871 Amendments of Nikolaos CHOUNTIS
Amendment 6 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the priorities for the New Agenda and the sector-specific approach are welcome; whereas support should be given to all cultural and creative sectors,should foster social cohesion, dialogue and mutual understanding, integration; whereas equal and tailor made support should be given to all cultural and creative sectors; whereas sectorial approaches are adequate for sector specific challenges and cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue should be maintained as cross- cutting priorities; whereas culture is a public good, cultural and creative sectors shall be supported with ambitious policy frameworks, adequate public financing and an enabling environment; whereas the New European Agenda for Culture should aim at preserving, expanding and disseminating a vibrant and diverse cultural scene fostering the participation of all;
Amendment 12 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas Europe is emerging from a severe financial crisis, during which, unfortunately, the budget for culture has often been the first to suffer cutpolitical economic choices and austerity measures which had severe consequences on major cuts in budget for culture; whereas on the contrary culture is underfunded in many Member States;
Amendment 18 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas Europe is facing growing social inequalities, rising populism and radicalisation andmovements advocating for closed and exclusionary cultural identities ; whereas Europe has an increasingly diverse population; whereas and culture is therefore more important than everan important instrument for building bridges among individuals and contributes to the personal development and well-being of all;
Amendment 29 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas culture can plays an important role in social cohesion and integration and whereas the special call for migrants’ integration in the Creative Europe programme has proved to be efficient but oversubscribs it strengthens socialisation and integration processes through the participation of minorities, disadvantaged groups, marginalised communities, migrants and refugees, in cultural and social life; whereas programmes such as Creative Europe can play a role in ensuring the participation in civic and cultural life although they have proved to be under funded;
Amendment 35 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas cultural awareness and expression has been recognised at EU level in the revised recommendation on Key Competences for Lifelong Learning; whereas arts and humanities should be fully engaged in education systems so to contribute to shaping a Europe that is collaborative, creative and mobilized to promote sustainability, integration and civic cohesion;
Amendment 44 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomesTakes note of the New Agenda for Culture and stresses that it represents a huge opportunity to adopt a comprehensive and coherent policy for culture at European level, but also stresses that it can only be successful if supported by a significant budgetary increase for Creative Europe;
Amendment 48 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recognises that cultural initiatives, including the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage, represents an opportunity to increase awareness of the unique strength and diversity of EU culture and the vital role it plays in our societies and economies, in creating a sense of belonging, in promoting active citizenship and in defining ourthe fundamental values and identityof freedom, diversity, equality, solidarity and social justice;
Amendment 65 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. WelcomStresses the launching of ‘Music Moves Europe’ as a significant first step in stimulating creativity, diversity and innovation in Europe’s music sector and the sectoral action on music in the Creative Europe programmeimportance of cultural and artistic workers and calls on Member States and the Commission to empower them by cross-country collaborations and promoting the circulation of EU creative works in a multidisciplinary approach; cCalls on the Commission to focus on mobility of artists and repertoire within and beyond Europe, distribution, funding for SMEs, transparency of digital platforms to artists, diversity of streaming services and a mapping of the sector when developing further EU action on music;s; calls for further support to initiatives aiming at stimulating creativity, diversity and innovation in Europe’s artistic sectors, such as for example the launching of ‘Music Moves Europe’
Amendment 69 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the creation of an online directory of European films and the launch of the first EU Film Week and: emphasises the positive experience of the LuxPrize in promoting European films and facilitating their distribution; encourages the Commission and the Member States, in collaboration with the creative industries, to develop a European platform providing access to licensed EU films, while remunerating artists and right-holders fairly and respecting the principle of territoriality;
Amendment 92 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. PCalls for the guarantee of the right of creative and artistic workers to fair remuneration, contractual agreements and working conditions; points to the project-based, precarious and atypical employment of cultural workers andin Europe; therefore calls on the Member States to adopt comprehensive measures in order to improve the contractual conditions of artists and creators across the EU, with respect to collective representation, social security and direct and indirect taxation; calls for security systems across the Union to fully take into account the specificities of non-standard forms of employment
Amendment 102 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that according to the 2017 Eurobarometer 36 % of Europeans did not participate in any cultural activity within the previous year and calls on the Commission and Member States, therefore, to increase reaching out to new audiences and enhance active participation to cultural sector by strengthening the links between culture, education, innovation and research;
Amendment 108 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Encourages closer synergies between cultural sector and education, for example by encouraging extracurricular activities or artists’ involvement in schools; recalls in this respect the need to give sufficient public financial support of artists, managers, teachers, facilitators, social workers and other professionals engaged in these contexts;
Amendment 112 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses that cultural and creative skills are increasingly needee added value of arts and humanities disciplines in school curricula; underlines that arts, creativity and creative thinking have a role to play, including in science, technologies and in the digital landscape and; calls on the Commission and the Member States, therefore, to overcome a strict division between disciplines and transition from a STEM to STEAM approach to education both in formal and non-formal education and to adoptpromote a life-long learning approachinitiatives accessible to cultural practitioners; acknowledges the important role of music and arts in school curricula as they contribute to increased creativity and inspire an interest in cultureworkers;
Amendment 117 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that democratic principles and European valueswith concern that violation of artistic freedom by silencing or intimidating artists is on the rise in Europe; recalls in this respect that freedom of expression is a key component of creativity and cultural production as it ensures that artistic works reflect diversity and richness of society; Notes that democratic principles and European values, such as freedom, social justice, inclusion, equality and non-discrimination, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, tolerance and solidarity, are increasingly challenged due to growing polarisation both within Europe and globally; calls on the Commission and the Member States, therefore, to develop a strategic approach for the protection of cultural rights, of freedom of artistic expression and media pluralism, as well as the right to freely and actively participate in cultural life; calls for a close monitoring of cultural rights at European level;
Amendment 127 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. UnderlineStresses that EU and Member States should contribute to the development of cultural organizations by providing stable, reliable and sustained financial support; regrets that, despite the EU added value of cultural investment, Creative Europe represents 0.15 % of the overall EU budget, of which only 31 % is earmarked for culture; welcomestakes note of the new MFF proposal and welcomes the proposed increase in funding as a good first step and; calls for a doubling of the budget allocated to the new Creative Europe programme, and for making the programme more accessible for smaller organisations;
Amendment 148 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to guarantee that enoughincreased financial and policy resources within EU funding instruments are allocated to artistic and creative projects and research on the basis of their intrinsic value of artistic and creative projects;
Amendment 150 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that equality, transparency and diversification criteria drive the allocation of financial and non- financial resources to the cultural sector; calls therefore to adopt a tailored approach to each sector, recognising that financial instruments such as guarantees, loans and equity arcan, under certain circumstances, be appropriate for profit-generating projects, but that grants are vital when considering the cultural ecosystem as a whole, valuing intangible assets correctly and supporting innovative artistic and cultural practices;
Amendment 161 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Notes that the digital revolution has radically transformed the way art and culture are produced, distributed and enjoyed, presenting opportunities but at the same time posing great challenges to the already strainedunfair working conditions of artists and creators and threatening their economic survival and thus calls on the Commission and the Member States to promote fair remuneration, labour conditions and the modernisation of and welfare systems for the CCS;
Amendment 177 #
2018/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Supports the Council initiative to draw up a comprehensive approach to international cultural relations and calls for thesupports the idea of creation ofng cultural focal points in all EU delegations, the appropriate training of officials and the involvengagement of international cultural networks, as well as local and grassroots actors, including in the preparatory action on European Houses; reiterates its request for the Commission and the EEAS to report on the state of implementation every two years; recognises that Europe’s development agenda should enable the expressions of cultural diversity worldwide;
Amendment 46 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The State of the Union address of 14 September 2016 emphasised the need to invest in young people and announced the establishment of a European Solidarity Corps (the ‘Programme’) with a view to creating opportunities for young people across the Union to make a meaningful contribution to society, show solidarity and develop their skills, thus getting anot only work but also invaluable human experience.
Amendment 48 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) In its Communication ‘A European Solidarity Corps’ of 7 December 201618, the Commission emphasised the need to strengthen the foundations for solidarity work across Europe, to provide young people with more and better opportunities for solidarity activities covering a broad range of areas, and to support national and local actors, in their efforts to cope with different challenges and crises. The Communication launched a first phase of the European Solidarity Corps whereby different Union programmes were mobilised to offer volunteering, traineeship or job opportunities to young people across the Union. _________________ 18 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions A European Solidarity Corps (COM(2016) 942 final).
Amendment 51 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Young people should be provided with easily accessible and inclusive opportunities to engage in solidarity activities, which couldwill enable them to express their commitment to the benefit of communities while acquiring useful experience, skills and competences for their personal, educational, social, civic and professional development, thereby improving their employability. Those and civic development. Such activities should also support the mobility of young volunteers, and trainees and workers.
Amendment 59 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) The solidarity activities offered to young people should be of high quality, in the sense that they should respond to unmet societal needs, contribute to strengthening communities, offer young people the opportunity to acquire valuable knowledge and competences, be financially accessible to young people, and be implemented in safe, inclusive and healthy conditions.
Amendment 60 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) The European Solidarity Corps provides a single entry pointvaluable opportunity for solidarity activities throughout the Union and beyond. Consistency and complementarity should be ensured with other relevant Union policies and programmes. The European Solidarity Corps is built on the strengths and synergies of predecessor and existing programmes, notably the European Voluntary Service19 and the EU Aid Volunteers20. It also complements the efforts made by Member States to support young people and ease their school-to- work transition under the Youth Guarantee by providing them with additional opportunities to make a start on the labour market in the form of traineeships or jobs in solidarity-related areas within their respective Member State or across borders. Complementarity with existing Union level networks pertinent to the activities under the European Solidarity Corps, such as the European Network of Public Employment Services, EURES and the Eurodesk network, are also ensured. Furthermore, complementarity between existing related schemes, in particular national solidarity schemes and mobility schemes for young people, and the European Solidarity Corps should be ensured, building on good practices where appropriate. _________________ 19 Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing ‘Erasmus+’: the Union programme for education, training, youth and sport and repealing Decisions No 1719/2006/EC, No 1720/2006/EC and No 1298/2008/EC (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 50–73). 20 Regulation (EU) No 375/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 establishing the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps (‘EU Aid Volunteers initiative’) (OJ L 122, 24.4.2014, p. 1-17)Complementarity between existing related schemes, in particular national solidarity schemes and mobility schemes for young people, as well as other opportunities offered by civil society, and the European Solidarity Corps should be ensured, building on good practices.
Amendment 67 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The European Solidarity Corps opens up new opportunities for young people and non-profit participating organisations to carry out volunteering, traineeship or job activities in solidarity- related areas as well as to devise and develop solidarity projects based on their own initiative. These opportunities contribute to enhancing theiryoung people personal, educational, social, civic and professional development. The European Solidarity Corps also supports networking activities for European Solidarity Corps participants and non- profit participating organisations as well as measures to ensure the quality of the supported activities and to enhance the validation of their learning outcomes. It will thus also contribute to European cooperation relevant to young people and raising awareness of its positive impact.
Amendment 70 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) These activities should be to the benefit of communities while also fostering the individual’s personal, educational, social, civic and professional development, which may take the form of volunteering, and traineeships and jobs, projects or networking activities, developed in relation to different areas, such as education and training, employment, gender equality, entrepreneurship – in particularformal and non-formal education and informal learning, intercultural dialogue, social inclusion, and training, gender equality, social entrepreneurship –, citizenship and democratic participation, environment and nature protection, climate action, disaster prevention, preparedness and recovery, agriculturesocial farming and rural development, provision of food and non- food items, health and wellbeing, creativity and culture, physical education and sport, social assistance and welfare, reception and integration of third-country nationals, in particular migrants and asylum seekers, territorial cooperation and cohesion, and cooperation across borders. Such solidarity activities should include a solid education and learning and training dimension through relevant activities that can be offered to participants before, during and after the solidarity activity.
Amendment 78 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Traineeships and jobs in solidarity- related areas in a not-for-profit context, can offer additional opportunities for young people to make a start respond the labour market while contributing to addressing key societal challenges. This can help foster the employability and productivity of young people while easing their transition from education to employment, which is key to enhancing their chances on the labour market. The traineeship activities offered under the European Solidarity Corps follow the quality principles outlined in Council Recommendation on establishing a Quality Framework for Traineeships21. The traineeships and jobs offered constitute a stepping stone for young people to enter the labour market and are accompanied by adequate post-activity support. The traineeship and job activities are facilitated by relevant labouro key societal challenges. The traineeship activities offered under the European Solidarity Corps follow the quality principles outlined in Council Recommendation on establishing a Quality Framework for Traineeships21 and the principles laid down in the UN convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in particular Article 27 of the Convention. The traineeships solidarity activities which precede the volunteering activity, constitute a stepping stone for young people to market actors, in particular public and private employment servi meaningful contribution to society, showing solidarity, competences and knowledge, thus gaining an invaluable human experiences, social partners and Chambers of Commerce,which is also key for the emergence of and are remunerated by the participating organisation. Asctive and engaged solidar Union citizenship. The non-profit participating organisations, they should apply for funding via the competent implementing body of the European Solidarity Corps in view of intermediating between the young participants and employers offering traineeship and job activities in solidarity sectors. _________________ 21 Council Recommendation of 15 March 2018 on a European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships (OJ C 153, 2.5.2018, p. 1).
Amendment 83 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) Young people’s spirit of initiative is an important asset for the society and for the labour markety. The European Solidarity Corps contributes to fostering this aspect by offering young people the opportunity to devise and implement their own projects aimed at addressing specific challenges to the benefit of their local communities. These projects are an opportunity to try out ideadevelop innovative solutions to common challenges and support young people to be themselves drivers of solidarity actions. They also serve as a springboard for further engagement in solidarity activities and are a first step towards encouraging European Solidarity Corps participants to engage in self-employment or setting up associations, non-governmental organisations or other bodies active in the solidarity, non-profit and youth sectorfurther volunteering opportunities.
Amendment 86 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) Young people and organisationsnon-profit participating organisations in the European Solidarity Corps should feel that they belong to a community of individuals and entities be committed to enhancing solidarity across Europe. At the same time, participating organisations need support to strengthen their capacities to offer goodhigh quality activities to an increasing number of volunteers and participants. The European Solidarity Corps supports networking activities aimed at strengthening young people and participating organisations’ engagement in this community, at fostering a European Solidarity Corps spirit, as well as at encouraging the exchange of useful practices and experience. These activities also contribute to raising awareness about the European Solidarity Corps among public and private non-profit actors as well as to collect feedback from volunteers, participants and non-profit participating organisations on the implementation of the European Solidarity Corps.
Amendment 90 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Particular attention should be given to ensuring the quality ofand the inclusive aim to be achieved through the activities and other opportunities offered under the European Solidarity Corps, in particular by offering training, language support, insurancereasonable accommodation access to support service, insurance, social support, administrative and post-activity support to participants and volunteers as well as the validation of the knowledge, skills and competences acquired through their European Solidarity Corps experience. Security and safety of the participants and volunteers remain of paramount importance and volunteers should not be deployed to operations conducted in the theatre of international and non- international armed conflicts.
Amendment 95 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) A quality label should ensure compliance of the non-profit participating organisations with the principles and requirements of the European Solidarity Corps, as regards their rights and responsibilities during all stages of the solidarity experience, including preparation and follow up phases. Obtaining a quality label is a precondition for participation but should not automatically lead to funding under the European Solidarity Corps.
Amendment 99 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) Any entitynon-profit public or private participating organisation willing to participate in the European Solidarity Corps should receive a quality label provided that the appropriate conditions are fulfilled. The process that leads to the attribution of a quality label should be carried out on a continuous basis by the implementing bodies of the European Solidarity Corps. The attributed quality label should be reassessed periodically and could be revoked if, in the context of the checks to be performed, the conditions that led to its attribution were found to be no longer fulfilled.
Amendment 101 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) An entity non-profit public or private participating organisation willing to apply for funding to offer activities under the European Solidarity Corps should have first received a quality label as a precondition. This requirement does not apply to natural persons seeking financial support on behalf of an informal group of European Solidarity Corps participants for their solidarity projects.
Amendment 104 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) PThe non-profit participating organisations may perform several functions in the framework of the European Solidarity Corps. In a host function they will carry out activities related to receiving the participants, including the organisation of activities an education and learning programme and providing guidance and support to participants during the solidarity activity, as appropriate. In a support function they will carry out activities in relation to the sending and the preparation of participants before departure, involving a solid education and learning programme during and after the solidarity activity, including training and guiding participants to local organisations after the activity, in order to increase opportunities for further solidarity experiences. In a coordination function, the non-profit participating organisations shall establish connections between organisations afnd facilitater the activityexchange of voluntary service participants.
Amendment 109 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) The European Solidarity Corps Portal should be continuously developed in order to ensure easy access to the European Solidarity Corps and to provide a one-stop shop for both interested individuals and organisations as regards, inter alia, registration, identification and matching of profiles and opportunities, networking and virtual exchanges, online training, language and post-activity support as well as other useful functionalities, which may arise in the future. While a one-stop shop offers integrated access to diverse activities, individuals may encounter physical, social or other obstacles in acceding the Portal. For this reason, individuals should also be able to register indirectly via participating organisations.
Amendment 119 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) SConsidering that the EU and all the Member States have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), special attention should be given to ensuring that the activities supported by the European Solidarity Corps are accessible to all young people, notably the most disadvantaged ones. Special measures should be in place to promote social inclusion, the participation of disadvantaged young people, as well as to take into account the constraints imposed by the remoteness of a number of rural areas and of the outermost regions of the Union and the Overseas Countries and Territories. Similarly, the participating countries should endeavour to adopt all appropriate measures to remove legal and administrative obstacles to the proper functioning of the European Solidarity Corps. This should resolve, where possible, and without prejudice to the Schengen acquis and Union law on the entry and residence of third-country nationals, administrative issues that create difficulties in obtaining visas and residence permits, as well as the issuing of a European Health Insurance Card in the case of cross-border activities within the European Union.
Amendment 124 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
Recital 33
(33) In order to maximise the impact of the European Solidarity Corps, provisions should be made to allow participating countries and other Union programmes to make additional funding available in accordance with the rulobjectives of the European Solidarity Corps.
Amendment 130 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38
Recital 38
(38) Appropriate outreach, publicity and dissemination of the opportunities and results of the actions supported by the Programme should be ensured at European, national and local level. Special attention should be paid to social enterprises encouraging them to support the European Solidarity Corps activities. The outreach, publicity and dissemination activities should rely on all the implementing bodies of the Programme, including, when relevant,on Commission websites, on Union programmes already associated with the European Solidarity Corps including with the support of other key stakeholders.
Amendment 131 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
Recital 39
(39) In order to better achieve the objectives of the Programme, the Commission, Member States and national agencies should preferably work closely together in partnership with non- governmental organisations, youth organisations and local stakeholders having expertise in solidarity actions. , in particular volunteer infrastructure and support agencies such as volunteer centres.
Amendment 133 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41
Recital 41
(41) In order to ensure efficient and effective implementation of this Regulation, the Programme should make maximum use of existing management arrangements already in place. The implementation of the Programme should therefore be entrusted to existing structures, namely the Commission and the national agencies designated for the management of the actions referred to in Chapter III of [New Erasmus Regulation]. The Commission should regularly consult key stakeholders, including participating organisations, on the implementation of the European Solidarity Corps and actively involve them in the decision making process.
Amendment 137 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 48
Recital 48
(48) This Regulation respects the vision and provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of people with Disabilities (UN CRPD), the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union35. In particular, this Regulation seeks to ensure full respect for the right to equality between men and women and the right to non-discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, and to promote the application of Articles 21 and 23 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. _________________ 35 EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (OJ C 326, 26.10.2012, p. 391).
Amendment 139 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 50
Recital 50
(50) Since the objective of this Regulation, namely to enhance the engagement of young people and non- profit participating organisations in accessible and high- quality solidarity activities, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of its scale and effects, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.
Amendment 143 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) ‘solidarity activity’ means an easily accessible and inclusive high- quality temporary activity contributingof general interest within the structures of a non-profit participating organisation aimed at addressing societal needs to the benefit of a community while also fostering the individual’s personal, educational, social, civic and professional development, projects or networking activities, developed in relation to different areas; the solidarity activity contributes to the achievement of the objectives of the European Solidarity Corps, which ma; the solidarity activity take the form of volunteering, traineeships, jobs, solidarity projects and networking activities in various fields, including those referred to in paragraph 13, ensuring and the activities in line with the international human rights standards and EU policy, such as the commitment to end the institutionalisation of children and persons with disabilities and the reception and integration of third-country nationals, in particular migrants and asylum seekers; the solidarity activity is characterised by fixed period, clear objectives, contents, tasks, structure and framework; appropriate financial support, and legal and social protection shall be provided in order to ensure the European added value and compliance with health and safety regulationand social standards;
Amendment 149 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
(1a) “volunteer” means a person who has registered in the European Solidarity Corps Portal, carries out activities benefiting society, of their own free will; these activities are undertaken for a non- profit cause, benefiting the personal development of the volunteer, who commits their time and energy for the general good without financial reward; the volunteer takes part in a solidarity activity under the European Solidarity Corps offered by a participating non- profit organisation certified by means of the quality label; the volunteer is reimbursed of expenses directly related to his activity;
Amendment 154 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
(4) ‘young people with fewer opportunities’ means young people facing some obstacles that prevent them from having effective access to opportunities under the Programme for economic, social, cultural, geographical or health reasons or for reasons such as disabilities and educational difficultiesindividuals who require additional, targeted support due to discrimination and a heightened risk of social exclusion as a result of various factors, either individually or in combination with each other. Such factors may include, educational difficulties and disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics, race, ethnicity, socio- economic background, health status, geographical obstacles or having grown up outside the family context;
Amendment 159 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5
(5) ‘participating organisation’ means any public or private non-profit entity, whether local, regional, national or international, which carries out an activity of general interest that has been attributed the European Solidarity Corps quality label;
Amendment 163 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
(6) ‘volunteering’ means a solidarity activity taking place as voluntary unpaid activity for a period of up to 12 monthspart-time or full-time, reimbursed voluntary service for a period of up to twelve months, which provides young people with the opportunity to contribute to the daily work of organisations active in solidarity- related fields, to the ultimate benefit of the communities within which the activities are carried out, including a solid learning and training dimension in order to enable the young volunteer(s) to gain skills and competences, which will be useful for their personal, educational, and social development; this activity that adheres to the commonly agreed principle features of volunteering as agreed in the EYV (European Volunteer Center) is characterised by a fixed period and clear objectives, contents, tasks, structure and framework; appropriate financial support, and legal and social protection; volunteering shall not be used to substitute or replace paid employment;
Amendment 167 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
(7) ‘traineeship’ means a solidarity activity for a period from two to six months, preceding the solidarity activity, renewable once and for a maximum duration of 12 months, that is offered and paid by the participating organisation hosting the European Solidarity Corps participant; this activity is characterised by a fixed period and clear objectives, contents, tasks, structure and framework, appropriate financial support, legal and social protection and shall not be used to substitute or replace paid employment;
Amendment 170 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Amendment 177 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
(10) ‘quality label’ means the certification attributed to a non- profit participating organisation or a non-profit international organisation, willing to provide solidarity activities under the European Solidarity Corps, in the role of a host and/or in a support function;
Amendment 179 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 11
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 11
(11) ‘European Solidarity Corps Resource Centres’ means the additional functions performed by designated national agencies to support the development, implementation and quality of activities under the European Solidarity Corps as well as the identification of the competences acquired by the participants through their solidarity activities in collaboration with the non-profit participating organisations;
Amendment 180 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 12
(12) ‘Union transparency and recognition tools’ means instruments that help stakeholders to understand, appreciate and, as appropriate, recognise non-formal and non-formal education and informal learning outcomes throughout the Union. All participants will receive, after completion of their activities, a certification stating the learning outcomes of, and skills developed during their activities, such as Youthpass or Europass;
Amendment 188 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 16
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 16
(16) ‘third country not associated to the programme’ means a third country which does not participate fully in the Programme but whose legal entities may exceptionshally benefit from the Programme in duly justified cases in the Union’s interest.;
Amendment 189 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 16 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 16 a (new)
(16a) “Reasonable accommodation” means necessary and appropriate modification and adjustments not imposing a disproportionate or undue burden, where needed in a particular case, to ensure to persons with disabilities the enjoyment or exercise on an equal basis with others of all human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Amendment 190 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 16 b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 16 b (new)
(16b) “support services” means long or short term services to allow participants with fewer opportunities to fully and successfully accomplish day to day actions and activities.
Amendment 196 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of the Programme is to enhance the engagement of young people and non-profit participating organisations in accessible and high-quality solidarity activities as a means to contribute to strengthening cohesion, solidarity and democracy in the Union and abroad, addressing societal and humanitarian challenges on the ground, with particular effort to promote social inclusion.
Amendment 201 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The specific objective of the Programme is to provide young people, including thos particular young people with fewer opportunities, with easily accessible, adequately funded and inclusive opportunities for engagement in solidarity activities in Europe and abroad while improving and properly validating their competences as well as facilitating their employability and transition into the labour market.;
Amendment 210 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) traineeships and jobs, as referred to in Article 8;
Amendment 213 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) their inclusive approach to involve young people from different backgroundsand disadvantaged backgrounds, including those facing barriers to fully participate in the programme;
Amendment 216 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) reinforcing the capacities of the non-profit participating organisations to offer good quality, easily accessible, inclusive and adequately funded projects to an increasing number of European Solidarity Corps participants;
Amendment 218 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) attracting newcomers, both young people and non-profit participating organisations;
Amendment 219 #
2018/0230(COD)
(a) measures aimed at ensuring the quality of volunteering, traineeships or jobs, including training, language support, complementary insurance, supporthild protection and safeguarding training and background checks for volunteers working with children, complementary insurance, support services and reasonable accommodation for young people with fewer opportunities before or after the solidarity activity as well as the further use of Youthpass that identifies and documents the competences acquired during the solidarity activities for participants, and capacity building and, administrative support for participating organisations;
Amendment 226 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) the development and maintenance of a quality label for entitienon-profit participating organisations willing to provide solidarity activities for the European Solidarity Corps;
Amendment 237 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) traineeships and jobs, as referred to in Article 8;
Amendment 238 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. Volunteering as referred to in Article 4.1, point (a) shall include a learning and training component,have a clear impact on identified community needs, shall include a training preceding the solidarity activity, a solid education and learning component to be organised before, during and after the solidarity activity by the non-profit participating organisation, volunteering shall not substitute traineeships or jobs, shall not be equated with employment and shall be based on a written volunteering agreement in accordance with relevant Member State legislation.
Amendment 243 #
Amendment 244 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
Article 8 – paragraph 2
Amendment 245 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3
Article 8 – paragraph 3
Amendment 247 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 4
Article 8 – paragraph 4
4. Traineeships and jobs may take place in a country other than the country of residence of the participant (cross-border) or in the country of residence of the participant (in- country).
Amendment 248 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. An adequate budget shall be allocated to fund the reasonable accommodation enabling the effective participation of persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others, in accordance with article 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Directive 2000/78.
Amendment 256 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2
Article 12 – paragraph 2
Amendment 258 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 a (new)
Article 12 a (new)
Amendment 264 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Young people aged 17 to 30 years willing to participate in the European Solidarity Corps shall register in the European Solidarity Corps Portal or directly with a non-profit participating organisation, which shall submit the registration in the European Solidarity Corps Portal on behalf of the individual at his request. However, at the moment of commencing volunteering, traineeship, job or a solidarity project a young person shall be at least 18 years of age and not older than 30.
Amendment 268 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – title
Article 16 – title
16 Non-profit Participating organisations
Amendment 273 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. The European Solidarity Corps shall be open to the participation of public or private entities and international non- profit organisations, provided that they have received a European Solidarity Corps quality label.
Amendment 277 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. An application from an entity to become a European Solidarity Corps participating organisation shall be assessed by the competent implementing body of the European Solidarity Corps on the basis of the principles of equal treatment; equal opportunities and non-discrimination; avoidance of job substitution; provision of high quality activities with, easily accessible, inclusive and adequately funded activities with clear added value for identified community needs, a learning dimension focusing on personal, socio- educational and professional development; adequate training, working and volunteering arrangements; safe and decent social and environment and conditions; and the ‘non- profit principle’ in compliance with the Financial Regulation. The above principles ascertain whether its activities meet the requirements of the European Solidarity Corps.
Amendment 285 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4
Article 16 – paragraph 4
4. Any entity which has received the European Solidarity Corps quality label shall be given access to the European Solidarity Corps Portal in the role of a host function, in a support function, or both, and shall be able to make offers for solidarity activities to registered candidates and register candidates upon their request.
Amendment 286 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Non-profit participating organisations may perform several functions in the framework of the European Solidarity Corps. In a host function they will carry out activities related to receiving the participants, including the organisation of activities, an education and learning programme and providing guidance and support to participants during the solidarity activity, as appropriate. In a support function they will carry out activities in relation to the sending and the preparation of participants before departure, involving a solid education and learning programme during and after the solidarity activity, including training and guiding participants to local organisations after the activity.
Amendment 287 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 6
Article 16 – paragraph 6
6. The solidarity activities and related quality and support measures offered by a non-profit participating organisation may receive funding under the European Solidarity Corps or from other funding sources which do not depend on the Union budget.
Amendment 288 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 7
Article 16 – paragraph 7
7. For non-profit organisations participating in the context of activities as referred to in Article 11 the safety and security of participants and volunteers shall be a priority.
Amendment 291 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Any public or private entitynon-profit participating organisation established in a participating country as well as international organisations may apply for funding under the European Solidarity Corps. In the case of the activities referred to in Articles 7, 8 and 11, a quality label shall be obtained by the non-profit participating organisation as a pre- condition for receiving funding under the European Solidarity Corps. In the case of the solidarity projects referred to Article 9, natural persons may also apply for funding on behalf of informal groups of European Solidarity Corps participants.
Amendment 299 #
2018/0230(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2
Article 20 – paragraph 2
2. The interim evaluation of the Programme shall be performed once there is sufficient information available about the implementation of the Programme, but no later than four years after the start of the programme implementation. It shall also be accompanied by a final evaluation of the predecessor programme.
Amendment 32 #
2018/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) At Union level, the European Semester of economic policy coordinationArticle 151 TFEU and the rights enshrined isn the framework to identify national reform priorities and monitor their implementation. Member States develop their own national multiannual investment strategies in support of those reform priorities. Those strategies should be presented alongside the yearly National Reform Programmes as a way to outline and coordinate priority investment projects to be supported by national and/or Union fundingrevised European Social Charter (ETS No. 163) set the framework for the Union's and Member States' strategies implementing the ESF+. They should also serve to use Union funding in a coherent manner and to maximise the addedsocial value of the financial support to be received notably from the programmes supported by the Union under the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the European Investment Stabilisation Function and InvestEU, where relevant.
Amendment 36 #
2018/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The Council of […] adopted revised guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States to align the text with the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights, with a view to improving Europe's competitiveness and making it a better place to invest, create jobs and foster social cohesion. In order to ensure the full alignment of the ESF+ with the Union's objectives of these guidelines, particularly as regards employment, education, training and the fight against social exclusion, poverty and discrimination, the ESF+ should support Member States, taking account of the relevant Integrated Guidelines and relevant country-specific recommendations adopted in accordance with Article 121(2) TFEU and Article 148(4) TFEU and, where appropriate, at national level, the national reform programmes underpinned by national strategies. The ESF+ should also and contribute to relevant aspects of the implementation of key Union initiatives and activities, in particular the "Skills Agenda for Europe" and, the European Education Area and the Action Plan on the integration of third-country nationals, relevant Council Recommendations and other initiatives such as the Youth Guarantee, Upskilling Pathways and on Integration of the long- term unemployed.
Amendment 40 #
2018/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) On 20 June 2017, the Council endorsed the Union response to the 'UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ - a sustainable European future. The Council underlined the importance of achieving sustainable development across the three dimensions (economic, social and environmental), in a balanced and integrated way. It is vital that sustainable development is mainstreamed into all Union internal and external policy areas, and that the Union is ambitious in the policies it uses to address global challenges. The Council welcomed the Commission Communication on "Next steps for a sustainable European future" of 22 November 2016 as a first step in mainstreaming the Sustainable Development Goals and applying sustainable development as an essential guiding principle for all Union policies, including through its financing instruments. The ESF+ contributes to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals to halve relative poverty and eradicate extreme forms of poverty (goal 1); quality and inclusive education (goal 4), promoting gender equality (goal 5), promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all (goal 8), and reducing inequality (goal 10).
Amendment 46 #
2018/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The Union is confronted with structural challenges arising from economic globalisation, the management of migration flows and the increased security threatimpact of austerity policies, the management of migration, clean energy transition, technological change and an increasingly ageing workforce and growing skills and labour shortages in some sectors and regions, experienced especially by SMEs. Taking into account the changing realities of the world of work, the Union should be prepared for the current and future challenges by investing in relevant skills, making growth more inclusive and by improving employment and social policies, including in view of labour mobility.
