1655 Amendments of Ingeborg GRÄSSLE
Amendment 53 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Takes note of the view of the Commission that the publication of a post is not to be considered the rule under the Staff Regulations, notably with regard to the position of Secretary-General which requires not only special experience but also a particular level of trust by the President and the College of Commissioners
Amendment 81 #
2018/2624(RSP)
Paragraph 18
18. States that the two-steps nomination of the Secretary General constituteuld be seen as a coup-like action which stretched and possibly even overstretched the limits of the law;
Amendment 16 #
2018/2208(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Notes with concerns, that no one recognised the appalling behaviours of the former Executive Director over several years; regrets that the unacceptable behaviours were not made aware of earlier; regrets that the responsible monitoring bodies failed to uncover the various irregularities; calls the Commission to propose an early reaction mechanism to those kinds of misbehaviours;
Amendment 10 #
2018/2178(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. WNotes with regret that the transparency of recruitment processes is not always fully given; therefore welcomes the suggestion of the Court to publish vacancy notices also on the website of the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) in order to increase publicity; takes note of the Centre’s reply that it already publishes some vacancies on EPSO and that translating all vacancy notices in the Union languages would considerably increase costs;
Amendment 26 #
2018/2169(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Asks the CJEU to put in place clear and robust rules for sponsoring that guarantee equal treatment of events after noting that the CJEU denied carrying out any sponsoring activities even though the CJEU provided the 18th congress of the International Federation of European Law (FIDE), held in May 2018 in Portugal, with 12 interpreters for a cost of EUR 10 859,05;
Amendment 16 #
2018/2168(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls on the Council to speed up its procedure for the discharge recommendations, with the goal to enable discharge in year n+1; asks the Council to fulfil its particular role and to give discharge recommendations to the other Union institutions;
Amendment 80 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Notes that the drivers’ service was brought in-house in 2017 with the main objective of improving the security of Members; observes that this permitted Parliament to conduct security screenings of drivers before employment and to provide continuous training and monitoring of its staff; notes with appreciation that the recruitment of 116 drivers and dispatchers was completed in 2017; requests details of the costs incurred by bringing the drivers' service in-house;
Amendment 85 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Regrets that the number of women holding posts at the level of director- general fell from 25 % (3 posts) in 2016 to 17 % (2 posts) in 2017; notes the number of women at director level remained steady from 2016 to 2017 at 30 % (14 posts); calls on the Bureau to implement the higher number of women constantly demanded by the European Parliament within its own ranks;
Amendment 128 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
Paragraph 67
67. Notes that the new Parliament’s travel service will start operating on 1 January 2019; welcomes the fact that the new contract contains strengthened conditions, in particular with regard to ticket pricing and the availability of the travel service’s call centre at all times, including at weekends; stresses again the importance of a simple and user-friendly complaints mechanism to quickly highlight shortfalls, which allows for speedy resolution of any problems; emphasises that attention needs to be paid to the specific requirements of Members and their need for tailor-made services; is doubtful that services will significantly improve since former BCD staff will be taken on by the new travel service;
Amendment 152 #
2018/2167(DEC)
70. Recalls that these projected future liabilities are spread over several decades but notes that the total amount paid in 2017 by the voluntary pension fund amounts to EUR 17,2 million; notes that at the end of 2017 the Fund had 661 pensioners and 99 dependants;
Amendment 154 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71
Paragraph 71
71. Points out that this raises concerns about the possible exhaustion of the fund as the fund that Parliament is guaranteeing the payment of pension rights when and if this fund is not able to meet its obligations; s been selling fixed assets for several years in order to meet its payment obligations to pensioners because the fund's income is not sufficient to cover the increased pension payments; recalls that the provision for pensions and similar obligations has been calculated based on a return of investment of 6,5% per year, which was from the beginning not sustainable;
Amendment 160 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72
Paragraph 72
72. CWelcomes the modifications to the rules adopted by the Bureau on the 10th of December 2018; calls on the Secretary- General to ensure that a decision isll legally possible measures are taken by the Bureau without delay in order to improve the sustainability of the fund to prevent the fund's early insolvency;
Amendment 165 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73
Paragraph 73
73. Calls on the Secretary-General, as well as the Bureau, to exhaust all possible avenues to keep Parliament’s liability to a minimum, as taxpayers’ money is involved; recalls that the fund was set up in 1990 to provide Members with an additional pension scheme because one had previously been lacking; underlines that this is no longer the case and that the Von a voluntary basis; recalls that before the Members statute, which was introduced in 2009, Members were already eligible for a pension equivalent to those of their colleagues in the national parliaments, with the exception of Italian, French and Luxemburgish MEPs, who could therefore contribute to a special pension scheme of the European Parliament, which was created in 1981 solely for the needs of the aforementioned three nationalities; recalls therefore that the Voluntary Pension Fund has always constituted a purely supplementary pension; points out that two thirds of the Members' monthly contribution to the voluntary pension fund, which corresponded to EUR 2 236 in 2006, were already paid from the European Parliament's budget for each member of the Fund; recalls that only two years of contribution to the Fund generates a lifetime pension claim when having reached the retirement age; notes that the highest pension paid in 2018 from the voluntary Ppension Fund constitutes a supplementary pension; fund amounted to EUR 6 262, and that the average pension amounted to EUR 1 934; notes that currently (October 2018) 71 active Members are members of the Voluntary Pension Fund; appeals on the ethical and economic conscience and the common sense of the board of directors, the Bureau and the members of the Fund to support all measures aiming at limiting the deficit of the Fund;
Amendment 182 #
2018/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81 a (new)
Paragraph 81 a (new)
81a. Asks for clarification that all staff with a management position in the Directorate-General for Security and Safety have passed a security clearance procedure;
Amendment 61 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the infringement procedure initiated by the Commission on 8 March 2018 as a follow-up to the UK customs fraud case, but regrets that it took the Commission more than 7 years to launch this procedure after its request to the UK in 2011 to set risk profiles for under-valued textiles and footwear imports from China; points out that the similar fraud networks operate in other Member States avoiding paying at least 2.5 billion EUR in custom duties since 2015; reaffirms the clear need for more cooperation between custom services in the Member States to avoid the harm of EU and national budgets and of EU product standards; demands information from the Commission which products reach the internal market without respecting EU product standards;
Amendment 83 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Noticed that the AAR of the DG RTD mentioned 6 different error rates, three for FP7 and three for Horizon 2020; stresses that such an approach does not facilitate transparency and accountability; accepts however that two different programmes under two different financial periods were concerned;
Amendment 86 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. calls on the DG RTD to publish its country specific recommendations in the AAR of DG RTD;
Amendment 88 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Notes that the residual error rates calculated by the Court (3 %) and the Commission (1.39 %) differ considerably;
Amendment 91 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Welcomes in particular, with regard to structural funds, the Court’s audit work on preventive measures and financial corrections, the ex-ante conditionalities, the performance reserve and absorption;
Amendment 103 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Sees the need to further clarify procurement procedures and the bidder situation in Member States as bidding procedures may have turned in semi legal procedures preventing competition and possibly promoting fraud; welcomes the ‘single bidder’ study of the Commission and awaits the results;
Amendment 104 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. WelcomNotes the fact that direct payments per hectare decreased with increasing farm size, while the income per worker increased, and that according to the Commission the CAP is currently operating an inclusive system of support where very small farms, of less than 5 ha, represent over half of the beneficiaries; is very concerned about the heavy change of the agricultural structure with strongly growing inequalities of direct payments per beneficiary in some new Member States, mainly Slovakia and the Czech Republic, where 7 % of the beneficiaries receive currently over 70 % of all direct payments; calls on the Commission and the Slovak and Czech authorities to remedy those increasing inequalities;
Amendment 106 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Notes a fast increase in inequalities of direct payments in some other Member States, mainly Estonia, Latvia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Denmark over the last ten years with a growing share of beneficiaries receiving more than EUR 100 000; calls on the Commission and the national authorities to take appropriate measures and to report thereof;
Amendment 114 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 a (new)
Paragraph 40 a (new)
Amendment 117 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 b (new)
Paragraph 40 b (new)
40b. Recalls in particular, that the Director General of DG AGRI refers to an analysis made by an external contractor, which found that: ‘overall, the greening measures have led to only small changes in farmers’ management practices, except in a few specific areas. For both Member States and farmers, instead of environmental priorities, the main concern tended to consist in minimising the administrative burden of implementation, and avoiding any errors as controls and enforcement may lead to the reduction of CAP payments’;
Amendment 118 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 c (new)
Paragraph 40 c (new)
40c. Calls on the Commission to provide structural data for the 20 biggest receivers of direct payments in Member States;
Amendment 119 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 d (new)
Paragraph 40 d (new)
40d. Is concerned that the highly critical ECA Special Reports 10/2017 and 21/2017 on Young Farmers and Greening, showing that almost no desired result was achieved, did not have financial consequences; criticises that the financing of those policy areas just goes on as if nothing had happened;
Amendment 122 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Welcomes the fact the Commission has adopted ambitious objectives in the policy area of migration and security and, in particular, that the Commission intends - as to the illegal migration to: (a) work with the countries of transit and origin to prevent irregular flows; (b) address the root causes of migration; (c) improve cooperation and readmission, fight against migrant smuggling, achieve effective returns of irregular migrants (EU resettlement schemes and EU/Turkey statement of March 2016); (d) put in place the EU relocation scheme, reinforce the management of the external borders and to reform the Common European Asylum System;
Amendment 123 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 b (new)
Paragraph 43 b (new)
43b. Notes that the achievement of the objectives are measured through the following key performance objectives: (a) rate of return of irregular migrants to the third countries measured as % of effected returns compared to return decisions issued by MS; (b) convergence of protection recognition rates for asylum seekers from the same country; (c) use of EU information exchange mechanisms measured through the number of hits in SIS and Prüm databases and the use of Europol’s Siena and EIS; (d) number of operations conducted with the involvement European Cyber-crime Centre at Europol; (e) compliance approach: error rate below 2 %;
Amendment 127 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47a. Recommends (a) the Commission to define and put in place a balanced and comprehensive migration policy based on the principles of solidarity and partnership instead of considering the migration policy as a crisis management issue; (b) DG HOME to introduce a Key Performance Indicator relating to situation of the most vulnerable migrants and in particular child migrants and refugee women and girls in order to prevent and avoid abuse and trafficking; (c) DG HOME to systematically provide error rates at payment and residual error rate; (d) the Commission to require Member States, in the annual accounts of their AMIF and ISF national programmes, to break down the nature of the amounts they report into recoveries, pre-financing and expenditure actually incurred; and report in its AAR from 2018 onwards the actual spending per fund;
Amendment 129 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 b (new)
Paragraph 47 b (new)
47b. Points out that there is a risk that EU money foreseen for development is used for other purposes as-to fight illegal migration or military action;
Amendment 130 #
Amendment 131 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 c (new)
Paragraph 47 c (new)
47c. Is deeply worried that an EU legal document, dated 19 November 2018, pointed out that the situation of Czech Prime Minister qualifies as a conflict of interest, because he could influence decisions on the use of Union funds of which companies linked to him had benefited;
Amendment 132 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 d (new)
Paragraph 47 d (new)
47d. Notes that the Agrofert Holding is the single biggest group in Czech agriculture and food industry, second largest in chemistry and plays a significant role also in forestry; furthermore recalls that Agrofert is also an owner of the MAFRA Publishing Company a.s., one of the largest media groups publishing some of the most popular printed and online media, such as MF DNES, Lidové noviny, iDnes; calls on the Commission to investigate also the situation of the Czech PM as media owner to draw clean conclusions from this case;
Amendment 133 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 e (new)
Paragraph 47 e (new)
47e. Notes with deep regret that, despite multiple alerts raised by the European Parliament, the Commission has reacted to the issue of the Czech PM only after Transparency International Czech Republic filed a complaint against the conflict of interest of Mr Babiš in June 2018;
Amendment 134 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 f (new)
Paragraph 47 f (new)
47f. Recalls that the Commission services have asked the national authority responsible for the coordination of EU Funds (Ministry of Regional Development) to provide the following information with respect to funding to enterprises being part of the his company holding: (a) list of all projects financed by the ERDF, Cohesion Fund, ESF, EAFRD which relate to the AGROFERT group since 2012 when the current Prime Minister entered as Minister of Finance the government, and whether the projects are still ongoing or have been completed; (b) the amounts granted, already paid and still to be paid (as well as the Fund concerned) to these companies or to other companies of the AGROFERT group to allow us i) to confirm the amounts mentioned in the complaint and ii) possibly identify other funding, if any; (c) periods when such amounts were granted and paid; (d) whether the projects were subject to verifications (administrative and/or on- the-spot) with respect to such funding and the outcome of such verifications;
Amendment 135 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 g (new)
Paragraph 47 g (new)
47g. Welcomes that the Czech Ministry of Regional Development has collected the requested information from the different managing authorities concerned and has forwarded it to the Commission;
Amendment 136 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 h (new)
Paragraph 47 h (new)
47h. Asks the Commission what action it intends to take in light of the recent legal appreciation of the situation;
Amendment 137 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 i (new)
Paragraph 47 i (new)
47i. Recalls that the European Parliament asked last year the Commission to speed up the conformity clearance procedure opened on 8 January 2016 to get detailed and precise information on the risk of conflicts of interest concerning the State’s Agricultural Intervention Fund in the Czech Republic;
Amendment 138 #
Amendment 139 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 j (new)
Paragraph 47 j (new)
47j. Welcomes the progress made in implementing the 181 Greece priority projects: (a) 119 projects with expenditure of EUR 7.1 billion are reported as completed; (b) 17 projects with expenditure of EUR 0.5 billion are to be completed by March 2019 with national funds (additional EUR 0.53 billion estimated to be needed); (c) 24 projects (EUR 0.8 billion) are phased into 2014-2020 where they are estimated to require another EUR 1.1 billion funding; (d) 21 items with an estimated budget of EUR 1.1 billion were cancelled; sees a success story in the way the Commission supported Greece to implement and finish Union projects;
Amendment 140 #
Amendment 141 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 k (new)
Paragraph 47 k (new)
47k. Recalls that the European Anti- Fraud Office (OLAF) found serious irregularities in the ELIOS- and “Heart- of-Budapest” projects; in the first case a small amount of funds was recovered, whereas in the second case the Hungarian authorities had accepted the financial correction, but the latter had not been implemented last September; notes that the facts surrounding the Metro-line- four are still “sub judice”;
Amendment 142 #
Amendment 143 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 l (new)
Paragraph 47 l (new)
47l. Notes that there are currently 6 conformity enquiries ongoing in relation to Slovakia; for Rural Development, DG AGRI audits have found a number of deficiencies in the management and control of investment and forestry measures; as regards the management of the area-based direct payments, a DG AGRI audit performed in 2017 indicated that there are certain weaknesses in the administration and control system and an OLAF investigation is currently ongoing on allegations of fraud;
Amendment 144 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 m (new)
Paragraph 47 m (new)
47m. Asks the Commission to speed up the conformity procedures and keep the EP informed about the follow-up; is of the opinion that measures could be taken on the basis of the financial regulation pending the outcome of the enquiries, as for instance the interruption or suspension of the funds; calls on the Commission to examine the possibility to withdraw of the accreditation of the paying agency;
Amendment 145 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 n (new)
Paragraph 47 n (new)
47n. Is seriously concerned by the outcomes of the mission of the Budgetary Control Committee of the European Parliament (CONT) to Slovakia that has revealed a serious threat to the Rule of Law in the country, great risk of fraud in the area of Union financing of agriculture and forestry, significant shortcomings in the public procurement procedure, shortcomings in the land management, high risk of conflict of interest within the public administration, this all taking place in a context of a murder of Ján Kuciak, a journalist investigating the aforementioned issues; calls on the Commission and OLAF to take the conclusions and recommendations of the CONT Committee outlined in the report very seriously and take immediate appropriate measures to quickly resolve the dramatic situation in Slovakia;
Amendment 146 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 n (new)
Paragraph 47 n (new)
47n. Asks the Commission to report to the European Parliament every three months on the follow up in Slovakia concerning the monitoring of the management and control system for direct payments;
Amendment 154 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60
Paragraph 60
60. Notes that, according to the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) the innovation performance of the EU has increased by 5.8 % since 2010; notes, however, that there has been no convergence between EU countries; notes that the following countries benefit most from the funds under Horizon 2020 (Participant Net Requested EU Contribution in Euro): Germany 5 710 188 927.80 / United Kingdom 5 152 013 650.95 / France 3 787 670 675.13; calls on the Commission to pay greater attention to the geographic distribution of research funds with the view to contributing to the creation of a level playing field for growth and jobs in the European research area;
Amendment 164 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 a (new)
Paragraph 73 a (new)
Amendment 167 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 a (new)
Paragraph 73 a (new)
73a. Is worried about the lack of transparency in spending for financial instruments as four times more money is available for financial instruments under the current MFF; recalls that three years after the start of this MFF only 10 % of the ESI funds being spent through Financial Instruments under shared management have reached the final beneficiary; calls on the Commission to significantly improve reporting on the results of those instruments for 2007-2013 and 2014-2020.
Amendment 168 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 b (new)
Paragraph 73 b (new)
73b. Calls on the Commission to present accurate and complete information on financial instruments under shared management after closure of the 2007-2013 MFF period, indicating amounts returned to the Union budget and those remaining in the Member States;
Amendment 200 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 32 a (new)
Subheading 32 a (new)
Follow up of the Commission discharge for 2016
Amendment 203 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 93 a (new)
Paragraph 93 a (new)
93a. Notes that in the Communication of the Commission on the follow up of the 2016 discharge, COM (2018) 545, the Commission made a selection of the 394 issues that are raised by the Parliament for the financial year 2016 and did not comment on 108 paragraphs; demands that the Commission replies in detail to all the issues raised by the European Parliament in its resolutions forming an integral part of its decisions on the discharge;
Amendment 233 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 117 – point f a (new)
Paragraph 117 – point f a (new)
fa) introduce or improve measures and incentives to foster a greater focus on performance in the Commission’s internal culture, taking into account in particular opportunities offered by the revised Financial Regulation, the Budget Focused on Results initiative, performance reporting for on-going projects, and other sources;
Amendment 235 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 117 – point f b (new)
Paragraph 117 – point f b (new)
fb) develop data processing methods for the vast quantities of data created with performance reporting with the goal of giving a timely, fair and true picture on achievements; insists that performance reporting should be used to take corrective action when objectives of programs are not met;
Amendment 238 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 118 a (new)
Paragraph 118 a (new)
118a. Urges the Commission to give an overview on VAT overcompensation in EU funded cohesion and rural development projects which harms the financial interests of the EU and the European taxpayers;
Amendment 239 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 43 a (new)
Subheading 43 a (new)
ECA’s recurrent reporting on the performance of the EU action
Amendment 240 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 118 b (new)
Paragraph 118 b (new)
118 b. Welcomes the proposal made by the ECA in its consultation paper on ‘Recurrent reporting on the performance of EU action’ to annually publish, in November of year N+1, an evaluation of the performance of EU action, covering a detailed review of the performance information reported by the Commission in the article 318 TFEU evaluation report; insists once again that this report should contain in a second part a detailed review of the synthesis of the financial management of the Commission as stated in the second part of the Annual Management and performance report;
Amendment 241 #
2018/2166(DEC)
118c. Recalls that the ultimate objective of a more performance focussed audit analysis should be to put in place a global and consistent cost/benefit model assessing the implementation of the European budget;
Amendment 242 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 118 d (new)
Paragraph 118 d (new)
118d. Insists that the ECA should improve the coordination between project level performance assessments carried out in the context of the Statement of Assurance work and the remainder of its performance work, through the reporting, in particular, of the main conclusions of its special reports in sectoral chapters of its Annual report;
Amendment 243 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 118 e (new)
Paragraph 118 e (new)
118e. Requests the ECA to provide the discharge authorities with an assessment in terms of both compliance and performance, of each European policies, following chapter by chapter the budget headings in the ECA annual report;
Amendment 244 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 118 f (new)
Paragraph 118 f (new)
118f. Insists that the Court puts in place an extended follow-up of its performance audit recommendations;
Amendment 254 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 126 a (new)
Paragraph 126 a (new)
126a. Is worried - as in previous years - how the Directorates-General calculate the error rate and about the lack of reference to the discharge year 2017, which undermines the credibility of the Commission’s figures, the discharge procedure and amounts to deliberately keeping the error rate low: (a) the Residual Error Rate of DG DEVCO and DG NEAR does not refer to a sample of all payments for ongoing projects, but only to closed contracts, for which all controls and checks have been applied with the consequence that only pre-2017 payments, for which discharge has already been granted, have been analysed; as a result, the error rate of the Court of Auditors, collected by another method, is the only meaningful one; (b) DG HOME only reports, for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund/Internal Security Fund, an error rate from which financial corrections have already been deducted; Parliament is therefore unable to understand which corrections have been made and which error rate we really face; (c) Member States´ Audit Authorities communicate to DG REGIO the error rates for Structural Funds after deduction of corrections which does not give a real picture of the situation of EU projects on the spot; (d) states that for 2017 the Commission presented at least 13 different error rates for the programming period 2007-2013 and 2014-2020; this makes reporting unclear and confusing;
Amendment 256 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 126 b (new)
Paragraph 126 b (new)
126b. Is worried that the Annual Management and Performance Report compares very different figures and is therefore misleading: whereas the Court´s estimated level of error is an error rate at payment and without deduction of corrections, the Commissions global amount at risk reported in the AMPR is calculated after deduction of corrections; finds the comparisons by the Commission inacceptable; calls on the Commission to separate error rates and corrections and to issue reservations before corrections and not only after to correctly estimate the risk of error;
Amendment 257 #
2018/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 126 c (new)
Paragraph 126 c (new)
126c. Supports the Court of Auditors in calculating the error rate without taking corrections into account; calls on the Commission to indicate error rates without corrections in all annual activity reports and to give a clear picture on corrections due to errors;
Amendment 43 #
2018/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the decision of 22 Member States to proceed with the establishment of the EPPO through enhanced cooperation; calls on the Commission to incentivise the so-far reluctant Member States to join to the EPPO; calls on the Commission to make the participation in the EPPO a precondition for receiving ESI funding;
Amendment 44 #
2018/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Calls for an effective cooperation between the OLAF and the EPPO to avoid double structures, conflicting competences and legal loopholes through lack of competences;
Amendment 45 #
2018/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the fact that the EU draft budget for 2019 includes, for the first time, appropriations for the EPPO (EUR 4.9 million)9 and insists on the importance of having appropriate staffing and budget for the EPPO; notes that only 37 staff posts are foreseen, which implies that after deducting the posts for 23European Persecutors, only 14 posts are foreseen for administrative tasks; considers that this is not realistic; in particular with regard to the two additional Member States that have recently decided to join the EPPO; requests therefore, a frontloading of the staff increase foreseen for 2020; _________________ 9 2019 Budgetary Procedure, draft budget estimates adopted by the Commission on 23 May 2018.
Amendment 104 #
2018/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33 a. Deplores the inconsistency of the terminology in the OLAF reports; such as closed and concluded investigations; calls on the Commission and OLAF to implement a consistent terminology so that comparability over the years is guaranteed relating to the reporting and the reconditioning of fraud cases;
Amendment 106 #
2018/2152(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 b (new)
Paragraph 33 b (new)
33 b. Takes note of the ongoing issues with OLAF’s new Content Management Database (OCM); deplores in particular the fact that cases were lost in the new database; welcomes the fact that the problem is a subject of top priority; invites the Commission to provide Parliament with an in-depth evaluation of the OCM IT project, in particular regarding project design, full costs, implementation, users’ experiences, and a list of issues encountered, as per the recommendations made by the OLAF Supervisory Committee1a ; _________________ 1a OLAF Supervisory Committee Opinion No 1/2018on the OLAF preliminary draft budget for 2019
Amendment 54 #
2018/2151(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 – point b
Paragraph 47 – point b
b) prevention of conflict of interests especially of the members of the EFSI Investment Committee and the EIB Board of Directors and provision of more stringent rules on conflicts of interest in the relevant Code of Conducts and especially of that of the Management Board and the Board of Directors;
Amendment 45 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Acknowledges the challenges posed to some Member States by the large influx of migrants and asylum seekers; regrets that all efforts to establish a fair and humane migrant scheme at Union level have been unsuccessful so far; reiterates the need for a distribution plan for refugees and asylum seekers across the Union; considers that, in the meantime, appropriations under subheading 1b should be handled in a flexible manner, for instance by reallocating them from Member States currently refusing to accept refugees towards the accommodation of refugees and asylum seekers in other Member States;
Amendment 69 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Considers that ESF-funded projects play a crucial role for the successful integration of Roma into the societies of the respective Member States; deplores the fact that some Member States do not make full use of the resources available for such Roma-related projects and divert funding to other priorities; invites Member States to increase their efforts in that regard, so that the Union's Roma integration policy can reach its full potential;
Amendment 89 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35 a. Insists, in that context, that the EPPO be adequately financed and staffed; notes that in the draft budget for 2019 the Union contribution amounts to a total of EUR 4 911 000; points out that this appropriation is intended to cover EPPO’s staff-related expenditure, infrastructure, other administrative expenditure and operational expenditure; notes that only 35 staff posts are foreseen, which implies that after deducting the posts for 23 European Prosecutors, only 12 posts are foreseen for administrative tasks; considers that this is not realistic, in particular with regard to the two additional Member States that have recently decided to join the EPPO; decides, therefore, to frontload the staff increase foreseen for 2020, and to align the grading of the Chief Prosecutor and the European Prosecutors to those of OLAF's and Europol's management level;
Amendment 108 #
2018/2046(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 a (new)
Paragraph 50 a (new)
50 a. Deplores the slow rollout of the European Anti-Fraud Office's new Content Management Database (OCM); invites the Commission to provide Parliament with an in-depth evaluation of the OCM IT project, in particular regarding project design, full costs – including unplanned additional costs –, implementation, users' experience, and a list of issues encountered, as per the recommendations made by the OLAF Supervisory Committee1a; _________________ 1a OLAF Supervisory Committee Opinion No 1/2018 on the OLAF preliminary draft budget for 2019.
Amendment 52 #
2018/0258(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 4 – point c a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 4 – point c a (new)
(ca) the presence and condition five years after commissioning of items of equipment funded from the Union budget
Amendment 29 #
2018/0217(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) "governance systems" means the governance bodies referred to in Chapter II of Title II of this Regulation and the basic Union requirements laid down in this Regulation and Regulation (EU) …/… [CAP Strategic Plan Regulation], including Member States obligations with regard to the effective protection of the financial interests of the Union referred to in Article 57 of this Regulation and the reporting system put in place for the purposes of the annual performance report referred to in Article 121 of Regulation (EU) …/… [CAP Strategic Plan Regulation];
Amendment 31 #
2018/0217(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point d
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point d
(d) the expenditure for the measures laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 for which reimbursement has been requested from the Commission for the measures laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, Regulation (EU) No 228/2013, Regulation (EU) No 229/2013 and Regulation (EU) 1144/2014 is legal and regular. ;
Amendment 33 #
2018/0217(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 35 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The expenditure referred to in Article 5(2) and Article 6 may be financed by the Union only if it has been effected by accredited paying agencies and:
Amendment 34 #
2018/0217(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 2
Article 35 – paragraph 2
Point (cb)(i) of the first paragraph shall not apply to advances paid to beneficiaries under types of interventions referred to in Regulation (EU) No…/…[CAP Strategic Plan Regulation].
Amendment 35 #
2018/0217(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 – paragraph 1
Article 46 – paragraph 1
For the purposes of Article 127 of the Financial Regulation, the Commissionassurance shall be take assurancen by the Commission from the work of the certification bodies referred to in Article 11 of this Regulation, unless it has informed the Member State that it cannot rely on the work of the certification body for a given financial year, and it shall take it into account in its risk assessment of the need for Commission audits in the Member State concerned.
Amendment 36 #
2018/0217(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 53 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Article 53 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
The first subparagraph shall not applyextend to cases of non-compliance with the eligibility conditions for individual beneficiaries laid down in the national CAP Strategic Plans and national rules.
Amendment 37 #
2018/0217(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 65 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall record and keep any data and documentation on the annual outputs which are reported in the context of the annual performance clearance as referred to in Article 52, and the reported progressprogress reported towards targets as set out in the CAP Strategic Plan and monitored in accordance with Article 115 of Regulation (EU) …/…[CAP Strategic Plan Regulation].
Amendment 192 #
2018/0217(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) "governance systems" means the governance bodies referred to in Chapter II of Title II of this Regulation and the basic Union requirements laid down in this Regulation and Regulation (EU) …/… [CAP Strategic Plan Regulation], including Member States obligations with regard to the effective protection of the financial interests of the Union referred to in Article 57 of this Regulation and the reporting system put in place for the purposes of the annual performance report referred to in Article 121 of Regulation (EU) …/… [CAP Strategic Plan Regulation];
Amendment 215 #
2018/0213(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) public financial and asset management, including the promotion of the implementation and on-going adaptation of European Public Sector Accounting Standards as common European standard in the Member States and regions, budget process, debt management and revenue administration and policies aimed at combating tax evasion;
Amendment 110 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15 a) The European Parliament and the political work of its Members are protected by the Treaties, in particular the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union, as stated in Article 1(3) of this Regulation. It is therefore appropriate to clarify that the offices of Members of the European Parliament, including those of their accredited parliamentary assistants, should only be subject to criminal investigations led by the competent authorities in accordance with the applicable rules on immunities. This is without prejudice to the Office's power to conduct administrative investigations on matters affecting the financial interests of the Union on the basis of official documents held by the institution, such as those related to travel expenses, which have been tabled by a Member of the European Parliament in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.
Amendment 112 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) In internal investigations and, where necessary, in external investigations the Office has access to any relevant information held by the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies. It is necessary, as suggested by the Commission evaluation, to clarify that this access should be possible irrespective of the type of medium on which this information or data is stored, in order to reflect evolving technological progress.
Amendment 116 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32 a (new)
Recital 32 a (new)
(32 a) In order to supplement the procedural rules on the conduct of investigations set out in this Regulation, the Office should lay down the procedural code for investigations to be followed by the staff of the Office. Therefore, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission concerning the establishment of such a procedural code, without prejudice to the Office's independence in the exercise of its competences. Those delegated acts should cover, in particular, the practices to be observed in implementing the mandate and statute of the Office; detailed rules governing investigation procedures as well as the investigation acts permitted; the legitimate rights of the persons concerned; procedural guarantees; provisions relating to data protection and policies on communication and access to documents; provisions on the legality check and the means of redress open to the persons concerned; relations with the EPPO. It is of particular importance that the Office carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission should ensure a simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and to the Council.
Amendment 119 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point -1 (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point -1 (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – point d
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – point d
(-1) in Article 1, point (d) of paragraph 3 is replaced by the following: "(d) Regulation (ECU) No 45/2001. 2018/1725;" Or. en (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02013R0883- 20170101&from=EN)
Amendment 120 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013
Article 3 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Where a Member State does not comply with its duty to cooperate pursuant to paragraphs 6 and 7, the Union shall have the right to recover the amount related to the on-the-spot-check or inspection in question.
Amendment 122 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point a
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) the Office may request oral information, including through interviews, and written information from economic operators, officials, other servants, members of institutions or bodies, heads of offices or agencies, or staff members. Economic operators shall cooperate with the Office.
Amendment 124 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point a a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point a a (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
(a a) paragraph 2a is inserted: "2a. The offices of Members of the European Parliament, including those of their accredited parliamentary assistants and archives, shall only be subject to criminal investigations led by the competent authorities in accordance with the applicable rules on immunities. According to Article 4 of the Statute for Members, documents and electronic records held by a Member shall not be treated as a document of the institution, unless tabled in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.";
Amendment 125 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point b – introductory part
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point b – introductory part
(b) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:deleted;
Amendment 126 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point b
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Amendment 130 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point a a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point a a (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Amendment 132 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point b a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point b a (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013
Article 5 – paragraph 5
Article 5 – paragraph 5
Amendment 133 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point c
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point c
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013
Article 5 – paragraph 6
Article 5 – paragraph 6
6. If the Director-General decides not to open an external investigatconduct an on-the-spot check or inspection pursuant to Article 3 despite there being a sufficient suspicion that there has been fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity or irregularity affecting the financial interests of the Union, he mayshall without delay send any relevant information to the competent authorities of the Member State concerned for action to be taken where appropriate, in accordance with Union law and national law. Where necessary, the Office shall also inform the institution, body, office or agency concerned.;
Amendment 142 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – point -a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – point -a (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 4
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 4
(-a) in paragraph 2, subparagraph 4 is replaced by the following: "The requirements referred to in the second and third subparagraphs shall not apply to the taking of statements in the context of on-the-spot checks and inspections. (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02013R0883-The person concerned shall however be informed of his or her rights before a statement is taken, in particular of the right to be assisted by a person of his or her choice." Or. en 20170101&from=EN)
Amendment 143 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – point -a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – point -a (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
(-a) in paragraph 4, subparagraph 2 is replaced by the following: "To that end, the Office shall send the person concerned an invitation to comment either in writing or at an interview with staff designated by the Office. That invitation shall include a summary of the facts concerning the person concerned and the information required by Articles 115 and 126 of Regulation (ECU) No 45/20012018/1725, and shall indicate the time-limit for submitting comments, which shall not be less than 10 working days from receipt of the invitation to comment. That notice period may be shortened with the express consent of the person concerned or on duly reasoned grounds of urgency of the investigation. The final investigation report shall make reference to any such comments. " Or. en (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02013R0883- 20170101&from=EN)
Amendment 152 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point -a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point -a (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
(-a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: "1. Information transmitted or obtained in the course of external investigations outside the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, in whatever form, shall be protected by the relevant provisions. under national and Union law." Or. en (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02013R0883- 20170101&from=EN)
Amendment 153 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point a
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013
Article 10 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
The Office shall designate a Data Protection Officer in accordance with Article 243 of Regulation (ECU) No 45/20012018/1725.;
Amendment 159 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013
Article 12b – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 12b – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. The obligations of mutual administrative assistance pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 515/971a and Regulation (EU) No 608/20131b shall also apply to coordination activities relating to the European Structural and Investment Funds in accordance with this Article. _________________ 1aCouncil Regulation (EC) No 515/97 of 13 March 1997 on mutual assistance between the administrative authorities of the Member States and cooperation between the latter and the Commission to ensure the correct application of the law on customs and agricultural matters (OJ L 082, 22.3.1997, p. 1). 1bRegulation(EU) No 608/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 concerning customs enforcement of intellectual property rights and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1383/2003 (OJ L 181, 29.6.2013, p. 15).
Amendment 168 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013
Article 12d – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 12d – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Where the Office closes its investigation in accordance with the first subparagraph, Article 9(4) and Article 11 shall not apply.
Amendment 174 #
2018/0170(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013
Article 12f – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 12f – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Within 30 working days after receipt of this information the EPPO mayshall either give its consent to the opening of an investigation or object to the opening of an investigation or to the performance of certain acts pertaining to the investigation, where necessary to avoid jeopardising its own investigation or prosecution, and for as long as these grounds persist. The EPPO shall notify to the Office without undue delay when the grounds for the objection cease to apply.
Amendment 28 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines that the Commission proposal regarding the global level of the next MFF set at 1,11 % of the EU-27 GNI (1,08% after deducting the European Development Fund), represents, in terms of GNI percentage, a reduction in real terms compared to the current MFF; considersis concerned that this proposal willmight not allow the Union to deliver on its political commitments and respond to important challenges ahead and, therefore, cannot be accepted as suchonsiders that it should be revised upwards;
Amendment 35 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 4
4. Declares, moreover, its opposition to any reduction in the level of key EU policies, such as the EU cohesion policy and the common agricultural policy (CAP); is particularly opposed to any radical cuts that will adversely impact on the very nature and objectives of these policies, such as the cuts proposed for the Cohesion Fund or for the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development; opposes, in this context, the proposal to reduce the European Social Fund despite its enlarged scope and the integration of the Youth Employment Initiative;
Amendment 48 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines, furthermore, the importance of the horizontal principles that should underpin the MFF and all related EU policies; reaffirms, in this context, its position that the EU must deliver on its commitment to be a frontrunner in implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and deplores the lack of a clear and visible commitment to that end in the MFF proposals; requests, therefore, the mainstreaming of the SDGs into all EU policies and initiatives of the next MFF; further emphasises that the elimination of discrimination is vital to fulfil the EU’s commitments towards an inclusive Europe and deplores the lack of gender mainstreaming and gender equality commitments in EU policies, as presented in the MFF proposals; further considers, in this context, that with the next European Commission a portfolio for minorities, in particular Roma, should be created; underlines also its position that, following the Paris Agreement, climate- related spending should be significantly increased in comparison with the current MFF and reach 30 % as soon as possible and at the latest by 2027;
Amendment 101 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 14 – point vii
Amendment 178 #
2018/0166R(APP)
Paragraph 29
29. Calls on the Commission to present the relevant legislative proposals on top of those which it has already tabled, to be decided on under the ordinary legislative procedure; requests, in particular, a proposal for a Regulation establishing an energy transition fund; requests, furthermore, the introduction of the European Child Guarantee in the ESF+, a revision of the Regulation establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund and of the Regulation concerning humanitarian aid; considers that a revision of the Financial Regulation should also be proposed when the need arises as a result of the MFF negotiations;
Amendment 148 #
2018/0136(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) the proper functioning of authorities contributing to administrative cooperation in tax matters;
Amendment 14 #
2018/0064(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Title 1
Title 1
Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing a European Labour Authoritgency (text with relevance for the EEA and for Switzerland) (This amendment applies throughout the text; its adoption will necessitate linguistic adjustments throughout.)
Amendment 27 #
2017/2279(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Underlines the link between the quality of governance and successful public and private investment, innovation and growth; welcomes the holistic approach adopted in the 7th Cohesion Report and calls for these points to be taken fully into account in future cohesion funding;
Amendment 18 #
2017/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the adoption of the Directive on the fight against fraud to the Union’s financial interests by means of criminal law (the PIF Directive), whose scope includes VAT fraud, which is particularly important for stepping up the fight against cross-border VAT fraud; sees the Directive as a first step to a harmonised European criminal law; notes that the Directive provides a definition of corruption and defines the types of fraudulent behaviour to be criminalised;
Amendment 23 #
2017/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the decision of 20 Member States to proceed with the establishment of a European Public Prosecutor’s Office through enhanced cooperation and looks forward to fruitful cooperation between OLAF and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office; regrets however that not all EU Member States have been willing to participate in this initiative, and underlines the importance of maintaining equivalent fraud detection efficiency rates in all Member States; calls on the Commission to push the remaining Member States which do not yet participate in the EPPO to do so; calls for negative financial consequences for those Member States which are not willing to participate in the EPPO;
Amendment 25 #
2017/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls for an effective cooperation between OLAF and EPPO to avoid double structures, conflicting competences and legal loopholes through lack of competences;
Amendment 73 #
2017/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 a (new)
Paragraph 45 a (new)
45a. Deplores that around 50% of OLAF cases are dismissed by national judicial authorities; calls on the Member States, the Commission and OLAF to lay down conditions for the admissibility of evidence provided by OLAF; calls on OLAF to improve the quality of its final reports and in order to augment their usefulness for national authorities;
Amendment 74 #
2017/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 b (new)
Paragraph 45 b (new)
45b. Calls on OLAF to apply a more realistic approach to its recovery recommendations and to include as well the amounts which were actually recovered;
Amendment 75 #
2017/2216(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 c (new)
Paragraph 45 c (new)
45c. Recalls that the OLAF regulation gives an important role to the Director General in complaints procedures about investigations; recalls that the direct participation of the Director General in OLAF investigations undermines his role and thus the regulation;
Amendment 19 #
2017/2188(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 294
Paragraph 294
294. Criticises the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for refusing the access of the Court of Auditors to allsome of the documents relevant in a case, only allowing the auditors to consult publicly available documentsthey requested for the performance review of the CJEU; reminds the CJEU that Court of Auditors Members as well as its auditors are bound by confidentiality and professional secrecy in the performance of duties15 ; regrets that référendaires could not be interviewed despite their crucial role in the CJEU’s work; _________________ 15 Please see the Code of Conduct for Members of the European Court of Auditors in article 6 and the Ethical guidelines for the European Court of Auditors applying to the staff in paragraph 4 concerning professional secrecy.
