53 Amendments of Lambert van NISTELROOIJ related to 2016/2250(INI)
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas, in its judgment of 15 December 2015, the Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice gave a completethorough interpretation of Article 349 TFEU which puts an end to a long-standing and recurrent conflict over its interpretation;
Amendment 16 #
D. whereas Article 349 TFEU must be read in conjunction with other articles of the Treaty, particularly Article 7, which stipulates that ‘the Union shall ensure consistency between its policies and activities, taking all of its objectives into account’, and whereas it makes it possible to apply to the outermost regions a differentiated approach to the application of European law;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the purpose of Article 349 TFEU is to permitensure the development of the outermost regions, and their treatment both as part of European territory and as part of their own geographical regions, while conferrallowing on them theo benefit of European policies and fundswhere appropriate of specific measures adapted to their realities and needs;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that, while the outermost regions are in principle fully integrated into the European Union and assimilated to its legal order, with their structural economic and social situation, which is aggravated by all the factors the permanence and combination of which severely restrain their development, in many cases renders impossible the standardised application of Union lawpecific situation acknowledged by the Treaties, establishing a principle and allowing for a right of adaptation, addressed at the level of different Union policies;
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses that while facing a significant disadvantage due to the geographical distance to the Union, the outermost regions benefit also of several important assets such as the potential of growing tourism related activities, blue growth, of exploiting significant renewable energy resources, of developing a circular economy, as well as valorising their rich natural heritage and huge biodiversity;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that Article 349 TFEU has not been sufficiently utilised in ancould be interpreted also in a more innovative and positive manner, particularly with a view to establishing ad hoc programmes and specific new European policiapproaches, making use of the strong points of the outermost regions, empowering them to boost their strengths;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Reminds in this context the role the Union is assuming with a view to enable the outermost regions to overcome their challenges and build on their assets, but stresses at the same time the necessity that the respective Member States assume more responsibility as regards the use of available EU instruments that can support them in ensuring a sustainable development of their outermost regions;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1
Subheading 1
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Deplores the fact that, for nearly 20 years,Expresses concern that the articles of the Treaties concerning the outermost regions have not so far been implemented and applied only in an extremely limited and restrictive mannerto the biggest extent possible, limiting their capacity of taking full advantage of their belonging to the Union and increasing their competitiveness in their particular geographic areas;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that POSEI (Programme of Options Specifically Relating to Remoteness and Insularity) is the only autonomous programme covered bya programme which takes full account of the special characteristics of the outermost regions, through a regulation of its own based both on Article 349 TFEU and on Articles 42, first paragraph, and 43(2), and recognises the dual principles of the outermost regions’ belonging to the Union and the full adaptation of a common European policy to the realities of the outermost regions;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that POSEI (Programme of Options Specifically Relating to Remoteness and Insularity) is the onlyan autonomous programme covered by a regulation of its own based on Article 349 TFEU and on the dual principles of the outermost regions’ belonging to the Union and the full adaptation of a common European policy to the realities of the outermost regions;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls the political will of the legislators at the time of the drafting of Article 299, second paragraph, and then Article 349 TFEU, which sought to of establishing an overall strategy accompanied by specific policimeasures aund instruments appropriate to the outermost regioner different policies;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Deplores the fact that the various European strategies for the outermost regions have so far been only partially implemented and fleshed out; considers that the outermost regions have wasted much time on defending the upholding of specific policies for them; considers that confidence needs to be restored between the outermost regions and the European Institutions;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Commission to adopt a long-term overall commonWelcomes the work of the Commission on a renewed strategy on outermost regions which will be adopted latest end of 2017; calls on the Commission to include in this renewed strategy a detailing on the approach to the outermost regions, accompanied, in the case of each outermost region, by a specific legislative package, strategic frameworks and appropriate, precise, attainable and assessable objectivesf them, on the basis of the specific social and economic situation, with targeted strategic frameworks addressing the investment needs and by appropriate, precise, attainable and assessable objectives, with a view to compensate for disadvantages and achieve sustainable development, comparable to the Union average;
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses the need to ensure that the instruments, provisions and derogations adopted for the purpose of maintaining the stability conducive to the real/structural development of the outermost regions remain in force for, as long timeas assessments prove they are necessary;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on the Commission to step up coordination between its Directorates- General in the areas concerning the outermost regions with a view to having an appropriate approach to outermost area issues in European policies and strategies; on that point, emphasises the crucial role of the Secretariat-General in ensuring that Article 349 TFEU is applied soundly, given the fact that adjusting EU policies to the special characteristics of the outermost regions entails decisions being taken at the highest political level;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. DeploreReminds the fact that the successive reforms of the common organisations of the market (COMs) have not sufficiently taken account of the specific characteristics of the outermost regions;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. DeploreRecalls the fact that the efforts made in the outermost regions to modernise and to render their traditional industries competitive are increasingly being jeopardissometimes being hampered by free trade agreements signed between the EU and third countries;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Deplores the fact thatCalls for the trade negotiations conducted by the Union fail toto duly take into account either the specific characteristics orand the sensitive products of the outermost regions, and in particular bananas, sugar, rum, tomatoes and fishery products;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. DeploresIs concerned about the fact that the trade negotiations conducted by the Union fail todo not sufficiently take into account either the specific characteristics orand the sensitive products of the outermost regions;