Amendment 96 #
2018/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) The ESF+ should support Member States’ efforts to tackle poverty with a view to breaking the cycle of disadvantage across generations and promote social inclusion by ensuring equal opportunities for all, tackling discrimination and addressing health inequalities. This implies mobilising a range of policies targeting the most disadvantaged people regardless of their age, including children, marginalised communities such as the Roma, and the working poorRoma, working poor, homeless persons, persons with disabilities, third country nationals, asylum seekers and refugees, and all other people facing multiple social challenges. The ESF+ should promote the active inclusion of people far from the labour market with a view to ensuring their socio-economic integration. The ESF+ should be also used to enhance timely and equal access to affordable, sustainable and high quality services such as healthcare and long-term care, in particular family and community-based care services. The ESF+ should contribute to the modernisation of social protection systems with a view in particular to promoting their accessibility, inclusiveness and comprehensive coverage.
Amendment 106 #
2018/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
Amendment 6 #
2017/2260(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomesHighlights that the adoption of the European Pillar of Social Rights joint proclamation candnot guarantee the political shift away from austerity to the promotion of social policies that it reflects; recalls, nevertheless, the need for concrete measures to make the proclamation a realitya different mix of economic policies that will not reduce jobs or pressure national governments for structural reforms, but will promote solidarity and social justice and lead to sustainable growth and increased spending on education, youth and culture, with a shared priority given to inequalities reduction and the fight against poverty;
Amendment 11 #
2017/2260(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. WBelcomesieves that the intention to incorporate the new Pillar of Social Rights into the implementation of the European Semester, as social investments and measures must be fully part of Member States’ policy coordination efforts in order to build a Social Union will not contribute to a Social Union; considers that the European Semester cannot be embellished or rectified with the inclusion of a Social Pillar because its suffocating framework does not allow for the implementation of social policies;
Amendment 18 #
2017/2260(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 d (new)
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2d. Notes that the European Semester is one of the EU's most undemocratic mechanisms, which institutionalises austerity and leads to long-lasting recessions and permanently high levels of unemployment and poverty;
Amendment 28 #
2017/2260(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 e (new)
Paragraph 3 e (new)
3e. Notes that, after six years of implementation of the European Semester, public spending on education and culture have fallen victim to 'fiscal consolidation'; observes that underfunding and cuts in public spending on education devalue educational systems and, in combination with disinvestment, generate high rates of long-term unemployment, up to 40% among young people, resulting in the deregulation of labour relations and the intensification of the 'brain drain';
Amendment 7 #
2017/2259(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the negative impact of the recessionfinancial crisis, the recession, the investment backlog for public infrastructures and the restrictive austerity policies on young people’s prospects for developing their full potential continues to be felt across the European Union;
Amendment 12 #
2017/2259(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas macroeconomic conditionalities may continue to threaten the use of regional and structural funds and the sustainable use of the funds by financially depleted municipalities, particularly in respect of youth projects, youth education and employment;
Amendment 33 #
2017/2259(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas there is a need to mainstream EU action in the field of youth through the inclusion of a youth dimension in current and future plans, in particular in all key policy areas, such as the economy, employment and social affairs, cohesion, health, women, co-determination, migration, culture, the media and education;
Amendment 40 #
2017/2259(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas a gender perspective must be included in decision-making on youth policies which takes into account the specific challenges and circumstances faced by young women and girls in particular from different cultural and religious backgrounds;
Amendment 63 #
2017/2259(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Is concerned about the fact that, austerity policies as well as the persisting social and economic divergences between Member states, provoke involuntary migration that further exacerbates the effects of the brain-drain; Recommends that the future EYS should promote policies to reverse this phenomenon;
Amendment 84 #
2017/2259(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Believes that the EU should express solidarity with young people and continue to empower them to participate in society, primarily by mainstreaming volunteering and developing new tools for exchanges based on solidarity, community engagement, free space and a democratic dialogue, beyond the necessary training and employment prospects;
Amendment 99 #
2017/2259(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to encourage regional and local authorities to ensure that young people are able to fully participate and be involved in decision-making and to promote self-organisation structures and the independent representation and expression of their interests;
Amendment 111 #
2017/2259(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Is highly concerned at the persistent high rates of youth unemployment throughout the EU; recalls that quality job creation and employment should be guaranteed and remain key commitments towards young people; calls on the Commission and the Member States to promote fair working conditions and remuneration; stresses the importance of defining social rights for new forms of employment and fair professional traineeships and ensuring social dialogue;
Amendment 137 #
2017/2259(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Strongly believes that quality education and training is a fundamental right; considers, therefore, that access to education should be guaranteed for all Europeans, regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnicity or gender; underlines the important role played by education in providing young people with the knowledge and skills to become committed citizens and take part in the European project - citizens who are able independently to develop specialist and communication skills for various contemporary challenges at local and global level, while striving to achieve sustainable solutions which are socially, environmentally and technologically convincing;
Amendment 141 #
2017/2259(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Strongly believes that quality education and training is a fundamental right; considers, therefore, that access to all levels of education should be guaranteed for all Europeans, regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnicity or gender; underlines the important role played by education in providing young people with the knowledge and skills to become committed citizens and take part in the European project; Notes, therefore, the importance of properly resourced public education systems;
Amendment 157 #
2017/2259(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Encourages the Commission to support initiatives which aim to foster citizenship, respect, tolerance, values and intercultural learning; calls on the Commission and the Member States to promote spaces for dialogue with young people on a range of themes, such as sex, gender, policy and the environment, law, history and culture;
Amendment 165 #
2017/2259(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Strongly believes that education systems should promote holistic knowledge and skillset and foster critical and analytical thinking; Deplores the fact that, more and more, education systems are depended upon and defined by labour market and private interests needs;
Amendment 167 #
2017/2259(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Underlines the harmful impact of stress on young people’s well-being, both at school, in training, on the labour market and in their personal lives; calls on the Commission and the Member States to invest in mental health programmes and to encourage the relevant actors to help young people in this regard;
Amendment 187 #
2017/2259(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. WelcomesPoints to the original approach of the European Solidarity Corps – to become a programme to foster solidarity among young Europeans; recalls Parliament’s position to properly finance the new initiative by means of fresh resources and not gradually to use the programme as a partial option for inadequately combating youth unemployment;
Amendment 4 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
- having regards to Article 2 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Amendment 10 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
- having regard to the European Convention on Human Rights, Protocol 1, Article 2,
Amendment 19 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
Citation 11 a (new)
- having regard of Council Recommendation of 20 December 2012 on the validation of non-formal and informal learning (2012/C 398/01),
Amendment 26 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)
Citation 16 a (new)
- having regards to Article 10 of the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,
Amendment 27 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 b (new)
Citation 16 b (new)
- having regards to Strategic Objective B of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995),
Amendment 28 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 c (new)
Citation 16 c (new)
- having regards to Articles 28 and 29 of the Convention on the Rights of the Convention on the Rights of the Child,
Amendment 29 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 d (new)
Citation 16 d (new)
- having regards to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted in September 2015 and entered into force on 1 January 2016, and in particular to its Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 5,
Amendment 34 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas everyone has the right to free and accessible education, which enables all persons to participate effectively in a free society, promote understanding, tolerance and friendship and whereas education in all its forms and at all levels shall exhibit the following interrelated and essential features: a) availability b) accessibility c)acceptability and d) adaptability;1a _________________ 1a Art. 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
Amendment 41 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the common values that hold together our societies, such as freedom, social justice, equality and non- discrimination, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, tolerance and solidarity, are crucial; whereas European education systems represent an immense richness of cultural, social, linguistic diversity while at the same time Member States share similar challenges, such as ensuring equal access to education for all;
Amendment 42 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas it is essential that education, as a fundamental human right and a public good, is focused not only on the labour market, but also on human, societal and cultural needsreceives adequate public funding and whereas continuous and increased public financial support for education, knowledge and research is crucial to acknowledge the vital importance of free, equal and public education which is accessible to everyone and acts as powerful force for individual and collective empowerment;
Amendment 64 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas the latest Education and Training Monitor 20173a of the European Commission, recognizes that social- economic inequality is a fast growing trend affecting all Member States and data on early school leaving and training remains very high across the EU, whereas educational system should ensure all students, including those from disadvantaged groups, enjoy the same chances of accessing and completing higher education; _________________ 3a http://ec.europa.eu/education/sites/educati on/files/monitor2017_en.pdf
Amendment 65 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
C b. whereas education is a powerful instrument to overcome deeply-rooted gender-based stereotypes and discrimination, while on the contrary it often reproduce or exacerbate existing discrimination; whereas also gender inequality in education hinders personal empowerment and affects many socio- cultural fields;
Amendment 66 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
C c. whereas methodological and digital technology innovations are a potential instrument for expanding access to contents and knowledge, but they shall not substitute the personal contact and exchange among students and between students and teachers nor become the priority of educational systems;
Amendment 67 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)
Recital C d (new)
C d. whereas ensuring access to quality early childhood education and care services for every children is key to enjoy a positive start in life and in educational paths;
Amendment 68 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1
Subheading 1
Amendment 70 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. DeclareAffirms that universal quality education is a crucn essential component of personal, professional and societal development in a knowledge-based societysocial and professional development;
Amendment 74 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that the attainment of therespect of European Union’s economic and societal objectives depend on quality education;mmon values as well as the realization of a more inclusive and equitable society and a truly sustainable growth is crucially linked to quality education as a vector of democratic values, social cohesion and integration4a; _________________ 4aArt 2 TFEU and The Paris declaration adopted on 17 march 2015.
Amendment 81 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines that quality education and training systems form the basis ofare key institutions promoting active citizenship and common values, and as such they help shaping an open, inclusive, prosperous, democratic and tolerant society, while promoting active citizenship and common values;
Amendment 97 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Emphasises that quality and inclusive education is vital to equipping young women and men with knowledge, critical thinking, skills, media literacy and democratic attitudes that will help them to confront and shape the world;
Amendment 98 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Stresses the role of schools in helping learners to develop ethical and civic values and become active, responsible, open-minded members of society; underlines that ensuring equal access to quality inclusive education constitutes the fundamental basis to strengthen social cohesion, by combatting poverty, social exclusion and gender stereotypes, as well as contributing to prevent the marginalisation of people with disadvantaged and vulnerable socio- economic backgrounds;
Amendment 99 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3 c. Regrets that gender prejudices and stereotypes throughout the education cycle are still present in Member States; in this regards expresses concern for bias that constitutes an impediment on the road to gender equality in education, such as persisting stereotypes in learning materials and, too often, differing teachers’ expectations of girls and boys;
Amendment 100 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3 d. Encourages closer synergies between education and cultural sector, by supporting an active role of culture and the arts in formal, informal and non- formal educational contexts; recalls in this respect the need to give sufficient support to the professional training of artists, managers, teachers, facilitators, social workers and other professionals engaged in these contexts;
Amendment 101 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 e (new)
Paragraph 3 e (new)
3 e. Reminds that schools and education institutions play a key role in creating and nourishing a positive attitude towards learning, including through the whole life;
Amendment 102 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 f (new)
Paragraph 3 f (new)
3 f. Notes that quality education could foster research and innovation in Europe, relevant for and benefitting society; to this end encourages Member States and the European Commission to allocate the adequate financial resources and calls therefore them to exclude education related expenditure from the calculation of public deficit within the Growth and Stability Pact until it is repealed;
Amendment 103 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that an all-encompassing approach to education policy, with strong politicalublic support, is centrvital to the educational reform process and requirto guarantee equal access the cooperation of all relevant stakeholdero education for all; in order to achieve these objectives, it is key to involve society as a whole and all relevant actors: students, youth groups, education providers as well as families;
Amendment 106 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Affirms the need that education systems at all levels keep a gender perspective that takes into account the needs of people suffering multiple forms of discrimination, including people with disabilities, people identifying themselves as LGBTI and people from marginalised communities;
Amendment 114 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Highlights the potential of new technologies to improve the quality of education by meeting learners’ needs, increasing flexibility in learning and teaching, and creating new forms of cooperationinformation and communication technologies as instruments to meet individual learners’ needs, including when it comes to special educational needs, increasing flexibility in learning and teaching, and fostering interactive forms of cooperation; notes that effective learning and teaching through modern technologies requires a competent level of digital skills, access to high-quality learning resources and training in order to make best use of such instruments for pedagogical purposes and for meeting learning objectives;
Amendment 123 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Considers that education related to digitalization should include civic competencies and critical thinking, while developing a proactive approach towards new technologies; stresses the importance to raise awareness on critically assessing sources and their reliability and the importance of media literacy projects in this respect;
Amendment 128 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that increased efforts are needed to shift the educational paradigm to be more learner- and understanding- centred, thus strengthening the personalisation of the educational process and increasing retention rates; advocates for schools to remain the place where potentialities are developed, where each individual can find space and time for personal and social growth;
Amendment 131 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Recognises that in the increasingly globalised and digitalised world, innovative and relevant methods of learning, teaching and assessment are necessary; advocates for tailor-made assessment tools and techniques, as they can better reflect the complexity of results in specific social context; recalls the importance of involving teachers, students and school staff in assessing if and how learning objectives have been met;
Amendment 134 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Highlights that educational systems should promote and further develop interdisciplinary approaches and team work aimed at equipping pupils and students with knowledge and skills, as well as with professional, transversal, social and civic competences which are meaningful also in their professional life; recalls that delivering quality teaching and learning is a continuous process encompassing dialogue, sense of sharing and questioning;
Amendment 144 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Acknowledges with interest the proposal to create a European Education Area based on enhanced, which should foster cooperation, mutual recognition and increased mobility and growthmobility;
Amendment 161 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that quality and accessible ECEC creates a foundation for more equitable and effective education systems as well as ensures the individuals’ personal development, lifelong learning and well- being; calls in this respect on ECEC that supports young girls and boys to develop to their full potential while also challenging standardized gender socialisation processes;
Amendment 162 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Stresses the importance to guarantee every child can access ECEC; notes with concern that in several countries the demand for ECEC places is higher than supply, especially for younger children 4a; encourages Member States to take necessary measures to ensure material and financial conditions are met to ensure every child can access to early childhood education without discrimination; _________________ 4a EuropeanCommission/EACEA/Eurydice, 2015. Early Childhood Education and Care Systems inEurope.National Information Sheets – 2014/15 http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/euryd ice
Amendment 165 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. CUnderlines that early childhood is a fundamental phase of development of a person’s life, as cognitive, social and emotional skills are learned; considers that preschools should promote children’s development more holistically with a view to facilitating the transition to compulsory schooling;
Amendment 172 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Sees schools as centres ofto foster critical and creative thinking and the foundation for democratic formation and active citizenship; schools focus on helping young people to critically read, understand and use available information as well as develop their learning autonomy; recognizes the importance that schools promote self-development by developing cognitive and non-cognitive skills and competences, capacity to deal with different opinions, anti- discrimination and intercultural skills as tools to address contemporary challenges;
Amendment 177 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Points out that all school students and their specific needs should be at the centre of effective school functioning, which requires setting up joint objectives and a clear agenda for their implementation as well as close collaboration of the entire school community and stakeholders, where appropriate; encourages educational initiatives and extra-curricular activities outside the school to support the fulfilment of students' individual needs and interests while also building bridges with local communities where the schools are based;
Amendment 179 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Underlines that mastering basic skills is fundamental for pupils to ensure their further learning and personal developmentis fundamental to ensure students' personal development; to this end teachers should be provided with all possible public means to perform adequately their role and responsibilities;
Amendment 187 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Notes that modern curricula should be competence driven, should enhance personal skills and should focus on formative assessment and on the pupils’ well-being; every student should have the possibility to completely use her/his own intellectual potential;
Amendment 191 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Stresses the need to make schools more open in order to enable recognition of non-formal and informal learning, smoother transitions between different education paths such as technical and academic;
Amendment 193 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Takes note ofEmphasizes the positive impact of schoolcultural diversity and multilingualism in schools on pupils’ linguistic and cognitive development, as well as on the promotion of intercultureal awareness, understanding and diversity and respect;
Amendment 213 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Underlines that school remains the fundamental learning environment, whilst striving to gradually adapt to the emerging digital technologies;
Amendment 214 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16 b. Advocates for an increased focus on inter-disciplinary study programmes and encourages the promotion, in tandem, of TEAM disciplines and human and social sciences; highlights the need to remove all material and immaterial obstacles preventing equitable access to curricula, completion of studies and access to relevant professions for women and underrepresented groups;
Amendment 215 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16 c. Recognises the pivotal role played by academics and students in disseminating knowledge, empirical findings and facts to the wider public; encourages, in this respect independent and especially economically and politically independent research, relevant for and benefiting society;
Amendment 216 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16 d. Recalls the importance of pedagogical training for teaching staff in higher education institutions and of considering pedagogical competencies at least equally important to research competencies in the recruitment process; highlights the role of research based education and pedagogical research as a means of stimulating a student-centred approach to learning and teaching, active learning, enhancing skills development, and improving teaching methodology;
Amendment 217 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 e (new)
Paragraph 16 e (new)
16 e. Underlines that learners should be encouraged to use self-assessment techniques to measure their learning progress; advocates for education institutions to ensuring good intelligence of the feedback tools by using a mix of several instruments, such as student questionnaires, focus groups, suggestions boxes;
Amendment 219 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Emphasises, within the context of creating a European Educational Area, the importance of supporting, and building on, the potential of all European universitihigher education institutions and of students; stresses that students are part of the academic community as well as society and must be engaged in the learning process; believes that a high quality higher education is characterized by removing all obstacles to access, facilitating progress and completion of school cycles;
Amendment 224 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Acknowledges the necessity to strengthen the knowledge triangle and to improve links between research and teaching by allocating adequate resources to such programmes and by ensuring students involved in research programmes are granted the financial means to lead their research;
Amendment 236 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Is of the opinion that an all- encompassing approach to internationalisation, including increased mobility for staff and students, and an international dimension to the curriculum, and to teaching, research, cooperation and additional activities, should be an important part of EuropeanBelieves that rankings and classifications of institutions are controversial as they pressure higher education institutions to perform in a reputation-race chasing criteria instead of focusing on their broader mission; further notes, in this respect, that rankings of higher education institutions are often blocking the ability of lower ranked institutions to attract students and stakeholders, thereby compromising the possibility to further improvements; recalls that such rankings should not be used as a tool for commodification of higher education institutions;
Amendment 247 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Advocates that higher education must engage with society at large in order to promote innovative growth and social welfare; cooperation between external stakeholders and higher education institutions is desirable, as they can contribute with knowledge and participate to the discussion about design, delivery and recognition of higher education programmes, however it must be approached with care as the decision- making power must always rest with students and pedagogical experts;
Amendment 248 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20 b. Considers that the involvement of teaching and non-teaching staff is vital to ensure further improvements in school policy; emphasises the teacher’s key role in providing an inclusive learning environment that requires embracing a range of methods and approaches to meet diverse needs, thus enabling all pupils to be involved in the design, realization and assessment of their learning outcomes; acknowledges the crucial function of teachers as guides and mentors supporting students in learning how to evaluate information, adopt a supporting role in the face of challenges, and prepare learners for life;
Amendment 249 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20 c. Is of the opinion that a comprehensive school policy must guarantee effective support for teachers in order to ensure the attainment of educational goals, an enabling school environment, functioning and collaborative governance;
Amendment 250 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 d (new)
Paragraph 20 d (new)
20 d. Acknowledges the important role of educators in all forms of education in supporting current and future generations; encourages, in this regard, an enhanced collaboration among educators in formal, non-formal and informal learning;
Amendment 251 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Considers that teachers and their skills, commitment and effectiveness are the basis of education systemckbone of education systems; notes that governments should provide the necessary resources to fulfil this role in the best possible conditions when it comes to remuneration, contracts, social rights and professional opportunities; highlights that teaching staff should be provided with support systems, which include mentoring programmes, peer-to-peer learning and sharing best practices;
Amendment 253 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses the need to attract motivated candidates with sound academic backgrounds and a predisposition to teaching to the teaching profession; calls for enhanced selection procedures and for improvements in teacher status, training, working conditions, remunerationpedagogical competencies to the teaching profession and insists, in this respect, that better working conditions should be guaranteed; calls for enhanced selection procedures and for specific measures and initiatives to improve teacher status, training, career prospects and support;
Amendment 263 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Underlines the importance of reshaping and investing in teacher education, encouraging teachers’ continuing professional development, andincluding, for example by providing them with opportunities to participate in international teacher exchanges; advocates for further investing in lifelong learning programmes for teachers, equipping them with the necessary pedagogical competencies, including on key challenges faced by European societies (such as migration, acculturation and social psychology) as well as enabling them to utilise diversity as a rich source for learning;
Amendment 278 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Considers that the European Education Area should focus on achieving the common goals and must be formed in alignment with existing policies and of ensuring access to quality education for all; it must be formed in alignment and critical assessment of existing policies, building on their successes, challenges and evaluation at country level, so to ensure coherence, consistency and achievable results; recommends to critically consider most recent educational trends and figures in the EU, while giving also new impetus to their development and respecting the principles of subsidiarity and institutional and educational autonomy;
Amendment 288 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. CHighlights that education systems requires adequate public funding for all study programmes, regardless of their relevance for the labour market or the short term needs of the economies; calls on the Member States to increase funding for realizing such initiatives aiming at improving the quality of education;
Amendment 295 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Supports and encourages the implementation of actions concerning the development of media literacy and critical thinking through education and training; Recalls existing commitment in this field, outlined in the Council conclusions of 30 May 2016; calls, in this context, on the Commission to coordinate policy developments at the EU level in the area of media literacy with a view to disseminating most recent developments and best practices;
Amendment 296 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25 b. Encourages Member States to take the appropriate measures in order to tackle early school leaving and support schools to include in their programs citizenship education, democratic values and human rights as part of the civic competence, while also promoting intercultural skills; reiterates the importance of such programmes in times when Europe faces striking inequalities and lack of solidarity;
Amendment 297 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 c (new)
Paragraph 25 c (new)
25 c. Encourages Member States to design and support initiatives aimed at fighting gender inequality, challenging stereotypes and parents’ gender-typed expectations while involving them in learning activities;
Amendment 304 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for enhanced cooperation among Member States in modernising education, as encouraged and facilitated by the Commission, with a view to promoting best practices and mutual; urges Member states to start implementation of principles of European Pillar of Social rights that embody the way to reducing inequalities in Europe through education, training and lifelong learning;
Amendment 310 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. EncNotes that digitalization and development of new learning resouragces the Member States and the Commission to support efforts by educational institutions to make greater use of state-of-the-art technology in learning, teaching and assessment, while bearing in mind the need to ensure quality assurancemust benefit lifelong learning, education quality, accessibility and the development of digital and future skills; expects the Digital Education Action Plan to provide guidance to the Member States and educational institutions in the increased and more effective use of state-of-the-art technology in learning, teaching and assessment and development-appropriate and which meets quality assurance standards; believes that any digital education plan should establish and regularly assess the connection between digital means of education and the qualification frameworks based on the learning outcomes;
Amendment 316 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Recommends that Member States and educational institutions promote innovative methods and interaction between teachers and students to support the achievement of intended learning outcomes, where students are active participants in their own learning process; highlights the importance of developing value based and learner- centred and individualiszed learning methods, which can, if used in the right way, lead to a significantly higher quality of European education systems;
Amendment 318 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28 a. Encourages the Commission to support the Member States in developing training and educational programmes facilitating adult learning, the active inclusion of adults in the education system; emphasises the value of adult learning as a unique opportunity for equipping adults with literacy and basic skills, for continuing training and professional development, and for active citizenship, including through community or popular education; recalls that adult learning and education should provide a variety of learning pathways and flexible learning opportunities, including second chance programmes for people who have never been to school, early school leavers and drop outs;
Amendment 324 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls for increased incorporation of inquiring, active, project- and problem- based learning into educational programmes at all levels, with a view to promoting cooperation and team work; recommends that education systems work to strengthen transversal skills, such as analysing, problem solving and critical and reflective thinking, while ensuring young men and women are truly engaged partners in all educational processes;
Amendment 373 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Calls on the Member States to ensure gfreatee and fair access to high-quality ECEC, which should meet the key criteria of availability, accessibility, acceptability and adaptability;
Amendment 378 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Calls on the Commission to consider establishing a common European framework for ECEC; Supports setting a European benchmark for the quality of ECEC to be designed in cooperation with teachers and professionals of the sector, and according to national or regional quality indicators; calls on the Commission to consider establishing a common European framework for ECEC, building on country principles proposed in the Quality Framework5a; recommends that such framework follows a holistic approach that is child-centred, paying attention simultaneously to all aspects of a child’s development, well-being and learning needs including those which relate to social, emotional, physical, linguistic and cognitive development; _________________ 5a http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture /repository/education/policy/strategic- framework/archive/documents/ecec- quality-framework_en.pdf
Amendment 382 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Recommends that cooperation between ECEC staff and pre-primary school teachers be increased to improve the quality ofconnection between educational levels, prepare pre-schoolers for the transition to primary school and focus on children’s development; highlights the importance of relationships between ECEC providers and children’s parents and tutors, between school staff and children, and among children themselves;
Amendment 384 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32 a. Recommends that Member States increase funding for ECEC so to avoid gaps between places and population needs; encourages the Member States to increase economic support and initiatives (such as tax reductions, subsidies, free quota) for parents and guardians from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds to ensure access to quality ECEC is not a privilege for the few;
Amendment 385 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 b (new)
Paragraph 32 b (new)
32 b. Reiterates the need to create rights-based and gender-sensitive learning environments for students to learn about and stand up for human rights, including women’s and children’s rights, fundamental values and civic participation, rights and responsibilities of citizens, democracy and the rule of law, being confident in their identity, knowing their voice is heard and feeling valued by their communities;
Amendment 389 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Recommends the implementationTakes notes of positive results of athe ‘wWhole sSchool aApproach’ to increase social inclusion, accessibility, democratic governance and quality in education, as well as to address early school leaving, while also aiming to put learning outcomes, learners’ needs, well-being and involvement in school life at the core of all activity; advocates for the promotion and support of democratic school students’ structures;
Amendment 396 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Stresses the need to strengthen opportunities and structures for school internal and external collaboration, including interdisciplinary cooperation, team teaching, school clusters and interactions with external stakeholdersactors involved in the design and implementation of learning paths ; notes the importance of international exchange and school partnership through programmes such as Erasmus+ and e- Twinning;
Amendment 402 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Encourages morebalance between STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) initiaand humanitives at school level, including through enhanced cooperation with higher education and scientific research institutions;
Amendment 424 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Encourages the Member States and the Commission to develop strategies to support existing initiatives by schoolinitiated by students and teachers to create a more inclusive learning environment;
Amendment 435 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37 a. Suggests that Member States increase efforts to make sure the results of scientific research are made publicly available, free of all restrictions on access, in order to fulfil the public responsibility of the higher education institutions, but also to maximize their positive effect on the whole community; further stresses that scientific research needs to be independent from economic and political interference;
Amendment 437 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Calls for the creation of theNotes the Commission’s proposal of creating a European Education Area using the potential of existing frameworks, e.g. the European Research Area, the Innovation Union, the European Higher Education Area, in order that theyo strengthen and complement each other;
Amendment 442 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Suggests that Member States and regional authorities, in allocating European structural and investment funds, give priority to educational programmes as well as to foster cooperation between the higher education, business and research communities and society as a wholeresearch communities, all relevant stakeholders and society as a whole; recalls that higher education requires adequate funding, continuous staff development, and constant promotion and acceptance by the totality of the academic community, including students;
Amendment 447 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Advocates facilitating student and staff mobility through: increased support via the Erasmus+ programme; smooth recognition of credits and qualifications obtained abroad; additional economic and personal assistance; and, where appropriate, the incorporation of educational mobility as part of education programmesCalls on the Member States to foster more inclusive and accessible mobility of students, teachers, researchers and administrative staff, as it contributes both to their personal and professional development as well as to the increased quality of learning, teaching, research and administration; express concern for the limited access of mobility projects by students from less wealthy backgrounds, due also to the lack of appropriate social guarantees; calls on Member States to provide adequate public funding and make more efficient use to ensure, inter alia, that students and researchers have the necessary material conditions to study abroad and that their social and economic background does not constitute a barrier;
Amendment 466 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41 a. Encourages the inclusion of high quality work placements, recognised through ECTS credits, into higher education programmes and included in VET schemes;
Amendment 467 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 b (new)
Paragraph 41 b (new)
41 b. Stresses the need to develop comprehensive strategies and appropriate tools for determining the quality of new modes of teaching and learning eg. e- learning, MOOCs, open access resources; recognises, in this context, the role of ENQA and other relevant European networks in contributing to the establishment of quality assurance; recalls that for digital education to fulfil its full potential, it is necessary to develop new pedagogies suitable for this medium; notes that publicly funded open education resources should be freely available to all students and the public to fulfil their full potential as a tool for advancing education;
Amendment 470 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Calls on the Commission to increase its efforts to improvestrengthen teachers’ digital skills, multiply refresher trainings and to provide them with ongoing support through, for example by developing online communities, open educational resources and courses for school professionals;
Amendment 472 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)
Paragraph 42 a (new)
42 a. Supports the creation of the Academy of Teaching and Learning as a complementary opportunity for teachers to train and exchange best practices at European level; such academy could be a centre of online exchange, sharing experiences and mutual learning as well as a place for regular meetings in the form of workshops, seminars, and conferences to promote teachers’ collaboration, enhance quality of teaching, and foster teachers’ professional development; encourages the Commission to propose a project in this respect;
Amendment 473 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 b (new)
Paragraph 42 b (new)
42 b. Calls for teachers and education structures at all levels to encourage students’ active participation in the governance of their learning structures; recognises the need to provide sustainable and structural support to youth associations and organisations inside and outside the educational system, in particular small-scale local initiatives and those working at grassroots level;
Amendment 475 #
2017/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Calls for support to teachers delivering multilingual courses which are an important factor inHighlights the role of intercultural learning as part of teacher education with a view to enhancing teachers’ capacity to overcome stereotypes related to gender, social background, nationality and special needs of their students; notes that intercultural competences are essential to work in increasingly diverse societies and to foster the internationaliszation of educationschools;
Amendment 27 #
2017/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Recommends that Member States provide appropriate, proportionate and stable funding for public service media, thus ensuring it can fulfil its cultural, social and educational role, and contribute to an inclusive information society, while guaranteeing its independence from governmental influences;
Amendment 86 #
2017/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Reaffirms the need to bridge the digital divide both through specific technological literacy projects and with adequate investments in infrastructures, in order to ensure universal access to information;
Amendment 90 #
2017/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Reaffirms the need to independently monitor the media freedom and pluralism situation in the EU and therefore encourages Member States to implement and further enhance existing instruments, such as the Media Pluralism Monitor;
Amendment 25 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Believes that the current situation in Hungary represents a clear risk of a serious breach of the values as referred to in Article 2 of the TEU;
Amendment 31 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Draws attention to the fact that the segregmultiple forms of daily discrimination of Roma children in education in Hungary remains a widespread and deep-rooted phenomenon, which contributes to the social exclusion of Roma, reducing their chances of integration in the education system, labour market and in society;
Amendment 53 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses that media freedom and pluralism are fundamental rights enshrined in Article 11 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and constitute essential foundations of democratic societies;
Amendment 10 #
2017/2023(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Is aware that provenance research is closely linked to the due diligence obligation applicable when acquiring works of art and constitutes a major concern for all the actors in the art market as acquiring, knowingly or by negligence, stolen artworks is punishable under certain national laws;
Amendment 35 #
2017/2023(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Asks the Commission to encourage Member States to share information on existing practices with regard to the provenance check of cultural goods and to intensify their cooperation in order to harmonize the control measures and administrative procedures aiming at determining the provenance of cultural goods;
Amendment 37 #
2017/2023(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Calls on the Commission to adopt measures aiming at making the art market and also the potential buyers of artefacts aware of the importance of provenance research, given that such research is linked to the due diligence obligation;
Amendment 38 #
2017/2023(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Calls on the Commission to encourage Member States to regulate the professional activity of art dealers, so that those wishing to deal in cultural goods have to obtain special permits from the relevant heritage protection authorities;
Amendment 39 #
2017/2023(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 d (new)
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5d. Supports the idea that cross-border restitution procedures concerning works of art and cultural goods looted in armed conflicts and wars, and the active promotion of provenance research, should be addressed in the context of the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage (‘EYCH’) initiative; calls therefore on the Commission and the working group it has set up to include this item in their working plan detailing the activities for 2018 EYCH.