Amendment 33 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Criticises the Court for refusing access for the Court of Auditors to allsome of the documents relevant in auditthey requested for of the performance review of the CJEU and for only allowing the auditors to consult publicly available documents; reminds the CJEU that the Court of Auditors’ Members and its auditors are bound by confidentiality and professional secrecy in the performance of their duties6 ; regrets that référendaires could not be interviewed despite their crucial role in the CJEU’s work; _________________ 6 Please see the Code of Conduct for Members of the European Court of Auditors in article 6 and the Ethical guidelines for the European Court of Auditors applying to the staff in paragraph 4 concerning professional secrecy.
Amendment 36 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Notes that the référendaires are very influential within the CJEU but that their role and the rules governing their conduct remain unknown to the outside world; notes that référendaires are selected by the Members for whom they will work and that there are minimum recruitment criteria; calls on the CJEU to implement a policy allowing for a more flexible allocation of existing référendaires to help mitigate problems;
Amendment 37 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Notes with concern that the CJEU could not evaluate the capacity of judges and référendaires managing cases because the CJEU does not collect any information on the amount of time a judge or a référendaire spent on a case; notes that a study will be carried out in order to evaluate the extent to which the introduction of a system for monitoring the use of resources would provide useful data; asks the CJEU to present the results of the study to the European Parliament;
Amendment 38 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15 b. Considers the answer given by the CJEU to Parliament’s question (Question 50) on the costs of their cases to be unsatisfactory; asks the CJEU to consider a monitoring system to calculate the costs of each case;
Amendment 39 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15 c. Notes the permanent monitoring of the evolution of potential backlog and delays within chambers; regrets that the CJEU has not reported to Parliament on data relating to the failure to comply with indicative time frames because it concerns the internal organisation of the Courts;
Amendment 40 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 d (new)
Paragraph 15 d (new)
15 d. Notes with concern that one of the most frequent factors affecting the duration of the handling of cases are judicial vacations1a; notes that there were 14 weeks of judicial vacations in 2016; asks the greffier to propose solutions to the European Parliament; _________________ 1a See ECA Special report no 14/2017: Performance review of case management at the Court of Justice of the European Union, p. 31
Amendment 41 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 e (new)
Paragraph 15 e (new)
15 e. Is concerned that the reception and processing of procedural documents by the registry is the most frequent factor affecting the duration of the written procedure at the General Court1a; notes that the cases before the General Court are notably characterised by the volume of the documents; calls on the General Court to further monitor the number and complexity of cases in order to ensure that the registry has sufficient resources; _________________ 1a See ECA Special report no 14/2017: Performance review of case management at the Court of Justice of the European Union, p. 27
Amendment 42 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 f (new)
Paragraph 15 f (new)
15 f. Underlines the recommendation of the Court of Auditors in its Special Report No 14/2017 to measure performance on a case by case basis by reference to a tailored time-frame, taking account of the actual resources employed;
Amendment 44 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes the process for assigning cases referred to the Courts; notes that in 2016, as in the previous years, around 40% of cases in the General Court were assigned outside of the rota system, which puts the system itself into question; asks the CJEU to provide the rules stipulating the procedure of assignment in both Courts;
Amendment 50 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Notes the CJEU’s investment in IT tools to improve case management; asks the CJEU to provide detailed financial information on and the state of play of IT projects within the CJEU since 2014; calls on the CJEU to develop a fully integrated IT system to support case management;
Amendment 53 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Notes that the CJEU followed up on the Parliament’s recommendation on the use of official vehicles in the 2015 discharge resolution in a phased manner; finds that the actions taken to rationalise the management of the fleet go in the right direction; welcomes the new interinstitutional call for tender on car leasing procurement procedure launched in 2016 which aims to provide economic savings in this regard; notes with concern that in 2016, 21 flights were arranged at a cost of EUR 3 998,97 in order to send drivers on mission to chauffeur members of the Court of Justice or of the Tribunal in the home Member States of those members;
Amendment 58 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Notes that the nomination of the Members of the European Court of Justice is the responsibility of the Member States under Article 253 TFEU; highlights the importance of the timely nomination and appointment of Judges for the performance of the CJEU; asks for a new rule setting a specific deadline for the (re)nomination of a judge well before the end of a judge’s mandate and calls on the Council to respect the cost- benefit-ratio when appointing new judges to the CJEU; criticises the irregular nomination without a call for applications of two judges for the Tribunal of First Instance for a mandate which moreover lasted only from 14 April 2016 until 31 August 2016; notes with regret the costs of the taking up and the ending of one of the "4 month mandates" to the amount of EUR 69 498,25 in addition to the salary the judge received; condemns such a waste of EU taxpayers money;
Amendment 60 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29 b. Notes furthermore that the General Court (Appeal Chamber, judgment of 23 January 2018 in Case T- 639/16 P)1a considers the Second Chamber of the Civil Service Tribunal of the European Union with one of the"4 month mandate" judges as an irregular one, which makes void this and all further legal acts of the Second Chamber in that composition; asks the CJEU which legal acts of the Second Chamber in that composition are affected by the General Court ruling; demands that the Council comments on this failure and clarifies who takes responsibility for this; _________________ 1a ECLI:EU:T:2018:22.
Amendment 61 #
2017/2139(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 c (new)
Paragraph 29 c (new)
29 c. Asks the CJEU to consider extending the languages of deliberation of the CJEU, in particular the General Court, to languages other than French; welcomes the request of the President of the General Court in February 2016 for an impact assessment of a change of the language of deliberation that has not yet been finalized;
Amendment 17 #
2017/2138(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Notes that the nomination of the Members of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) is the responsibility of the Member States under Article 253 TFEU; highlights the importance of the timely nomination and appointment of judges for the performance of the CJEU; asks for a new rule setting a specific deadline for the (re)nomination of a judge well before the end of a judge’s mandate and calls on the Council to respect the cost-benefit-ratio when appointing new judges to the CJEU; criticises the irregular nomination, without a call for applications, of two judges for the Tribunal of First Instance for a mandate which moreover lasted only from 14 April 2016 until the 31 August 2016; notes with regret the costs of the taking up and the ending of one of the "4 month mandates" to the amount of 69 498,25 EUR in addition to the salary the judge received; condemns such a waste of EU taxpayers money;
Amendment 18 #
2017/2138(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Notes furthermore that the General Court (Appeal Chamber, judgment of 23 January 2018 in Case T- 639/16 P )1a considers the Second Chamber of the Civil Service Tribunal of the European Union with one of the "4 month mandate" judges as an irregular one, which makes void this and all further legal acts of the Second Chamber in that composition; asks the CJEU which legal acts of the Second Chamber in that composition are affected by the General Court ruling; demands that the Council comments on this failure and clarifies who takes responsibility for this; ________________ 1a ECLI:EU:T:2018:22.
Amendment 127 #
2017/2137(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Recalls that the Bureau adopted a proposal for bringing the Members’ transport service in-house at its meeting of 11 April 2016; notes that the procedure for bringing the drivers’ service in-house allowed for a qualitative and quantitative increase of the services provided to Members, as well as for an effective and efficient response to unforeseeable emergency situations or sudden increases in demand; regrets that the principle of gender balance was not respected in the recruitment process for the transport service at the Parliament; calls on the Secretary-General to come up with a proposal to improve the current situation;
Amendment 72 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Is surprised by the divergent views expressed by the Court and the Commission as to financial management of the first pillar of the CAP; expresses doubts as to the assertion made by the Court that in expenditure the error is not “pervasive” (ECA annual report paragraph 1.8) since the director general of Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI), in his AAR, issued a reservation in direct payments concerning 18 paying agencies comprising 12 Member StatesTakes note of the Court's assertion that in expenditure the error is not “pervasive” (ECA annual report paragraph 1.8);
Amendment 86 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Points out that since errors can be corrected more than 10 years after they have occurred, it is artificial; rejects to base the estimated impact of future corrections upon recorded corrections over the last six years;
Amendment 98 #
2017/2136(DEC)
42. Endorses the reservations issued by the directors general of DG REGIO, MARE, HOME, DEVCO and AGRI, in their annual activity report; is of the opinion that those reservations demonstrate that the control procedures put in place in the Commission and the Member States cando not give the necessary guarantees concerning the legality and regularity of all thecertain underlying transactions in the corresponding policy areas;
Amendment 180 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 98 a (new)
Paragraph 98 a (new)
Amendment 185 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 113 a (new)
Paragraph 113 a (new)
113a. Considers that in research and innovation projects as well as Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs), standards and standardization support the impact of research results on different Technology readiness levels (TRLs) as they enhance the marketability and transferability of innovative products and solutions; notes furthermore that standards and related activities support the dissemination of Horizon 2020 project results by spreading knowledge even after projects are finished by making it publicly available; calls on the Commission to enhance the involvement of standardization in upcoming calls and develop KPIs which take standardization activities into account;
Amendment 267 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 163 – point e a (new)
Paragraph 163 – point e a (new)
(ea) that the share of awarded contracts that received only a single bid is in Hungary at 36%; notes that the Union average is 17%; calls on the Commission to promote competition in the bidding processes;
Amendment 279 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 166 a (new)
Paragraph 166 a (new)
166a. Is concerned by the high share (45%) of awarded contracts that received only a single bid in Poland; notes that the Union average is 17%; calls on the Commission to promote competition in the bidding processes;
Amendment 280 #
Amendment 281 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 166 b (new)
Paragraph 166 b (new)
166b. Welcomes the positive assessment of the 10 years' Cooperation and Verifications Mechanism (CVM) for Bulgaria and Romania1a; is worried about recent step backwards in the fight against high level corruption in Bulgaria and Romania; calls on the Commission to support and encourage the law enforcement and anti-corruption authorities in both Member States; highlights the impressive track record of the anti-corruption agency in Romania in terms of solving medium and high-level corruption cases; underlines that maintaining this effort is of upmost importance to consolidate the fight against corruption; _________________ 1aStudy "Assessment of the 10 years’ Cooperation and Verification Mechanism for Bulgaria and Romania; DG IPOL, Policy department D: budgetary affairs
Amendment 282 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 166 c (new)
Paragraph 166 c (new)
166c. Condemns the recent crimes against journalists most likely related to their investigations about high-level corruption with Union funds in Slovakia; urges the Commission to inform Parliament about Union agriculture funds in Slovakia targeted by the mafia;
Amendment 293 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Public Procurement
Amendment 294 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 168 a (new)
Paragraph 168 a (new)
168a. Welcomes the study “Stock-taking of administrative capacity, systems and practices across the Union to ensure the compliance and quality of public procurement involving European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds”; notes with concern that the share of awarded contracts that received only a single bid is high in Poland (45%), Croatia (45 %) and Hungary (36%); asks the Commission to give reasons for such an unusual low competition in public procurement processes in the Member States;
Amendment 324 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 197
Paragraph 197
197. Notes that if 2Recalls its remarks1a of the unsustainable structure of CAP expenditure: 44.7% of all Union farms had an annual income of less than EUR 4000, and in 2016 on average the upper 10% of the CAP beneficiaries receive 80 % of the funds it is because “of CAP direct support received around 60% of the payments1b; notes that the distribution of direct payment largely reflects the concentration of land, 20% of farmers also owning 80% of the land; (reply to written question 17 at the CONT hearing with Mr Hogan on 28 November 2018); _________________ 1aSee paragraph 207 of its resolution of 27 April 2017 with observations forming an integral part of the decisions on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2015, Section III – Commission and executive agencies (Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0309) 1b See the Indicative figures on the distribution of aid, by size-class of aid, received in the context of direct aid paid to the producers according to Council Regulation (EC) No 1307/2013 (financial year 2016)
Amendment 337 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 207
Paragraph 207
207. Points out thatUnderlines the positive trend in the error rates issued by the Court is not corroborated bydespite the evolution of the amounts at risks reported by DG AGRI in its AARs, namely from 1.38% in 2015 to 1.996% in 2016 (the market measures with an error rate of 2.85% being not included) and 4% for both financial years in rural development; understands that this is not reflecting statistically significant deviations;
Amendment 346 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 220
Paragraph 220
220. Is particularly concerned that according to the ECA special report 21/2017 entitled “Greening: a more complex income support scheme, not yet environmentally effective”;about the effects codecision had on the effectiveness of greening : “Greening is unlikely to provide significant benefits for the environment and climate (...) because greening requirements are generally undemanding and largely reflect normal farming practice” (pageECA special report 21/2017 entitled “Greening: a more complex income support scheme, not yet environmentally effective”, p. 47);
Amendment 365 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 233 – point a
Paragraph 233 – point a
(a) Farmers should only have access to CAP payments if they meet a single set of basic environmental norms including GAECs and greening requirements which are both, the latter being meant to go beyond the requirements of environmental legislation;
Amendment 446 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 283 a (new)
Paragraph 283 a (new)
283a. Was surprised by the Commission decision to second the OLAF Director, Giovanni Kessler, following a request by the government of the Republic of Italy, in the interest of the service to Italy’s Customs and Monopoly Agency; prior to his secondment he was relieved from office, upon his request, and made a temporary hors-class adviser in the Commission, a position created for him after legal proceedings in Belgium concerning professional misconduct as OLAF Director;
Amendment 449 #
2017/2136(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 283 b (new)
Paragraph 283 b (new)
283b. Has great misgivings about (a) creating posts for the sole purpose of serving as a spring-board for a secondment, (b) the high official not respecting a “cooling-off” period before accepting a position with close links to his prior employment, (c) the high official running the risk of being entangled in a conflict of interest between loyalty to his former and current employer;
Amendment 2 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Recital -A (new)
Recital -A (new)
-A. whereas in the 2007-2013 period, Hungary was allocated EUR 25,3 billion, and for the 2014-2020 period Hungary has been allocated EUR 25 billion under the cohesion and structural funds;
Amendment 5 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the Union financial contribution for participants in Hungary is EUR 288,1 million under the FP7 and EUR 174,9 million under Horizon 2020;
Amendment 6 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas Hungary had one of the highest absorption rates of Union funds among the Member States who joined the Union after 2004;
Amendment 7 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas the Hungarian GDP has grown 16,1 % between 2004 and 2016, which is just slightly above the Union average and considerably lower than the growth rates of the other Visegrád countries (Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia);
Amendment 10 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the Worldwide Governance Indicators 2016 underline that Hungary has made steps backwards in the field of government effectiveness, rule of law and control of corruption;
Amendment 11 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the Country Specificcil Recommendations of the Commission11 July 2017 on the 2017 National Reform Programme of Hungary and delivering a Council opinion on the 2017 Convergence Programme of Hungary1a highlighted the need to improve the transparency of public finances and, to strengthen public procurement structures and the anti-corruption framework;transparency and competition in public procurement by implementing a comprehensive and efficient e-procurement system, and to strengthen the anti-corruption framework; _________________ 1a OJ C 261 9.8.2017, p. 71
Amendment 20 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) was established in in the framework of enhanced cooperation between 21 Member States but Hungary decided not to participate in its establishment;
Amendment 28 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. NCriticizes shortcomings in public procurement practices in Hungary; notes with concern that the share of contracts awarded after public procurement procedures that received only a single bid remains very high, at 36% in 2016, in Hungary, which is the second highest number in the Union; after Poland and Croatia (45 %)1a; requests information about the companies that act as single bidders in Hungary; demands an investigation on whether the tenders are made with the aim of earmarking contracts to certain companies; _________________ 1aSee Public procurement – a study on administrative capacity in the EU, p. 101 onwards
Amendment 32 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Regrets that government effectiveness in Hungary has diminished since 19961b and that it is one of the Member States with the least effective governments in the Union; notes with concern that all Hungarian regions are well below the Union average in terms of quality of government; notes that the low quality of government in Hungary1c hinders economic development and reduces the impact of public investment; _________________ 1bSee Seventh report on economic, social and territorial cohesion, Quality of governance varies substantially in Europe, p. 137 1cSee Seventh report on economic, social and territorial cohesion, Map 6 European Quality of Government index, 2017
Amendment 33 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Notes that the regional innovation performance1d in the Hungarian regions is still only moderate; notes that Hungary has not yet reached the Europe 2020 target to invest 3 % of its GDP in Research and Development (R&D)1e; asks Hungary to foster growth and employment and to invest Union funds in innovation; _________________ 1dSee Seventh report on economic, social and territorial cohesion, Map 5 Regional innovation performance, 2017 1eSee Seventh report on economic, social and territorial cohesion, Map 6 European Quality of Government index, 2017
Amendment 34 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Encourages Hungary to use Union funds to continue modernising its economy and to strengthen its support for SMEs; underlines the fact that in Hungary 30,24 % of the Union financial contribution under Horizon 2020 is for SME participants while the SME applicant success rate stands at 7,26 %, which is lower that the EU-28 SME applicant success rate; notes furthermore that the success rate for all applications dropped from 20,3 % (FP7) to 10,8 % (Horizon 2020), which ranks Hungary 26th for Horizon 2020;
Amendment 38 #
2017/2131(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Deplores the fact that the Commission suspended the publication of the anti-corruption report; urges the Commission to change its decision and to regularly publish such a report;
Amendment 39 #
2017/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Is of the opinion that EU transparency requirements are met in an ideal manner by regions that draw up their accounts in accordance with European Public Sector Accounting standards; notes furthermore that double- entry accounting would be an ideal way of easing the reporting obligations vis-à-vis the Commission imposed on the regions and promotional institutions; calls, as a further incentive, for the implementation and on-going adaptation of public accounting standards to be co-financed by the EU;
Amendment 243 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Agrees that the search for European added value should be one of the main principles guiding the EU institutions when deciding about the type of spending in the next MFF; points out, however, the existence of multiple interpretations of the concept and calls for a clear definition of the criteria thereof and measurable performance indicators that should take territorial specificities into account;
Amendment 274 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Advocates also a real simplification of sectoral implementation rules for beneficiaries and a reduction of administrative burdens; calls for a move towards a risk-based evaluation whereby control resources could be focused more on those regions and policy fields where the risks of irregularities have proven to be more significant;
Amendment 296 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60
Paragraph 60
60. Recognises the potential of financial instruments to increase the economic and political impact of the Union budget; calls for more flexibility in cross- sectoral use of different financial instruments, so as to overcome the restrictive rules preventing recipients from taking advantage of multiple programmes for projects with matching goals; highlights, however, that they can be applied only for revenue-generating projects and therefore constitute only a complementary rather than an alternative form of funding as compared to grants, as some projects can be financed only through subsidies;
Amendment 435 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77 a (new)
Paragraph 77 a (new)
77a. Recalls its remarks1a of the unsustainable structure of CAP expenditure: 44.7 % of all Union farms had an annual income of less than EUR 4000, and in 2016 on average the upper 10% of the beneficiaries of CAP direct support received around 60% of the payments1b; points out that in times of volatility or crisis, larger farms do not necessarily need the same degree of support for stabilising farm incomes as smaller farms do, since they often benefit from potential economies of scale that are likely to make them more resilient; considers that the CAP financing schemes could focus more on farmers under special constraints: small farms, in particular those with less than 15ha of land, climatically and geographically challenging areas, and sparsely populated regions, and that for farms with more than 100ha of land there should be a gradual reduction of payments; __________________ 1aSee paragraph 207 of its resolution of 27 April 2017 with observations forming an integral part of the decisions on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2015, Section III – Commission and executive agencies (Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0309). 1b See the Indicative figures on the distribution of aid, by size-class of aid, received in the context of direct aid paid to the producers according to Council Regulation (EC) No 1307/2013 (financial year 2016).
Amendment 436 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77 a (new)
Paragraph 77 a (new)
77a. Recalls its remarks1a of the unsustainable structure of CAP expenditure: 44.7 % of all Union farms had an annual income of less than EUR 4000, and on average 80 % of the beneficiaries of CAP direct support received around 20 % of the payments; points out that in times of volatility or crisis, larger farms do not necessarily need the same degree of support for stabilising farm incomes as smaller farms do, since they often benefit from potential economies of scale that are likely to make them more resilient; considers that the CAP financing schemes could focus more on farmers under special constraints: small farms, climatically and geographically challenging areas and sparsely populated regions __________________ 1aSee paragraph 207 of its resolution of 27 April 2017 with observations forming an integral part of the decisions on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2015, Section III – Commission and executive agencies (Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0309).
Amendment 437 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77 b (new)
Paragraph 77 b (new)
77b. Calls upon the Commission, as it reflects on a simplified and modernised CAP, to assess whether a different policy design, or a different model of distribution of direct payments, could provide a better means of targeting public funds to agri- environment and climate action objectives; stresses, however, the need to provide financial compensation to cover the costs of maintaining high standards in food production, and the high production costs associated with the challenging climate condition in some geographical areas, as the farmers in Europe often struggle with global competition;
Amendment 446 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78
Paragraph 78
78. Expects the global amount of direct payments to be kept intact under the next MFF, as they generate clear EU added value and strengthen the single market by avoiding distortions of competition between Member States; opposeQuestions any renationalisation and any national co-financing in that respectof direct payments; stresses the need to increase funding in line with responses to the various cyclical crises in sensitive sectors, to create new instruments that can mitigate price volatility and to increase funding for Programmes of Options Specifically Relating to Remoteness and Insularity (POSEI); concludes, therefore, that the CAP budget in the next MFF should be at least maintained at its current level for the EU-27;sufficient level to deal with the real needs of European agriculture
Amendment 450 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78
Paragraph 78
78. Expects the global amount of direct payments to be kept intact under the next MFF, as they generate clear EU added value and strengthen the single market by avoiding distortions of competition between Member States; opposes any renationalisation and any national co- financing in that respect; stresses the need to increase funding in line with responses to the various cyclical crises in sensitive sectors, to create new instruments that can mitigate price volatility and to increase funding for Programmes of Options Specifically Relating to Remoteness and Insularity (POSEI); concludes, therefore, that the CAP budget in the next MFF should be at least maintained at its current level for the EU-27;
Amendment 500 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82
Paragraph 82
82. Considers maintaining the financing of cohesion policy post-2020 for the EU-27 at least at the level of the 2014- 2020 budget to be of the utmost importance; stresses that GDP should remain one of the parameters for the allocation of cohesion policy funds, but believes that it should be complemented by an additional set of social, environmental and demographic indicators to better take into account new types of inequalities between EU regions; notes that cohesion expenditure should be bound to the structural reforms outlined in Commission's annual country reports and/or by requiring full compliance with common rules and decisions regarding the use and control of EU funds, and with European values and human rights; supports, in addition, the continuation under the new programming period of the elements that rendered cohesion policy more modern and performance-oriented under the current MFF; notes that more efficient results could be gained with more emphasis on growth, innovation, mobility, climate change, energy and environmental transition;
Amendment 501 #
2017/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82
Paragraph 82
82. Considers maintaining the financing of cohesion policy post-2020 for the EU-27 at least at the level of the 2014- 2020 budget to be of the utmost importance; sStresses that GDP should remain one of the parameters for the allocation of cohesion policy funds, but believes that it should be complemented by an additional set of social, environmental and demographic indicators to better take into account new types of inequalities between EU regions; considers that "national envelopes" should be abolished under the next MFF, thereby rendering cohesion policy more flexible and more credible; supports, in addition, the continuation under the new programming period of the elements that rendered cohesion policy more modern and performance-oriented under the current MFF;
Amendment 19 #
2017/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11a) The material scope of competences of the EPPO is limited to criminal offences affecting the financial interests of the Union in accordance with the Regulation establishing the Office. The tasks of the EPPO should thus be to investigate, prosecute and bring to judgement the perpetrators of offences against the Union’s Financial interests under the Directive on the fight against fraud to the Union’s financial interests by means of criminal law, and offences, which are inextricably linked to them.
Amendment 20 #
2017/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 b (new)
Recital 11 b (new)
(11b) In order to ensure compliance with the obligations laid down by this Regulation regarding the funding and expenditure of European political parties and European political foundations and regarding other matters, it is necessary to establish effective control mechanisms. To that end, the Authority, the Authorising Officer of the European Parliament and the Member States should cooperate and exchange all necessary information. They should also agree on practical arrangements that include some common rules on how to protect whistle-blowers. Mutual cooperation amongst Member States’ authorities should be also encouraged in order to ensure the effective and efficient control of obligations stemming from applicable national law. The involvement of OLAF and the EPPO in the information sharing is required when the decision of the Authority is to be followed up.
Amendment 55 #
2017/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No. 1141/2014
Article 25 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Article 25 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Amendment 58 #
2017/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No. 1141/2014
Article 28 – paragraph 2
Article 28 – paragraph 2
(5a) In Article 28, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following: “2. They shall also agree on practical arrangements for such exchange of information, including the rules regarding the disclosure of confidential information or evidence, the protection of whistle- blowers and the cooperation among Member States.”
Amendment 59 #
2017/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 b (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 b (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No. 1141/2014
Article 28 – paragraph 4
Article 28 – paragraph 4
(5b) In Article 28, paragraph 4 is replaced by the following: “4. The Authority shall inform the Authorising Officer of the European Parliament of any decision it has taken in relation to sanctions, in order to enable him or her to draw the appropriate consequences under the Financial Regulation. Where appropriate, the authority shall also inform OLAF and the EPPO, in order to enable those bodies to proceed with the relevant investigation accordingly”;
Amendment 60 #
2017/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No. 1141/2014
Article 30 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 30 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 66 #
2017/0219(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 a (new)
Article 2 a (new)
Article 2a However, the provisions of Regulation(EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014, applicable prior to the entry into force of this Regulation, shall continue to apply in their original versions to acts done and commitments made in respect of the funding of political parties and political foundations at European level for the budget year 2018.
Amendment 20 #
2016/2326(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Points to the importance of stability in the rules and maintains that continuity of regulation can do much to ensure that EU funding is used efficiently; calls on the Commission, when drawing up the allocation arrangements for the next MFF, to keep changes to a minimum so as to enable the administrations responsible for implementing and overseeing EU funds to benefit from experience and learning effects;
Amendment 12 #
2016/2160(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Asks the EEAS for an annual list of inspections carried out in the delegations;
Amendment 13 #
2016/2160(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 b (new)
Paragraph 34 b (new)
34b. Calls on the EEAS to have checks carried out by the delegation inspectorate on the last five rental or purchase agreements for residences for EU ambassadors, including the residence in Tirana, Albania, and to forward the report to Parliament;
Amendment 6 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the annual report of the internal auditor contains findings based on specific audit work but does not by itself; aims at improving budgetary and financial management but not to provide a comprehensive picture of the Parliament’s budgetary and financial management; notes, similarly, that the Court’s report only represents the results of a small sample (16 transactions) in respect of Parliament’s transactions;
Amendment 7 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Understands that in general the low level of error in respect of the administrative expenditure may justifyaccount for the relatively little attention paid by the Court to Parliament’s transactions;
Amendment 9 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out, however, that the reputational risk in the case of the Parliament’s budgetary and financial management is relatively high, especially against the background of the Members of Parliament (MEPs) being the representatives of the citizens in the Union and hence any irregularities do not only damage the administration’s reputation, but also undermine the credibility of the MEPs as aneven if the error rate is remarkably low, the reputational risk is relatively high, given that such financial and budgetary errors might impact negatively on the standing of the institution;
Amendment 16 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that against this background, the work undertaken by the Parliament and in particular by CONT in the context of the discharge procedure is of particular importance, as it offers the soleoffers an opportunity to consider more thoroughly the accounts of the Parliament’s administration;
Amendment 36 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Takes furthermore note of the specific findings concerning Parliament contained in the annual report of the Court for 2015; notes that the Court found that in one out of the sixteen Parliament transactions examined, related to a political group, the Court found weaknesses in controls of the authoriszation and settlement of expenditure made in 2014 but cleared in 2015, and in the related procurement procedures; these involved only one out of 16 Parliament transactions that were examined concerning one or other of the political groups and these weaknesses were cleared in 2015;
Amendment 37 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 – indent 2
Paragraph 22 – indent 2
– to improve the regulatory framework applicable to meetings with interpretation, including: better alignment between existing sets of rules; measures to spread demand more evenly over the week and to identify and fill underused slots; underscores the need to reduce the number of meetings cancelled at short notice, since that results in considerable misallocation of resources;
Amendment 46 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Notes that the European Parliament, which costs about EUR 3.60 per citizen per year, does not need to shy away from comparisons with other parliamentary systems, especially since one third of costs is accounted for by basic factors (multilingualism and number of sites) over which Parliament itself has limited influence and which do not apply to other parliaments in that form;
Amendment 49 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Considers that according to the Court the costs of the geographic dispersion of the Parliament amount to EUR 114 million per year and notes the finding that in the 2013 Fox-Häfner report 78 % of all missions by Parliament statutory staff arise as a direct result of the Parliament’s geographic dispersion; reminds that the estimation of the environmental impact of this dispersion is between 11 000 to 19 000 tonnes of CO2 emissions; calls on the Bureau to request the secretary-general to develop without delay a roadmap to a single seat for Parliament; points however to Article 341 TFEU which establishes that the seats of the institutions of the Union shall be determined by common accord of the governments of the Member States and Protocol 6 annexed to the TEU and the TFEU which lays down that Parliament shall have its seat in Strasbourg; recalls that a single-seat solution requests change of the treaties;
Amendment 51 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Recalls the reply by the Administration to question 75 in the questionnaire concerning discharge for Parliament for 2013, namely that it had decided to discontinue the ‘practice of long-term missions ..., ... leading to considerable savings’, but views as a major contradiction the fact that 13 staff members are currently on long-term missions; considers that a long-term mission for a staffer, involving an expatriation allowance and daily allowances, to a place where that person was already living and working is a reprehensible use of taxpayers’ money and contrary to the rules; insists on clarification of every long-term mission and on disclosure of reasons and costs;
Amendment 53 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. recalls that all officials and other servants of the Union, even those who work within cabinets, shall carry out their duties solely with the interests of the Union in mind, according to the rules laid down in the Staff Regulations; points out that the Union officials are paid by taxpayers' money, which is not intended to finance press or other staff to promote any national political interest of a President; calls on the bureau to lay down clear provisions in Parliaments regulations;
Amendment 54 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30b. Takes note of the decision of 21 October 2015 by the President, by means of which he sought to make management appointments within Parliament without observing procedures, such as calls for applications; notes that that decision ‘did not correspond to the rules’ (Administration’s reply in connection with the second questionnaire from the Committee on Budgetary Control; insists that that decision by the President be formally revoked;
Amendment 55 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 c (new)
Paragraph 30 c (new)
30c. Notes that on 15 December 2015 the President gave himself authority to allocate an uncapped special allowance to his cabinet staffers, over and above the existing cabinet allowance, despite the fact that the Staff Regulations make no provision for such a special allowance; raises again the question of the lawfulness of that authority and the validity of the special allowances; asks for consideration to be given as to whether the decision concerned should not be revoked;
Amendment 59 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Welcomes that this reduces considerably cash payments and introduces mandatory electronic transfers therefore reducing the risks of theft and reputation for the Parliament while still providing for considerable flexibility; takes note ofsupports the Bureau’s intention to evaluate the revised system after one year of implementation;
Amendment 62 #
Amendment 66 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Welcomes that the attention of the media and the public at large for the Parliament and its administration is increasing, but is concerned; notes that journalists find it difficult to obtain the specific information they are looking for, as is evident, for example, in the court case introduced on 13 November 2016 by journalists from all Union countries, following the refusal by the Parliament to disclose records about MEP's allowance; expects that the Parliament's administration balances the public interest against the protection of data of the MEPs and their assistants;
Amendment 68 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
Amendment 78 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Believes that MEPs ought to be able to use the Parliament’s website to provide their constituencies with maximumthe greatest possible transparency on their activities and therefore calls upon the secretary- general to develop a system in which MEPs can indicate how they want their personal webpages to be organised; refers, in this respect, to the wish of certain MEPs to have their diaries and, in particular, their meetings with interest representatives, included on these webpages, and urges the secretary-general to make this possible without further delays, as already requested in Parliament’s 2014 discharge resolution;
Amendment 82 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Calls on the bureau to make it possible for MEPs who wish to do so, to have their accounts relating to the general expenditure allowance audited by the Parliament’s administration in a manner that is both efficient and effective (for example, by taking samples or by concentrating on expenditures over a certain financial threshold) and to publish; asks the bureau to insure that any measure taken in this regard produces no additional costs; recalls about the answer to the 2014 discharge questionnaire that "a comprehensive system of control and direct payment of the general expenditure allowance (GEA) would necessitate the cresulation of 40 to 75 new posts oin their personal webpages on the Parliament’s website; alternatively, to earmark a percentage of the general expenditure allowance for MEPs to hire an external audit area of financial management, depending on the degree of control required"; recalls about the principle of the independence of the mandate and the risk which goes along with the above mentioned change to silence critical politicians with administrative means;
Amendment 89 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Similarly, calls on the Secretary- gGeneral to make it possible for MEPs who wish to do so, thatprovide MEPs who would like to publish details of payments to them of all other allowances are also published on their personal webpages on the Parliament’s websiteParliament allowances, on their own websites, with appropriate data records that can be easily reprocessed;
Amendment 97 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Calls on the sSecretary-gGeneral to ensure that the accounts of the political groups are easily accessible on the Parliament’s website in a format that allows for quick and easy searchesassist interested political groups, too, in the same way;
Amendment 101 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Similarly, calls on the secretary- general to ensure on Parliament’s website full disclosure of the underlyingNotes that the Parliament’s website makes available a range of documents regarding the decision on the recognition of the European political parties and European political foundations and the determinlongside details of specification of final funding amount; asks the Parliament to request the Commission to present a proposal for a revision of the regulation ofn the finstatute and funding of European political parties and European political founding amountations, including stricter requirements for the setting up of European political foundations, in order to prevent abuses;
Amendment 106 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Welcomes the introduction of a special form for rapporteurs towhere they can indicate which interest representatives had influenced their reports (legislative footprint);
Amendment 108 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Reiterates its call for a report by Parliament’s administration on the use of the Parliament’s premises by interest representatives and other external organisations, whilst paying special attention to the MEP-industry fora;
Amendment 111 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 – introductory part
Paragraph 42 – introductory part
42. Is concerned that the current code of conduct for MEPs does not offer sufficient safeguardmay require further improvements in order to avoid conflicts of interests and expresses the need for the establishment of a working group on the strengthening of the code of conduct in respect of, inter alia, the following issuespaying specific attention to:
Amendment 120 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 – indent 3
Paragraph 42 – indent 3
– oversight over the registration of declarations of MEPs’ interests;
Amendment 125 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)
Paragraph 44 a (new)
44a. Reiterates, in this regard, its call in the 2014 discharge where it was noted that the Parliament website remained relatively user-unfriendly, difficult to navigate and had not yet incorporated the most recent technological developments with the result that it was difficult to find relevant information quickly; it was also pointed out that, given the importance of communication with European citizens, the website did not contribute to improving the image of the Parliament with the public at large;
Amendment 126 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 b (new)
Paragraph 44 b (new)
44b. Calls on DG COM to introduce a more efficient and user-friendly website that incorporates a more efficient website search engine, one that will heighten the profile of the Parliament with the general public and respond more directly to the needs and interests of citizens; notes that merely mediocre results have been obtained despite the expenditure of large resources;
Amendment 139 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Is not convinced of the need to haveNotes that the building and staff costs for the Parliament's information offices ofin the Parliament in all Member States, especially in view of the fact that for effective communication physical presence may not always be necessary and can easily be replaced by effective and responsive internet facilities; is in particular sceptical about having an information office in the cities of Brussels and Strasbourg as in both cities the Parliament itself can be visited and in addition for interested visitors there is or will be a Parlamentarium at their disposalMember States are disproportionately large in relations to amount of money spent on theses offices' key functions, which is to better inform citizens in the Member States of the Parliament's activities: calls on DG COMM to strike a better balance between running cost and the offices communication functions;
Amendment 163 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
Paragraph 54
54. Notes with concern the on-going discussions on the nature of temporary exhibitions; and is not convinced of the fact that deciding onsks if the contents of exhibitions in the House of European History belongs to Parliament’s core business, let alone the managementshould not be let alone to the competent bodies of a museum;
Amendment 171 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56
Paragraph 56
Amendment 182 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65
Paragraph 65
Amendment 187 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
Paragraph 67
67. Points out that in cases of harassment or whistle-blowing APAs are in a particularly vulnerable position, as their contracts are based on mutual trust between the MEP and the assistant; if this trust is lacking, that in itself is reason for terminating the contract; furthermore, if the MEP has to resign because of reputational damage as a consequence of harassment or other irregularities, this normally means that the contracts of all his/her assistants will also be terminated; calls therefore for the immediate strengthening of the representation of APAs in the advisory committee on harassment, as already requested in the context of the 2014 discharge, and financial compensatory measures, for example, by paying the APAs concerned up to their salaries until the end of the term of Parliament, if their contracts are dissolved and the unemployment benefits do not offer full compensation of lost income;
Amendment 206 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70
Paragraph 70
Amendment 209 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 a (new)
Paragraph 73 a (new)
73a. Points out that, despite previous calls for improvement, the service offered by the Parliament's travel agency remains unsatisfactory as prices are relatively high, the agency has failed to negotiate agreements with the major airlines with regard to cheaper prices and more flexibility when making travel arrangements;
Amendment 210 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 b (new)
Paragraph 73 b (new)
73b. Calls on the agency to actively seek to provide lower prices whatever the airline in question is; requests that the agency introduces a feedback process (user satisfaction surveys) with a view to identifying areas in which further progress might be made;
Amendment 212 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 76 a (new)
Paragraph 76 a (new)
76a. Recalls Paragraph 112 of last year's discharge report (P8_TA- PROV(2016)0150) that calls for an assessment of the current situation of the pension fund; regrets that such an assessment has not yet been delivered;
Amendment 218 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82
Paragraph 82
82. Notes that in 2015 Parliament subsidised the European Parliamentary Association with an amount of EUR 200 000 and invitwelcomes the secretary-general to submit suggestions on a revision of fact that, in the event of capacitsy policies in regard of this subsidy, taking into account that the Association could also usefully be funded by contributions by its members; points in this regard to the fact that the Association, inter alia, offers discounts at certain shops and its membership thus brings with it certain material gains for its membersroblems, its premises are made available to visitor groups free of charge;
Amendment 222 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 86
Paragraph 86
86. Finds it unacceptable that printers have to be placedessential for the mandate of the MEPs that printers remain in their offices of staff members and in particular of APAs,; points out that cheap generic cartridges may possibly leading to dangerous levels of emissions of particles; calls and to health damages; calls therefore for measures to be taken by DG ITEC and Directorate-General for Infrastructure and Logistics (DG INLO) to create possibilities for printers to be located strategically, but outside the officpromote the procurement of eco-friendly printers and to ensure the sole use of original cartridges;
Amendment 227 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 90 a (new)
Paragraph 90 a (new)
90a. Expresses its satisfaction with the progress that has already been achieved in the modernisation process of DG INTE, notably with respect to the enhanced availability of interpreters, the moderate increase in the number of hours interpreters spend delivering interpretation and the improved distribution of interpreter workloads; notes that the calculation method with regard to statistics has been clarified and that all annual leave and sick leave have now been excluded from the calculation of the average number of hours spent by interpreters in the booth;
Amendment 231 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 93
Paragraph 93
93. Is concerned about the problematiclack of results of the social dialogue between DG INTE and the representatives of interpreters concerning the adoption of new working conditions, which started in January 2014 and whereby until now no agreement could be reached; calls on the secretary general to initiate a mediation between the parties involved to improve the mutual understanding of the positions and to find solutions that are agreeable to all; both in line with the interest of the Parliament and offer an adequate level of social protection for staff;
Amendment 232 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 93 a (new)
Paragraph 93 a (new)
93a. Request information from the secretary-general regarding the measures that have been taken since the adoption of the resolution on the discharge on the budget 2014 to achieve more resource efficiency and effectiveness of meeting organisation by streamlining conference management in Parliament;
Amendment 233 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94
Paragraph 94
94. Welcomes the continuous efforts to work on the safety in and around the premises of the buildings of the Parliament; acknowledges that safety within the Parliament represents a delicate balancing between achieving safety with a number of measures, and avoiding transforming its buildings intointroducing an overly security conscious regime that slows down the activity of the parliament ; but, nevertheless, insists that building security should be fourtresses, which, as a side effect, may lead to anxiety for its users; her reinforced and calls on the secretary-general to ensure that staff are correctly trained and able to perform their tasks, including in emergency situations, professionally;
Amendment 236 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94 a (new)
Paragraph 94 a (new)
94a. Calls on the secretary-general to reinforce security and to ensure that cooperation between the institutions of the Union is actively pursued alongside cooperation between the Belgian, French and Luxemburgish authorities.
