence;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Notes that the serious concerns raised on the basis of the partial presentation of findings from the final report in the Committee on Budgetary Control meeting of 28 February 2022 are indeed confirmed in the final report; expresses its utter dismay in the behaviour and actions described in the findings presented and the lack of accountability; notes from the statements of the Chair of the Agency’s management board in the Committee on Budgetary Control meeting of 13 July 2022 that actions have been taken in follow-up to OLAF’s conclusions in the final report; reiterates its call upon the Agency to present a detailed road map on how it intends to fulfil the outstanding concerns, together with a clear and detailed timeframe for these actions; notes the comments from the Chair of the Agency’s management board, and the Commission’s deputy director-general for Migration and Home Affairs that the report shows the failings of the individuals concerned, and that there is no structural issue; highlights however that the conclusions presented in the report of the OLAF on the investigation conducted with respect to the activities of the Agency, under the former executive leadership, are extremely serious and constitute a substantial reason for a refusal of discharge for the year 2020;

2022/09/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11 a. Calls on OLAF and the Agency's management board to urgently grant access to the OLAF final report to the acting executive director, the deputy executive directors and the Fundamental Rights Officer, in light of its crucial importance for ensuring a correct implementation of the Agency's budget and regulation in the future; considers that the findings of the OLAF report are a matter of public interest and requests OLAF to reassess making the report public without further delay, in full compliance with OLAF regulations and data protection legislation;

2022/09/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11 a. Recalls that all of the Agency's operations and activities must be conducted in full compliance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1896, as well as the EU Staff and Financial Regulations;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2 a (new)

Fundamental rights and follow up to the 2019 discharge cycle

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11 b. Notes with regret that in October 2020, journalistic investigations presented several allegations against the Agency, regarding its possible complicity in illegal migrant pushbacks in the Mediterranean Sea; notes that these allegations were supported by video footage of Frontex assets allegedly participating in such actions;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)

11 c. Recalls that these revelations have prompted the creation of a Parliament Frontex Scrutiny Working Group (FSWG) in order to investigate the exposed allegations; highlights that the FSWG "did not find conclusive evidence on the direct performance of pushbacks and/or collective expulsions by Frontex in the serious incident cases that could be examined by the FSWG", but concluded "that the Agency found evidence in support of allegations of fundamental rights violations in Member States with which it had a joint operation, but failed to address and follow-up on these violations promptly, vigilantly and effectively"; further notes that the FSWG “found deficiencies in Frontex’s mechanisms to monitor, report and assess fundamental rights situations and developments, and makes concrete recommendations for improvement", but "also identified gaps in the framework of cooperation with Member States, which may hamper the fulfilment of Frontex’s fundamental rights obligations"; notes that the FSWG expressed concern "about the lack of cooperation of the Executive Director to ensure compliance with some of the provisions of the European Border and Coast Guard Regulation, notably on fundamental rights"; notes that the "FSWG takes the position that the Management Board should have played a much more proactive role in acknowledging the serious risk of fundamental rights violations and in taking action to ensure that Frontex fulfils its negative and positive fundamental rights obligations as enshrined in the Regulation";

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 d (new)

11 d. Reminds that following these findings, Parliament, through its Resolution P9_TA(2021)0442 on the 2019 Discharge for the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, decided to place a part of the Agency's 2022 budget in a reserve, to be released upon completion of six conditions; regrets that following negotiations for the 2022 budget this reserve was not implemented; reiterates however its previous position that failure to fulfill these conditions increased the risk for refusal of discharge for the 2020 financial year;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 e (new)

11 e. Notes that, with respect to the six conditions established by the European Parliament in its previous resolution, the Agency has made so far the following progress: a) the 20 Fundamental Rights Monitors (FRM) posts available at AD level remain vacant and are to be filled in 2022;notes that this process is under the control of the Fundamental Rights Officer (FRO), conducted independently from the office of the Executive Director;welcomes the cooperation between Frontex and the EU Fundamental Rights Agency in this recruitment; b) all three deputy executive directors have been recruited and have joined the Agency; c) the Executive Director signed the Standard Operating Procedure on the mechanism to withdraw the financing of, or suspend or terminate, or not launch Frontex activities, in accordance with Article 46 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1896;notes however that the Agency continues to operate in Hungary;acknowledges that additional safeguards have been put in place and all requests from Hungary for support are assessed on a case-by-case basis; d) the Executive Director signed, in April 2021, the Standard Operating Procedure on the Serious Incident Report mechanism;notes that a report on the practical implementation of this procedure has been presented by the Executive Director and the FRO, concluding that there is a need to further revise the procedure; e) the Agency has adopted special rules to guarantee the independence of the FRO, it has recruited and adopted a new FRO as well as a deputy FRO;notes that the Agency has drawn up a Fundamental Rights Strategy and Action Plan, it has adopted a specialised fundamental rights training curriculum for FRMs and has also revised its complaints mechanism;underlines however that the recruitment of the 40 FRMs, due for December 2020, is still ongoing; f) the Agency has completed the implementation of a competency management project and has adopted a value-adding knowledge management and need-to-know policy, while the implementation of the Situational Awareness and Monitoring Division’s Transformation Programme and a Human Resources capacity assessment are still in progress;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Recalls the European Ombudsman’s decision in its own initiative enquiry on fundamental rights obligations; notes its conclusion that the Agency should ensure a more proactive approach to transparency, including publishing documents that are needed to understand the respective roles and responsibilities of the actors involved in its operations; notes that the Agency cannot share information of a tactical nature that could be abused for human trafficking or other illegal activities; calls on the Agency to sensibly implement the Ombudsman’s recommendations; suggests to the Agency to develop and implement a new code of conduct ensuring full transparency and a good management;

2022/09/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2 b (new)

OLAF investigation

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 f (new)

11 f. Recalls the fact that the European Anti-Fraud Office has initiated an investigation on the Agency over allegations of harassment, misconduct and migrant pushbacks; highlights that the investigation was finalised on 15 February 2022 and its outcome was partially presented to the Members of the Parliament's Budgetary Control Committee and Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs on 28 February 2022, but has not yet been provided to the Members; further highlights that Members were only informed of the outcome through an oral presentation, without providing any supporting written materials; underlines that the findings exposed in this partial presentation raise serious concerns and do not provide sufficient information to support a decision on granting discharge to the Agency for the financial year 2020;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Recalls that the Agency reported to have been notified of 17 cases of alleged harassment in 2020; notes from the Agency’s follow-up to the first 2020 discharge report that two of those 17 cases were opened as informal procedures under the Agency’s manual of procedures for confidential counsellors while the other 15 cases were closed without further follow- up; highlights that a particular focus should be placed on identifying, reporting and combatting sexual harassment, especially in light of whistleblower reportings of such alleged cases; welcomes the statements of the acting executive director in the meeting of the Committee on Budgetary Control that the Agency remains vigilant in this area and that additional measures have been taken, ~~such as the re-opening of a closed case regarding the suicide of the staff member, to make sure all cases~~ to make sure all cases are properly treated; welcomes the expressed commitment of the ad-interim executive director to remain vigilant and take additional measures in this field; expresses shock and deep concern about the case of suicide of a staff member, related to alleged practices of sexual harassment, mentioned in discussions between Agency officials and Members participating in the mission of the Committee on Budgetary Control to Poland in July 2022, and welcomes the reopening of this case by the new executive leadership; calls on the executive director to conduct a full and detailed investigation about this particularly severe and worrying case, to keep the discharge authority informed about the results of this investigation and to fully cooperate with criminal investigation authorities in the process; calls on the executive director to conduct a thorough investigation into the implementation of existing procedures against sexual harassment, to report back to the discharge ~~properly treated~~authority about the findings and to present a detailed action plan with measures ensuring zero tolerance towards sexual harassment in both its administrative and operational activities;

2022/09/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Commends the staff of the Agency, that has been through a very difficult period, facing challenges about which the acting executive director made statements in the meeting of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of 30 May 2022; calls on the executive management of the Agency and on the management board to continue with making the Agency a safe place to work; takes courage from the statements that many staff members reported wrongdoings they witnessed to their superiors and calls on the Agency to make sure that all signals about professional misconduct are taken serious, and properly followed-up; insists on the need to have a compulsory training on social harassment for management and for all staff;

2022/09/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Recalls that the European Anti- Fraud Office opened an investigation in 2019 involving the Agency; reiterates its call on the Agency to fully cooperate with OLAF and to keep the discharge authority informed on any developments that are relevant for the discharge procedure;deleted

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Notes from the Agency’s replies to the Parliament’s written questions that in total 17 cases of harassment were reported to the Agency’s competent entities in 2020; calls on the Agency to carefully assess each case, taking a zero-tolerance approach to psychological or sexual harassment; welcomes the training received by the confidential counsellors and the actions undertaken to raise awareness among staff and inform staff on the confidential counsellors; welcomes the online awareness-raising sessions for executive, senior, and middle managers and team leaders, and that dedicated awareness sessions were organised to staff members that signed up for such sessions; calls on the Agency to inform the discharge authority about the outcome of these cases;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22 a. Notes the establishment and operationalisation of the Agency's transparency register; calls on the Agency to comply with the highest standards of transparency and to have the transparency register regularly updated;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Notes the Court’s finding that on 1 September 2020 the Agency asked the Commission for permission to upgrade 100 AST posts into advanced-level posts (grade AD 7 or higher), for the standing corps and new tasks under the new mandate; notes that the Agency, in anticipation of the Commission’s reply, on 9 September 2020, sent out 47 offers to advanced-level candidates with the Commission informing the Agency that it had no legal authority to upgrade the posts, resulting in the Agency immediately withdrawing the 47 job offers; ~~acknowledges the actions undertaken by the Agency to achieve the required clarity on its establishment plan from the Commission and the pressing nature of the required recruitments~~recalls that this has exposed the Agency at an unnecessary risk of reputational damage and litigation; calls on the Agency and the Commission to improve their communication, closer aligning the Agency’s actions with the Commission’s decision-making processes to avoid such situations from re-occurring;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2146(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Sophia IN 'T VELD, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Recalls the discharge authority’s conditions in the second discharge report of the Agency for 2019 for release of a budgetary reserve; notes that the reserve has not been created in the Agency’s 2022 budget; calls nevertheless on the Agency to inform the discharge authority on the progress made towards the six conditions formulated by the discharge authority;deleted

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2143(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH

Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1

1. Grants the Administrative Director of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2020 / Postpones its decision on granting the Administrative Director of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2020;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2143(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH

Proposal for a decision 2
Paragraph 1

1. Approves the closure of the accounts of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) ~~for the financial year 2020 / Postpones the closure of the accounts of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust)~~ for the financial year 2020;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2143(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that in 2020 prosecutors from across the Union and beyond turned to the Agency for assistance in 8 799 cross- border criminal investigations, an increase of 13 % compared to 2019, and that 4 200 were new cases opened during 2020 and that 164 of these were related to the COVID-19 pandemic; welcomes that the Agency provided legal, financial and operational support to 268 joint investigation teams in 2020 and facilitated the execution of 1 284 European Arrest Warrants;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2143(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. ~~Takes note of~~Notes with appreciation the Agency’s existing measures and ongoing efforts to prevent harassment; welcomes that in 2020, the Agency offered refresher training on psychological and sexual harassment to all staff and additional training on conflict management and resolution was provided to the confidential counsellors and managers;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2143(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that, according to the Court’s report, a number of weaknesses in the Agency’s audited public procurement procedures were detected; notes that in one case, where the Agency signed a framework contract with a single economic operator, the Court concluded that the use of this sort of framework contract was not appropriate for the nature of the services required (the leasing of vehicles), as the related market is subject to frequent fluctuations in price; acknowledges the Court’s observation that the Agency should have used a framework contract with a reopening of competition in order to ensure that the required services were acquired as economically as possible; notes the Agency’s reply to this observation and its commitment to prepare more robust ex- ante documentation aimed at clarifying why a certain procurement procedure has been followed; calls on the Agency to step up efforts to address such weaknesses in the future;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2143(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Regrets the fact that the CVs of senior management, external experts and in-house experts of the Agency are not published on its website; calls on the Agency to publish these CVs immediately; notes that the Agency has adopted an updated standard operating procedure on the management of conflicts of interest by Decision AD 2020- 44 of the administrative director and that no conflicts of interest were reported in 2020;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2143(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Notes that the Agency responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by activating its business continuity plan, that a business continuity team was formed, and that, based on the team’s recommendations, the administrative director adopted measures to counter the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Agency’s staff and operational processes; expresses its satisfaction that the Agency maintained full operational continuity during the COVID-19 crisis; highlights the coordinating role that Agency has played in compiling and disseminating information on the main practical and legal issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic in the field of judicial cooperation in criminal matters, as well as providing information about the impact of national measures taken in this context; notes that the staff were expected to telework unless their job required physical presence in the Agency’s premises and that the Agency encouraged a flexible approach to the organisation of work, taking diverging staff needs into account; notes that data protection issues were considered in the assessment of IT tools and that software for secure teleworking and video- conferencing was introduced;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2140(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH

Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1

1. Grants the Executive Director of the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2020 / Postpones its decision on granting the Executive Director of the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2020;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2140(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH

Proposal for a decision 2
Paragraph 1

1. Approves the closure of the accounts of the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large- Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) for the financial year 2020 / Postpones the closure of the accounts of the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) for the financial year 2020;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2140(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Regret~~Notes that budget-monitoring efforts during the financial year 2020 resulted in a budget implementation rate of 75,61 % which, although it represents an increase of 31,10 % compared to 2019, it is still well below the target; notes, furthermore, that the payment appropriations execution rate was 96,24 %, representing an increase of 3,96 % compared to 2019;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2140(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. ~~Not~~Welcomes the signature of the TEF, the largest tender ever signed by the Agency; notes that the Agency presents the TEF as a significant innovation to the operational sourcing model of the Agency that is expected to generate important gains in the vendor and contract management process, including better value for money, economies of scale and faster procurement processes, while also reducing the Agency’s dependence on a relatively small number of vendors; welcomes the innovative approach, encourages the Agency to continue with that approach and calls on the Agency to inform the discharge authority of whether the gains are materialising and on how the risks, inherent to the innovative approach, are being managed by the Agency;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2140(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Notes that the Court found that the Agency signed a specific contract for software that was different from the software offered by the contractor in its tender for the associated framework contract; notes that the Agency did not modify the framework contract; notes that, according to the Court’s observation, acquiring a different product that is not included in the price offer, at a different price than the product originally offered, is a deviation from the framework contract; notes the Court’s conclusion that the specific contract is non-compliant with the framework contract as is the associated payment of EUR 10 399 834; notes that the Agency acknowledges the Court’s observations and ~~states that it has taken measures to strengthen the align~~underlines that following the issuance of the Court's observation, the Agency responded promptly, signing an amendment tof the ~~evolution of the Agency’s IT architecture wi~~framework contract in order to rectify the i~~ts contractual framework~~nitial omission; notes that the Agency states that the non- compliance did not result in any prejudice to the financial interests of the Agency or the Union as it considers that the expenditure was justified; regrets that the Agency did not follow the appropriate procedures, especially given the substantial amount concerned; notes the extensive considerations that the Agency’s executive director presented in a hearing with Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control on 29 November 2021, stating that the decision to acquire the software in question was a conscious decision of the Agency’s management ~~that presented cost- saving opportunitie~~with the purpose of reducing the duplication of training and support efforts, ultimately reducing the overall operational costs for the Agency; emphasises that, even though cost-saving opportunities can be assumed, the applicable procurement rules must be followed at all times to ensure that the Union taxpayer gets full value for money through transparent and competitive procurement procedures; calls on the Agency to make sure that procurement rules are respected at all times;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2140(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Points out that shortage of dedicated administrative positions may have a negative impact on the functioning of the procurement procedures within the Agency; invites the Commission and the Agency to engage in an active dialogue about improving the Agency’s establishment plan, especially about the level at which posts are allocated;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2140(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Notes the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that challenged the Agency’s business continuity and the availability of the existing large-scale IT systems and the implementation of the new systems entrusted to it; ~~notes that the Agency managed to reduce the negative impact by taking mitigating measures~~welcomes that despite these challenges, the Agency ensured the uninterrupted availability of the existing large-scale IT systems (SIS, VIS and Eurodac) and made further progress with respect to the implementation of EES, ETIAS and the interoperability package; notes with appreciation that the mitigating measures taken by the Agency allowed it to reduce the negative impact of the pandemic;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2140(DEC)

Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Notes with appreciation that the Agency drafted, negotiated and signed bilateral cooperation plans with the European Asylum Support Office (now the European Union Agency for Asylum), the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights and the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA); notes that the Agency also continued its cooperation with other partner agencies, for example with the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) on training activities, with the European Border and Coastguard Agency on SIS, the Entry/Exit System (EES), the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and interoperability, with CEPOL on the Visa Information System (VIS), the Supplementary Information Request at the National Entries (SIRENE), SIS, EES, ETIAS and interoperability; and with the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) on the European Asylum Dactyloscopy database (Eurodac) and SIS;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2136(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Notes the gender distribution~~Is concerned by the total lack of gender balance within the Agency’s senior management, with 7 out of 8 (87,50 %) being men; notes the gender distribution within the Agency’s management board, with 44 out of 61 (72,13 %) being men; further notes the gender distribution within the Agency’s overall staff, with 109 out of 174 (62,64 %) being men; invites the Agency to increase its effort to achieve a better gender balance at all management levels;

2022/03/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2136(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 a. Encourages the Agency to pursue the development of a long term Human Resources policy framework which addresses work-life balance, lifelong guidance and career development, gender balance, teleworking, geographical balance and the recruitment and integration of people with disabilities;

2022/03/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2136(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21 a. Recalls the importance to increase the digitalisation of the Agency in terms of internal operation and management but also in order to speed up the digitalisation of procedures; stresses the need for the Agency to continue to be proactive in this regard in order to avoid a digital gap between the agencies at all costs; draws attention, however, to the need to take all the necessary security measures to avoid any risk to the online security of the information processed;

2022/03/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2136(DEC)

Olivier CHASTEL, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Ramona STRUGARIU, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)

21 b. Recalls the importance for the Agency to develop greater visibility in the media and on the internet in order to make its work better known;

2022/03/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2125(DEC)

Katalin CSEH, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas, according to its statement of revenue and expenditure1 , the final budget of the European Chemicals Agency (the ‘Agency’) for the financial year 2020 was EUR 109 362 158 representing a decrease of 3,08 % compared to 2019; whereas approximately 29,41% of the Agency’s budget derives from fees and charges and 67,48% from the Union and third countries (in 2019 39,51 % from fees and charges and 57,61 % from the Union and third countries); whereas the inflation rate was 0,7% in the Union in 2020; _________________ 1 OJ C 114, 31.03.2021, p. 126.

2022/03/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2125(DEC)

Katalin CSEH, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes that the Court made one observation on the clarity of the tender specifications in a procurement procedure and another observation on the completeness of the audit trail in recruitment procedures in 2019; notes that, as regards the years 2017 and 2018, the implementation of three of the Court’s recommendations is still ongoing, namely recommendations related to launching a discussion with the Commission and the budgetary authority about a viable new financing model, collecting outstanding administrative charges and publishing vacancy notices on the European Personnel Selection Office website; calls on the Agency to complete the follow-up of those recommendations;

2022/03/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2125(DEC)

Katalin CSEH, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Note~~Regrets that the Agency, with regard to senior and middle management positions, reports that 23 (76,6 %) positions are occupied by men and 7 (23,33 %) by women; notes that the Agency reports, for the management board, a gender balance distribution of 14 men (37,8 %) and 23 women (62,2 %) and, for staff overall, 266 men (46,7 %) and 306 women (53,3 %); reiterates its call on the Agency to take pro-active measures to achieve gender balance among management positions;

2022/03/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2125(DEC)

Katalin CSEH, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Welcomes the efforts made in staff policy to promote teleworking and healthy life and continues to encourage the Agency to pursue the development of a long term Human Resources policy framework that addresses work-life balance, lifelong guidance and career development, gender balance, teleworking, geographical balance and the recruitment and integration of people with disabilities;

2022/03/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2125(DEC)

Katalin CSEH, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER

27. Regrets the use of corporate sponsorship to cover some of the expenses incurred by Member States to finance their Council presidency; reiterates its concern with respect to the ~~possible~~ reputational damage that such practice ~~might~~has caused to the Council and to the Union; regrets that a common set of clear, concrete and binding rules has not been set out in the guidance on sponsorship included in 2021 in the Council ‘s Presidency Handbook; reiterates its call on the Council to examine budgeting the Council Presidency;

2022/02/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2108(DEC)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER, Michal WIEZIK, Olivier CHASTEL

30. Reiterates its full endorsement of the Ombudsman’s recommendations on transparency of the Council legislative process, following the Ombudsman’s strategic inquiry (Case OI/2/2017/TE) and the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on transparency and access to documents; believes that compliance with the Ombudsman's recommendations would enable citizens to be more involved and to better understand Union law making; welcomes the measures adopted by the Council in July 2020 to strengthen legislative transparency in line with the Ombudsman’s recommendations, including the proactive publication of progress reports on negotiations on draft legislative acts as well as the Council mandate for negotiations with Parliament; regrets, however, that the decision- making process in the Council is still far from transparent; calls therefore on the Council to implement the relevant CJEU rulings according to their letter and spirit and not to circumvent them; urges the Council to keep taking all the necessary measures to implement the Ombudsman’s recommendations and the CJEU rulings without undue delay;

2022/02/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2108(DEC)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER, Michal WIEZIK, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Supports the Ombudsman’s remarks on the need to improve legislative transparency by recording and making the Member States’ positions more accessible ~~and by making more trilogue documents available;~~ , which has already been established in 2013 by CJEU case law1a, and by making more trilogue documents available; _________________ 1a Judgment of the Court of Justice of 17 October 2013, Council of the European Union v Access Info Europe, C-280/11 P, ECLI:EU:C:2013:671

2022/02/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2108(DEC)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)

34 a. Reiterates its call on the Council to use open-source technology in order to prevent vendor lock-in, to retain control over its own technical systems, to provide stronger safeguards for the privacy and data protection of the users, and to increase security and transparency for the public;

2022/02/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2108(DEC)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46

46. ~~Stress~~Deplores that the ~~current situation, where the Council refuse~~Council for more than a decade has shown that it does not have any political willingness to collaborate with Parliament in the context of the annual budgetary discharge procedure, which makes it impossible for Parliament to make an informed decision on granting discharge~~, and~~; underlines that this attitude has had a lasting negative effect on both institutions and has discreditsed the management and democratic scrutiny of the Union budget; and on the trust of citizens in the Union as a transparent entity; deeply regrets the Council’s continuing refusal to engage in loyal cooperation in the framework of the discharge procedure that has lasted for more than a decade; refuses therefore, at this time, to grant discharge to the Council;

2022/02/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2108(DEC)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49

49. ~~Regrets~~Considers it unacceptable that the COVID-19 pandemic and the exceptional situation experienced have been used as an excuse for not resuming interinstitutional negotiations on the discharge procedure; remains nevertheless convinced that an agreement on this matter is possible ~~and, therefore, calls~~if the Council were to show any political willingness to collaborate; calls, therefore, on the Council to resume negotiations without undue delay in order to find a solution in the current framework of the discharge procedure ~~while securing the differentiation and respect of the respective roles of Parliament and the Council~~if it is interested in showing Union citizens that it takes proper budget control and transparency seriously;

