Activities of László SURJÁN related to 2010/2088(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on GDP and beyond – Measuring progress in a changing world
Amendments (13)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Emphasises that 'Measuring regional economic performance and prosperity' is clearly an aspect of cohesion and structural policy and thus falls within the sphere of responsibility of the Committee on Regional Development;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. ApprovNotes the Commission’'s proposal to make a uset ofther indicators – in addition to GDP figures – available for EU policies with a view to improving both the circumstances in which decisions are taken and the response to the concerns of citizens in Europe’s various regionto measure regional prosperity and innovation and to improve the response to the concerns of special interest groups; to that end, supports Eurostat’s activities;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Takes the view that GDP is an essential measurement of economic growth, but is insufficient to assess regional development and establish cohesion policiesthe strengths of economic performance;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Highlights that the combined envelopes for structural funds, cohesion fund, rural development and fisheries fund for the period 2007-2013 are strictly based on Member States GDP; recalls that this concept is in accordance with the principle of solidarity in the European Union, as the aim of cohesion policy is to reduce the gap between the development levels of European regions;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Notes with concern that some European interest groups are questioning the current GDP-based eligibility criteria of regions for the structural funds and the cohesion fund allocations for the post 2013 period; underlines that a new concept of distribution of funds after 2013 based on partial interests would lead to undermining the concept of Cohesion Policy and the sense of European solidarity;
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Highlights that the key advantage of the GDP is that its calculation is harmonised world-wide and it gives comparable, comprehensive and timely data; notes that for the time being we do not have comprehensive environmental or social indicators and the existing ones in most cases are too old to provide operational information;
Amendment 29 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. In the light of the ever closerRecognizes that there is a certain degree of interdependence between economic, social and environmental issues, takes the view that focusing on GDP alone is likely to provide an incomplete impression that takes no account of the actual situations in the regions, and and therefore the Member States might consider investigating further indicators that could rdesult in poor choices being made and inappropriate decisions being takencribe a broader picture of the well being of the society;
Amendment 43 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Reiterates that the condition of natural environments, environmental sustainability, fairness and social integration are now just as important as the economy among the key issuissues that Member States uanderpinning the European model for development; states, furthermore, that an overarching approach should be taken with regard to assessing people’s wellbeing and quality of life, as well as regions’ vulnerabilitiesUnion should keep in mind when it comes to the evaluation of project proposals that would gain funding from the Cohesion Policy;
Amendment 54 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 68 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Considers that GDP must remain the main criterion for determining the eligibility for regional policy assistance, leaving room - in agreement with the principle of subsidiarity - for national authorities to apply at the appropriate level of decision making other indicators which take into account the specific attributes of regions and cities, so that the wisdom of national expertise meets the central EU level objectives;
Amendment 74 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 90 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Takes the view that in case Member States will have successful and long- lasting experience in applying environmental and social indicators in the national distribution policy when absorbing structural and cohesion funds, further investigations will be required for an eventual application of them to meet common European challenges;
Amendment 93 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Takes the view that EU-funded cohesion should not lead to investments that do not take real concerns of the European citizens into account.