Amendment 237 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94 b (new)
Paragraph 94 b (new)
94b. Call on the DG ITEC and DG SAFE to reinforce anti- hacking measures in light of the increased threat of cyber-attack in recent months;
Amendment 245 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 98 a (new)
Paragraph 98 a (new)
98a. Assumes that the introduction of an efficient meeting room reservation system and a facility management register can bring into play considerable potential as regards Parliament’s costs and environmental efforts, and calls on the Secretary-General to take that approach forward accordingly;
Amendment 247 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 101
Paragraph 101
Amendment 255 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 107
Paragraph 107
107. Emphasises nevertheless that the current system of internal and external controls is clearly insufficient to avoid major irregularitiessometimes fails to avoid certain irregularities in particular in so far the smaller parties are concerned; points out that larger political parties managed to undergo the auditing process without difficulty; takes note of the declarations of the external accountant, EY, that its audits are aimed at obtaining a reasonable assurance that the annual accounts are free of material misstatements and that the entity has complied with in scope rules and regulations, and that they include examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the opinion; also notes, however, that the examinations do not include investigations of possible fraudulent statements and documents; that, therefore, the audits provide only for a superficial insight in the dealings of European political parties and foundations;
Amendment 262 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 109
Paragraph 109
109. Calls on the bureau to, in so far as the principle of consfider in future not only the note from the secretary-general ontiality allows it, to facilitate access to the underlying documents contained in the final reports of European political parties and foundations, but to receive automatically the underlying documents and, in particular the accounts and the audits undertaken;
Amendment 268 #
2016/2152(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 112
Paragraph 112
Amendment 146 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
Paragraph 53
53. Deeply regretQuestions why that the director general of Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, as in previous years, continues to issue a horizontal reservation covering all payments and cost claims under the 7th Framework Programme (FP7); calls on the director generalCommission to develop, at long last, a more meaningful, risk based approach and use specific reservations when needed;
Amendment 158 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71
Paragraph 71
71. Regrets that the Court found that the current setup does not enable the Commission to monitor and report separately the spending and performance of research and development (R&D) and innovation within Horizon 2020; in addition, while the financial contribution of Horizon 2020 within Europe 2020 is well established in the budgetary process through the published programme statements, it is regrettable that the Commission has not yet reported on the implementation of Horizon 2020 and its contribution to Europe 2020 in a meaningful way; invites the Commission to report on the implementation of Horizon 2020 and its contribution to Europe 2020 in a meaningful way as results of the programme become available;
Amendment 183 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 92
Paragraph 92
92. Regrets that that the target to invest 3% of Member States’ gross domestic product (GDP) into research by 2020 will most likely not be met; calls on all Member States to rise to the challenge. Calls on the Commission to draw the necessary conclusions for mid –term revision of the MFF and for the next MFF;
Amendment 191 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 105
Paragraph 105
105. RegretsQuestions why that the director general of DG R&I issued again, as in previous years, a horizontal reservation concerning all cost claims under FP7 (EUR 1,47 billion); is of the opinion that horizontal reservations in general cannot be considered as instrument of sound financial management; acknowledges however that certain parts of FP7 expenditure were not covered by a reserve where there was evidence that the risks (and so the residual error rates) were significantly lower than for all expenditure; within RTD this applies to expenditure given Joint Undertakings; outside DG RTD this also applies to expenditure by the Research Executive Agency under the Marie Curie programme, and all expenditure from the European Research Council Executive Agency;
Amendment 197 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 110
Paragraph 110
110. Regrets furthermore that the first monitoring report on Horizon 2020 gave only little information about synergy effects between the programme and structural funds88 ; invites the Commission to report on these synergy effects as results of the programme become available; _________________ 88 European Court of Auditors, Annual Report 2015, point 3.22
Amendment 292 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 174 – point e
Paragraph 174 – point e
(e) monitor and actively supports the certification bodies in improving their work and methodology on the legality and regularity of expenditure and in particular in delivering opinions on the legality and regularity of the CAP expenditure of a quality and scope which enable the Commission to ascertain the reliability of Paying agencies' control data or, where appropriate, estimate the necessary adjustment of Paying agencies' error rates on the basis of those opinions, with a view to implement the single audit approach in the area of agricultural spending;
Amendment 319 #
Amendment 320 #
2016/2151(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 203 a (new)
Paragraph 203 a (new)
203a. Congratulates the Commission on the outcome of proceedings in Case T- 381/15 on 2 February 2017; asks which contracts with IMG are still underway at present;
Amendment 332 #
2016/2151(DEC)
214a. Notes that the College of Commissioners lifted the OLAF Director- General's immunity, following a request by Belgian authorities, in the context of investigations linked to the "Dalli case"; is of the opinion that the Director-General is confronted with a three-fold conflict of interest: – while the College was in the process of deciding on lifting his immunity, the Director-General considered the possibility of opening OLAF investigations against Members of the Commission, – once the College had taken its decision to lift his immunity, the Director- General took legal action against the Commission for an alleged irregularity in the adoption of its decision; at the same time the Director-General continued to represent the Commission on policy matters related to his portfolio, – after the lifting of his immunity had been confirmed, the Belgian public prosecutor opened an investigation into the Director-General's role in the case in question, while continuing to serve as the OLAF Director-General's interlocutor for fighting fraud against the EU's financial interests in Belgium; considers that these conflicts of interest could damage both OLAF's and the Commission's reputation; asks therefore the Commission to place the OLAF Director-General on leave until the end of the investigation conducted by the Belgian authorities, and to appoint a temporary substitute;
Amendment 1009 #
2016/2114(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 94 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Rule 94 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The provisions governing the procedure for granting discharge to the Commission in accordance with Article 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, in respect of the implementation of the budget, shall likewise apply to the procedure for granting discharge to:
Amendment 1012 #
2016/2114(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 94 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Rule 94 – paragraph 1 a (new)
The discharge to the bodies referred to in the fourth indent of the first paragraph shall be dealt with in a single report per body.
Amendment 1065 #
2016/2114(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 130 – paragraph 6
Rule 130 – paragraph 6
6. Questions and answers including any related annexes shall be published on Parliament’s website.
Amendment 1072 #
2016/2114(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 136
Rule 136
Amendment 157 #
2016/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Welcomes breaking the deadlock in the Council regardingthe successfully concluded negotiations on the proposal on the Directive on the fight against fraud to the Union’'s financial interests by means of criminal law (PIF Directive) with a VAT fraud included in its scope; expresses hope for a swift conclusion of the PIF directive negotiations and looks forward to obtaining an agreement that will be beneficial for the financial interests of the Unnotes that the Directive defines the types of fraudulent behaviour to be criminalised and provides a definition of corruption;
Amendment 162 #
2016/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Recalls Parliament’s resolution on EPPO adopted on 5th of October 2016; believes that an efficient EPPO will strengthen the fight against fraud in the EU provided that it is given the necessary legal provisions and is able to work efficiently with other existing EU bodies and Member State authorities; notes that the scope of the PIF directive determines directly the scope of the EPPO's mandate; notes with concern the diverging opinions in the Council on the EPPO as it is foreseen in the Treaty of Lisbon; sees its provisions not implemented through enhanced cooperation;
Amendment 184 #
2016/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41a. underlines that 55 per cent of the recommendations issued by OLAF which were dismissed by the Member States were dismissed due to insufficient evidence; calls on OLAF to improve their investigative practices and to take effectively into account the Member States' criminal and judicial law;
Amendment 185 #
2016/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 b (new)
Paragraph 41 b (new)
41b. urges the Commission in view of the ending mandate of the OLAF Director General to start immediately the procedure for a call of proposals for a new Director General and to start the consultation process with the European Parliament;
Amendment 50 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Considers that leveraging varies from project to project depending on their scale, complexity and the correlation between important sectoral challenges and the final beneficiaries’ expectations against a background of scarce public funds; takes the view that the assumption of any average leverage effect can only be measured at the end of the investment cycle while taking the specific features of sectors into account; proposes to align the "EFSI Multiplier Methodology" with the methodology suggested by the OECD taking into account investment projects to which investors committed or which are part of national programmes that existed or were announced even before EFSI was launched;
Amendment 59 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Asks for governance arrangements to be streamlined so as to better define the respective responsibilities of the Commission and the EIB, to ensure independence and, to prevent conflicts of interests of the various actors participating in the decision-making process, especially the members of the EFSI investment committee, and to establish for accountability purposes who is responsible to the EU budgetary and legislative authorities for the performance and risk management of EFSI;
Amendment 64 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Reiterates the European Court of Auditor's auditing role laid down in Article 20 of the EFSI-Regulation; points to the Opinion No 2/2016 of the European Court of Auditors (the Court) on EFSI: an early proposal to extend and expand; notes with concern the Court's observation that there is little evidence for the proposed increase of the EU Guarantee;
Amendment 67 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27 b. Regrets that the proposal for the extension of EFSI is not accompanied by an impact assessment as envisaged by the better regulation guidelines and an ex- ante evaluation as it is required in Article 30 and 140 of the Financial Regulation for spending programmes and financial instruments;
Amendment 70 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 27 c (new)
Paragraph 27 c (new)
27 c. Regrets that the EFSI was considered as an exception to the requirement of the Financial Regulation, even though the EU budget provides most of the financing for the Guarantee funds and the budgetary guarantee to the EIB creates significant contingent liabilities for the EU Budget;
Amendment 71 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 27 d (new)
Paragraph 27 d (new)
27 d. Notes that the impact of EFSI risk has been exaggerated; agrees with the Court's observation that the impact of financing the Guarantee Fund from the EU budget would have been lower if the Commission had adopted the same assumptions for the initial proposal of EFSI;
Amendment 72 #
2016/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 27 e (new)
Paragraph 27 e (new)
27 e. Ask to clarify the application of State Aid rules for projects combining finance from EFSI and structural funds;
Amendment 52 #
2016/2019(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. WelcomNotes the extension of the Members' Digital Portal (e-Portal), however, invites the Secretary-General to improve upon in the light of the 'paperless initiative', the current system of sending paper copy payment slips to the Members, with the aim of eventually abolishing it by the end of year 2017; considers that the e- Portal should provide this feature to all Members electronically by default, which would result in considerable savings in both time and economic terms;
Amendment 77 #
2016/2019(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Reiterates its call to the Bureau on the definition of more precisquests the Bureau to re-examine the need for the rules regarding the accountability of the expenditure authorised under the general expenditure allowance, which could include cost effective measures such as Members publishing their spending records, as already practiced by a growing number of Members, and could be accompanied by a simplified system for re-paying the unused funds to be made yet more precise; reiterates that this should not require additional staff for Parliament's administration;
Amendment 128 #
2016/2019(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Welcomes a more limited andEncourages efficient use of trunks (cantines); encourages sharing of the trunks for travelling to Strasbourg; notes at the same time, however, that a scaling-back of services for transporting documents to Strasbourg - by, for example, introducing smaller trunks or restricting the number of trunks per Member to one - would disproportionately constrain Members in the performance of their duties, and accordingly rejects that approach;
Amendment 16 #
2016/2006(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Believes, furthermore, that the modernisation of Member States’ accounting systems on all government levels through the promotion of a systemccrual accounting based on commonly acceptable accounting standards is leading to enhanced transparency and comparability of public accounts in the Member States and reliable governmental financial reporting; encourages the Commission to further pursue and intensify its endeavours for European Public Sector Accounting Standards;
Amendment 17 #
2016/2006(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that, in the wider context of financial and fiscal reforms, the setting-up of reinforced accounting and reporting instruments, through EPSAS, can facilitate political decision-making and economic governance;
Amendment 18 #
2016/2006(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Emphasises that improving the quality of primary accounting data and financial reporting provided by the public sector through EPSAS will contribute to developing public accountability, sustainable public finances with greater fiscal transparency and budgetary control.
Amendment 55 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 266 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 266 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013
Annex 1 – paragraph (1) – subparagraph 4 – indent 3
Annex 1 – paragraph (1) – subparagraph 4 – indent 3
Amendment 57 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 266 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 266 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013
Annex 1 – paragraph (1) – subparagraph 4 – indent 4
Annex 1 – paragraph (1) – subparagraph 4 – indent 4
Amendment 63 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 266 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 266 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013
Annex 1 – paragraph (1) – subparagraph 4 – indent 5
Annex 1 – paragraph (1) – subparagraph 4 – indent 5
Amendment 64 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 266 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 266 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013
Annex I – paragraph (1) – paragraph 5
Annex I – paragraph (1) – paragraph 5
The data on participants under the two first above indicators will be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 50(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013. The data on participants under the last three above indicators will be provided in the reports as specified in Article 50(5) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013. The data of the fivef the two indicators above shall be collected based on a representative sample of participants within each investment priority. Internal validity shall be ensured in such a way that the data can be generalised at the level of the investment priority.
Amendment 211 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Title 1
Title 1
Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and amending Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002, Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, EU No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1305/2013, (EU) No 1306/2013, (EU) No 1307/2013, (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014,(EU) No 283/2014, (EU) No 652/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Decision No 541/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Amendment 212 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 1
Citation 1
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 42, 43(2), 46(d), 149, 153(2)(a), 164, 168(4)(b), 172, 175, 177, 178, 189(2), 209(1), 212(2), 322(21) and 349 thereof, in conjunction with the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Articles 106a thereof,
Amendment 365 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
6. ‘blending operation’ means an action carried out within a blending facility which combines non-repayable forms of support and/or financial instruments from the EU budget and financial instruments from development or other public finance institutions as well as from commercial finance institutions and investors, notwithstanding the rule contained in Article 201(4) stating that only public law bodies or bodies with a public service mission may be entrusted with the implementation of the Union budget. Blending operations may include preparatory action leading to potential investments from finance institutions;
Amendment 367 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
7. ‘blending facility’ means a facility established as a cooperation framework between the Commission and development or other public finance institutions as well as commercial finance institutions and investors which aims at achieving certain Union priority objectives and policies in using blending operations and other individual actions, notwithstanding the rule contained in Article 201(4) stating that only public law bodies or bodies with a public service mission may be entrusted with the implementation of the Union budget;
Amendment 372 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 27
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 27
27. ‘financial instruments’ means Union measures of financial support provided from the budget in order to address one or more specific policy objectives of the Union. Such instruments may take the form of equity or quasi-equity investments, loans, repayable advances or guarantees, or other risk-sharing instruments, and may, where appropriate, be combined with other forms of financial support or with funds under shared implementation or EDF funds;
Amendment 375 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 34
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 34
34. ‘loan’ means an agreement which obliges the lender to make available to the borrower an agreed sum of money for an agreed period of time and under which the borrower is obliged to repay that amount within the agreed time; such loans may take the form of a repayable advance;
Amendment 376 #
2016/0282(COD)
38. 'multiplier effect' means the investment by eligible final recipientsamount of private capital attracted divided by the amount of the Union contribution.
Amendment 378 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 46 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 46 a (new)
46 a. 'repayable advance' means a loan for a project which is paid in one or more instalments and the conditions for the reimbursement of which depend on the outcome of the project;
Amendment 419 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Amendment 423 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
Article 29 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
6. The transfer proposal shall be approved, if, within the six-week period, any of the following occurs: neither the European Parliament nor the Council take a decision to amend or refuse the transfer proposal.
Amendment 424 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 6 – point a
Article 29 – paragraph 6 – point a
Amendment 425 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 6 – point b
Article 29 – paragraph 6 – point b
Amendment 426 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 6 – point c
Article 29 – paragraph 6 – point c
Amendment 435 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 – paragraph 1
Article 32 – paragraph 1
1. Programmes and activities which entail significant spending shall be subject to ex-ante and retrospectivewith resources mobilized exceeding EUR 5 000 000 shall be subject to impact assessment and ex- post evaluation ("evaluation"), which shall be proportionate to the objectives and expenditure.
Amendment 436 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 – paragraph 2
Article 32 – paragraph 2
2. Ex-ante evaluationImpact assessments supporting the preparation of programmes and activities shall be based on evidence on the performance of related programmes or activities and shall identify and analyse the issues to be addressed, EU added value, objectives, expected effects of different options and monitoring and evaluation arrangementsthe policy options available including the risks associated with them, expected effects of different options in particular any economic, social and environmental impact, and monitoring and evaluation arrangements needed to measure them, the most appropriate method of implementation for the preferred option(s), the internal coherence and relations with other relevant instruments, the volume of appropriations, human resources and other administrative expenditure to be allocated with due regard to cost- effectiveness, and the lessons learned from the past.
Amendment 437 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 – paragraph 3
Article 32 – paragraph 3
3. RetrospectiveEx-post evaluations shall assess the performance of the programme or activity, including aspects such as effectiveness, efficiency, economy, coherence, relevance and EU added value. They shall be undertaken periodicallyIn so doing, they shall take into account the outcome of the monitoring exercise with performance indicators, as specified in Article 31(2). They shall be undertaken periodically, and at least every six years for programmes and activities which entail significant spending, and in sufficient time for the findings to be taken into account in ex-ante evaluationimpact assessments which support the preparation of related programmes and activities.
Amendment 438 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 33 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Any proposal or initiative submitted to the legislative authority by the Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) or by a Member State, which may have an impact on the budget, including changes in the number of posts, shall be accompanied by a financial statement and by an ex ante evaluationimpact assessment as provided for in Article 32.
Amendment 454 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 39 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Before submitting the draft budget, the Commission shall perform a consultation of citizens.
Amendment 458 #
2016/0282(COD)
This working document shall also include specific information on the ten worst- performing financial instruments, as well as an overview of the administrative expenditure arising from management fees and other financial and operating charges paid for the management of financial instruments in total and per managing party and per financial instrument managed.
Amendment 488 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 62 a (new)
Article 62 a (new)
Amendment 510 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 108 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point c
Article 108 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point c
(c) for contributions to trust funds referred to in Article 227: the appropriations reserved for the trust fund for the year together with the amounts planned over its duration, as well as the share of funding from sources other than the Union budget, whose ratio shall remain fixed over the entire duration of the trust fund as specified in Article 227(1);
Amendment 512 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 110 – paragraph 6
Article 110 – paragraph 6
6. Provisional budgetary commitments shall be implemented by the conclusion of one or more legal commitments giving rise to an entitlement to subsequent payments. However, in cases relating to expenditure on staff management, Members or former Members of a Union institution or relating to communication expenditures engaged in by the institutions for the coverage of Union events or in cases referred to in point 14.5 of the Annex to this Regulation, they may be implemented directly by payments.
Amendment 513 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 114 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 114 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) 960 calendar days for contribution agreements, contracts and, grant agreements involving technical services or actions which are particularly complex to evaluate and for which payment depends on the approval of a report or a certificate;
Amendment 515 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 114 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 114 – paragraph 1 – point b
Amendment 532 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 124 – paragraph 1
Article 124 – paragraph 1
1. Any person or entity receiving Union funds shall fully cooperate in the protection of the Union’s financial interests and grant as a condition for receiving the funds the necessary rights and access required for the authorizing officer responsible, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Court of Auditors (ECA), and where appropriate the relevant national authorities, to comprehensively exert their respective competences. In the case of OLAF, this shall include the right to carry out investigations, including on-the-spot checks and inspections.
Amendment 546 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 132 – paragraph 4 – point a
Article 132 – paragraph 4 – point a
(a) a natural or legal person who is a member of the administrative, management or supervisory body of the et person or entity referred to in Article 131(1), or who has powers of representation, decision or control with regard to these persons or entities, including persons and entities within the ownership and control structure and beneficial owners, is in one or more of the situations referred to in points (c) to (f) of paragraph 1;
Amendment 547 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 133 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 133 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) information on natural or legal persons that are members of the administrative, management or supervisory body of the participant or that have powers of representation, decision or control with regard to that participant, including persons and entities within the ownership and control structure and beneficial owners, and appropriate evidence that one or several of those persons are not in one of the exclusion situations referred to in points (c) to (f) of Article 132(1).
Amendment 560 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 151 a (new)
Article 151 a (new)
Amendment 563 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 153 – paragraph 3
Article 153 – paragraph 3
3. For financial instruments within blending facilities, point (h) of Article 202(1) shall be deemed to be complied with if an ex ante evaluationimpact assessment is carried out prior to the establishment of the relevant blending facility;
Amendment 573 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 175 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Article 175 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
The precise criteria for the required output shall be negotiated between the Commission and the beneficiary and be specified in the grant agreement, on a case-by-case basis and as the circumstances require.
Amendment 602 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 186 – paragraph 4
Article 186 – paragraph 4
4. In the case of operating grants, the grant agreement shall be signed within sixthree months of the start of the beneficiary's financial year. Costs eligible for financing may neither have been incurred before the grant application was submitted nor before the start of the beneficiary's financial year.
Amendment 605 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 186 a (new)
Article 186 a (new)
Article 186 a By way of derogation from this Article, if a European political foundation within the meaning of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 realises a surplus of income over expenditure at the end of a financial year in which it received an operating grant, the part of that surplus corresponding to up to 25 % of the total income for that year may be carried over to the following year provided that it is used before the end of the first quarter of that following year.
Amendment 610 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 189 – paragraph 1 – point d – paragraph 6
Article 189 – paragraph 1 – point d – paragraph 6
The first subparagraph shall not apply to public bodies, Member State Organisations, and the international organisations referred to in Article 151.
Amendment 612 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 191 – paragraph 5 – point c a (new)
Article 191 – paragraph 5 – point c a (new)
(ca) Member State Organisations;
Amendment 614 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 191 – paragraph 6
Article 191 – paragraph 6
6. The authorising officer responsible may, depending on a risk assessment, waive the obligation to verify the operational capacity of public bodies, Member State Organisations, or international organisations.
Amendment 623 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 202 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 202 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) achieve a leverage or a multiplier effect, by mobilising a global investment exceeding the size of the Union contribution or guarantee. The target range of values for the leverage and multiplier effect shall be based on an ex-ante evaluationimpact assessment for the corresponding financial instrument or budgetary guarantee;
Amendment 624 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 202 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 202 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) provide for any remuneration of the implementing entities or counterparts involved in the implementation to be performance based. Performance based fees shall comprise administrative fees to remunerate the entity or counterpart for the work carried out in the implementation of a financial instrument or budgetary guarantee calculated on the basis of funds actually transferred, and, where appropriate, policy related incentives to promote the achievement of the policy objectives or incentivise the financial performance of the financial instrument or budgetary guarantee. Exceptional expenses may be reimbursed;
Amendment 626 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 202 – paragraph 1 – point h
Article 202 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) be based on ex-ante evaluationimpact assessments, individually or as part of a programme, in line with Article 32. The ex-ante evaluationimpact assessment shall contain explanations concerning the choice of the type of financial operation taking into account the policy objectives pursued and the associated financial risks and savings for the budget of the Union. These assessments shall be reviewed and updated to take into account the effect of major socioeconomic changes on the rationale of the instrument or guarantee.
Amendment 629 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 203 – paragraph 2
Article 203 – paragraph 2
2. Budgetary guarantees and financial assistance may generate a contingent liability for the Union which may only exceeding the financial assets provided to cover the financial liability of the Union if so provided in a basic act establishing a guarantee and under the conditions set out therein.
Amendment 640 #
2016/0282(COD)
3. As regards contributions from funds under shared implementation to financial instruments established under this Section, the sector specific rules shall apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Managing Authorities may rely on an existing ex-ante evaluationimpact assessment, carried out in accordance with point (h) of Article 202(1), prior to contributing to an existing financial instrument.
Amendment 643 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 215 – paragraph 3
Article 215 – paragraph 3
3. Contributions shall not be used to directly or indirectly grant any personal advantage, in cash or in kind, to any individual member or member of staff of a European political party. Contributions shall not be used to directly or indirectly finance activities of third parties, in particular national political parties or political foundations at European or national level, whether in the form of grants, donations, loans or any other similar agreements. For the purposes of this Article, associated entities of European political parties at European level, such as youth and women organisations of these parties, shall not be regarded as third parties. Contributions shall not be used for any of the purposes excluded by Article 22 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014.
Amendment 644 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 215 – paragraph 6 a (new)
Article 215 – paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. European political parties are allowed to build up reserves with the amount of their own resources exceeding 15% of their annual reimbursable expenditure.
Amendment 646 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 215 – paragraph 7
Article 215 – paragraph 7
Amendment 654 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 227 – paragraph 1
Article 227 – paragraph 1
1. For emergency, post-emergency or thematic actions, the Commission may create, after informingwith the agreement of the European Parliament and the Council, trust funds for external actions under an agreement concluded with other donors. The constitutive act of each trust fund shall define the objectives of the trust fund. The Commission decisionproposal establishing the trust fund shall include a description of the fund's objectives, the justification for its creation in accordance with paragraph 3, the share of funding from sources other than the Union budget, whose ratio shall remain fixed over the entire duration of the trust fund, an indication of its duration and the preliminary agreements with other donors.
Amendment 657 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 227 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 227 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) it has been established by an impact assessment that there is added value to the Union intervention: trust funds shall only be created and implemented at Union level where their objectives, in particular by reason of their scale or potential effects, may be better achieved at Union level than at national level;
Amendment 661 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 227 – paragraph 3 – point b a (new)
Article 227 – paragraph 3 – point b a (new)
(ba) the objectives of Union trust funds for external action shall be aligned with the objectives of the Union instrument or budgetary item from which they are funded.
Amendment 676 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 242 – paragraph 1
Article 242 – paragraph 1
The Commission shall report annually to the European Parliament and to the Council on financial instruments, budgetary guarantees, financial assistance, contingent liabilities and the common provisioning fund as of 30 June of the year of publication in accordance with paragraphs 4 and 5 of Article 39 and with point (d) of Article 50(1). That information shall be made available to the Court of Auditors at the same time.
Amendment 678 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 250 – paragraph 1
Article 250 – paragraph 1
1. The Court of Auditors shall transmit to the Commission and the institutions concerned, by 1530 June, any observations which are, in its opinion, such that they should appear in the annual report. Those observations shall remain confidential and shall be subject to an adversarial procedure to enable the institutions concerned to comment upon them. Those observations shall remain confidential. Each institution shall address its reply to the Court of Auditors by 15 OctoberJuly. The replies of institutions other than the Commission shall be sent to the Commission at the same time.
Amendment 684 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 256 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 256 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The administrative appropriations covered by this Title shall be those set out in Article 45(3) and those of the other institutions.
Amendment 754 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 278 – paragraph 2
Article 278 – paragraph 2
Such review shall cover, inter alia, the implementation of the provisions of Title VIIIX of Part One and the deadlines set out in Article 251.
Amendment 755 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 279 – paragraph 1
Article 279 – paragraph 1
Regulation (EC,U, Euratom) No 966/2012 and Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012 areis repealed with effect from 1 January 20XX.
Amendment 756 #
2016/0282(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 280 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 280 – paragraph 5 a (new)
By derogation from the second paragraph of this Article, point -a of Article 121(1) shall apply from the date of entry into force of the post-2020 multiannual financial framework, except where otherwise provided in the basic act.
Amendment 16 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
Having regard to the Opinion No 02/2016 of the Court of Auditors1a, _________________ 1a OJ C 465, 13.12.2016, p. 1.
Amendment 75 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EU) 2015/1017
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 5
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 5
Amendment 82 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point c
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point c
Regulation (EU) 2015/1017
Article 9 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 9 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) 31 December 2020, for EIB operations for which a contract between the EIB and the beneficiary or financial intermediary has been signed by 31 December 20221;
Amendment 83 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point c
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point c
Regulation (EU) 2015/1017
Article 9 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 9 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) 31 December 2020, for EIF operations for which a contract between the EIF and the financial intermediary has been signed by 31 December 20221.;
Amendment 96 #
2016/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10 – point b
Amendment 168 #
2016/0023(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The first subparagraph shall not apply to the export of the mercury compounds listed in Annex I for laboratory-scale research, for mercury in pre-dosed capsules for the in-situ generation of dental amalgam, for vaccines and substances for allergy testing and for mercury or mercury compounds intended for the manufacture of homeopathic and anthroposophic medicinal products or their active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Amendment 16 #
2015/2345(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that NGOs receiving EU funding do not engage in activities running counter to EU interests such as advocacy against EU policy through the deliberate dissemination of incorrect information;
Amendment 18 #
2015/2345(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Advises strongly againsIs of the opinion that co- funding requirements above 20% which would bring an increased risk of instrumentalisation and damage the important advocacy and advisory role that NGOs play in EU policy- according to which the EU grant may not finance the entire costs of an action implemented by NGO - increase ownership, and enhance responsibility and accountability. Agrees, therefore, with the principle that the beneficiary needs to raise a share of the required funds – typically at least 10% – from other sources;
Amendment 20 #
2015/2345(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Points to the huge range of NGOs in terms of size and activity area; believes that operating grants should be proportionate to the other financial resources available to the NGO in order to ensure a level-playing field and to avoid instrumentalisation and damage of both the important advocacy and advisory role of NGOs and the efficient use of EU funds;
Amendment 30 #
2015/2345(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Suggests that the Commission investigate the possibility of accounting for volunteer hours and donations in kusing simplified cost options when accountindg for small NGOpersonnel costs.
Amendment 14 #
2015/2344(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. EmphasiseConsiders that the establishment of a budgetary and fiscal capacity within the eurozone is necessary towould be a further step towards completeing the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); believes that the stabilisation function of a fiscal capacity is the most feasible of the fiscal policy functions, while a redistribution function cwould be envisaged in a morepresuppose a fully integrated political and economic union;
Amendment 1 #
2015/2319(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas its Committee on Budgets, in light of the lack of transparency and the imbalanced composition of a large number of expert groups (EGs), and seeing the need to make sure that the composition of EGs strikes the right balance in terms of expertise and of views represented, adopted budgetary reserves in 2011 and 2014 and formulated demands for their reform;
Amendment 2 #
2015/2319(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas a recent study it commissioned1 has identified a widespread lack of transparency and an at times imbalance in EGd composition of EGs; __________________ 1 Policy Department D Budgetary Affairs, Composition of the Commission`s expert groups and the status of the register of expert groups, 2015.