Amendment 25 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas skills have a strategic importance for growth, innovation and social cohesion and the complexity of jobs is increasing across all sectors and occupations and there is inflation in relative skills demand, even for low-skilled jobs;
Amendment 32 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas many low-skilledall jobs now require greater literacy, numeracy and other basic skills and even low-skilled jobs within the service sector increasingly include more demanding non-routine tasks (EC, 2016b);
Amendment 45 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. Whereas education is necessary to deepen critical thinking, expose people to great works of art and in particular great works of the past, and to enlighten the mind and the soul, it is not simply a means to serve the labour market;
Amendment 46 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas, education is necessary to deepen critical thinking, expose people to great works of the past, and to enlighten the mind and the soul, it is not simply a means to serve the labour market;
Amendment 47 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas, currently, almost 23 % of the population aged 20-64 have a low level of education (pre-primary, primary or lower secondary education); whereas low- qualifieddue to modern advancements in all sectors of economies there is less of a demand for traditional industries which previously gave employment opportunity to low- qualified workers, whereas these people now have fewer employment opportunities and are also more vulnerable to being in insecure jobs and, in part due to failures of Member States and the EU to legislate against job insecurity and zero and low hours contracts, and as a result are twice as likely as highly qualified people to experience long-term unemployment (EC, 2016a);
Amendment 60 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas, at EU level, NEETs (not in employment, education or training) are considered to be one of the most problematic groups in the context ofvulnerable groups and as a result suffer the most in relation to youth unemployment; whereas women are 1.4 times more likely to become NEET than men on average, further highlighting issues of gender discrimination and equality from a young age;
Amendment 69 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas according to the latest PIAAC study by the OECD, about 70 million Europeans lack basic skills such as reading, writing and numeracy, which represents an obstacle to those people finding a decentgood job, and living standardttaining a decent living standard, and achieving personal happiness;
Amendment 85 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas, nowadays, our education systems are facing a significant challenge as a result of the digital transformation, which is impacting teaching and learning processes; whereas, these challenges also present new opportunities for both teachers and students, and their needs and opinions should be at the fore when it comes to shaping the future of the education process;
Amendment 86 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
K a. whereas there is a need to incorporate new digital transformations into education systems, but this must be done symbiotically with the subjects that are already taught, in order to continue to help people become critical, confident and independent;
Amendment 92 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
L a. whereas analytical and critical thinking are incredibly important in the modern age and they need to be encouraged at all stages of the education system and throughout life in general; whereas, in more recent years analytical and critical thinking have been denigrated and replaced by "group think";
Amendment 101 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L b (new)
Recital L b (new)
L b. whereas submissively adapting education to the labour market, commercialising it and degrading traditional and classical studies bears no relation with the actual role of education, which is to shape free and independent personalities;
Amendment 112 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomNotes the Commission communication entitled ‘A New Skills Agenda for Europe – Working together to strengthen human capital, employability and competitiveness’ adopted in June 2016;
Amendment 116 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Acknowledges that education and training are Member State competences and that the EU can only support, coordinate or supplement actions of the Member States;
Amendment 119 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Agrees with the focus on the need to upgrade thecomplement the existing European education and training systems which currently give people a strong holistic education and skillset, with some of the new skills that are needed in line with the fast changing economic and societal environment; notes that, while skills needs are dynamic, the main focus of the skills package is the immediate needs of the labour marketshould be twofold, the personal and professional needs of each individual based on their own unique circumstances; highlights in this respect the importance of a pan-European skills needs forecasting tool and lifelong learning with a view to adapting to new situations inensure that people become critical, confident and independent, while also equipping them with lifelong skills, in particular modern skills which have the labour marketility to help them personally and professionally;
Amendment 133 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Member States to include leadership, management, entrepreneurial and financial education, employment and social rights education, quality of working conditions education, business start-up advice and communication technologies in their education programmes, and to prioritise the further development of vocational training and education (VET) programmes, including enhancing European craftsmanship;
Amendment 137 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Member States to include leadership, management, entrepreneurial and financial education, business start-up advice and communication technologies in their education programmes, and to prioritise the further development of vocational training and education (VET) programmes, including enhancing European craftsmanship, warns that any updates to educations structures should in no way denigrate traditional classical studies which help to shape free personalities, critical thinkers, and a broad intelligence, and are needed now more than ever in the face of the rise of fake news and falsified facts;
Amendment 140 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Encourages Member States to go beyond promoting the ‘right occupational skills’ and to also have an equitable focus on those aspects of education that are more work-based and more practical, and that foster an entrepreneurial mind-set and creativity, allows well as traditional education structures which have for many of years sought to facilitate people to think critically and to fully participate in the democratic process and social life;
Amendment 147 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Encourages Member States to better match the skills with the jobs in the labour market and in particular to put in place dual systems18 which help people to be flexible inalance their education paths and later in the labour marketon the job training; _________________ 18 A dual education system combines apprenticeships in a company with vocational education at a vocational school in one course.
Amendment 161 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Calls on Member States and the EU to ban the practice of unpaid or low paid internships and unpaid labour activation schemes which have the effect of depressing wages and reducing the value of people in the labour market, personally, socially, and economically, in particular young people;
Amendment 163 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Is concerned about the fact that, austerity policies in some Member States as well as the persisting social and economic divergences between Member States, provoke involuntary migration that further exacerbates the effects of the brain-drain;
Amendment 170 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Insists that education is not only a key factor in enhancing employability, but also in personal development, combating social exclusion and therefore believes that investing in skills and competences is crucial to tackling the high unemployment rate, especially among NEETs; recalls that a genuine estimation of future skills needs is paramount in this respect;
Amendment 175 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Is deeply concerned about the fact that between 2010 and 2014 investment in education and training fell by 2.5 % in the EU as a whole1a; stresses that in order education to fulfil its role in tackling unemployment, social exclusion and poverty, properly resourced public education systems are essential; _________________ 1a Education and Training Monitor 2016
Amendment 201 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses the need to strive for a more flexible and individual approach to career development and lifelong education and training across one’s personal career path, and recognises the role that both public and private parties can play in providing this, while recognising that guidance and counselling which address individual needs and focus on the evaluation and expansion of individual skills must be a core element of education and skills policies from an early stage;
Amendment 202 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses the need to strive for a more flexible and individual approach to career development and lifelong education and training across one’s personal career path, and recognises the role that both public and private parties can play in providing this, while recognising that guidance and counselling which address individual and social needs and focus on the evaluation and expansion of individual skills must be a core element of education and skills policies from an early stage;
Amendment 213 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that skills development must be a shared responsibility between education providers and employers; however, insists that the industry/employers should be involved in providing and training people with the necessary skills in order for businesses to be competitive and at the same time boost people’s self-confidenceeducation systems should not be subjugated to serve the demands of employers and industry;
Amendment 223 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. notes apprenticeships, traineeships and specific skills training are considered to be the most effective types of training in terms of preventing young people from returning to NEET status; notes that it has been highlighted that having a dual system of vocational and academic education and training reduces the NEET group by enabling more young people to be retained in education/training and helping to make them more employable and more likely to progress more smoothly into employment/a career, macro-economic analysis reports that a combination of a dual education and training system and active labour market policies get the best results; however, regrets that in spite of this evidence some Member States have introduced apprenticeship fees;
Amendment 232 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Asks for concrete measures to be put in place in order to facilitate the transition of young people from education to work by ensuring quality internships and apprenticeships, giving young people the possibility of putting their talents into practice and have a set of rights and equal access to social protection; also calls for non-exploitative contracts;
Amendment 239 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Believes that, in order to anticipate future skills needs, social partners, and education and training, providers must be strongly involved at all levels, in particular in designing, implementing and evaluating vocational qualification programmes, which provide an effective transition from formal education to work-based learning;
Amendment 285 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Feels that commodification of the education system has led to credentialism and educational inflation which in its own way has resulted in a lack of recognition of non-formal and informal education;
Amendment 321 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Stresses the need to include elements of entrepreneurial learning at all levels of education, since instilling entrepreneurial spirit among the young at an early stage is an effective way of combating youth unemployment;
Amendment 344 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Urges active dialogue and cooperation between the university community and the world of work aimed atsociety at large in order to developing educational programmes which equip young people with the requisite skills and competences, for personal and professional advancement;
Amendment 350 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. The importance of traditional education and training Deplores the commodification of education, in particular the submissive adaptation of education to the labour market; Deplores that there has been continuing attacks waged on the arts and humanities and the idea of a liberal education in general; Believes that newly needed skillsets and educational training should work in tandem with traditional educational methods which have for many years striven to create critical, analytical, and independent people; Sees as extremely worrying the rise in anti-intellectualism and the descent to nihilism in the modern world; believes that education and training systems which have at their heart traditional arts and humanities are the best way to combat this and to protect human dignity and enlightenment;
Amendment 360 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Reiterates the importance of vocational education and training (VET) for enhancinghelping people reach their full potential personally and professionally, sees this as a way of training that enhances employability and clearings the pathway to professional qualifications for young people; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that VET is made more relevant and is tailored to labour market needfirst and foremost to the needs of individuals by making them an integral part of the education system, and to guarantee high qualification standards and quality assurance in this regard;
Amendment 412 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Stresses that in order for any up skilling to take place the adequate resources, both financial and human, should be forthcoming; emphasises that adequate paid training days, which do not interfere with teachers holidays, or free time, should be provided to do so;
Amendment 450 #
2017/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Calls on the Commission in addition toand the Member States to look at the possibility of developing a pan-European skill needs forecasting tool, which would make it possible to estimate future skill needs and adapt them better to the jobs available on the labour market;
Amendment 15 #
2017/0220(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) This Regulation aims to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible, less burdensome and easier to use for organisers and supporters, in order to achieve the full potential of the European citizens’ initiative as a tool to submit proposals for a legal act of the Union, to foster debate and citizen participation at Union level, and to bring the Union closer to its citizens.
Amendment 20 #
2017/0220(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) In accordance with Article 11(4) of the TEU an initiative invitobliging the European Commission, within the framework of its powers, to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where citizens consider that a legal act of the Union is required to implement the Treaties, is to be taken by not less than one million citizens of the Union who are nationals of a significant number of Member States.
Amendment 69 #
2017/0220(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
If one or more of the requirements set out in points (a) to (e) are not met, the Commission, after informing the European Parliament on its reasoning, shall refuse to register the initiative, without prejudice to paragraphs 4 and 5.
Amendment 72 #
2017/0220(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Where it considers that the requirements laid down in paragraph 3 (a), (b), (d) and (e) are met but that the requirement laid down in paragraph 3(c) is not met, the Commission shall, within one month of the submission of the request, inform the group of organisers and the European Parliament of its assessment and of the reasons thereof.
Amendment 95 #
2017/0220(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
All statements of support shall be collected within a period not exceeding 128 months from a date chosen by the group of organisers (the ‘collection period’), without prejudice to Article 11(6). That date must be not later than three months from the registration of the initiative in accordance with Article 6.
Amendment 117 #
2017/0220(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Within five months after the publication of the initiative in accordance with Article 14(1), and after the public hearing referred to in Article 14(2), the Commission shall set out in a communication its legal and political conclusions on the initiative, the action it intends to take, if any, and its reasons for taking or not taking action.
Amendment 32 #
2017/0125(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Title 1
Title 1
rejects the Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing the European Defence Industrial Development Programme aiming at supporting the competitiveness and innovative capacity of the EU defence industry
Amendment 120 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Title 1
Title 1
Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL laying down the legal framework of the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + and amending Regulations (EU) No 1288/2013, (EU) No 1293/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1305/2013, (EU) No 1306/2013 and Decision No 1313/2013/EUThis amendment applies throughout the text, with the exception of recitals 2 and 3. Adopting it will necessitate corresponding changes throughout.)
Amendment 151 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Young people should be provided with easily accessible opportunities to engage in solidarity activities as volunteers, which cwould bring positive effects to society while also enableing them to express their commitment to the benefit of communities while acquiring useful experience, skills and competences for their personal, educational, social, civic and professional development, thereby improving their employabilitydevelopment. Thoese activities would also support the mobility of young volunteers, trainees and workers.
Amendment 159 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The solidarity activities offered to young people should be of high quality, in the sense that they should respond to unmet societal needs, contribute to strengthening local communities and social cohesion, offer young people the opportunity to acquire valuable knowledge and competences, be financially accessible to young people, and be implemented in safe and healthy conditions.
Amendment 164 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) The European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + would provide a singlemain entry point free of discrimination based on gender or social class, for solidarity activities throughout the Union. Consistency and complementarity of that framework should be ensured with other relevant Union policies and programmes. The European Solidarity Corps should build on the strengths and synergies of existing programmes, notably the European Voluntary Service. It should also complement the efforts made by Member States to support young people and ease their school-to-work transition under the Youth Guarantee19 by providing them with additional opportunities to make a start on the labour market in the form of traineeships or jobs in solidarity- related areas within their respective Member State or across borders. Complementarity with existing Union level networks pertinent to the activities under the European Solidarity Corps, such as the European Network of Public Employment Servicies, EURES and the Eurodesk network, should also be ensured and programmes. Furthermore, complementarity between existing related schemes, in particular national solidarity schemes and mobility schemes for young people, and the European Solidarity Corps should be ensured, building on good practices where appropriate. __________________ 19Council Recommendation of 22 April 2013 on establishing a Youth Guarantee (2013/C 120/01)including schemes operating at regional or local level, should be ensured, building on good practices.
Amendment 174 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + should open up new opportunities for young people to carry out volunteering, traineeship or job placements in solidarity-related areas as well as to devise and develop solidarity projects based on their own initiative. Those opportunities should contribute to enhancing their personal, educational, social, civic and professional development. The European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + should also support networking activities for European Solidarity Corps participants andvolunteers and non-profit organisations as well as measures to ensure the quality of the supported activities and to enhance the validation of their learning outcomes.
Amendment 176 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Voluntary activities constitute a rich experience in a non-formal and inon-formal learning context which enhances young people's personal, socio-educational and professional development, active citizenship and employability. Vactive citizenship. However, given the cross-sectorial nature of solidarity-related activities, the different status of entities and non-profit organisations potentially involved into these activities, as well as the socio-economic significance of the solidarity sector in the Union, provisions should be included in this Regulation to ensure that voluntary activities shouldo not have an adverse effect on potential or existing paid employment, nor should they be seen as a substitute for itor effectively deployed as a substitute for it. For this reason, solidarity projects in the form of volunteering under this Regulation should be offered exclusively by public authorities or by participating organisations in the non- profit sector, foundations and social enterprises. In order to ensure continuity with respect to the volunteering activities that are supported at Union level, the volunteering activities under the European Voluntary Service that fall within the geographical scope of the European Solidarity Corps+ should be supported by the latter in the form of cross-border volunteering placemenrojects. The other volunteering activities under the European Voluntary Service that do not fall under the geographical scope of the European Solidarity Corps+ should continue to be supported under the Programme established by Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing 'Erasmus+': the Union programme for education, training, youth and sport20 . With respect to the interpretation of related legislation at Union level, both the cross- border volunteering placements under the European Solidarity Corpsroject and the volunteering activities that continue to be supported under Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013 should be considered equivalent to those carried out under the European Voluntary Service. __________________ 20 Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing 'Erasmus+': the Union programme for education, training, youth and sport and repealing Decisions No 1719/2006/EC, No 1720/2006/EC and No 1298/2008/EC, OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 50.
Amendment 194 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Young people’s spirit of initiative is an important asset for society and for the labour market. The European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + should contribute to fostering this aspect by offering young people the opportunity to devise and implement their own projects aimed at addressing specific challenges in solidarity to the benefit of their local communities. Thoese projects should be an opportunity to try out ideadevelop innovative solutions and support young people to be themselves drivers of solidarity actions. They could also serve as a springboard for further engagement in solidarity activities and could be a first step towards encouraging European Solidarity Corps participants to engage in self-employment or setting up associations, NGOs or other bodies active in the solidarity, non-profit and youth sectors volunteers in associations, NGOs, youth organisations or other bodies active in the solidarity, non-profit and youth sectors as well as for social enterprises and the setting up of their own associations.
Amendment 197 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Young people and organisations participating in the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + should feel that they belong to a community of individuals and entities committed to enhancing solidarity across Europe. At the same time, participating organisationsin non-profit organisations with general interest need support to strengthen their capacities to offer good quality placemenrojects to an increasing number of participantvolunteers. The European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + should support networking activities aimed at strengthening young people and participating non- profit organisations’ engagement in this community, at fostering a European Solidarity Corps spirit, as well as at encouraging the exchange of useful solidarity practices and experience. Those activities should also contribute to raising awareness about the European Solidarity Corps among public and private actors as well as to collect feedback from participantvolunteers and participating non-profit organisations on the implementation of the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service +.
Amendment 205 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) Particular attention should be paid to ensuring the quality of the placemenrojects and other opportunities offered under the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service +, in particular by offering training, language support, insurance, administrative and post- placement support to participantsupport to volunteers as well as the validation of the knowledge, skills and competences acquired through their European Solidarity Corps experiencevolunteering experience. This support should be created and provided in collaboration with youth organisations and other non-profit organisations in order to tap into their expertise on the field.
Amendment 212 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) To ensure the impact of European SVolidarity Corps placementsuntary Service + project on the personal, educational, social, civic and professional development of the participantsvolunteer, the knowledge, skills and competences that are the learning outcomes of the placement should be properly identified and documented, in accordance with national circumstances and specificities, as recommended in the Council Recommendation of 20 December 2012 on the validation of non-formal and informal learning 22. __________________ 22 Council Recommendation of 20 December 2012 on the validation of non- formal and informal learning, OJ C 398, 22.12.2012, p. 1.
Amendment 217 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) A quality label should be put in place to ensure compliance of the non- profit participating organisations with the principles and requirements of the European Solidarity Corps Charter, as regards to their rights and responsibilities during all stages of the solidarity experience. Obtaining a quality label should be a precondition for participation but should not automatically lead toand funding under the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service +.
Amendment 221 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
Amendment 225 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) AThe European SVolidarity Corps Portal shouluntary Service + Portal should be developed and continuously be developupdated in order to ensure easy access to the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + and to provide a one-stop shop for both interested individuals and non- profit organisations as regards, inter alia, registration, identification and matching of profiles and opportunities, networking and virtual exchanges, online training, language and post-placementlanguage support as well as other useful functionalities, which may arise in the future.
Amendment 237 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) This Regulation lays down a financial envelope for the period 20189- 2020 which is to constitute the prime reference amount, within the meaning of Point 17 of the Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management23, for the European Parliament and the Council during the annual budgetary procedure. The prime reference amount includes redeployments from the Erasmus+ programme (EUR 197.7 million) and from the Employment and Social Innovation programme (EUR 10 million) for the financial years 2018, 2019 and 2020, and it is complemented by contributions from several Union programmes under different headings, such as the European Social Fund, the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, the LIFE programme and the European Agricultural Fund foverall budget available for the implementation of the European Voluntary Service + is set at EUR 294 200 000 in current prices, for the period from 1 January 2019 until 31 December 202023a. This budget should be also financed through the mobilisation of unallocated margins and other flexibility instruments even in the future Multiannual Financial Framework Rural Developmentegulation. __________________ 23 Interinstitutional Agreement of 2 December 2013 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, OJ C 373, 20.12.2013, p. 1. 23aThis financial envelope constitutes the prime reference amount within the meaning of point 17 of the Interinstitutional Agreement (2013/C 373/01) between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management.
Amendment 243 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) In order to ensure continuity in the activities supported by the programmes contributing to the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service +, the financial support to solidarity placements and projects should indicatively follow an 80%-20% split betweenrojects should follow the 100% of volunteering placements and solidarity projects on the one hand and traineeship and job placements on the other hand.
Amendment 252 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) IAs in EVS, in addition to the Member States, the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + should also be open to the particiErasmus+ Programme and partner countries, with partion of other countries on the basis of bilateral agreementcular attention to countries neighbouring the Union from its start, in order to promote equality of opportunities between young people from EU Member States and non-EU third countries. This participation should be based, where relevant, on additional appropriations to be made available in accordance with the procedures to be agreed with the concerned countries.
Amendment 267 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) Any entitynon-profit entity or volunteer willing to participate in the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service +, whether funded by the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + budget, by another Union programme or by a different funding source, should receive a quality label or certificate provided that the appropriate conditions are fulfilled. The process that leads to the attribution of a quality label should be carried out on a continuous basis by the implementing structures of the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service +. The attributed quality label should be reassessed periodically and could be revoked if, in the context of the checks to be performed, the conditions that led to its attribution were found to be no longer fulfilled.
Amendment 273 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) An entitynon-profit entity or volunteer or groups of volunteers willing to apply for funding to offer placemenrojects under the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + should have first received a quality label as a precondition. This requirement should not apply to natural persons seeking financial support on behalf of an informal group of European Solidarity Corps participants for their solidarity projector a certificate as a precondition and should be accompanied by simplified application procedures and open deadlines.
Amendment 278 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) Appropriate outreach, publicity and dissemination of the opportunities and results of the actions supported by the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service+ should be ensured at European, national and local level. The outreach, publicity and dissemination activities should rely on all the implementing bodies of the European SVolidarity Corps, including, when relevant, with the support of other key stakeholdersuntary Service +, on Commission websites, and on Union programmes already associated with the European Voluntary Service +.
Amendment 291 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
Recital 35
(35) In compliance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the European Union26, the Commission should adopt work programmes and inform the European Parliament and the Council thereof. The work programme should set out the measures needed for their implementation in line with the general and specific objectives of the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service +, the selection and award criteria for grants, as well as all other elements required. Work programmes and any amendments to them should be adopted by implementingdelegated acts in accordance with the examination procedure. __________________ 26 Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002, OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1.
Amendment 301 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
Recital 39
(39) The financial envelope of the European Solidarity Corps under Heading 1a of the Multiannual Financial Framework also builds on funds redeployed from the Erasmus+ programme. These funds should mainly come from appropriations aimed at financing European Voluntary Service activities that would fall under the scope of the volunteering placementsroject supported under this Regulation. In addition, some appropriations of the Student Loan Guarantee Facility, which are unlikely to be absorbed under Erasmus+, should be redeployed with a view to providing adequate co-financing to the operating costs of national agencies and be brought more in line with the absorption capacity of this action.
Amendment 303 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 40
Recital 40
(40) The financial envelope of the European Solidarity Corps under Heading 1a of the Multiannual Financial Framework should additionally be supplemented by financial contributions from other programmes and headings, which require the amendment of Regulations (EU) No 1293/201327, (EU) No 1303/201328, (EU) No 1305/201329, (EU) No 1306/201330 as well as of Decision No 1313/2013/EU31 of the European Parliament and of the Council. __________________ 27Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the establishment of a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 614/2007 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 185). 28Regulation (EU) No 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 Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p.320). 29Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 487). 30Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on the financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 352/78, (EC) No 165/94, (EC) No 2799/98, (EC) No 814/2000, (EC) No 1290/2005 and (EC) No 485/2008 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 549). 31Decision No 1313/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on a Union Civil Protection Mechanism, (OJ L347 20.12.2013, p. 924).
Amendment 308 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41
Recital 41
(41) This Regulation should apply from 1 January 20189. In order to allow for the prompt application of the measures provided for in this Regulation, this Regulation should enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Amendment 312 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) “solidarity activity” means an activity of general interest within the structures of non-profit organisations aimed at addressing unmet societal needs to the benefit of a community while also fostering the individual’s personal, educational, social, civic and professional development, which may take the form of placements, projects or networking activities, developed in relation to different areas, such as education and training, employment,formal and non-formal education and informal learning gender equality, social entrepreneurship, in particular social entrepreneurshiptercultural dialogue, social inclusion, citizenship and democratic participation, environment and nature protection, climate action, disaster prevention, preparedness and recovery, agriculturesocial farming and rural development, provision of food and non- food items, health and wellbeing, creativity and culture, physical education and sport, social assistance and welfare, reception and integration of third-country nationals, territorial cooperation and cohesion; in particular migrants and asylum seekers, territorial cooperation and cohesion; this activity is characterised by fixed period, clear objectives, contents, tasks, structure and framework; appropriate financial support, and legal and social protection shall be provided;
Amendment 325 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
(2) “participantvolunteer” means a young person who has registered in the European Solidarity Corps Portal andVoluntary Service + Portal, carries out activities benefiting society, of their own free will; these activities are undertaken for a non- profit cause, benefiting the personal development of the volunteer, who commits their time and energy for the general good without financial reward; the volunteer takes part in a solidarity activity under the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + offered by a participating organisation; non- profit organisation certified by means of the quality label; the volunteer is reimbursed of expenses directly related to his activity;
Amendment 329 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
(3) “disadvantaged young peoplevolunteer” means individuals who needrequire additional support because of disability, educational difficulties, economic obstacles, cultural differences, health problems, social obstacle, targeted support due to discrimination and a heightened risk of social exclusion as a result of various factors, either individually or in combination with each other. Such factors may include, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, health status, geographical obstacles;
Amendment 334 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
(4) “participating organisation” means any public or private entitynon-profit entity which carries out an activity of general interest, that has been attributed the European Solidarity Corps Voluntary Service + quality label, which offers a placement to a participant in the European Solidarity Corps or implements othervolunteer solidarity activitiesy in the framework of the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service +;
Amendment 344 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Amendment 352 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
(6) “volunteering” means a full-time32 unpaipart-time or full-time32, reimbursed voluntary service for a period of up to twelve months, which provides young people with the opportunity to contribute to the daily work of organisations active in solidarity-related fields, to the ultimate benefit of the communities within which the activities are carried out, including a solid learning and training dimension in order to enable the young volunteer(s) to gain skills and competences, which will be useful for their personal, educational, and social and professional developmdevelopment; this activity is characterised by a fixed period and clear objectives, contents, and which will also contribute to improving their employabilitytasks, structure and framework; appropriate financial support, and legal and social protection; volunteering shall not be used to substitute or replace paid employment; __________________ 32 As a general principle, an activity carried out continuously, 5 days a week for 7 hours a day.
Amendment 363 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
(7) “volunteering teams’ placemenrojects” means placemenrojects allowing teams of European SVolidarity Corps participantuntary Service + volunteers from different participating countries to volunteer together for a common objective, by carrying out manual or intellectual tasks, on a worthwhile community service project, in collaboration with public authorities, non-profit organisations, foundations and social enterprises for a period between two weeks and two months;
Amendment 365 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Amendment 370 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 9
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 9
Amendment 371 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
(10) “solidarity network project” means a local initiative for a period from two to twelve months, which is set up and carried out by groups of at least five European SVolidarity Corps participantuntary Service + volunteers or participating non-profit organisations, with a view to addressing key challenges within their local community while linking them to a broader European perspective;
Amendment 377 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 11
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 11
(11) “quality label” means the certification attributed to a public or private, non-profit entity or an non-profit international organisation referred to in point 4 of this Article, willing to provide placemenrojects under the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service+ following a procedure aimed at ensuring compliance with the principles and requirements of the European SVolidarity Corps Charteruntary + Service Guidelines;
Amendment 385 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Amendment 388 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Amendment 397 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 14
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 14
(14) "European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + Portal" means a web-based tool that provides relevant online services to the European SVolidarity Corps participantuntary Service + volunteers and participating non-profit organisations, including providing information about the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service +, registering participants, searching for participants for placemenrojects, advertising and searching for placements, searching frojects, or potential project partners, managing contacts and offers for placements and projects, trainingrojects, communication and networking activities, informing and notifying about opportunities, as well as other relevant developments related to the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service +.
Amendment 401 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
The objective of the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service+ is to enhance the engagement of young people and non-profit organisations in accessible and high quality solidarity activities as a means to contribute to strengthening cohesion and solidarity in Europe, supporting communities and responding to societal challengesthe urgent challenges of environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and greater social integration.
Amendment 413 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to provide young people, with the support of participating non-profit organisations, with easily accessible opportunities for engagement in solidarity activities while improving their skills and competences for personal, educational, social, civic and professional development, as well as their employability and facilitating transition into the labour market,development including by supporting the mobility of young volunteers, trainees and workers;
Amendment 420 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to ensure that the solidarity activities that are offered to the European SVolidarity Corps participantuntary Service + volunteers contribute to addressing concrete, unmet societal needs and strengthening communitof general interest, counteracting and mitigating environmental emergencies, apre of high quality and properly validatedventing and mitigating the effects of natural disasters.
Amendment 431 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission and the participating countries shall cooperate to achieve efficiency and effectiveness, by ensuring coherence between national programmes and schemes related to solidarity, education, vocational training and youth on the one hand and actions under the European Solidarity Corps on the other hand. Those actions shall build on relevant good practices and existing programmes.
Amendment 434 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3
Article 5 – paragraph 3
3. Other Union programmes may also contribute to the objectives of the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + by supporting activities within its scope. This contribution shall be financed in accordance with their respective basic acts.
Amendment 438 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The Commission and Member States shall cooperate to achieve convergence and complementarity regarding volunteering policies between national legislation via the open method of coordination.
Amendment 439 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3 b (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. The Commission shall take initiative to develop a Union Agenda for Volunteering, aimed at guaranteeing the recognition and respect of the rights of volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations and the reduction of administrative and legal barriers to volunteering and volunteer-involving organisations across Europe, in addition to fostering, promoting and supporting a wider culture of solidarity and volunteering in Europe.
Amendment 446 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) solidarity placements, projects and networking activities;
Amendment 448 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) quality and support measureto solidarity projects.
Amendment 451 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – title
Article 7 – title
Solidarity placements, projects and networking activities
Amendment 456 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) solidarity placemenrojects in the form of volunteering, traineeships or jobfull-time and part-time volunteering opportunities, including individual cross- border and in- country placemenrojects as well as volunteering teams’ placemenrojects;
Amendment 462 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) solidarity projects at the initiative of European SVolidarity Corps participantuntary Service + volunteers;
Amendment 463 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) networking activities for individuals and organisations participating in the European Solidarity Corps, which must be entirely consistent with and complement proven experience on the ground, in particular alongside good volunteering and civil protection practice.
Amendment 478 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) measures aimed at ensuring the quality and accessibility of solidarity placemenrojects, including training, language support, administrative support for participantvolunteers and participating non-profit organisations, insurance, post-placement support as well as the development of a certificate building on the experiences of the Youth Pass, that identifies and documents the knowledge, skills and competences acquired during the placementvolunteering activity;
Amendment 488 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) the development and maintenance of a quality label for entities willing to provide placemenrojects for the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + in order to ensure compliance with the principles and requirements of the European SVolidarity Corps Charteruntary Service + Guidelines;
Amendment 491 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point c
Amendment 493 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) the establishment, maintenance and updating of the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + Portal and other relevant online services, primarily to disseminate the aims of this Regulation and publicise its accessibility, as well as the necessary IT support systems and web-based tools.
Amendment 498 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. The overall budget available for the implementation of the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + is set at EUR 341 5294 200 000 in current prices, for the period from 1 January 20189 until 31 December 20201a. __________________ 1aThis financial envelope constitutes the prime reference amount within the meaning of point 17 of the Interinstitutional Agreement (2013/C 373/01) between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management.
Amendment 500 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Amendment 518 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Article 9 – paragraph 3
3. The financial support to solidarity placements and projects referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Article 7(1) shall indicatively be 8100% for volunteering placements and solidarity projects; and 20% for traineeship and job placements.
Amendment 519 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4
Article 9 – paragraph 4
4. The financial allocation may also cover expenses pertaining to preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities which are required for the management of the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + and the achievement of its objectives, in particular, studies, meetings of experts and information and communication actions, expenses linked to the establishment, maintenance and updating of the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + Portal and the necessary IT support systems, and all other technical and administrative assistance expenses incurred by the Commission for the management of the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service +.
Amendment 532 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. The European Solidarity Corps shall be open for theOther participation of otherng countries onf the basis of bilateral agreements. Cooperation shall be based, where relevant, on additional appropriations to be made available in accordance with the procedures to be agreed with those countriesErasmus+ Programme, as referred in Article 24 of the Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013, shall also participate in the European Voluntary Service +.
Amendment 535 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. Young people aged 17 to 30 years willing to participate in the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + shall register in the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + Portal. However, at the moment of commencing a placement or a project, a registered young person shall be at least 18 years of age and not older than 30. Such specific measures shall take into account and be based on the measures and best practices developed under the current Programme Erasmus+ (EVS).
Amendment 547 #
Amendment 556 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
1. The European Solidarity CorpsVoluntary Service + shall be open to the participation of public or private non-profit entities, or international organisations, provided that they have received a European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + quality label.
Amendment 567 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 3
Article 13 – paragraph 3
3. As a result of the assessment the entity may be attributed the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + quality label. The obtained label shall be re-assessed periodicallyevery one year and may be revoked.
Amendment 576 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Any public or private entitynon-profit entity which carries out an activity of general interest, established in a participating country as well as international organisations carrying out solidarity activities in the participating countries may apply for funding under the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service +. In the case of the activities referred to in point (a) of Article 7(1), a quality label shall be obtained by the non-profit participating organisation as a pre- condition for receiving funding under the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service +. In the case of the solidarity projects referred to in point (b) of Article 7(1), natural persons may also apply for funding on behalf of informal groups of European Solidarity Corps participants.
Amendment 586 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission, in cooperation with the participating countries, participating non-profit organisations as well as Union and national stakeholders such as youth organisations, shall regularly monitor the performance of the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + towards achieving its objectives.
Amendment 594 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) number of participants in volunteering placemenrojects (in-country and cross-border);
Amendment 598 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Amendment 602 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Amendment 612 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) satisfaction rate of participants with European Voluntary Service + projects;
Amendment 620 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e b (new)
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e b (new)
(eb) rate of achievement of project objectives in terms of identified community needs;
Amendment 629 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3
Article 15 – paragraph 3
3. In 2020 the Commission shall publish a report taking stock of the progress made towards achieving its results, including the target of offering 100 000 young people opportunities under the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service + by 2020 (covering all the placements and projects referred to in points (a) and (b) of Article 7(1)).