2022/02/03
Committee: CONT

2021/2107(DEC)

Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Notes with concern, the specific finding by the Court, in its annual report on the implementation of the budget concerning the financial year 2020, of errors in two payments (i) an over-payment for IT-services caused by an incorrect application of contract terms and (ii) an incorrect payment of a subsistence allowance to a Member, following a mistake in an attendance list; regrets that the control system in place did not prevent nor detect those mistakes; calls on Parliament to ~~implement the necessary changes~~explain how these mistakes arose and measures taken to correct them and to ensure that they cannot happen again in the future and to ensure that it only pays daily allowances to Members who qualify for them by the end of 2022 ~~and to inform Parliament’s Budget Control Committee when those changes will enter into force~~;

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2107(DEC)

Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Emphasises that the Court examined more in particular the EU Institutions’ public procurement procedures for the purchase of personal protective equipment for their members of staff in 2020; notes that the Court checked three procurement procedures organised by Parliament to purchase protective masks, temperature detectors and COVID-19 tests; ~~stress~~underlines that the urgent procurement of equipment in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic was challenging due to surging demand and competition between contracting authorities and countries; notes that the Court, in one case related to the purchase of fabric masks, found that the requirements set by Parliament in the tender specifications were too broad to allow assessment of compliance, and that the successful bidders did not include full evidence in their offer that all minimum quality requirements were met at the time of contracting, such as evidence related to compliance with technical specifications or to the durability of masks; highlights that the offers were accepted nonetheless; acknowledges that the urgent procurement of equipment in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic was challenging due to surging demand and competition between contracting authorities and countries;

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2107(DEC)

Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. ~~Welcom~~Notes the fact that ~~Strasbourg part-sessions were suspended for the most part in the year 2020 and that~~ digitalised processes included the organisation of remote meetings and remote voting systems in plenary and parliamentary committees, allowing the Parliament to continue its work; calls on the President of the Parliament to allow for athe option of remote participation of Members until the COVID- 19 pandemic is brought to safe levels;

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2107(DEC)

Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Stresses the serious risks of hearing problems as a result of extended working arrangements for Parliament’s interpreters having to rely on often very poor sound coming from remote-mode interventions; underlines the efforts made by the interpreters in that regard and calls on the Bureau to ensure ~~that the~~a good sound quality on the remote participation tool fulfils all relevant ISO standards without any further delay and, if necessary, make the use of adequate hearing and speaking equipment a precondition for participants’ contributions in meetings to be interpreted; calls on Members to use the professional microphones issued by the Parliament;

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2107(DEC)

Gilles BOYER, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. ~~Deplor~~Notes the fact that there is no system in place to ensure that Members who are temporarily absent for a justified reason~~, such as maternity leave, parental leave, long-term sick leave or career’s leave,~~ can continue to carry out their core duties, first and foremost to speak in debates and to vote; recalls that the situation for national members of parliament in these same situations differs between Member States; calls on the Committee on Constitutional Affairs to reflect on the option of provideing for the continuation of remote participation and for providing for the substitution of a Member ~~- whether female or male - while on parental leave and in the above mentioned cases~~while revising the electoral legislation;

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2107(DEC)

Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Welcomes Parliament’s efforts, and particularly the personal engagement of former President Sassoli in this issue, to provide daily solidarity meals and shelters for vulnerable women in the three places of work, as decided by the Bureau; further welcomes the fact that around 65 drivers volunteered to drive doctors, nurses and other medical staff to their night shifts in hospital in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic;

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2107(DEC)

Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Stresses that Parliament needs to be at the forefront of adopting more digital, flexible and energy-efficient working methods and meeting practices, learning from the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and capitalising on the technology investments already implemented which contribute to a significantly reduced need for office space, electricity, water consumption and emissions due to less daily commuting, while also balancing the advantages of in- person work in Parliament;

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2107(DEC)

Gilles BOYER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

~~40. Calls for the removal of remaining individual printers, encouraging Parliament’s staff to use high quality printer stations shared by several offices;~~deleted

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2107(DEC)

Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45

45. Welcomes the introduction of a wider and more sustainable food choice, including the introduction of a greater variety of vegetarian and vegan products, in Parliament’s canteens; reiterates that plant-based food not only has health advantages but also has a much lower carbon footprint; calls on Parliament to increase the variety of vegetarian and vegan meals further and incentivise the consumption of such meals with a view to reducing the consumption of meat, fish and other animal-based products in Parliament’s canteens as much as possible;

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2107(DEC)

Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69 a (new)

69 a. Proposes that, in line with the fact that promoting equal opportunities remains a key component of Parliament's human resource management policy, a greater focus is placed on equal opportunities for all, notably for example increasing the number of people with disabilities working in the Parliament administration; notes that within the Bureau a high-level group on gender and diversity already exists and requests that it conduct a study of effective measures taken in Member States and internationally to increase the participation of people with disabilities in the work place, including legislative measures; requests that the high-level group reports back to the Bureau with concrete suggestions once the study has been undertaken and the results analysed; calls for ambitious targets to be urgently set and for them to be achieved over a short time frame;

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2107(DEC)

Alin MITUȚA, Gilles BOYER, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69 a (new)

69 a. Reiterates its call to the Secretary- General to insist on the importance of all recruitment being based on competency, while also respecting the need for geographical balance of all Member States at all levels of staff; calls for a geographical balance to be reached to ensure a proper representation of nationals from all Member States, including at management level;

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2107(DEC)

Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 74

74. Notes that neither an inspection of the national service 'Contrôle des lois sociales/Direction de Bruxelles' (2020) nor an analysis by the psychosocial department of the external service for prevention and protection at work in Brussels (2020) found any legal breaches related to social laws and working conditions for cleaning staff; supports the launch of internal surveys, by the end of 2021, aiming to reflect the actual state of the company’s employee satisfaction levels, engagement, commitment, loyalty, motivation, etc. and to identify weaknesses, problems or opportunities for improvement ~~within the current cleaning company Köse~~; calls on Parliament to take all necessary precautions to ensure that the highest standards of labour law for cleaning staff, are being upheld by external contractors, in particular as regards psychological pressure and working conditions;

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2107(DEC)

Gilles BOYER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79

79. Calls for a debate on the space needs of Parliament in light of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, current and future increase in teleworking and, if appropriate, for the adaptation of its long- term building strategy; requests, in particular, that the building policy be reviewed to ensure a dedicated office space for each staff member, as this policy would result in significant office space being unused during large parts of the working week; ~~considers that e.g. two staff members teleworking for 3 days a week should be able to share one work station~~encourages the administration to pool workstations as much as possible in accordance with staff’s teleworking";

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2107(DEC)

Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Ramona STRUGARIU, Alin MITUȚA, Michal WIEZIK, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 85 a (new)

85 a. Recalls that there is a standing rapporteur in the Committee on Budgets, which is competent for buildings within Parliament;

2022/02/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2106(DEC)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Notes that, as indicated in the Annual Report of the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2020, the estimated level of error in spending on ‘Economic, social and territorial cohesion’ decreased from 4,4% in 2019 to 3,5% in 2020; welcomes the continuous improvement, but is disappointed that it has not proven possible to decrease the error rate below 2% and the effects of error are therefore material and pervasive; notes that the main reasons for this error rate are ineligibility of projects and costs, infringement of internal market rules mainly related to state aid and public procurement, and absence of essential supporting documents;

2021/12/13
Committee: REGI

2021/2106(DEC)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Acknowledges that high-risk expenditures are often subject to complex rules and eligibility conditions, leading to an increased risk of errors; notes that the estimated level of error decreased from 4,9% in 2019 to 4,0% in 2020 ~~and that six possible fraud cases were reported to OLAF in comparison to 2019’s nine~~; recalls that the way funds are disbursed has an impact on the risk of errors and welcomes efforts to simplify requirements for project managers and management authorities under the 2021-2027 programming period; encourages wider use of the simplified cost options that have the potential to reduce beneficiaries’ administrative burden and are considered less prone to error, while at the same time ensuring that the scheme does not result in excessive imbalances in favour of Member States;

2021/12/13
Committee: REGI

2021/2106(DEC)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Notes that six possible fraud cases were reported to the EU’s Anti Fraud Office (OLAF) in comparison to 2019’s nine and highlights the role of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in investigation and prosecution of fraud and other criminal offences affecting the financial interests of the Union as provided for in Directive (EU) 2017/13711a; _________________ 1a Directive(EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2017 on the fight against fraud to the Union's financial interests by means of criminal law (OJ L 198, 28.7.2017, p. 29)

2021/12/13
Committee: REGI

2021/2106(DEC)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Points out that the work of audit authorities in the Member States plays a critical role in limiting residual error rates and is worried about the weaknesses found in the work of several audit authorities which continue to limit the reliance that can be placed in their work; urges the Commission to offer support and technical assistance to audit authorities in order to eliminate inefficiencies and disseminate good practices; welcomes that, in 2020, the Commission increased the number of its compliance audits and recognises the Commission’s capacity to detect errors and its commitment to correct them in due time, which reduced the estimated level of error by 0,7%;

2021/12/13
Committee: REGI

2021/2106(DEC)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA, Ondřej KNOTEK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Regrets that the absorption rate of European Structural and Investment Funds , which increased from 12% in 2019 to 15% in 2020 , is slower than expected with 45 % (EUR 209 billion) remaining to be absorbed and presents considerable disparities between Member States; acknowledges that the relaxation of the eligibility rules introduced for Covid-19 related expenditure resulted in a significant progress made in implementing financial instruments (FIs) supported by European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) in the 2014- 2020; welcomes that this accelerated implementation allows the EU to achieve the target set out in the Investment Plan for Europe to double the use of ESIF FIs in the programming period 2014-2020;

2021/12/13
Committee: REGI

2021/2106(DEC)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Regrets that, as indicated in the special report 10/2021 of the European Court of Auditors “Gender mainstreaming in the EU budget: time to turn words into action”, the significant potential of European structural and investment funds to contribute to gender equality is unexploited; calls on Member States to take into account and promote gender equality throughout the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all programmes as laid down in Regulation (EU) 1303/20132a and Regulation (EU) 2021/10603a; _________________ 2a Regulation (EU) 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund,the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fundand the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and repealing Council Regulation(EC) No 1083/2006 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p.320–469 3a Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (OJ L 231,30.6.2021, p. 159–706)

2021/12/13
Committee: REGI

2021/2106(DEC)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA, Ondřej KNOTEK

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4 b. Acknowledges that, in order to react to the Covid-19 pandemic, the EU co-legislators introduced the relaxation of applicable rules to facilitate the use of ESI funds to provide liquidity, flexibility and simplification; welcomes the timely adoption of such measures allowing managing authorities to accelerate the deployment of Financial Instruments to support 365.000 SMEs across Europe during 2020; calls on the Commission to provide support to the Member States to minimise the risk that these exceptional measures could weaken the control systems and increase the risk of errors and irregularities;

2021/12/13
Committee: REGI

2021/2106(DEC)

Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Stéphane BIJOUX, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Takes note that the EU will be able to spend significantly more than in the previous programming period, with an overall allocation of EUR 1 824 billion from NextGenerationEU and the MFF; urges the Commission to limit the risk of delayed start to the implementation of shared managed funds ~~and ensure the sound financial management in the use of funds, including the respect for the rule of law and the fundamental rights.~~ due to late adoption of the legislation and the overlapping of the programming periods, provide support to Member States to avoid the risk of double funding due to the overlapping of the RRF's scope and objectives with the cohesion policy, and ensure the sound financial management in the use of funds, including the respect for the rule of law and the fundamental rights as essential precondition for sound financial management and effective funding; calls on the Commission, in accordance with the Financial Regulation, Council Regulation (EU) 2017/19394a, Regulation (EU) 2021/10605a and Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/20926a, to protect the financial interests of the Union through proportionate measures, including the prevention, detection, correction and investigation of irregularities and fraud, the recovery of funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used and, where appropriate, the imposition of administrative sanctions. _________________ 4a Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of 12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (‘the EPPO’) (OJ L 283, 31.10.2017, p. 1) 5a Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159–706) 6a Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget (OJ L 433I , 22.12.2020, p. 1–10)

2021/12/13
Committee: REGI

2021/2106(DEC)

Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Gilles BOYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Michal WIEZIK, Ramona STRUGARIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 116

116. Underlines its request for the Commission to ensure a fair geographical balance of its members of staff at all levels, especially at middle and senior management levels where strong imbalances persist, while at the same time fulfilling the requirements in the staff regulation in relation to competences and merits of candidates;

2022/03/04
Committee: CONT

2021/2101(INI)

Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Mauri PEKKARINEN

Motion for a resolution
Citation 38 a (new)

— having regard to the 2018 Commission study, ‘The Geography of EU Discontent’1a, _________________ 1aRodriguez-Pose, A., Poelman, H. and Dijkstra, L., 2018. The Geography of EU Discontent. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

2021/10/26
Committee: REGI

2021/2101(INI)

Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Ondřej KNOTEK, Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Mauri PEKKARINEN

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the EU’s ambition is to pursue digital policies that empower people and businesses to achieve a sustainable and prosperous digital future in all regions;

2021/10/26
Committee: REGI

2021/2101(INI)

Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Mauri PEKKARINEN

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

A a. whereas in 2020 only 59% of households in rural regions had access to next-generation access (NGA) broadband (>30Mbps), compared to 87% of the households in the rest of the EU1a; _________________ 1aCommission Staff Working Document Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2020

2021/10/26
Committee: REGI

2021/2101(INI)

Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Ondřej KNOTEK, Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Mauri PEKKARINEN

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas there is still a digital divide in the EU in terms of geography, age, gender, educational attainment, socio- economic status and income, which prevents some individuals and businesses from reaping the benefits of the digital transformation; whereas the digital divide plays an undeniable role in further alienating the so-called "places that don't matter" thus reinforcing the Union's territorial imbalances and contributing to the economic and political instability that derives from it;

2021/10/26
Committee: REGI

2021/2101(INI)

Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Ondřej KNOTEK, Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Mauri PEKKARINEN

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas~~, in spite of the fact that~~ the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a massive expansion of telework and ICT- based mobile work (TICTM)14 , ~~jobs tend to be more concentrated in cities and urban centres than in smaller towns, suburbs and~~which offers a great potential to decentralize working places from urban to rural areas; whereas there aremain marked differences in the ability to telework between high- and low-paid workers, white- and blue-collar workers and between genders15 ; whereas TICTM and the digitalisation of services can facilitate a more balanced geographical distribution of employment and the population; _________________ 14Draft Council conclusions on telework in the context of remote work, paragraph 17. ~~15Commission working paper of May 2020 entitled ‘Teleworkability and the COVID-19 crisis: a new digital divide?’.~~

2021/10/26
Committee: REGI

2021/2101(INI)

Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Ondřej KNOTEK, Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Mauri PEKKARINEN

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

F a. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened many of the already existing problems in rural areas and has emphasized the vulnerability of these regions, notably in terms of digital capacity, quality and delivery of health services, education, access to broadband, resilience of value chains, and digital skill competences;

2021/10/26
Committee: REGI

2021/2101(INI)

Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Mauri PEKKARINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Highlights the role that the new cohesion policy can play in advancing the twin digital and green transitions; underlines that the digital and innovation components of the new cohesion policy will be key in enabling a sustainable transformation of society and the economy and reaching the goals of the European Green Deal and Europe´s Digital Decade targets set for 2030;

2021/10/26
Committee: REGI

2021/2101(INI)

Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Mauri PEKKARINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Considers that major public and private investments are still needed to bridge Europe’s digital investment gap given that the European Commission estimated the digital transformation investment gap to be at EUR 125 billion per year1a; is very concerned by the fact that the total EUR 127 billion allocated to digital spending in the Recovery and Resilience Facility (2021-2026) barely exceeds the required funding for a single year1b; _________________ 1aCommission Staff Working Document Identifying Europe's recovery needs Accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Europe's moment: Repair and Prepare for the Next Generation 1bDarvas, Z., J. Scott and A. Tzaras (2021) ‘Will European Union recovery spending be enough to fill digital investment gaps?’ Bruegel Blog, 20 July

2021/10/26
Committee: REGI

2021/2101(INI)

Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ, Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ, Alin MITUȚA, Mauri PEKKARINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the future rural observatory gathers comprehensive and up-to-date data on the digital divide in order to help Member States identify the needs of their regions; considers it fundamental to have up-to- date information on the progress of digitalization in all European regions and calls on the Commission to provide the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) data at a NUTS 2 level;

2021/10/26
Committee: REGI

Katalin CSEH, Ondřej KNOTEK, Alin MITUȚA, Stéphane BIJOUX, Irène TOLLERET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines that overconcentration of the population in certain urban areas has already led to repercussions such as congestion, the growing challenge of affordable housing, pollution, a deterioration in quality of life, urban sprawl, and a significantwhile the density of cities has many advantages in terms of sustainable living, high concentration of the population in certain urban areas may also have repercussions on the affordability of housing, the level of pollution, the quality of life, the risk of poverty and social exclusion for certain segments of the population;

2021/10/11
Committee: REGI

Katalin CSEH, Alin MITUȚA, Stéphane BIJOUX, Irène TOLLERET, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Highlights that retrofitting buildings to lower energy use, and redesigning cities to increase green spaces and promote walking and biking, will generate savings, create jobs, help fight energy poverty, and yield climate benefits long after the pandemic fades;

2021/10/11
Committee: REGI

Pierre KARLESKIND, Moritz KÖRNER, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Nils TORVALDS, Valérie HAYER, Pascal DURAND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Fabienne KELLER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Daniel FREUND, Vlad GHEORGHE, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Ask~~Requests the Commission to report to Parliament on a quarterly or semi-annual basis regarding new and ongoing cases under investigation, starting as soon as possible with the first cases;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Moritz KÖRNER, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Nils TORVALDS, Valérie HAYER, Pascal DURAND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Fabienne KELLER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Daniel FREUND, Vlad GHEORGHE, Alin MITUȚA

6 a. Calls on the Commission to clarify in the guidelines that breaches of the rule of law in a Member state which result from decisions or events that took place prior to 1 January 2021 still fall within the scope of the regulation as long as their effect is still ongoing;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Moritz KÖRNER, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Nils TORVALDS, Valérie HAYER, Pascal DURAND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Fabienne KELLER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Daniel FREUND, Vlad GHEORGHE, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Draws particular attention to the list of indicative breaches of the principles of the rule of law laid down in Article 3 of the Regulation; ~~calls on~~urges the Commission to investigate potential occurrences of the breaches included in that list in the Member States, while pointing out that other practices or omissions by public authorities may also be relevant;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Fabienne KELLER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Moritz KÖRNER, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Alin MITUȚA, Valérie HAYER, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Recalls that identification of breaches of the principles of the rule of law requires objective, impartial, fair and thorough qualitative assessment by the Commission, taking into account relevant information from available sources and recognised institutions; in particular, calls on the Commission to take materials from EU bodies, such as the Court of Justice of the European Union, the Court of Auditors, the Commission’s annual Rule of Law Report and EU Justice Scoreboard, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), or from international organisations, such as the Council of Europe;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Valérie HAYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Moritz KÖRNER, Alin MITUȚA, Mauri PEKKARINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Recalls that identification of breaches of the principles of the rule of law requires objective, impartial, fair and thorough qualitative assessment by the Commission, taking into account relevant information from available sources and recognised institutions, including information in the public domain and from fact-based investigative journalism;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Moritz KÖRNER, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Nils TORVALDS, Valérie HAYER, Pascal DURAND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Fabienne KELLER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Daniel FREUND, Vlad GHEORGHE, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Considers that the Commission’s annual Rule of Law report constitutes an objective, impartial, fair, and qualitative assessment of breaches of the principles of rule of law; believes that where the conclusions of the annual reports highlight individual or systemic breaches of the rule of law which affect or seriously risk affecting the sound financial management of the Union budget or the protection of the financial interests of the Union in a sufficiently direct way, they should be directly linked to the triggering of the conditionality mechanism; calls on the Commission to clarify, in the guidelines, a methodology to create a clear and direct link, when relevant, between the annual reports and the conditionality mechanism;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Moritz KÖRNER, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Nils TORVALDS, Valérie HAYER, Pascal DURAND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Fabienne KELLER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Daniel FREUND, Vlad GHEORGHE, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)

8 b. Highlights that civil society, including independent NGOs and citizens, is at the forefront to identify potential breaches of the rule of law at local and national level, and should therefore be involved in their reporting; calls on the Commission to establish, in the guidelines, an efficient, user-friendly, and easily accessible online one-stop shop for citizens and civil society to report both fraud and corruption cases related to EU Funds, as well as individual or systemic breaches in their Member State, guaranteeing anonymity and leading, where deemed relevant by its services, to further investigations by the OLAF, the EPPO or the Commission;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Moritz KÖRNER, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Nils TORVALDS, Valérie HAYER, Pascal DURAND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Fabienne KELLER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Daniel FREUND, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10 a. Recalls that the Regulation provides a clear definition of the rule of law, which must be understood in relation to the other values of the Union, including fundamental rights and non- discrimination; is of the opinion that state-sponsored discrimination against minorities has a direct impact on the projects on which Member States decide or not to spend EU money, and therefore directly affects the protection of the financial interests of the Union; calls on the Commission to take this into account when drafting the guidelines;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Moritz KÖRNER, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Nils TORVALDS, Valérie HAYER, Pascal DURAND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Fabienne KELLER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Daniel FREUND, Vlad GHEORGHE, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Recalls that measures under the Regulation are necessary in particular in cases where other procedures set out in Article 7 TEU, in the Common Provision Regulation (CPR), in the Financial regulation or in other sector-specific ~~or financial~~ legislation would not allow the Union budget to be protected more effectively; stresses that this does not mean that the Regulation is to be considered as a ‘last resort’, but rather that the Commission can use a wide range of procedures to protect the Union’s financial interests, to be chosen on a case- by-case basis depending on their efficiency and effectiveness;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Valérie HAYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Moritz KÖRNER, Alin MITUȚA, Mauri PEKKARINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Points out that the Regulation covers all Union funds and applies to ‘systemic’ breaches as well as to cases of serious risk to the sound financial management of the Union budget or the protection of the financial interests of the Union, which may be difficult to address by other Union procedures that only apply to specific spending programmes and relate to effects on the budget that have already occurred; underlines that the Regulation is the only EU legislation linking the respect of the rule of law to the EU budget; considers, therefore, that its unique provisions should be fully applied to ensure a complementary protection of the rule of law in addition to EU finances;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Valérie HAYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Moritz KÖRNER, Alin MITUȚA, Mauri PEKKARINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Underlines that ‘systemic’ breaches, for instance those affecting the functioning of the justice system, the independence of judges and media or the neutrality of public authorities, have in general a clear iand direct impact on the proper management, spending and control, including civilian oversight, of Union funds;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Moritz KÖRNER, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Nils TORVALDS, Valérie HAYER, Pascal DURAND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Fabienne KELLER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Vlad GHEORGHE, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Underlines that ‘systemic’ breaches, for instance those affecting the functioning of the justice system, the independence of judges or the neutrality of public authorities, have in general a clear inand direct impact on the proper management, spending and control of Union funds;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Fabienne KELLER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Moritz KÖRNER, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Alin MITUȚA, Valérie HAYER, Mauri PEKKARINEN, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Recalls that Articles 6 and 7 of the Regulation sets out all steps and a precise timeline for the adoption and lifting of measures under the Regulation; underlines that the procedure for adopting and lifting measures respects the principles of objectivity, non-discrimination and equal treatment of Member States and is to be conducted using a non-partisan and evidence-based approach;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Valérie HAYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Moritz KÖRNER, Alin MITUȚA, Mauri PEKKARINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Recalls that the Council is bound to act upon any proposal of the Commission to adopt appropriate measures under the Regulation within a period of one month, which may be extended by a maximum of two additional months in exceptional circumstances; considers that the Commission should ensure that these time references are fully respected for a timely decision;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Moritz KÖRNER, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Nils TORVALDS, Valérie HAYER, Pascal DURAND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Fabienne KELLER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Daniel FREUND, Vlad GHEORGHE, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a (new)