Amendment 4 #
2015/2319(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that despite the progress that resulted from the 2011 budgetary reserve, the Commission has so far failed to alter the horizontal rules for EGs and their practices in a way that would meet Parliament’s requests for transparency, and that the number of EGs in which there is an imbalance has increased since 2013from 69 in 2013 (corresponding to 8% of all EGs) to 72 in 2015 (9% of all EGs);
Amendment 5 #
2015/2319(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Points out, in this context, and with regard to par. 34-45 of the Ombudsman's aforementioned opinion, that, although the Comission has not yet formally defined its concept of 'balance', the latter is not to be understood as the result of an arithmetic exercise, but rather as the result of efforts to ensure that the members of an EG, together, possess the necessary technical expertise and breadth of perspectives to deliver on the mandate of the EG in question; finds that the concept of balance should, therefore, be understood as tied to the specific mandate of each single EG; considers that the criteria to assess whether an EG is balanced should include the tasks of the group, the technical expertise required, the stakeholders who would be most likely affected by the matter, the organisation of groups of stakeholders, and the appropriate ratio of economic and non- economic interests;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2319(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1 c. Welcomes the Commission's public announcement that the revised framework for EGs will take up a number of Parliament's and the Ombudsman's suggestions, such as mandatory open calls for application, an improved register, mandatory registration in the Transparency Register for stakeholder representatives, a definition, for each EG, of the profiles needed to ensure a balanced composition, as well as mandatory declarations on conflicts of interest, which will be put on the register;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2319(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 d (new)
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1 d. Urges the Commission to implement, moreover, the Ombudsman's recommendations on transparency, namely, that the agendas, background documents and minutes of EG meetings should be published, unless, in exceptional cases and with the Commission's consent, a majority of members decides otherwise, and that the published minutes should be as meaningful as possible and set out the positions expressed by the members;
Amendment 11 #
2015/2319(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. UrgInvites the Commission to adopt a more proactive approach toexplore, in collaboration with the legislator and with civil society, ways to facilitate and encourage the participation of under- represented groups, in EGs, and to tackle existing information asymmetries, and to develop, in dialogue with these groups, a special allowance system for that purpose;
Amendment 25 #
2015/2319(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Requests, therefore, the Commission to applyexplore ways to facilitate and encourage the participation of under- represented organisations or social groups in expert groups, by assessing, inter alia, its provisions for reimbursement of expenses generously, in order, including possible ways to cover outlays for any such ‘alternative costs’’;
Amendment 49 #
2015/2319(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Commission to make enough resources available for theensure – building on existing positive examples – a systematic implementation of improved horizontal rules by means of a central oversight of the implementation of these horizontal rules, and not to delegate this to the individual Directorates-General;
Amendment 54 #
2015/2319(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to devote, in particular, sufficient resources to the activities relating totake all necessary steps to ensure that the Register, so that it will be kept up to date and does not contain any factual errors;
Amendment 40 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the concrete measures and pragmatic solutions introduced recently by the Commission within the existing framework of financial rules in order to shorten financial procedures; deplores, however, the still significant delays in procuring essential equipment and services to the missions under the CSDP, partially due to the often slow process of adopting decisions by the Council, but also to a certain lack of flexibilitya consolidated approach ofn the financial ruleapplication of financial rules to CSDP missions, and the resulting negative effect on the missions’ functioning; recalls that the Court of Auditors already criticised this in its 2012 Special Report on the EU assistance to Kosovo related to the rule of law;
Amendment 44 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Urges the Commission to mitigate these shortfalls, and to propose the necessary adaptations to financial rules for civilian CSDP mission by preparing a specific template for the financial rules for civilian CSDP missions and by adapting existing guidelines to their needs, in order to facilitate the rapid and flexible conduct of missions, while guaranteeing sound financial management of the EU resources and an adequate protection of the Union’s financial interests; takes the view that the budget implementation powers should be delegated to the Civilian Operation Commander, in the same way that has been done for Heads of EU Delegationsshould continue to be implemented by the Commission in close coordination with the Civilian Operation Commander;
Amendment 51 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Strongly encourages the setting up of a Shared Services Centre (SSC)centralisation of mission support functions, together with an Integrated Resource Management System (IRMS), as a way to improve the speed of deployment, and cost-efficiency, of civilian missions; deplornotes that this initiative has been in a stalemate so fare discussions on this subject in the Council are still ongoing; notes that a mission support platform is currently being considered, but; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to make furensure ther steps towards establishing a genuine SSCwift progress on the file;
Amendment 63 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that the CSDP should be viewed as part of the broader CFSP framework and of EU external action as a whole; strongly believes that coherence and complementarity should be ensured between the various instruments to achieve economies of scale and maximise the impact of EU spending; is convinced that the EU has more tools and leverage potential than any other supranational institution, given that its security and defence policy can be reinforced by a comprehensive approach with other types of EU instruments and financing mechanisms; believes, therefore, that CFSP resources should be used in a smarter way by tying CSDP in withensuring complementarity between CSDP and the different programmes managed by the Commission;
Amendment 27 #
2015/2203(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62 a (new)
Paragraph 62 a (new)
62a. Considers transparency to be urgently necessary; calls on the Commission, therefore, using electronic means, to provide Parliament annually with a list in Excel format arranged according to (a) recipients, (b) countries, (c) receiving organisations, (d) grants less than EUR 1 m, (e) grants from EUR 1 m to EUR 3 m, ((f) grants from EUR 3 m to EUR 5 m, (g) grants from EUR 5 m to EUR 10 m, and (h) grants more than EUR 10 m:
Amendment 5 #
2015/2158(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Building upon this good cooperation asks the Court of Auditors to prepare a Special Report on whether the Commission has made good use of its powers in supporting and controlling Member States when implementing EU law;
Amendment 4 #
2015/2157(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes the information regarding the list of external activities pursued by the judges provided in January 2016, after being asked for during the exchange of views in committee on discharge exercise of 2014; regrets that the number of judges participating in the different events is not mentioned; calls for an overview of all external activities, for each judge, including lecturing, talks, other events and preparations for them during working hours, and not just of officially approved activities; requests disclosure of all resources used in conjunction with judges' external activities, e.g. translation services, law clerks and drivers; is of the opinion that all information on the outside activities of each judge should be accessible to the general public;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2157(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. calls for an informative declaration of judges' financial interests to be posted on the Internet;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2156(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Calls for a clear declaration of financial interests of Members of the Council of the European Union to be published on the Internet;
Amendment 10 #
2015/2156(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14 b. Welcomes the Council’s draft regulation determining the emoluments of EU high-level public office holders and the savings planned under that regulation;
Amendment 33 #
2015/2155(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 c (new)
Paragraph 21 c (new)
21c. Calls for clarification about what form official and unofficial cooperation with OLAF about Members’ accounts takes; points to the information passed on to third parties in at least one case; sees this as a breach of independence of Members’ mandates;
Amendment 125 #
2015/2155(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 a (new)
Paragraph 53 a (new)
53a. Points out that 114 former interim staff members for the Strasbourg plenary sessions were recruited in 2014 by Parliament as contract agents; underlines that the judgement by a French court on these "intérimaires" in itself cannot justify the decision to recruit them under the staff regulations;
Amendment 128 #
2015/2155(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54 c (new)
Paragraph 54 c (new)
54c. Points out that the increase in working hours from 37.5 to 40 hours a week under the revision of the Staff Regulations is the equivalent of over 350 extra posts and that this virtually offsets the staff cuts of 5% over several years agreed as part of the reform of the Staff Regulations; calls on Parliament to present a transparent report with annual indications of planned reductions in posts and to take account of the increase in working time in so doing;
Amendment 151 #
2015/2155(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64 a (new)
Paragraph 64 a (new)
64a. Is concerned about the proposal to bring the drivers' service in-house and the resulting additional costs which will mean an increase of more than 50% in 2017 compared to 2016;
Amendment 161 #
2015/2155(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65 a (new)
Paragraph 65 a (new)
65a. Notes with concern that in 2014 75% of the staff of the Portuguese interpreting service, 59% of the French interpreting service and 57% of the staff of the Spanish interpreting service were in salary grades AD /11/12/13 and that this on average leads to very high hourly wages for interpretation compared to the work done by freelancers;
Amendment 220 #
2015/2155(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 88 b (new)
Paragraph 88 b (new)
88b. Takes note of the Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists AECR having spent 729.000 euros for organizing meetings with only 4 full-time employees (EPP: 26 FTE; PES 30 FTE; ALDE 13,7 FTE; EGP15 FTE); calls on the European Parliament to make sure that all European Political Parties strictly refrain from cross-financing service providers linked to national parties or Members of the European Parliament or Members of National Parliaments; Expresses concern that the amount of money spent by the AECR on both the "Studies and Research" and "Seminars and Exhibitions" budget lines appears to dramatically exceed the norm; calls on the Parliament to reaudit these relatively high amounts of money;
Amendment 25 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines that in the past the discharge procedure primarily verified the legality and regularity of financial transactions; believes however that it is of equal importance to verify, in the context of the Commission initiative 'An EU Budget Focused on Results', that more emphasis should also be given in future, beyond the above verifications, to examining whether the results achieved by projects and programmes match the intended objectives;
Amendment 30 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Further underlines the Commission's obligation to ensure the correct application of Union law pursuant Article 17 (1) TEU and asks the Court of Auditors to prepare a special report on whether the Commission has made good use of its powers in supporting and controlling Member States when implementing Union law;
Amendment 99 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61 a (new)
Paragraph 61 a (new)
61a. Calls urgently for clarification as to how much money was paid from European Funds to media undertakings in each Member State, and to which undertakings, whether to make these Funds better known or for other reasons;
Amendment 263 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 223
Paragraph 223
223. Regrets in consequence that the declaration of assurance given by the Director General of DG AGRI is not based on data but on hopeful opinion; Welcomes this intensive work by the Directorate-General to monitor and correct Member State authorities' data , as required by Article 66 of the Financial Regulation; points out that the weaknesses and corrections in the national systems thus revealed represent a substantial part of the data on which the declaration of assurance is based; calls on the Commission to further improve the data forming the basis for this declaration of assurance;
Amendment 267 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 228
Paragraph 228
228. Asks DG AGRI to adopt a new objectivereport on the trend in the distribution of agricultural income support in its management plan accompanied with KPI targeting a fairer distribution of CAP support and to report on this in its annual activitynual report and in particular to give details of the effects of the new forms of support, such as the redistributive payment, introduced by the 2013 CAP repfortm;
Amendment 278 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 235 – point a
Paragraph 235 – point a
(a) the Commission consider take into consideration the number of farmers as an element of key performance of DG AGRI with respect to "farmer income" and include a new objective of "a fairer distribution of CAP support" in its management plan, accompanied with a key performance indicator and reporting on this in its annual activity rereporting, in the annual activity report of DG AGRI, on the trend in the distribution of agricultural income support;
Amendment 293 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 246 a (new)
Paragraph 246 a (new)
246a. Expresses concern at the EU's management of external assistance in third countries; points out that every second euro is paid late (at the time of the last report, that affected 805 projects), every third euro failed to reach its intended target (affecting 610 projects) and that both of the failings apply to every fourth euro (affecting 500 projects); is concerned that with regard to budget support almost one fifth (18.5%) of the measures are late and fail to reach the objectives, and almost half of the EDF projects have the same implementation problems; is concerned that projects that are experiencing problems are visited less frequently than those without problems; asks the Commission to provide an up-to- date report on the state of these projects and calls on it to include Neighbourhood Policy aid programmes in this report;
Amendment 299 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 264 a (new)
Paragraph 264 a (new)
264a. Points out that 5 former officials were employed as Special Advisors in 2014 and received remuneration in one case for example for 43 weeks in two other cases for 30 weeks; asks the Commission to provide further information on why the original contracts were not prolonged instead of paying the above mentioned former officials on a daily basis or if - at the same time pensions paid - were taken into account and how;
Amendment 300 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 264 b (new)
Paragraph 264 b (new)
264b. Points out that through the increase in working hours from 37.5 to 40 hours a week under the revision of the Staff Regulations the equivalent of approximately 2900 posts is gained and that this virtually offsets the staff cuts of 5% over several years agreed in the reform of the Staff Regulations; calls on the Commission to present a transparent report with annual indications of the planned reduction in posts and to take account of the increase in working time in this;
Amendment 317 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
New subheading after paragraph 272
New subheading after paragraph 272
Conflicts of interest in shared management and in third countries in connection with the management of EU funds
Amendment 318 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 272 a (new)
Paragraph 272 a (new)
272a. Points out that some Member States do not have laws on ministers that exclude the possibility of office-holders being sole or part-owners of businesses;
Amendment 319 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 272 b (new)
Paragraph 272 b (new)
272b. Sees a serious conflict of interest in the possibility that businesses owned by EU office-holders may apply for EU funds or may receive such funds as subcontractors, while the owners and office-holders themselves bear responsibility for both the proper use of funds and for controlling their use;
Amendment 320 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 272 c (new)
Paragraph 272 c (new)
272c. Calls on the Commission to incorporate a clause in all future EU laws on payments to the effect that businesses owned by office-holders in the EU Member States and in third countries may not apply for or receive any EU funding;
Amendment 327 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
New subheading after paragraph 272
New subheading after paragraph 272
Immunity for EU staff in non-EU countries only
Amendment 328 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 272 a (new)
Paragraph 272 a (new)
272a. Considers the immunity of EU staff from criminal proceedings in Member States, which dates back 64 years, to be a privilege that has long been obsolete; calls for this privilege under the Protocol to the Treaty to be confined to EU staff in countries outside the EU;
Amendment 331 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
New subheading after paragraph 275
New subheading after paragraph 275
International Management Group (IMG)
Amendment 332 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 275 a (new)
Paragraph 275 a (new)
275a. Refers to paragraph 234 and 235 of the 2013 discharge report (P8_TA(2015)0118)); asks for an update about the ongoing cooperation with the International Management Group (IMG) and the Commission in particular about ongoing and new contracts and payments;
Amendment 333 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
New subheading after paragraph 275
New subheading after paragraph 275
Implementation problems in Greece
Amendment 334 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 275 a (new)
Paragraph 275 a (new)
275a. Calls for clarification as to which unfinished Greek EU projects can no longer be funded after 31 December 2015; calls for clarification as to what is to happen with each of these projects now;
Amendment 335 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
New subheading after paragraph 275
New subheading after paragraph 275
Implementation problems in the Czech Republic
Amendment 336 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 275 a (new)
Paragraph 275 a (new)
275a. Notes with concern the problems with procurement for Structural Fund expenditure monitoring systems in 2007- 2013 and also in 2014-2020, and those involving the 'Stork's Nest Farm' project, and calls for clarification as to why these problems arise in every funding period, as well as on the current state of the fraud investigations and the recovery of irregularly obtained funds;
Amendment 337 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 275 b (new)
Paragraph 275 b (new)
275b. Demands proof that the former employee of the Czech Ministry of Regional Development who has moved to the office of the Commissioner for Regional Policy is not pursuing the regional policy interests of the Czech Republic there;
Amendment 338 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 276
Paragraph 276
276. Notes OLAF's effort to implement most of the recommendations of its supervisory committee101 (SC); wishes to be informed, however, on whether the fundamental differences on whether respective recommendations have been implemented or not; expects in the Future that OLAF clearly states, where and in how far it deviates from the original recommendations issued by the SC; notes that 2014 was the first year in which the SC has decided to follow-up on the recommendations previously issued; calls on OLAF and the SC to repeat this exercise on a yearly basis; __________________ 101 See Follow up to the European Parliament resolution on the OLAF Supervisory Committee's annual report 2014, adopted by the Commission on 23 September 2015.
Amendment 339 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 276 a (new)
Paragraph 276 a (new)
276a. Urges OLAF to implement the recommendations on the direct participation of the Director General in investigations as Article 7(1) and (2) of regulation No. 883/2013 clearly stipulate that investigations are to be conducted by staff appointed by the Director General and not by the Director General himself as this may create situation with conflicting objectives;
Amendment 340 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 276 b (new)
Paragraph 276 b (new)
276b. Expects OLAF to implement the recommendation of the Supervisory Committee to include the verification of any potential conflict of interest between the duties of a national expert and his participation in investigation activities in the respective case file;
Amendment 341 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 276 c (new)
Paragraph 276 c (new)
276c. Is strongly convinced that the Supervisor Committee should be informed of all dismissed cases in which information has been transmitted to national judicial authorities, in accordance with Article 17(5) of Regulation No 883/2013, in order to protect the procedural guarantees of the persons concerned with the allegations; demands from OLAF to implement the Supervisory Committee's recommendation as soon as possible;
Amendment 342 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 276 d (new)
Paragraph 276 d (new)
276d. Notes that OLAF closed in 2014 a total of 307 investigations and coordinate activities; in 147 of these investigations OLAF issued a recommendation which gives a follow-up rate of 47%; notes that in years prior to 2011 the rate was regularly above 50%; expects that OLAF undertakes measures to restore its effectiveness permanently by improving its selection procedure; is of the opinion that OLAF should reconsider recommendation No. 31 of the Supervisory Committee to increase its effectiveness;
Amendment 343 #
2015/2154(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 277 a (new)
Paragraph 277 a (new)
277a. Expects from the Commission to waive the immunity of the Director General and all other OLAF employees concerned in order to enable the Belgium judicial authorities to investigate the possibly unlawful recording of a telephone conversations (scripted by OLAF) between a witness (instigated by OLAF to make the call) and a person concerned on the premises OLAF and under the assistance of OLAF investigators; is of the opinion that the Commission would by not waiving the immunity set precedence for detaching OLAF from any judicial control and grant absolution to any investigative measure used by the Office;
Amendment 2 #
2015/2132(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission to provide Parliament with a summary of the costs actually incurred and the funding tranches made available for the structural fund projects already funded during the 2000-2006 and 2007-2013 funding periods and for those which have still not yet been completed;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that 1 649 out of a total of 16 473 irregularities reported to the Commission in 2014 were fraudulent,; notes that all reported irregularities involvinge an amount of around EUR 3.24 billion, of which about EUR 2.27 billion related to expenditure, representing 1.8% of total payments;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines that the overall financial impact of fraudulent and non-fraudulent irregularities reported in 2014 is 36% greater than in 2013, while the number of such irregularities registered increased by 48%;
Amendment 14 #
2015/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is concerned about the VAT gap and the estimated losses on VAT collection, which amounted to EUR 168 billion in 2013; underlines the fact that in many Member States VAT fraud and avoidance remains at a continuously high level13 out of 26 EU countries examined in 2014, the average estimated VAT loss exceeded 15,2%; reiterates that the Commission has the competence to control and supervise measures taken by the Member States1 ; calls on the Commission to make full use of its executive powers in order to both control and help the Member States in their fight against VAT fraud and tax avoidance; acknowledges the fact that since 2013 Commission has been using the Quick Reaction Mechanism in order to deal with massive and sudden VAT fraud; __________________ 1 Council Regulations (EU, Euratom) No 1553/89/EEC and (EU, Euratom) No 608/2014.
Amendment 30 #
2015/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that the irregularities linked to the Common Fisheries Policy in 2014 returned to a level comparable to 2012 after a one-year peak in 2013; expresses concern regarding the high amount of non- fraudulent and fraudulent cases reported by Spain, Poland, the United Kingdom and Romania;
Amendment 32 #
2015/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that in the area of cohesion policy the trend for the number of irregularities reported as fraudulent is stabilising, with 306 cases reported; is seriously concerned about the increase of over EUR 115 million, which is mainly due to a sharp increase (by 660 %) in reported fraudulent irregularities in the 2007-2013 cohesion fund programming period from EUR 21 million to EUR 161 million; takes note that out of 74 cases of established fraud in the cohesion policy between 2008 and 2014, 61 (82%) were reported by three Member States - Germany (42 cases), Poland (11 cases) and Slovenia (8 cases); expresses concern that 14 Member States have a 0% established fraud ratio for that period of time which may raise questions to the efficiency of their systems of control.
Amendment 34 #
2015/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Is furthermore worried that the overall time gap between the occurrence of an irregularity, its detection and finally its reporting to the Commission is increasing in the cohesion area up to 3 years and 4 months; recalls that after the detection of the irregularity further procedures kick in (recovery orders, OLAF investigations etc.); urges the Commission to work together with Member States to improve the detection and reporting efficiency;
Amendment 61 #
2015/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Reiterates its strong views on theviews that there is an urgent need to adopt the PIF Directive, with VAT included in its scope and with a clear definition of PIF offences, minimum andrules for maximum applicable imprisonment penalties, and minimum rules on the statute of limitations as soon as possible; recalls the Taricco Case, in which the Court of Justice of the European Union draws attention to the fact that VAT is a TORfraud is indeed included in the 1995 PIF Convention's definition of PIF fraud;
Amendment 88 #
2015/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Is of the opinion that the Supervisory Committee should, as a matter of consistency with its mandate, have autonomous staff who are detached from the OLAF administration and financial autonomy; calls on OLAF to grant the SC access to the documents necessary to fulfil its task; urges the Commission to put forward a proposal to change the OLAF regulation in this sense;
Amendment 89 #
2015/2128(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Urges the Commission to give full transparency on all demands of national prosecutors to lift immunity of OLAF staff including the OLAF Director- General.
Amendment 11 #
2015/2110(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Is concerned about the increasing professionalisation of people smuggling and the related increase in profits for smuggling and trafficking networks as a result of the continuing flows of refugees to Europe; calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure that progress is made on international cooperation to combat trafficking in order to eradicate people smuggling and minimise the influence of trafficking networks;
Amendment 12 #
2015/2110(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Points out that Greece received around EUR 655 million in 2015 from national programmes and the emergency support system for the refugee crisis; calls on the Commission to ensure that proper use was made of these funds and to inform Parliament of its findings;
Amendment 17 #
2015/2110(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights in this regard that it is urgent thate urgent need for an agreement between the Parliament and the Council find an agreement on the Directive on the fight against fraud to the Union’s financial interests by means of criminal law (PIF Directive) with VAT included ; notes that the only thing standing in the way of such an agreement is the Council’s blocking of any progress on including VAT in the scope of the directive; calls on the Council to rethink its scopetance in the light of the ECJ ruling in the Taricco case (C-105/14), which clearly endorses Parliament’s legal position;
Amendment 36 #
2015/2110(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Is concerned that 71.15 % of the expenditure for visitors’ groups in 2014 was paid in cash; notes the study produced by the Court of Auditors, in which it drew attention to the ‘high risk’ practice of making cash payments for the reimbursement of costs for visitors’ groups; demands that all cash payments for visitors’ groups be abolished;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2104(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Recalls that the European Union and its Member States are collectively the largest financial donor to the UN budget; insists, therefore, in the spirit of the "Delivering as One" initiative (one leader, one budget, one programme, one office), on the need to ensure a higher degree of visibility of EU funding channelled through the UN, as well as an efficient use of these funds; demands that the UN and the Commission keep the European Parliament fully informed about the UN's implementation of Union contributions;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2104(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Appreciates the fact that channelling Union aid through the UN enables the EU to reach regions of the world which it might not be able to reach on its own; is aware of the high inherent risk involved when delivering aid in conflict-affected regions; regrets, however, that the reporting to the Commission by its partner organisations entrusted with implementing the Union budget under indirect management is often delayed, incomplete or insufficiently result- oriented, thus preventing the Commission from properly exercising its monitoring function;
Amendment 9 #
2015/2104(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Welcomes, in this context, the recent agreement of the co-legislators on an amendment to the Financial Regulation, which obliges the UN and other such partner organisations to notify the Commission of any detected case of irregularity or fraud affecting the Union budget; considers, however, that the Commission's possibilities to directly assess the correctness, efficiency and sustainability of Union funding channelled via the UN should be strengthened;
Amendment 24 #
2015/2041(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Encourages the dissemination of the conflict-of-interest policy among officials alongside ongoing awareness-raising activities; considers that a distinction should be made between elected representatives and public officials in the legislation on conflicts of interest; believes that there should also be such regulations in the Member States for public officials and civil servants involved in the administration and monitoring of EU subsidies; calls on the Commission to submit a draft legal basis on this matter.
Amendment 92 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Reiterates its call to the Council to join the lobby register as soon as possible; considers it regrettable that the Council has still not adopted a code of conduct for its members; considers that all EU institutions should reach agreement on a common code of conduct; insists that the Council must be just as accountable and transparent as the other institutions; (Partially quoted from the opinion of the Committee on Budgetary Control)
Amendment 198 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls on the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Ombudsman and the Council of the European Union to publish a meaningful declaration of the financial interests of their members;
Amendment 289 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Considers control by Parliament of the financing of EuropeaDraws attention to the European regulation on political parties tNo be an unnecessary conflict of interest; 1141/2014 and the EU Financial Regulation No 966/2012, under which Parliament selects independent external auditors to check that its grants have been properly used by the European political parties;
Amendment 298 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for control of the financing of European political pUnderlines the importance of this independent control, which is complemented by the discharge procedure cartries to be assigned to a neutral bodyd out by the competent committee and the decision of the whole Parliament;
Amendment 301 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. New heading: Making EU governance more democratic
Amendment 303 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Takes the view that the lack of a law on Commissioners, by analogy with laws on ministers in the Member States, constitutes a serious gap in the law; calls on the Commission to submit a corresponding legislative text laying down the obligations and rights of office- holders in the EU, in accordance with the codecision procedure;
Amendment 304 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 c (new)
Paragraph 26 c (new)
26c. Calls for the decision fixing the remuneration of Commissioners, including their salaries, which has been taken exclusively by the Council since the European Communities were founded, to be transferred to the codecision procedure;
Amendment 312 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Asks that annexes attached to answers to parliamentary questions should also be published on the Internet;
Amendment 318 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. New heading: Conflicts of interest in shared management and in third countries in connection with the management of EU funds
Amendment 323 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29b. Points out that some Member States do not have laws on ministers that exclude the possibility of office-holders being sole or part-owners of businesses;
Amendment 324 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 c (new)
Paragraph 29 c (new)
29c. Sees a serious conflict of interest in the possibility that businesses owned by EU office-holders may apply for EU funds or may receive such funds as subcontractors, while the owners and office-holders themselves bear responsibility for both the proper use of funds and for controlling their use;
Amendment 325 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 d (new)
Paragraph 29 d (new)
29d. Calls on the Commission to incorporate a clause in all future EU laws on payments to the effect that businesses owned by office-holders in the EU Member States and in third countries may not apply for or receive any EU funding;
Amendment 448 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46a. New heading: Immunity for EU staff in non-EU countries only
Amendment 450 #
2015/2041(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 b (new)
Paragraph 46 b (new)
46b. Considers the immunity of EU staff from criminal proceedings in Member States, which dates back 64 years, to be a privilege that has long been obsolete; calls for this privilege under the Protocol to the Treaty to be confined to EU staff in countries outside the EU;
Amendment 45 #
2015/2012(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Believes that, in order to ensure adequate support to the Members for the accomplishment of their parliamentary activities, a new balance needs to be found between accredited parliamentary assistants and local assistantthe parliamentary assistance allowance should better reflect the challenges Members are facing in Parliament and in their constituencies; requests the Secretary-General to present a proposal for a decision to the Bureau to this end as soon as possible; expects that the final decision shall enter into force as of January 2016;
Amendment 71 #
2015/2012(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Notes that for 2016 it is proposed to remove 57 posts from the establishment plan of the Parliament's Secretariat, which should save some EUR 1,85,7 million; notes that it is proposed to remove two further posts from the Parliament's establishment plan and transferred to the Commission in connection with two interinstitutional IT projects under Commission management, and that two additional posts will therefore be created in the Commission establishment plan for 2016;
Amendment 73 #
2015/2012(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Takes note of the proposal of the Secretary-General to create 25 additional posts to reinforce DG SAFE in order to improve the effectiveness of the security systems inside and outside the Parliament's premises, the buildings' fire prevention, as well as to ensure an appropriate protection for its Members, staff and high level guests on the Parliament's premises; asks for the precise cost of these posts;
Amendment 80 #
2015/2012(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Notes that, to this end, the Secretary- General proposes the creation of 20 additional posts in order to reinforce the secretariats of the four parliamentary committees concerned (ECON, ENVI, ITRE and TRAN); considers that this reinforcement can be accepted only after the examination of the possibilities of internal redeployment; asks furthermore for a complete overview of the development of posts in Parliament, assessing also to what extent this development is in line with the 5 % staff reduction target;
Amendment 18 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The EFSI should support strategic investments with high economic value added contributing to achieving Union policy objectives. In this perspective, EFSI support to infrastructure networks should contribute to the objectives of the Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 for transport, Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 for energy networks and Regulation (EU) No 283/201 for telecommunication infrastructure. Projects with synergies between the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors should be given particular attention.
Amendment 25 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19a) Payments into the guarantee fund should have a target amount of EUR 200m in 2016, EUR 300m in 2017, EUR 1bn in 2018, EUR 2bn in 2019, to be gradually authorised by the European Parliament and the Council in the framework of the annual budgetary procedure, taking into account the effective use of the EU guarantee and the assessment of the additionality of operation conducted under EFSI compared to normal EIB operations.
Amendment 26 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 a (new)
Recital 20 a (new)
(20a) Financial contributions to the EFSI by Member States or national promotional banks, including possible participation in investment projects, shall only be possible, if negative effects on their credit rating can be ruled out by a certificate of a rating agency submitted to the EFSI Steering Board.
Amendment 29 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) EIB financing and investment operations supported by the EFSI should be managed in accordance with the EIB’s own rules and proceduresRegulation (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, including appropriate control measures and measures taken to avoid tax evasion, as well as with the relevant rules and procedures concerning the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the Court of Auditors, including the Tripartite agreement between the European Commission, the European Court of Auditors and the European Investment Bank.
Amendment 38 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) Given the nature of their constitution, neitherir assimilation to Union financial instruments, the EU guarantee to the EIB norand the guarantee fund are 'financial instruments' within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council4 should comply with the principles of sound financial management, transparency, proportionality, non- discrimination, equal treatment and subsidiarity as referred to in Article 140 of Regulation (EU) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council4 and, where appropriate, to the provisions in Article 139 of Regulation (EU, Euratom ) No 966/2012. __________________ 4 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 44 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) To ensure accountability to European citizens, the EIB should regularly report to the European Parliament and the Council on the progress and impact of the EFSI, in particular as regards the additionality of operation conducted under EFSI compared to normal EIB operations.
Amendment 49 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The purpose of the EFSI shall be to support investments in the Union and to ensure increased access to financing for companies having up to 3000 employees, with a particular focus on small and medium enterprises, through the supply of risk bearing capacity to the EIB ('EFSI Agreement'), in accordance with the principles of sound financial management, transparency, proportionality, non-discrimination, equal treatment and subsidiarity.
Amendment 50 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 a (new)
Article 1 a (new)
Amendment 51 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) provisions governing the establishment of the EFSI as a distinct, clearly identifiable and transparent guarantee facility and separate account managed by the EIB for which the EIB and the Commission is subject to an annual discharge decision by Parliament and Council in accordance with Article 319 TFEU and Articles 164, 165 and 166 of Regulation 996/2012;
Amendment 52 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) provisions on how the Commission will assume full responsibility for the actual use of EU funds managed by the EFSI, as provided by Article 17(1) TEU and 317 TFEU and prevent the diffusion of accountability;
Amendment 57 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point h
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point h
(h) provisions on the financing necessary forlegal form, the operational structure and the financing the EIAH in accordance with the third subparagraph of paragraph 2;
Amendment 58 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point h a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point h a (new)
(ha) provisions on an unconditional capping of expenses incurred by the EIB on behalf of the EFSI;
Amendment 60 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 4
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 4
The EFSI Agreement shall provide that remuneration attributable to the Union from EFSI supported operations shall be provided up to an unconditional cap following the deduction of payments due to calls on the EU guarantee and, subsequently, costs in accordance with the third subparagraph of paragraph 2 and with Article 5(3).
Amendment 66 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 a (new)
Article 2 a (new)
Article 2 a Financial Rules The financial rules applicable to the EFSI and the EIAH shall be adopted by the Steering Board. They may not deviate from Regulation (EC, Euratom) No. 966/2012. In the framework of the negotiations to the EFSI Agreement prior to the setup of the EFSI or after a formal request of the Steering Committee, the Commission may be empowered to allow in duly justified cases for derogations in the form of transitional financial rules by means of a delegated act in accordance with Article 290 TFEU and Article 17 of this regulation. Such transitional rules shall be valid for a maximum of three years or until Parliament and Council amend Regulation (EC, Euratom) No. 966/2012 to incorporate the special requirements of the EFSI.
Amendment 67 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The EFSI Agreement shall provide that the Commission and the EIB are directly responsible and accountable vis-à-vis the Budgetary Authority for the management of all funds and guarantees handled by the EFSI. For this purpose the EFSI shall be governed by a Steering Board, which shall determine the strategic orientation, the strategic asset allocation and operating policies and procedures, including the investment policy of projects that EFSI can support and the risk profile of the EFSI, in conformity with the objectives under Article 5(2). The Steering Board shall elect one of its members to be Chairperson.
Amendment 72 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
For as long as the only contributors to the EFSI are the Union and the EIB, the number of members and votes within the Steering Board shall be allocated based on the respective size of contributions in the form of cash or guaranteeSteering Board shall comprise four members: a member of the Commission, and two further representatives of the Commission as well as the Director of the EIB. The Steering Board shall elect a Chairperson from among its members for a renewable fixed term of three years.
Amendment 76 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. The EFSI Agreement shall provide that an advisory group which may be composed of representatives of all banks, including national promotional banks, participating in projects at national and local levels covered by the EU guarantee in accordance with Article 4. The advisory group meet once a year in Luxembourg in the premises of the EIB organized by the EIB; all other communication and exchange among the advisory group members shall be conducted in writing and published after one year. It may accompany the Steering Board, the Investment Committee and the Managing Director with research in order to constantly improve the operations of the EFSI. All costs and travel expenses related to the Group shall be borne by the entities that wish to be represented in the Group.
Amendment 77 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
The Managing Director shall report every quarter on the activities of the EFSI to the Steering Board and shall be – together with the EIB Director and the Commissioner responsible – subject to a discharge decision by Parliament and the Council for all funds managed within the EFSI.
Amendment 80 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. After hearing the Steering Board, the Commission shall, upon receiving the consent of the EIB, provide the European Parliament with a shortlist of candidates for the positions of Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director. The Commission shall, upon receiving the consent of the EIB, submit to the European Parliament for approval a proposal for the appointment of the Managing Director and the Deputy Managing Director. Following the approval of that proposal, the Steering Board shall appoint the Managing Director and the Deputy Managing Director for a renewable fixed term of three years.
Amendment 82 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
The EFSI Agreement shall provide that the EFSI shall have an Investment Committee, which shall be responsible for examining potential operations in line with the EFSI investment policies and approving the support of the EU guarantee for operations in line with Article 5, irrespective of their geographic location within the European Union.
Amendment 84 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
The Investment Committee shall be composed of six independent experts and the Managing Director. Independent experts shall have a high level of relevant market experience in project finance and be appointed by the Steering Board for a renewable fixed term of three years. For these purposes, the Steering Board shall draw up a list of at least 16 experts (of which 8 are men and 8 are women) and submit it to the European Parliament. After having heard the experts from this list, the European Parliament shall adopt a decision proposing eight of these experts to the Steering Board for appointment.
Amendment 88 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. CVs and declarations of interest of each member of the Investment Committee shall be made public, constantly updated and be subject to thorough validity checks of the Commission and the EIB.
Amendment 89 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
The Union shall provide a guarantee to the EIB for financing or investment operations carried out within the Union covered by this Regulation ('EU guarantee'). The EU guarantee shall also be provided to national promotional banks or institutions, in accordance with Article 58(c) of 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, and investment platforms. The EU guarantee shall be granted as a guarantee on demand in respect of instruments referred to in Article 6.
Amendment 90 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Contingent legal claims against the Commission by EFSI beneficiaries shall be limited to the EU Guarantee.
Amendment 92 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
The EU guarantee shall only 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 consistent with Union policies that are approved by the Investment Committee referred to in Article 3(5). The operations concerned shall be consistent with Union policies, complementary to existing Union funds or aid schemes, providing European added value and support any of the following general objectives:
Amendment 95 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) development of infrastructure, including in the areas of transport, particularly in industrial centresfor clean urban transport and projects along the Transeuropean network for transport, as defined by Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 ; energy, in particular energy interconnections; and digital infrastructure;
Amendment 99 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
In accordance with Article 17 of the Statute of the European Investment Bank, the EIB shall charge the beneficiaries of the financing operations to cover its expenses related to the EFSI up to an unconditional cap provided for in the EFSI agreement. The risk of non-recoverable EIB expenses shall be born entirely by the EIB.. Without prejudice to sub-paragraph 2 and 3, no administrative expenditure or any other fees of the EIB for financing and investment activities conducted by the EIB under this Regulation shall be covered from the Union budget.
Amendment 102 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
The EIB may call the EU guarantee, in accordance with Article 2(1)(e), within a cumulated maximum limit corresponding to 1% of the total outstanding EU guarantee obligationsup to an unconditional cap provided for in the EFSI agreement to cover expenses that whilst charged to beneficiaries of the financing operations, have not been recovered.
Amendment 103 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
Fees of the EIB should the EIB provide funding to the EIF on behalf of the EFSI which is backed by the EU guarantee in accordance with Article 7(2) may be covered from the Union budget. Such Fees shall be unconditionally capped in the EFSI Agreement.
Amendment 104 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 4
Article 5 – paragraph 4
4. Provided that all relevant eligibility criteria are fulfilled, Member States may use European Structural and Investment Funds to contribute to the financing of eligible projects in which the EIB is investing with the support of the EU guarantee. Where, in such cases, several legal frameworks of the Union are applicable to the management and control of such projects, Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 and the relevant sectoral funding legislation shall take precedence.
Amendment 106 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
For the purposes of Article 5(2), the EIB shall use the EU Guarantee towards risk coverage foronly for the coverage of credit risk of eligible instruments a. As a rule on a portfolio basisthe EU Guarantee shall only be used on basis of the portfolio of eligible instruments used to fund projects approved by the Investment Committee referred to in Article 3(5).
Amendment 108 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. The EU guarantee to the EIB shall be of an amount equal to EUR 16 000 000 000, of which a maximum amount of EUR 2 500 000 000 may be allocated for EIB funding to the EIF in accordance with paragraph 2. Without prejudice to Article 8(9), aggregate payments from the Union under the guarantee to the EIB shall not exceed the amount of the guarantee, thus excluding contingent liabilities for the Union budget. Legal claims of final beneficiaries against the Union above and beyond this guarantee shall be excluded.
Amendment 109 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The coverage of the guarantee over a particular type of instrument portfolio, referred to in Article 6, shall be determined by the credit risk of that portfolio. The Steering Committee shall approve and justify in its decision the use of a certain risk measure and the methodology for its calculation. The EU guarantee shall be eligible to provide either first loss guarantees on a portfolio basis or a full guarantee. The EU guarantee may be granted on a pari passu basis with other contributors. Member States and national promotional banks may only contribute with guarantees or contributions, if negative effects on the credit rating of the Member States can be ruled out by a certificate of a rating agency.
Amendment 111 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The Managing Director shall make the risk measures of the portfolios covered by the EU Guarantee, the methodology and the data with which the risk of a particular instrument portfolio is determined easily publically accessible and update the information at the end of each week.
Amendment 113 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. Where the EIB calls the EU guarantee in accordance with the EFSI Agreement, the Union shall pay on demand in accordance with the terms of that Agreement. Such a payment is limited to the amount of either the funds not yet called by the EIB from the EU Guarantee set in Article 7(1). All further losses and risks are borne by the other contributors to the portfolio and the stakeholders of the projects. The EU assumes no contingent liabilities exceeding the EU Guarantee set in Article 7(1).
Amendment 114 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The EFSI Agreement shall incorporate a general immunity of the EU and waivers against legal claims by EFSI beneficiaries against the Commission that go beyond the EU guarantee;
Amendment 117 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) any other paymentscontribution received by the Union in accordance with the EFSI Agreement. While Member States and national promotional banks may only contribute with guarantees or contributions, if negative effects on the credit rating of the Member States can be ruled out by a certificate of a rating agency.
Amendment 118 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Article 8 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
The target amount shall initially be met by the gradual payment of resources referred to in paragraph 2(a). If there have been calls on the guarantee during the initial constitution of the guarantee fund, endowments to the guarantee fund provided for in points (b), (c) and (d) of paragraph 2 shall also contribute to meet the target amount up to an amount equal to the calls on the guarantee and accompanied by endowments to the guarantee fund provided for in points (b), (c) and (d) of paragraph 2.
Amendment 126 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission and the EIB shall develop, update and disseminate, on a regular and structured basis, information on all current and future investments which significantly contribute to achieving EU policy obin a publically accessible project database that also provides aggregate statistics and time series on a variety of project data, e.g. the costs, structure of the funding, the financing leverage of the EFSI contribution, performance- and impact indicators of the projectives.
Amendment 127 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Article 9 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall develop, update and disseminate together with the EIB, on a regular and structured basis, information on all current and future investment projects in their territory.
Amendment 132 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) an assessment of EIB financing and investment operations at operation, sector, country and regional levels and their compliance with this Regulation and Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012, together with an assessment of the allocation of EIB financing and investment operations between the objectives in Article 5(2);:
Amendment 133 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) an assessment of the added value and performance of projects in terms of estimated and realized return on investment at project maturity, the additionality of operation conducted under EFSI compared to normal EIB operations, the mobilisation of private sector resources, the estimated and actual outputs, outcomes and impact of EIB financing and investment operations at an aggregated basis;
Amendment 134 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) the targeted leverage effect, and the achieved leverage effect;
Amendment 135 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point b b (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point b b (new)
(bb) an assessment of the contribution to the objectives of the Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 for transport, Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 for energy networks and Regulation (EU) No 283/201 for telecommunication infrastructure;
Amendment 138 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) an assessment of the quality of EIB financing and investment operations and the risks associated with this investment operations;
Amendment 139 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(da) the financial intermediaries involved in implementation, including any issues relating to the application of Articles 14 and 15;
Amendment 140 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point d b (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point d b (new)
(db) list of EFSI beneficiaries, including borrowers of EU-guaranteed financials instruments implemented by the EIB under the EFSI agreement;
Amendment 141 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) detailed information on calls on the EU guarantee, losses, returns, amounts recovered and any other payments received;
Amendment 142 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(ea) the value of equity investments, with respect to previous years, and the accumulated figures for impairments of assets of equity;
Amendment 144 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point f
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) the financial statements of the EFSI. accompanied by an opinion of an independent external auditor;
Amendment 145 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
(fa) detailed information on projects which received contributions from the European Structural and Investment Funds to the financing of eligible projects in which the EIB is investing with the support of the EU guarantee, as provided for in Article 5(4).
Amendment 147 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. For the purposes of the Commission's accounting and reporting of the risks covered by the EU guarantee and management of the guarantee fund, the EIB, in cooperation with the EIF as appropriate, shall provide the Commission and the European Court of Auditors every year:
Amendment 150 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new)
(ca) the development of the value at risk and other risk measures for the overall project portfolio holding and for the portfolios of each type of eligible instrument;
Amendment 153 #
2015/0009(COD)
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 reportthe annual accounts, the financial statement and an annual report in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 996/2012 on the situation of the guarantee fund and the management thereof in the previous calendar year.
Amendment 154 #
2015/0009(COD)
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, the Commissioner responsible and the Chair of the EIB Board of Directors shall participate in annual discharge hearings of the European Parliament on the performance and financial management of the EFSI.
Amendment 158 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. The Managing Director, the Chair of the EFSI Steering Board, the Commissioner responsible and the Chair of the EIB Board of Directors shall reply orally or in writing to questions addressed to the EFSI by the European Parliament, in any event within five weeks of receipt of a question.
Amendment 161 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. In cooperation with the EIB and with the EIF as appropriate, the Commission shall report on the financial performance of the EFSI in the evaluation report referred to in Article 318 TFEU.
Amendment 162 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3 b (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. The EIB shall submit to the European Parliament, on request, any information during the discharge procedure.
Amendment 163 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
At the latest [PO insert date: 18 months after the entry into force of this Regulation] the EIB shall evaluate the functioning of the EFSI, also with regard to the EFSI projects based on the sub-programmes, and evaluate the lifecycle of the targeted investments. The EIB shall submit its evaluation to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission;. This evaluation shall be accompanied by an opinion of the Court of Auditors.
Amendment 165 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
At the latest [PO insert date: 18 months after the entry into force of this Regulation] the Commission shall evaluate the use of the EU guarantee and the functioning of the guarantee fund, also with regard to the projects benefiting from the guarantees based on the sub-programmes, and evaluate the lifecycle of the targeted investments., including the use of endowments according to Article 8(9). The Commission shall submit its evaluation to the European Parliament and the Council. This evaluation shall be accompanied by an opinion of the Court of Auditors.
Amendment 168 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) the EIB shall publish a comprehensive report on the functioning of the EFSI and on the EFSI projects based on the sub- programmes, so as to match the lifecycle of the targeted investments;
Amendment 169 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) the Commission shall publish a comprehensive report on the use of the EU guarantee and the functioning of the guarantee fund. and on the projects benefitting from the guarantee based on the sub-programmes, so as to match the lifecycle of the targeted investments;
Amendment 173 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
In accordance with its own transparency policies on access to documents and information, the EIB shall make publicly available on its website information relating to all EIB financing and investment operations and how they contribute to the general objectives referred to in Article 5(2). In case of a detailed arrangement between the Commission and the EIB with regard to exchange of information and the public disclosure of information, the agreement shall be made public.