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Considers, therefore, that the Union’s trade policy endangers the small number of products which are exported andshould more extensively take into account the traditional industries on which the economies of the outermost regions depend;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the Commission to systematically produce impact assessments relating to the outermost regions before initiating any trade negotiations and to systematically adopt a policy of protecting the products of the outermost regions in trade agreements;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls for the Union’s trade policies to be adjusted so as to take full account of the competitive disadvantages of the outermost regions; calls for the preservation of tariff and non-tariff barriers which are vitalnecessary for the protection of the sensitive products of the outermost regions and for safeguard clauses and stabilisation mechanisms to be activated in the event of the products of the outermost regions being seriously affected, or the threat of such an occurrence;
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls for the Union’s trade policies to be adjusted so as to take full account of the competitive disadvantages of the outermost regions; calls for the preservation of tariff and non-tariff barriers which are vital for the protection of the products of the outermost regions and for safeguard clauses and stabilisation mechanisms to be activ, where appropriated;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls for the systemUnderlines the limits ofn tolerance of imports to be abandoned which makes it possible for goods to enter the Union that have been treated with active substances not authorised therehe principle of equivalence, particularly for organic agriculture products, which makes it possible for products from third countries which are not in compliance with all the European requirements to enter the European Union; Calls for the principle of compliance to be applied immediately;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Recalls that Article 349 TFEU stipulates that the Commission may propose measures specific to the outermost regions, particularlyalso concerning fisheries policies;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Calls on the Union to remove all the regulatory obstacles, to authorise aid for themodernization and when needed renewal of traditional fishing fleets in the outermost regions, to increase investment which is needed for the sustainable development of local fishing and to protect sensitive fishing grounds of the outermost regions;
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Considers that the Union has, overall, undEncourages the Union to further- invested in the seas and oceans and more , especifically in the case ofrelation to the outermost regions, that it has notwith a view to ensureding sustainable and efficient economic development of their exclusive economic zones of the outermost regions, and that it has left these marine areas at the mercy of pillage of their resources by fishing fleets, both foreign and European;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Welcomes the study launched by the Commission concerning the potential for sustainable blue development in the outermost regions and calls for a genuine European programme to be launched which is ba, addressed ton the outermost regions;
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Underlines the importance of the EU financial support for all the outermost regions which amounts to EUR 13 billion for the programming period 2014-2020;
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 b (new)
Paragraph 31 b (new)
31b. Welcomes the Commission's four communications (2004, 2007, 2008, 2012) on the outermost regions;
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Considers that, for the next programming period, more flexibility could be envisaged within the thematic concentration in the case of the outermost regions should be able toas regards defineing some of their priorities for the use of the structural funds; calls for the continuation of budget allocations to the outermost regions, of compensation of excess costs, and of all derogations intended to compensate them for their structural disadvantages, as appropriate;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
Amendment 208 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Recalls the shared objective of twofold integration of the outermost regions; calls for all schemes concerned with cross-border cooperation between the outermost regions and third countries or the overseas countries and territories in their geographical regions to be intensified and made operational;
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. DeploRegrets the fact that the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) has not adopted either geographical distribution criteria or criteria specific to the outermost regionsso far not been used much in the outermost regions; is of the opinion that measures should be taken to reinforce the take-up of EFSI in outermost regions by amongst others enlarging the scope of general objectives eligible for EFSI support and by enhancing the geographical diversification of EFSI;
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6
Subheading 6
Competition policy and State aid
Amendment 224 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Calls on the Commission to undertake to guaranteeextend after 2020 thate exceptional tax regimes for the outermost regions will be retained and extended after 2020based on thorough assessment of their situation;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Recalls that Article 349 TFEU stipulates that the Commission may propose measures specific to the outermost regions, particularlyalso concerning the conditions governing their access to the Union’s horizontal programmes;
Amendment 248 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Does not consider that any of the Union’Calls on the Commission to lay down in its horizontal programmes provides for access conditions specific to the outermost regions; regards this situation as particularly discriminatory;
Amendment 258 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. CPoints to the significant potential of developing research and innovation activities for a solid and sustainable development; calls for the establishment of a research programmenetwork specific to the outermost regions, which would make it possible to networkconnect their respective universities, research centres and innovative businesses better;
Amendment 264 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 b (new)
Paragraph 45 b (new)
45b. Would like to see an improvement in the way the common characteristics of the outermost regions are taken into account within the framework of the Erasmus programme, including through the promotion of exchanges between outermost regions;
Amendment 267 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. QuestionsConsiders that more can be done in order to ensure the determination ofritorial continuity of the outermost regions; calls on the Commission and Member States to integrate the outermost regions into the trans-European transport, energy and telecommunications networks;
Amendment 273 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
Paragraph 47
47. DeplorStresses the fact that the Natura 2000 programme is not applicable to the French outermoutermost regions enjoy extraordinary biodiversity and that they are particularly seriously affected by the effects of climate change, therefore instruments specific to thoste regions; considers this situation to be particul need to be introduced to combat those effects; calls on the Commission once again to put the BEST preliminarly damaging to theaction on a permanent footing by creating a sustainable mechanism for funding protjections ofn biodiversity and the environment in those region, the promotion of ecosystem services and adaptation to climate change in European overseas countries and territories;
Amendment 278 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48