Transparency

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Moritz KÖRNER, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Nils TORVALDS, Valérie HAYER, Pascal DURAND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Fabienne KELLER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Daniel FREUND, Vlad GHEORGHE, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15 a. Believes that transparency is essential to foster the confidence of Member States and citizens in the conditionality mechanism: points out that each step of the procedure of the Regulation should therefore be taken in a fully transparent way;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Moritz KÖRNER, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Nils TORVALDS, Valérie HAYER, Pascal DURAND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Fabienne KELLER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Daniel FREUND, Vlad GHEORGHE, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)

15 b. Calls on the Commission to set up, in the guidelines, the transparency rules and principles that it will apply when triggering the Conditionality Mechanism;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Pierre KARLESKIND, Moritz KÖRNER, Katalin CSEH, Olivier CHASTEL, Nils TORVALDS, Valérie HAYER, Pascal DURAND, Fabienne KELLER, Ramona STRUGARIU, Daniel FREUND, Vlad GHEORGHE, Alin MITUȚA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)

15 c. Believes that transparency implies, in particular: - disclosing the sources used by the Commission to trigger the Mechanism, - disclosing the content of the written notifications sent to the Members States, - disclosing the answers received from the Member States and the remedies proposed, - disclosing the Commission’s assessment leading to the potential lifting of adopted measures under the Mechanism, - keeping the European Parliament informed and involved at every step of the process to ensure the democratic scrutiny of the Mechanism and of EU funds;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Fabienne KELLER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Moritz KÖRNER, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Alin MITUȚA, Valérie HAYER, Mauri PEKKARINEN, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. Recalls that under the Regulation, it is essential that the legitimate interest of final recipients and beneficiaries are properly safeguarded;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Fabienne KELLER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Moritz KÖRNER, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Alin MITUȚA, Valérie HAYER, Mauri PEKKARINEN, Olivier CHASTEL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18 a. Recalls that the Regulation shall be applied in a manner that ensures the protection of persons reporting on breaches of Union law, in line with the principles set out in Directive (EU) 2019/1937;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2071(INI)

Valérie HAYER, Pierre KARLESKIND, Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ, Moritz KÖRNER, Alin MITUȚA, Mauri PEKKARINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Calls on the Commission to analyse all information at its disposal and do its utmost to ensure that any amount due from government entities or Member States is in fact paid to final recipients or beneficiaries, which may entail recovering payments that have been made or making financial corrections by reducing Union support to programmes in line with applicable sector- specific and financial rules; asks the Commission to further clarify which other sources of funding could be used by Member States to ensure that they respect their obligations to final recipients or beneficiaries, when EU funds are suspended; asks the Commission to present its view on the management of a suspended EU fund in a concerned Member State;

2021/06/17
Committee: BUDG CONT

2021/2054(INL)

Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Pascal DURAND, Pierre KARLESKIND

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas with regard to budget implementation, the application of that principle implies that European citizens should know where, and for what purpose, funds are spent by the Union;

2021/10/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2054(INL)

Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Pascal DURAND, Pierre KARLESKIND

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas public knowledge about the spending of Union funds is essential for the acceptance of this spending and is also crucial in order to ensure accountability, credibility and ensure better control of spending including avoidance of misuse, fraud, corruption and of conflicts of interests;

2021/10/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2054(INL)

Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Pascal DURAND, Pierre KARLESKIND

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas there are currently major differences in how these systems are designed, how they work and how to retrieve and share information from them;

2021/10/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2054(INL)

Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Pascal DURAND, Pierre KARLESKIND

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas there are many systems that do not include unique identification numbers for ~~natur~~physical persons and companies;

2021/10/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2054(INL)

Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Pascal DURAND, Pierre KARLESKIND

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

H a. whereas digitalisation of the European reporting, monitoring and audit is the most useful instrument to avoid disinformation if information is publicly available;

2021/10/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2054(INL)

Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Pascal DURAND, Pierre KARLESKIND

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas Parliament in 2020 initiated a study with a view to identify the 50 largest beneficiaries of CAP and structural funds in each Member State based on publicly available information, which has provided interesting findings but also has illustrated how difficult it is still to identify clearly many final beneficiaries;

2021/10/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2054(INL)

Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Pascal DURAND, Pierre KARLESKIND

Motion for a resolution
Recital L

L. whereas some companies and ~~natur~~physical persons operate in more than one Member State;

2021/10/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2054(INL)

Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Pascal DURAND, Pierre KARLESKIND

Motion for a resolution
Recital N

N. whereas all these factors illustrate that there is an urgent need to create a single standardised Union-wide interoperable digital system for Member States‘ implementing authorities to report about the beneficiaries of CAP ~~and~~, structural and cohesion funds and all the other funds in order to enable national control and audit authorities, Union institutions and the public to obtain reliable information about the identity of final beneficiaries, how much they receive and from which funds;

2021/10/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2054(INL)

Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Pascal DURAND, Pierre KARLESKIND

Motion for a resolution
Recital O

O. whereas such a system should ensure data format harmonisation, be machine readable, contain unique identification numbers, include search and sort functions and be interoperable so that data can be aggregated not only in respect of one policy or fund but across all policies, funds and Member States and should concern direct, indirect and also shared management;

2021/10/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2054(INL)

Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Pascal DURAND, Pierre KARLESKIND

Motion for a resolution
Recital P a (new)

P a. whereas such a system must be developed in conjunction with the highest level of cyber security in order to avoid any attempt of cyber attacks on this system used in all Member States;

2021/10/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2054(INL)

Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Pascal DURAND, Pierre KARLESKIND

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Considers that ensuring trust in the financial management of the Union funds is essential for overall trust in the Union institutions and thereby the credibility in the project of further European integration;

2021/10/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2054(INL)

Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Pascal DURAND, Pierre KARLESKIND

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Considers furthermore that transparency ensured with a digitalisation program creating an integrated, interoperable and harmonised system could be the best instrument to fight against disinformation across all Members states;

2021/10/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2054(INL)

Olivier CHASTEL, Alin MITUȚA, Pascal DURAND, Pierre KARLESKIND

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22 a. Insists that such a system should be developed with a high level of cybersecurity to avoid security breaches or cyberattack possible in each Member State;

2021/10/07
Committee: CONT

2021/2025(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Pierre KARLESKIND

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)

-1. Reiterates its warning that the Union is facing an unprecedented and escalating crisis of its founding values, which threatens its long-term survival as a democratic peace project; is gravely concerned by the rise and entrenchment of autocratic and illiberal tendencies, further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recession, as well as corruption, disinformation and state capture, in several Member States; underlines the dangers of this trend for the cohesion of the Union’s legal order, the protection of the fundamental rights of all its citizens, the functioning of its single market, the effectiveness of its common policies and its international credibility;

2021/04/29
Committee: CONT

2021/2025(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Pierre KARLESKIND

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 a (new)

-1a. Recalls that the Union remains structurally ill-equipped to tackle democratic, fundamental rights and rule of law violations and backsliding in the Member States; regrets the inability of the Council to make meaningful progress in enforcing Union values in ongoing Article 7 TEU procedures; notes that the Council’s failure to apply Article 7 TEU effectively is in fact enabling continued divergence from the values provided for in Article 2 TEU; notes with concern the disjointed nature of the Union’s toolkit in that field and calls for it to be streamlined and properly enforced;

2021/04/29
Committee: CONT

2021/2025(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Pierre KARLESKIND

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Highlights that the rule of law is an essential precondition for compliance with the principle of sound financial management and for the protection of the Union’s financial interests, which can only be ensured if public authorities act in accordance with the law, if cases of fraud, corruption, conflicts of interest or other breaches of the law are pursued effectively by investigative and prosecution services, if national courts are independent, and if the decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Union are respected; Stresses however, that the above institutions in the Member States have to be functional not only legally but also in practice;

2021/04/29
Committee: CONT

2021/2025(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Pierre KARLESKIND

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines the importance of the Commission’s first Rule of Law Report as a basis on which to build the new cycle of the rule of law mechanism; welcomes the inclusion among its pillars of the justice system, the anti-corruption framework and other institutional checks and balances, as these are particularly relevant for monitoring the protection of the EU budget; Is of the opinion that the annual report is lacking conclusions on the state of the Rule of Law in the Member States and in the EU in general; considers that these are essential preconditions to identify follow-up actions; encourages the Commission to propose remedial measures and tools and allocate adequate timelines to them;

2021/04/29
Committee: CONT

2021/2025(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH, Ramona STRUGARIU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines the importance of the Commission’s first Rule of Law Report as a basis on which to build the new cycle of the rule of law mechanism; welcomes the inclusion among its pillars of the justice system, the anti-corruption framework and other institutional checks and balances, as these are particularly relevant for monitoring the protection of the EU budget; calls on the Commission to assess any possible overlaps between the Rule of Law Mechanism and the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism for Bulgaria and Romania and ensure a streamlined evaluation process;

2021/04/29
Committee: CONT

2021/2025(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Pierre KARLESKIND

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Stresses that the analysis and the conclusions of the annual reports should be directly contributing to the Conditionality Mechanism; calls on the Commission to clarify in the methodology the clear link between the two mechanisms;

2021/04/29
Committee: CONT

2021/2025(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Alin MITUȚA, Pierre KARLESKIND

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Is of the opinion that the Commission should be making publicly available all its correspondence regarding the annual Rule of Law report with all stakeholders, including the Member States and NGOs in order to prove its impartiality;

2021/04/29
Committee: CONT

2021/2025(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Pierre KARLESKIND

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Calls on the Member States to proactively participate in the procedure and engage themselves into meaningful dialogue and cooperation with the Commission in order to improve the state of the Rule of Law in each Member State and overall in the EU;

2021/04/29
Committee: CONT

2021/2025(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Pierre KARLESKIND

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls on the Commission to assess the effectiveness of the national anti- corruption strategies and to use that knowledge to update and enhance the Union’s anti-corruption framework; calls on the Commission to use the information and assessments of GRECO in this process;

2021/04/29
Committee: CONT

2021/2025(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH, Ramona STRUGARIU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses that transparency, access to public information, the protection of whistleblowers and an overall culture of integrity in public life are key factors that enable corruption to be identified and prevented; underlines the importance of harmonising definitions and methodologies to obtain comparative data across the EU; underlines that there are ongoing challenges to collect information on the persons benefiting directly or indirectly most from the CAP and cohesion funds;

2021/04/29
Committee: CONT

2021/2025(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Pierre KARLESKIND

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses that transparency, access to public information, ~~the protection of whistleblowers~~media freedom and pluralism, investigative journalism the protection of whistleblowers, the protection of journalists against SLAPP and an overall culture of integrity in public life are key factors that enable corruption to be identified and prevented; underlines the importance of harmonising definitions and methodologies to obtain comparative data across the EU;

2021/04/29
Committee: CONT

2021/2025(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Pierre KARLESKIND

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Highlights the importance of supporting and strengthening cooperation between the EU institutions, the Member States ~~and, in particular, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in the fight against corruption~~in the fight against corruption; is of the opinion that fighting corruption requires not only a strong mandate but a further increased budget to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO); Is of the opinion that OLAF should be focusing more on those Member States in its activity, which did not join to EPPO; recalls that Member States receiving grants from the EU budget should be required to join the EPPO, or, for those Member States availing of the JHA opt-out in accordance with the Lisbon Treaty, to have a relevant, independent national equivalent, working in close cooperation with the EPPO;

2021/04/29
Committee: CONT

2021/2025(INI)

Alin MITUȚA, Katalin CSEH, Ramona STRUGARIU, Olivier CHASTEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Highlights the importance of supporting and strengthening cooperation between the EU institutions, the Member States and, in particular, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in the fight against corruption; calls on the Commission and the Member States to provide the EPPO with all necessary support in order to ensure its successful launch of activities;

2021/04/29
Committee: CONT

2021/2025(INI)

Katalin CSEH, Alin MITUȚA, Olivier CHASTEL, Ramona STRUGARIU, Pierre KARLESKIND

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Reiterates that Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 has been in force since 1 January 2021 and is not subject to the adoption of any guidelines or judicial interpretation; reiterates its call on the Commission to fulfil its obligations under this Regulation and provide Parliament with information as mentioned above by 1 June 2021, otherwise Parliament will have to consider that the Commission failed to act and subsequently shall take action under Article 265 of the TFEU.