Amendment 180 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
The EU guarantee and the payments and recoveries under it that are attributable to the general budget of the Union shall be audited by the Court of Auditorsexternal audits of the activities undertaken in accordance with this Regulation shall be carried out by the Court of Auditors in accordance with Article 287 TFEU. The Commission shall ensure that the Court of Auditors is able to exert its right as provided for in the first subparagraph of Article 287(3) TFEU and has full access to all information it needs to carry out its audits. All parties concerned by the activities undertaken in accordance with this Regulation shall be made aware of the right of the Court of Auditors as provided for in the first subparagraph of Article 287(3). The EIB, the EIF, all financial intermediaries involved in the activities undertaken in accordance with the EFSI Regulation and final recipients shall afford the Court of Auditors all the facilities and give it all the information which the Court of Auditors considers necessary for the performance of its task, pursuant to Article 161 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012.
Amendment 189 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
OLAF may carry out investigations, including on-the-spot checks and inspections, in accordance with the provisions and procedures laid down in Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council(5 ), Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96(6 ) and Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 (7 ) in order to protect the financial interests of the Union, with a view to establishing whether there has been fraud, corruption, money laundering, financing of terrorism, tax fraud and tax evasion, or any other illegal activity affecting the financial interests of the Union in connection with any operations supported by the EU guaranteeunder this regulation. OLAF may transmit to the competent authorities of the Member States concerned information obtained in the course of investigations. __________________ 5 Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 September 2013 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 (OJ L 248, 18.9.2013, p. 1). 6 Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities' financial interests against fraud and other irregularities (OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2). 7 Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Communities financial interests (OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1).
Amendment 190 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Where such illegal activitieOLAF recommends the recovery due to illegal activities including money laundering, financing of terrorism, tax fraud and tax evasion, corruption, or fraud affecting the financial interests established during its investigations are proven, the EIB shall undertake recovery efforts with respect to its operations supported by the EU guarantee.
Amendment 191 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The EFSI should support strategic investments with high economic value added contributing to achieving Union policy objectives. In this perspective, EFSI support to infrastructure networks should contribute to the objectives of the Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 for transport, Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 for energy networks and Regulation (EU) No 283/201 for telecommunication infrastructure. Projects with synergies between the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors should be given particular attention.
Amendment 192 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3
Article 15 – paragraph 3
3. Financing agreements signed in relation to operations supported under this Regulation shall include clauses allowing exclusion from EIB financing and investment operations and, if necessary, appropriate recovery measures in cases of fraud, corruption or other illegal activity in accordance with the EFSI Agreement, EIB policies and applicable regulatory requirements. The decision whether to apply an exclusion from the EIB financing and investment operation shall be taken in accordance with the relevant financing or investment agreement. These agreements shall be notified to the European Parliament.
Amendment 193 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. In its financing and investment operations, the EIB, the EIF and all financial intermediaries shall not support any activities carried out for illegal purposes, including money laundering, financing of terrorism, tax fraud and tax evasion, corruption, or fraud affecting the financial interests of the Union. In particular the EIB shall not participate in any financing or investment operation through a vehicle located in a non- cooperative jurisdiction, in line with its policy towards weakly regulated or non- cooperative jurisdictions based on policies of the Union, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development or the Financial Action Task Force.
Amendment 203 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2
Article 20 – paragraph 2
The Commission shall assess those operations and, where they comply with the substantive requirements set out in Article 5 and in the EFSI Agreement, decide that the EU guarantee coverage extends to them and inform the European Parliament thereof.
Amendment 378 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19a) Payments into the guarantee fund should have a target amount of EUR 200m in 2016, EUR 300m in 2017, EUR 1bn in 2018, EUR 2bn in 2019, to be gradually authorised by the European Parliament and the Council in the framework of the annual budgetary procedure, taking into account the effective use of the EU guarantee and the assessment of the additionality of operation conducted under EFSI compared to normal EIB operations.
Amendment 386 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 a (new)
Recital 20 a (new)
(20a) Financial contributions to the EFSI by Member States or national promotional banks, including possible participation in investment projects, shall only be possible, if negative effects on the credit rating of the Member State can be ruled out by a certificate of a rating agency submitted to the EFSI Steering Board.
Amendment 420 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) EIB financing and investment operations supported by the EFSI should be managed in accordance with the EIB’s own rules and proceduresRegulation (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, including appropriate control measures and measures taken to avoid tax evasion, as well as with the relevant rules and procedures concerning the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the Court of Auditors, including the Tripartite agreement between the European Commission, the European Court of Auditors and the European Investment Bank.
Amendment 491 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) Given the nature of their constitution, neitherir assimilation to Union financial instruments, the EU guarantee to the EIB norand the guarantee fund are 'financial instruments' within the meaningshould comply with the principles of sound financial management, transparency, proportionality, non- discrimination, equal treatment and subsidiarity as referred to in Article 140 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council4 .and, where appropriate, to the provisions in Article 139 of Regulation (EU, Euratom ) No 966/2012.4 __________________ 4 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 517 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) To ensure accountability to European citizens, the EIB should regularly report to the European Parliament and the Council on the progress and impact of the EFSI, in particular as regards the additionality of operation conducted under EFSI compared to normal EIB operations.
Amendment 560 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The purpose of the EFSI shall be to support investments in the Union and to ensure increased access to financing for companies having up to 3000 employees, with a particular focus on small and medium enterprises, through the supply of risk bearing capacity to the EIB ('EFSI Agreement'), in accordance with the principles of sound financial management, transparency, proportionality, non-discrimination, equal treatment and subsidiarity.
Amendment 608 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 a (new)
Article 1 a (new)
Amendment 624 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) provisions governing the establishment of the EFSI as a distinct, clearly identifiable and transparent guarantee facility and separate account managed by the EIB for which the EIB and the Commission is subject to an annual discharge decision by Parliament and Council in accordance with Article 319 TFEU and Articles 164, 165 and 166 of Regulation 996/2012;
Amendment 629 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) provisions on how the Commission will assume full responsibility for the actual use of EU funds managed by the EFSI, as provided by Article 17(1) TEU and 317 TFEU and prevent the diffusion of accountability;
Amendment 663 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point h
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point h
(h) provisions on the financing necessary forlegal form, the operational structure and the financing the EIAH in accordance with the third subparagraph of paragraph 2;
Amendment 664 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point h a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point h a (new)
(ha) provisions on an unconditional capping of expenses incurred by the EIB on behalf of the EFSI;
Amendment 688 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 4
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 4
The EFSI Agreement shall provide that remuneration attributable to the Union from EFSI supported operations shall be provided up to an unconditional cap following the deduction of payments due to calls on the EU guarantee and, subsequently, costs in accordance with the third subparagraph of paragraph 2 and with Article 5(3).
Amendment 739 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 a (new)
Article 2 a (new)
Article 2a Financial Rules The financial rules applicable to the EFSI and the EIAH shall be adopted by the Steering Board. They may not deviate from Regulation (EC, Euratom) No. 966/2012. In the framework of the negotiations to the EFSI Agreement prior to the setup of the EFSI or after a formal request of the Steering Committee, the Commission may be empowered to allow in duly justified cases for derogations in the form of transitional financial rules by means of a delegated act in accordance with Article 290 TFEU and Article 17 of this regulation. Such transitional rules shall be valid for a maximum of three years or until Parliament and Council amend Regulation (EC, Euratom) No. 966/2012 to incorporate the special requirements of the EFSI.
Amendment 750 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The EFSI Agreement shall provide that the Commission and the EIB are directly responsible and accountable vis-à-vis the Budgetary Authority for the management of all funds and guarantees handled by the EFSI. For this purpose the EFSI shall be governed by a Steering Board, which shall determine the strategic orientation, the strategic asset allocation and operating policies and procedures, including the investment policy of projects that EFSI can support and the risk profile of the EFSI, in conformity with the objectives under Article 5(2). The Steering Board shall elect one of its members to be Chairperson.
Amendment 777 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
For as long as the only contributors to the EFSI are the Union and the EIB, the number of members and votes within the Steering Board shall be allocated based on the respective size of contributions in the form of cash or guaranteeSteering Board shall comprise four members: a member of the Commission, and two further representatives of the Commission as well as the Director of the EIB. The Steering Board shall elect a Chairperson from among its members for a renewable fixed term of three years.
Amendment 810 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The EFSI Agreement shall provide that an advisory group which may be composed of representatives of all banks, including national promotional banks, participating in projects at national and local levels covered by the EU guarantee in accordance with Article 4. The advisory group meet once a year in Luxembourg in the premises of the EIB organized by the EIB; all other communication and exchange among the advisory group members shall be conducted in writing and published after one year. It may accompany the Steering Board, the Investment Committee and the Managing Director with research in order to constantly improve the operations of the EFSI. All costs and travel expenses related to the Group shall be borne by the entities that wish to be represented in the Group.
Amendment 816 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
The Managing Director shall report every quarter on the activities of the EFSI to the Steering Board and shall be – together with the EIB Director and the Commissioner responsible – subject to a discharge decision by Parliament and the Council for all funds managed within the EFSI.
Amendment 828 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. After hearing the Steering Board, the Commission shall, upon receiving the consent of the EIB, provide the European Parliament with a shortlist of candidates for the positions of Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director. The Commission shall, upon receiving the consent of the EIB, submit to the European Parliament for approval a proposal for the appointment of the Managing Director and the Deputy Managing Director. Following the approval of that proposal, the Steering Board shall appoint the Managing Director and the Deputy Managing Director for a renewable fixed term of three years.
Amendment 835 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
The EFSI Agreement shall provide that the EFSI shall have an Investment Committee, which shall be responsible for examining potential operations in line with the EFSI investment policies and approving the support of the EU guarantee for operations in line with Article 5, irrespective of their geographic location within the European Union.
Amendment 855 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
The Investment Committee shall be composed of six independent experts and the Managing Director. Independent experts shall have a high level of relevant market experience in project finance and be appointed by the Steering Board for a renewable fixed term of three years. For these purposes, the Steering Board shall draw up a list of at least 16 experts (of which 8 are men and 8 are women) and submit it to the European Parliament. After having heard the experts from this list, the European Parliament shall adopt a decision proposing eight of these experts to the Steering Board for appointment.
Amendment 887 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. CVs and declarations of interest of each member of the Investment Committee shall be made public, constantly updated and be subject to thorough validity checks of the Commission and the EIB.
Amendment 893 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
The Union shall provide a guarantee to the EIB for financing or investment operations carried out within the Union covered by this Regulation ('EU guarantee'). The EU guarantee shall be granted as a guarantee on demand in respect of instruments referred to in Article 6also be provided to national promotional banks or institutions, in accordance with Article 58(c) of 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, and investment platforms. The EU guarantee shall be granted as a guarantee on demand in respect of instruments referred to in Article 6. Contingent legal claims against the Commission by EFSI beneficiaries shall be limited to the EU Guarantee.
Amendment 916 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
The EU guarantee shall only 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 consistent with Union policies that are approved by the Investment Committee referred to in Article 3(5). The operations concerned shall be consistent with Union policies, complementary to existing Union funds or aid schemes, provide European added value and support any of the following general objectives:
Amendment 937 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) development of infrastructure, including in the areas of transport, particularly in industrial centresfor clean urban transport and projects along the Transeuropean network for transport, as defined by Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 ; energy, in particular energy interconnections; and digital infrastructure;
Amendment 1060 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
In accordance with Article 17 of the Statute of the European Investment Bank, the EIB shall charge the beneficiaries of the financing operations to cover its expenses related to the EFSI up to an unconditional cap provided for in the EFSI agreement. The risk of non-recoverable EIB expenses shall be born entirely by the EIB.. Without prejudice to sub-paragraph 2 and 3, no administrative expenditure or any other fees of the EIB for financing and investment activities conducted by the EIB under this Regulation shall be covered from the Union budget.
Amendment 1062 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
The EIB may call the EU guarantee, in accordance with Article 2(1)(e), within a cumulated maximum limit corresponding to 1% of the total outstanding EU guarantee obligationsup to an unconditional cap provided for in the EFSI agreement to cover expenses that whilst charged to beneficiaries of the financing operations, have not been recovered.
Amendment 1064 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
Fees of the EIB should the EIB provide funding to the EIF on behalf of the EFSI which is backed by the EU guarantee in accordance with Article 7(2) may be covered from the Union budget. Such fees shall be unconditionally capped in the EFSI Agreement.
Amendment 1066 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 4
Article 5 – paragraph 4
4. Provided that all relevant eligibility criteria are fulfilled, Member States may use European Structural and Investment Funds to contribute to the financing of eligible projects in which the EIB is investing with the support of the EU guarantee. Where, in such cases, several legal frameworks of the Union are applicable to the management and control of such projects, Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 ('the Financial Regulation') and the relevant sectoral funding legislation shall take precedence.
Amendment 1081 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
For the purposes of Article 5(2), the EIB shall use the EU Guarantee towards risk coverage foronly for the coverage of credit risk of eligible instruments a. As a rule on a portfolio basisthe EU Guarantee shall only be used on basis of the portfolio of eligible instruments used to fund projects approved by the Investment Committee referred to in Article 3(5).
Amendment 1100 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. The EU guarantee to the EIB shall be of an amount equal to EUR 16 000 000 000, of which a maximum amount of EUR 2 500 000 000 may be allocated for EIB funding to the EIF in accordance with paragraph 2. Without prejudice to Article 8(9), aggregate payments from the Union under the guarantee to the EIB shall not exceed the amount of the guarantee, thus excluding contingent liabilities for the Union budget. Legal claims of final beneficiaries against the Union above and beyond this guarantee shall be excluded.
Amendment 1107 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The coverage of the guarantee over a particular type of instrument portfolio, referred to in Article 6, shall be determined by the credit risk of that portfolio. The Steering Committee shall approve and justify in its decision the use of a certain risk measure and the methodology for its calculation. The EU guarantee shall be eligible to provide either first loss guarantees on a portfolio basis or a full guarantee. The EU guarantee may be granted on a pari passu basis with other contributors. Member States and national promotional banks may only contribute with guarantees or contributions, if negative effects on the credit rating of the Member States can be ruled out by a certificate of a rating agency.
Amendment 1111 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The Managing Director shall make the risk measures of the portfolios covered by the EU Guarantee, the methodology and the data with which the risk of a particular instrument portfolio is determined easily publically accessible and update the information at the end of each week.
Amendment 1112 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. Where the EIB calls the EU guarantee in accordance with the EFSI Agreement, the Union shall pay on demand in accordance with the terms of that Agreement. Such a payment is limited to the amount of either the funds not yet called by the EIB from the EU Guarantee set in Article 7(1). All further losses and risks are borne by the other contributors to the portfolio and the stakeholders of the projects. The EU assumes no contingent liabilities exceeding the EU Guarantee set in Article 7(1).
Amendment 1113 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The EFSI Agreement shall incorporate a general immunity of the EU and waivers against legal claims by EFSI beneficiaries against the Commission that go beyond the EU guarantee;
Amendment 1131 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) any other paymentscontribution received by the Union in accordance with the EFSI Agreement. While Member States and national promotional banks may only contribute with guarantees or contributions, if negative effects on the credit rating of the Member States can be ruled out by a certificate of a rating agency.
Amendment 1145 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Article 8 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
The target amount shall initially be met by the gradual payment of resources referred to in paragraph 2(a). If there have been calls on the guarantee during the initial constitution of the guarantee fund, endowments to the guarantee fund provided for in points (b), (c) and (d) of paragraph 2 shall also contribute to meet the target amount up to an amount equal to the calls on the guarantee and accompanied by endowments to the guarantee fund provided for in points (b), (c) and (d) of paragraph 2.
Amendment 1205 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission and the EIB shall develop, update and disseminate, on a regular and structured basis, information on all current and future investments which significantly contribute to achieving EU policy obin a publically accessible project database that also provides aggregate statistics and time series on a variety of project data, e.g. the costs, structure of the funding, the financing leverage of the EFSI contribution, performance- and impact indicators of the projectives.
Amendment 1214 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Article 9 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall develop, update and disseminate together with the EIB, on a regular and structured basis, information on all current and future investment projects in their territory.
Amendment 1231 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) an assessment of EIB financing and investment operations at operation, sector, country and regional levels and their compliance with this Regulation and Regulation (EU, Euratom) 966/2012, together with an assessment of the allocation of EIB financing and investment operations between the objectives in Article 5(2);:
Amendment 1234 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) an assessment of the added value and performance of projects in terms of estimated and realized return on investment at project maturity, the additionality of operation conducted under EFSI compared to normal EIB operations, the mobilisation of private sector resources, the estimated and actual outputs, outcomes and impact of EIB financing and investment operations at an aggregated basis;
Amendment 1243 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) the targeted leverage effect, and the achieved leverage effect;
Amendment 1244 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) an assessment of the contribution to the objectives of the Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 for transport, Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 for energy networks and Regulation (EU) No 283/201 for telecommunication infrastructure;
Amendment 1246 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) an assessment of the quality of EIB financing and investment operations and the risks associated with this investment operations;
Amendment 1247 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(da) the financial intermediaries involved in implementation, including any issues relating to the application of Articles 14 and 15;
Amendment 1250 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point d b (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point d b (new)
(db) list of EFSI beneficiaries, including borrowers of EU-guaranteed financials instruments implemented by the EIB under the EFSI agreement;
Amendment 1251 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) detailed information on calls on the EU guarantee, losses, returns, amounts recovered and any other payments received;
Amendment 1252 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(ea) the value of equity investments, with respect to previous years, and the accumulated figures for impairments of assets of equity;
Amendment 1254 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point f
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) the financial statements of the EFSI. accompanied by an opinion of an independent external auditor;
Amendment 1259 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
(fa) detailed information on projects which received contributions from the European Structural and Investment Funds to the financing of eligible projects in which the EIB is investing with the support of the EU guarantee, as provided for in Article 5(4).
Amendment 1267 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. For the purposes of the Commission's accounting and reporting of the risks covered by the EU guarantee and management of the guarantee fund, the EIB, in cooperation with the EIF as appropriate, shall provide the Commission and the European Court of Auditors every year:
Amendment 1271 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new)
(ca) the development of the value at risk and other risk measures for the overall project portfolio holding and for the portfolios of each type of eligible instrument;
Amendment 1275 #
2015/0009(COD)
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 reportthe annual accounts, the financial statement and an annual report in accordance with Regulation (EC, Euratom) 996/2012 on the situation of the guarantee fund and the management thereof in the previous calendar year.
Amendment 1286 #
2015/0009(COD)
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, the Commissioner responsible and the Chair of the EIB Board of Directors shall participate in annual discharge hearings of the European Parliament on the performance and financial management of the EFSI.
Amendment 1291 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. The Managing Director, the Chair of the EFSI Steering Board, the Commissioner responsible and the Chair of the EIB Board of Directors shall reply orally or in writing to questions addressed to the EFSI by the European Parliament, in any event within five weeks of receipt of a question.
Amendment 1302 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. In cooperation with the EIB and with the EIF as appropriate, the Commission shall report on the financial performance of the EFSI in the evaluation report referred to in Article 318 TFEU.
Amendment 1305 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3 b (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. The EIB shall submit to the European Parliament, on request, any information during the discharge procedure.
Amendment 1308 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
At the latest [PO insert date: 18 months after the entry into force of this Regulation] the EIB shall evaluate the functioning of the EFSI, also with regard to the EFSI projects based on the sub-programmes, and evaluate the lifecycle of the targeted investments. The EIB shall submit its evaluation to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission;. This evaluation shall be accompanied by an opinion of the Court of Auditors.
Amendment 1312 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
At the latest [PO insert date: 18 months after the entry into force of this Regulation] the Commission shall evaluate the use of the EU guarantee and the functioning of the guarantee fund, also with regard to the projects benefiting from the guarantees based on the sub-programmes, and evaluate the lifecycle of the targeted investments, including the use of endowments according to Article 8(9). The Commission shall submit its evaluation to the European Parliament and the Council. This evaluation shall be accompanied by an opinion of the Court of Auditors.
Amendment 1316 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) the EIB shall publish a comprehensive report on the functioning of the EFSI and on the EFSI projects based on the sub- programmes, so as to match the lifecycle of the targeted investments;
Amendment 1318 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) the Commission shall publish a comprehensive report on the use of the EU guarantee and the functioning of the guarantee fund. and on the projects benefitting from the guarantee based on the sub-programmes, so as to match the lifecycle of the targeted investments;
Amendment 1331 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
In accordance with its own transparency policies on access to documents and information, the EIB shall make publicly available on its website information relating to all EIB financing and investment operations and how they contribute to the general objectives referred to in Article 5(2). In case of a detailed arrangement between the Commission and the EIB with regard to exchange of information and the public disclosure of information, the agreement shall be made public.
Amendment 1346 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
The EU guarantee and the payments and recoveries under it that are attributable to the general budget of the Union shall be audited by the Court of Auditorsexternal audit of the activities undertaken in accordance with the EFSI Regulation are carried out by the European Court of Auditors in accordance with Article 287 TFEU. The Commission shall ensure that the Court of Auditors is able to exert its right as provided for in the first subparagraph of Article 287(3) TFEU and has full access to all information it needs to carry out its audits. All parties concerned by the activities undertaken in accordance with this Regulation shall be made aware of the right of the Court of Auditors as provided for in the first subparagraph of Article 287(3). The EIB, the EIF, all financial intermediaries involved in the activities undertaken in accordance with the EFSI Regulation and final recipients shall afford the Court of Auditors all the facilities and give it all the information which the Court of Auditors considers necessary for the performance of its task, pursuant to Article 161 of Regulation (EU) No 966/2012.
Amendment 1361 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
OLAF may carry out investigations, including on-the-spot checks and inspections, in accordance with the provisions and procedures laid down in Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council(5 ), Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96(6 ) and Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 (7 ) in order to protect the financial interests of the Union, with a view to establishing whether there has been fraud, corruption, money laundering, financing of terrorism, tax fraud and tax evasion, or any other illegal activity affecting affecting the financial interests of the Union in connection with any operations supported by the EU guaranteeunder this regulation. OLAF may transmit to the competent authorities of the Member States concerned information obtained in the course of investigations. __________________ 5 Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 September 2013 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 (OJ L 248, 18.9.2013, p. 1). 6 Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities' financial interests against fraud and other irregularities (OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2). 7 Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Communities financial interests (OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1).
Amendment 1363 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Where such illegal activitieOLAF recommends the recovery due to illegal activities including money laundering, financing of terrorism, tax fraud and tax evasion, corruption, or fraud affecting the financial interests established during its investigations are proven, the EIB shall undertake recovery efforts with respect to its operations supported by the EU guarantee.
Amendment 1365 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3
Article 15 – paragraph 3
3. Financing agreements signed in relation to operations supported under this Regulation shall include clauses allowing exclusion from EIB financing and investment operations and, if necessary, appropriate recovery measures in cases of fraud, corruption or other illegal activity in accordance with the EFSI Agreement, EIB policies and applicable regulatory requirements. The decision whether to apply an exclusion from the EIB financing and investment operation shall be taken in accordance with the relevant financing or investment agreement. These agreements shall be notified to the European Parliament.
Amendment 1367 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. In its financing and investment operations, the EIB, the EIF and all financial intermediaries shall not support any activities carried out for illegal purposes, including money laundering, financing of terrorism, tax fraud and tax evasion, corruption, or fraud affecting the financial interests of the Union. In particular the EIB shall not participate in any financing or investment operation through a vehicle located in a non- cooperative jurisdiction, in line with its policy towards weakly regulated or non- cooperative jurisdictions based on policies of the Union, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development or the Financial Action Task Force.
Amendment 1469 #
2015/0009(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2
Article 20 – paragraph 2
The Commission shall assess those operations and, where they comply with the substantive requirements set out in Article 5 and in the EFSI Agreement, decide that the EU guarantee coverage extends to them and inform the European Parliament thereof.
Amendment 6 #
2014/2248(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes the fact that the list of institutions defined in Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) differs from that stated in Article 2 of the Financial Regulation; considers that having different meanings for the same concept enshrined in EU legislation is misleadingthe Financial Regulation already reflects current practice;
Amendment 22 #
2014/2248(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Requests that the Financial Regulation be updatamended in order to clarify the objectives of the discharge procedure and to clearly define the sanctions to be imposed for not respecting this procedure; highlights that this should be done in order to hold the EU institutions accountable with the aim of protecting the financial interests of EU citizens; stresses that there should be no exceptions;
Amendment 39 #
2014/2224(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Deplores, however, that the Council refused a budgetary neutral transfer of the appropriations for European Union Special Representatives from Section III (Commission) to Section X (EEAS) of the budget, which was supported by both Parliament and the Commission; considers that this refusal of the Council runs counter to the aim of a visible, coherent and efficient foreign policy of the Union;
Amendment 3 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3
Citation 3
– having regard to the Commission report of 17 July 2014 entitled ‘'Protection of the European Union’'s financial interests – Fight against fraud – 2013 Annual Report’' (COM(2014)0474) and the accompanying staff working documents (SWD(2014)0243, SWD(2014)0244, SWD(2014)0245, SWD(2014)0246, SWD(2014)0247 and SWD(2014)0248),
Amendment 14 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Emphasises that it is incumbent on both the Commission and the Member States to do everything in their power to fight fraud, corruption and all other forms of illegal activity detrimental to the Union's financial interests, in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union; points out that close cooperation and coordination between the Commission and the Member States is essential in order to ensure that the Union's financial interests are protected effectively, and hence such cooperation and coordination must, as a matter of priority, be strengthened and made as effective as possible; points out that protecting the Union's financial interests demands an equally vigilant approach to both resources and expenditure;
Amendment 15 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomesTakes note of the Commission report on the Protection of the European Union’'s financial interests – Fight against fraud – Annual Report 2013 (the Commission’'s ‘'annual report’), in which it outlined'); welcomes the broad range of legal and administrative measures taken by the Commission since 2011, thus shaping a new landscape for the further enhancement of the policy for protection of the financial interests of the Union;
Amendment 16 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission report on the Protection of the European Union’s financial interests – Fight against fraud – Annual Report 2013 (the Commission’s ‘annual report’), in which it outlined the broad range of legal and administrative measures taken by the Commission since 2011, thus shaping a new landscape for the further enhancement of the policy for protection of the financial interests of the Union; underlines that the current lack of results in the fight against fraud is not due to a lack of regulation but to a lack of implementation; asks the Commission to answer Parliaments demands in its previous annual PIF reports more timely in the following Commission report;
Amendment 17 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that although the overall financial impact of non-fraudulent irregularities reported in 2013 decreased to about EUR 1.84 billion, or 386 % less than in 2012, the number of such irregularities registered increased by 167 % on the previous year; notes, furthermore, that the number of fraudulent irregularities reported in 2013 increased by a full 30 % compared with 2012, while the financial impact thereof, involving EUR 309 million in EU funding, decreased by 21 %;
Amendment 19 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. NotWelcomes that, duethanks to the availability of new information as a result of the significant changes in the way Member States and the Commission report irregularities, there has been a shift in Commission increased its focus ion the Commission’s 2013 annual report from irregularities treated in general terms to those reported as fraudulent; strongly urges the Commission, however, to further increaseirregularities reported as fraudulent in its 2013 annual report; invites the Commission to maintain this approach in its future Annual Report on the Protection of the EU's Financial Interests – Fight against fraud while maintaining the availability of information and enhance analyses on the scope, types and impact of non-fraudulent irregularities in light of the significantly high number thereof and the related negative monetary impact, which adversely affects the financial interests of the EU;
Amendment 20 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. UIs concerned that in 2013 the recovery rate for fraud cases stands at 23,74% only, a figure below the average rate of 33.5% for the 2008-2012 period; points out that the recovery rate for irregularity cases reported for 2013 is 67,9%; underlines the responsibility of Member State authorities and the Commission’'s services towards recovering sums unduly paid and calls on them to properly assume this responsibility and substantially increase the recovery rate in cases of fraud, which is at a markedly low level compared to the recovery rate for non-fraudulent irregularities;
Amendment 22 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Notes that in a five year perspective, the recovery rate for irregularities reported as fraudulent is 54.4% and for non-fraudulent irregularities is 63.9%; urges the Commission to further improve the recovery process and to make it more timely;
Amendment 23 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Is concerned since recovery for the EAGF is below the overall average and not even half of the irregularities detected in 2009 were recovered at the end of 2013;
Amendment 24 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the fact that 98 % of TORs are collected without significant problems, with reported fraudulent irregularities representing 0.29 % of gross established TORs (with a value of EUR 61 million) and non-fraudulent irregularities representing 1.57 % of TORs (with a value of EUR 327.4 million); apprecia); notes that fraud and irregularity cases detected in 2013 amounted to 380 million of which a total of EUR 234 million was recovered by the Member States; notes, in particular, the fact that theis recovery rate of 62 % for TORs in 2013 represents the best result achieved to date over the past decade;
Amendment 25 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Is concerned that in 2013 most of the established amounts in OWNRES in the EU-28 related to the customs procedure 'release for free circulation' for both fraud cases (93%) and irregularity cases (87%); calls on the Commission to take appropriate actions aiming at reinforcing the customs procedure 'release for free circulation' in order to make the latter less prone to fraud and irregularity occurrences;
Amendment 26 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Notes that the overall trend in detecting and reporting potential fraudulent irregularities in the last five years shows a slow decrease but the number of irregularities not reported as fraudulent has progressively increased; asks the Commission for an analyses that answers the questions whether the trend is due to a shift towards detecting irregular cases or to the way in which Member States classify cases;
Amendment 27 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Welcomes the signature of the UN Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products by the European Union in 2013; observes that 15 Member States signed the Protocol and that at present it was ratified by Austria only; invites therefore the remaining Member States to complete their respective ratification process as soon as possible;
Amendment 31 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Notes further that 133 cases of smuggled cigarettes were registered by the Member States in 2013 involving an estimated TOR of around EUR 7 million; underlines that this trend represents a sharp decrease compared to 2012 where 224 cases involving around EUR 25 million were reported; is seriously concerned by the fact that Denmark, Estonia, Spain, France, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Sweden reported no cases of smuggled cigarettes to the Commission in 2013 and questions the efficiency of the reporting process in those Member States; insists upon all Member States to report smuggling and counterfeiting cases to the Commission in an accurate and timely manner so as to enable a better estimation of the TOR adversely affected;
Amendment 32 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 d (new)
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7d. Notes that the Commission will publish a study on the feasibility of a tracking and tracing system for tobacco products; underlines that this is a huge step forward in the fight against smuggling; demands from the Commission to implement and design an open and competitive track and trace system, so that the design and way the system is implemented does not favour one single or only a few solution providers;
Amendment 34 #
Amendment 35 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 f (new)
Paragraph 7 f (new)
Amendment 38 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Expresses concern that in the agricultural sector the number of both irregularities in general and fraudulent activities in particular increased significantly in 2013 as compared with 2012; notes that a new significant infringement trend referring to the 'beneficiary not having the required quality' occurred in 2013 with 51 fraudulent irregularity cases reported; considers that these trends require targeted measures aimed at on the one hand eliminating practices which may potentially lead to inadvertent infringements, and on the other hand aggressively confronting corrupt and criminal behaviour;
Amendment 39 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Acknowledges that in the agriculture and rural development area, Member States recovered EUR 197 million from the beneficiaries during the financial year 2013 while EUR 1 318.3 million remains to be recovered from the beneficiaries at year end of which EUR 1 097.1 million is outstanding to the EU budget following the application of the 50/50 mechanism;
Amendment 40 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Acknowledges that following the 2013 CAP reform Member States benefit from a higher degree of flexibility in the implementation of the policy and are notably allowed to customise it to their regional or national capabilities and priorities and to make transfers between its different pillars; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the increase in flexibility will not be at the expense of the monitoring and evaluation systems; notes further that in the framework of the new CAP the Commission is working on a simplification agenda; calls on the Commission to align the simplification agenda fully with DG AGRI's anti-fraud strategy and to maintain balance between simplification and the sound management of EU fund by ensuring adequate controls;
Amendment 41 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Regrets however the lack of information on the amounts to be recovered and the recovery rates specifically related to the cohesion policy for the financial year 2013; calls on the Commission to provide detailed information on this respect in its future annual report;
Amendment 42 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Takes note that in 2013 the Commission proceeded to 217 interruptions of payment in the cohesion policy area and that 131 were still opened at year-end involving an amount of nearly EUR 2 million; acknowledges further that the Commission adopted four suspension decisions in 2013 and two in January 2014;
Amendment 43 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Acknowledges that in 2013, as part of the Pre-Accession Assistance (PAA), 33 irregularities were reported as fraudulent with an affected amount of EUR 14.4 million and that those irregularities are mainly related to SAPARD; notes in addition that nine fraudulent irregularities involving an amount of EUR 1.2 million were reported under the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA); observes that between 2003 and 2013 under the PAA the recovery rates reached 37.36% and 29.22% respectively for irregularity cases and fraudulent cases; calls on the Commission and the IPA beneficiary countries to take actions in order to ensure a higher recovery rate under IPA;
Amendment 44 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14c. Observes that the recommendations made by the Commission to Member States in 2012 – particularly on the anti- fraud coordination services, the common rules on fraud, the reform of public procurement, the reported fraudulent irregularities, the systems of checks and controls and of risk assessment – were generally appropriate, and finds it regrettable that a number of concerns were not fully addressed; notes for instance that preparations were not launched by all Member States for the implementation of the MFF 2014-2020 and its provisions on fraud prevention; calls on Member States to follow-up on the Commission's recommendations made in 2012 and to ensure that those made to them in its 2011 report are followed in full, and that where action on recommendations cannot be taken they submit a reasoned explanation;
Amendment 49 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Draws attention to the differing levels of rigour and scope employed by the Member States in reporting irregularities, in general and fraudulent irregularities in particular, including in such areas as cohesion policy and agriculture, and calls on the Commission to develop a unified and comprehensive information bank on irregularities actually instigated and on measures taken, thus providing authorities and citizens with trustworthycomparable and centralised data for the implementation of effective corrective measures, and for an objective assessment of the actual, rather than perceived, gravity of infringements and of the parties responsible;
Amendment 53 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16c. Is concerned since for the recovery orders qualified as irregularities (both reported as fraudulent and not reported as fraudulent) issued between 2009 and 2013 under centralized management, the average delay between the occurrence of an irregularity and its detection is 3.4 years: more than half of the cases (54%) were detected within 4 years following the year when the irregularity was committed, meanwhile in the other half (46%) of the cases the delay varied between 4 and 13 years; recalls that after the detection of the irregularity further procedures kick in (recovery orders, OLAF investigations, etc.); requests the Commission to determine the average, minimum and maximum lifespan of a detected irregularity under centralized management;
Amendment 54 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16d. Is furthermore worried since the average delay between the occurrences of an irregularity, its detection and finally its reporting to the Commission is 6.3 years in the agricultural sector and 2.75 years; recalls that after the detection of the irregularity further procedures kick in (recovery orders, OLAF investigations, etc.); requests the Commission to determine the average, minimum and maximum lifespan of a detected irregularity under shared management for each policy sector;
Amendment 58 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Considers that Member States which detect and report irregularities, including cases of fraud, on their own should be supported and encouraged to further improve their reporting and management systems, avoiding the counterproductive practice of ‘naming and shaming’; expresses concern at the Commission’'s inability to establish whether or not the low number of irregularities and cases of fraud detected by certain Member States and the wide gaps in the number of cases reported for different years are due to the ineffectiveness of these Member States’' control systems;
Amendment 61 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Finds it unacceptable that certain Member States applyin cases of fraudulent irregularities certain Member States limit their actions to corrective measures only without proceeding to investigate irregularitiesthe potential criminal offence and sanction those responsible, thus failing to adequately protect the financial interests of both the EU and individual taxpayers; considers, therefore, that the adoption of decisions which introduce criminal law responsibility at EU level should represent a strong disincentive to committing illegal acts as well as to foregoing due process in pursuing and punishing corrupt or criminal behaviour which damages the financial interests of the EU;
Amendment 69 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20c. Underlines that greater transparency allowing for proper scrutiny is key to detect fraud schemes; recalls that in previous years the Parliament urged the Commission to take action to ensure one- stop transparency of all beneficiaries of EU-funds from all Member States by publishing on the same Commission's site all beneficiaries of EU funds, independently of the administrator of the funds and based on standard categories of information to be provided by all Member States in at least one working language of the Union; calls on the Member States to cooperate with and provide to the Commission full and reliable information regarding the beneficiaries of the EU funds managed by Member States; regrets that this measure has not been implemented and calls on the Commission to implement it urgently;
Amendment 74 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Urges the Commission to revert to interruptions and suspensions of payments only as a last resort for preventmaintaing irregularities since such measures increase the risk of errors due to the reduced time frames required for the proper absorption of EU funds; requests that the Commission report on the actual contribution fromts strict policy of interruptions and suspensions of payments in reducing irregularities and errors;
Amendment 79 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Reiterates its call for an independent and efficient EPPO, operating as a single office which investigates, prosecutes and brings to court the perpetrators of criminal offences affecting the Union's financial interests, while ensuring that procedural safeguards for the suspected and accused persons are protected; stresses the importance of a common agreement of Parliament and the Council in the selection and appointment procedures for independent prosecutors with investigative powers in Member States;
Amendment 80 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Welcomes the establishment of anti- fraud coordination services (AFCOS) in Member States as bodies whichrequired by Article 3(4) of the new OLAF Regulation and that Germany re-confirmed its working cooperation arrangement with OLAF; notes that AFCOS aim at facilitateing effective cooperation and the exchange ofing information with OLAF and insists that Member States which have not yet designated AFCOS do so without further delay; expects that AFCOS will assist in facilitating better reporting of irregularities and contribute towards a balanced interpretation of the relevant EU acts; is nevertheless concerned by the substantial discrepancies already existing between the different AFCOS established in the Member States in terms of functions, tasks and powers as well as human resources allocated; acknowledges that AFCOS' mandate, institutional framework and tasks are not defined in details in Regulation (EU, EURATOM) No 883/2013 but is of the opinion that AFCOS operationally independent with a comprehensive mandate including investigative powers represent a benchmark to be developed by all Member States;
Amendment 81 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Acknowledges the Commission's reporting on the results of the Hercule II Programme; takes note that in 2013 the budget of Hercule II was reduced to EUR 14 million in commitment appropriations and EUR 9,9 million in payment appropriations compared to 2012 resulting in difficulties in meeting the financial commitments made in 2013 and previous years; observes with satisfaction that Hercule II activities receive an increasing interest from the Member States as demonstrated by the ever growing number of applications received following the calls for proposals; welcomes the positive results obtained in 2013 such as in Germany, Spain and Romania thanks to the deployed of highly sophisticated and transnational compatible technical equipment purchased thanks to the Programme;
Amendment 82 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Welcomes the adoption of the Regulation establishing Hercule III for the financial period 2014-2020 which allows for an increased maximum co- funding percentage for technical assistance grants of 80% of the eligible costs and up to 90% in exceptional and duly justified cases instead of the maximum of 50% under the Hercule II Decision; notes that the first call for proposals was successfully launched in 2014; is nevertheless concerned that the Programme is already particularly affected by the issue of outstanding payments leading to possible adverse effects on funded and future projects;
Amendment 84 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Notes that in 2013 OLAF issued 353 recommendations for administrative, disciplinary, financial or judicial action to be taken by the relevant EU institutions, bodies, offices, agencies or the competent national authorities and that about EUR 402,8 million was recommended for recovery; is concerned that the rate of indictment following OLAF's judicial recommendations for the period 2006- 2013 is only about 54%; is worried since the low rate of indictment also sheds a bad light on the quality and the usability of the Office's investigative results; calls on the Commission to urgently ameliorate the effectiveness of the Office; deems a fully-fledged and proper oversight over the Offices affairs by the Supervisory Committee (without interference in on- going investigations) as indispensable and therefore urges the Commission and the Office improve the current situation in which the Supervisory Committee is not able to fulfil its purpose; regrets further the lack of information on conviction rate in cases involving offences against the Union's budget;
Amendment 85 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Views the factTakes note that in 2013 OLAF self- reportedly received the largest amount of information registered to date, as well as thend claims to have issued an unprecedented number of recommendations issued by OLAF, as a clear indication of the growing role of the office in protecting the financial interests of the EU against fraud; points out that the method how incoming information and issued recommendation is counted was also change; asks the Supervisory Committee to analyse the effects of these data changes and the quality of recommendations issued by OLAF;
Amendment 86 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Views the fact that in 2013 OLAF received the largest amount of information registered to date, as well as the unprecedented number of recommendations issued by OLAFclosed the highest number of cases with recommendations, as a clear indication of the growing role of the office in protecting the financial interests of the EU against fraud; is however concerned that the ratio of OLAF investigation and coordination cases closed with recommendations decreased from 56,4% in 2009 to 39,5% in 2013 and urges the office to inform the European Parliament of the reasons behind this trend;
Amendment 87 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Calls on the OLAF Supervisory Committee to inform Parliament about the duration of OLAF investigations and the calculation method hereto as this method was changed in 2012; points out that this change may artificially reduce the apparent duration of investigations; asks the Supervisory Committee to closely analyse the quality of information provided by OLAF including the reports to the institutions;
Amendment 89 #
2014/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Welcomes the adoption of new working arrangements between OLAF and its sCalls on the Director General to improve the working situation of the OLAF Supervisory cCommittee and; expects that they will contribute to better cooperation and mutual understanding between both bodies Director General will finally contribute on a serious level to a better cooperation and mutual understanding between both bodies; asks the Commission to draw consequences from the unbearable situation, in which reports of the Office raise doubts on their factuality and in which the Supervisory Committee cannot validate the work of the Office;
Amendment 7 #
2014/2140(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 127
Paragraph 127
127. Considers that it is necessary to improve the actual supervision rules in order to include a closer supervision on national banks in those countries which adopted the euro but are not Member States such as the Vatican, Andorra, Monaco, and LiechtensteSan Marino;
Amendment 1 #
2014/2135(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Executive Director of the ECSEL Joint Undertaking discharge in respect of the implementation of the ENIAC Joint Undertaking’s budget for the financial year 2013; / Postpones its decision on granting the Executive Director of the ECSEL Joint Undertaking discharge in respect of the implementation of the ENIAC Joint Undertaking’s budget for the financial year 2013;
Amendment 5 #
2014/2135(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 2
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Approves the closure of the accounts of the ENIAC Joint Undertaking for the financial year 2013 / Postpones the closure of the accounts of the ENIAC Joint Undertaking for the financial year 2013;
Amendment 1 #
2014/2133(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Executive Director of the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Joint Undertaking for the implementation of the Joint Technology Initiative on Innovative Medicines for the financial year 2013 / Postpones its decision on granting the Executive Director of the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Joint Undertaking for the implementation of the Joint Technology Initiative on Innovative Medicines for the financial year 2013;
Amendment 3 #
2014/2133(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 2
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Approves the closure of the accounts of the Joint Undertaking for the implementation of the Joint Technology Initiative on Innovative Medicines for the financial year 2013 / Postpones the closure of the accounts of the Joint Undertaking for the implementation of the Joint Technology Initiative on Innovative Medicines for the financial year 2013;
Amendment 6 #
2014/2133(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Calls on the Joint Undertaking for a follow-up report on the reservations of the Joint Undertaking in the last 3 years;
Amendment 8 #
2014/2133(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Calls on the Joint Undertaking to provide the discharge authority with detailed information on the in-kind contributions of EFPIA companies especially on the type of the in- kind contributions and their respective value;
Amendment 1 #
2014/2132(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Executive Director of the ECSEL Joint Undertaking discharge in respect of the implementation of the ARTEMIS Joint Undertaking’s budget for the financial year 2013 / Postpones its decision on granting the Executive Director of the ECSEL Joint Undertaking discharge in respect of the implementation of the ARTEMIS Joint Undertaking’s budget for the financial year 2013;
Amendment 4 #
2014/2132(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 2
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Approves the closure of the accounts of the ARTEMIS Joint Undertaking for the financial year 2013 / Postpones the closure of the accounts of the ARTEMIS Joint Undertaking for the financial year 2013;
Amendment 32 #
2014/2086(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Points out that EU staff in delegations and EU staff on CFSP missions in the same localities are treated differently as regards days off, flights, allowances and other benefits; calls for a detailed comparison of payments and benefits for EU delegation staff and EU staff on CFSP missions in Mogadishu (Somalia) and Bangui (Central African Republic), for example, as at 1 January 2014, and insists that reasons be given where treatment differs;
Amendment 5 #
2014/2081(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Asks the Court of Auditors to conduct an audit on the effects of a unification of the registries of the Court of Justice into one registry in order to ensure a better coordination of procedural actions between the Courts;
Amendment 8 #
2014/2081(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that the average time to produce a Special Report continues to be 20 months, as it was in 2012; regrets that the Court of Auditors did not reach the strategic goal of an average production time of 18 months for Special Reports; calls on the Court of Auditors to attach to each Special Report details of the background to it and of the various drafting stages;
Amendment 5 #
2014/2080(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Recommends that the institution should be reorganised in such a way as to make a clearer separation between legal and administrative functions, thus bringing the setup more closely into line with Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, so that judges no longer run the risk of having to rule on appeals against acts in which their authorities have been directly involved;
Amendment 6 #
2014/2080(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Recalls that in its response to the discharge resolution 2012 the Court of Justice indicates that holding more hearings and judgements would not increase productivity significantly; Points out that on the other hand the Court asked to increase the number of judges; urges the Court of Justice to requested an external peer review in order to be provided with external instruments to identify possible solutions to the problems raised by the Court;
Amendment 8 #
2014/2080(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Regrets the insufficient information received during the discharge procedure regarding the list of external activities pursued by the Judges; asks the European Court of Justice to publish on its homepage a register which includes detailed information on outside activities of each judge;
Amendment 10 #
2014/2080(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9c. Asks the Court to consider a unification of the Registries of the Court into one Registry in order to ensure a better coordination of procedural actions between the Courts;
Amendment 11 #
2014/2080(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 d (new)
Paragraph 9 d (new)
9d. Asks the Court to verify on a case by case basis the necessity of translation if there is a limited relevance for EU- citizens;
Amendment 19 #
2014/2080(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the Court of Justice to consider a reduction inreduce the number of official cars at the disposal of the Members and staff and to report to the European Parliament on the savings made; is of the opinion that a revision of post assignments for drivers will thus be required; points out that the cost of the extended private services provided by drivers is borne by European taxpayers;
Amendment 49 #
2014/2078(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 d (new)
Paragraph 33 d (new)
33d. Calls for a report to be drawn up setting out the savings which could be achieved by transferring Parliament’s sittings services permanently to Strasbourg;
Amendment 54 #
2014/2078(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Asks to be provided with a full breakdown of all the grants for communication projects funded from Parliament’s budget, including the amounts involved and the recipients;
Amendment 55 #
2014/2078(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 b (new)
Paragraph 36 b (new)
36b. Asks to be provided with a breakdown of expenditure from Parliament's budget on the organisations MEP Ranking and Vote Watch Europe; criticises the fact that these organisations assess MEPs’ work on the basis of quantitative criteria, which may provide the wrong kind of incentives and generate unnecessary work; takes the view that MEPs are facing increasing levels of red tape and ever tighter restrictions on their freedom to perform their duties;
Amendment 64 #
2014/2078(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 b (new)
Paragraph 40 b (new)
40b. Points out that posts in third countries are among the most expensive; points out that there are 12 occupied posts in the European Parliament’s Washington Information Office; calls for every second post to be abolished on efficiency grounds;
Amendment 87 #
2014/2078(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Expresses concern that the number of local assistants employed per Member varied greatly between zero and 43 in 2013; asks for the enhancement of recruitment procedures of local assistants; calls for a list of the names of all service providers employed by Members to be published on the internet;
Amendment 93 #
2014/2078(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 a (new)
Paragraph 50 a (new)
50a. Notes that it is ultimately impossible to judge whether the Fund is being run efficiently and properly, and urges Parliament to have an external assessment carried out;
Amendment 94 #
2014/2075(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Considers furthermore that those measures have still a limited financial impact on the Union budget since more than 40% of the financial corrections implemented in 2013 are not considered as assigned revenue84 but may be used by the same Member States having caused these corrections in cohesion policy; __________________ 84 See Commission communication COM(2014)0618, table 5.2: withdrawals in cohesion (EUR 775 million), rural development recoveries (EUR 129 million) and financial corrections implemented by de commitment /deduction at closure be it in cohesion policy (EUR 494 million of euro) or in the other policy areas than agriculture and cohesion policies (EUR 1 million).
