Activities of Christofer FJELLNER related to 2015/0009(COD)
Plenary speeches (1)
European Fund for Strategic Investments (A8-0139/2015 - José Manuel Fernandes, Udo Bullmann) SV
Amendments (28)
Amendment 20 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Comprehensive action is required to reverse the vicious circle created by a lack of investment. Structural reforms and fiscal responsibility are necessary preconditions for stimulating investmentimproving European competitiveness and stimulating investment. Europe needs to focus on cutting red tape and reducing administrative burdens for business, open up the internal market for investments and to safeguard that financial markets can provide liquidity needed to finance private investments. Along with a renewed impetus towards investment financing, these preconditions can contribute to establishing a virtuous circle, where investment projects help support employment and demand and lead to a sustained increase in growth potential.
Amendment 22 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) The EFSI must be a complement to an overall strategy to improve European competitiveness and attract investments. Structural reforms, fiscal responsibility and simplification of legislation is a precondition to improve the environment for private investments in Europe.
Amendment 54 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The EFSI should support strategic investments in commercially viable projects with high economic value added contributing to achieving Union policy objectives.
Amendment 56 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11a) Research and innovation should be the main focus of the EFSI, including combating new and emerging health threats and development of new antibiotics.
Amendment 94 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The economic and financial crisis has led to a lowering of the level of investments within the Union. Investment has fallen by approximately 15% since its peak in 2007. The Union suffers in particular from a lack of private investment as a consequence of market uncertainty regarding the economic future and the fiscal constraints on Member States. This lack of investment slows economic recovery and negatively affects job creation, long-term growth prospects contributing to competitiveness and new jobs. The fall of investment is due to market uncertainty regarding the economic future as a result of weak public finances, high public debt and structural imbalances. Where public finances have been stabilized and where structural reforms have been carried out, economic growth has picked up and investment levels have risen, although not sufficiently. There is a need to strengthen the attractiveness to invest in Europe and in the infrastructure of a modern knowledge economy. Investments in science, research and development are essential in order to improve Europeand competitiveness.
Amendment 101 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) In order to allow for further increase in its resources, participation in the EFSI should be open to third parties, including Member States, national promotional banks or public agencies owned or controlled by Member States, private sector entities and entities outside the Union subject to the consent of existing contributors. Third parties may contribute directly to the EFSI and take part in the EFSI governance structure. Member States' contributions should follow the same rules as general public expenditure, adhere to national budgetary rules and should be subject to the full range of the existing rules of the Stability and Growth Pact.
Amendment 110 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Comprehensive action is required to reverse the vicious circle created by a lack of investment. Structural reforms and fiscal responsibility are necessary preconditions for stimulating investmentimproving European competitiveness and stimulating investment. Europe needs to focus on cutting red tape and reducing administrative burdens for business, open up the internal market for investments and to safeguard that financial markets can provide liquidity needed to finance private investments. Along with a renewed impetus towards investment financing, these preconditions can contribute to establishing a virtuous circle, where investment projects help support employment and demand and lead to a sustained increase in growth potential.
Amendment 117 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) The EFSI must be a complement to an overall strategy to improve European competitiveness and attract investments. Structural reforms, fiscal responsibility and simplification of legislation is a precondition to improve the environment for private investments in Europe.
Amendment 124 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29
Recital 29
(29) To partially finance the contribution from the Union budget, the available envelopes of the Horizon 2020 – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2014-2020, provided by Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council2 , aStructural Funds – the European Regional Development Fund provided by , the European Social Fund, the Connecting Europe Facility, provided by Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council3 , should be reduced. Those programmes serve purposes that are not replicated by the EFSI. However, the reduction of both programmes to finance the guarantee fund is expected to ensure a greater investment in certain areas of their respective mandates than is possible through the existing programmes. The EFSI should be able to leverage the EU guarantee to multiply the financial effect within those areas of research, development and innovation and transport, telecommunications and energy infrastructurehesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development - should be reduced. EFSI should guarantee a more effective use of these programmes by ensuring greater contribution of private investments. The EFSI should be able to leverage the EU guarantee to multiply the financial effect compared to if the resources had been spent via grants within the planned Horizon 2020 and Connecting Europe Facility programmeStructural Funds. It is, therefore, appropriate to redirect part of the funding presently envisaged for those programmes to the benefit of EFSI. __________________ 2 Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing Horizon 2020 - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020) and repealing Decision No 1982/2006/EC (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 104). 3 Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility, amending Regulation (EU) No 913/2010 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 680/2007 and (EC) No 67/2010 (OJ L 348, 20.12.2013, p. 129).
Amendment 173 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 3
Article 2 – paragraph 3
3. Member States that become parties to the EFSI Agreement shall be able to provide their contribution, in particular, in the form of cash or a guarantee acceptable to the EIB. Other third parties shall be able to provide their contribution only in cash. Member States' contributions shall be subject to the full range of the existing rules of the Stability and Growth Pact.
Amendment 193 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The EFSI should support strategic investments in commercially viable projects with high economic value added contributing to achieving Union policy objectives.
Amendment 207 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11a) Research and innovation should be the main focus of the EFSI, including combating new and emerging health threats and development of new antibiotics.