2021/04/29
Committee: CONT

2021/2018(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Calls on the Commission to present a proposal aiming at revising Regulation 1141/2014 by mid 2022.

2021/06/23
Committee: CONT

2021/2018(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that 2018 was the first year of implementation of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 114l/2014; Welcomes the 2019 Annual Activity Report presented by the Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations (APPF); notes that the APPF performed the first review of the accounts of EU parties and foundations in the context of the European elections, ensuring their compliance Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 114l/2014, while the Directorate General for Finance of the European Parliament ensures the compliance with the Financial Regulation;

2021/06/23
Committee: CONT

2021/2018(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the fact that the APPF developed a set of principles to render operational the right of EU political parties to campaign in European elections; highlights that the first review of the accounts identified possible improvements, particularly regarding the level of detail and comparability of the requested information; underlines that the authority should provide information covering the registration and financial situation of European political parties and foundations, to the greatest extent possible, and should make this information publicly available in a user- friendly, complete and updated manner;

2021/06/23
Committee: CONT

2021/2018(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Recalls that Article 38 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 requires Parliament to adopt a report by the end of 2021, and the Commission to present a report on the same matter six months after that, ~~probably accompanied~~which shall be accompanied, if appropriate, by a legislative proposal to amend the regulation;

2021/06/23
Committee: CONT

2021/2018(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Believes that the funding of European political parties and European political foundations from the general budget of the European Union shall not be used to finance referenda in Member States, except where the referenda deal with issues related to the European Union;

2021/06/23
Committee: CONT

2021/2018(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5 b. Believes that European political parties and European political foundations shall make greater use of new technologies, which can improve transparency and traceability of donations and expenditures;

2021/06/23
Committee: CONT

2021/2018(INI)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Sandro GOZI, Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA, Alin MITUȚA, Dominique RIQUET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5 c. Underlines that cooperation with national parties and political groups in the European Parliament should be encouraged, as a way to better reach and engage citizens;

2021/06/23
Committee: CONT

2021/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. In this regard the Regulation should be amended to clarify that the respect for EU fundamental values should apply to both the EUPP itself as well as its member parties.

2021/09/02
Committee: AFCO

2021/2018(INI)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA, Alin MITUȚA, Dominique RIQUET

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Recalls that Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 requires national parties to display the logo, the political programme and the website link of their EU party of affiliation on their websites as a condition for the European political party to access~~ing~~ funds; calls on the Commission to clearly define the requirements related to the visibility of the European party of affiliation.

2021/06/23
Committee: CONT

2021/2018(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Insists that different categories of party membership be recognised, that the affiliation of members from candidate countries for accession to the Union, from the European Free Trade Association, from ~~EU neighbourhood countries and from former Member States~~Member States of the Council of Europe, from former Member States and countries in the European Neighbourhoud Policy be allowed, and that European political parties and foundations be allowed to legally collect membership fees from them;

2021/09/02
Committee: AFCO

2021/2018(INI)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Sandro GOZI, Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA, Alin MITUȚA, Pascal DURAND, Dominique RIQUET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Is of the opinion that ~~the introduction of a general obligation to report publicly on any donation received regardless of its value would make any external influences on European political parties more transparent~~strengthened scrutiny by the Authority of reported aggregate donations under 500 Euros would make any external influences on European political parties more transparent; the Authority should focus such scrutiny to cases where it observes significant and sudden increases in the aggregate number of small donations;

2021/09/02
Committee: AFCO

2021/2018(INI)

Sophia IN 'T VELD, Ilhan KYUCHYUK, Sandro GOZI, Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA, Alin MITUȚA, Pascal DURAND, Dominique RIQUET

Asger CHRISTENSEN, Emma WIESNER, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Jan HUITEMA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Highlights that anthropogenic emissions make up 59% of all methane emissions; notes that agriculture accounts for 53% of the anthropogenic emissions, while 26% originates from waste and 19% from energy;

2021/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2006(INI)

Asger CHRISTENSEN, Emma WIESNER, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Jan HUITEMA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1 b. Welcomes the Commission’s communication on an EU strategy to reduce methane emissions as a milestone in the governance of non-CO2 greenhouse gases in the Union; Points out that methane emissions from agricultural production are part of a closed cycle that does not increase global stock of methane in the atmosphere as opposed to methane emissions from fossil fuels; therefore, consider that these two should not be accounted for in the same way;

2021/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2006(INI)

Jan HUITEMA, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Emma WIESNER, Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Jérémy DECERLE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Highlights that research and investment in mitigation measures and technologies is of paramount importance; considers that there is great potential in adapting diet of and developing feed additives for ruminant and bovine species, which could reduce methane emissions without having negative effects on the livestock sector; Welcomes the plans of the Commission to revise the Feed Additives Regulation to streamline the current costly and unflexible authorisation process;

2021/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2006(INI)

Asger CHRISTENSEN, Emma WIESNER, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Jan HUITEMA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Welcomes the study on the status of new genomic techniques (NGT) from the European Commission and strongly supports the findings that NGTs have the potential to contribute to a more sustainable food system; highlights also that the study brings forward opportunities and benefits for the livestock sector: calls for the adapting the legal framework for these biotechnologies to the latest scientific and technological progress, and consider that targeted research within the Horizon Europe programme and the ERI-funds is needed in the this regard;

2021/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2006(INI)

Asger CHRISTENSEN, Emma WIESNER, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Jan HUITEMA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Considers that value-added utilisation of agricultural residues and other by-products is an important driver of the circular economy and bio-economy; calls for the acceleration of European biogas production from agriculture waste, as an important tool for reducing methane emissions; and increase circularity in the agricultural sector; stresses the role of permanent grassland for carbon sequestration and points out that the rate of grassland in Europe is tightly linked to livestock numbers;

2021/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2006(INI)

Asger CHRISTENSEN, Emma WIESNER, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Jan HUITEMA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Calls for better coordination and improved infrastructure between farmers and renewable energy producers in order to enable the uptake of locally connected production of biogas; furthermore highlights the importance of returning high quality natural fertilizer, which is the by-product of biogas production, to the farms again;

2021/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2006(INI)

Jan HUITEMA, Asger CHRISTENSEN, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Emma WIESNER, Alin MITUȚA, Hilde VAUTMANS, Jérémy DECERLE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Notes that measures to reduce methane emissions are not always beneficial for other aspects of sustainability; Calls on the Commission to take into account all aspects of sustainability when proposing best practises and promoting mitigation technologies;

2021/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2006(INI)

Asger CHRISTENSEN, Emma WIESNER, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Jan HUITEMA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4 b. Finds that renewable energy obtained through agricultural residues have significant potential and should be explored with further research, Investment and a supportive policy framework;

2021/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2006(INI)

Asger CHRISTENSEN, Emma WIESNER, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Jan HUITEMA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Elsi KATAINEN, Jérémy DECERLE, Hilde VAUTMANS, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)

4 c. Notes that the development of the circular economy and bio-economy will create more jobs in the primary production and stresses that the bio economy requires new skills, new knowledge and new disciplines be developed and/or integrated further in training and education in this sector in order to tackle bio economy-related societal changes, promote competitiveness, growth and job creation, meet the needs of the sector and ensure that skills and jobs are better matched;

2021/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/2006(INI)

Asger CHRISTENSEN, Emma WIESNER, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Jan HUITEMA, Ulrike MÜLLER, Jérémy DECERLE, Alin MITUȚA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Considers that farm level certification schemes for climate effective farming, including common measurement and verification data for methane reductions, will be an important tool for monitoring and incentivising methane reductions at farm level; calls on the Commission to submit a report on measures to support climate-efficient farming and food production by means of third party certification schemes by 30 September 2023;

2021/06/01
Committee: AGRI

2021/0381(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17 a (new)

(17 a) Where commercial advertising may be designed and is liable to influence the outcome of an election or referendum, a legislative or regulatory process or voting behaviour, this Regulation should apply.

2022/09/09
Committee: AFCO

2021/0381(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 40

(40) ~~The information to be included in the transparency notice should be provided in the advertisement itself or be easily retrievable on the basis~~Political advertising publishers should ensure that each political advertisement contains a clear indication of where the transparency notice could be easily retrieved. The requirement that the information about the transparency notice is to be clearly visible means that it should feature prominently in the advertisement. In this respect, use could , for example, be made of a~~n in~~ dedicat~~ion provided in the advertisement~~ed webpage link, a Quick Response code (or "QRcode"), or equivalent clear and user-friendly technical means. The requirement that the information about the transparency notice is to be inter alia clearly visible should entail that it features prominently in or with the advertisement. The requirement that information published in the transparency notice is to be easily accessible, machine readable where technically possible, and user friendly should entail that it addresses the needs of people with disabilities. Annex I of Directive 2019/882 (European Accessibility Act) contains accessibility requirements for information, including digital information that should be used to render political information accessible for persons with disabilities.

2022/09/09
Committee: AFCO

2021/0381(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 55 a (new)

(55 a) Where a particular advertisement does not comply with this Regulation, mechanisms provided by the publisher should enable individuals to flag the advertisement concerned. Where those mechanisms are not available, individuals should be able to report such political advertisement directly to the competent authorities in accordance with this Regulation.

2022/09/09
Committee: AFCO

2021/0381(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 65 a (new)

(65 a) Symmetry should be ensured between the rules on political advertising services provided online and offline, in order to ensure that they are both enforced in a predictable and coherent way;

2022/09/09
Committee: AFCO

2021/0381(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2

2. This Regulation shall apply to political advertising prepared, placed, promoted, published or disseminated in ~~the Union~~one or moreMember States or at European Union level, or directed to individuals in one or ~~several~~more Member States or at the European Union level, irrespective of the place of establishment of the advertising services provider, and irrespective of the means used.

2022/09/09
Committee: AFCO

2021/0381(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10

10. ‘relevant electorate’ means the body of individuals eligible to vote in the election or referendum being contested ~~in the~~at the European Union level or in a Member State in which a political advertisement circulates, which may be the entire electorate of the European Union or of a Member State;

2022/09/09
Committee: AFCO

2021/0381(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Political advertising services shall be available only to a sponsor, or to a service provider acting on behalf of a sponsor, who is a citizen of the Union, or to a natural or legal person residing or established in the Union.