Amendment 97 #
2014/2075(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that approximately 128 % of the financial corrections implemented in 2013 involved a net reduction of Union funding to the programme and the Member State concerned in cohesion policy;
Amendment 120 #
2014/2075(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Observes that 14 FEIs have been set up in the Members States under the rural development fund; observes that EUR 443,77 million have been paid out to banks in Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy and Lithuania from the Union budget until the end of 2013; expresses concern that of this amount, not a single euro reached the final beneficiaries; observes that for six financial FEIs set up under the European Fisheries Fund EUR 72,37 million were paid out to banks in Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia and the Netherlands; notes that only in Greece and the NetherlandsLatvia the available amounts were fully disbursed to the final beneficiaries while in Romania only 728% of the funds were disbursed to the final beneficiary, 2377% in Bulgaria , 91% in Estonia and none in Latviathe Netherlands and Greece91 ; __________________ 91 Information provided by Commission Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva during the discharge procedure.
Amendment 176 #
2014/2075(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Points out that demographic changes affect the common agricultural policy (CAP) more than any other Union policy since nearly one third of the 12 million Union farmers sharing more than 45 % of the Union budget are over the age of 65 years and only 6% are younger than 35 years old96; therefore welcomes the young- farmer assistance programmes launched as part of the CAP reform; __________________ 96 See Court of Auditors landscape review 'Making the best use of EU money: a landscape review of the risks to the financial management of the EU Budget', 2014, p. 67.
Amendment 204 #
2014/2075(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64
Paragraph 64
64. Deplores that persistent weaknesses in excluding ineligible land from the Landfill Parcel Identification System (LPIS) and in the administrative treatment claims from farmers contribute significantly to the material level of error remaining in EAGF payments;
Amendment 207 #
2014/2075(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65
Paragraph 65
65. Stresses once again the horizontal dimension of the deficiencies detected in the LPIS; notes that since 2007 the Court of Auditors examined IACS in 38 paying agencies in all 28 Member States and deeply regrets that only seven of the control systems were assessed as effective, 22 were found to partially effective and nine control systems were considered as ineffective; invites the Commission to endure the financial risk to the budget to be covered by net financial corrections;
Amendment 292 #
Amendment 293 #
2014/2075(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 118 a (new)
Paragraph 118 a (new)
118a. Notes that an OLAF fact-finding mission was conducted in December 2014 in order to discuss potential irregularities in connection with EU assistance for the cycle path around Lago Trasimeno in Italy; calls on the Commission to inform Parliament about further developments in the follow-up report on discharge for 2013;
Amendment 357 #
2014/2075(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 150
Paragraph 150
150. Deplores the fact that the Declaration of assurance of Directorate-General for Enlargement is ierregularoneous as it stated on 31 March 2014 that all procedures were in place to ensure the legality and regularity of transactions even though, at that time, 20 % of all expenditure booked by that DG was based on estimates; underlines that this proceeding is a violation of the Financial Regulation which has taken place a lot of years; Welcomes that in 2014 the Commission put a system in place, and implemented it without delay, to ensure that the clearing of pre- financing is made from now on the basis of correctly incurred and reported costs;
Amendment 364 #
2014/2075(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 153
Paragraph 153
153. Asks the Commission to modclarify the standing instructions given by the Secretariat General of the Commission so as to make it possible when the financial impact exceeds the materiality threshold for the whole budget under a DG's responsibility, that an adverse opinion be given;
Amendment 365 #
2014/2075(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 154 a (new)
Paragraph 154 a (new)
154a. Asks to ensure sufficient controls on the various activities supporting the internationalisation of the Union's small and medium-sized enterprises as well as their access to third markets; reminds of the urgent need for an independent and external evaluation, in particular, of the effectiveness of the EU business centres in Asia which shall be delivered to the European Parliament in due time.
Amendment 366 #
2014/2075(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 154 b (new)
Paragraph 154 b (new)
154b. Asks the Commission to redistribute personal resources from other directorates-general (DG) to the DG for Trade to ensure that the DG Trade is able to satisfy the justified demand of the European citizens and the European Parliament for an increased transparency and access to information in the context of ongoing trade negotiations of the EU and the upcoming ratification process, in particular with regard to TTIP, CETA and TISA, in an effective, efficient and timely manner without being forced to neglect other important assigned tasks.
Amendment 425 #
2014/2075(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 185
Paragraph 185
185. Calls on the Commission to transmit the auNotes that in December 2013 Turkish medita report on theed alleged misuse of EU funds with regard to operational costs for two programmes (Lifelong learning EUR 6,9 million, Youth in action EUR 1,65 million) in 2012 and 2013 in Turkey before the end of April 2015; criticises the Commission for not granting the discharge authority access to the audit findings, as the latter requested on numerous occasions in 2014; expects to receive the audit report by mid-April 2015, i.e. in time for the vote on the 2013 Commission discharge;
Amendment 430 #
2014/2075(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 193
Paragraph 193
193. Recalls that OLAF opened 423 investigationcases on 31 January 2012; is concerned about the legality of such a procedure; calls on the OLAF-SC to assess the legality of the 423 investigations opened over night and the outcome of thowelcomes that the OLAF-SC analysed the procedure chosen by the director general of OLAF in its report 3/2014; is deeply worried by the conclusion saying "the OLAF Director-General opened all the cases inv questigations; also asks the OLAF- SC to assess the statistics on the duration of investigations, to analyse the functioning of the case management system and to report back to Parliamenton without establishing beforehand the existence of a sufficiently serious suspicion that there had been fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the financial interests of the Union – which is in contradiction with the legal requirement for opening an OLAF investigation, in force at that time."; takes note that OLAF disagrees with this finding;
Amendment 432 #
2014/2075(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 193 a (new)
Paragraph 193 a (new)
193a. Calls on the OLAF-SC to assess also the statistics on the duration of investigations, to analyse the functioning of the case management system and to report back to Parliament's competent committee;
Amendment 435 #
2014/2075(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 194 a (new)
Paragraph 194 a (new)
194a. asks the Commission to provide Parliament with the highest pension paid in 2013 for Commission officials;
Amendment 442 #
2014/2075(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 199 a (new)
Paragraph 199 a (new)
199a. Points to the notice issued by the Commission Secretariat-General on limiting answers to parliamentary questions, which lays down a 20-line limit; calls on the Commissioners to shoulder their political responsibility and stop allowing themselves to be limited in their answers by the Secretariat-General;
Amendment 444 #
2014/2075(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 199 a (new)
Paragraph 199 a (new)
199a. Points out that non-governmental organisations received in 2013 almost 9 mio. EUR from DG Environment, almost 4 mio. EUR from DG Health and Consumers and 5,7 mio EUR from DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion; takes note of a permanent externalisation of Commission tasks; asks the Commission to present to the Parliament the European added value of the money channelled via these NGOs;
Amendment 446 #
2014/2075(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 199 b (new)
Paragraph 199 b (new)
199b. Calls on the Commission to provide Commissioners who have been in office for less than two years with a transitional allowance for a period which does not exceed their term of office as a Commissioner;
Amendment 18 #
2014/2059(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls, in this context, on the Member States to ensure that EU funding is directed, wherever possible, towards projects promoting the creation of jobs, in particular for young people, as well as sustainable growth and competitiveness;
Amendment 17 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Strongly regrets the factConsiders that both the procedure leading up to the agreement on the MFF 2014-2020 and the political debate surrounding these negotiations demonstrated a clear lack of shared visionshowed that there are very divergent approaches as regards the EU budget and fell short ofs well as Parliament’'s increased role and prerogatives, as set out in under the Treaty of Lisbon; considers it of the utmost importance, therefore, that this report draw the necessary political and institutional lessons, which can serve as a basis for the preparation of future negotiations, notably in relation to the post-electoral revision of the MFF, due to be launched by the Commission before the end of 2016;
Amendment 20 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Acknowledges that the fiscal consolidation that Member States are currently facing did not facilitate a more ambitious agreement on the MFF 2014- 2020; deeply regrets, however, the fact that, as a result ofnotes that these negotiations, the role of the EU budget as an important and common policy instrument for overcoming the current economic and social crisis and coordinating and enhancing national eff revealed a wide gap between net contributorts to regain growth and generate employment in the whole EU has been largely disregardedand net recipients;
Amendment 28 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is deeply concerned at the facPoints out that any budgetary debates in the Council has been for many years poisontend to be influenced by the logic of ‘fair returns’; stresses that this situation is largely due to the current system of EU financing, whereby some 85 % of revenues stem from national contributions instead of genuine own resources; considers that such a system places disproportionate emphasis on net balances between the Member States and has led to the progressive introduction of complex and opaque rebates and other correction mechanisms for the financing of the EU budget;
Amendment 37 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that this logic also prevailed in the way the MFF agreement was struck by the European Council on 8 February 2013; considers it regrettable that this was reflected in the fact that the national allocations, especially from agriculture and cohesion policy, were determined at that moment; deplorcriticises, in particular, the list of special allocations and ‘gifts’ granted in the course of negotiations between Heads of State and Government, which are not based on objective and verifiable criteria, but rather reflect the bargaining power of Member States, trying to secure their national interests and maximise their net returns; denounces the lack of transparency in striking this agreement;
Amendment 39 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Strongly rejects this purely accounting vision of the EU budget, which disregards the European added value, contradicts the principle of EU solidarity and underestimates the current and potential role of the EU budget in strengthening economic governance; stresses that the EU budget is predominantly an investment budget with a strong leverage effect and a catalyst for growth and jobs across the Union; considers it regrettable, therefore, that some Member States seem to regard national contributions to the EU budget purely as a cost to be minimised and flowback from the EU budget as an additional source of income at their free disposal;
Amendment 60 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recalls that, pursuant to Article 312 TFEU, the Council unanimously adopts the MFF Regulation after obtaining the consent of Parliament, while the three EU institutions ‘shall take any measure necessary to facilitate its adoption’; notes, therefore, that the Treaty does not set out any concrete procedure for the involvement of Parliament in the MFF negotiations and that these modalities were subsequently determined in practice through a number of ad hoc arrangements agreed at political level at Parliament’s initiative; stresses the need to reassess these working modalities, with a view to a future amendment of the TFEU;
Amendment 63 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers it regrettable that, prior to the European Council agreement on the MFF of 8 February 2013, no meaningful negotiations were held between Parliament and the Council; considers that the numerous meetings held between its negotiating team and the successive Council presidencies on the margins of the relevant General Affairs Council meetings, and its participation in informal Council meetings dealing with the MFF, facilitated only some information sharing between the Council and Parliament but, regrettably, had no impact; sees, therefore, the need for Parliament to critically analyse its own role in this process, and to discuss how to increase its influence on the spirit, calendar orand content of the negotiations within the Council; regrets the fact that its positions remained widely neglected or misunderstood among Council deleg and how to make its positions acknowledged among Council delegations in future negotiations;
Amendment 92 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Stresses the need to launch a broad and open discussion on the results achieved with the EU's funding programmes, and in particular an assessment of the extent to which these programmes attain the objectives defined by Parliament, namely, the stimulation of sustainable growth and the promotion of social cohesion;
Amendment 98 #
2014/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Strongly believeConsiders that the High Level Group on Own Resources represents a unique opportunity to overcome the deadlock that has arisen over the reform of the current own-resources system; expectunderlines that it will contribute significantly to understandingneeds to assess the shortcomings of the current system and the benefits that can derive from an in-depth, comprehensive reform and the introduction of new and genuine own resources which can significantly reduce the share of GNI contributions to the EU budget;
Amendment 24 #
2014/0180(COD)
Draft legislative resolution
Citation 2
Citation 2
– having regard to Article 294(2) and, Articles 322 and 325 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 106a of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C8- 0029/2014),
Amendment 25 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 1
Citation 1
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 322 and 325 thereof, in conjunction with the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 106a thereof,
Amendment 28 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11a) It is appropriate to identify and treat distinctly different cases usually referred to as situations of "conflict of interest". The notion of "conflict of interest" should be solely used for cases where an official or agent of a Union institution is in such situation. If an economic operator attempts to unduly influence a procedure or obtain confidential information, this is to be treated as "grave professional misconduct". Finally, economic operators may be in a situation where they cannot implement a contract because of a professional conflicting interest, for instance a company should not evaluate a project in which it has participated or an auditor should not be in a position to audit accounts it has previously certified.
Amendment 30 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point -1 (new)
Article 1 – point -1 (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 58 – paragraph 8
Article 58 – paragraph 8
(-1) Article 58(8) is replaced by the following: "8. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 210 concerning detailed rules on the methods of implementation of the budget, including direct management, the exercise of powers delegated to executive agencies, and specific provisions for indirect management with international organisations, with bodies referred to in Articles 208 and 209, with public law bodies or bodies governed by private law with a public service mission, with bodies governed by the private law of a Member State and entrusted with the implementation of a public-private partnership and with persons entrusted with the implementation of specific actions in the CFSP. Non-profit organisations which do not have the status of an international organisation set up by intergovernmental agreements shall not be assimilated to such an international organisation."
Amendment 31 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 1 a (new)
Article 1 – point 1 a (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 60 – paragraph 3
Article 60 – paragraph 3
(1a) Article 60(3) is replaced by the following: "3. The entities and persons entrusted pursuant to point (c) of Article 58(1) shall prevent, detect and correct irregularities and fraud when executing tasks relating to the implementation of the budget. To this end, they shall carry out, in accordance with the principle of proportionality, ex ante and ex post controls including, where appropriate, on-the-spot checks on representative and/or risk-based samples of transactions, to ensure that the actions financed from the budget are effectively carried out and implemented correctly. They shall also recover funds unduly paid and, bring legal proceedings where necessary in this regard. , and notify the Commission about any fraud case detected."
Amendment 32 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 1 b (new)
Article 1 – point 1 b (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 66 – paragraph 9 – subparagraph 2
Article 66 – paragraph 9 – subparagraph 2
(1b) The second subparagraph of Article 66(9) is replaced by the following: "The activity report shall indicate the results of the operations by reference to the objectives set, the risks associated with those operations, the use made of the resources provided and the efficiency and effectiveness of internal control systems, including an overall assessment of the costs and benefits of controls. The report shall also include an assessment of the extent to which the operations have contributed to policy achievements and generated Union added value, as well as of the overall performance of those operations."
Amendment 33 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 1 c (new)
Article 1 – point 1 c (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 66 – paragraph 9 – subparagraph 3
Article 66 – paragraph 9 – subparagraph 3
(1c) The third subparagraph of Article 66(9) is replaced by the following: "No later than 15 June each year, the Commission shall send to the European Parliament and the Council a summary of the annual activity reports for the preceding year. The annual activity report of each authorising officer by delegation shall also be made available to the European Parliament and the Council., as well as the annual activity reports of the authorising officers/authorising officers by delegation of the other institutions, offices, bodies and agencies, shall also be made available to the European Parliament and the Council and be published on the website of the respective institution, office, body or agency no later than 30 June each year for the preceding year."
Amendment 35 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 1 d (new)
Article 1 – point 1 d (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 99 – paragraph 5
Article 99 – paragraph 5
Amendment 36 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 101 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Article 101 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. 'Administrative decision' means a decision of an administrative authority having final and binding effect in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which the economic operator is established, with those of the Member State of the contracting authority, or with the applicable Union legal provisions.
Amendment 38 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 102 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 102 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 40 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 1
Article 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 104 – paragraph 5
Article 104 – paragraph 5
5. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 210 concerning detailed rules on the types of procurement procedures, dynamic purchasing system, joint procurement, low value contracts and payment aga for the award of contracts with reference to their value in comparison to the thresholds referred to in Article 118(1), on a dynamic purchasing system, and on joinst invoicesprocurement.
Amendment 41 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 105 – paragraph 2
Article 105 – paragraph 2
2. In the procurement documents, the contracting authority shall identify the subject matter of the procurement by providing a description of its needs and the characteristics required of the works, supplies or services to be bought and specify the applicable exclusion, selection and award criteria. It shall also indicate which elements define the minimum requirements to be met by all tenders.
Amendment 43 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 106 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 106 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. "Professional misconduct" shall mean violation of laws or regulations or of ethical standards of the profession to which the economic operator belongs, as well as any wrongful conduct which has an impact on its professional credibility. Professional misconduct shall only give rise to exclusion where it denotes a wrongful intent or gross negligence. Any of the following conducts are deemed to be grave professional misconduct: (a) misrepresenting information; (b) entering into agreement with other economic operators with the aim of distorting competition; (c) violating intellectual property rights; (d) attempting to influence the decision- making process of the contracting authority during the procedure; (e) attempting to obtain confidential information on the procedure.
Amendment 44 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 106 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 106 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Evidence may include: (a) facts established in the context of audits or investigations carried out by the Court of Auditors, OLAF or internal audit, or any other check, audit or control made under the responsibility of the contracting authority; (b) administrative decisions which may include disciplinary measures taken by the competent supervisory body responsible for the verification of the application of standards of professional ethics, decisions of the ECB, the EIB, international organisations, or the Commission relating to the infringement of the Union's competition rules or decisions of a national competent authority.
Amendment 45 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 106 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 106 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
3. Except for cases provided for in point (d) of paragraph 1, the contracting authoritypanel may decide not to exclude the economic operator concerned where it has taken remedial measures to demonstrate its reliability.
Amendment 46 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 106 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 106 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
The contracting authority shall report annually to the European Parliament and the Council, in accordance with the provisions of Title IX, on any decisions it has taken pursuant to the second subparagraph.
Amendment 47 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 106 – paragraph 7
Article 106 – paragraph 7
7. The contracting authority may also verify whether a subcontractor is not in a situation of exclusion listed in paragraph 1 of this Article or is in one of the cases referred to in paragraph 3 of this Articleapply paragraphs 1 to 3 to a subcontractor of the economic operator, and shall require that a candidate or tenderer replaces a subcontractor or an entity on whose capacity it intends to rely, which is in an exclusion situation.
Amendment 48 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 107 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 107 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Before taking a decision to reject an economic operator from a given procedure, the contracting authority shall give the economic operator the opportunity to submit its observations, unless the rejection has been justified, in accordance with point (a) of paragraph 1, by an exclusion decision taken with regard to the economic operator, following the examination of its observations.
Amendment 49 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 108 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 108 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) by OLAF in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council* where an OLAF investigation in progress shows that it might be appropriate to take precautionary measures to protect the financial interests of the Union, with due regard to the respect for procedural and fundamental rights, and to the protection of whistleblowers;
Amendment 50 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 108 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 108 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) by an authorising officer of the Commission or of an executive agency in case of presumed grave professional misconduct, irregularity, fraud, corruption or serious breach of contract;
Amendment 51 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 108 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 108 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) by another institution, body or a European office in case of presumed grave professional misconduct, irregularity, fraud, corruption or serious breach of contract.
Amendment 52 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 108 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 108 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
3. For the situations referred to in points (b), (d), (e) and (f) of Article 106(1), a panel shall be set up by the Commission at the request of an authorising officer of the Commission or of an executive agency or a joint panel at the request of another institution, body or European office. The panel shall appoint a standing high-level board and be composed of members with technical and legal competences. The Commission shall ensure that the panel can work independently. The panel, on behalf of the Commission and its executive agencies, other institutions, bodies or European offices, shall apply the following procedure:
Amendment 53 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 108 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 108 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) where the request of the authorising officer is based, inter alia, on the information provided by OLAF, the Office shall cooperate with the panel in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013, with due regard to respect for procedural and fundamental rights, and to the protection of whistleblowers;
Amendment 54 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 108 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point f
Article 108 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point f
(f) the panel may take an exclusion decision including as regards the duration of the exclusion and/or may impose a financial penalty on the basis of evidence and information received taking into account the principle of proportionality; the financial penalty shall represent between 2 % and 10 % of the total value of the contract, without prejudice to the application of liquidated damages or other contractual penalties;
Amendment 55 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 108 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 108 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
5. TWhere the conduct of economic operators has been detrimental to the Union's financial interests, the authorities of the Member States and third countries as well as the ECB, the EIB, the European Investment Fund and the entities participating in the implementation of the budget in accordance with Articles 58 and 61 shall:
Amendment 56 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 108 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 108 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Where the budget is implemented in indirect management with third countries, the Commission may take an exclusion decision or impose a financial penalty in accordance with the procedure referred to in paragraph 3, following the failure of the third country entrusted pursuant to point (c) of Article 58(1) to do so. This does not affect the responsibility, under Article 60(3), of the third country to prevent, detect and correct irregularities and fraud.
Amendment 57 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 108 – paragraph 8
Article 108 – paragraph 8
8. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 210 concerning detailed rules on the Union’s system for the protection of the Union's financial interests, including its standardised procedures and the details subject to publication, the time limits to exclude, the organisation of the panel, the criteria for membership of the panel, the selection process for members of the panel, the prevention and management of conflicts of interest of members of the panel, the duration of exclusion and financial penalties.
Amendment 58 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 110 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 110 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) the candidate or tenderer is not subject to conflicting interests which may negatively affect the performance of the contract.
Amendment 59 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 110 – paragraph 2
Article 110 – paragraph 2
2. The contracting authority shall base the award of contracts on the most economically advantageous tender in accordance with Article 67 of Directive 2014/24/EU.
Amendment 60 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 110 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 110 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The contracting authority may decide not to award a contract to the tenderer submitting the most economically advantageous tender where it has established that the tender does not comply with the applicable environmental, social and labour law obligations established by Union or national legislation, collective agreements or the international environmental, social and labour conventions listed in Annex X to Directive 2014/24/EU.
Amendment 62 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 115 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 115 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) ensure full performance of the contract after payment of the balanceduring the contract liability period.
Amendment 63 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 108 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 108 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Where the budget is implemented in indirect management with third countries, the Commission may take an exclusion decision or impose a financial penalty in accordance with the procedure referred to in paragraph 3, following the failure of the third country entrusted pursuant to point (c) of Article 58(1) to do so. This does not affect the responsibility, under Article 60(3), of the third country to prevent, detect and correct irregularities and fraud.
Amendment 64 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 4
Article 1 – point 4
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 114a – paragraph 2
Article 114a – paragraph 2
2. The contracting authority may modify a contract or framework contract substantially without a procurement procedure only in cases provided for in paragraph [2a] or in the delegated acts adopted pursuant to this Regulation and provided the substantial modification does not alter the subject matter or overall nature of the contract or framework contract.
Amendment 65 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 4
Article 1 – point 4
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 114a – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 114a – paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 66 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 118 – paragraph 2
Article 118 – paragraph 2
2. Subject to exceptions and conditions to be specified in the delegated acts adopted pursuant to this Regulation, in the case of contracts above the thresholds set out in paragraph 1, the contracting authority shall not sign the contract or framework contract with the successful tenderer until a standstill period has elapsed. Contracts signed before the end of the standstill period shall be void.
Amendment 67 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 10 a (new)
Article 1 – point 10 a (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 139 – paragraph 5
Article 139 – paragraph 5
(10a) Article 139(5) is replaced by the following: "5. Where financial instruments are implemented under shared management with Member States, the provisions applying to those instruments, including rules for contributions to financial instruments managed directly or indirectly in accordance with this Title, shall be laid down in the Regulations referred to in Article 175. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Article 140(8) shall also apply to financial instruments under shared management."
Amendment 68 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 11 a (new)
Article 1 – point 11 a (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 162 – paragraph 1
Article 162 – paragraph 1
(11a) Article 162(1) is replaced by the following: "1. The Court of Auditors shall transmit to the Commission and the institutions concerned, by 30 June, any observations which are, in its opinion, such that they should appear in the annual report. Those observations shall remain confidential and shall be subject to an adversarial procedure. They shall nevertheless be made available to the European Parliament on request, if appropriate, on a confidential basis. Each institution shall address its reply to the Court of Auditors by 15 October. The replies of institutions other than the Commission shall be sent to the Commission at the same time."
Amendment 70 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 11 b (new)
Article 1 – point 11 b (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 163 – paragraph 1
Article 163 – paragraph 1
11b. Article 163(1) is replaced by the following: "1. The Court of Auditors shall transmit to the institution or the body concerned any observations which are, in its opinion, such that they should appear in a special report. Those observations shall remain confidential and shall be subject to an adversarial procedure. The institution or the body concerned shall inform the Court of Auditors, within two and a half monthin general within five weeks of transmission of those observations, of any replies it wishes to make in relation to those observations. The Court of Auditors shall adopt the definitive version of the special report the month following receipt of the replies made by the institution or body concernedreplies of the institution or the body concerned shall directly and exclusively address those observations. The Court of Auditors shall ensure that special reports are drawn up and adopted within an appropriate period of time, which shall, in general, not exceed 12 months. The special reports, together with the replies of the institutions or bodies concerned, shall be transmitted without delay to the European Parliament and the Council, each of which shall decide, where appropriate in conjunction with the Commission, what action is to be taken in response. The Court of Auditors shall take all necessary steps to ensure that the replies to its observations from each institution or body concerned, as well as the timeline for the drawing up of the special report, are published together with the special report."
Amendment 72 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 11 c (new)
Article 1 – point 11 c (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 164
Article 164
11c. Article 164 is replaced by the following: "1. The European Parliament, upon a recommendation from the Council acting by qualified majority, shall, before 15 May of year n + 2, give a discharge to the Commission in respect of the implementation of the budget for year n to the Union institutions and the bodies referred to in Articles 208 and 209. 2. If the date provided for in paragraph 1 cannot be met, the European Parliament or the Council shall inform the Commissioninstitutions and bodies concerned of the reasons for the postponement. 3. If the European Parliament postpones the decision giving a discharge, the Commissioninstitutions and bodies concerned shall make every effort to take measures, as soon as possible, to remove or facilitate removal of the obstacles to that decision."
Amendment 73 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 11 d (new)
Article 1 – point 11 d (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 165 – paragraph 3
Article 165 – paragraph 3
Amendment 74 #
2014/0180(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 11 e (new)
Article 1 – point 11 e (new)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 166
Article 166
11e. Article 166 is replaced by the following: "1. In accordance with Article 319 TFEU and Article 106a of the Euratom Treaty, the Commission and the other institutions and bodies shall take all appropriate steps to act on the observations accompanying the European Parliament’s discharge decision and on the comments accompanying the recommendation for discharge adopted by the Council. 2. At the request of the European Parliament or the Council, the institutions and bodies shall report on the measures taken in the light of those observations and comments, and, in particular, on the instructions they have given to any of their departments which are responsible for the implementation of the budget. The Member States shall cooperate with the Commission by informing it of the measures they have taken to act on those observations so that the Commission may take them into account when drawing up its own report. The reports from the institutions shall also be transmitted to the Court of Auditors."