Amendment 634 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission, in cooperation with the participating countries, shall ensure the dissemination of information, publicity about registration and the accessibility of the procedures and follow- up with regard to all actions supported in the framework of the European SVolidarity Corpsuntary Service +.
Amendment 643 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. National agencies shall cooperate with specialised youth information services that inform, reach out, guide and support young people, especially those from disadvantaged background, in order to ensure a coherent and diverse dissemination and outreach.
Amendment 674 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1
Article 24 – paragraph 1
1. In order to implement this Regulation, the Commission shall adopt work programmes by way of implementdelegated acts ing actscordance with Article 25a. Each work programme shall ensure that the general and specific objectives set out in Articles 3 and 4 are implemented in a consistent manner and shall outline the expected results, the method of implementation and its total amount. The work programmes shall also contain a description of the actions to be financed, an indication of the amount allocated to each action, an indication of the distribution of funds between the participating countries for the actions to be managed through the national agencies and an indicative implementation timetable.
Amendment 677 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2
Article 24 – paragraph 2
Amendment 678 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1
Article 25 – paragraph 1
Amendment 681 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 2
Article 25 – paragraph 2
Amendment 682 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 a (new)
Article 25 a (new)
Amendment 684 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27
Article 27
Amendment to Regulation (EU) No In Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013, the following paragraph is added: ‘3. current prices from the sub-programme for Environment corresponding to the priority area Environment Governance and Information andrticle 27 deleted 1293/2013 A maximum of EUR 1 53 000 000 in current prices from the sub-programme for Climate Action corresponding to the priority area Climate Governance and Information shall be allocated to finance projects within the meaning of Article 17(4) implemented by the European Solidarity Corps in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/XXX, which contribute to one or more of the priority areas within the meaning of Articles 9 and 13. This allocation shall be implemented solely in accordance with the Regulation (EU) 2017/XXX, to the exclusion of the specific requirements of Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013. ’
Amendment 690 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28
Article 28
Amendments to Regulation (EU) No Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 is amended as follows: 1. Article 58(1) is amended as follows: (a) by the following: ‘At the initiative of the Commission, the ESI Funds may support the preparatory, monitoring, administrative and technical assistance, evaluation, audit and control measures necessary for implementing this Regulation and support actions pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2017/XXX as referred to in the third subparagraph in so far as those actions pursue the aim of economic, social and territorial cohesion. ’ (b) following point (m) is added: ‘(m) actions financed pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2017/XXX on the European Solidarity Corps in order to enhance the personal, educational, social, civic and professional development of young people, as well as their employability and facilitating transition into the labour market. ’ 2. subparagraph is added: ‘EUR 35 000 000 in current prices of the amount allocated to technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission shall be allocated to the European Solidarity Corps to support its actions, in accordance with point (a) of article 9(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/XXX. The allocation shall be implemented solely in accordance with the Regulation (EU) 2017/XXX, to the exclusion of the specific requirements of Fund-specific Regulations. ’rticle 28 deleted 1303/2013 the first subparagraph is replaced In the third subparagraph, the In Article 91(3), the following
Amendment 695 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29
Article 29
Amendment to Regulation (EU) No In Article 51(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, the following subparagraph is added under the first subparagraph: ‘The EAFRD may also finance actions implemented by the European Solidarity Corps with an amount of EUR 1 800 000 in current prices in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/XXX, which contribute to one or more of the Union priorities for rural development. The allocation shall be implemented solely in accordance with the Regulation (EU) 2017/XXX, to the exclusion of the specific requirements of Regulation (EU) Norticle 29 deleted 1305/2013. ’
Amendment 698 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30
Article 30
Amendment to Regulation (EU) No In Article 6 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013, the following point (j) is added: ‘(j) European Solidarity Corps in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/XXX, which contribute to one or more of the Union priorities in the area of agriculture and rural development and notably the actions referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 51(1) of Regulation (EU) Norticle 30 deleted 13056/2013. The allocation shall be implemented solely in accordance with the Regulation (EU) 2017/XXX, to the exclusion of the specific requirements of Fund-specific Regulations. ’ actions implemented by the
Amendment 701 #
2017/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31
Article 31
Amendment to Decision No In Article 19(1) of Decision No 1313/2013/EU, the following subparagraph is added after the second subparagraph: ‘EUR 6 000 000 in current prices from the financial envelope derived from Heading 3 "Security and Citizenship" shall be allocated to finance actions implemented by the European Solidarity Corps in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/XXX, which contribute to one or more of the Union priorities in the area of civil protection. The allocation shall be implemented solely in accordance with the Regulation (EU) 2017/XXX, to the exclusion of the specific requirements of Decision Norticle 31 deleted 1313/2013/EU. ’
Amendment 12 #
2016/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Notes that the European Semester is one of the EU's most undemocratic mechanisms, and is the mechanism through which austerity, social regression, recession, unemployment and poverty have become permanently institutionalised in Europe;
Amendment 33 #
2016/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Notes that after five years of implementation of the European Semester, education and culture have fallen victim to the 'fiscal consolidation' that it promotes. Underfunding and cuts in public spending on education devalue education systems and, in combination with divestment, are leading to high rates of long-term unemployment, up to 40% among young people, resulting in the deregulation of labour relations and the intensification of the 'brain drain'.
Amendment 55 #
2016/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Demands the abolition of the European Semester and calls for a different mix of economic policies which will not reduce jobs or use blackmail for structural reforms, but will promote solidarity and social justice and lead to sustainable growth and increasing spending on education, youth and culture.
Amendment 22 #
2016/2148(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Deplores the institutionalisation of the principle of macroeconomic conditionality and the correlation between cohesion policy, its objectives and funds on the one hand and the stability and growth pact, economic governance and any economic and financial convergence between Member States on the other; notes that the imposition of strict macroeconomic and financial conditions and austerity measures undermines the role of cohesion policy and the support it can give to action for culture, education and sport with a view to ensuring balanced growth, creating jobs and eliminating inequalities in order to achieve genuine convergence;
Amendment 27 #
2016/2148(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Expresses its concern at the process of suspending the funding which is about to be activated for the first time in Spain and Portugal; considers that funding for European regions should not depend on compliance with macroeconomic conditions imposed by EU economic policies; believes that penalising Member States will not improve the effectiveness of cohesion policy and that suspending payments will be a severe blow to Member States facing difficulties and would only worsen unemployment and poverty and weaken the vulnerable sectors of education and culture;
Amendment 31 #
2016/2148(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Stresses the need to adopt measures to make the best possible use of funding under the Structural and Investment Funds by supporting action to promote solidarity, job creation and preservation, education and culture, the provision of high-quality public services, environmental justice and a reduction in poverty and social exclusion; calls on Parliament to submit a proposal to review the application of Article 23 of the Regulation laying down common provisions on macroeconomic conditionality, in accordance with paragraph 17 thereof;
Amendment 59 #
2016/2148(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses that Member States are committed to providing better access to high-quality broadband, which is of vital importance for rural and sparsely populated areas; calls for the promotion of public wi-fi networks in the interests of sociocultural development, and of modern education systems and computer systems;
Amendment 151 #
2016/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on sports organiszations to ensure that bidding to host major events abides by good governance and sound financial management standards and, fundamental and working rights, and guarantees a sustainable legacy for local communities; Reiterates that local communities could hold referendums in order to accept such biddings or not;
Amendment 224 #
2016/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 242 #
2016/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Regrets that in several Member States fiscal adjustment policies has led to a substantial decrease in public financing for grassroots sports, thus obstructing social cohesion and integration;
Amendment 247 #
2016/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that athletes must be protected from abusive practices such as third-party ownership and exploitation of minors in early binding contracts, which raise numerous questions of integrity and broader ethical concerns;
Amendment 285 #
2016/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Calls on the promotion of mixed- gender sports events and matches, especially regarding team sports;
Amendment 300 #
2016/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Recognises the importance of grassroots sport in preventing and fighting radicalisation leading to violent extremism;
Amendment 348 #
2016/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Stresses that disabled people should have equal access to all sports facilities;
Amendment 381 #
2016/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Supports measures promoting the mobility of volunteers in sport, providing that the European Charter for the Rights and Responsibilities of Volunteers is respected and that the volunteers are not considered as a cheap labour replacement;
Amendment 418 #
2016/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)
Paragraph 44 a (new)
44a. Stresses the importance of having full transparency of ownership in professional sports clubs;
Amendment 419 #
2016/2143(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 b (new)
Paragraph 44 b (new)
44b. Calls on all Member States to provide all athletes and especially those that suffered from injury, with public healthcare for life after the end of their career;
Amendment 68 #
2016/2142(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges that online and open education is changing the way that education is resourced, delivered and taken up, making inclusion, personal fulfilment and occupational choice and switching possible for everyone by providing guaranteed educational opportunities throughout life;
Amendment 84 #
2016/2142(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that academic institutions must prepare students for uncertainty and provide them with tools such asfuture occupational requirements, some of which are as yet unknown, and provide them with 'how to' tools for independent learning and entrepreneurial and adaptabilityproblem- solving skills to explore their own pathways;
Amendment 189 #
2016/2142(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Advocates the creation of a user- friendly online platform as a one-stop-shop where education professionals and learners can facilitate the exchange of best practice;
Amendment 196 #
2016/2142(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Recommends the corroboration of lifelong learning efforts with a European Digitalisation Strategy within education; recommends that the copyright exceptions for education and research in the projected copyright directive (Articles 3 and 4) also be systematically applied to further education and distance education;
Amendment 203 #
2016/2142(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Highlights the importance of stepping up European efforts to make the Lifelong Learning Strategy a reality for all; by providing a guaranteed entitlement under employment law to further education in the form of a range of learning opportunities that can also be pursued for personal fulfilment and for switching occupations;
Amendment 213 #
2016/2142(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Calls on Member States to ensure a holistic approach to education and to provide students with authentic learning opportunities that develop their aspirations and individual self-realisation and the skills needed to survive, and play a role, in a global economy and a democratic society;
Amendment 10 #
2016/2101(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges that youth unemployment, which is exceptionally high, is a perpetual challenge for Europe; notes that the employment situation varies significantly across the EU; points therefore to the need for labour market and that initiatives such as the European Semester have made matters worse rather than better; concludes thereformse that would adapt education to market demands anis is necessary to introduce reforms that would tackle inequalities in education; expresses, in this context, its further support for the Youth Employment Initiative;
Amendment 14 #
2016/2101(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Strongly rejects the European Semester process, since it is undemocratic and undermines the right of each Member State and its people to adopt policies in line with their economic and social situation and with their entitlements and aspirations; is deeply concerned that this process is seeking to introduce even harsher pay and pension cuts, encourage further exploitation of workers, increase the retirement age, and bring about additional privatisation and deregulation and the dismantling of public services and welfare entitlements;
Amendment 28 #
2016/2101(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates that investments in education and culture must reinforce employabilityfull- time high-quality employment and contribute to sustainable growth and job creation in the EU; underlines the need for structural reforms ofimprovements to the education and training systems in the Member States, so as to make them universally accessible and provide a more genuinely public service, and the need to foster better interaction between the EU and the Member States and to facilitate the exchange of best practices among the Member States;
Amendment 4 #
2016/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls the need to ensure coherence between internal and external EU policies, and stresses that targeted cultural and educational policies can support key EU foreign and security policy objectives; reiterates the role of intercultural dialogue through intergovernmental collaboration as a tool for mutual understanding between peoples, peace building and conflict prevention;
Amendment 14 #
2016/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Regrets the fact that the 2014 annual report on the common foreign and security policy does not refer to cultural diplomacy, and underlines the need for the Member States to initiate a strategic approach to culture and intercultural dialogue, based on the principles of interculturalism, solidarity and mutual understanding between peoples, which should be reflected in the EU’s external relations;
Amendment 47 #
2016/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes the results of a recent European Parliament study on European cultural institutes abroad, in particular the set of guiding principles for the effective pooling and sharing of resources between cultural institutes and the EU institutions with a view to improving the visibility of European actions abroad regarding the promotion of the values of democracy, peace-building and respect for human rights and interculturalism;
Amendment 50 #
2016/2036(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recognises the role of cultural and creative industries in fostering growth and economic development, and encourages further support to creative industries in the EU and in third countri, and cooperation on a footing of equality with, creative industries in the EU based on common intercultural exchanges;
Amendment 101 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Citation 1
Citation 1
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 53(1) and 62 and 167 (2) thereof,
Amendment 111 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Directive 2010/13/EU should remain applicable only to those services the principal purpose of which is the provision of programmes in order to inform, entertain or educate. The principal purpose requirement should be also considered to be met if the service has audiovisual content and form which is dissociable from the main activity of the service provider, such as stand-alone parts of online newspapers featuring audiovisual programmes or user-generated videos where those parts can be considered dissociable from their main activity. Social media services are not included, except if they provide a service that falls under the definition of a video-sharing platform. A service should be considered to be merely an indissociable complement to the main activity as a result of the links between the audiovisual offer and the main activity. As such, channels or any other audiovisual services under the editorial responsibility of a provider may constitute audiovisual media services in themselves, even if they are offered in the framework of a video- sharing platform which is characterised by the absence of editorial responsibility. In such cases, it will be up to the providers with editorial responsibility to abide by the provisions of this Directive.
Amendment 122 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) In its Communication to the European Parliament and to the Council on Better Regulation for Better Results – an EU Agenda31 , the Commission stressed that when considering policy solutions, it will consider both regulatory and well- designed non-regulatory means, modelled on the Community of practice and the Principles for Better Self- and Co- regulation32 . A number of codes set up in the areas coordinated by the Directive have proved to be well designed, in line with the Principles for Better Self- and Co-regulation. The existence of a legislative backstop has been considered an important success factor in promoting compliance with a self- or co-regulatory code. It is equally important that the codes establish specific targets and objectives allowing for the regular, transparent and independent monitoring and evaluation of the objectives aimed by the codes. Graduated sanctions which maintain an element of proportionality are usually considered to be an effective approach in enforcing a scheme. These principles should be followed by the self- and co- regulatory codes adopted in the areas coordinated by this Directive. __________________ 32https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single- market/communities/better-self-and-co- regulation 311 COM(2015) 215 final COM(2015) 215 final
Amendment 131 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) Media pluralism requires citizens to access information, evaluate media contexts, and use, evaluate and create media content responsibly. Media literacy skills should be promoted so that citizens develop awareness, critical thinking and an open mindset as well as the ability to counter hate speech, extremist messages, propaganda and disinformation. Media literacy skills should also be promoted so that citizens understand the nature of content and services taking advantage of the full range of opportunities offered by communications technologies and so that they are safeguarded from harmful or offensive material.
Amendment 149 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Certain widely recognised nutritional guidelines exist at national and international level, such as the WHO Regional Office for Europe's nutrient profile model, in order to differentiate foods on the basis of their nutritional composition in the context of foods television advertising to children. Member States should be encouraged to ensure that self-and co-regulatory codes of conduct are used to effectively preducevent the exposure of children and minors to audiovisual commercial communications regarding foods and beverages that are high in salt, sugars or fat or that otherwise do not fit these national or international nutritional guidelines.
Amendment 150 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Similarly, Member States should be encouraged to ensure that self-and co- regulatory codes of conduct are used to effectively limit the exposure of children and minors to audiovisual commercial communications for alcoholic beverages. Certain co-regulatory or self-regulatory systems exist at Union and national level in order to market responsibly alcoholic beverages, including in audiovisual commercial communications. Those systems should be further encouraged, in particular those aiming at ensuring that responsible drinking messages accompanyprevent or limit the exposure of children and minors to audiovisual commercial communications for alcoholic beverages.
Amendment 160 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) In order to remove barriers to the free circulation of cross-border services within the Union, it is necessary to ensure the effectiveness of self- and co-regulatory measures aiming, in particular, at protecting consumers or public health. When well enforced and monitored, codes of conduct at Union level might be a good means of ensuring a more coherent and effective approach.
Amendment 170 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 13
Recital 13
Amendment 178 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) Sponsorship represents an important means of financing audiovisual media services or programmes while promoting a legal or physical person's name, trade mark, image, activities or products. As such, for sponsorship to constitute a valuable form of advertising technique for advertisers and audiovisual media service providers, sponsorship announcements can contain promotional references to the goods or services of the sponsor, while not directly encouraging the purchase of the goods and services. Sponsorship announcements should continue to clearly inform the viewers of the existence of a sponsorship agreement. The content of sponsored programmes should not be influenced in such a way as to affect the audiovisual media service provider's editorial independence.
Amendment 183 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 15
Recital 15
Amendment 189 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Product placement should not be admissible in news and current affairs programmes, television coverage of national or non-national events of major importance for society, consumer affairs programmes, religious programmes and programmes with a significant children’'s audience or target children's audience. In particular, evidence shows that product placement and embedded advertisements can affect children’s behaviour as children are often not able to recognise the commercial content. There is thus a need to continue to prohibit product placement in programmes with a significant or target children’'s audience . Consumer affairs programmes are programmes offering advice to viewers, or including reviews on the purchase of products and services. Allowing product placement in such programmes would blur the distinction between advertising and editorial content for viewers who may expect a genuine and honest review of products or services in such programmes.
Amendment 197 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) The rule that a product should not be given undue prominence has proved difficult to apply in practice. It also restricts the take-up of product placement which, by definition, involves some level of prominent exposure to be able to generate value. TProduct placement should, in principle, be prohibited. Where derogations are provided by Directive 2010/13/EU, the requirements for programmes containing product placement should thus focus on clearly informing the viewers of the existence of product placement and on ensuring that the audiovisual media service provider's editorial independence is not affected.
Amendment 219 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) While this Directive does not increase the overall amount of admissible advertising time during the period from 7:00 to 23:00, it is important for broadcasters to have more flexibility and to be able to decide when to place advertising in order to maximise advertisers' demand and viewers' flow. Tthe hourly limit should thus be abolished while a daily limit of 20% of advertising, teleshopping spots, product placement, sponsorship announcements within the period from 7:00 to 23:00 should be introduced.
Amendment 264 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) As regards commercial communications on audiovisual media such as video-sharing platforms, they are already regulated by Directive 2005/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, which prohibits unfair business- to-consumer commercial practices, including misleading and aggressive practices occurring in information society services. As regards commercial communications concerning tobacco and related products in video- sharing platforms, the existing prohibitions provided for in Directive 2003/33/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, as well as the prohibitions applicable to communications concerning e-cigarettes and refill containers pursuant to Directive 2014/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, ensure that consumers are sufficiently protected. The measures set out in this Directive therefore complement those set out in Directives 2005/29/EC, 2003/33/EC and 2014/40/EU.
Amendment 273 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) An import significant share of the content stored on video-sharing platforms is not under the editorial responsibility of the video-sharing platform provider. However, those providers typically determine the organisation of the content, namely programmes or user-generated videos, including by automatic means or algorithms. Therefore, those providers should be required to have editorial responsibility in order to take appropriate measures to protect minors from content that may impair their physical, mental or moral development and protect all citizens from incitement to violence or hatred directed against a group of persons or a member of such a group defined by reference to sex, race, colour, religion, descent or national or ethnic origin.
Amendment 280 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 29
Recital 29
Amendment 295 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) It is appropriate to involve the audiovisual media service providers such as video-sharing platform providers as much as possible when implementing the appropriate measures to be taken pursuant to this Directive. Co-regulation should therefore be encouraged. With a view to ensuring a clear and, consistent and harmonised approach in this regard across the Union, Member States should not be entitled to require video-sharing platform providers to take stricter measures to protect minors from harmful content and all citizens from content containing incitement to violence or hatred than the ones provided for in this Directive. However, i. It should remain possible for Member States to take such stricter measures where that content is illegal, provided that they comply with Articles 14 and 15 of Directive 2000/31/EC, and to take measures with respect to content on websites containing or disseminating child pornography, as required by and allowed under Article 25 of Directive 2011/93/EU of the European Parliament and the Council35 . It should also remain possible for video-sharing platform providers to take stricter measures on a voluntary basis. __________________ 35 Directive 2011/93/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA (OJ L 335, 17.12.2011, p. 1).
Amendment 310 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 32
Recital 32
(32) TheAudiovisual media service providers such as video-sharing platform providers covered by this Directive provide information society services within the meaning of point (a) of Article 2 of Directive 2000/31/EC. Those providers are consequently subject to the rules on the internal market set out in Article 3 of that Directive, if they are established in a Member State. It is appropriate to ensure that the same rules apply to video-sharing platform providers which are not established in a Member State with a view to safeguarding the effectiveness of the measures to protect minors and citizens set out in this Directive and ensuring a level playing field in as much as possible, in as far as those providers have either a parent company or a subsidiary which is established in a Member State or where those providers are part of a group and another entity of that group is established in a Member State. To that effect, arrangements should be made to determine in which Member State those providers should be deemed to have been established. The Commission should be informed of the providers under each Member State's jurisdiction in application of the rules on establishment set out in this Directive and in Directive 2000/31/EC.
Amendment 322 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 36
Recital 36
(36) ERGA hasand the contact committee have made a positive contribution towards consistent regulatory practice and hasve provided high level advice to the Commission and to the Member States on implementation matters. This calls for the formal recognition of ERGA and reinforcement of its role in this Directive. The group should therefore be re-established by virtue of this Directive.
Amendment 333 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 38
Recital 38
(38) This Directive is without prejudice to the ability of Member States to impose obligations to ensure discoverability and accessibility of content of general interest under defined general interest objectives such as media pluralism, freedom of speech and cultural diversity. Such obligations should only be imposed where they are necessary to meet general interest objectives clearly defined by Member States in conformity with Union law. In this respect, Member States should in particular examine the need for regulatory intervention against the results of the outcome of market forces. Where Member States decide to impose discoverability rules, they should only impose proportionate obligations on undertakings, in the interest of legitimate public policy considerations, in conformity with Union law. Audiovisual media service providers should therefore exercise editorial responsibility by taking appropriate measures.
Amendment 361 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point a a – point i
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point a a – point i
(i) the service consists of the storage of a large amount of programmes or user- generated videos, for which the video- sharing platform provider does not have editorial responsibility;
Amendment 397 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point e a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point e a (new)
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(ea) The following point is inserted: ‘(fa) "media literacy" means the ability of a citizen to access, understand, critically evaluate, create and interact with different aspects of media and media contents;’
Amendment 399 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point e b (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point e b (new)
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point f b (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point f b (new)
(eb) The following point is inserted: ‘(fb) 'access service' means an add-on feature of the audiovisual media service that improves the accessibility of the programmes for people with functional limitations, including persons with disabilities. Access services include subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH), audio description, spoken subtitles or audio subtitles and sign language interpretation;’
Amendment 468 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) manifestly, seriously and gravely infringes Articles 6 or, 12, or both27;
Amendment 518 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point a
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall remain free to require media service providers under their jurisdiction to comply with more detailed or stricter rules with regard to Articles 5, 6, 6a, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19 to 26, 27, 30 and 30a, provided that such rules are in compliance with Union law.;
Amendment 557 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point d
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point d
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 4 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall encourage co-introduce regulation and selfencourage co-regulation through codes of conduct adopted at national level in the fields coordinated by this Directive to the extent permitted by their legal systems. Those codes shall be such that they are broadly accepted by the main stakeholders in the Member States concerned. The codes of conduct shall clearly and unambiguously set out their objectives. They shall provide for regular, transparent and independent monitoring and evaluation of the achievement of the objectives aimed at. They shall provide for effective enforcement, including when appropriate effective and proportionate sanctions.
Amendment 558 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point d
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point d
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 4 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2
Draft Union codes of conduct referred to in Articles 6a (3), 9(2) and 9(4) and amendments or extensions to existing Union codes of conduct shall be submitted to the Commission by the signatories of these codes.
Amendment 574 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 6
Article 6
Member States shall ensure by appropriate means that audiovisual media services provided by media service providers under their jurisdiction do not contain any incitement to violence or hatred directed against a group of persons or a member of such a group defined by reference to sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.; Member States shall require broadcasters under their jurisdiction to broadcast events of major importance for society in an accessible way for people with functional limitations, including persons with disabilities.
Amendment 604 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 7
Article 7
(10) Article 7 is deleted; replaced by the following: 'Article 7 1. Member States shall ensure that audiovisual media service providers secure that they gradually make their services accessible to persons with disabilities. Member States shall ensure that audiovisual media service providers provide access to SDH, audio description, spoken subtitles or audio subtitles and sign language interpretation, immediately after the entry into force of this Directive. 2. Access services shall be provided for different types of programmes, including those for children, and at different times during the day, without concentrating accessible content in the least common time slots for the general audience. Member States shall encourage audiovisual media service providers to consult users' organisations, including organisations representing persons with disabilities, as regards prioritising the programmes to be made accessible. 3. Member States shall ensure that the audiovisual media service providers make their websites, online applications and mobile-based services, including mobile apps, which are used for the provision of their services, accessible in a consistent and adequate way in order to facilitate the perception and understanding of and operation by users, and in a robust way in order to facilitate interoperability with a variety of user agents and assistive technologies available at Union and international level. 4. Member States shall ensure that audiovisual media service providers provide accessible information about their services and, in particular, list and explain how to use the accessibility features of their services, including the complementarities with assistive technologies and other access services provided by third parties. 5. Emergency information, including public communications and announcements in natural disaster situations, which is made available to the public through audiovisual media services shall be provided in an accessible manner for persons with disabilities, including with SDH, sign language interpretation and audio message and audio description for any visual information.';
Amendment 632 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point a
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 643 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point a
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 649 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point a
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
The Commission and ERGA shall encourage the exchange of best practices on self- and co-regulatory systems across the Union. Where appropriate, the Commission shall facilitate the development of Union codes of conduct.;
Amendment 650 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point a a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point a a (new)
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 9 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 652 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point b
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Amendment 659 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point b
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 9 – paragraph 4
Article 9 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission and ERGA shall encourage the exchange of best practices on self-regulatory and co-regulatory systems across the Union. If considWhered appropriate, the Commission shall facilitate the development of Union codes of conduct.
Amendment 660 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point -a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point -a (new)
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point e
(-a) In paragraph 1, point e is replaced by the following: (e) audiovisual commercial communications for alcoholic beverages shall not be aimed specifically atcreated in a way to be attractive to minors and shall not encourage immoderate consumption of such beverages;
Amendment 661 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point b a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point b a (new)
(ba) The following paragraph is added: ‘4a. Member States and the Commission shall effectively prevent and minimise the exposure of children and minors to audiovisual commercial communications for alcoholic beverages in television broadcasts, on-demand audiovisual media services and video- sharing platform services. To that end, no such audiovisual commercial communications shall be broadcast in the Union between 07:00 and 23:00. Member States and the Commission shall further prevent and minimise the exposure of children and minors to such commercial communications by introducing legislation or encouraging the development of co-regulatory codes of conduct.';
Amendment 667 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b
Amendment 681 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Amendment 702 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point b a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point b a (new)
‘(ba) alcoholic beverages;'
Amendment 703 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point b b (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point b b (new)
‘(bb) foods and non-alcoholic beverages high in fat, trans-fatty acids, salt or sodium and sugars.’
Amendment 800 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 17
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 17
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 23 – paragraph 1
Article 23 – paragraph 1
1. The daily proportion of television advertising spots and, teleshopping spots, product placement and sponsorship announcements within the period between 7:00 and 23:00 shall not exceed 20 %.
Amendment 817 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 17
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 17
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 23 – paragraph 2
Article 23 – paragraph 2
Amendment 835 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 18
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 18
Directive 2010/13/EU
Chapter VIII
Chapter VIII
Amendment 846 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 19
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 19
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 28 a – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 28 a – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Without prejudice to Articles 14 and 15 of Directive 2000/31/EC, Member States shall ensure thatMember States shall ensure that audiovisual media service providers such as video-sharing platform providers take appropriate measures to:
Amendment 863 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 19
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 19
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 28 a – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 28 a – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) protect all citizens from content containing incitement to violence or hatred directed against a group of persons or a member of such a group defined by reference to sex, disability, race, colour, religion, descent or national or ethnic origin.
Amendment 879 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 19
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 19
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 28 a – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 28 a – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 924 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 19
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 19
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 28 a – paragraph 5
Article 28 a – paragraph 5
Amendment 941 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 19
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 19
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 28 a – paragraph 7
Article 28 a – paragraph 7
7. The Commission and ERGA shall encourage audiovisual media service providers such as video-sharing platform providers to exchange best practices on co- regulatory systems across the Union. Where appropriate, the Commission shall facilitate the development of Union codes of conduct.
Amendment 943 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 19
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 19
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 28 a – paragraph 8
Article 28 a – paragraph 8
Amendment 954 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 19
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 19
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 28 b – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 28 b – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall ensure that audiovisual media service providers such as video- sharing platform providers which are not established on their territory, but which have either a parent company or a subsidiary that is established on their territory or which are part of a group and another entity of that group is established on their territory, are deemed to have been established on their territory for the purposes of Article 3(1) of Directive 2000/31/EEC.
Amendment 978 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 21
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 21
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 30 – paragraph 1
Article 30 – paragraph 1
1. Each Member State shall designate one or more independent national regulatory authorities in order to monitor the correct implementation of this Directive. Member States shall ensure that they are legally distinct and functionally independent of any other public or private body. This shall be without prejudice to the possibility for Member States to set up regulators having oversight over different sectors.
Amendment 989 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 21
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 21
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 30 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 30 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall ensure that national regulatory authorities exercise their powers impartially and transparently and in accordance with the objectives of this Directive, in particular media pluralism, cultural diversity, consumer protection, accessibility of audiovisual media services, internal market and the promotion of fair competition.
Amendment 1011 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 21
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 21
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 30 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1
Article 30 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall ensure that effective mechanisms exist at national level under which any user or audiovisual media services provider or video-sharing platform provider who is affected by a decision of a national regulatory authority has the right of appeal against the decision to an appeal body. The appeal body shall be independent of the parties involved in the appeal.
Amendment 1043 #
2016/0151(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 23
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 23
Directive 2010/13/EU
Article 33 – paragraph 1
Article 33 – paragraph 1
By [date – no later than fourthree years after adoption] at the latest, and every three years thereafter, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, to the Council and to the European Economic and Social Committee a report on the application of this Directive.