Amendment 207 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
The EU guarantee shall be granted for EIB financing and investment operations approved by the Investment Committee referred to in Article 3(5) or funding to the EIF in order to conduct EIB financing and investment operations in accordance with Article 7(2). The operations concerned shall be commercially viable, consistent with Union policies and support any of the following general objectives:
Amendment 294 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18
Article 18
Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013
Article 6 – paragraphs 1,2 and 3 – Annex II
Article 6 – paragraphs 1,2 and 3 – Annex II
Amendment 301 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 a (new)
Article 18 a (new)
Article 18a To partially finance the contribution from the Union budget, the available envelopes of the Structural Funds – the European Regional Development Fund provided by , the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, provided by Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, Regulation (EU) No 1301/2013, Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013, Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013, Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 and Council Regulation (EU) No 1300/2013 - should be reduced.
Amendment 303 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19
Article 19
Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013
Article 5
Article 5
Amendment 370 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) In order to allow for further increase in its resources, participation in the EFSI should be open to third parties, including Member States, national promotional banks or public agencies owned or controlled by Member States, private sector entities and entities outside the Union subject to the consent of existing contributors. Third parties may contribute directly to the EFSI and take part in the EFSI governance structure. Member States' contributions should follow the same rules as general public expenditure, adhere to national budgetary rules and should be subject to the full range of the existing rules of the Stability and Growth Pact.
Amendment 476 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29
Recital 29
(29) To partially finance the contribution from the Union budget, the available envelopes of the Horizon 2020 – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2014-2020, provided by Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 ofStructural Funds – the European Regional Development Fund provided by , the European Parliament and of the Council2 , aSocial Fund, the Connecting Europe Facility, provided by Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council3 , should be reduced. Those programmes serve purposes that are not replicated by the EFSI. However, the reduction of both programmes to finance the guarantee fund is expected tohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development - should be reduced. EFSI should guarantee a more effective use of these programmes by ensure aing greater investment in certain areas of their respective mandates than is possible through the existing programmes. The EFSI should be able to leverage the EU guarantee to multiply the financial effect within those areas of research, development and innovation and transport, telecommunications and energy infrastructurecontribution of private investments. The EFSI should be able to leverage the EU guarantee to multiply the financial effect compared to if the resources had been spent via grants within the planned Horizon 2020 and Connecting Europe Facility programmeStructural Funds. It is, therefore, appropriate to redirect part of the funding presently envisaged for those programmes to the benefit of EFSI. __________________ 3 Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility, amending Regulation (EU) No 913/2010 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 680/2007 and (EC) No 67/2010 (OJ L 348, 20.12.2013, p. 129).
Amendment 731 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 3
Article 2 – paragraph 3
3. Member States that become parties to the EFSI Agreement shall be able to provide their contribution, in particular, in the form of cash or a guarantee acceptable to the EIB. Other third parties shall be able to provide their contribution only in cash. Member States' contributions shall be subject to the full range of the existing rules of the Stability and Growth Pact.
Amendment 918 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
The EU guarantee shall be granted for EIB financing and investment operations approved by the Investment Committee referred to in Article 3(5) or funding to the EIF in order to conduct EIB financing and investment operations in accordance with Article 7(2). The operations concerned shall be commercially viable, consistent with Union policies and support any of the following general objectives:
Amendment 927 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point -a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point -a (new)
(-a) investment in research and development;
Amendment 1038 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
The Steering Board shall also ensure that financing is not directed to political projects or replacing public funding in the Member States.
Amendment 1255 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point f
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) the financial statements of the EFSI, accompanied with an opinion of an independent external auditor.
Amendment 1276 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 6
Article 10 – paragraph 6
6. The Commission shall, by 30 June1 March of each year, send to the European Parliament, the Council and the Court of Auditors an annual report on the situation of the guarantee fund and the management thereof in the previous calendar year.
Amendment 1287 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
1. At the request of the European Parliament, the Managing Director, the Chair of the EFSI Steering Board and the Chair of the EIB Board of Directors shall participate in a hearing of the European Parliament on the performance of the EFSI.
Amendment 1394 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18
Article 18
Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013
Article 6, paragraphs 1,2 and 3; Annex II
Article 6, paragraphs 1,2 and 3; Annex II
Amendment 1430 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 a (new)
Article 18 a (new)
Article 18 a To partially finance the contribution from the Union budget, the available envelopes of the Structural Funds – the European Regional Development Fund provided by , the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, provided by Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, Regulation (EU) No 1301/2013, Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013, Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013, Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 and Council Regulation (EU) No 1300/2013 - should be reduced.
Amendment 1437 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19
Article 19
Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013
Article 5
Article 5
Amendment to Regulation (EU) No In Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: ‘ 1. The financial envelope for the implementation of the CEF for the period 2014 to 2020 is set at EUR 29 942 259 000 (*) in current prices. That amount shall be distributed as follows: (a) transport sector: EUR 23 550 582 000, of which EUR 11 305 500 000 shall be transferred from the Cohesion Fund to be spent in line with this Regulation exclusively in Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund; (b) telecommunications sector: EUR 1 041 602 000; (c) energy sector: EUR 5 350 075 000. These amounts are without prejudice to the application of the flexibility mechanism provided for under Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013(*). (*) Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 of 2 December 2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-20 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 884). ’rticle 19 deleted 1316/2013