Amendment 15 #
2013/2206(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Observes that 1 153 nongovernmental organisations (57% of all NGOs) are operating in the field of Europeaid and 152 (8%) in the field of humanitarian aid (ECHO), receiving EUR 1.52 bn and EUR 960 m respectively in EU funding; notes that EU funding of NGOs has doubled in 10 years; calls on the Commission to provide an overview of the 30 largest and 30 smallest projects being implemented by NGOs using EDF funding, and an overview of how much funding of their own the organisations have invested in each of these projects;
Amendment 17 #
2013/2206(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Expresses a political reservation about these appropriations, because their use by authorities in third States cannot be monitored either by the Commission or by the Court of Auditors;
Amendment 25 #
2013/2206(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Takes note of the fact that the Commission, notwithstanding the Parliament'sary resolutions relating toabout the 2010 and 2011 discharge procedures, has not yet made neither thpublic exhaustive performance indicators upon which the budget support to the Republic of Haiti was based, noeither the detailed assessments of the Government of the Republic of Haiti’'s performance upon which the decision to give budget support was based public;
Amendment 26 #
2013/2206(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56
Paragraph 56
Amendment 27 #
2013/2206(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
Paragraph 59
59. Observes that since the publication of the CONT report, no improvements have taken place, despite the fact that and the Union participatesion in the International Aid Transparency Initiative, some improvements have taken place;
Amendment 28 #
2013/2206(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72
Paragraph 72
72. Deplores, as in previous years, the fact that the investment facility is not covered by the Court of Auditors' Statement of Assurance or Parliament's discharge procedure, even though the projects are carried out by the EIB on behalf of and at the risk of the Union, using EDFs' resources; calls therefore for an end to be brought to the Tripartite Agreement during the October 2015 revision and include the investment facility in the normal discharge procedure;
Amendment 29 #
2013/2206(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73
Paragraph 73
73. Asks the Court of Auditors to issue a Special Report on the performance and alignment with Union development policies and objectives of EIB external lending activities before the mid-term review of the EIB’s external mandate and the mid-term review of the Investment Facility, as well as compare the added value with regards the own resources used by the EIB; asks the Court of Auditors, furthermore, to differentiate their analysis between the guarantees granted by the general budget of the Union and by the Member States, the investment facility endowed by the EDF, and the usage of reflows for these investments, and the EIB's use of the various forms of blending used in the EU Africa infrastructural trust fund, the Caribbean investment fund and the investment facility for the Pacific and the usage of reflows for these investments;acility
Amendment 10 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Regrets, however, that a better geographical balance has not yet been achieved; observes that the Member States which joined in the last 10 years are underrepresented at managerial levels, with only 14% of these posts occupied by officials from these Member State as regards appointments to management posts; urges the EEAS to implement measures that contribute to a better and more balanced representation;
Amendment 11 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Asks the EEAS to strengthen the geographical balance as regards the posts of Head of Union Delegations, where the Member States which joined in the last 10 years are underrepresented, holding only 20 out of the 131 Head of Delegation posts in the EEAS;
Amendment 15 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Recognises that efforts have been made to reduce the top-heavy EEAS administration; is concerned, however, that the EEAS has the biggest proportion of high-graded staff out of all Union institutions, having 514 individuals employed in AD 12 or grades above (over 50% of all EEAS AD staff), making it difficult to achieve significant reductions in the top-heavy administration; also points out that there are still directorates staffed by as few as 22, 27, or 30 persons and managing directorates with a staff complement of 44; considers that the reversion of this situation could be achieved in the coming years through efficient management policies;
Amendment 19 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Considers the responsibilities of the Union Special Representatives (EUSRs) to be very unclear; regrets that the information on the use of the budget they receive to implement their mandate continues to be obscure and is not forthcoming unless asked for; expresses its concern, especially in view of the fact that the High Representative was planning in 2010 to do away with EUSRs, but the EUSR budget was raised from EUR 15 m in 2011 to EUR 27 m in 2012, an increase of 80%, and, compared with 2011, the EUSR travel budget for 2012 was trebled;
Amendment 22 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for the Special Representatives’ statute to be revised and for thosean end to the parallel foreign policy pursued through the Special Representatives and, in terms of pay, insists that EUSRs should not be treated more favourably than EU ambassadors in post; points out that EUSRs are placed in the highest salary grade, in other words at director-general level, but do not bear the same responsibility as directors-general; calls for EUSR positions to be fully integrated into the EEAS structure; recommends the transfer of the EUSR budget into the EEAS budget;
Amendment 23 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Welcomes the fact that the number of one-person EU delegations has been reduced from 18 in the preceding year to the present 15; calls on the EEAS to continue that trend and to merge delegations where appropriate;
Amendment 43 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Takes note that in 2012, the action plan for a better financial management of security contracts was initiated; acknowledges the results achieved as announced by the EEAS and asks to receive the text of the action plan and detailed information on the measures implemented in the next annual activity report;
Amendment 45 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Notes with disquiet that security contracts in Rome, Tanzania, and Fiji have extended over a life of more than ten years without being put out to tender again during that period; calls on the EEAS to provide Parliament with details on its contractors in the above places, the value of their contracts, and the exact duration of those contracts;
Amendment 48 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Calls on the EEAS to make greater efforts to save costs by sharing buildings and facilities with the diplomatic services of Member States in delegations; calls on the EEAS to compile a summary – to be submitted to Parliament – showing how many embassies and consulates of Member States in countries with EU delegations have been closed since the EEAS was set up or specifying the countries where the establishment of the EEAS has served to create synergies;
Amendment 49 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 b (new)
Paragraph 37 b (new)
37b. Notes that in 2012 two senior managers at the EEAS were retired in the interests of the service (Article 50 of the Staff Regulations); notes further – with the proviso that the position at the Council cannot be ascertained – that no other EU institution invoked that provision in 2012; points out that officials to whom the above arrangement is applied are entitled to draw a full pension from age 55; calls on the EEAS to inform Parliament of the reasons, the age of the two officials concerned, and the annual costs to be incurred on their account;
Amendment 53 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 a (new)
Paragraph 40 a (new)
40a. Expresses concern at the fact that, contrary to the plan to make more selective use of, and shorten, leave for staff in non-EU countries, as was announced in connection with the reform of the Staff Regulations, such leave, treated as rest leave, is now even being applied to more countries than before; points out that, in addition to the leave, air tickets are provided for all the family; calls for an overview of the cost of this measure, which takes effect in 2014, whereas the leave cuts will not be implemented until 2015;
Amendment 54 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41a. Notes that payments for annual leave entitlement outstanding at the time of termination of service amounted on average to EUR 8 526 per person in 2012 and fell to EUR 5 986 in 2013; calls on the EEAS to take the steps required to lower these costs further;
Amendment 55 #
2013/2205(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Takes the view that improvements can be made at the financial management to prevent interests on late payments, in particular reducing the delay period; notes that the three highest amounts of late payment interest are EUR 3 714.84, EUR 4 395.71, and EUR 5 931.67;
Amendment 9 #
2013/2200(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on the Court of Auditors to include a timeline in each of its special reports, setting out the individual stages of the report (from initial groundwork to publication);
Amendment 16 #
2013/2200(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Is of the firm opinion that the three- year-mandate of the President of the Court of Auditors should only be renewable once;
Amendment 4 #
2013/2199(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the amount of pending and closed cases in the General Court has decreased slightly in 2012 when compared to previous years (i.e. 1 308 pending cases in 2011 and 1 237 pending cases in 2012); regrets, however, that the number of closed cases has been decreasing (i.e. 714 closed cases in 2011 and 688 closed cases in 2012); shares the view that the General Court needs human resourshould take more action to reduce outside Court activities of members and staff; asks the Court of Justice to follow a more transparent approach by publishing on the Court of Justice's reinforcementwebsite a list of the outside activities for each Judge; finds that the proposal for the creation of additional appointments of judges in the General Court, which continues under examination in the Council, could contribute to the effective reduction of pending cases;
Amendment 5 #
2013/2199(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that the Court of Justice and the Civil Service Tribunal have followed the same trend of fewer cases closed and more cases pending when compared to the situation in 2011 (Court of Justice: 849 pending cases in 2011 and 886 pending cases in 2012, with 638 closed cases in 2011 and 595 closed cases in 2012; Civil Service Tribunal: 178 pending cases in 2011 and 235 pending cases in 2012, with 166 closed cases in 2011 and 121 closed cases in 2012); notes that there has been no change of members of the Civil Service Tribunal; asks for clear information on the output of every three-and five-judge- chamber of the Court of Justice and the General Court and of the three-judge and the Single judge Chamber in the Civil Service Tribunal; asks for information on how many cases were treated as rapporteur by the President and the Vice President after the reorganisation of the Court of Justice;
Amendment 6 #
2013/2199(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Asks the Court of Justice, the General Court and the Civil Service Tribunal to give an overview of the number of cases pending since more than 24 months;
Amendment 7 #
2013/2199(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises the fact that the Court of Auditors recognises that there is still a margin for improvement within the existing means at the Court of Justice's disposal; stresses that the internal reforms implemented in 2012, namely the creation of the new five-Judge chamber and the new three-Judge chamber and the changes in the composition of the Grand Chamber, as well as the revision of the Rules of Procedure, have contributed to certain changes in the system and that more can be done with further reforms; asks the Court of Justice for information on how many cases were attributed in 2012 to each rapporteur in the Court of Justice and the General Court;
Amendment 9 #
2013/2199(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Urges the Court of Justice to find a way to manage the trend towards an increase in the number of new cases and heavy workload as internal reforms and the revision of the Rules of Procedure alone will not be sufficient in the coming years to significantly decrease the number of pending cases in the Court of Justice; sees one possibility in reducing the weeks without hearings or advisements;
Amendment 10 #
2013/2199(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Requests that the Court of Auditors carry out a benchmark study which gives information about the output of comparable Supreme Courts in Member States and the Court of Justice;
Amendment 11 #
2013/2199(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that in the years when the mandate of more judges come to an end, which is a process that is forseeable, there is a highcertain risk that productivity will decrease and that the continuity and stability of the Court of Justice's work will be affected; if the Council does not renew the mandate of the judges and if there is a delay in the appointment of the new judgesnsists, that every appointed judge is deemed to be able to start his work at once;
Amendment 16 #
2013/2199(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Regrets the fact that the Member States which have joined in the last 10 years are not represented at managerial level in the institution; regrets that out of four Director-General posts, none are held by citizens of those Member States; regrets, furthermore, that no positions at director level are held by citizens of those Member States; reiterates the need for a greater geographical balance at all levels of the administration;
Amendment 7 #
2013/2197(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls for a progress report on the Résidence Palace building project and a detailed breakdown of the costs incurred to date;
Amendment 37 #
2013/2196(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Subtitle and paragraph 40 d (new)
Subtitle and paragraph 40 d (new)
– The President's political activities 40d. Calls for detailed information on how the President, as a party politically neutral figure, has kept his duties in office separate from his preparations to head the social democrats' list in the European elections, in particular with regard to the staff in his cabinet and in Parliament's information offices and to travel expenses; considers that, in connection with many activities, no distinction has been made between the two roles; calls for clear segregation of office holders' functions, following the Commission's approach, so that European taxpayers do not have to pay for European list leaders' election campaigns;
Amendment 57 #
2013/2196(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Welcomes DG PRES reorganization that leads toNotes that DG PRES has been reorganised, resulting in the creation of a new DG EPRS (Parliamentary Research Services), and the internalisation ofat Parliament's security services leadhave been internalised, resulting toin the creation of DG Security; is satisfied that the reorganisation was budget neutral and that the internalisation of the security is foreseen to produce savinternalisation of security is projected to produce savings of more than EUR 11 million over the period 2013- 2016; notes, however, that five members of the President's Cabinet are earmarked for posts as directors-general or directors in Parliament's Administration; criticises this political hijackings of more than EUR 11 million oveanagement positions and the undermining of the Staff Regulations; points out that the EU criticises political patronage around the world, and calls for theat period 2013- 2016; nciple to be observed with regard to Parliament's Administration, too;
Amendment 58 #
2013/2196(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)
Paragraph 49 a (new)
49a. Notes that a director-general's post has been filled, but that, six months after the appointment, the staff member selected has still not taken up the post; calls for that director-general's post to be abolished;
Amendment 63 #
2013/2196(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 f (new)
Paragraph 49 f (new)
49f. Criticises the fact that an OLAF Supervisory Committee report to Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control was not forwarded to it by the President, but, rather, was held back for more than two months; criticises the fact that there was a three-month delay before Parliament's Administration forwarded witness summonses from a Belgian court to the three Members concerned; criticises the fact that the Committee on Budgetary Control was hampered in its work because a hearing on the work of the Task Force for Greece was cancelled and a hearing on 'Governance – the European Commission as administrative authority' was held up for more than a year;
Amendment 64 #
2013/2196(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 g (new)
Paragraph 49 g (new)
49g. Calls for all annexes to written parliamentary questions (Rule 117 of Parliament's Rules of Procedure) to be posted, together with the questions concerned, on Parliament's website;
Amendment 71 #
2013/2196(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54 a (new)
Paragraph 54 a (new)
54a. Calls for information on the employment arrangements for local ushers in Strasbourg and the employment arrangements for ushers in Brussels during Strasbourg weeks; calls for a report by Parliament's Administration on whether, in the case of local ushers in Strasbourg, EU labour and social security law is complied with and on the precautions taken against bogus self- employment; calls for a cost comparison, with a view to establishing the best option for the taxpayer;
Amendment 74 #
2013/2196(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54 d (new)
Paragraph 54 d (new)
54d. Asks for a report on the increase in AD and AST posts in Parliament's Administration between 2005 and the current financial year; asks for a breakdown by grade and nationality;
Amendment 75 #
2013/2196(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54 e (new)
Paragraph 54 e (new)
54e. Asks for a report on the increase in posts for directors and directors-general in Parliament's Administration since 2005; asks for a breakdown by nationality;
Amendment 76 #
2013/2196(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54 f (new)
Paragraph 54 f (new)
54f. Regards the post, attached to the Secretary-General, of Director for Relations with the Political Groups as superfluous and calls for it to be abolished;
Amendment 77 #
2013/2196(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54 g (new)
Paragraph 54 g (new)
54g. Asks for a report on how many political group staff have become officials since 2009 (a) under a conventional selection procedure and (b) on the basis of the 'passarelle' clause;
Amendment 79 #
2013/2196(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56 a (new)
Paragraph 56 a (new)
56a. Is concerned at undetected conflicts of interest in connection with the award of grants from Parliament's budget; points to Article 58 of the Financial Regulation and to the Administration's obligation to verify declarations issued by grantees and contractors; calls for information as to what risk analyses are carried out by Parliament's Administration in respect of those declarations in order to verify the veracity thereof;
Amendment 80 #
2013/2196(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56 b (new)
Paragraph 56 b (new)
56b. Notes that DG COMM has a large budget under line 3242, "Publication, information and participation in public meetings"; sees more and more outsourcing with additional costs for the taxpayer; asks for a detailed list on outsourcing measures and cost thereof in DG COMM;
Amendment 81 #
2013/2196(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57
Paragraph 57
57. Notes that since January 2012, a new set of rules came into force governing the reception of visitors' groups, including the method of paying subsidies; notes that the Bureau decided to maintain the option to make cash payments to visitor groups; is concerned about the significant reputational and security risk entailed in making cash payments to visitor groups; asks for a new decision of the bureau to abolish cash payments which constitutes a violation of Directive 2005/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council1; takes note that out of approximately 2 000 visitor groups annually, only 365 in 2012 received more than EUR 15 000 but that the majority of these visitors' groups opt for cash payment method, although Parliament’s administration encourages payment by bank transfer or a mix of both methods instead; ______________ 1 Directive 2005/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2005 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering and terrorist financing (OJ L 309, 25.11.2005, p. 15).
Amendment 96 #
2013/2196(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66
Paragraph 66
66. WelcomesTakes note of the process of internalisation of staff in the Directorate- General for Innovation and Technological Support with a view to reducingand the promised reduction of costs and the increasing thed level of expertise and corporate identity among the staff in the IT area; recalls that the increased level of expertise concerning permanent innovations was also the reason given to externalise this sector several years ago; questions the argument of reduced costs; is aware of the constraints and challenges with regard to the recruitment of the best professionals available on the market; calls on the Secretary-General to cooperate with the European Personnel Selection Office to find ways how to accelerate the recruitment procedure and to attract the best experts in the area of IT technologies and security;
Amendment 65 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that the application of net financial corrections in the field of agriculture does not yet constitute the anticipated progress, as (a) the Commission’'s existing internal ruleindicative benchmarks already stipulate that the duration of conformity procedures must not exceed two years and (b) the so-called ‘'new’' criteria and methodology for applyingdetermining the proportionality of the financial corrections to be applied, as mentioned in Annex I to the Communication refer explicitly to guidelines that will be based on the existing ones adopted by the Commission as long ago as 23 December 1997; is surprised that for almost 20 years the Commission has not been able to bring the duration of the clearance procedures below the self-inflicted benchmarks; considers it necessary, however, for the conformity procedure to have its full effect to accelerate the procedure and to further improve the criteria and methods for the application of financial corrections beyond the new guidelines foreseen;
Amendment 86 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading 1 - Subheading 4
Heading 1 - Subheading 4
Grounds for the political reservationdemanding formal commitments by the Commission and Member States.
Amendment 94 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Is not prepared to accept the situation that for years the majority of the errors identified by the Court ought to be have been identified by the Member States themselves; considers, therefore, that in some Member States the control statistics, audit results and procedures constitute an inadequate basis for assessments and financial corrections by the Commission;
Amendment 101 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Regards political reservations as a new and effective budgetary control instrument, being a commitment by Parliament to monitor closely the measures taken by the Commission and Member States to eliminate these problems, so as to justify in the eyes of the public in particular the decision to grant discharge;
Amendment 106 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Notes that the Internal Audit Service of the Commission (IAS) found that the audit strategy of DG AGRI was not sufficiently formalised, namely that there were gaps in the definition of the audit universe, the setting up of quantitative and measurable objectives (e.g. audit coverage), and the related capacity analysis; is worried about the IAS's finding that audit plans were not sufficiently supported by risk assessments and that there was a significant audit backlog (13 % of engagements of 2007- 2010 still open), despite DG AGRI's efforts to reduce it;
Amendment 116 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Notes that the Director-General for DG AGRI has maintained a reputational reservation concerning deficiencies in the supervision and control of certified organic products; expects remedial action of the Commission to ensure that the absence of sufficient controls does not lead to unfair distortion of competition between organic and conventional farmers;
Amendment 117 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Amendment 123 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Notes that Member States' authorities have interpreted guidance in different ways, in particularly as regards statistical sampling and coverage of the audit universe; is deeply worried since the Internal Audit Service of the Commission found significant variations in the extent and depth of on-the-spot tests;
Amendment 127 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading 1 - Subheading 6 a (new)
Heading 1 - Subheading 6 a (new)
in the field of the European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF)
Amendment 129 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. is worried about the high financial indicators for opening an investigation included in the Investigative Policy Priorities of OLAF for the years 2012 and 2013 that are in the Customs sector: EUR 1 million, in the Agriculture sectors: EUR 100 000 for SAPARD and above EUR 250 000 for Agriculture; in the Structural Funds: EUR 500 000 in the European Social Fund as well as in the Cohesion Fund and EUR 1 million in ERDF, in the external aid and centralised expenditure sectors: EUR 50 000 and also in the Union staff sector: EUR 10 000; criticises that it is in the responsibility of the managing DGs to care about possible fraud cases below these financial indicators without having qualified staff at their disposal; sees taxpayers money and the financial interest of the Union endangered;
Amendment 130 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21b. notes that it has not received eight months after the adoption of Parliament's resolution1a on the protection of the financial interest 2011 in plenary, the legal analysis of the legality of recordings of private phone conversations during administrative investigations concerning members of the Union institutions and Union officials conducted by OLAF requested in paragraph 75; _____________ 1a Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0318.
Amendment 134 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Calls on the Commission, in the field of agriculture, to resolve without delay the problems occurring in Paying Agencies whose residual risk of error lies above the materiality threshold of 2 % as identified by the Commission; suggests to focus its efforts especially on the Paying Agencies in France, Bulgaria, Romania, Portugal and Latvia;
Amendment 136 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls, in order to remedy shortcomings in LPIS systems, for conformity procedures to be shortened andthat action plans to bare implemented promptly when deficiencies are detected; calls, in the event of failure to comply with the deadlines, for net corrections to be made in the action plans in the Member States concerned as part of the confiormity clearance procedure;
Amendment 140 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Calls on DG AGRI to develop and formalise its control strategy, re-engineer its risk assessments according to the targets established, and ensure proper monitoring through better quantitative and qualitative key performance indicators whose disclosure in the AAR should be improved;
Amendment 150 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. expects that the Commission improves its own checks on the audit authorities' annual control reports, to ensure that auditors are able to reach conclusions on the impact of the reliability of error rates from Member States' audits and to strengthen its assurance process; is of the opinion that these inconsistencies need to be addressed as soon as possible to minimise the risk of non-detection of system weaknesses and/or errors and irregularities;
Amendment 157 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Calls on the Commission to establish a registry for all Union funds going to media in the Member States from the structural funds or agricultural funds including rural development;
Amendment 162 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 b (new)
Paragraph 32 b (new)
32b. Calls on the Commission to apply Article 32(5) of the new Financial Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 if the level of error is persistently high, and consequently to identify the weaknesses in the control systems, analyse the costs and benefits of possible corrective measures and take or propose appropriate action in terms of simplification, improvement of control systems and redesign of programmes or delivery systems;
Amendment 164 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 c (new)
Paragraph 32 c (new)
32c. Urges the Commission to tackle the problem of 'frontmen' being used for the purpose of obtaining public contracts and calls for every stage of public procurement procedures to be published on Internet, ensuring maximum transparency, and identifying subcontractors also;
Amendment 165 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 d (new)
Paragraph 32 d (new)
32d. Calls on the Commission to examine its internal shared management arrangements and make recommendations to the European Parliament regarding the appointment of EU officials at the head of national payment, management and audit authorities in the Member States with responsibility for the disbursement of EU funds;
Amendment 175 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Calls on the newly elected Parliament to raise the issue of the weaknesses in the fields of agricultural and regional policy indicated here at the hearUrges the next Parliament to follow up on the remedial measures referred to under points [22]-[30] and to ensure that the designated members of the new Commission commit formally, during their hearing, to implement these priority actions in full and within the defined timeframe; (The reference to poingts of the designa[22] - [30] in the suggested amembndment above refers tof the new Commission and to demand appropriate pledges in order to improve protection of the EU budget;text under the subheading 'Measures to be taken' and is intended to be dynamic and should be adjusted after adoption with the corresponding numbers of the paragraphs.)
Amendment 215 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69
Paragraph 69
69. Points out that as of 31 June 2013 gross pre-financing amounted to EUR 80.1 billion at the end of 2012 and insistof which 75 % (approximately EUR 61 billion) were older than 18 months and 20 % (EUR 16 billion) were older than six years; notes that unnecessary extended periods of pre- financing can lead to an increased risk of error or loss; notes that under shared management pre-financing payments are not conditioned by the existence of a guarantee; suggests therefore that the Commission should provide in the reports of the accounting officer a breakdown of pre-financing payments by year of their accrual and by Member State
Amendment 217 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69 a (new)
Paragraph 69 a (new)
69a. is worried since EUR 4,8 billion from the previous programming period 2000- 2006 was paid from the Union budget as pre-financing to projects in the structural domain as of 31 June 2013, which neither have been cleared nor had the amounts been recovered by the Commission or the Member States; demands information on the state of play of those projects and information about the schedule for recovery or clearance of those funds;
Amendment 218 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69 b (new)
Paragraph 69 b (new)
69b. demands a detailed breakdown and a detailed explanation of the EUR 2,3 billion of pre-financing that: (a) had been adjusted due to technical corrections made to the opening balance when accruals-based accounts were first prepared or (b) had been transferred from the Commissions balance sheet to other Union bodies (agencies and joint undertakings) at the time of their creation;
Amendment 219 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69 c (new)
Paragraph 69 c (new)
69c. is worried that the Commission received in the development and cooperation area only guarantees for a total of EUR 700 million while an amount of EUR 10,1 billion in pre-financing has already been paid; expects the Commission to undertake the necessary steps to minimise the credit risk; is convinced that NGOs, international organisations and other beneficiaries of grants or contracting parties should be subject to guarantee requirements for pre- financed amounts;
Amendment 228 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 74 a (new)
Paragraph 74 a (new)
74a. requests the Commission to forward each year to the Parliament the annual summaries of the final audit reports and of the controls carried out by the Member States pursuant to Article 59(5)(b) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 at the latest two months after their receipt by the Commission under the necessary safeguards laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement between Parliament and the Commission; notes that Parliament's competent committee received those annual summaries for the financial year 2012 only on 19 February 2014;
Amendment 237 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 87 a (new)
Paragraph 87 a (new)
87a. Considers that VAT fraud, and in particular the so-called carousel or missing trader fraud, distorts competition, and deprives national budgets from significant resources and is detrimental to the Union budget; calls on the Commission to use all means to enforce the obligation of Member States to provide information in a timely manner to the Commission; welcomes in this regard the promise of the Commissioner to provide Parliament until 1 May 2014 with an overview of the developments of the initiatives taken to tackle tax evasion and avoidance taking place within the Union and in relation to third countries;
Amendment 258 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 121
Paragraph 121
121. Shares nevertheless the concern expressed by the Court of Auditors that the use of flat-rate corrections does not sufficiently take into account the nature and gravity of the infringement and that the length of the procedure is a persistent problem with conformity decisions; deems flat-rate corrections however a necessary tool for situations where a more precise calculation is not feasible; therefore requests that the Commission set out criteria for the calculation of flat rate corrections that will ensure that the nature and gravity of the deficiency is adequately taken into account;
Amendment 269 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 128 a (new)
Paragraph 128 a (new)
128a. Notes that the amounts declared irrecoverable from the EAGF due to insolvency of the beneficiary amount to EUR 351,6 million since 2007 as reported by the Commission; notes also that a further EUR 6 million have not been recovered since 2007 for the reason that the costs exceeded the benefits of the recovery; expects the Commission to provide those amounts each year in its Annual Activity report and elaborate ways how Member States can diminish the risk of funding beneficiaries at the brink to insolvency;
Amendment 270 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 128 b (new)
Paragraph 128 b (new)
128b. Notes that in accordance with Article 33(7) of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 (EAFRD) a Member State may decide to halt the recovery procedure subject to the conditions laid down in Article 32(6) of that Regulation, only after closure of the programme; notes that all amounts in relation to EAFRD debts declared irrecoverable in the financial years 2007-2012, i.e. EUR 0,9 million of debts, do not have any valid justification; asks the Commission to explain what it is planning to do in this regard;
Amendment 271 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 128 c (new)
Paragraph 128 c (new)
128c. Observes that some Member States ran multiannual programs in the MFF 2007-2013 and some Paying Agencies were obliged to undertake recoveries from beneficiaries even when small amounts of no more than some Cents were concerned (since Article 33 (7) in connection with Article 32 (6) of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 was only applicable after closure of a rural development program); is worried since for these small amounts costs for the recovery clearly exceeded the amounts to be recovered; notes that for the financial year 2013 and 2014 no changes are in sight for the Member States concerned; notes that the Commission was informed about the problem early on; is surprised that the Commission has not reacted faster to remedy the embarrassing situation for the Union; calls on the Commission to take a more pro-active approach in solving such nuisances in the coming MFF when they come to the Commission's attention;
Amendment 278 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 133
Paragraph 133
133. Stresses nevertheless that these commitments concernNotes that all financial corrections ing the application offield of agriculture are net financial corrections do not represent considerable progress since (a) the current internal rules of the Commission already stipulate that the duration of; considers it necessary, however, for the conformity procedures should not exceed to have its full effect two years106 and (b) the so-called new 'criteria and methodology for applying financial corrections' mentioned in Annex I to the Communication on the application of net financial corrections on Member States for Agriculture and Cohesion policy, COM (2013) 934, refer explicitly toaccelerate the procedure and to further improve the criteria and methods for the application of net financial corrections beyond the new guidelines foreseen that will be based on the existing ones adoptedguidelines as decided on by the Commission already on 23 December 1997107;, ______________ 106 The Commission has set an indicative internal target by which it aims to complete the conformity clearance procedure. It provides for the entire procedure to be completed within 450 days after the audit took place (without conciliation) and 645 days if the Member State requests conciliation. See ECA special report 7/2010, ‘Audits of the clearance of accounts’, paragraphs 68 to 73 and 98. 107 The precise description for each CAP measure of the key and ancillary controls and the level of flat rates to be applied for each situation resulting from the criteria described in the annex should be fixed in Commission guidelines based on the existing ones which are solidly established and have allowed the Commission to obtain positive rulings from the Court of Justice on most of the cases contested by the Member States.
Amendment 280 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 134
Paragraph 134
134. Stresses in particular that the shortening of the conformity procedure leading to financial corrections announced by the Commission cannot be evaluated before mid-2016, which means that Parliament will engage with the matter in the course of the discharge procedure in 2017/2018; stresses that this makes it extremely difficult for the discharge authority to reach objective conclusions as to whether or not the discharge can be granted; acknowledges, however, that the Commission has devised a reliable approach, and recalls that the same conclusions should be drawn regarding the rural development situationonly as soon as in the course of the discharge procedure in the years 2017 and 2018;
Amendment 338 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 160 a (new)
Paragraph 160 a (new)
160 a. Appreciates the work of the Task Force for Greece; notes that of the 181 priority projects identified by the Group the following projects amounting to EUR 415,7 million are at risk: - New port of Igoumenitsa, phase C with an approved volume of EUR 81,25 million - Suburban train section Piraeus-3 Gefyres with a co-financed budget of EUR 70 million - Construction of pier in Symi port with an approved volume of EUR 4,1 million - National Registry with an approved volume of EUR 41,9 million - Cadastre with a co-financed budget of EUR 130 million - E-ticket with an approved volume of EUR 34,76 million - Rehabilitation of Karla lake with an approved volume of EUR 41 million - Improvement of the access road to the landfill of the 2nd Geographical unity of the Perfecture of AitoloAkarnania with an approved volume of EUR 11,4 million - Improvement - Widening of Provincial Road Velo - Stimagka - Koutsi – Nemea with an approved volume of EUR 7,1 million - Replacement of the central water mains of Zakynthos with an approved volume of EUR 9,6 million requests the Commission to inform Parliament in detail about the problems encountered with those projects;
Amendment 340 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 160 b (new)
Paragraph 160 b (new)
160b. Requests that the Commission evaluate the possibility to establish a Task Force for all Member States that struggle with the implementation of Union funds;
Amendment 362 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 177 a (new)
Paragraph 177 a (new)
177a. Demands clarification regarding a major case of fraud in connection with the ESF in Spain; notes that the fraud involved the organisation of educational and training events that are alleged to have been entirely fictional, held over the Internet with non-existent participants, with the level of grants depending on the number of registered participants; is concerned, since several million euros are involved; expects the Commission to provide information that might explain why this case was not noticed by any of the bodies responsible for control in the hierarchy of control obligations established by the regulation governing the fund (Madrid Court of Auditors, Spanish Court of Auditors, European Commission – DG EMPL, European Court of Auditors), and whether OLAF was involved; demands clarification as to whether the European Court of Auditors was aware of this case; demands to know how many similar cases have occurred in the past (cases in the Netherlands for example, and in other Member States);
Amendment 375 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading 7 - Subheading 1 a (new)
Heading 7 - Subheading 1 a (new)
Key performance indicators and EAMRs
Amendment 376 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 188 a (new)
Paragraph 188 a (new)
188a. Points out that international organisations can receive contracts directly from the Commission under certain conditions, without tender procedures, and this gives international organisations a considerable competitive advantage; considers the procedure through which the International Management Group (IMG) acquired the status of an international organisation to be questionable; points out that, in 2004 and again in 2008, the IMG was awarded this status by the Director-General of EuropeAid acting alone, in purely internal Commission procedures; regards this as justification of tendering errors; points out that a 'four-pillar assessment' was not carried out until 2010, by the firm Ernst & Young, which did not however correspond to an audit in line with internationally recognised auditing standards and did not go beyond the simple collection of information provided by the auditee itself; calls for detailed clarification as regards the legal basis on which the status of international organisation was granted in 2004, apart from the founding document dating from 1994, and information explaining why the 'four-pillar assessment' was carried out retrospectively in 2010;
Amendment 377 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 188 a (new)
Paragraph 188 a (new)
188a. Points out that the data quality of the key performance indicators (KPIs) within the External Assistance Monitoring Reports (EAMRs) submitted to DG DEVCO by the Heads of Union Delegations are of low quality, because: - some delegations were not required to provide data for certain KPIs; - some delegations did simply not comply to provide the KPI data requested; - system settings rounded figures automatically and made aggregation error prone; - the system was prone to human errors in calculations; - there was no common understanding of how to calculate certain KPIs; - the KPIs were not clearly defined;
Amendment 378 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 188 b (new)
Paragraph 188 b (new)
Amendment 379 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 188 b (new)
Paragraph 188 b (new)
188b. Points furthermore out that the concept of KPIs is systematically flawed, since the KPIs can by definition not be aggregated, compared and they make it impossible to draw firm and valid conclusions from them;
Amendment 380 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 188 c (new)
Paragraph 188 c (new)
188c. Notes that the Commission plays an active part in the International Management Group's Steering Committee; calls on the Commission to provide Parliament with a list of names of Commission staff who have attended meetings of the Steering Committee since 2000, as well as information showing when and how often these meetings took place and whether any kind of payment was made; calls, further, for the composition of the Steering Committee and minutes of its meetings to be forwarded to Parliament;
Amendment 381 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 188 c (new)
Paragraph 188 c (new)
188c. Expects that the Commission provides and presents during 2014 to the responsible committees in Parliament the overhauled system of KPIs; demands that the revised KPIs be aggregated and compared across delegations and years; expects furthermore that the Commission provides Parliament until the end of 2014 with a benchmarking report comparing the performance of Union Delegations along the revised system of KPIs;
Amendment 382 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 188 d (new)
Paragraph 188 d (new)
188d. Refers to the appointment procedure of the General Manager who "shall be appointed by a two thirds majority of the Standing Committee. The term of the Office will be one year [and] renewable [...].The General Manager shall serve under a contract signed either by the State or the institution seconding him to IMG or by the Presidency of IMG. In this last case the contract shall be approved by the Standing Committee" (see Article 12 Statute of IMG); asks the Commission to inform Parliament about the appointment procedure of the current General Manager, his remuneration, how long he is already in office and when his contract will end;
Amendment 383 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 188 d (new)
Paragraph 188 d (new)
188d. Suggests that the Commission develops furthermore a system to rank delegations according to their performance in each year and presents during 2014 an action plan to achieve this goal;
Amendment 384 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 188 e (new)
Paragraph 188 e (new)
188e. Points out that conflicts of interest might occur because of close family links between staff members of the Finance and Contract section in Union Delegations and IMG as beneficiary; recalls Parliament's demand to have access to the CVs of the persons concerned and asks therefore the Commission again to forward these CVs confidentially to the Parliament;
Amendment 385 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 188 e (new)
Paragraph 188 e (new)
188e. Expects that the Commission will provide the KPIs to Parliament in a machine readable format such as Excel tables or CSV-files together with the EAMRs so that they can be easily analysed;
Amendment 386 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 201
Paragraph 201
201. Observes that the President of the Commission still has not accounted to Parliament for the removal fromin plenary for the loss of office of Health Commissioner John Dalli on 16 October 2012 and; insists on the necessity of respecting the presumption of innocence and notes that the serious accusations of corruption levelled at the Commissioner by the tobacco industry, which he has always rejected, remain unproven to this day;
Amendment 398 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 205
Paragraph 205
205. Notes with concern the large number of suspected fraud cases which the Commission has reported to OLAF but which OLAF hasdismissed and referred back to the Commission; observes that no record is kept of the follow-up measures taken by the Commission; calls on OLAF at least to monitor the follow-up measures to these cases; calls for an analysis of the suspected fraud cases dismissed and referred back to the Commission in 2012 and 2013;
Amendment 401 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 206 a (new)
Paragraph 206 a (new)
206a. Requests that the Commission provide the Committee on Budgetary Control with a non-redacted version of the document D/000955 from the 5 February 2009 produced by OLAF on the misuse of Union funds by a high-ranking member of a Union institution;
Amendment 402 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 206 b (new)
Paragraph 206 b (new)
206b. Expects to be informed by the Commission about all Clearing House meetings in 2012 and 2013 in regard to the participants at these meetings and the agendas; is worried about the independence of OLAF and requests that the Supervisory Committee analyse how far the Clearing House meetings endanger the independence of OLAF;
Amendment 415 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading 14 a (new)
Heading 14 a (new)
Studies and advice/consultation from external providers
Amendment 416 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 223 a (new)
Paragraph 223 a (new)
223a. Notes that the Commission was not able to provide Parliament with a clear, concise list in a machine readable format from the Commissions ABAC system such as an Excel table or a .CSV-file that includes the topics of all studies as well as the specific issue of any external advice/consultation carried out for the Commission by external providers with the names of these providers as well as the country where the respective provider has its seat while also indicating the date the authorising officers committed the budget appropriations for the studies or the external advice broken down by years starting in 2009 ending 2013; expects that list to be submitted to the Committee on Budgetary Control until 1 May 2014;
Amendment 420 #
Amendment 421 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 223 b (new)
Paragraph 223 b (new)
223b. Notes that in June 2012 the accountant of the Brussels I School was removed from his post; expects that the Commission provides Parliament's Budgetary Control Committee with a detailed and comprehensive report on the irregular payments made and the follow- up of the case;
Amendment 422 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading 14 c (new)
Heading 14 c (new)
Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
Amendment 423 #
2013/2195(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 223 c (new)
Paragraph 223 c (new)
223c. Requests that the Commission provide a report on the problems encountered during the implementation process of REACH and the steps undertaken to dissolve those problems;
Amendment 1 #
2013/2145(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes with satisfaction that the actualthat the cumulative implementation of financial corrections for previous years imposed by the Commission on Member States that fail to implement sound systems and recoveries across all policy areas amount to about EUR 4,5 billion in 2012 (EUR 1.,8 billion in 2011)1 ;
Amendment 7 #
2013/2145(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
Amendment 28 #
Amendment 29 #
2013/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Amendment 30 #
2013/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. understands that increased controls might also have the additional benefit of removing those businesses, or front companies, that were only created by criminals to facilitate their fraud; notes that up to date dispatch and receipt of excise goods is confirmed in EMCS by business subjects themselves; requests the Commission to take initiative for a tightening of the EMCS access rights, to include a comprehensive history of compliance before trading so that it is possible to grant business subjects the status of "empowered economic operator" ("trusted business subject") so that only these subjects could operate EMCS directly by themselves.;
Amendment 31 #
2013/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. demands that verification checks conducted by Member States on people and companies applying to the register need to be more robust and comprehensive; understands that goods can easily be miss-declared to evade excise duties; demands therefore a higher degree of cooperation with tax authorities;
Amendment 32 #
2013/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 d (new)
Paragraph 11 d (new)
11d. considers that time limits allowed for the excise movements to go between authorised warehouses are unrealistically long; understands that this allows multiple movements on the same declaration and diversion before the delivery date is entered in the system; demands that competent institution of the Member State of the declared destination and the new destination must be informed about changes immediately by the consignor; demands furthermore that the maximum allowed time for submission of the report on the receipt of the excise goods shall be one working day and furthermore that journey time should be calculated and set up for each transportation in accordance with the type of the means of transport used and distance between places of dispatch and destination;
Amendment 33 #
2013/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 e (new)
Paragraph 11 e (new)
11e. finds that the guarantees required to establish bonded warehouses are too low in comparison to the value of the excise goods; considers that there should be a variable depending on the type of goods and the amount of trade actually occurring;
Amendment 34 #
2013/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 f (new)
Paragraph 11 f (new)
11f. Is concerned since Member States have implemented their own EMCS systems according to broadly defined requirements by the European Commission; requests therefore the Commission to take initiative for a more uniform system across the EU;
Amendment 36 #
2013/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. notes that it takes on average 2 years and 7 months between the start of a fraudulent practice and the moment it is detected; notes furthermore that another 7 or 8 months elapse before the irregularity is reported to the Commission; is concerned since guidelines on the moments when Member States report fraudulent irregularities and/or other irregularities to OLAF, if such guideline exist in a Member State at all, differ not only across the individual Member States, but also across policy areas; expects the Commission to draw up European wide guidelines for the reporting of fraudulent irregularities and/or other irregularities to OLAF;
Amendment 47 #
2013/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. requests the Court of Auditors to follow-up its previous special reports on the performance of OLAF in order to determine the effects of the reorganization;
Amendment 50 #
2013/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Expresses satisfaction that the reform of the rules governing the functioning of OLAF has finally been adopted, and welcomes the communication aimed at ‘Improving OLAF’s governance and reinforcing procedural safeguards in investigations: a step-by-step approach to accompany the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office’ (COM(2013)0533); notes the first positive effects of the reorganisation and restructuring of OLAF’s investigative procedures, shortening the average length of time for processing investigations, particularly at the stage of case selectionat on 1 February 2012 a total of 421 cases have been opened at once and closed again during 2012 most of them without recommendation; noticed furthermore that in addition, many cases older than 24 months have been closed in 2012 in which recommendations may not have been made at the time of closing; notes furthermore that this one-time effect is responsible for shorter a duration of investigations on average;
Amendment 54 #
2013/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 – point ii
Paragraph 24 – point ii