Amendment 15 #
2015/2351(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas EU economic policies and the austerity measures they impose on the Member States are undermining the quality of education and conditions of employment for young people; pushing up unemployment, driving young people into a precarious existence and forcing them to accept jobs with no entitlements;
Amendment 21 #
2015/2351(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas youth strategy should encouraged the provision of free, public, comprehensive and social education services at every level, while enhancing democratic awareness and solidarity and ensuring full employment rights, together with decent working conditions;
Amendment 29 #
2015/2351(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas it ishowever important it is to ensure that young people receive the best possible training, it is just as important to ensure that they are able to ensure decent jobs, as today’s European youth is facing very high unemployment rates and unstable jobs with no entitlements, and in particular young people with poor qualifications are more likely to be unemployed; whereas in certain Member States many highly qualified young people are unable to find employment and are being forced to go abroad;
Amendment 64 #
2015/2351(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Expresses its concern at the brain drain and the dangers thereof for certain Member States, in particular those facing difficulties and included in adjustment programmes, where an increasing number of graduates are being forced by massive unemployment to go abroad, depriving the countries concerned of their most valuable and productive human resources;
Amendment 79 #
2015/2351(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines the importance of the role of family and its cooperation with schools, and local communities and churches to guideto help young people towardsachieve full integration in society;
Amendment 97 #
2015/2351(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Member States to make the best use of available EU and national policies and financial frameworks, in order to promote investmentcrease expenditure on training for in young people and job creationencourage the creation of new quality jobs;
Amendment 107 #
2015/2351(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for better coordination between education and training curricula and the needs of the changing labour markets; stresses however the importance of upholding the value of knowledge, seeking to provide a fully rounded education and a solid academic grounding and ensuring that education policies are not undermined by one-sided adherence to market dictates, reducing learning to a mere educational commodity;
Amendment 124 #
2015/2351(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses the need to include elements of entrepreneurial learning at all levels of education and training and the need to promote and uphold policies to foster youth entrepreneurship in the cultural and creative field in order to create quality jobs;
Amendment 211 #
2015/2351(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Stresses that young people’s voluntary activities should be supported and better recognised for their value as an important form of non-formal learning; receive particular attention, ensuring that they promote values such as cooperation, solidarity, equality and justice and are firmly dissociated from any attempts to replace the welfare state and state structures or encourage solutions that take improper advantage of unpaid activities;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2321(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on the EU and Member States to tackle the current refugee crisis with a holistic strategy that gives prioritybased on humanitarian principles and solidarity that gives priority to the creation of safe and legal channels and to the social and economic integration of refugees and asylum seekers, including through education and culture;
Amendment 25 #
2015/2321(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that in the current humanitarian crisis, firstly appropriate reception structures to ensure decent living conditions and subsequently access to educational services and assistance for refugee children and youth is aare preconditions for their social inclusion, protection, long-term integration into the labour market and prevention of their exploitation; underlines the need to ensure cultural and linguistic mediation as well as the learning of the host country’s language for refugees and asylum seekers, and to develop initiatives for the recognition of competences and qualifications, including through platforms;
Amendment 55 #
2015/2321(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines the importance of free, public education and guaranteeing access to educationit for children in emergency situations, including refugee children; welcomes the target of 4 % funding for education of the EU’s overall humanitarian aid budget for 2016, and calls on the Commission and the Member States to continue to advocate at international level the doubling of funding for education in emergencies in view of the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May 2016;
Amendment 65 #
2015/2321(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the crucial role of free public education, culture, intercultural and interreligious dialogue, lifelong learning, youth and sports policy in fostering the integration and social inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers in Europe and in contributing to building a more cohesive and inclusive society based on cultural diversity and the promotion of common values;
Amendment 83 #
2015/2321(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Asks the Member States to promote initiatives to foster cooperation among public authorities, NGOs and refugee communities in order to enhance mutual knowledge and understanding and to prevent racism, xenophobia and the creation of parallel ghetto societies;
Amendment 19 #
2015/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas education is a public good intended to ensure intellectual development, comprehensive instruction, and greater democratic awareness among European citizens; whereas it is necessary to maintain and enhance the public, free and social character thereof at every level;
Amendment 21 #
2015/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas the neo-liberal approach to education policy in Europe governed by the dictates of the market alone has led to the commercialisation of knowledge and privatisation of education, resulting in the fragmentation and deterioration of the education system;
Amendment 71 #
2015/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates that, notwithstanding the importance of acquiring employability skills, the value of knowledge and academic rigour should not be overlooked,be upheld and emphasises that blanket prescriptive approaches must be avoided; underlines that the forthcoming European Skills Agenda should not overstate employability skills at the expense of subject knowledge, as must the piecemeal acquisition of skills and fragmentary instruction that detract from breadth of knowledge; underlines that, in the coming period, particular attention should be paid to overall education and sound academic learning;
Amendment 143 #
2015/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Notes that the quality of education has greatly deteriorated as a result of austerity policies and adjustment programmes, especially in countries that are in difficulty, and that job losses among teachers, cuts and underfunding have undermined and weakened the effectiveness of education at every level;
Amendment 150 #
2015/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that although the Bologna process has spearheaded significant achievements, it has also led to the fragmentation of university programmes and, the standardisation of inefficient processes; takes the view that, without prejudice to the concept of single-tier unified programmes, studying at a European university should be based on a two-tier model, with the initial phase lasting no less thtransformation of knowledge into educational products and three years, and that educational institutions should be given more flexibility in the use of modules and the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)e standardisation of inefficient processes; calls for the abolition thereof;
Amendment 163 #
2015/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Draws attention to the significance and consequences of mobility programmes; noting that, on the one hand, they are consumerist rather than educational in nature and, on the other, they encourage part-time, flexible and uninsured employment without entitlements;·
Amendment 242 #
2015/2281(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Notes that the ‘brain drain’ effect linked to mobility poses risks for Member States, especially those in central/eastern and southern Europe, and; observes that this is assuming particularly alarming proportions in countries facing difficulties and in the throes of an adjustment programme, since an increasing number of young graduates are being driven by massive unemployment figures to emigrate, depriving the countries they leave behind of their most productive workforce members; expresses its concern at the failure of the ET 2020 Working Groups to adequately address the concept of unbalanced mobility;·
Amendment 13 #
2015/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU represents an immense richness of cultural, social and linguistic diversity; whereas, in this context, the shared values that hold together our societies, such as freedom, fairness, social justice, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, tolerance and solidarity, are crucial for Europe’s future;
Amendment 41 #
2015/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Argues that a European Union approach should seek to promote a common understanding of intercultural and interfaithe issues by bringing together European and national politicians, local and regional authorities, civil society organisations, cultural workers, media professionals and academics;
Amendment 53 #
2015/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Advocates that fostering an intercultural and interfaith approach in the educational field is, policy programmes that support youth activities, cultural and media sectors are needed in order to address and promote multiculturalism, integration and social cohesion;
Amendment 66 #
2015/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Advocates that including cultural exchange in EU external relations and development policy provides a toolis a meaningful and sustainable approach for conflict resolution, peacemaking and crisis prevention;
Amendment 111 #
2015/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Encourages the Member States to develop training, empowering educators to address all forms of discrimination and racism; notes that multilingual and multicultural experiences and skills of teachers must be paid more attention and be promoted systematically in this context;
Amendment 161 #
2015/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on the Member States to involve migrants, refugees, atheistic and faith communities in respectful and empowering integration processes, ensuring their participation in civic and cultural life by designing permanent mechanisms;
Amendment 179 #
2015/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to prevent extremism and marginalisand counteract all forms of extremism, such as right-wing extremism, racism, anti-semitism, islamophobia and other forms of discrimination through community cohesion measures, involving a broad range of actors with the objectives of countering extremism and fostering community cohesion;
Amendment 3 #
2015/2138(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the role of education goeis beyond fulfillinging undermined by the implementation of the economic targetpolicies of the EU and national strategithe extraordinary fiscal adjustment programmes in Member States; whereas the objectives of education include preparing individuals for life and active citizenship in increasingly complex, demanding and integrated societies;
Amendment 17 #
2015/2138(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
Γ. whereas poor knowledge about the EU and its values may contribute tois not the only factor responsible for the perception of a democratic deficit and widespread Euroscepticism in Member States: another factor is the pursuit of neoliberal policies that are strengthening the anti-democratic features of the EU, violating the Charter of Fundamental Rights in several Member States, bringing European societies to their knees and increasingly alienating citizens from the ideals of a united Europe;
Amendment 33 #
2015/2138(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas Europe today faces many challenges which are having a major impact in the Member States; basic values of the EU, such as democracy, justice, human rights, the rule of law and solidarity, are in crisis, which contributes to the alienation of citizens from the European project;
Amendment 148 #
2015/2138(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Commission to closely monitor the impact of EU programmes on developing participants’ sense of citizenship and civic participation; calls on the Commission to simplify the rules and conditions governing the process of the European Citizens' Initiative, thereby reinforcing citizen participation in decision-making;
Amendment 152 #
2015/2138(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Calls on the Commission to adequately investigate, and publish the reasons for, the extremely high rates of mistrust of citizens towards the EU, the sense that they have a limited understanding of how the EU works and the very high abstention rate in European Parliament elections;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2129(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that the fight against the sexual abuse of children needs a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach; insists, for that reason, that measures such as awareness raising, training and education for authorities, for parents, teachers, children and minors are just as essential in the fight against these crimes as assistance to victims, investigation of crimes and prosecution of offenders;
Amendment 32 #
2015/2129(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 35 #
2015/2129(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Calls on Commission and Member States to promote and support public policies, agencies, strategies and tools aimed at raising children's and young people's awareness on over-sexualisation by supporting approaches and structures such as: Safer Internet Centres and helplines, and involving children and minors as well as parents in the conception of tools and messages;
Amendment 38 #
2015/2129(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Emphasizes the role of parents in the prevention of sexual exploitation of children and minors, by setting guidelines, monitoring children's and minors internet and social media use and informing their children and minors on the dangers of child pornography;
Amendment 39 #
2015/2129(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3 c. Notes that the use of new technologies and the Internet is increasing and changing very rapidly and that children as well as minors are often exposed to new technologies;
Amendment 40 #
2015/2129(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3 d. Encourages the European Commission and Member States to facilitate access to public funds for NGOs to carry out prevention and educational activities regarding the sexual exploitation of children and minors online and child pornography, and to give to this matter greater public attention;
Amendment 43 #
2015/2129(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Reminds that sexual exploitation of children and minors starts before the spread of the network, therefore recalls that the online sexual exploitation of children and minors is a constantly evolving frightening phenomenon which parallels developments in technology; underlines that peer-to-peer and Darknet networks provide a high degree of anonymity and are therefore used for exchanging child sexual abuse material;
Amendment 46 #
2015/2129(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Recommends the European Commission and Member States to investigate the impact of the readily accessible online child pornography on children and minors, as a part of prevention in line with Article 23 of the Directive;
Amendment 47 #
2015/2129(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Encourage the media and advertising sectors to safeguard the dignity and innocence of children and minors in their productions, through co- regulatory mechanisms, internal codes of conduct and other voluntary action;
Amendment 53 #
2015/2129(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recommends that blacklists of websites containing child pornography be prepared by national authorities and communicated to Internet service providers in order to remove the harmful or illegal contents; recommends also the sharing of such blacklists of websites among the Member States through enhanced cooperation with Europol and its European Cybercrime Centre, and with Interpol;
Amendment 56 #
2015/2129(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Asks to the Commission to start the consultations for the revision of the e- commerce directive (2000/31/EC) or to evaluate an alternative legislative framework in order to set a proper mechanism to monitor Information society services such as video-sharing platforms which currently do not have editorial responsibility, thus better protecting minors from child pornography and online phishing; reminds the European Commission that restrictions on online content are to be grounded in the law, well-defined, proportionate, legitimate, pursuing a clear aim; recalls therefore any mechanism set by the European Commission to monitor such services as video-sharing platforms should be limited to protect minors from pornography and online phishing;
Amendment 65 #
2015/2129(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Urges the European Commission and Member States to promote initiatives raising awareness of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of children and minors, especially in connection to the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, established by the Council of Europe;
Amendment 66 #
2015/2129(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Invites the European Commission to take into account the decisions of the Council of Europe, with special regards to the Recommendation of the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) 2092 (2016) on Fighting the over-sexualisation of children;
Amendment 73 #
2015/2129(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Urges the Member States to make it mandatory for Internet service providers (ISP) to report and remove child sexual abuse material detected in their infrastructure to law enforcement authorities and calls on the ISPs to preserve evidence;
Amendment 87 #
2015/2129(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Urges Member States to introduce in their legislation mandatory background checksExtended Police Clearance Certificate for persons applying or volunteering for activities or jobs relating to children and to systematically exchange information on individuals posing a risk to children;
Amendment 91 #
2015/2129(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that about half of the Member States have chosen to apply – besides measures aimed at the prompt removal of web pages containing child sexual abuse material in accordance with Article 25 (1) – measures which are optional under Article 25 (2) of the Directive to block access to websites containing or disseminating child pornography; notes that removal of the illegal and harmful content is a valid way on combating the sexual exploitation of children, minors and child pornography;
Amendment 102 #
2015/2129(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Member States to acceleratework, in cooperation with the internet industry, on the notice and take-down procedures.; with the aim of providing adequate safeguards, in particular to ensure that the interference is limited to what is necessary and proportionate, and include the possibility of judicial redress;
Amendment 141 #
2013/2945(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes the view that the protests in Gezi Park testify both to the existence in Turkey of a vibrant civil society and also the need for further vital reforms on the promotion of fundamental values; highlights the importance of including civil society more structurally in the decision making process; deeply regrets the loss of life amongst the protesters and the police forces, the excessive use of force by the police and the violent acts by a number of protesters; welcomes the on-going administrative investigations launched by the Ministry of Interior and the inquiries by the Ombudsman into complaints related to the events in Gezi Park and expects them to fully address the concerns without delay; calls on Turkey to adopt adequate internal review procedures and to establish an independent supervisory body for police offences; is of the opinion that the Gezi Park events underline the need for far- reaching reforms in order to ensure respect for freedom of assembly; expects the Turkish Government to respect public places and green areas and to refrain from sacrificing residents' quality of life to one-sided growth;
Amendment 212 #
2013/2945(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Urges Turkey to focus in particular on the improvement and modernization of the educational system at all levels by increasing spending on education and research; stresses in particular the need for the objective teaching of history so as to avoid inflaming nationalistic fervour and instead make students aware of the benefits of cooperation and coexistence between different peoples, nationalities and religions in the wider region.
Amendment 254 #
2013/2945(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Stresses the need, in the interests of good neighbourly relations and amid the economic crisis in Greece, for Turkey to initiate a mutual reduction in expensive military equipment, so that the savings thus achieved can be channelled into social measures to combat poverty, reduce unemployment and further assist the economically vulnerable sectors of society;
Amendment 9 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
Citation 13 a (new)
- having regard to the 29th annual report 2011 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO),
Amendment 20 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas, prior to resorting to the IMF and to Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), a solution for financial assistance under the European framework was not scrutinized;
Amendment 21 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union provides for, inter alia, the right of collective bargaining and action (Article 28), protection in the event of unjustified dismissal (Article 30), fair and just working conditions (Article 31), recognition of and respect for the entitlement to social security benefits and social services and, in order to 'combat social exclusion and poverty', the right to 'a decent existence for all those who lack sufficient resources' (Article 34), the right of access to preventive health care and the right to benefit from medical treatment (Article 35) and respect for access to services of general economic interest (Article 36) ;
Amendment 22 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas Article 151 TFEU provides that action taken by the EU and its Member States must be consistent with the fundamental social rights laid down in the 1961 European Social Charter and the 1989 Community Charter of the Fundamental Rights of Workers in order to improve, inter alia, the social dialogue;
Amendment 23 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas Article 152 TFEU states that: "The Union recognises and promotes the role of the social partners at its level, taking into account the diversity of national systems. It shall facilitate dialogue between the social partners, respecting their autonomy."
Amendment 24 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas Article 153.5 TFEU states that the European Union has no competence on pay and whereas Article 153.4 TFEU states that the EU shall not affect the right of Member States to define the fundamental principles of their social security systems;
Amendment 25 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A e (new)
Recital A e (new)
Ae. whereas Article 168.7 TFEU states that „the management of health services and medical care and the allocation of the resources assigned to them" falls under competence of the Member States;
Amendment 26 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A f (new)
Recital A f (new)
Af. whereas the European Convention on Human Rights, the ILO conventions, the European Social Charter as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights legally bind all EU Member States to give adequate weight to measures promoting social stability;
Amendment 67 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas both the EFSF and the ESM benefit from the services of prominent Union institutions, such as the Commission and the ECB, whereas control of these institutions is not in accordance with the procedure laid down in the TFEU;
Amendment 85 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the total amount of financial assistance in the four programmes is unprecedented, as are the duration and shape, shape and the context of the programmes, leading to an unusual situation where theis financial assistance hais almost the exclusively replaced the usual financing provided by the markets; source of funding in all four countries and in the name of this funding hard austerity measures, which contribute to the deepening of social and economic crisis, are being imposed.
Amendment 108 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the economic situation and recent developments in some Member States have compromisMemoranda of Understanding (MoU) have reinforced the neoliberal policies, aggravated the economic and social situation in Member States , had a massive negative impact on wages, pensions, lead to a decline of domestic demand and public investments and have downgraded the quality of employment, social protection and health and safety standards;
Amendment 111 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas the economies of Member States under Memoranda of Understanding are characterized by continuous recession, increase of government debt and decline of the GDP. Indicatively in Greece, the public debt in 2009 was 129% of the GDP while now is at 178% of the GDP, during the period 2008-2013 the Greek GDP decreased by 25%, which is the biggest percentage reduction in peacetime and the Greek economy has been in recession for the sixth consecutive year;
Amendment 114 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the Task Force for Greece was set up to strengthen the capacity of the Greek administration to design and implement structural reforms to improve the functioning of the economy and society and create the conditions for sustained recovery and job creation, as well as to speed up the absorption of EU Structural and Cohesion Funds in Greece and to provide critical resources to finance investmentestablished ,on the substance, to strengthen the enforcement of austerity measures and to ensure the implementation of unpopular reforms imposed by the memoranda of understanding; having as a pretext the structural reforms to improve the functioning of the economy, the Task Force contributes to the full deregulation of the labour market, to the loss of social and labour rights, to the liberalization of the markets, to privatizations and to the clearance sale of the public wealth;
Amendment 122 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas the programmes and especially the Greek program, were in the short run primarily meant to avoid the transmission of the sovereign debt crisis to the European banks and to the rest Member States. Whereas the medium- term objective was the forced redistribution of income against the middle and low income people in Member States under Memoranda of Understanding
Amendment 171 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Cconsiders that the precise, although the individual circumstances that triggers fored the criseis differed in all four Member States, the anti-popular and neo-liberal policies of the Union and of the governments in Greece, Portugal and Ireland are responsible not only for the outbreak of the crisis but for the sharpening of the catastrophic consequences on an economic and social level ;
Amendment 186 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that, prior to the beginning of the EU-IMF assistance programme initiated in the spring of 2010, , there was a dual fear associated with fear for the ‘'insolvency’' and ’the 'non- sustainability’' of the public finances of Greece was a result of the constantly declining competitiveness of the Greek economy and decades of imprudent fiscal policy, with the government deficit reaching 15.7% of GDP in 2009, and the debt-to-GDP ratio continuused by the government as a lever of pressure. Stresses that, the Greek public finances deteriorated as a result of the "indirect aids" policy, implemented by the previous Greek governments, resulting provocative low business taxation, through low rates and many exemptions. Emphasizes that throughout the decade 1996-2006, government spending oin an upward trend since 2003 when it stood at 97.4%, reaching 1297% in 2009 and 156.9% in 2012Greece lagged behind the European average, as well as the public revenues, resulting in a non- sustainable fiscal situation.;
Amendment 243 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes that, in the case of Greece the economic data deviate significantly from the objectives of the programmes of Memoranda and the considerations of the troika. Indicatively, in Greece the forecast for unemployment in 2011 was 15% and finally reached 20.7%, for 2012 was 15.2% and stood at 26%, the deficit forecast in 2011 was -7.5% and stood at - 9.5%, while for 2012 was -7.3% and stood at -10% and the recession was estimated at 5.5% for 2011 and was 7% and for 2012 was estimated at 2.8% and stood at 6.5%.
Amendment 244 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. notes that, especially in the case of Greece the memoranda of understanding were programs that were based on wrong conception of the problem and wrong and insufficient data and therefore were predesigned to fail. Non achievable goals and unsatisfactory results are the best vehicle for imposing new austerity measures, which more and more sharpen the recession and the unemployment, leading to a vicious cycle of recession, unemployment and underdevelopment
Amendment 281 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Notes the responsibilities of the EU institutions (ECB, European Commission) and of the Eurogroup for the undemocratic functioning of the Troika, the lack of democratic legitimacy of the economic policies and the hard austerity measures implemented to the Member States under fiscal adjustment programmes
Amendment 284 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 299 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Notes that the programs of memoranda of understanding in all cases were presented as a one-way road. There were used on the one hand to save and to shield the financial sector, recapitalizing the banks and converting private debt into public debt and on the other to repay the speculative rates of the accumulated debt. The programs of memoranda of understanding did not finance the real economy nor used for public and productive investments in order to lead the economy into a growth path, but on the opposite with the tough fiscal austerity measures imposed have led to a more profound and lasting recession and social misery.
Amendment 316 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Regrets the lack of transparency in the MoU negotiations; notes the necessity to evaluate whether formal documents were clearly communicated in due time to the national parliaments and the European Parliament; further notes the possible negative impact of such practices on citizens’' rights and the political sundermining of the public confidence in democratic instituation withs and their functioning in the countries concerned;
Amendment 340 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Underlines that even under exceptional circumstances European institutions as well as the Member States of the EU have to fully comply with the rights agreed on in the EU treaties.
Amendment 350 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Regrets that the programmes for Greece, Ireland and Portugal comprise a number of detailed prescriptions for health systems reform and expenditure cuts and dismantle wage bargaining systems; regrets that the programmes are not bound byviolate the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the Treaties, including Art. 168(7) TFEU;
Amendment 365 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Deplores the fact that, for Greece, Ireland and Portugal at least, adjustment programmes included a number of detailed prescriptions on health system reform and expenditure cuts, despite the Treaties prohibit such intervention;
Amendment 368 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16d. Takes note of the request by the ILO Expert Committee to re-establish the freedom of collective bargaining in Greece;
Amendment 369 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 e (new)
Paragraph 16 e (new)
16e. Takes note that of the Council of Europe's social rights committee annual report 2013 which identifies 180 violations of European Social Charter provisions on access to health and social protection across 38 European countries;
Amendment 370 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 f (new)
Paragraph 16 f (new)
16f. Takes note of more than 5000 cases filed by Cypriot citizens against measures required by the Troika of international lenders whereas the vast majority of the applications concern the illegal bail-in in the case of the Bank of Cyprus as well as the use of the sale of business tool in the case of Laiki Bank;
Amendment 382 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Deplores that since 2008 and during the implementation of Memoranda of Understanding , the income distribution inequality has grown above average in the four countries and that cuts in social benefits and rising unemployment are raising poverty levels, resulting to social regression and humanitarian crisis;
Amendment 387 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Condemns the deregulatory measures for the labour market that are being promoted through the Memoranda of Understanding which lead to reductions in wages, constant undermining of collective bargaining agreements, facilitation of dismissals and reinforcement of flexible forms of employment.
Amendment 412 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Stress that the rise in poverty, social exclusion and uncertainty amongst the majority of people living in the programme countries is mirrored by a sharp rise in wealth for a small minority; e.g. in Ireland since 2007 profits have increased by 21% and according to the Revenue Commissioners, the number of people earning more than €500,000 a year has grown to 3,443 in 2012 with a combined income of €1.8bn, while over 1 million taxpayers out of 2.16 million had incomes lower than €30,000;
Amendment 413 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Condemns the major cuts in spending on health care system promoted by the memoranda of understanding within the fiscal austerity context.
Amendment 414 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Condemns the great inequality in the distribution of tax burden and the unfair and aggressive fiscal policy implemented in Greece in the context of the Memoranda of Understanding. Low and middle income groups, employees and retirees are affected even more by a series of new special taxes but simultaneously the big capital and multinational firms tax evade and speculate. Taxation of individuals was increased in 2013 to 7.9 billion from 6.4 billion in 2008 despite the decline in their incomes and the increase of unemployment, while the corporate tax was reduced in 2013 to 1.6 billion from 4.7 billion in 2008.
Amendment 415 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. notes that, even the Bank of Greece in its December 2013 Intermediary Report on Monetary Policy, calls for a reversal of the trend to excessively tax the vast majority of the citizens who have already been disproportionally taxed and calls the Government of Greece to act accordingly and put an end to the tax protection of the economic oligarchy.
Amendment 439 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Believes that the "success story" around Ireland exiting the programme has very little to do with actual accomplishments that have an impact on people's lives; whereas this story is mainly empty spin designed to support the Irish government's policies, and use Ireland as an example to force working people in southern Europe to accept more austerity; whereas in reality Ireland has the highest net emigration rate of all member states, investment as a percentage of Irish GDP is at 10.6%, the lowest rate in the EU, with the average at 20%, Ireland is still left with an unsustainable debt to GDP ratio of 125% and personal consumption is down 12% compared to 2008;
Amendment 440 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Is of the opinion that whereas, despite claims by the Troika and the Irish government, Ireland has not regained "economic sovereignty" since exiting the programme; whereas Ireland, in addition to being subject to EU 'economic governance' like all other EU countries, is also still subjected to "post-programme monitoring" by the IMF and "post- programme surveillance" by the Commission which include formal inspections and the power to impose further austerity; Stresses that this will also be the case if other countries exit their programme;
Amendment 442 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Notes the complete failure of the budgetary goals the Troika programme for Portugal where public debt has risen from 94 % of GDP in 2010 to 127.8 % in 2013. Further notes the severe middle and long term damage done to the Portuguese economy with considerable emigration of skilled workers and qualified young people and a sharp and accelerating drop of investment activity over the whole period of the adjustment programme;
Amendment 500 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Deplores however the sometimes over- optimistic assumptions made by the Troika, especially as far as growth is concerned, but also the insufficient recognition of political resistance to change in some Member Statethe negative economic and social impacts; deplores the fact that this also affected the Troika’'s analysis of the interplay between fiscal consolidation and growth; notes that as a result fiscal targets could not be fulfilled;
Amendment 504 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. notes that in Greece although the wages, the pensions and the allowances have been decreased dramatically, despite the rising of the unemployment at historically high levels, the reducing of social spending, the dismantling of the state and the social welfare, it didn´t lead neither at a substandard level to the estimated recovery nor to the desirable development.
Amendment 517 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. notes that in the case of Greece the public debt to GDP ratio since 2009, has increased by approximately fifty percent (50%) and according to the Report of the OECD in 2020 the public debt will stand at 157% of GDP versus 124% which is foreseen by the Memorandum of Understanding
Amendment 560 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Is extremely concerned over the cumulative impact of massive and frontloaded cuts in fundamental areas of the fight against poverty, such as pensions, basic services, health care and pharmaceutical products on the most vulnerable groups and child poverty. Deplores the fact that, as a result, the level of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion has increased in all four programme countries. Notes that the already worrying statistics hide a much harsher reality, which is that when GDP per capita falls, the poverty threshold also falls;
Amendment 573 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Considers that the privatization of telecommunications, electricity and port authorities in Cyprus a strategic mistake that will lead to private monopolies or oligopolies to dominate the relatively small and isolated Cypriot market at the detriment of consumers, enterprises and the functioning of the economy as a whole;
Amendment 599 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Notes with huge concern the general impression of citizens in programme countries that all relevant policy decisions are imposed by an external rule which acts against the general interest of programme countries in order to spare the banking sector of ‚creditor' Member States. Further notes that as a result of Troika measures only one in three citizens in Southern Europe currently claims to be satisfied with the system of democracy;
Amendment 620 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. notes the non-institutional legitimacy of troika at a Union level and the responsibilities which the involved institutions of the Union have on the democratic deficit in its structure and its function
Amendment 627 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Deplores the fact that some of the conditionalities set by the Troika violate fundamental rights as enshrined both in the EU treaties as in constitutions of the affected Member States. Takes note of the alarming sentences and opinions delivered so far by courts and international organizations;
Amendment 644 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Underlines that all EU institutions are fully bound by Union law and that within the Troika they are obliged to act in accordance with fundamental rights, which, under Article 51 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, apply at all times;
Amendment 686 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Deplores the political failure of EU institutions, in particular of the EU Council and the Eurogroup, to take clear responsibility for the policy measures and results that programme countries were forced to apply under the blunt financial pressure exerted by the Troika and lending Member States. Reminds that Member States deprived from access to financial markets were left without choice but to agree to the detailed terms presented by the Troika.
Amendment 785 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39a. Stresses the need for a thorough examination of the consistency with the relevant practices of other Eurozone member-states as to the statistical classification and accounting rules adopted with respect to the fiscal data of the year preceding the adoption of the initial agreement between, on the one hand the Government of Greece and, on the other EU and IMF, as well as of the first year of the implementation of the agreement, that is of the years 2009 and 2010.
Amendment 812 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41a. Notes that this initiative report is only a first step to draw some conclusions about the function and role of the troika and asks for the establishment in the beginning of the new legislature of a normal inquiry committee as referred by the Article 226 TFEU and Article 185 of the Rules in order to examine better and more thorough the role, the function and the results of troika.
Amendment 813 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 b (new)
Paragraph 41 b (new)
41b. Stresses that programs of memoranda of understanding are unsuccessful and have caused huge social cost. Asks for the interruption of these programs and the provision by the Union´s side of all the necessary means in order the governments to restore salaries, pensions, social rights and labour relations in pre Memorandum levels and mitigate all the catastrophic consequences which they caused
Amendment 814 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 c (new)
Paragraph 41 c (new)
41c. Calls for a definite solution for all over indebted Eurozone member-states in the context of a European Debt Conference and deletion of the biggest part of the debt after audit control.
Amendment 907 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 a (new)
Paragraph 45 a (new)
45a. Notes the persistent refusal of the IMF to accept democratic accountability by the European Parliament and therefore believes that the euro area relationship with the IMF should be redefined, with a view to quickly phasing out the direct involvement of the IMF in the resolution of euro area sovereign debt problems;
Amendment 21 #
2013/2186(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas public confidence in the European Union has justifiably fallen to historically low levels due also to the continuation of the austerity policies and their consequences on the lives of the European citizens, notably on the MS of the European South; whereas the 2014 elections will be the first to be held after the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, which significantly widens the powers of the European Parliament; whereas the European elections need to aim at strengthening public trust inthe voice and the prolitical system and creating a European public spheree of the citizens which is one of the most important preconditions in order to strengthen democracy in the Member States and the EU;
Amendment 35 #
2013/2186(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Deplores the fact that 20 % of the budget for the ‘Europe for Citizens programme has now been allocated to a strand on ‘Remembrance which is no less than a rewriting of history in order to amalgamate ‘Communism , even if it is described as totalitarianism and ‘Nazism ; states that the role of historians is vital and denounces the exploitation of history for political ends, maintaining that European historical memory is primarily a matter of sharing by European cultures in need of better mutual understanding and complementarity;
Amendment 43 #
2013/2186(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Emphasises that education, provided it is accessible to all, plays a vitally important role in the formation of future citizens by enabling them to acquire a solid basis of general knowledge, including an informed understanding of European integration and of the history and cultures of the European peoples; notes in this respect that civic education is essential as a means of enabling individuals to participate fully in democratic, social and cultural life and regard themselves as citizens of Europe from as early an age as possible; denounces therefore the austerity measures and cuts in education budgets in most of the Member States and is of the view that they constitute one of the main barriers to exercising citizenship;
Amendment 44 #
2013/2186(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Emphasises that formal and informal education play a vitally important role in both the teaching and the exercise of citizenship, as they promote individual empowerment, solidarity and mutual understanding and strengthen social cohesion; believes that it is particularly important to encourage recognition of volunteers’ commitment, to validate the skills and expertise acquired in this way and to remove obstacles relating to free movement, including those involving third countries and their nationals, particularly those living in the European Union; considers likewise recognition of the Statute for a European Association to be important and that this may, moreover, facilitate the construction of projects between citizens of different EU Member States;
Amendment 53 #
2013/2186(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Member States to fully respect the human rights and the dignity of all the third countries citizens that try to reach and arrive on EU soil, regardless of travelling with or without documents; Recalls that solidarity among the Member States is needed in order to guarantee the above and calls on the Commission to regularly monitor the way in which the administrative formalities related to entry and residence are processed in the Member States in order to guarantee the full application of human rights;
Amendment 60 #
2013/2186(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on those Member States that disenfranchise their own nationals who choose to live in another Member State for an extended period of time to put an end to this practice and revise their legislation accordingly to provide full citizenship rights; recommends that the Member States take all steps to effectively assist citizens who wish to vote or stand as candidates in states other than their own; Stresses the need for the EU citizens to exercise their right of vote for the national elections of their country of origin from the Member State in which they reside.
Amendment 65 #
2013/2186(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Member States to organise transparent public campaigns and effectively tackle the problem of falling voter participation rates and the widening gap between citizens and the EU institutions; calls on all Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies to further improve transparency and, make access to documents easy and user- friendly, and involve citizens in EU policymaking, as this enables citizens to participate more closely in the decision- making process; calls on the Union’s institutions and particularly the European Commission to improve the efficiency of their procedures so that legitimate requests by EU citizens are met as quickly as possible, notably as regards replying to petitions;
Amendment 13 #
2013/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas, with regard to man-made disasters, the observance and optimisation of safety rules is very important for the purposes of accident prevention;
Amendment 17 #
2013/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses that climate change is, to a very large extent, linked with the growing number of natural disasters; believes that, in order to tackle effectively the root causes of climate change and environmental destruction, it is necessary to change the growth model and economic model in Europe;
Amendment 37 #
2013/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Εxpresses concern that the anticipated growth of this insurance sector, arising from the substantial increase in the number of natural disasters and dictated by its very nature, could, if unregulated by strict insurance company framework monitoring provisions, create a risk of unsafe or toxic insurance products being developed;
Amendment 54 #
2013/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recognises the need for consumers to understand what type of coverage they have and how it would operate; points out that consumers need to be fully informed of all terms and conditions when buying insurance products and before signing a contract; believes that the protection of individual consumers and adequate precautions to guard against controversial and damaging insurance packages must be a fundamental concern of the EU and the Member States;
Amendment 11 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Stresses that all EU policies and actions should be in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
Amendment 224 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)
Paragraph 48 a (new)
48 a. Recalls that Turkey's unacceptable policy of blocking participation and vetoing membership of Cyprus to different international organisations, arrangements, regimes and treaties to which Cyprus is a member (or signatory) is having a negative effect on EU's foreign policy;
Amendment 227 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 b (new)
Paragraph 48 b (new)
48 b. Underlines that Turkey, as a candidate country, must firstly commit to good neighbourly relations with all EU member states; calls, therefore, the Government of Turkey to recognise all Members States and immediately withdraw its military forces from the EU territory; the aforementioned prerequisites are indispensable in order to reinforce the existing political dialogue with the EU on foreign policy choices and objectives of mutual interest;
Amendment 248 #
2013/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 a (new)
Paragraph 51 a (new)
51 a. Denounces the Israeli policy of settlements in the Palestinian occupied territories and the illegal blockade of Gaza. Stresses the need for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State on the 1967 borders, living side by side with the State of Israel in peace within internationally recognised frontiers in compliance with all relevant United Nations resolutions;
Amendment 23 #
2013/2051(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Reiterates that transparency, openness, access to information, respect for the rights of citizens, and high ethical standards are essential for maintaining trust between citizens and the institutions; in that sense criticises that European Commission and European Council have been and continue to behave in a non-transparent way, mainly in what concerns very important decisions which have a clear impact of daily life of European citizens
Amendment 31 #
2013/2051(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Underlines the importance of the work of the European Network of Ombudsmen in favour of good administration and more transparency in the European institutions; considers that the Ombudsmen all over the EU play an important role being by the side of European citizens and trying to fight the lack of transparency and democracy in Member States and European Union; expresses its concern about the cuts on the budget of Ombudsmen in many Member States, warns about the attempts of eliminating Regional Ombudsmen in Spain, considers that this decision will damage the possibility of many European citizens of effectively protect their rights;
Amendment 40 #
2013/2051(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Recalls that in 2012 the Ombudsman submitted one special report to Parliament, which concerned the Commission's failure to address a conflict of interest in the handling of the expansion of Vienna Airport, the lack of Environmental Impact Assessment relating to that expansion, and the absence of review procedures available to those who complained about the construction project and the absence of an EIA; denounces that the Commission failed in its obligations when investigating and acting on a complaint it had received and in its response to the Ombudsman's requests and recommendations from his first investigation into this case, recalls that Commission preferred - rather than bringing Austria before the CJEU- to seek an agreement with the Austrian authorities and authorise an ex post EIA which attacks the legitimacy of this institution, congratulates the Ombudsman for having taken the decision of submitting an special report to Parliament on this case
Amendment 17 #
2013/0188(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) The Union must show real determination in taking all necessary measures to deal effectively with ‘professional tax dodgers’ and tax the actual holders of wealth generated. To ensure social justice, these measures must not target the average taxpayer, who is already being confronted with austerity measures and pay cuts, as well as the imposition of socially unjust taxes, but focus on international business operations, multinational profits, intra- group transactions, tax havens and offshore companies.