2022/09/09
Committee: AFCO

2021/0381(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Where the mechanisms stipulated in paragraph 1 are not available, the competent authorities of the Member States shall enable individuals to notify them, directly and free of charge, that a particular advertisement does not comply with this Regulation. Member States shall designate a single authority competent to receive and process such reports.

2022/09/09
Committee: AFCO

2021/0381(COD)

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Alin MITUȚA, Dacian CIOLOŞ

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1

1. Service providers that provide political advertising services in the Union but do not have an establishment in the Union shall designate, in writing, a natural or legal person as their legal representative in one of the Member States where the provider offers its services. Member States shall keep publicly available registers of all legal representatives registered on their territory under this Regulation.

2022/09/09
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Recital 8

(8) In line with International and European standards, including, the requirements of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the law of the European Convention on Human Rights, Member States should not only recognize and respect the right of Union citizens to vote and to stand as a candidate but also ensure easy access to their electoral rights by removing a~~s many~~ll obstacles to participation in elections ~~as possible~~.

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Recital 9

(9) In order to facilitate the exercise by Union citizens of their right to vote and to stand as a candidate in their country of residence, such citizens should be allowed to request the registration on the electoral roll of the host Member State as soon as they register or notify the authorities of their residence. Non-national citizens should in any case be entered on the electoral roll in sufficient time in advance of polling day. The formalities applicable to their registration should be as simple as possible. It should be sufficient for the Union citizens concerned to produce a valid identity card and a formal declaration that includes elements evidencing their entitlement to participate in the elections. Once registered, non- national Union citizens should remain on the electoral roll under the same conditions as Union citizens who are nationals of the Member State concerned, for as long as they satisfy the conditions for exercising the right to vote. Additionally, Union citizens should provide the competent authorities with contact information, enabling those authorities to keep them informed on a regular basis.

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Recital 10

(10) While Member States are competent to determine the right to vote or to stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament as regards nationals who reside outside their territory, the fact that non-national Union citizens have been entered on the electoral roll of their Member State of residence should not in itself constitute grounds for their removal from the electoral roll of their home Member State for other types of elections. The risk of de-registration from the electoral roll of the home Member State for other types of elections is one of the main factors discouraging non-national Union citizens from participating in elections to the European Parliament, with the result that the views of non- national Union citizens are disproportionately less well represented than those of citizens who are nationals of the Member State concerned.

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Recital 10 a (new)

(10 a) The prevention of removal from the electoral roll of non-national Union citizens’ home Member States for other types of elections should require the adoption of effective and innovative tools at the European level. The creation of a European electoral certificate allows for the registration of Union citizens in the electoral rolls of multiple Member States for the elections to the European Parliament, while averting double voting.

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Recital 13

(13) Union citizens who have been deprived of their right to vote and to stand as candidates, on the basis of an individual civil law or criminal law decision taken by the competent authority, should be precluded from exercising that right in the Member State of residence in elections to the European Parliament. When receiving an application for registration as a voter, Member States may in duly justified cases require from the citizen concerned a formal declaration confirming that they have not been deprived of their right to vote. When standing as candidates in their country of residence, Union citizens should be required to produce a statement confirming that they have not been deprived of the right to stand in the elections to the European Parliament.

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Recital 14

(14) It should be possible for the Member State of residence to check that Union citizens who have expressed a desire to exercise their right to stand as candidates have not been deprived of that right in their home country. The adoption of a European electoral certificate should enable the exchange of information between Member States in this regard. Where a Member State receives a request to that effect from the Member State of residence, it should provide the necessary confirmation within a time-limit allowing for the admissibility of the candidacy to be effectively assessed. The personal data being exchanged may only be processed for that purpose. Given the fundamental importance of electoral rights, failure by the home Member State to provide timely information on the status of a Union citizen should not result in the deprivation of the right to stand as a candidate in the Member State of residence. In cases where the relevant information is provided at a later stage, the Member State of residence should ensure, by appropriate measures and in accordance with the procedures provided for by its national law, that Union citizens deprived of the right to stand in their home Member State who were registered as candidates or have already been elected, are prevented from being elected or from exercising their mandate.

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Recital 21

(21) In order to improve the accessibility of electoral information, such information should be made available in at least one other official language of the Union than that or those of the host Member State, broadly understood by the largest possible number of Union citizens residing on its territory. Member States should be encouraged to provide information also in the native language of the non-national Union citizen. Member States may use different official languages of the Union in specific parts of their territory or their regions depending on the language understood by the largest group of Union citizens residing therein.

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Recital 21 a (new)

(21 a) Non-national Union citizens should receive information about the possibility of voting or standing as a candidate when they register as residents of a Member State of which they are not nationals. Information pertaining to the registration as a voter or as a candidate should also be provided periodically, ahead of European elections, in a timely manner, to all voters and persons entitled to stand as candidates pursuant to Article 3. Moreover, non-national Union citizens should be duly informed about their distinct rights under the municipal and European electoral systems.

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Recital 26

(26) Data regarding the exercise of rights and the application of this Directive ~~can be useful in the~~is critical in the evaluation of the relevant Union policy and identification of measures necessary to ensure the effective exercise of Union citizens’ electoral rights. In order to increase and improve the collection ~~of data~~and reporting of data by Member States for elections to the European Parliament, it is necessary to introduce regular monitoring and to harmonise the reporting of implementation ~~by Member States~~. In parallel, the Commission should assess the application of this Directive, and submit a report including such an assessment to the European Parliament and to the Council, after each election to the European Parliament.

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 1

1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to enable a Union voter who has expressed the wish to be registered as a voter to be entered on the electoral roll sufficiently in advance of polling day. Member States shall enable registration as soon as the voter concerned registers for residence

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 1

1. The Member State of residence shall inform the persons concerned in ~~good~~a timely manner and in clear and plain language, in their native language, or in official languages of the Union other than that or those of the host Member State, broadly understood by the largest possible number of Union citizens residing on its territory of the decision taken on their application for entry on the electoral roll or of the decision concerning the admissibility of their application to stand as a candidate.

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 3

3. In case of errors in the electoral rolls or in the lists of candidates to the European Parliament, the person concerned shall be informed thereof in a timely manner and entitled to legal remedies on similar terms as the laws of the Member State of residence prescribe for voters and persons entitled to stand as candidates who are its nationals.

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. The designated authority shall collaborate with other competent authorities to ensure that citizens are informed of their rights under this Directive as soon as they register for residence in the Member State concerned. A person entitled to vote and stand as a candidate pursuant to Article 3 who establishes his residence in the country concerned, shall automatically receive information about their rights under this Directive. That information shall also be provided periodically, sufficiently ahead of the elections to the European Parliament, to all voters and persons entitled to stand as candidates pursuant to Article 3.

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 2

2. The home Member State shall ensure that measures referred to in paragraph 1 do not prevent its nationals from voting or standing as candidates in other types of elections. Appropriate measures, such as the adoption of a common European Electoral Certificate, shall be taken at the Union level to support the efforts of Member States to avoid de-registration of mobile Union citizens from electoral rolls for other types of elections, while preventing double voting and securing equal treatment among national and non-national Union citizens.

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Article 17 – title

RData collection and reporting

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Article 17 – paragraph 1

1. Within six months after each election to the European Parliament Member States shall send detailed information to the Commission on the application of this Directive in their territory. In addition to general observations, the report shall contain uniform statistical data on the participation in elections to the European Parliament of Union voters and Union citizens entitled to stand as candidates and a ~~summary~~detailed overview of the measures taken to support it.

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Article 17 – paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 20 concerning a template and the form of the data to be collected for the purposes of paragraph 1 of this Article.

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 1

Within ~~two~~one years after the 2029 elections to the European Parliament, the Commission shall assess its application and produce an evaluation report on the progress towards achievement of the objectives contained herein. The evaluation shall also include a review on the functioning of Article 13.

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0372(CNS)

Sandro GOZI, Pascal DURAND, Alin MITUȚA, Charles GOERENS

Proposal for a directive
Article 20 – paragraph 2

2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Articles 9, 10, 13 and 137 shall be conferred on the Commission for an indeterminate period of time from the entry into force of this Directive.

2022/09/12
Committee: AFCO

2021/0366(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 53 a (new)

(53 a) In order to facilitate the access to factual, reliable and updated information on deforestation to operators, Member States authorities, and interested third countries authorities and relevant stakeholders, the Commission should establish a System for Deforestation Information Exchange (DIES) covering the forest areas worldwide, featuring a range of tools to enable all parties to quickly move towards No-Deforestation across supply chains. DIES (Deforestation Information Exchange System) should include thematic maps, a land cover map with time series since 2015, and a range of classes allowing to determine landscape composition. The DIES should also provide an alert system, relying upon a monthly monitoring of forest cover change, and a range of analyses and user-friendly and secured outputs, depicting how supply chains are linked to deforestation. In order to foster the use of the most accurate and timely information, to develop risk assessment and risk analyses, to improve checks on declarations and countries benchmarking, whilst developping a cooperative approach, the DIES should be made available to all relevant stakeholders. The DIES should use satellite imagery, including Copernicus Sentinel, which have the capability to provide the factual, reliable and updated information required, whilst ensuring the EU strategic autonomy in the provision of data.

2022/03/31
Committee: AGRI

2021/0366(COD)

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Alin MITUȚA, Dacian CIOLOŞ

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point d

(d) geo-localisation coordinates, latitude and longitude of all plots of land where the relevant commodities and products were produced, as well as date or time range of production; in particular with regard to cattle, operators shall collect all the necessary information linking these geo-localisation coordinates to the actual identification and traceability information of the commodities and products concerned;

2022/03/31
Committee: AGRI

2021/0366(COD)

Martin HLAVÁČEK, Jérémy DECERLE, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Alin MITUȚA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 a (new)

Article 18 a The Commission shall establish a using satellite imagery, including Copernicus Sentinel, covering the forest areas worldwide, and featuring tools to enable all parties to quickly move towards No- Deforestation across supply chains. The DIES shall provide: (a) thematic maps, including a land cover map with time series since 2015 and a range of classes allowing to appreciate landscape composition, (b) an alert system, relying upon a monthly monitoring of forest cover change, (c) A range of analyses and user-friendly and secured outputs, depicting how supply chains are linked to deforestation. The DIES shall be made available to Member State authorities, interested third countries authorities, operators and traders, in order to foster the use of the most accurate and timely information, and develop a cooperative approach with all interested parties.

2022/03/31
Committee: AGRI

2021/0293(COD)

Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI

Proposal for a decision
Recital 7

(7) Digital skills, basic and advanced, are essential to reinforce the collective resilience of the Union’s society. Digitally empowered and capable citizens will be able to take advantage of the opportunities of the Digital Decade. Moreover, digital training and education should support a workforce in which people can acquire specialised digital skills to get quality jobs and rewarding careers in much greater numbers than today, with convergence between women and men. In addition, an essential enabler for taking advantage of the benefits of digitisation, for further technological developments and for Europe’s digital leadership is a sustainable digital infrastructure for connectivity, microelectronics and the ability to process vast data. Excellent and secure connectivity for everybody and everywhere in Europe including in rural and remote areas40 is needed. Societal needs for upload and download bandwidth are constantly growing. By 2030, networks with gigabit speeds should become available at accessible conditions for all those who need or wish such capacity. Moreover, microprocessors which are already today at the start of most of the key, strategic value chains are expected to be in even higher demand in the future, in particular the most innovative ones. Climate neutral highly secure edge node guaranteein the field of information and communications technology (ICT) and interdisciplinary jobs related to ICT and rewarding careers in much greater numbers than today, with convergence between women and men. Particular emphasis should be put in promoting the employment in jobs that require interdisciplinary studies related to digital and ICT and ing access to data services with low latency wherever businesses are located and quantum capacity are also expected to be critical enablers. _________________ 40 Long-term Vision for the EU’s Rural Areas. COM(2021) 345 finaldapting the job market to the new digital environment and digital skills.