Amendment 21 #
2013/0188(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) In order to nip tax avoidance and tax evasion in the bud, the provisions of Directive 2011/16/ΕΕ should apply to not only the income of Union taxpayers in the form of salaries and pensions but also property ownership. The mandatory automatic exchange of information must be extended to other areas such as VAT, excise and other duties and compulsory social security payments to any Member State or public-law social security institutions.
Amendment 26 #
2013/0188(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) In order to combat tax evasion and tax fraud effectively, information relating to previous tax periods must be provided. A Member State must not refuse to provide information relating to tax periods prior to 1 January 2011. The problem of tax evasion and tax fraud has its roots in previous years, commencing with the onset of the crisis in 2008, prompting, massive tax evasion and fund concealment.
Amendment 379 #
2012/2870(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Calls upon Turkey, on the basis of recent statements by top officials, to begin the process of reducing the concentration of arms in the Aegean with the aim of achieving a parallel reduction by Turkey and Greece; is convinced that reducing defence programmes is essential in order to save resources in order better to address the economic crisis and to strengthen diplomacy and good neighbourly relations and cooperation;
Amendment 268 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58 a (new)
Paragraph 58 a (new)
58a. Regrets that persecution and marginalisation of Kurdish human rights defenders remain a widespread practice in Turkey. Expresses concern at the large number of criminal cases launched against writers and journalists writing on the Kurdish issue and the arrest of several Kurdish politicians, locally elected mayors, members of municipal councils and human rights defenders in connection with the KCK trial;
Amendment 290 #
2012/2145(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68 a (new)
Paragraph 68 a (new)
68a. Regrets that human rights violations still remain a painful problem in the occupied areas of Cyprus. Thousands of refugees, who have been forced to abandon their homes and properties, are being denied by the Turkish military forces to live in their homeland until today. Moreover, the families and relatives of missing persons are still denied the right to have an answer about the fate of their loved ones as Turkey does not facilitate the access to military zones and relevant reports from archives for the investigations of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus.
Amendment 184 #
2012/2138(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81
Paragraph 81
81. Notes that the impasse linked to the dispute between Turkey and Cyprus has not prevented the two organizations from conducting, by appropriate channels, a political dialogue, from working together through ‘staff-to-staff’ contacts or from coordinwith the presence of approximately 43,000 Turkish occupation troops, Turkey, who is a member of NATO, sustains a situation which is clearly a threat to peace and stability in the EU; calls, therefore, for the immediate ceasing of international law violationg their activities; calls, nevertheless, for a resolution of this dispute in order to improve cooperation between the two organizatrough the immediate withdrawal of Turkish forces from Cyprus in order to improve the stability of the regions;
Amendment 6 #
2012/2044(INI)
Draft opinion
Article 4a (new)
Article 4a (new)
4a. Recalls that the main concerns of the citizens are focused on the need for full employment and high quality level social services; stresses the need to guarantee such services; stresses that the mobility of workers in different Member States must be a voluntary act always combined with full respect of labour rights;
Amendment 8 #
2012/2044(INI)
Draft opinion
Article 5a (new)
Article 5a (new)
5a. Calls on the European Commission and the Member States to set as a priority the respect and promotion of fundamental social and employment rights of the citizens, guaranteeing the protection of all workers, including when they are posted in other Member State;
Amendment 9 #
2012/2044(INI)
Draft opinion
Article 6
Article 6
6. Calls on the Commission to identify the main relevant EU legislation relevant tofor each of the concerns highlighted, so as concerns, in order to provide citizens, consumers and businesses with useful information and a better understanding of the reporand more accessible information on their rights in the Single Market;
Amendment 4 #
2012/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the dominant position of two non-European card payment service providers can lead to excessive and unjustified fees for both consumers and merchants, in which their respective banks (the so called issuing and acquiring banks) take advantage of this situation, as stated by the Commission in the Green Paper.
Amendment 19 #
2012/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas in practice surcharges and rebates have been to the detriment of consumers with no benefits for them;
Amendment 36 #
2012/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that each payment method has its costs; asks the Commission, therefore, also to consider in the future the cost of cash payments compared to other payment methods;for all market players and consumers compared to other payment methods; including the peculiarities and societal benefits of cash.
Amendment 55 #
2012/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that any standardisation and interoperability requirements should be aimed at enhancing the competieffectiveness of the European payments market and should not impose unnecessary barriers in comparison with the global market systems;
Amendment 75 #
2012/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Considers that MIFs can currently be justified as a means toNotes that the level of MIFs is usually higher than what the financeing of the four- party card payment systems; notes that the level of MIFs is sometimes higher than what the financing of the four-party payment system requires requires; considers that MIFs should be regulated in order not to become a means for the abuse of a market dominant position;
Amendment 81 #
2012/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls on the Commission to propose a reform of the business model for card payments which satisfies the following criteria: - is transparent and fair, - does not create barriers to entry of new market players.
Amendment 88 #
2012/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
Amendment 97 #
2012/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 118 #
2012/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the ban on surcharges for the use of card payments in some Member States; calls on other Member States to consider requiring more transparency on surcharges in order to ensure that the customer knows how much of the surcharge comes from, for example, the MIF and how much is further imposed by the merchant Commission to propose a general ban on surcharging and rebates at EU level for all payment services;
Amendment 125 #
2012/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Considers that limiting surcharges to the direct cost of using a payment instrument can be beneficial; stresses, however, that allowing or banning surcharging should ultimately be left to the Member States to decide;
Amendment 7 #
2012/2037(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1α. Calls for it to be taken into account that the decision to take a loan is very important for citizens and that the complex nature of loan products and the conflicting interests of participants in the market mean that it is very difficult for consumers to be able to assess these products accurately;
Amendment 9 #
2012/2037(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Calls on Member States to ensure that the provision of financial advisory services is a separate and independent service; proposes that the competent state authorities create an independent advisory body to supply free consultancy services to citizens, tailored to their interests and financial situation, thus preventing them from being deceived and becoming overindebted;
Amendment 19 #
2012/2037(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3α. Stresses that, in Member States facing fiscal problems and receiving economic support, citizens’ incomes are being badly affected by the impact of austerity measures, through wage and pension cuts and an increase in redundancies; notes that, in those Member States, the percentage of private loans that cannot be repaid is very high; calls, as a consequence, for a reduction in the loan repayment obligations of borrowers in line with the reductions in their pay and for the cancellation of debts where the individual’s or family’s income is below the poverty line;
Amendment 20 #
2012/2037(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Stresses that excessive private borrowing is a result (i) of citizens’ need to deal with income shortfall and (ii) irresponsible lending practices, the sole aim of which is to increase bank profitability;
Amendment 24 #
2012/2037(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Amendment 26 #
2012/2037(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for consumers to have abe informed about the cost of additional services and also about their right to buy auxiliary services such as insurance from alternative suppliers;
Amendment 80 #
2012/0297(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) Measures should be taken to ensure that the data and information included in the environmental reports, in accordance with Annex IV of Directive 2011/92/EU are complete and of sufficiently high quality. With a view to avoiding duplication of the assessment, Member States should take account of the fact that environmental assessments may be carried out at different levels or by different instruments.
Amendment 81 #
2012/0297(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19a) To guarantee the completeness, sufficient quality and independence of the environmental reports, it should be ensured that these reports are prepared by independent, accredited and technically competent experts in a scientifically objective manner and in total independence from the developer and the competent authorities.
Amendment 84 #
2012/0297(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) It is appropriate to establish common minimum requirements for the monitoring of the significant adverse effects of the construction and operation of projects to ensure a common approach in all Member States and to ensure that, after the implementation of mitigation and compensation measures, no impacts exceed those initially predicted. Such monitoring should not duplicate or add to monitoring required pursuant to other Union legislation. Where monitoring indicates that there are unforeseen adverse impacts, provision should be made for appropriate corrective action.
Amendment 9 #
2012/0205(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) Tax fraud in the field of value added tax (VAT) leads to considerable budget losses and affects the conditions of competition and thus the operation of the internal market. Specific sudden and massive forms of tax fraud have recently developed especially via the use of electronic means which facilitate rapid illegitimate trade on a large scale. , tax evasion and tax avoidance are a considerable drain on public finances, placing additional strain on budgets already affected by financial austerity measures. The EU must show great determination in combating tax fraud and in dealing with ‘professional tax dodgers’, who have now abandoned traditional commodity markets in favour of new sectors such as intangibles and online products. Specific sudden and massive forms of tax fraud have recently developed especially via the use of electronic means which facilitate rapid illegitimate trade on a large scale. Measures to combat tax fraud and tax evasion must be combined with a socially just and acceptable European fiscal policy designed to achieve growth and redistribution, defend the interests of EU Member States, taxpayers and workers and at the same time prevent recourse to socially unjust taxes.
Amendment 8 #
2011/2319(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomDeplores the spirit of the Annual Growth Survey (AGS) 2012 as presented by the Commission; stresses that the solutions specifically targeting the current sovereign and financial crisis, and being worked on a daily basis by all the institutions, should go hand in hand with a major focus on the medium- and long- term growth-enhancing measures, as well as an overhaul of the general economic framework, in order to improve the competitiveness, and ensure the long- lasting success, of the European economypromoted will not aid the confrontation of this crisis or the prevention of a generalized depression in EU, but instead exacerbate its effects, increase social inequalities, poverty and unemployment and eventually lead to the impoverishment of the peoples of Europe;
Amendment 15 #
2011/2319(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that the Annual Growth Survey 2011 and a number of other initiatives such as the Euro Plus Pact already contained most of the elements which ar, proved anything but the right tools to tackle the crisis to the benefit of European citizens. Stresses that in the name of the nrecessary to regainovery of market confidence, the increase of competitiveness and the achieve growthment of growth, wages are minimized, the social fabric is destroyed the social rights of people of Europe are violated. Also notes that the European social model is degraded;
Amendment 29 #
2011/2319(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Believes that the dominant economic and growth model promoted by the Annual Growth Survey 2012 is wrong; The priorities of the Annual Survey of 2012 that Commission sets, are dramatically far from the targets of economic efficiency, social and environmental justice, real economic convergence, solidarity and sustainable development;
Amendment 33 #
2011/2319(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Acknowledges the interdependence between Member State economies and fiscal policies; stresses that the debt crisis is a product of unregulated financial markets operate; emphasizes that the pursuit of zero deficits and balanced budgets, essentially institutionalizes the continuing austerity, recession, poverty and unemployment; stresses that the growth prospects of all Member States, whether they are currently in the Eeuro area or not, are hsighly dependent on how decisively the sovereign debt crisis is dealt with; urges Member States to correct their excessive deficits by the deadlinificantly different. In particular, the economies of the EMU member countries are adversely affected by the structural weaknes set bys of the Council; eurozone;
Amendment 39 #
2011/2319(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Emphasises that because of structural weaknesses in the eurozone, it is extremely doubtful that relatively small economies will manage successfully to follow adjustment procedures in times of turbulence and crisis; stresses also that because of its inherent characteristics, the single currency has served the interests of the economically strong countries at the expense of the weaker economies;
Amendment 47 #
2011/2319(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Underlines that fiscal policy is an important tool in the management of economic and development policy; EU Member States must have the capability and the flexibility to pursue an effective, and counter-cyclical stabilization policy, geared to redistribution and sustainable development.EU Member States should provide an adequate level of social goods, public services and infrastructure for EU citizens;
Amendment 48 #
2011/2319(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Stresses that the taxation policy promoted by the EU is far from a fair and socially acceptable, common European taxation policy. Such policy would have a growth-oriented and redistributive role and would be able to address the serious problem of tax competition, of the effective control and the booming of the tax havens. Believes that the dominant political choice of the EU is the reduction of direct taxes on higher incomes, businesses and all sources of wealth. Moreover, Member States adopt fiscal measures to further facilitate the growth of multinationals companies while at the same time put the burden further on workers who have to face and increases in indirect taxes combined with austerity programs and cuts in wages and pensions;
Amendment 51 #
2011/2319(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the fact that a major overhaul ofExpresses its strong disapproval for the proven reluctance and delay of the EU to regulatione and supervision ofe the financial sector is underway; it is indisputable that it is impossible solely by imposing restrictive measures or strict rules of a temporary nature to change the structures that created the crisis and are geared to the rampant pursuit of profitability by financial institutions;
Amendment 61 #
2011/2319(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Notes that the main reasons for the huge deficits and the subsequent steep increase in borrowing costs are phenomena such as tax competition that has reduced the tax burden of capital at the expense of labour, the socialization of private losses through injections of liquidity in the banking sector and the speculative behaviour of rating agencies and international financial centres;
Amendment 72 #
2011/2319(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the failure of the neoliberal economic growth model. Believes that the structural mismatch between supply and demand for labour will hinder recovery and long-term growth and therefore calls for structural reforms in the labour market, which would include revising the wage-setting mechanism in order to better reflect productivity developments;occurs due to the extensive accumulation of profits. Therefore calls for structural reforms in the taxation policy of capital and profits. draws attention to the role and responsibilities of the social partners in the design and implementation of structural reforms geared at improving working conditions, social cohesion and European solidarity;
Amendment 80 #
2011/2319(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recalls that the quality of public administration at EU, national, regional and local level is a determining element of competitiveness and an important productivity factorquality of life of European citizens;
Amendment 86 #
2011/2319(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls for more efficiency in the delivery of public services as well as an increase in the transparency and quality of public administration and the judiciary, and further encourages reducingthe treatment of the administrative burden and red tape; believes that, particularly in times of crisis, the quality of public services plays an important role in welfare of citizens; calls for efficient staffing and funding of the public sector;
Amendment 94 #
2011/2319(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Points out that the democratic deficit, as the Annual Growth Survey which sets the guidelines for employment, growth and Member States' economic policies and which provides the basis for the European Semester, is not subject to the usual parliamentary procedure; the European Parliament, the only EU institution elected directly by the people, has no power to amend the final text;
Amendment 98 #
2011/2319(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that the 2012 edition of the European Semester is the first under the agreed enhanced economic governance legal framework («'the six pack»'), which includes strengthened rules for the Stability and Growth Pact and national fiscal rules, as well as new procedures for monitoring and correcting macroeconomic imbalances; The measures that are promoted through the European semester and which are totally in line with the dominant neo- liberal policies, are deeply anti-social, against people's rights, opposed to development and a threat to democracy;
Amendment 3 #
2011/2297(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Declares that water is a shared resource of humankind and a public good and therefore should not be a source of profit, and that access to water should constitute a fundamental and universal right; stresses that the sustainable use of water is an environmental and health necessity that plays a fundamental role in the climate regulation cycle; reiterates that ‘the management of water resources should not be subject to internal market rules’ (EP Resolution P5_TA (2004)0183) and invites the European Commission to review the relevant legislation, particularly that on public procurement and concessions, so aand the Member States to guarantee public ownership and management of water and water utilities;
Amendment 9 #
2011/2297(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is concerned that the balance between the need for water and available resources has reached a critical level in many regions of Europe and that climate change could make the situation even worse; water scarcity now affects the whole territory of some Member States on a permanent basis; urges extreme caution regarding the potential serious negative environmental impact of schemes designed to engineer deviation or modification of existing river courses and flows which can seriously aggravate threats to the sustainability of water resources and ecological balance; recalls that the use of desalination plants to alleviate water scarcity in certain regions may be necessary but that these should in all cases be in conformity with the strictest environmental standards both as regards their site, their level of energy consumption and their safe disposal of extracted salt;
Amendment 11 #
2011/2297(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Notes that, by contrast, other countries do not suffer from shortages of water but are having difficulty in managing the excess of water resulting from regular or heavy rainfall, flooding, river erosion and pollution affecting river basin and coastal areas, as well as the effects of these phenomena on the local population, as are witnessed by many petitions received;
Amendment 14 #
2011/2297(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Expresses concerns that in the field of WFD implementation at present, ineffective application and enforcement remains a major problem; current implementation status shows that some Member States lag behind schedule, that the integrity of EU's waters is far from acceptable and that the objectives of other EU policies, including on industry, energy, agriculture and transport, are often in open contradiction with the ‘water protection’ objectives; highlights that good water management has to be integrated into all European policies on sectors that use and pollute water;
Amendment 18 #
2011/2297(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Draws attention to the severe impact that such pollution can have on human health as witnessed by petitions received from Ireland (Galway), France (Brittany), and other Member States and recalls its resolution on Waste Management which drew attention to the dangerous levels of water contamination resulting from badly managed or illegal landfill sites and quarries which led to infiltration and pollution of groundwater and of water tables (nappes phréatiques);
Amendment 20 #
2011/2297(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that despite the progress made in the implementation of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, there are still gaps concerning the compliance rates on collecting systems and/or treatment; asks the Commission to provide more support for the financing of waste water treatment plants and collecting systems infrastructure in the EU, including the reuse of treated waste water for irrigation and industrial purposes;
Amendment 21 #
2011/2297(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes also that since 1988, among the petitions relating to environmental complaints addressed to the Committee on Petitions, 589601 of these petitions (Spain 166, UK 129, Germany 97, Italy 60, France 55, Greece 34, Netherlands 16, Portugal 16, Ireland 12, Poland 4, Romania 4, Finland 3, Bulgaria 2, Hungary 2 and Slovenia 1), sometimes co-signed by several signatories (see petition 0784/2007, co-signed by 2036 signatories), concern the quality and quantity of water in the Member States; acknowledges that these petitions are proof that water is a significantly serious problem for the European Union citizens;
Amendment 22 #
2011/2297(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Takes note that according to a Eurobarometer survey (March 2012), 68 % of Europeans think that water quantity and quality problems are serious, eight out of ten believe that chemical pollution is a threat to the water environment, 62 % feel that they are not sufficiently informed about problems facing groundwater, lakes, rivers and coastal waters in their countries, while 67 % think that the most effective way of tackling water problems would be awareness-raising about water related problems, and 73 % of European citizens think that the EU should propose additional measures to address water problems in Europe;
Amendment 26 #
2011/2297(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. InvitesCalls on the European Commission to be more determined in its inquiries, and therefore much less passive and accommodatingcarefully monitor the implementation by the Member States of the WFD so as to ensure that it is done properly and effectively; points out that, in many instances, petitions have uncovered problems related to the transposition and proper implementation of the EU water legislation and invites the European Commission to be more determined in its inquiries, in particular, when examining petitions;
Amendment 30 #
2011/2297(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Draws attention to the existence of certain activities denounced by the petitioners, including waste landfills, urban development, agriculture and, industry and energy, which produce a great impact on the environment and human health and are responsible for poor water quality; calls therefore for the abandonment of subsidies which undermine incentives for efficient water management by creating overuse, and to free up funds for targeted subsidies – in particular for poor and rural populations – aimed at affordable access for allin order to ensure efficient water management and to reduce environmental impacts;
Amendment 48 #
2011/2297(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Believes that public involvement is a precondition for the water protection and for the identification of both the problems and the most appropriate measures to solve them; therefore asks for more cooperation between the responsible national, regional and local authorities of the Member States and the Petitions Committee when the latter is dealing with the direct concerns of European citizens in reference to water issues;
Amendment 6 #
2011/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Ε a (new)
Recital Ε a (new)
Ea. Having regard to the fact that in cases of statistical inaccuracy and statistical fraud, above and beyond the member- states implicated, responsibility is also borne by Eurostat, which had full cognizance of the way manipulated statistical data was being accepted for reasons of political expediency.
Amendment 17 #
2011/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Emphasises how, particularly in periods of crisis, it is indispensable that should be an increase, by Eurostat and the national statistical authorities in the social and environmental indicators employed. Emphasises the necessity for social and environmental indicators to carry more weight as an instrument for exercising economic and social policy at the national and European level.
Amendment 30 #
2011/2289(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 α (new)
Paragraph 6 α (new)
6a. Emphasises that the independence of the statistical services must be safeguarded both at the national and European level from the threat of possible political interventions.
Amendment 16 #
2011/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas, given the harsh austerity measures and credit terms adopted, the most likely scenario, according to the OECD study on the Greek debt published on 2 August 2011, is that Greece's public debt, which was 140% of GDP in 2010, will fall to 100% of GDP in 2035,
Amendment 29 #
2011/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Emphasises the fact that what is declared to be the ECB's sole objective, namely price stability, has a negative impact under current circumstances, since it ignores the impact the ECB's policies may have on the real economy;
Amendment 30 #
2011/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Underscores the fact that the structure of the ECB as an independent body, as set out in the Maastricht Treaty, does not promote overall European economic growth and no longer even promotes monetary stability; takes the view that the ECB must operate under the democratic control of the relevant European institutions;
Amendment 53 #
2011/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses that the work undertaken by the ESRB, under the auspices of the ECB, to secure financial stability has addressed the problem only superficially. It is indisputable that it is impossible solely by imposing restrictive measures or strict rules of a temporary nature to change the structures that created the crisis and are geared to the rampant pursuit of profitability by financial institutions;
Amendment 62 #
2011/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Emphasises that because of structural weaknesses in the eurozone, it is extremely doubtful that relatively small economies will manage successfully to follow adjustment procedures in times of turbulence and crisis; stresses also that, because of its inherent characteristics, the single currency has served the interests of the economically strong countries at the expense of the weaker economies;
Amendment 64 #
2011/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Highlights fears that, without the adoption of fiscal and monetary policies that promote a reduction in unemployment, safeguard minimum wages and protect the weaker sectors of the economy, there will be no recovery;
Amendment 68 #
2011/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to set up a European credit rating foundation and to evaluate the pros and conBelieves that it is politically unacceptable and dangerous for the economy that the credit rating agencies, which have played a negative role in this crisis, should continue to be given the right, by the EU itself, to evaluate not only the businesses but also the economies of tMemporarily suspending credit ratings forber States; calls on the Commission to promote the functioning of a democratically countries following an EU/IMF adjustment programmeolled body, which has no links to private interests and will undertake the evaluation work within the framework of solidarity between States and their citizens;
Amendment 78 #
2011/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the determination and proactEmphasises and strongly criticises the passive stance of the ECB throughout the crisis since 2007, which created an explosive social and economic mixture in Europe;
Amendment 79 #
2011/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Recalls the ECB’s refusal drastically to reduce the destructive action of speculators and the sharp increase to unprecedented levels of the spreads of eurozone member countries through the purchase of government bonds;
Amendment 81 #
2011/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Notes with disappointment the ECB’s decision to keep its rates at a higher level than those in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, thereby contributing to the continuation of the recession;
Amendment 156 #
2011/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Notes that the main reasons for the huge deficits and the subsequent steep increase in borrowing costs are phenomena such as tax competition that has reduced the tax burden of capital at the expense of labour, the socialization of private losses through injections of liquidity in the banking sector and the speculative behaviour of rating agencies and international financial centres;
Amendment 170 #
2011/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Underlines the failure of the neoliberal economic growth model; underlines also the need for European States to be released from austerity programmes and measures and cuts, since they deepen the crisis and lead to an economic impasse the cost of which will have to be borne by the peoples of Europe;
Amendment 189 #
2011/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines the absolutBelieves that the necessity to quickly implement and apply the provisions of the economic governance package once the negotiations have been concludedonomic governance package, apart from being the wrong recipe for ending the crisis, is also one that has failed; stresses that for one year, the 'experiment' of economic governance and the experiment of a 'stricter SGP' have been under way in Greece, Ireland and Portugal; notes that the results are disastrous, especially in Greece: a deeper recession, higher unemployment and greater poverty and destitution;
Amendment 202 #
2011/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Believes that the introduction of eurosecurities may constitute the necessary fiscal quantum-leap forward that the Union needs at this juncture; welcomes the rapid implementation of the feasibility report promised by the Commission in its declaration XXX, given the present dimension of the crisis at European level, the introduction of eurosecurities is no longer an adequate measure; emphasizes strongly the need for a radical overhaul of the Maastricht Treaty in order to allow Member States to borrow directly from the ECB, without any conditions relating to the application of austerity programmes;
Amendment 1 #
2011/2084(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. recalls the growing economic importance of the on-line gambling industry, the take from which was over EUR 6 billion, or 45% of the world market, in 2008; agrees with the Court of Justice of the European Union that this is an economic activity with specific characteristics; stresses its attachment to compliance with the subsidiarity principle in this sector, as well as the need for stringent binding standards governing the activities of on-line gambling companies to be adopted all Member States;
Amendment 18 #
2011/2084(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. stresses that the essential nature of all on-line activities, in particular the fact that they operate across national borders, the proliferation of offshore operators and the possibility of instantaneously launching and winding up illicit operations, requires that they be dealt with in a coordinated manner at European level;
Amendment 32 #
2011/2084(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. insists on the need to dissuade players from engaging in illegal gambling, which requires constant monitoring with cooperation at European and international level for the eradication of illegal operations and means that lawful services must be provided as a system that is coherent across the whole of Europe, especially in terms of tax treatment, and applies common standards of accountability and integrity, necessarily including a set of measures designed to clamp down on illegal activities, compulsive gambling and underage involvement;
Amendment 59 #
2011/2084(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. takes the view that the proliferation of on-line gambling represents a threat to the integrity of sport; stresses that this development also increases the scope for illegal practices such as match fixing, illegal betting cartels, money laundering and underage betting; stresses that keeping sporting events credible and honest is vital to the sports industry as a whole; considers that the European Union must play a more prominent role in safeguarding the integrity of sport, a goal to be pursued by all stakeholders;
Amendment 70 #
2011/2084(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. calls, therefore, for the establishment of a European Agency for Integrity and Fair Play in Sport consistent with Articles 6, 83 and 165 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, with a specific remit to promote player education and coordinate action against fraud and corruption in sport by sharing information and expertise and by applying the common definition of offences and sanctions; stresses the need for this agency to cooperate with recognised European and international sports bodies such as FIFA, UEFA and FIBA for an exchange of views on the implementation of successful practices; stresses the need for proven instances of fraud to be swiftly and severely penalised;
Amendment 81 #
2011/2084(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. stresses that on-line gambling is a major source of funding for the sports industry; stresses the need to increase substantially the percentage of funding from this sector that is earmarked for amateur sports; recalls that on-line betting is one form of the commercial exploitation of sporting events; calls on the Commission to look at ways in which revenues from sports betting might be routinely used to safeguard the integrity of popular sport and develop it; calls on the Commission to ensure that there is a high level of legal security, particularly regarding application of the rules on state aid.
Amendment 6 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Α
Recital Α
Amendment 16 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Α a (new)
Recital Α a (new)
Αa. whereas the causes of the crisis were not the poor coordination of economic policies or lack of strict financial supervision, but the dominant socio- economic model, which results in the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, widening social inequality and rampant speculation,
Amendment 37 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Ε a (new)
Recital Ε a (new)
Εa. whereas tighter fiscal discipline by the Member States and ever-closer coordination of fiscal policies along these lines will not aid recovery from this crisis or prevent the emergence of a future one, but will instead exacerbate its effects, increase social inequalities, poverty and unemployment and eventually lead to the impoverishment of the peoples of Europe,
Amendment 49 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
Amendment 53 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Considers that fiscal policy is an important tool in the management of economic and development policy; the introduction of the ‘European Semester’ and the stifling effects of advance fiscal policy coordination will remove the scope and flexibility of the EU Member States to pursue an effective alternative counter- cyclical strategy and stability policy, geared to distribution and development and providing an adequate level of public services and infrastructure for EU citizens,
Amendment 73 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses that the Annual Growth Survey, which provides the basis for the European Semester, forms part of the Europe 2020 strategy and the neo-liberal policies it espouses; it represents a European guideline for the adoption of austerity policies, while the development model it promotes is far from being based on economic efficiency and socio- environmental justice,
Amendment 75 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes the lack of democratic legitimacy in the introduction of the European Semester, as well as the restrictions on participation by the European Parliament, national parliaments and the social partners in the new process;
Amendment 82 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Points out that the Annual Growth Survey, which sets the guidelines for employment, growth and Member States’ economic policies, and which provides the basis for the European Semester, is not subject to the usual parliamentary procedure; the European Parliament, the only EU institution elected directly by the people, has no power to negotiate with the Commission and to influence the final text by submitting amendments, which casts further doubt on the democratic legitimacy of the European Semester.
Amendment 88 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Is dissatisfied that the Commission is not taking account of the strong and ever- growing popular opposition among the citizens of Europe to the harsh measures contained in the EU-ECB-IMF ‘rescue package’ and the austerity policies being pursued;
Amendment 96 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls on the Commission to abandon the European Semester and to make the Annual Growth Survey subject to the normal legislative procedure, whereby the European Parliament is able to table amendments to it;
Amendment 163 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Is convinced that tackling the crisis through more stringent deregulated measures for fiscal discipline, which fail to remove the main causes of the crisis, is exacerbating the situation, strengthening neo-liberal economic policies, imposing austerity policies and destroying the social achievements of the peoples of Europe;
Amendment 164 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Persists in the belief that the dominant economic and growth model promoted by the Annual Growth Survey and the European Semester is wrong; therefore calls for the economic policies being pursued to be changed so as to benefit the citizens of Europe, by promoting solidarity, social justice, economic convergence and sustainable development;
Amendment 171 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Whereas the causes of the crisis were not the poor coordination of economic policies or lack of strict financial supervision, but the dominant socio- economic model, which results in the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, widening social inequality and rampant speculation;
Amendment 181 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Whereas tighter fiscal discipline by the Member States and ever-closer coordination of fiscal policies along these lines will not aid recovery from this crisis or prevent the emergence of a future one, but will instead exacerbate its effects, increase social inequalities, poverty and unemployment and eventually lead to the impoverishment of the peoples of Europe;
Amendment 183 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that tConsiders that fiscal policy is an important tool in the management of economic and development policy; The introduction of the ‘"European Ssemester’" and enhanced fiscal policy coordination should leave enough scope andthe advance suffocating coordination of fiscal policies will eliminate the capability and the flexibility tof the EU Member States to pursue an alternative, effective, alternativend counter-cyclical strategy and stabilityabilization policy, geared to redistribution and sustainable development and providing an adequate level of public services and infrastructure for EU citizens;
Amendment 196 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8a
Paragraph 8a
8a. Persists in the belief that the dominant economic and growth model promoted by the Annual Growth Survey and the European Semester is wrong; therefore calls for the economic policies being pursued to be changed so as to benefit the citizens of Europe, by promoting solidarity, social justice, economic convergence and sustainable development;
Amendment 202 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Calls on the Commission to take into account of the strong and ever-growing popular opposition among the citizens of Europe to the harsh measures contained in the EU-ECB-IMF ‘rescue package’ and the austerity policies being pursued;
Amendment 203 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10 b. Calls on the Commission to abandon the implementation of the European Semester and to make the Annual Growth Survey subject to the normal legislative procedure, whereby the European Parliament is able to table amendments to it;
Amendment 206 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a
Paragraph 11 a
11 a. Stresses that the Annual Growth Survey, which provides the basis for the European Semester, forms part of the Europe 2020 strategy and the neo-liberal policies it espouses; it represents a European guideline for the adoption of austerity policies, while the development model it promotes is far from being based on economic efficiency and socio- environmental justice;
Amendment 276 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Points out that the Annual Growth Survey, which sets the guidelines for employment, growth and Member States’ economic policies, and which provides the basis for the European Semester, is not subject to the usual parliamentary procedure; the European Parliament, the only EU institution elected directly by the people, has no power to negotiate with the Commission and to influence the final text by submitting amendments, which casts further doubt on the democratic legitimacy of the European Semester;
Amendment 331 #
2011/2071(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)
Paragraph 48 a (new)
48a. Points out that tackling the crisis through more stringent deregulated measures for fiscal discipline, which fail to remove the main causes of the crisis, is exacerbating the situation, strengthening neo-liberal economic policies, imposing austerity policies and destroying the social achievements of the peoples of Europe;
Amendment 3 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
- having regard to ILO Convention 169 of 7 June 1989 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples,
Amendment 33 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the Union has at its disposal a wide range of instruments for supporting democracy and human rights (including: political, economic and trade agreements, which contain clauses on human rights and democracy; the special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance (GSP+); political dialogues; CFSP actions; ESDP missions; financing instruments; and election observation missions); butwhereas these clauses are implemented only in part and economic interests often take precedence over the interests of peoples; and whereas it is essential to develop a coherent and more effective set of instruments tailored to the situation in each country,
Amendment 41 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas, despit the EU’s sanctions policy is ineffective in combating the frequent breaches of the human rights and democracy clause and the failure of some third countries to honour the commitments made in the relevant agreements, the countries in question are penalised only very rarely, and whereas the use of this tool often results in EU policy being biased,
Amendment 46 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
Amendment 61 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Recalls the inalienable right of peoples to self-determination and to choose their own form of political, economic and social development, without external interference;
Amendment 66 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that only flourishing democracy in third countries can lay the foundations for balanced, legitimate partnerships with the Union that are in keeping with the needs and interests of both partipeoples;
Amendment 69 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Points out that EU human rights policy will only be properly consistent once the Member States have given a genuine undertaking to respect those rights themselves;
Amendment 78 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the events unfolding on the southern shore of the Mediterranean have demonstrated the primacy of economic interests over the interests of peoples and the limitations of a focus on a misguided concept of security and stability, which has failed to stamp out poverty and social injustice; believes that, although there has been economic growth, its benefits have not been distributed fairly; highlights the need for a paradigm shift aimed at the genuine consolidation of democracy on the basis of endogenous, sustainable development that benefits the local population;
Amendment 97 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recommends thatCalls for international agreements, country strategy papers, action plans, the GSP+ programme and all other sources of reciprocal undertakings by the Union and third countries to be tightened up by means of more clearly worded clauses on human rights and democracy and the right of indigenous peoples to be consulted before decisions are taken, specific mechanisms in the event of non- compliance (based, at the very least, on those set out in the Cotonou Agreement), commitments coupled with detailed criteria for assessing the progress made, and a specific timetable for implementation;
Amendment 126 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recommends, in the case of the most problematic partnerships, that the Union refrain from isolating the countries concerned, instead conducting relations with them on the basis of appropriate and effective conditionality serving as a genuine incentive to democratic reform, and that it verify that such cooperation genuinely benefits the population; endorses the ‘more for more’ approach outlined in the communication entitled ‘A partnership for democracy and shared prosperity with the southern Mediterranean’; believes that, by the same token, the Union should not hesitate to reassign funds previously earmarked for countries whose governments fail to honour their commitments in the area of democratic governance; stresses that cooperation with third countries must be based on the premise that the countries concerned are equal and sovereign;
Amendment 180 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Emphasises the crucial role played by third countries’ civil society and parliaments in exercising democratic supervision over budgets; calls for all EU budget support to be coupled with technical and political consolidation of parliaments’ supervisory powers; maintains that the Union should actively inform third countries’ parliaments of the scope of EU cooperation;
Amendment 219 #
2011/2032(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Proposes developing a more open and active policy of supporting social movements and those encouraging civic participation, such as trade unions, mutual societies, women’s groups, youth associations, farmers’ organisations, indigenous movements, NGOs and social networks, along with individuals promoting reform, including human rights defenders and emerging leaders; suggests fostering the influence of such movements and individuals by means of specific programmes and by incorporating this concept into existing programmes;
Amendment 18 #
2011/0442(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 1 α (new)
Recital 1 α (new)
(1a) Despite its name, the EBRD does not function as a real development bank, as its previous actions show. It has made no attempt to measure the impact of its projects in terms of sustainable development. It has not set poverty eradication in the developing countries where it operates as its overarching goal. In addition, EBRD projects have not only not helped address environmental problems, but have actually caused serious environmental damage.