2022/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2021/0293(COD)

Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI

Proposal for a decision
Recital 7 a (new)

(7 a) Mental health issues related to remote working and education have increased dramatically in the Union in recent times. New working methods and working environments which require the use of digital tools, including the delineation of private and work spaces have increased the pressure on Union citizens to be permanently connected to virtual environments, a practice that has been shown to be detrimental to mental health and wellbeing in the absence of preventive and precautionary measures. Robust mental health and wellbeing prevention, management, recovery and after-care components are needed to ensure that Union citizens can fully take advantage of the digitally reshaped working environments.

2022/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2021/0293(COD)

Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI

Proposal for a decision
Recital 7 b (new)

(7 b) An essential enabler for taking advantage of the benefits of digitisation, for further technological developments and for Europe’s digital leadership is a sustainable digital infrastructure for connectivity, microelectronics and the ability to process vast data. Excellent and secure connectivity for everybody and everywhere in Europe including in rural and remote areas is needed. Societal needs for upload and download bandwidth are constantly growing. By 2030, networks with gigabit speeds should become available at accessible conditions for all those who need or wish such capacity. Moreover, microprocessors which are already today at the start of most of the key, strategic value chains are expected to be in even higher demand in the future, in particular the most innovative ones. Climate neutral highly secure edge node guaranteeing access to data services with low latency wherever businesses are located and quantum capacity are also expected to be critical enablers.

2022/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2021/0293(COD)

Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Proposal for a decision
Recital 13

(13) The Digital Economy and Society Index (‘DESI’)41 should become a part of the report on the state of the Digital Decade and should be used to monitor the progress towards the digital targets. This monitoring should include an analysis of the indicators measuring progress at Member States’ level, national policies and initiatives aimed at reaching the objectives of this Decision and the targets as well as horizontal and thematic analyses tracking the digital transformation of European economies and a ranking of Member States progress therein. In particular, DESI’s dimensions and indicators should be aligned with digital targets set out in this Decision. For each digital target, key performance indicators (‘KPIs) should be set out in implementing acts to be adopted by the Commission. The KPIs should be updated when necessary for continued effective monitoring and to take account of technological developments. ThMember States should develop automated and simple data collection mechanism ~~within Member States~~s that should be reinforced to present a thorough state of play on the progress towards the digital targets, as well as information on the relevant policies, programmes, and initiatives at national level. Based on the reviews and where needed, the Commission should prepare, in consultation with the Member States, a roadmap to set out future data collection needs. . In defining the DESI, the Commission should rely largely on official statistics collected in different Union surveys on the information society42 . The Commission should use specific studies to collect data for those relevant indicators that are not measured in the Union surveys. _________________ 41 DESI is an annual set of analyses and measurement indicators, which since 2014 have been used to monitor Europe’s overall progress and to benchmark individual Member States’ progress in digital, feeding into the European Semester process and the country specific recommendations. 42 Regulation (EC) No 1006/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2009 amending Regulation (EC) No 808/2004 concerning Community statistics on the information society (OJ L 286, 31.10.2009, p. 31–35).

2022/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2021/0293(COD)

Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ

Proposal for a decision
Recital 7

(7) Digital skills, basic and advanced, are essential to reinforce the collective resilience of the Union’s society. Digitally empowered and capable citizens will be able to take advantage of the opportunities of the Digital Decade. Moreover, digital training and education should support a workforce in which people can acquire specialised digital skills to get quality jobs and rewarding careers in much greater numbers than today, with convergence between women and men. In addition, an essential enabler for taking advantage of the benefits of digitisation, for further technological developments and for Europe’s digital leadership is a sustainable digital infrastructure for connectivity, microelectronics and the ability to process vast data. Excellent and secure connectivity for everybody and everywhere in Europe including in rural and remote areas40 is needed. Societal needs for upload and download bandin the field of information and communications technology (ICT) and interdisciplinary jobs related to ICT and rewarding careers in much greater numbers than today, width are constantly growing. By 2030, networks with gigabit speeds should become available at accessible conditions for all those who need or wish such capacity. Moreover, microprocessors which are already today at the start of most of the key, strategic value chains are expected to be in even higher demand in the future, in particular the most innovative ones. Climate neutral highly secure edge node guaranteeing access to data services with low latency wherever businesses are located and quantum capacity are also expected to be critical enablers. _________________ 40 Long-term Vision for the EU’s Rural Areas. COM(2021) 345 finalconvergence between women and men. Particular emphasis should be put in promoting the employment in jobs that require interdisciplinary studies related to digital technology and ICT and in adapting the job market to the new digital environment and digital skills.

2022/03/29
Committee: ITRE

2021/0293(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 30

(30) Multi-Country Projects involving several Member States should allow for large-scale intervention in key areas necessary for the achievement of the digital targets, notably by pooling resources from the Union, Member States, and where appropriate private sources. Where necessary for the achievement of the digital targets, Member States can decide to involve the participation of Union associated countries in Multi-Country Projects. They should be implemented in a coordinated manner, in close cooperation between the Commission and Member States. For that reason, the Commission should play a central role in accelerating the deployment of Multi-Country Projects through the identification of Multi-Country projects ready for implementation among the projects categories indicatively included in Annex, in advising Member States on the choice of implementation mechanism, on the choice of the sources of funding and their combination, on other strategic matters related to the implementation of those projects, and on the selection of a European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDIC) as an implementation mechanism, where appropriate.

2022/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2021/0293(COD)

Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ

Proposal for a decision
Recital 32

(32) Multi-Country Projects should be able to attract and combine, in an efficient manner, various sources of Union ~~and~~, Member States’, and where applicable Union associated countries’ funding. Notably, the combination of the funds from centrally managed Union programme with resources committed by Member States should be possible, including, under certain conditions, contributions from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, as explained in Part 3 of the Commission guidance to Member States on Recovery and Resilience Plans44 , as well as contributions from European Regional Development and Cohesion funds. Whenever justified by the nature of a given Multi-Country Project, it should also be open to contributions from entities other than the Union and Member States, including private contributions. _________________ 44 Brussels, 22.1.2021 SWD(2021) 12 final.

2022/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2021/0293(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 7 a (new)

(7 a) An essential enabler for taking advantage of the benefits of digitisation, for further technological developments and for Europe’s digital leadership is a sustainable digital infrastructure for connectivity, microelectronics and the ability to process vast data. Excellent and secure connectivity for everybody and everywhere in Europe including in rural and remote areas40 is needed. Societal needs for upload and download bandwidth are constantly growing. By 2030, networks with gigabit speeds should become available at accessible conditions for all those who need or wish such capacity. Moreover, microprocessors which are already today at the start of most of the key, strategic value chains are expected to be in even higher demand in the future, in particular the most innovative ones. Climate neutral highly secure edge node guaranteeing access to data services with low latency wherever businesses are located and quantum capacity are also expected to be critical enablers.

2022/03/29
Committee: ITRE

2021/0293(COD)

Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI

Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b

(b) reinforce Member States’ collective resilience and bridge the digital divide notably by ~~promoting basic and specialised digital skills for all~~ensuring access to technology, digital tools and high-speed broadband and through the promotion of the basic and specialised digital skills for all, with a particular focus on younger and older people, disadvantaged groups, gender equality, and people from rural and remote areas, and fostering the development of high-performing digital education and training systems, including for students and people who are not in employment, education or training;

2022/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2021/0293(COD)

Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Michal ŠIMEČKA, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI

Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)

(b a) ensure measures that promote access to quality jobs and employment in the ICT and ICT and digital related field jobs;

2022/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2021/0293(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 30

(30) Multi-Country Projects involving several Member States should allow for large-scale intervention in key areas necessary for the achievement of the digital targets, notably by pooling resources from the Union, Member States, and where appropriate private sources. Where necessary for the achievement of the digital targets, Member States can decide to involve the participation of Union associated countries in Multi-Country Projects. They should be implemented in a coordinated manner, in close cooperation between the Commission and Member States. For that reason, the Commission should play a central role in accelerating the deployment of Multi-Country Projects through the identification of Multi-Country projects ready for implementation among the projects categories indicatively included in Annex, in advising Member States on the choice of implementation mechanism, on the choice of the sources of funding and their combination, on other strategic matters related to the implementation of those projects, and on the selection of a European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDIC) as an implementation mechanism, where appropriate.

2022/03/29
Committee: ITRE

2021/0293(COD)

Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Proposal for a decision
Recital 32

(32) Multi-Country Projects should be able to attract and combine, in an efficient manner, various sources of Union and Member States’, and where applicable Union associated countries’ funding. Notably, the combination of the funds from centrally managed Union programme with resources committed by Member States should be possible, including, under certain conditions, contributions from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, as explained in Part 3 of the Commission guidance to Member States on Recovery and Resilience Plans44 , as well as contributions from European Regional Development and Cohesion funds. Whenever justified by the nature of a given Multi-Country Project, it should also be open to contributions from entities other than the Union and Member States, including private contributions. _________________ 44 Brussels, 22.1.2021 SWD(2021) 12 final.

2022/03/29
Committee: ITRE

2021/0293(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)

(1 a) 'digitals kills' are a set of competences in selected activities related to the use of information technology devices, internet and/or software, performed by individuals in the following four dimensions: information, communication, problem solving and software for content creation;

2022/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2021/0293(COD)

Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1 b (new)

(1 b) ‘basic digital skills’, ‘above basic digital skills’ and ‘advanced digital skills’ are the levels of digital skills determined according to the variety and/or complexity of the activities performed in the four dimensions: information, communication, problem solving and software for content creation, defined and calculated based on the set of indicators established in the annual DESI methodology;

2022/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2021/0293(COD)

Alin MITUȚA, Klemen GROŠELJ

Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 2

(2) ‘Multi-Country Projects’ means large scale projects facilitating the achievement of the digital targets set out in Article 4, including the Union’s ~~and~~, Member States’ and Union associated countries’ financing, and meeting the requirements set out in Article 12;

2022/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2021/0293(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)

(b a) ensure measures that promote access to quality jobs and employment in the ICT and ICT and digital related field jobs;

2022/03/29
Committee: ITRE

2021/0293(COD)

Alin MITUȚA, Dragoş PÎSLARU, Atidzhe ALIEVA-VELI, Michal ŠIMEČKA

Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new)

(c a) the risks that could delay the implementation of each digital target and the impact on the achievement of other digital targets;

2022/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2021/0293(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 13 – paragraph 2 a (new)

(2 a) A Union associated country can be involved in the participation of the Multi- Country Project, where this participation is necessary to facilitate the achievement of the digital targets of the Union, of Member States and of the Union associated states.

2022/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2021/0293(COD)

(4) An EDIC may be open to the participation of entities other than Member States, which may include inter alia Union associated countries, international organizations and private entities, as specified in the Statutes. If this is the case, Member States shall hold jointly the majority of the voting rights in the assembly of members regardless of the amount of contributions from entities other than Member States.

2022/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2021/0293(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 13 – paragraph 2 a (new)

(2 a) A Union associated country can be involved in the participation of a Multi- Country Project, where this participation is necessary to facilitate the achievement of the digital targets of the Union and of the Member States. The participation of the associated country, including its financial contributions, shall respect the rules arising from the Union programmes and investment schemes deployed in the Multi-Country Project.

2022/03/29
Committee: ITRE

2021/0293(COD)