Amendment 20 #
2011/0442(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) According to Article 1 of its Statutes, the EBRD operates only in countries that are committed to and apply the principles of multiparty democracy and pluralism. These countries must therefore have legally and democratically elected governments, and respect for human and social rights must be ensured. The political context in the countries of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean remains very uncertain, and the direction of reforms is not clear. In this context, external interference by the EBRD must not strengthen specific economic and political interest groups, including the existing power elites created by authoritarian regimes. In such cases, intervention of this kind may help to strengthen undemocratic governance, thus sending the wrong message;
Amendment 59 #
2011/0385(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3α) The economic governance package and the two new instruments increasing its austerity are the wrong response to the crisis. The restrictive economic and fiscal surveillance thus imposed is worsening the recession in the euro area, increasing unemployment to record levels and effectively ushering in even larger pay cuts, weaker labour relations and the loss of social gains and entitlements.
Amendment 64 #
2011/0385(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) Enhanced surveillance, absolute and restrictive fiscal policy control and the imposition of harsh penalties accompanied by economic and political sanctions for ‘recalcitrant’ Member States are aggravating the democratic deficit in the Union, undermining the social model and creating a Europe hostile to the desires and interests of its peoples.
Amendment 68 #
2011/0385(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5α) The doctrine of ‘strong economic governance’ contained in the more stringent Stability and Growth Pact has failed. The stricter monitoring and surveillance of the Member States receiving economic aid and encountering difficulties in the euro area will not only fail to contribute to economic recovery but will, on the contrary, deliver the death blow to the Member States concerned and their citizens. The results in Greece, Ireland and Portugal, where such policies have already been put into practice, have been disastrous: deeper recession, austerity, greater social inequalities, high unemployment and poverty.
Amendment 73 #
2011/0385(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6α) It is necessary to release Member States from ‘rescue packages’ seeking to promote harsh deregulatory austerity measures at the expense of the European peoples. Implementation of such programmes is further deepening the crisis, the sole purpose being to shield the interests of the banks and safeguard finance capital profits.
Amendment 74 #
2011/0385(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
Amendment 81 #
2011/0385(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) The Stability and Growth Pact and the economic governance package increasing its austerity are fostering deeply uneconomic policies and must be overturned. Economic policies must be modified to benefit the citizens of Europe. In the absence of economic and fiscal polices promoting solidarity, social justice, economic convergence and sustainable growth, while reducing unemployment and protecting the weaker economic sectors, recovery from the crisis will be impossible.
Amendment 84 #
2011/0385(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 b (new)
Recital 7 b (new)
(7b) The new European Treaty with its extreme neoliberal policies and the tightening of fiscal austerity provisions are condemning the EU Member States and peoples to unending recession, austerity and underdevelopment, forcing them into a neoliberal straightjacket and effectively depriving them of the possibility of implementing an alternative economic and fiscal policy geared toward growth and redistribution.
Amendment 230 #
2011/0385(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Amendment 3 #
2011/0382(NLE)
The Committee on Foreign Affairs calls on the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, as the committee responsible, to propose that Parliament decline to give its consent.
Amendment 19 #
2011/0341B(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2α) The operational objective of the Fiscalis 2020 programme should be to defend the interests of the Union, the Member States and EU taxpayers and not simply those of the tax authorities. Furthermore, information systems must be an instrument which supplements and underpins a European fiscal policy based on social justice and fairness and geared towards growth and redistribution.
Amendment 20 #
2011/0341B(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 b (new)
Recital 2 b (new)
(2b) In order to combat fraud, tax evasion and tax avoidance and uphold the interests of EU taxpayers, thereby achieving the objective of the Fiscalis 2020 programme, the EU must display firm resolve in dealing with ‘professional tax-dodgers’. Actions taken as part of this programme must be based on a European fiscal strategy seeking to get to grips with the serious problem of tax shopping, of effective control and taxation of offshore companies and of the notorious tax havens springing up in the EU and at the same time protect EU taxpayers and wage-earners from any change of course leading to the imposition of socially unjust taxes.
Amendment 25 #
2011/0341B(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) To support the process of accession and association by third countries, the programme should be open for the participation of acceding and candidate countries as well as potential candidates and partner countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy if certain conditions are fulfilled. Considering the increasing interconnectivity of the world economy, the programme continues to provide for the possibility to involve external experts, such as representatives of governmental authorities, economic operators and their oganisations or representatives of international organisations, in certain activities and provided that it is limited to combating tax fraud and evasion.
Amendment 36 #
2011/0341B(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Amendment 44 #
2011/0341B(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. The specific objective of the programme shall be to improve the operation of the taxation systems, in particular through cooperation between participating countries, their tax authorities, and their officials and external experts.
Amendment 43 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
The three categories of regions are determined on the basis of how their GDP per capita, measured in purchasing power parities and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 20069 to 200813, relates to the average GDP of the EU-27 for the same reference period.
Amendment 44 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 82 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 82 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
The Cohesion Fund shall support those Member States whose gross national income (GNI) per capita, measured in purchasing power parities and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 20079 to 200913, is less than 90 % of the average GNI per capita of the EU-27 for the same reference period.
Amendment 18 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The European Union is a major provider of economic, financial and technical assistance to third countries. Union macro-financial assistance (hereinafter "macro-financial assistance") has proved an efficient instrument for economic stabilisation and a driver for structural reforms in the beneficiary countries. In accordance with its overall policy vis-à-vis candidate, potential candidate, and neighbourhood countries, the Union should be in a position to provide macro-financial assistance to those countries with the aim of developing a zone of shared stability, security, and prosperity, always with the consent of both parties.
Amendment 19 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The Commission should ensure that macro-financial assistance is in line with the key principles, objectives and measures taken within the different areas of external action and other relevant Union policies, whereby the Union should not seek to impose these but agree on them with the countries receiving assistance.
Amendment 20 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Macro-financial assistance should support the beneficiary countries' commitments to common values with the Union, includingsuch as democracy, the rule of law, good governance, respect for human rights, sustainable development and poverty reduction, as well as to the principles of open, rules-based and fair trade.
Amendment 22 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
Amendment 25 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Amendment 26 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – point c
Article 2 – point c
c) Other third countries in exceptional and duly justified circumstances. Such countries must be politically, economically and geographically close to the European Union.
Amendment 30 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Amendment 36 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Amendment 37 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Amendment 38 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 5
Article 6 – paragraph 5
5. Progress on mutual market opening, the development of rules- based and fair trade and other priorities in the context of the Union's external policy should also be duly taken into account in designing the policy measures.
Amendment 39 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 6
Article 6 – paragraph 6
6. The policy measures shall be consistent with the existing partnership agreements, cooperation agreements or association agreements concluded between the Union and the beneficiary country and with the macroeconomic adjustment and structural reform programmes implemented by the beneficiary country with the support of the IMF.
Amendment 60 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex 1 – part 1 – paragraph 5
Annex 1 – part 1 – paragraph 5
Amendment 85 #
2011/0092(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 18 a (new)
Recital 18 a (new)
(18a) This Directive is intended to facilitate the over-arching goals of the Union's energy and climate policies. The introduction of the aviation sector into the EU Emission Trading Scheme through Directive 2008/101/EC is a reflection of the ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from this sector. In the event that, by 31 December 2011, no international agreement has been reached that includes international maritime emissions and contains ambitious reduction targets, the Commission should make a proposal to include such emissions within the Union's greenhouse gas reduction commitment. Taxing energy products used in aviation and maritime activities in the same manner as other energy products is essential for the energy independence of the Union and as an incentive for energy efficiency. Steps must be taken to ensure that the application of these taxation measures will not be paid for by consumers, i.e. that the cost will not be passed on to them.
Amendment 99 #
2011/0092(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) Every five years and for the first time by the end of 2015, the Commission should report to the Council on the application of this Directive, examining in particular the minimum level of CO2-related taxation in the light of the evolution of the market price in the EU of the emission allowances, the impact of innovation and technological developments and the justification for the tax exemptions and reductions laid down in this Directive, including for fuel used for the purpose of air and maritime navigation. This report should include an overview of existing taxation provisions contained in bilateral air service agreements. The list of sectors or sub- sectors deemed to be exposed to a significant risk of carbon leakage shall be the subject of regular review, in particular taking into account the availability of emerging evidence.
Amendment 160 #
2011/0092(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 11 – point a – point ii a (new)
Article 1 – point 11 – point a – point ii a (new)
Directive 2003/96/EC
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – points b and c
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – points b and c
(iia) points (b) and (c) are deleted.
Amendment 168 #
2011/0092(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 11 – point a a (new)
Article 1 – point 11 – point a a (new)
Directive 2003/96/EC
Article 14 – paragraph 2
Article 14 – paragraph 2
(aa) Paragraph 2 is deleted.
Amendment 209 #
2011/0092(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – point 21
Article 1 – point 21
Directive 2003/96/EC
Article 29 – paragraph 2
Article 29 – paragraph 2
The report by the Commission shall, inter alia, examine the minimum level of CO2- related taxation, the impact of innovation and technological developments, in particular as regards energy efficiency, the use of electricity in transport and the justification for the exemptions and reductions, including for fuel used for the purpose of air and maritime navigation, laid down in this Directive. The report shall also include an overview of existing taxation provisions contained in bilateral air service agreements. The report shall take into account the proper functioning of the internal market, the real value of the minimum levels of taxation and the wider objectives of the Treaty.
Amendment 180 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) The financial crisis and the property market 'bubbles' have not been caused by consumers, their irresponsible behaviour or inability to repay their debts. The core of the problem has been the excessive increase in mortgage lending in the EU which has failed to replace the welfare state and the direct link between mortgage loans and 'innovative financial' products aimed at ensuring the profitability of banks.
Amendment 185 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) The financial crisis has shown that when the market is required to meet fixed social needs, the results are disastrous for society. European households are drowning in their debts with 70% of their debts being concentrated in mortgage loans. As long as the existing system continues to operate for profit at the expense of European society and the peoples of Europe, the problem will become worse and it will be impossible to overcome the crisis.
Amendment 189 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
Amendment 193 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) In order to achieve responsible lending and borrowing in the mortgage market, the scope of regulation should be broader than in the retail market. Most problems are not related to default on repayment of loans or to irresponsible borrowing by consumers.
Amendment 207 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) The irresponsible practices of participants in the mortgage credit market were one of the structural components of the outbreak of the financial crisis. Conduct of this kind occurred mainly at the pre-contractual stage and was based on the conflict of interests between credit institutions, credit intermediaries and consumers. The incentives of increased remuneration, bonuses and commissions on sales are completely contrary to the interests of consumers. Member States should ensure the decoupling of pay for all market participants from the selling of loans.
Amendment 215 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19a) In order to protect consumers, to strengthen their confidence in property markets, but also in an effort to prevent the conclusion of inappropriate and dangerous contracts, participants in the mortgage credit market should provide, free of charge and with full transparency, the necessary information and explanations relating to loans geared to individual consumers and in their interests.
Amendment 233 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) Consumers should provide all available and necessary relevant information on their financial situation and personal circumstances to the creditor or intermediary in order to facilitate the creditworthiness assessment. The consumer should not, however, be penalised and the evaluation of the suitability of the product. It shall, however, be forbidden to penalise the consumer where he is not in a position to provide certain information or assessments of the future evolution of his financial situation. In situations where consumers knowingly provide incomplete or inaccurate information, Member States should be able to determine the appropriate penalties.
Amendment 248 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 31 a (new)
Recital 31 a (new)
31 (a) Given that the decision to take out a mortgage loan is very important for the consumer and taking into account the complex nature of these credit products, the conflict of interests that exists in the market and the inability of consumers sometimes to evaluate them properly, Member States and the relevant State authorities should provide citizens with independent advice. The information should be up-to-date and cover the full range of products available on the market and the advice should be based on the financial situation of the citizen and his or her preferences and objectives.
Amendment 249 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 31 b (new)
Recital 31 b (new)
(31b) In order to eliminate the phenomenon of 'conflicts of interest' and to ensure the objectivity of advice, where advice is provided by individuals, measures should be taken to ensure their independence from credit institutions and their pay should be transparent. Steps should also be taken to ensure their professional competence to provide special advice and that they meet certain standards. This service should be based on a fair and comprehensive analysis of the products available on the market and the suitability of the product in relation to the financial situation, preferences and goals of the consumer.
Amendment 250 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 32
Recital 32
Amendment 257 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 32 a (new)
Recital 32 a (new)
(32a) Given that citizens and businesses are not in the same situation, the level of protection for citizens must be increased. In order better to protect consumer rights therefore, specific provisions should be enacted to safeguard the right to early repayment of loans without penalty or undue cost for consumers. Member States should also adopt stiff penalties for offering misleading and false interest rates and set maximum limits for interest rates in order to keep interest rates for mortgage credits as low as possible and to eliminate usury.
Amendment 260 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 32 b (new)
Recital 32 b (new)
(32b) The major problem in the real estate market occurs in the phase after the loan contract is signed and is due to competition between banks and to the rationale of greater profitability. Thus banks adopted 'innovative products' whose connection with mortgage loans eventually produced the so-called housing bubbles. In order to achieve sound, transparent and sustainable lending, therefore, barriers should be erected to prevent the securitization of these products and the possibility of reselling them should be prohibited.
Amendment 356 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Amendment 412 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point h a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point h a (new)
(ha) the possibility of early repayment of the loan and the costs involved.
Amendment 446 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point j a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point j a (new)
(ja) a presentation of the best and the worst-case scenarios where the contract is at a floating interest rate and the Annual Percentage Rate of Charge is calculated on the basis of current prices, i.e. consumers must be informed about estimated fluctuations in interest rates during the period of the loan.
Amendment 447 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point j b (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point j b (new)
(jb) receipt by the consumer of a realistic and comprehensive offer, which shall include interest rates and additional costs for ancillary services, thus enabling him or her to compare in real terms the various offers of credit products. The offer shall be valid for not less than two weeks.
Amendment 448 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point j c (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point j c (new)
Amendment 489 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 a (new)
Article 9 a (new)
Unfair commercial practices In order to ensure more effective protection of consumers from unfair commercial practices in the property market, appropriate provisions shall be adopted to ensure: a. the prohibition of securitization of housing contracts and their resale. b. the establishment of maximum limits for mortgage rates, both fixed-rate and floating-rate. c. the establishment of strict penalties for offering misleading and false rates of interest. d. a ban on the conclusion of credit contracts for mortgage loans in a currency other than that in which the consumer is paid. e. the consumer's right to purchase ancillary services from a provider other than that with which the loan has been contracted must not be concealed.
Amendment 636 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
1. For the purposes of this Directive, 'advice' constitutes a separate service from the granting of a credit. Such a service can only be marketedmay be provided: a. by Member States and the competent State authorities as 'advice when the remuneration of the individual providing the servicesory services' for citizens, taking into account their interests and their personal financial situation; b. by a private, natural or legal person, as advice, only where his or its independence vis-à-vis the creditors is ensured, specific standards are met and his or its remuneration is transparent and divulged to the consumer before the service is provided.
Amendment 662 #
2011/0062(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that the consumer has athe statutory or contractual right to discharge his obligations under a credit agreement prior to the expiry of that agreement. In such cases, he shall be entitled to a reduction in the total cost of the credit, such a reduction consisting of the interest and the costs for the remaining duration of the contracThey shall also ensure that creditors do not impose a penalty on the consumer for exercising the right to early debt repayment.
Amendment 10 #
2011/0023(COD)
Proposal for a directive
–
–
The Committee on Foreign Affairs calls on the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, as the committee responsible, to propose rejection of the Commission proposal.
Amendment 5 #
2011/0000(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Is convinced that in the current times of financial crisis, the main concerns of EU citizens and workers are the danger of losing their jobs, pay cuts, loss of social and labour rights, cuts in social services and the deteriorating quality of life; calls therefore for the Commission and the Member States, in the context of the single market, to secure full-time employment, and guarantee the protection of social and labour rights and access to high-quality social services, independently of the Member State in which workers are based;
Amendment 7 #
2011/0000(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Believes that the single market is directly linked to the policies being followed. Its full implementation depends on the leading socio-economic model selected, which, through the policies it imposes, is, exacerbating the consequences of the crisis, plunging the Member States into economic recession and leading the peoples of the EU towards unemployment and poverty; stresses that the implementation of the single market is not an objective per se but a means of securing equality, as well as financial, social and environmental goals, in a bid to achieve sustainable development, the well-being of our people, social justice, solidarity and democracy;
Amendment 12 #
2011/0000(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 13 #
2011/0000(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Underlines the great dissatisfaction among citizens regarding the functioning of the energy market. Market deregulation has not led to a reduction in prices and costs for consumers as declared by the Commission. On the contrary, prices have risen to such high levels for the peoples of Europe as to cause ‘energy poverty’. Notes that the ‘self-regulatory abilities’ of the single market and the simultaneous observance of competition rules cannot replace the welfare state and promote a comprehensive,l, growth-oriented social and environmental policy for the benefit of the citizens.
Amendment 26 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas wars and armed conflict, political, social and economic instability is the major driving force behind migration, particularly irregulaimpact of climate change and environmental pollution and the situation regarding human rights in the countries of origin are some of the basic reasons for migration, depriving affected communities of viable local prospects and, hence, of the right of individuals to choose whether to migrate or not and leaving them with migration, often irregular migration, as their only option,
Amendment 30 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas migration arising from instability is triggered in particular by war and armed conflicts or the risk thereof, human rights abuses - including the persecution or the limitation of the rights of minorities, including religious minorities - natural and man-made disasters, and the lack of viable economic prospects and of a sustainable structure for democracy and good governance and the consequences of external armed and military intervention is largely the responsibility of the international community including the Untied States and the European Union and its Member States,
Amendment 34 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas infringements of human rights, including the rights and individual liberties of women, the right to freedom regarding sexual orientation and sexual practices, the persecution of minorities, including religious minorities, and restriction of their rights, natural disasters or man-made environmental disasters and those caused by companies such as oil drilling multinationals, the lack of sustainable economic prospects, democratic structures or foundations for good governance, must be considered sufficient reasons to accord the right to protection and legal residence in the EU Member States,,
Amendment 42 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas economic and social instability has a particularly strong impact on younger generations, who are left without employment prospects and may more easily fall victim to violence, radicalism and recruitment by terrorist groupextremists, fundamentalists organisations and human traffickers,
Amendment 53 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
Amendment 62 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas irregular migration has an impact on the migration-management andthe fact that migrants are being forced into illegality is having a serious impact on their lives and human dignity, as well as the integration capacity of both receiving and transit countries, worsening, in the case of transit countries also, the sustainability and development prospects of local job marketcommunities and thus fuelling more instabilityinequalities resulting in more social and economic instability at the expense of the entire workforce, that is to say both local and migrant workers,
Amendment 71 #
2010/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the EU urgently nehas already identifieds to reflect on how much it wants to open up its borders to migratory flows from countries of origin and transit in order to offset their internal demographic and social tensions, thus helping them maintain their internal stability, and how much it needs to invest in a renewed economic agenda for such countries, including an agenda focused on job he problems arising from Dublin II and should accordingly cease implementing the provisions thereof and without delay restructure its entire migration policy, guaranteeing the right of residence and freedom of movement within the EU, as well as the right to employment and social security and democreationc rights,
Amendment 3 #
2010/2037(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital Α a (new)
Recital Α a (new)
Aa. whereas the role of regulatory tools in bringing about a recovery from the crisis and preventing a future crisis, in the same economic system that created it, is limited and insufficient, since in essence these tools act to serve and propagate the system,
Amendment 7 #
2010/2037(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital Α b (new)
Recital Α b (new)
Ab. whereas the financial crisis exposed the inadequacy of the structural audit mechanism in the existing socio-economic system and the inability of auditors properly to perform their monitoring function and their social role, essentially constituting an effect and a part of the crisis; whereas it is necessary to create a suitable regulatory framework to tackle pathogenic forms of the audit system and make it more effective, the main aim being to protect democracy, transparency and the well-being of European citizens,
Amendment 12 #
2010/2037(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital Β a (new)
Recital Β a (new)
Ba. mindful of the conflict of interest arising in the operation of audit firms and the need to increase the reliability of audits and the independence of auditors, so that they perform their social function and protect the interests of the peoples of Europe,
Amendment 19 #
2010/2037(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the market in auditing services is structured as an oligopoly, with the Big Four holding more than 90%, and an endogenous and constant rate of concentration is emerging which must be significantly reduced, with concrete action being taken to encourage the further development and growth of the sector,
Amendment 22 #
2010/2037(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas, in the wake of the crisis, excessive risk-taking on the part of financial institutions has been significantly linked to flexible, scant and ineffective control and risk management mechanisms, particularly in Systemically Important Financial Institutions (SIFIs),
Amendment 47 #
2010/2037(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes companies should conduct a compulsory, open and fully transparent competitive tendering process for statutory appointments of external auditors every eightfour years, on a renewable basis; notes that for SIFIs this should be reduced to every four yea; takes the view that a report should be drawn up justifying their selection, based on the quality and independence of the auditors;
Amendment 54 #
2010/2037(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses that the mandatory rotation of audit companies and auditors every eight years is vital, guaranteeing the largest possible gap before the company is audited again by the firm concerned, particularly in the case of public interest entities and SIFIs, whereby specific steps need to be taken to ensure that the above provisions are complied with;
Amendment 70 #
2010/2037(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls for the financial statements of audit companies to be verified and made public, particularly those dealing with public interest entities and SIFIs,
Amendment 84 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) Binding agreements should be made with regard to access for Members of all political groups of European Parliament to classified documents and information in the area of CFSP and ESDP.
Amendment 86 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 6
Recital 6
Amendment 88 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Provisions should be adopted relating to the staff of the EEAS and their recruitment. For matters relating to its staff the EEAS should be treated as an institution within the meaning of the Staff Regulations. In accordance with Article 27(3) of the TEU, the EEAS will comprise officials from the General Secretariat of the Council and the Commission as well as personnel seconded from the diplomatic services of the Member States. The High Representative will be the Appointing Authority, in relation both to officials subject to the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities ("Staff Regulations") and agents subject to the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants. The High Representative will also have authority over the Seconded National Experts ("SNEs") in post in the EEAS. The number of officials and servants of the EEAS will be decided each year as part of the budgetary procedure and will be reflected in the establishment plan.
Amendment 94 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) The establishment of the EEAS and its implementation shall not lead to any additional costs, neither within the EU budget nor within the national budgets.
Amendment 95 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. .The EEAS, which has its headquarters in Brussels, shall be a functionally autonomous body of the European Union, separate from the Commission and the General Secretariat of the Council, with the legal capacity necessary to perform its tasks and attain its objectivesnot be a sui generis institution.
Amendment 100 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The parliamentary control concerning the EEAS has to be entirely ensured. Therefore the European Parliament's right of scrutiny must be guaranteed to its full extent. This has to be assured for the national parliaments as well, especially in terms of the CSFP and ESDP.
Amendment 106 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision – amending act
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – indent 2
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – indent 2
- a directorate general for administrative, staffing, budgetary, security and communication and information system matters under the direct authority of the Secretary-General;
Amendment 107 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision – amending act
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – indent 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – indent 3
Amendment 116 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision – amending act
Article 5 – paragraph 10
Article 5 – paragraph 10
10. The Union delegations shall have the capacity to, upon request by Member States, support the Member States in their diplomatic relations and in their role of providing consular protection to Union citizens in third countries.
Amendment 119 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision – amending act
Article 6 – paragraph 1 (b)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 (b)
(b) if necessary, and on a temporary basis, specialised seconded national experts (SNEs)The establishment and the implementation of the EEAS shall not include any additional posts.
Amendment 128 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Amendment 130 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. In the framework of the management of EU external cooperation programmes, which remain under the responsibility of the Commission, the High Representative and the EEAS shall contribute to the programming and management cycle for the following geographic and thematicThe planning, programming, management and implementation of operational expenditure of all financing instruments, on the basis of the policy objectives set out in the said instruments:f EU external action, namely - the Development Cooperation Instrument, - the European Development Fund, - the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, - the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument, - the Instrument for Cooperation with Industrialised Countries, - the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation. - the Instrument for humanitarian aid shall not be transferred to the EEAS. The European Parliament must have the full budgetary and parliamentary control over these instruments.
Amendment 133 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 3
Article 8 – paragraph 3
Amendment 134 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 4
Article 8 – paragraph 4
Amendment 136 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 5
Article 8 – paragraph 5
Amendment 142 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision
Annex – paragraph 1 (new)
Annex – paragraph 1 (new)
1. General Secretariat of the Council 1.The military structures of the EU, located in the General Secretariat of the Council, as well as the civilian-military structures such as the European Union Military Staff, the European Defence Agency (EDA), the Crisis Management Planning Directorate (CMPD) and the European Union Satellite Centre (EUSC), shall neither be part of the EEAS nor institutionally connected to it. Furthermore the EU intelligence structures in particular the EU Situation Centre (SitCen) shall not be part of the EEAS. The European Parliament calls on the Council to stop the development of and abolish all military and civil-military structures under its competence, as well as stop the financing of military and civil- military activities.
Amendment 24 #
2010/0363(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) The energy sector and energy supply are of the greatest strategic importance for the Member States; policies adopted should therefore be compatible with efforts to achieve growth and with social and environmental policy.
Amendment 25 #
2010/0363(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 b (new)
Recital 1 b (new)
(1b) Electricity is a public utility and cannot be left in the grip of market forces and neo-liberal politicians. The 'self- regulatory capacities' of the market and obeisance to competition rules accompanying the provision of public services have manifestly failed.
Amendment 26 #
2010/0363(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) Because of the oligopolistic structure of the deregulated energy sector, prices are set on the financial markets and controlled by five or six corporate giants. The energy sector operates along typically arbitrary and speculative lines at the expense of the public and social interest.
Amendment 30 #
2010/0363(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) Regulation, inspection, supervision and large fines with a view to curbing speculation and ensuring transparency within the framework of the same economic system as the existing deregulated energy sector are considered to be inadequate instruments of limited effectiveness. The 'supervised deregulation' model for the energy sector cannot replace a social state and promote an integrated growth, social and environmental policy which will be in the social interest of EU citizens.
Amendment 33 #
2010/0363(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) Progressive market deregulation following the first directive (96/92/EC) has not, as the Commission asserted, resulted in stability, price predictability and lower costs for consumers. On the contrary, prices have risen steeply at the expense European consumers, leading to ‘energy poverty’.
Amendment 35 #
2010/0363(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13 a (new)
Recital 13 a (new)
(13a) Bestowing increased responsibilities on the Agency under the market 'monitoring mechanism' conceals the danger of turning it into a 'regulatory trap' and an instrument enabling major market stakeholders to exert their influence and assert their own interests. Its mode of operation does not guarantee compliance with the principles of transparency and democratic control, thereby making it impossible to defend the social interest of EU citizens.
Amendment 67 #
2010/0279(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) The European Parliament rejects the Commission's proposal for a Regulation.
Amendment 68 #
2010/0279(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 b (new)
Recital 1 b (new)
(1b) Non-eurozone Member States are not obliged to implement this Regulation.
Amendment 69 #
2010/0279(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 c (new)
Recital 1 c (new)
Amendment 70 #
2010/0279(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 d (new)
Recital 1 d (new)
(1d) It is impossible to recover from the crisis and avoid a fresh one by using the same economic tools and the same economic model which caused the crisis in the first place. Any such recovery would be to the detriment of European workers.
Amendment 73 #
2010/0279(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) Experience gained during the first decade of the Economic and Monetary Union shows the need to adopt targets and principles of solidarity among Member States, of real economic convergence and of promoting viable growth and full employment.
Amendment 74 #
2010/0279(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 b (new)
Recital 2 b (new)
(2b) The operating rules of EMU and the Stability and Growth Pact do not promote the convergence of eurozone economies. On the contrary, they create and maintain macro-economic imbalances, broaden the gap between developed and less-developed countries and, by extension, increase differences in living standards between the peoples of Europe.
Amendment 75 #
2010/0279(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 c (new)
Recital 2 c (new)
(2c) A radical change in the Stability and Growth Pact is essential so that it can operate on the basis of the criteria of solidarity between Member States, real economic convergence and the promotion of sustainable development and full employment, while avoiding policies of financial, economic and social austerity.
Amendment 76 #
2010/0279(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 d (new)
Recital 2 d (new)
(2d) The framework of financial principles of the Union will only be credible if there is a radical change in its objectives. The new objectives must serve the principles of solidarity, democracy, real economic convergence and social prosperity for all European citizens.
Amendment 83 #
2010/0279(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) Given Article 48(2) of the Treaty on European Union, no further powers may be granted to the Commission.
Amendment 102 #
2010/0279(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
Amendment 108 #
2010/0279(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
Amendment 116 #
2010/0279(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
Amendment 150 #
2010/0279(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1
Article 1
Amendment 166 #
2010/0279(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3
Article 3
Amendment 243 #
2010/0279(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5
Article 5
Amendment 57 #
Amendment 60 #
2010/0278(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 b (new)
Recital 1 b (new)
Amendment 61 #
2010/0278(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 c (new)
Recital 1 c (new)
(1c) Recovery from the crisis and avoidance of any further crisis cannot be achieved by using the very economic instruments and economic model which created it. Failure to recognise this will mean that any recovery will be at the expense of European workers.
Amendment 62 #
2010/0278(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 d (new)
Recital 1 d (new)
(1d) Experience gained during the first decade of functioning of economic and monetary union demonstrates the need to adopt the following objectives and principles: solidarity between the Member States, genuine economic convergence and the promotion of sustainable growth and full employment.
Amendment 77 #
2010/0278(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) EMU operating rules and the Stability and Growth Pact are failing to promote economic convergence in the euro area. On the contrary, they are creating and perpetuating macroeconomic imbalances, widening the gulf between the developed and the less-developed countries and, by extension, increasing the disparities in European living standards.
Amendment 79 #
2010/0278(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 b (new)
Recital 2 b (new)
(2b) A fundamental change to the operation of the Stability and Growth Pact is necessary so as to bring it into line with the criteria of solidarity between Member States, genuine economic convergence and the promotion of sustainable growth and full employment, while avoiding financial, economic and social austerity policies.
Amendment 85 #
2010/0278(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 b (new)
Recital 2 b (new)
(2b) Member States outside the euro area are not obliged to implement this regulation.
Amendment 97 #
2010/0278(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
Amendment 104 #
2010/0278(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) The principles set out in the Union’s financial framework can only achieve credibility through a fundamental change in its objectives. The new objectives must be to promote solidarity, democracy, genuine economic convergence and the social welfare of all Europeans.
Amendment 124 #
2010/0278(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
Amendment 174 #
2010/0278(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
Amendment 178 #
2010/0278(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) In the light of Article 48(2) of the Treaty on European Union, additional powers cannot be granted to the European Commission.
Amendment 188 #
2010/0278(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1
Article 1
Amendment 199 #
2010/0278(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2
Article 2
Amendment 44 #
2010/0277(NLE)
Recital 1
Amendment 61 #
2010/0277(NLE)
Recital 1 a (new)
1a. The European Parliament rejects this proposal for a directive tabled by the European Commission.
Amendment 62 #
2010/0277(NLE)
Recital 1 b (new)
1b. Recovery from the crisis and avoidance of any further crisis cannot be achieved by using the very economic instruments and economic model which created it. Failure to recognise this will mean that any recovery will be at the expense of European workers.
Amendment 63 #
2010/0277(NLE)
Recital 1 c (new)
1c. The EU-2020 Strategy, which succeeded the failed, by effect, Lisbon Strategy, is unable to meet the objectives of full employment and prosperity for all European citizens.
Amendment 64 #
2010/0277(NLE)
Recital 1 d (new)
1d. EMU operating rules and the Stability and Growth Pact are failing to promote economic convergence in the euro area. Hence the imposition of common macro- economic objectives without taking account of the specific economic situation in each of the Member States and their different points of departure will widen the gulf between the developed and less developed countries and, by extension, increase the disparities in European living standards.
Amendment 65 #
2010/0277(NLE)
Recital 1 e (new)
Amendment 66 #
2010/0277(NLE)
Recital 1 f (new)
1f. A fundamental change to the operation of the Stability and Growth Pact is necessary so as to bring it into line with the criteria of solidarity between Member States, genuine economic convergence and the promotion of sustainable development and full employment, while avoiding financial, economic and social austerity policies.
Amendment 80 #
2010/0277(NLE)
Recital 10 a (new)
10a. The European Commission bears great responsibility since, for the sake of achieving EU policy objectives in every field (EMU, enlargement), it has, in certain cases, tacitly accepted the dissemination of untruths and/or deliberately manipulated statistical data from certain Member States.
Amendment 81 #
2010/0277(NLE)
Recital 10 b (new)
10b. In the light of Article 48(2) of the Treaty on European Union, additional powers cannot be granted to the European Commission.
Amendment 49 #
2010/0160(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In order to reinforce competition between credit rating agencies, to help avoiding possible conflicts of interest under the issuer-pays model, which are particularly virulent regarding the rating of structured finance instruments, and to enhance transparency and the quality of ratings for structured finance instruments, registered or certified credit rating agencies should have the right to access a list of structured finance instruments that are being rated by their competitors. The information for this rating should be provided by the issuer or a related third party for the purpose of the issuance of unsolicited competing ratings on structured finance instruments. The issuance of such unsolicited ratings should promote the use of more than one rating per structured finance instrument. Access to the websites should only be granted if a credit rating agency is able to ensure the confidentiality of the requested information. Furthermore, in addition to private credit rating agencies, a public European agency should be set up to increase transparency in the financial markets. For this purpose ESMA should draft appropriate proposals jointly with the Commission.
Amendment 52 #
2010/0160(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 21 a (new)
Recital 21 a (new)
(21a) As the development of the debt crisis in some Member States in the euro area has shown, private credit rating agencies are not in a position to assess public bonds in a meaningful way. Moreover, the panic-stricken down-rating of particular government bonds resulted in upheavals in States’ budgets. For these reasons, and because private undertakings cannot be allowed to assess democratically constituted States, their economies and budgets which have been examined by democratically legitimate official bodies, credit rating agencies should not be permitted to assess public bonds.
Amendment 65 #
2010/0160(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 4
Article 1 – point 4
Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009
Article 8a – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 8a – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Where other credit rating agencies registered or certified according to this Regulation request access to the information referred to in paragraph 1, they shall be granted access as quickly as possible provided that they meet all of the following conditions:
Amendment 79 #
2010/0160(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 5 a (new)
Article 1 – point 5 a (new)
Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009
Article 10 – paragraph 4
Article 10 – paragraph 4
(5a) Article 10(4) is replaced by the following: "4. A credit rating agency shall disclose its policies and procedures regarding [...] credit ratings.”
Amendment 80 #
2010/0160(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 5 b (new)
Article 1 – point 5 b (new)
Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009
Article 10 – paragraph 5 –subparagraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 5 –subparagraph 1
Amendment 83 #
2010/0160(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 11 a (new)
Article 1 – point 11 a (new)
Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009
Article 22 a (new)
Article 22 a (new)
Amendment 91 #
2010/0160(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 14
Article 1 – point 14
Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009
Article 24 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 24 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Where a credit rating agency fails to comply with one of the requirements listed in Annex III or another requirement of this regulation, information about the breach shall be published. In addition, the credit rating agency shall be called upon to bring the infringement to an end immediately. ESMA may waive the publication requirement and omit the call to bring the infringement to an end if this is necessary in the interests of an investigation, with reference both to investigations within ESMA and to cooperation with the relevant national authorities.
Amendment 92 #
2010/0160(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 14
Article 1 – point 14
Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009
Article 24 – paragraph 2 –subparagraph 2
Article 24 – paragraph 2 –subparagraph 2
In addition, ESMA mayshall refer matters for criminal prosecution to the relevant national authorities.
Amendment 138 #
2010/0160(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Annex II
Annex II
Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009
Annex III – title I – point w
Annex III – title I – point w
Amendment 144 #
2010/0160(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Annex II
Annex II
Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009
Annex III – title III – point m
Annex III – title III – point m
(m) The CRA infringes Article 10(4) by not disclosing its policies and procedures regarding unsolicited credit ratings.
Amendment 145 #
2010/0160(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Annex II
Annex II
Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009
Annex III – title III – point n
Annex III – title III – point n
(n) The CRA infringes Article 10(5) by not providing the information as required by this Article or by not identifying an unsolicited credit rating.
Amendment 170 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls, too, on all the main humanitarian and development bodies active in Afghanistan (from EU Member States and the US to the UNDP and UNOPS, and from the World Bank to the main NGOsthe UNDP and UNOPS to the main NGOs, and the EU Member States and the US, as well as the World Bank) to drastically prune their operating expenses by allocating funds (at least 80% more than at present) directly to Afghan institutions; (Justification: The aim is to point out that we do not consider the activities of the US and the World Bank in Afghanistan to be humanitarian and pro-development.)
Amendment 204 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Urges, therefore, NATO and all coalition forces in Afghanistan to return to a situation whereby they provide their own military supply chain, as soon as practicableto withdraw their troops from Afghanistan immediately;
Amendment 211 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Believes that much of the blame for the present impasse in Afghanistan rests with early miscalculations by coalition forces who foresaw a speedy military victory over the Taliban and an easy transition to a stable country run by a legitimate government with strong Western backing continuing military presence in the country aimed at exploiting its sources of wealth and its geostrategic importance;
Amendment 220 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Fears that these errors have fuelled the resurgence of the Taliban in over half the country, exacerbating the deterioration in security and in respect for human rights, particularly those of women;
Amendment 241 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Firmly believes that the EU’s three main prerequisites for the peace process must be an Afghan commitment to banishing Al Qaeda from the country, the elimination of poppy cultivation, and the will to establish respect for fundamental human rightthe withdrawal of foreign occupying forces, the takeover of power by the Afghans themselves in order to tackle the question of Al Qaeda, and the direct channelling of international economic assistance towards the development of a welfare state with social welfare services and measures to support the eradication of poverty, the elimination of poppy cultivation, and the will to establish immediate implementation of fundamental human rights, together with the provision of free education, healthcare and jobs with rights for all Afghan citizens;
Amendment 292 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
Amendment 302 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Stresses that this presence is totally unneeds to be ended and until such time should be neither influenced by nor in any way related to recent plans by the Afghan Government to exploit its potentially vast mining and minerals industry;
Amendment 345 #
2009/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
Paragraph 55
Amendment 26 #
2009/2215(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas immigration cannot be tackled outside the framework of international agreements and treaties on the rights of refugees and immigrants or without supplying answers to the real reasons behind immigration; whereas the cooperation needed can be developed within the framework of the UfM; whereas this cooperation should be based on a humanitarian approach, and should respect international law on refugees and human rights, thus setting an example for other bilateral or multilateral forms of cooperation,
Amendment 94 #
2009/2215(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is of the opinion that political tensions and regional conflicts in the Mediterranean basin must not hinder tangible progress towards multilateral cooperation in specific sectors, and that it is through the implementation of major integration projects that the UfM will help to develop a climate of trust conducive to pursuingthe comprehensive and just resolution of existing problems and common security goals in a spirit of solidarity and peace; believes that, in order for this to be achieved, the member countries will have to show the necessary full respect to all other member countries and refrain from actions prejudicial to state sovereignty;
Amendment 102 #
2009/2215(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on Turkey to show the necessary respect to all member countries of the UfM; states once again that the withdrawal of its occupying forces from Cyprus will be the most significant evidence of respect for the sovereign rights of a UfM member country;
Amendment 127 #
2009/2215(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses that the demonstration by Israel of a genuine desire for comprehensive, just and sustainable resolution of the Palestinian issue, and the taking of specific initiatives in order to bring this about, such as putting an end to the settlements and the isolation of Gaza, are an absolute requirement if genuine and successful cooperation is to take place within the framework of the UfM; recalls the need for respect for international law as well as the position of both the international community as a whole and the European Council in favour of a two-state solution on the basis of the 1967 borders;
Amendment 155 #
2009/2215(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Encourages efforts to improve the economic and legal environment in third countries, making it a priority to setby supporting, for example, the setting up of viable and credible sub- regional financial institutions able to attract foreign investment; also calls for:
Amendment 161 #
2009/2215(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 - point 2 a (new)
Paragraph 7 - point 2 a (new)
- the promotion of the creation and implementation of an integrated labour law with respect for labour rights, for the benefit of workers in third countries and also in EU Member States;
Amendment 168 #
2009/2215(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Invites UfM member countries to simplify transfers of funds by migrants to people in countries on the southern shore of the Mediterranean, in particular by endeavouring to reduce the costs incurred and by imposing rules on money transfer businesses to achieve that aim;
Amendment 174 #
2009/2215(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Disapproves of the existence of detention centres for refugees and immigrants travelling without travel documents, in the outermost regions and at the borders of the EU Member States and of other Mediterranean countries; conversely, supports the creation and funding of open centres to receive refugees and immigrants in the host countries and the tackling of the real reasons for immigration in the countries of departure; stresses that, on the basis of the international treaties, the priority of the UfM countries ought to be respect for human dignity and human rights;
Amendment 4 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the relations between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean should be based on respect for each country’s sovereignty and independence in shaping its external, political and trade relations,
Amendment 5 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas one of the key objectives of the biregional strategic partnership is a regional integration, with the conclusion of subhich fully respects the regional and bilaintegral partnership agreements alongside strategic partnershiption organisations set up on both sides and the political projects upheld by their component states,
Amendment 12 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas this biregional strategic partnership has further consolidated coordination between the two parties within international fora and institutions, and as well as setting a common agenda it should continue to coordinate positions on matters of global importance, taking account of the interests and concerns of both parties, in order to create a demilitarised biregional area of peace, achieve the MDGs, combat unemployment and guarantee public services, labour and trade union rights and the rights of indigenous peoples,
Amendment 18 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas recovery from worldwide recession will still be slow in 2010; whereas, although Latin America has withstood the crisis better than other advanced economies and average growth there in 2010 will reach almost 3 %, recovery will be very uneven and growth levels will not be high enough to produce a significant improvement in social conditions for its population, which still has far less social protection than its European counterpart,
Amendment 21 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the countries of Latin America are withstanding the effects of the global crisis more effectively, with ECLAC statistics showing that GDP growth for 2008 was 4%, compared to 2.5% in the eurozone,
Amendment 30 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the EU’s immigration policy is causing grelegitimate concern in Latin America and agreements need to be reached that take into account the Euro-Latin American partners’ legitimateoverall interests onf this very sensitive subjecte peoples of both regions,
Amendment 31 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas innovation and, knowledge , environmental planning and the fair distribution of wealth are fundamental instruments for eradicating poverty, combating and hunger and attaining sustainable development, as was noted by the most recent Ibero-American Summiecologically and socially just sustainable development,
Amendment 33 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomesTakes note of the Commission communication 'The European Union and Latin America: Global Players in Partnership', which is designed to identify, assess and put forward operational proposals aimed at achieving a full biregional strategic partnership; deplores the lack of specific biregional measures to offset the effects of the economic, financial and food crisis;
Amendment 35 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates that support for the various regional integration processes in Latin America is a basic principle for the biregional strategic partnership and trusts that this biregional strategic partnership will lead to closer coordination of positions on crisis situations and issues of world importance, on the basis of sharedthe values, interests and concerns of all and in the interests of the peoples of both regions;
Amendment 39 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the new possibilities offered by the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty to be used for the benefit ofto adapt the biregional strategic partnership to the new political situation and to the needs of the sovereign peoples making up the two regions;
Amendment 40 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 43 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls in particular on the High Representative and the Council to set clear guidelines onon the EU and Latin America to determine, on the basis of the biregional strategic partnership, the best way of working closely together in order to foster effective multilateralism and strengthen the United Nations' peacekeeping and peace consolidation capacities, and to tackle common threats to peace and security, within the framework of international law, including illicit drugs and arms trafficking, organised crime and terrorism, as decided in Limameasures to promote disarmament, achieve the Millennium Development Goals and boost the social economy;
Amendment 44 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls in particular on the High Representative and the Council to set clear guidelines on the best way of working closely together in order to foster effective multilateralism and strengthen the United Nations' peacekeeping and peace consolidation capacities, particularly in the face of the military pressure exerted by the USA and its allies, such as Colombia, and of the danger to territorial security represented by the effects of climate change, and to tackle common threats to peace and security, within the framework of international law, including illicit drugs and arms trafficking, organised crime and terrorism, as decided in Lima;
Amendment 47 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recommends that a Euro-Latin American Charter for the Peace and Security of the peoples of both regions be adopted that, on the basis of the United Nations Charter and related international law, would include strategies and guidelines for joint political and security action in order to deal with the common threats facing the members of the biregional strategic partnershipsocial and environmental threats and risks of war facing these peoples;
Amendment 55 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls for the continuation and deepening of a constructive dialogue on migration issues in the Euro-Latin American area, with both countries of destination and countries of origin and transit, bearing in mind the unease felt by Latin America and the Caribbean as a result of Europe's vision of the phenomenon of immigration ;
Amendment 58 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Urges that combating climate change and global warming should remain abecome a genuine priority on the political agenda between the EU and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, and that additional efforts be made to meet the Copenhagen targetsendorses the initiative of the Bolivian government concerning the Peoples' World Conference on Climate change and Mother Earth's Rights (Cochabamba, Bolivia) seeking to promote a world referendum of peoples on climate change, to map out an action plan towards the creation of a Climate Justice Tribunal and to define action and mobilisation strategies for the defence of life in the face of climate change and for the rights of ecosystem preservation;
Amendment 65 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Recommends opening an innovative dialogue on energy and energy supply and saving in order to combat climate change and move towards sustainable energy consumption, on the need to abandon fossil energy and develop renewables, on rationalising energy supply and on the search for energy saving in order to combat climate change and move towards world environmental planning with a view to promoting peoples’ quality of life; endorses, to that end, the Yasuní ITT initiative proposed by the Ecuadorian government, whereby the 850 million barrels of oil in the Yasuní Park, a nature reserve containing some of the greatest biodiversity in the world, could be left untouched;
Amendment 67 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Reiterates its proposal forProposes the creation of a Euro- Latin American global interregional partnership area based on a 'WTO–Regionalism’ compatible model in two stagemutually supportive cooperation in the interest of the peoples of both regions;
Amendment 68 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 71 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. In order to complete the first phase, firmly supports the resumption of negotiations on the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement, the conclusion of negotiations on the EU-Central America Association Agreement and of the multi- party trade aEU- Andean Community Agreement betwewhen the EU and the countries of the Andean Community, before the Madrid summiparties involved reach agreement, the revision of the 2003 political and cooperation agreement with the Andean Community and the deepening of the existing Association Agreements with Mexico and Chile, in particular with a view to ensuring respect for human rights clauses;
Amendment 83 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the efforts towards social cohesion made in recent years by the European Commission, the IDB, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Banka large number of Latin American governments, and recommends that the Eurosocial, URB- AL and EUrocLIMA programmes be renewed and stepped up in the general interest;
Amendment 94 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
Amendment 95 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. PropoStresses that a biregional political dialogue be opened with new triangular approaches on issues, spheres and mate importance of the UN framework for developing political dialogue between the staters of common interest embracing EU-LAC-Asia, EU-LAC-Africa and EU-LAC-US, moving towards a Euro-Atlantic area comprisand regions of the world ing the United States, Latin America and the European Uniongeneral interest of its peoples;
Amendment 96 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Reiterates its proposal for the creation of a Europe-Latin America and Caribbean Foundation, a public-private institution whose primary purpose would be to prepare for the summits, follow up on the decisions and political courses of action adopted at the summits, and act as a forum for dialogue and coordination in the periods between summits for all the political, institutional, academic and civil society bodies working to strengthen Euro- Latin American relations, including the EuroLat Assembly;
Amendment 100 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Stresses that the Foundation's budget should be limited but sufficient for it to carry out its tasks, financed by contributions from those EU and Latin American States that are members of the Foundation, the EU budget, and own resources generated by the Foundation itself or which are made available to it by public or private sponsoring bodies with connections to the Euro-Latin American area;
Amendment 103 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses that the subregional partnership agreements currently being negotiated should be concluded but warns that, where there are unbridgeable differences of opinion, alternaall be revised to bring about mutually supportive spoluitions should be sought - without losing sight of the overall strategic vision - in order not to isolate those countries that wish to establish closer political, commercial and social relations with the EUcal cooperation, caring for the interests of peoples while respecting the environment and the integrity of sovereign states;
Amendment 104 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses that the subregional partnership agreements currently being negotiated should be concluded but warns that, where there are unbridgeable differences of opinion, alternative solutions should be sought - without losing sight of the overall strategic vision - in order not to isolate those countries that wish to establish closer political, commercial and social relations with the EUonce the parties have agreed on them, since it is these agreements that promote regional integration;
Amendment 106 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
Amendment 108 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Welcomes the signing in November 2009 of a memorandum of understanding between the EIB and the Inter-American Development Bank and supports the efforts madeInsists that the funding by the EIB to financeof projects in Latin America, whilst pointing out that, if it is to fulfil its objectives, the EIB requires more funds and contributions from both the EU and its Member State respect the rules of democratic transparency and that the payment of such funding be conditional on high social and environmental requirements;
Amendment 110 #
2009/2213(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Stresses the importance of the EU's various financing instruments but stressesInsists on the need to go beyond the purely assistance-based approach to development cooperation with Latin America - so that the financial resources from the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) are concentrated on the poorest countries and most vulnerable groups - and to establish new forms of cooperation with emerging and middle-income countries in Latin America through the Industrialised Countries Instrument (ICI+);
Amendment 16 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the new security challenges require a stronger emphasis to be placed on combiningcombined implementation of different civilian and military instruments across the spectrum of conflict prevention, crisis management and peace-building activities will always entail a very high risk that civil instruments may become part of military enforcement of interests,
Amendment 18 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas some 10 years after the launching of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) and the deployment of some 23 missions, during which period some 23 missions have been deployed in crisis areas, none of therse mis a need to enhance capacities and consolidate structures so as to adequately reflect the role which the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) plays in supporting the CFSP and in delivering international securitysions had an actual or sustainable stabilising effect in the respective conflict region; calls therefore on the Council and Commission to review their policy with a view to future external actions and CSDP missions,
Amendment 24 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 29 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Criticises the fact that the CFSP budget has already increased from about EUR 30 million in 2002 to EUR 290 million annually, primarily because of the increased number of ESDP missions; expresses therefore its deep concern about the request for a budget increase;
Amendment 39 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses once again that the scope of the report should not be limited simply to a description of CFSP activities but should provide the opportunity to establish a dialogue with the European Parliament aimed at developing a more strategic approach to the CFSP; recommends that the annual CFSP report be turned into a yearly report discussing the implementation of the EU's foreign policy strategy and that more references be made to the budgetary needs and financial impact of external actions in such reportingcalls for increased transparency in budgetary expenditure related to CFSP activities;
Amendment 64 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Continues to be concerned about the repeated gas crises such as the Russian- Ukrainian crisis of January 2009, which highlighted the EU’s increasing energy dependency on sources of supply and transit channels which face threats to their stability; recalls the urgent need to address energy challenges by implementing a common European external energy policstresses that further cooperation in this field must be based on the principles of cooperation and transparency as well as the importance of reciprocity; calls in this regard on the Vice-President/High Representative to pursue with determination Parliament's recommendations for the development of such a policy, in particular by promoting EU cohesion in negotiations with energy suppliers and transit countries and defending the common interests of the Member States, by developing effective energy diplomacy and more efficient mechanisms for responding to crisis situations, by refraining from using military means to guarantee energy supplies, and, finally, by promoting the diversification of energy supplies, sustainable energy use and the development of renewable energy sources;
Amendment 74 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Considers that in the event of a crisis, the EU response cannot in any case be of a military nature; underlines the importance of tackling the root causes of instability by means of development policies that are in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other socioeconomic, political and cultural measures which can create the environment required to prevent the resurgence of conflict and which aim to eliminate poverty, foster economic, social and cultural development, create institutional and administrative capacities, improve the quality of life of the population and consolidate the rule of law;
Amendment 105 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Believes that the EU and NATO should develop a more intens a political alliance and NATO as a military alliance should act strictly se partnership, taking into account the progressive development of the EU's foreign, security and defence policies; to that end, recommends a review ofately from each other, which should be reflected in their institutional arrangements; denounces the fact that the so- called Berlin-Plus arrangements andllow the development of a more strategic dialogue on shared strategic interests and contingency planninguse by the EU of NATO capacities; considers that the EU must have be of a purely civil nature; calls therefore for the military funding to be reassigned to civil purposes; calls for the dissolution of NATO;
Amendment 123 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
Amendment 130 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Reiterates its rejection of the unilateral declaration of the independence of Kosovo; notes that this declaration establishes a dangerous precedent in violation of international law; calls for a common satisfactory solution, under Resolution 1244/99 of the UN Security Council, which affirmed the commitment of all Member States to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, with respect for international law and as the only effective way of bringing about a permanent solution conducive to peace in the region;
Amendment 141 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls on the Vice-President/High Representative to ensure that the EU's approach towards Russia is based on mutual respect, coherent and driven by a commitment to the values of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, including international law; underlines at the same time the need to enhance cooperation with Russia with regard to Iran, Afghanistan and the Middle East, pursuing the goal of strengthening global security and stability;
Amendment 153 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Calls on the EU, in line with the Council Conclusions of 12 December 2009, to assume a stronger political role in the ongoing international efforts to re- launch the Peace Process, commensurate with its financial engagement in supporting a Palestinian economic recovery and addressing the dramatic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has been aggravated further by Israel's all-round military offensive of December 2008 and the continuing military attacks, border closures and limited movement and access to basic goods including medicines; calls on the Vice-President/High Representative/Vice-President to consider all means to promote a lasting peace in the region;
Amendment 158 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Regrets that the decolonisation of Western Sahara is not yet finished; calls on the Council and the Commission to consider this conflict as a priority in the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM); calls on the Council and the Commission to work in this framework to achieve self- determination for Western Sahara in line with the resolutions of the United Nations; denounces the responsibility of Morocco in this situation; denounces the violations of human rights in this country and the repression of human rights activists; deplores in this context the concession of the advanced status that the EU has given to Morocco;
Amendment 161 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Considers that the Government in Afghanistan is not legitimate, as the elections in Afghanistan were held in a context of war and corruption, the electoral register did not exist, there are no free mass media, the situation of women has not improved and the population was threatened;
Amendment 163 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. WelcomeRegrets the Council's Action Plan for strengthened EU action in Afghanistan and Pakistan, adopted at the October 2009 General Affairs and External Relations Council, ands its declaration of its renewed readiness to assist in meeting the challenges of the region, in cooperation with the countries concerned and the international partners, but stresses that the Plan will remain just that unless there is a clear commitment from the EU Member States to contribute to its implementation; calls on the Council, the Commission and the Swedish Presidency to make a concerted effort to implement the Plan without delay and before the end of 2009; urges the Council to make more progress towards full deployment of staff in EUPOL in order to establish sustainable and effective civilian policing arrangements capable of enhancing the security environment follows the USA Strategy which seeks only a military solution; insists that Afghanistan needs stability but not through military means but by means of development aid;
Amendment 166 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Endorses the EU's commitment to supporting democracy in a unified Iraq; stresses its support for the EU's strong and continuing commitment to the development of the rule of law in Iraq, and welcomes the extension of the mandate of EUJUST LEX for one year and its pilot activities on Iraqi territory; looks forward to the further work planned in this context, aReiterates that the invasion of Iraq by the United States and UK was a violation of international law; notes that since then the situation of the Iraqi people has not improved and calls for the immediate withdrawal of all troops pfromised by the Council Iraq;
Amendment 170 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Notes with great satisfactionthat since thate EUNAVFOR Atalanta continues to make a successful contribution to maritime security off the coast of Somalia by protecting vesselstarted, the attacks chartered by the World Food Programme (WFP) delivering aid to Somalia, vessels supplying critical shipments to the African Union peace support operation in Somalia and other vulnerable vessels; calls on the Council to extend the operation for another year when the current mandate comes to an end on 12 December 2009; expresses its support for a possible southward extension of the operation zone depending on pirate activity, but underlines that such an extension should not affect the mission's essential goal, namely the protection of WFP convoys and other vulnerable vessels such as the merchant fleet and fishing vessels; welcomes the approval by the Member States on 17 November 2009 of the Crisis Management Concept for a possible new CSDP operation for Somalia but insists that the adoption of this concept should in no way prejudge the decision on launching a mission, which can be taken only after a more detailed examination of the situation on the ground, making sure that human rights are respected, salaries are paid and equipment isve multiplied and become more violent and there has been an extension of the attacks southwards; calls therefore on the Council and Commission to review their strategy and concentrate on the real causes, which are extreme providederty and that the trained security forces are integrated into state and command structures so that, oncee destabilisation of Somalia and they return, they will not turn against the government they are supposed to be protectinggion at large by third parties;
Amendment 174 #
2009/2057(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Recalls once again the proposal made in its resolution of 15 November 2001 on a global partnership and a common strategy for relations between the EU and Latin America1 – subsequently repeated in its resolutions of 27 April 20062 and 24 April 20083 respectively adopted with a view to the Vienna and Lima EU-LAC Summits – to draw up a Euro-Latin American Charter for Peace and Security which, on the basis of the UN Charter, would allow for joint political, strategic and security-related actions and initiatives; calls on the Council and the Commission to take active steps to realise this ambitious goal and to support 1 OJ C 140 E, 13.6.2002, p. 569. 2 OJ C 296 E, 6.12.2006, p. 123. 3 Texts adopted, P6_TA (2008)0177. this proposal at the next EU-LAC Summit, which will take place in May 2010 in Madrid; recalls that any bilateral Charter must be based on mutual respect;
Amendment 3 #
2009/0155(NLE)
Draft opinion
last paragraph
last paragraph
The Committee on Foreign Affairs calls on the Committee on International Trade, as the committee responsible, to draw up an interim report under Rule 81(3)reject the proposal to adopt the additional Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel of the other part, on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products.
Amendment 11 #
2009/0108(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) In order to ensure the highest level of preparedness in case of supply disruption, Emergency Plans should be established by all natural gas undertakings together with the Competent Authoritiethe Competent Authorities after consulting all natural gas undertakings. Such plans should be mutually consistent. Their content should follow best practices among existing plans and should define clear roles and responsibilities for all concerned natural gas undertakings and Competent Authorities. Joint emergency plans at regional level, should be established where possible and necessary.
Amendment 23 #
2009/0108(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) "protected customers" means all household customers already connected to a gas distribution network, and, if the Member State concerned so decides, can also include small and medium-sized enterprises, schools and hospitals provided that they are already connected to a gas distribution network;
Amendment 25 #
2009/0108(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) Recognising the central role played by international cooperation in ensuring security of gas supply for the citizens of the EU Member States, all relevant EU policies and Action Plans must be based on the principle of mutual respect with the third countries involved; a resolution of any problems that may arise should be sought through political dialogue and negotiations.
Amendment 27 #
2009/0108(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3
3. During the process mentioned in paragraph 2 the Commission may recommend at which regional level the exchange of information and consultations shall take place. The Commission, after consultation of the Gas Coordination Group, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas ("ENTSO-G") and the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators ("ACER"), may also recommend the establishment of a joint Pplan at regional level.
Amendment 28 #
2009/0108(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Sufficiently harmonised security of supply standards covering at least the situation that occurred in the January 2009, taking into account the difference between Members States, should be defined, without imposing unreasonable and disproportionate burdens on natural gas undertaking including new entrants and small undertakingstaking into account also the fact that Member States are primarily responsible for supervision of the internal gas market.
Amendment 32 #
2009/0108(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 4
Article 5 – paragraph 4
4. The Preventive Action Plan shall be updated every two years, unless more frequent updating is appropriate.
Amendment 35 #
2009/0108(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) Since gas supplies from third countries are central to the security of gas supply of the Community, the Commission should coordinate the actions with regard to third countries, working with producer and transit countries on arrangements to handle crisis situations and to ensure a stable gas flow to the Community. The Commission should be entitled to deploy a task forcebe able to deploy an advisory body to monitor gas flows in crisis situations within and, in consultation with the third countries involved, outside the Community and, where a crisis arises due to difficulMember States concerned, and to participate in meetings with the competent authorities in aof third country, to assume a mediation and facilitation roleies involved when this is deemed necessary.
Amendment 50 #
2009/0108(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3
Article 8 – paragraph 3
3. The risk assessment shall be repeated every two years before 30 September of that year, unless more frequent repetition is appropriate.
Amendment 53 #
2009/0108(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3
Article 10 – paragraph 3
3. In a Community Emergency, the Commission shall coordinate the actions of the Competent Authorities, without undermining the right of Member States to be responsible for their security of supply. In particular the Commission shall ensurcourage the exchange of information, ensure and the consistency and effectiveness of the actions at Member State and regional level in relation to the Community level, and shall coordinate the actions with regard to third countries. The Commission may convene a crisis management group composed in particular of representatives of the industry and the Member States concerned by the Emergency, in consultation with them.
Amendment 57 #
2009/0108(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 7
Article 10 – paragraph 7
7. The Commission shall establish a permanent reserve list for a monitoring task force consisting of industry experts and representatives of the Commission. all Member States. This monitoring task force may be deployed when necessary and shall monitor and report on the gas flows within and outside the Community, in each case in cooperation with the supplying and transiting countries.
Amendment 62 #
2009/0108(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 6 – point a
Article 12 – paragraph 6 – point a
a) Member States shall submit toould inform the Commission about the existing inter- governmental agreements concluded with third countries which have an impact on the development of gas infrastructures and supplies; beforeafter concluding new inter- governmental agreements, the Member States shall inform the Commission to assess their compliance with the internal market legislation;
Amendment 68 #
2009/0108(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3
Article 10 – paragraph 3
3. In a CommunityUnion Emergency, the Commission shall coordinate the actions of the Competent Authorities. In particular the Commission shall ensure the exchange of information, ensure the consistency and effectiveness of the actions at Member State and regional level in relation to the CommunityUnion level, and shall coordinate the actions with regard to third countries. The Commission may convene a crisis management group composed in particular of representatives of the industry and the Member States concerned by the Emergency.
Amendment 70 #
2009/0108(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
1. A Gas Coordination Group is established to facilitate the coordination of measures concerning the security of supply. The Group shall be composed of representatives of the Competent Authorities, ACER, ENTSO-G and representative bodies of the industry concerned, of gas consumer organisations and of relevant customers. The Commission shall decide on the composition of the Group ensuring its representativity and shall chair the Group. The Group shall establish its rules of procedure.
Amendment 71 #
2009/0108(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point g
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point g
(g) implementation of the PlansPreventive Action Plans and Emergency Plans and the implementation of the measures provided for therein;