(ii) recognises that the increase in the number of information coming in from the public sector may be a positive sign of improved cooperation with Member States; notes that OLAF changed way in which it counts incoming information; notes that due to the lifecycle of the programming period more fraudulent irregularities have been reported in 2012 by public authorities since programmes were closed;
Amendment 55 #
2013/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 – point iii
Paragraph 24 – point iii
(iii) reiterates its request for exhaustive information on the nature of follow-up to OLAF recommendations; inter alia the question for how many OLAF cases it was not possible for national courts to follow up on account of (a) insufficient evidence, (b) low priority, (c) lack of legal basis, (d) absence of a public interest, (e) limitation of actions (f) procedural errors, (g) other reasons;
Amendment 56 #
2013/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 – point iii a (new)
Paragraph 24 – point iii a (new)
(iiia) reiterates its request to receive more information on the number of on-the-spot checks were carried out in each of the Member States;
Amendment 57 #
2013/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 – point iii b (new)
Paragraph 24 – point iii b (new)
(iiib) requests again to receive information on the number of investigations by each investigation area (agriculture, cigarettes, customs, internal EU policies, external aid, internal investigations, structural funds, VAT) for each Member State
Amendment 58 #
2013/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 – point iii c (new)
Paragraph 24 – point iii c (new)
(iiic) requests again detailed information in the Annual Reports on the duration of investigations broken down by external, internal, coordination and criminal assistance cases grouped by on-going cases and cases closed at year end;
Amendment 59 #
2013/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 – point iii d (new)
Paragraph 24 – point iii d (new)
(iiid) requests again information on the number of on-going and closed investigations in each European institution;
Amendment 63 #
2013/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. recalls that according to Article 5 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1848/2006 of 14 December 2006, Member States shall provide information on the initiation or abandonment of any procedures for imposing administrative or criminal sanctions related to the notified irregularities as well as of the main results of such procedures; recalls further that this information shall also indicate the character of the sanctions applied and/or whether the sanctions in question relate to the application of Community and/or national legislation, including a reference to the Community and/or national rules in which the sanctions are laid down; requests to be informed in detail with a comprehensive analysis on the reports received under Article 5 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1848/2006;
Amendment 74 #
2013/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Supports the Commission and OLAF on the introduction of an action plan to combat cigarette smuggling; demands a better cooperation between OLAF and EUROPOL in that regard;
Amendment 1 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Welcomes the Court of Auditors' report and notes its damning appraisal of the measures undertaken by both the Commission and Member States;
Amendment 2 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 a (new)
Paragraph -1 a (new)
-1a. Underlines that the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) claims to promote sustainable fishing, which implies the long-term viability of the fishing sector and a balance between fishing resources and the capacity of the fishing fleet in order to avoid overexploitation of fish stocks;
Amendment 3 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 b (new)
Paragraph -1 b (new)
-1b. Takes note that, although the reduction of fishing overcapacity has been a recurrent theme in previous reforms of the CFP and has been addressed in the Court of Auditors' Special Reports No 3/1993 and No 7/2007, the expensive measures taken to date to reduce fishing overcapacity by adapting the fishing fleet to fishing resources have been unsuccessful;
Amendment 4 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 c (new)
Paragraph -1 c (new)
-1c. Recognises that, as from 1995, the trend for Union fish catches has been declining and that, according to the Commission's April 2009 Green Paper, this decline is largely due to overfishing and forms part of a vicious circle involving fishing overcapacity and low economic performance of the fishing fleets;
Amendment 5 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 d (new)
Paragraph -1 d (new)
-1d. Is concerned that, since the last reform of the CFP in 2002, fish catches have declined by 1 million tonnes and jobs in the fishing sector have declined from 421 000 to 351 000 ;
Amendment 6 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 e (new)
Paragraph -1 e (new)
-1e. Notes that, although there is no official definition of overcapacity, declining catches and lost jobs caused by overfished fish stocks demonstrate de facto overcapacity; therefore calls on the Commission to define overcapacity and consider more relevant and robust measures to facilitate actions to balance fishing capacity with fishing opportunities;
Amendment 7 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 f (new)
Paragraph -1 f (new)
-1f. Believes that it is essential that the Commission urgently draft a report containing the data on existing overcapacity in the Union, broken down by fishery and country;
Amendment 8 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 g (new)
Paragraph -1 g (new)
-1g. Is concerned, furthermore, that fleet capacity ceilings, as a measure to restrict the size of the fishing fleet, have become irrelevant since the actual fleet size is well under the ceilings and could even be 200 000 tonnes bigger, while still complying with the rules; stresses that, at the same time, due to technological advances, the fishing capacity of the fleets has increased with an average of 3 % per year during the last decade;
Amendment 9 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 h (new)
Paragraph -1 h (new)
-1h. Notes that the CFP measures vessel capacity in terms of power (kilowatt) and size (gross tonnage) and that, however, these measures do not take into account technological progress in fishing methods, which complicates the task of setting appropriate targets for its reduction; notes that the Commission wants to maintain these static parameters until the end of 2015;
Amendment 10 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that, in terms of reducing fishing capacity, the Commission's new proposal for the CFP is founded on a new, market-based approach (schemes for granting transferable fishing rights), since the Commission has reached the conclusion that these schemes have a positive role to play in reducing fishing overcapacity;
Amendment 11 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Expresses its concern at the shortcomings encountered in the rules for the treatment of fishing rights when fishing vessels are scrapped with public aid, and at the failure to define clear and effective criteria for selecting vessels; considers that the scrapping schemes have, in part, been badly implemented, with examples of tax payers' money being used for the scrapping of already inactive vessels or even being used indirectly for building new vessels; notes, however, that some Member States have had scrapping schemes that have fulfilled their purpose; stresses, therefore, the need of strict safeguards when using scrapping schemes, as a way of reducing overcapacity in order to avoid abuse;
Amendment 12 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Regrets that investment on board fishing vessels funded by the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) could increase the ability of individual vessels to catch fish; considers that the interpretative note, prepared by the Commission and sent to Member States following the Court of Auditors' Special Report on the ability of the vessels to catch fish in which the Court called for national authorities to enforce stricter checks before deciding on the funding of projects of investments on board, is insufficient;
Amendment 13 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Believes that, particularly in the current economic climate, the emphasis should move to more efficient and fairer revenue collection systems and emphasises that the improvement of such systems should be of the utmost priority for the Union and all Member States, in particular those facing the biggest economic difficulties;
Amendment 14 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Recalls that, according to a study carried out on behalf of the Commission, the estimated average VAT gap in the Union is 12 %; draws special attention to the fact that this VAT gap has been at an alarming level of 30 % and 22 % in Greece and Italy respectively, the Member States which are experiencing the most difficult debt crisis;
Amendment 15 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Notes with regret that since its introduction, the VAT collection model has remained unchanged; believes that it is outdated, given the many changes to the technological and economic environment that have occurred;
Amendment 16 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Regrets that the Court of Auditors' report does not include sufficient information on levels of error or fraud and on the follow up, including judicial where necessary, as well as on the performance evaluation;
Amendment 17 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Is concerned that, in addition to the Court of Auditors´ significant focus on aligning legislation, continual monitoring will be needed and measures need to be put in place to address: - inadequate absorption levels on a number of recent programmes; - adequacy of external audit and internal control capacity; - stability of the procedures in programmes for funding; - transparency issues and the need to improve the awareness of stakeholders and the general public; - questions of efficiency, effectiveness and economy in use of funds, through performance evaluations;
Amendment 18 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Notes that a number of outstanding issues still remain to be addressed in several of the acquis chapters; in particular, attention is to be paid to legislative alignment in secondary legislation concerning public procurement, especially in the field of defence procurement, and also to the proper implementation of the newly adopted legislation, especially at local level, also with a view to the future management of the Structural Funds;
Amendment 19 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Underlines that increased efforts are needed in some areas, in particular, agriculture and rural development, where attention must be given to further legislative alignment and strengthening of administrative capacity in the areas of direct payments and rural development;
Amendment 20 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Notes the delays in the implementation of pre-accession assistance; welcomes the progress achieved in addressing the issue, and urges the Commission and Croatia's authorities to continue improving the speed of implementing assistance, especially by strengthening capacity- building; stresses that capacity-building in the framework of pre-accession assistance should target central institutions as well as regional and local structures; is concerned that, in the case of Croatia, insufficient attention to the latter may result in them lacking adequate administrative capacity and experience to implement Union assistance;
Amendment 21 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Invites the Croatian authorities to take measures addressing the abovementioned concerns, and calls on the Commission to report on Croatia's progress in tackling these and other outstanding issues;
Amendment 22 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39a. Welcomes the establishment in December 2011 of the Croatian Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, and the fact that the Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds has also been appointed to serve as a Deputy Prime Minister, which shows the commitment of the new government to the issues of regional development and utilisation of the Union funds;
Amendment 23 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 b (new)
Paragraph 39 b (new)
39b. Notes that Croatia has put considerable effort into the establishment of a sound financial management and control system, which should result in the expected waiver of the ex ante controls in the second half of 2012; stresses, however, that further sustained action is needed, given that, in most areas, the Commission has not yet authorised Croatia to implement pre-accession assistance without ex ante checks;
Amendment 24 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 c (new)
Paragraph 39 c (new)
39c. Welcomes the fact that, as of January 2012, the new Act on Public Procurement has entered into force, ensuring increased transparency, and that 2011 saw the realisation of the IPA 2008 Twinning Light facility project "Strengthening Capacities to Remedy Irregularities in Public Procurement Procedures", which included inter alia efforts with regard to awareness-raising;
Amendment 25 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 d (new)
Paragraph 39 d (new)
39d. Urges the Commission and the Croatian authorities to prioritise the build-up of robust public procurement capacities; emphasises, in this context, that the fight against corruption plays a central role in the entire accession process, and failure to implement preventive anti-corruption measures will impede the future absorption of Union assistance;
Amendment 26 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. NotStresses that decommissioning will be an increasingly important issue in the coming years because one third of the 133 nuclear reactors operating in 14 Member States are to be shut down by 2025*1 and many others will follow; calls on Member States, at the same time, to take the necessary precautions to secure the required financing;
Amendment 27 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Notes that decommissioning will be an increasingly important issue in the coming years because one third of the 133 nuclear reactors operating in 14 Member States are to be shut down by 2025* and many others will follow; calls on Member States, at the same time, to take the necessary precautions to secure the required financing; 1 Cf. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council of 12 December 2007: Second Report on the use of financial resources earmarked for the decommissioning of nuclear installations, spent fuel and radioactive waste (COM(2007)0794, p. 10). 2 Cf. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council of 12 December 2007: Second Report on the use of financial resources earmarked for the decommissioning of nuclear installations, spent fuel and radioactive waste (COM(2007)0794, p. 10).2; Or. en
Amendment 29 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47a. Recalls that the Accession Treaties of Bulgaria and Slovakia establish the limits for providing the Union's financial assistance to 2009 and 2006 respectively;
Amendment 30 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 a (new)
Paragraph 50 a (new)
50a. Reiterates and stresses mutual commitments taken by the Union and Bulgaria, Slovakia and Lithuania with regard to decommissioning of, respectively, four units of Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 1 and Unit 2 of Bohunice V1 Nuclear Power Plant and Units 1 and 2 of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant;
Amendment 31 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77 a (new)
Paragraph 77 a (new)
77a. Deplores that for the tenth EDF, food security, agriculture and rural development have been selected for fewer partner countries as a focal sector than for the ninth EDF and that several food- insecure countries have received little or no Union development aid in this area; agrees with the Court of Auditors that this is inconsistent with the critical situation as regards Millennium Development Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger and the increased priority that the EDF was expected to give to food security; calls on the Commission and Member States to give more attention to this area when drawing up the EDF country strategy papers and to allocate more funding for this purpose;
Amendment 32 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79 a (new)
Paragraph 79 a (new)
79a. Deplores the fact that, despite strong economic growth, one quarter of the population of sub-Saharan Africa still suffers from malnutrition; points out that the region has the technology, the knowledge and the natural resources to change this; stresses that peace, democracy and political stability is essential since access to land and markets, property rights and education will allow for the increased influence and accountability of governments and of public authorities;
Amendment 33 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81 a (new)
Paragraph 81 a (new)
81a. Stresses the importance of strengthening the link between relief, rehabilitation and development in order to ensure the effectiveness of aid; reiterates the importance of allocating an appropriate share of Union overseas development assistance (ODA) to the agriculture sector; regrets that there has been a dramatic reduction in the level of development aid allocated to agriculture since the 1980s and calls on the Commission to prioritise agriculture in its development aid, including assistance to farmers in accessing markets; points out that development assistance is part of a larger scheme where trade, remittances and other sources of income are today more important than the total ODA payments for most developing countries, and that the common agricultural policy hinders a free and fair trade with emerging markets;
Amendment 34 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81 b (new)
Paragraph 81 b (new)
81b. Stresses that the whole food chain, from farm to fork, must be addressed in order to enhance the resilience of the agricultural sector; believes that long- term political commitments by governments in sub-Saharan Africa are necessary to reduce the vulnerability of the agricultural sector; points out that temporary subsidies, in the form of seeds that withstand extreme weather conditions, can serve as an important safety net for small-scale farmers and families who would otherwise be severely affected; stresses the importance of early warnings and preventive work on sanitation, seed and feed for animals; deplores that violence and insecurity is an obstacle to a food secure future;
Amendment 35 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81 c (new)
Paragraph 81 c (new)
81c. Stresses the need to refocus on food policy beyond food aid, inter-donor and donor-recipient cooperation with enhanced local partnership at European and global level, as well as the crucial role of partner countries in providing the basic requirements for any significant progress in this sector, such as internal peace and investment in rural infrastructure; further stresses that long-term social and economic development requires sustainable sources of income other than aid; considers that free and fair trade relations between Europe and developing countries, in line with World Trade Organization principles, is key to strengthening food security and accelerating human development in sub- Saharan Africa;
Amendment 36 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 89 a (new)
Paragraph 89 a (new)
89a. Stresses that SMEs are the backbone of the Union economy, generating employment, innovation and wealth; notes, however, that SMEs may suffer from financing gaps, in that they cannot obtain access to the type and the amount of finance they need at a given time;
Amendment 37 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 89 b (new)
Paragraph 89 b (new)
89b. Recognizes that at the time of fiscal constraint and reduced lending capacity of the private sector, SMEs and in particular micro-enterprises have been the most affected and should accordingly be targeted with strengthened Union support to continue generating employment, innovation and growth; notes that particular attention must be given to SMEs generating sustainable development at local level and that cohesion policy, as the major investment instrument for convergence and sustainable development of the whole Union, is one of the two main Union support channels for SMEs; stresses, therefore, that the use of FIs in cohesion policy in relation to the SMEs should be reinforced in the future as it can guarantee revolving funds, foster public- private partnerships and achieve a multiplier effect with the Union budget;
Amendment 38 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 89 c (new)
Paragraph 89 c (new)
89c. Recalls that to support entrepreneurship, the Union implements its enterprise policy and its cohesion policy mainly using grants but progressively more through financial instruments in the ERDF framework; notes that the FIs are repayable and revolving thereby ensuring that successive waves of SMEs can benefit;
Amendment 39 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 90 a (new)
Paragraph 90 a (new)
90a. Stresses that lack of access to finance has led to a fall in the number of start- ups, which means that the role of FIs co- funded by the ERDF in stimulating entrepreneurship is assuming ever increasing importance;
Amendment 40 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 99 a (new)
Paragraph 99 a (new)
99a. Recognizes the potential of innovative financial engineering instruments to build up capital and enhance investments, as opposed to grants consistently perceived to be excessively cumbersome and bureaucratic by their beneficiaries; stresses that financial engineering instruments could play an important role in achieving the Europe 2020 Strategy's objectives by attracting funding from other investors in areas of strong Union's interest;
Amendment 41 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 102 a (new)
Paragraph 102 a (new)
102a. Urges the Commission to submit an integrated, clarifying proposal as soon as possible on the problems caused by the current range of definitions of SMEs, which vary in the Union according to the different purposes or objectives, and to propose possible ways of remedying the situation;
Amendment 42 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 112 a (new)
Paragraph 112 a (new)
112a. Is of the opinion that the multiplier effect should illustrate the extent to which private funding has been attracted by both the Union's and Member States' initial financial contributions; considers that Member States' co-financing of FIs should be seen, together with the Union contribution, as a part of public funding;
Amendment 43 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 124 a (new)
Paragraph 124 a (new)
124a. Asks the Commission to disseminate even more extensively elaborated checklists and best practice manuals (with special focus on eligibility rules) to be followed by the Member States and to strengthen its supervision on how these elements are taken into account;
Amendment 44 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 128 a (new)
Paragraph 128 a (new)
128a. Reminds the Commission that the error rate in the policy area Cohesion has increased in the Court of Auditors' Annual Report 2010, which reverses the positive trend observed in previous years and is contrary to an accelerated reduction of error rates, as called for by Parliament in the context of the 2008 discharge1;
Amendment 45 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 128 b (new)
Paragraph 128 b (new)
1 See par. 4 of the Resolution of the European Parliament of 5 May 2010 with observations forming an integral part of its Decisions on discharge in respect of the implementation of the European Union general budget for the financial year 2008, Section III - Commission and executive agencies (OJ L 252, 25.9.2010, p. 39). 28b. Reiterates the importance of the supervisory role the Commission exercises in order to be able to bear the ultimate responsibility for the implementation of the budget including the areas of shared management; recalls the action plan to strengthen the Commission's supervisory role under shared management of structural actions and the improved legal framework for the 2007-2013 programming period which aimed at reducing the level of error in structural actions and thus to protect the EU budget1; notes, however, that the action plan of 2008 came only into force at the end of the programming period 2000-2006 and could therefore cover the closure process of that period only; calls on the Commission therefore to fully enforce measures as stated in the action plan for the 2007-2013 programming period and beyond; expects in this context from the Commission a considerable and steady decrease in error rates, in particular of programmes that are expected to have the highest error rates; proposes that the Court of Auditors carry out a regular assessment of the technical and ethical quality of national audit authorities, with particular regard to their independence, and that it report its findings and conclusions to Parliament and the Council;
Amendment 46 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 133 a (new)
Paragraph 133 a (new)
Amendment 58 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 189 a (new)
Paragraph 189 a (new)
189a. Recalls that the reform of the common organisation of the market in wine was aimed at balancing supply and demand, and that the main financial instruments of this reform included a temporary grubbing-up scheme and the setting up of national support programmes, allowing each Member State to choose the measures (among 11 available) best adapted to its particular situation;
Amendment 59 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 190 a (new)
Paragraph 190 a (new)
190a. Takes note that the Union is the world's biggest wine producer with 3 5 million hectares (ha) of vines; recalls that the Union produced approximately 160 million hectolitres (hl) during the wine year 2007-08, accounting for around 60 % of the world's wine production; furthermore, notes that there was a downward pressure on wine prices at producer level, compounded by the overall decrease in wine consumption in the Union in the 20 years leading to 2009;
Amendment 60 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 191 a (new)
Paragraph 191 a (new)
191a. Notes that Special Report No 7/2012 stresses that the expected reduction of the production did not materialise as a consequence of the insufficient use of some common market organisation instruments such as green harvesting and promotion, and the rejection by the Council of the Commission proposal to ban enrichment with sucrose;
Amendment 62 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 209 a (new)
Paragraph 209 a (new)
209a. Notes that consumption of organic food constitutes less that 2% of the entire food market, though the trend is likely to be rising;
Amendment 63 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 209 b (new)
Paragraph 209 b (new)
209b. Highlights the fact that the importance of organic production goes beyond healthy nutrition; organic farming is an innovative, knowledge- based approach to agricultural production with efficient use of resources, which can be an engine of rural development and employment; increasing use of biotechnologies and organic production could provide a "European added value" for agriculture, which could result in a stronger role for Europe in global competition; furthermore, it contributes to long-term environmental, economic and social sustainability, such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, slowing reduction in biodiversity and improving animal welfare standards;
Amendment 64 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 209 c (new)
Paragraph 209 c (new)
209c. Recalls that Parliament has always supported organic farming and will continue to do so and has actively participated in creating legislation for production and labelling rules of organic food;
Amendment 65 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 209 d (new)
Paragraph 209 d (new)
209d. Believes that in the context of the next Multiannual Financial Framework greater attention and more support should be directed to the production of organic products
Amendment 66 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 209 e (new)
Paragraph 209 e (new)
209e. Expresses its concern that many organic products are more costly than non-organic products; as a result, price- sensitive consumers and people living on lower incomes are not able or are less able to afford these healthier products;
Amendment 67 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 209 f (new)
Paragraph 209 f (new)
209f. Recognises that an effective system of controls for organic production sets a number of hurdles for operators (including producers, importers and processors) to overcome but at the same time validates their quality, giving operators credibility whilst allowing the consumer to have confidence in products labelled as organic;
Amendment 68 #
2013/2015(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 209 g (new)
Paragraph 209 g (new)
209g. Draws attention to the growth of the organic food market from EU-grown and imported organic goods, which may also create the potential for unfair commercial practice, and points out that this requires stronger control systems at Union and Member State level; emphasises that controls should provide insurance that products labelled as organic are really organic;
Amendment 24 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) The division of competences between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and Eurojust with respect to crimes affecting the financial interests of the Union needs to be clearly established. Eurojust should be able to exercise its competence in such cases where they involve both Member States participating in enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and Member States which do not. In such cases, Eurojust should act at the request of those non- participating Member States or at the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Eurojust remains in any case competent for offences affecting the financial interests of the Union whenever the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is not competent or, being competent, does not exercise its competence. The Member States which do not participate in enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office may continue to request Eurojust’s support in all cases regarding offences affecting the financial interests of the Union.
Amendment 30 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The Commission should be represented in the College when it exercises its management functiondiscusses or adopts administrative issues and in the Executive Board, to ensure non- operational supervision and strategic guidance of Eurojust.
Amendment 43 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. Eurojust’s competence shall cover the forms of crime listed in Annex 1. However, its competence shall not include the crimes for which the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is competent. Eurojust shall not, in general, exercise its competence in respect of crimes for which the European Public Prosecutor’s Office exercises its competence. As an exception to this general rule, Eurojust shall exercise its competence in criminal cases: – involving Member States participating in enhanced cooperation, but in respect of which the European Public Prosecutor’s Office does not exercise its competence, – involving Member States which do not participate in enhanced cooperation on the establishment of that Office, at the request of those Member States or at the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. To this end, Eurojust, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Member States concerned shall consult and cooperate with each other. The practical details on the exercise of competence in accordance with this paragraph shall be regulated by a working arrangement as referred to in Article 38(2a).
Amendment 45 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) support the Union centres of specialised expertise developed by Europol and other Union bodies;
Amendment 50 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The College shall be composed of: all the national members and two representatives of the Commission when administrative issues are discussed or adopted.
Amendment 51 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point a
Amendment 52 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b
Amendment 68 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3
Article 17 – paragraph 3
3. The term of office of the Administrative Director shall be fiveour years. By the end of this period, the Commission shall undertake an assessment which takes into account an evaluation of the performance of the Administrative Director.
Amendment 70 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 4
Article 17 – paragraph 4
4. The College, acting on a proposal from the Commission which takes into account the assessment referred to in paragraph 3, may extend once the term of office of the Administrative Director for no more than fiveour years.
Amendment 71 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 6
Article 17 – paragraph 6
6. The Administrative Director shall be accountable to the College and the Executive Board.
Amendment 72 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 7
Article 17 – paragraph 7
7. The Administrative Director may be removed from the office only upon a decision of the College on the basis of a two-thirds majority of its members acting on a proposal ofrom the Commission.
Amendment 89 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 41 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 41 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Amendment 90 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 41 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 41 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Amendment 91 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 41 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 41 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Amendment 92 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 41 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 41 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Amendment 93 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 41 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Article 41 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – point d
d) Information Technology services;eleted
Amendment 94 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 41 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Article 41 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Amendment 95 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 41 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – point f
Article 41 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 – point f
Amendment 96 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 41 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2
Article 41 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 114 #
2013/0256(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 55 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 55 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. In addition to the other obligations of information and consultation set out in this regulation, Eurojust shall transmit to the European Parliament and to national parliaments in the respective official languages for information:
Amendment 15 #
2013/0222(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The provisions on pharmacovigilance relating to medicinal products of human use laid down in Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 and Directive 2001/83/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the Community code relating to medicinal products for human use12 were amended by Directive 2010/84/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 2010 amending, as regards pharmacovigilance, Directive 2001/83/EC on the Community code relating to medicinal products for human use13 , Regulation (EU) No 1235/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 2010 amending, as regards pharmacovigilance of medicinal products for human use, Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 laying down Community procedures for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human and veterinary use and establishing a European Medicines Agency, and Regulation (EC) No 1394/2007 on advanced therapy medicinal products14 , Directive 2012/26/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 amending Directive 2001/83/EC as regards pharmacovigilance15 and Regulation (EU) No 1027/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 amending Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 as regards pharmacovigilance16 . Those amendments only cover medicinal products for human use. Those amendments provide for new pharmacovigilance tasks for the Agency including Union-wide pharmacovigilance procedures, the monitoring of literature cases, the improved information technology tools and the provision of more information to the general public. Furthermore, the pharmacovigilance legislation stipulates that the Agency should be enabled to fund those activities from fees charged to marketing authorisation holders. New categories of fees should therefore be created to cover the new and specific tasks of the Agency. __________________ 12 13 14 15 16However, taking into account the benefit for society as a whole, due respect should be given to pharmacovigilance as a sovereign task. Therefore, the percentage share of EU funding in the financing of the EMA budget should be kept, at least, at the status quo before the implementation of this Regulation. The contribution should be used to reduce the costs for financing the routine tasks and hence the annual flat fee. New categories of fees should therefore be created to cover the new and specific tasks of the Agency. __________________ 12 OJ L 311, 28.11.2001, p. 67. OJ L 311, 28.11.2001, p. 67. 13 OJ L 348, 31.12.2010, p.74. OJ L 348, 31.12.2010, p.74. 14 OJ L 348, 31.12.2010, p.1. OJ L 348, 31.12.2010, p.1. 15 OJ L 299, 27.10.2012, p.1. OJ L 299, 27.10.2012, p.1. 16 OJ L 316, 14.11.2012, p.38. OJ L 316, 14.11.2012, p.38.
Amendment 40 #
2013/0222(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. The Agency shall levy a fee for the assessment of periodic safety update reports referred to in 107e and 107g of Directive 2001/83/EC and in Article 28 of Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 with assessment criteria according to Annex I of Directive 2001/83/EC.
Amendment 44 #
2013/0222(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. The amount of the fee is laid down in Part I of the Annex. The Agency shall define 3 clusters of PSUR assessments reflecting the workload.
Amendment 45 #
2013/0222(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3
3. Where only one marketing authorisation holder is subject to the obligation to submit a periodic safety update report in the context of the procedures referred to in paragraph 1, the Agency shall levy the total amount of the applicable fee on that marketing authorisation holder. However, in hardship cases, e.g. for economic reasons related to the concerned product, a maximum upper limit of the fee shall apply.
Amendment 89 #
2013/0222(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex – part I – paragraph 1 a (new)
Annex – part I – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. In application of Article 4(2), the following fees apply: (i) category 1: 100 % of the applicable amount; (ii) category 2: 50 % of the applicable amount; (iii) category 3: 10 % of the applicable amount.
Amendment 92 #
2013/0222(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex – part I – paragraph 2 a (new)
Annex – part I – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. In application of Article 4(3), in hardship cases, the concerned marketing authorisation holder shall pay a maximum fee of 40 % of the applicable amount.
Amendment 109 #
2013/0222(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex – part IV – paragraph 3
Annex – part IV – paragraph 3
3. Holders of marketing authorisations for medicinal products (other than authorised homeopathic medicinal products) referred to in Article 7(5) shall pay 80 % of the amount applicable to the chargeable units corresponding to those products. Holders of marketing authorisations for homeopathic medicinal products shall pay the percentage equivalent to the ICT services applicable to the chargeable unit corresponding to those products.
Amendment 66 #
2013/0091(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 5
Article 13 – paragraph 5
5. The term of office for members and alternate members shall be four years. That term shall be extendrenewable. Upon expiry of their term of office or in the event of their resignation, members shall remain in office until their appointments are renewed or until they are replaced.
Amendment 75 #
2013/0091(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 a (new)
Article 67 a (new)
Article 67 a Prior notification and red-flag- mechanism A warning system shall be activated by the Commission if it has serious reasons for concern that the Management Board is about to take decisions which may not comply with the mandate of Europol, may violate EU law or be in manifest contradiction with EU policy objectives. In these cases, the Commission will raise formally the question in the Management Board and request it to refrain from adopting the relevant decision. Should the Management Board set aside the request, the Commission will formally inform the European Parliament and the Council, with a view to react quickly. The Commission may request the Management Board to refrain from implementing the contentious decision while the representatives of the institutions are still discussing the issue.
Amendment 76 #
2013/0091(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 2
Article 70 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall forward the evaluation report together with its conclusions on the report to the European Parliament, the Council, the national parliaments and the Management Board. In addition, the Commission shall provide the European Parliament, the Council and the national parliaments with any other information on the evaluation if requested.
Amendment 77 #
2013/0091(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 74 – paragraph 6 a (new)
Article 74 – paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. The Management Board shall come up with detailed provisions governing the procedure foreseen in Article 67a. The procedure shall be approved by the Commission.
Amendment 21 #
2013/0022(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)
(4a) The following Article shall be inserted: 'Article 6a Prior notification and red-flag- mechanism 1. A warning system shall be activated by the Commission if it has serious reasons for concern that the Administrative Board is about to take decisions which may not comply with the mandate of the Agency, may violate EU law or be in manifest contradiction with EU policy objectives. In these cases, the Commission will raise formally the question in the Administrative Board and request it to refrain from adopting the relevant decision. Should the Administrative Board set aside the request, the Commission will formally inform the European Parliament and the Council, with a view to reacting quickly. The Commission may request the Administrative Board to refrain from implementing the contentious decision while the representatives of the institutions are still discussing the issue. 2. At the beginning of each term in office, the Administrative Board shall come up with detailed provisions governing the procedure foreseen in paragraph 1. The procedure shall be approved by the Commission.
Amendment 27 #
2013/0022(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 20
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 20
Regulation 2010/912/EU
Article 26 – paragraph 2
Article 26 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall submit the evaluation report and its conclusions with regard to the content of this report to the European Parliament, the Council, the Administrative Board and the Security Accreditation Board of the Agency. In addition, the Commission shall provide the European Parliament, the Council and the national parliaments with any other information on the evaluation if requested. The results of the evaluation shall be made available to the public.
Amendment 12 #
2012/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Amendment 35 #
2012/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Reiterates that it is necessary to continue to strengthen the independence, effectiveness and efficiency of OLAF; is of the opinion that all the more the independence of the Supervisory Committee shall be strengthened and the Committee shall be empowered with the necessary means to fulfil its role effectively; welcomes the progress made in the negotiations on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-fFraud Office (OLAF) and repealing Regulation (EURATOM) No. 1074/1999 (COM(2011)135); is, however, convinced that in the light of the latest developments surrounding OLAF and the way its investigations were conducted, the recommendations of the Supervisory Committee, in Annex 3 to its Annual Activity Report 2012 should be taken into consideration;
Amendment 37 #
2012/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Is deeply concerned about the reporting of the OLAF Supervisory Committee; finds it inacceptable that OLAF has undertaken investigative measures that go beyond those explicitly listed in Articles 3 and 4 of the OLAF regulation (EC) No. 1073/1999 currently in force and beyond those contained in the future text of the Reform; notes that the above mentioned investigative measures include inter alia the preparation of the content of a telephone conversation for a third party with a person subject to the investigation and being present during that conversation which was recorded and requesting to national administrative authorities to provide OLAF with information not directly hold by them that may be considered as relating to the right for private life and communications and subsequent use, collection and storage of such information by OLAF;
Amendment 38 #
2012/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 b (new)
Paragraph 31 b (new)
31 b. Is shocked, since according to the Jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights, the use of such methods can be seen as "interference by a public authority" with the exercise of the right to respect for "private life", for "correspondence" and/or "communications" which is required to be "in accordance with the law" (Article 7 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU which corresponds to Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights);
Amendment 39 #
2012/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 c (new)
Paragraph 31 c (new)
31 c. Is deeply concerned about the findings of the Supervisory Committee that OLAF has not established a prior legality check for other investigative measures than the ones specifically listed in the ISIP; notes that this endangers the respect of fundamental rights and procedural guarantees of the persons concerned;
Amendment 40 #
2012/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 d (new)
Paragraph 31 d (new)
31 d. Notes that breaches of essential procedural requirements during preparatory investigations might affect the legality of the final decision taken on the basis of investigations by OLAF; assesses this as a high risk potential, since, thus, breaches would incur the legal liability of the European Commission; calls on OLAF to immediately tackle this shortcoming by assigning appropriately qualified judicial experts to the task of carrying out prior verifications in an appropriate time frame;
Amendment 41 #
2012/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 e (new)
Paragraph 31 e (new)
31 e. Deems the direct participation of the OLAF Director General in some investigative tasks inter alia interviews of witnesses as unacceptable; remarks that the Director General therewith enters a conflict of interest since he is under Article 90a of the Staff Statute and 23.1 of the ISIP the authority who receives complaints against OLAF's investigations and decides whether or not appropriate action in respect of any failure to respect of procedural guarantees is taken; calls on the OLAF Director General to abstain in the future from any direct involvement into investigative tasks;
Amendment 42 #
2012/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 f (new)
Paragraph 31 f (new)
31 f. Is worried that OLAF has not always conducted a thorough assessment of incoming information in relation to the notion of sufficiently serious suspicion; finds it essential for the safeguarding and consolidation of OLAF's inference vis-à- vis the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and governments here one of these latter is at the origin of the referral;
Amendment 43 #
2012/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 g (new)
Paragraph 31 g (new)
31 g. Is of the opinion that the Supervisory Committee should receive always information by OLAF when a complaint is received by OLAF relating to fundamental rights and procedural guarantees;
Amendment 44 #
2012/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 h (new)
Paragraph 31 h (new)
31 h. Expects further information on the points mentioned in the annual report of the Supervisory Committee, urges for full transparency in all points mentioned;
Amendment 1 #
2012/2253(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Points out that, when the EEAS was set up, two administrative areas were taken over on cost grounds by the Commission: internal audit and accounts; recognises that savings have indeed been made and advocates continuation of this cooperation;
Amendment 2 #
2012/2253(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Insists that, by revising Annex X to the Staff Regulations (third countries), the number of days of leave and other non- working days locally be brought into line with what is applicable to Member States’ diplomatic representations there;
Amendment 3 #
2012/2253(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Insists on a review of the 36 delegations comprising only an ambassador, with a view either to closing them or to increasing their staff;
Amendment 4 #
2012/2253(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls for a five-year plan to be submitted for EU buildings and staff safety and building security in all third countries with EU representations;
Amendment 5 #
2012/2253(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Insists on further Commission-EEAS service level agreements in order to resolve the administrative management problems;
Amendment 7 #
2012/2253(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recommends low-cost, high-efficiency strategies, such as pooling and sharing of expertise and know-how with Member States’ ministries and diplomatic services, a focused effort to remove any duplication in tasks, functions and resources with other European institutions and within the EEAS itself, and closer cooperation with international organisations and international financial institutions; calls for greater transparency concerning allocation of responsibilities the within the EEAS’s management structure and for the elimination of duplication; calls for the schedule of responsibilities to be published on the internet; takes the view that the inefficiency of the current situation risks seriously impairing the reputation of the EEAS;
Amendment 10 #
2012/2253(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Highlights the total lack of balance in the distribution of staff in the delegations between the EEAS and the Commission; calls for more staff to be posted from EEAS headquarters to the delegations;
Amendment 11 #
2012/2253(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Considers it necessary to review the Commission’s existing procedures in the delegations, such as the annual negotiations on pay increases for local staff in EU delegations, which lead to a cost spiral between international organisations and the EU; calls for a mechanism to relieve the EU ambassador of the need to carry out collective bargaining with his local staff;
Amendment 13 #
2012/2253(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Remains concerned as to whether the recruitment objectives of attracting staff from national diplomatic services, and ensuring fair and adequate geographical representation of nationals from all the Member States and at all position levels, are being pushed forward with this aim in mind; notes that 39.5% of EU ambassadors come from Member States; recalls the agreement whereby one third of all posts should be filled by the Member States;
Amendment 90 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. to integrate, as a matter of priority,further improve the interface between the Directorate for Foreign Policy Instruments inand the EEAS;.
Amendment 131 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. to resolve current rigidmake full use of all existing flexibilities inunder the fFinancial circuit so as to authorise Commission staffRegulation relating to the management of budget in dDelegations, when conditions on the ground so require, to take over some budgetary tasks in order to allow; to consider possible detailed arrangements as foreseen by the Financial Regulation in order to ensure continuity in the implementation of administrative appropriations in small Delegations where circumstances so require; to use the possibility for Heads of Delegations to focus on their political taskssubdelegate further, where appropriate, the management of operational expenditure to Commission Heads of Section in charge of aid management;
Amendment 133 #
2012/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. to speed up procedures in the Foreign Policy Instruments Service for administering CFSP finances against the objective of guaranteeingcontinue improving procedures for administering CFSP finances given the need of a flexible and timely response to crisis situations and, in particular, tof ensureing that civilian CSDP operations are launched rapidly and with efficiency; in this regard, to examine whether changes to the Financial Regulation can be introduced without reducing oversight;
Amendment 14 #
2012/2214(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Commends the good cooperation with the responsible committee from the side of the Union Agencies Network (“the Network”), a forum for coordination, information exchange and agreement of common positions on issues of common interest for agencies, and encourages the strengthening of the Network; notes with satisfaction the availability and openness of the directors of the agencies contacted in the framework of the annual discharge procedure; proposes that the Network be supported on an unpaid basis by an external independent coordinator, for example a former Executive Director of one of the agencies, when further discussing and implementing the Roadmap;
Amendment 35 #
2012/2214(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. expects the Court of Auditors in its role as an external auditor as a follow-up to Parliament's discharge report in 2010 and its report on the benchmarking of Agencies to consult the Agencies' Network to compose an openly accessible and transparent benchmarking and ranking procedure for Agencies by using important indicators in the fields of good financial and budgetary management, low governance costs as well as efficient operational effectiveness and provide the underlying data in an easily accessible format (e.g. Excel files and/or CSV files);
Amendment 37 #
2012/2214(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. reiterates its call on the Agencies to examine their internal administrative processes with a view to reducing administrative burden; points in particular to procurement and recruitment processes where there might be scope for a significant shortening;
Amendment 41 #
2012/2214(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Demands that all Agencies and Joint Undertakings systematically annex a standardised template regarding the publication of their Final Annual Accounts which includes the data presented in their reports on the implementation of the budget and the data presented in their reports on the budgetary and financial management; recommends that all Agencies and Joint Undertakings shall provide this information in a comprehensive, friendly accessible and transparent manner (Excel spreadsheets or Comma-Separated-Values files), to ease the comparison between their budgetary executions and thus enabling the Parliament and the public to comprehensively compare the Agencies and Joint Undertakings expenses;
Amendment 43 #
2012/2214(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Amendment 45 #
2012/2214(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15 c. requests the Agencies' Network to introduce a detailed, standardised budget line system so that an aggregation and comparison of the Agencies revenues and expenses as well as the implementation and use of appropriations for each budget line can be compared by title, by chapter and by line; furthermore, asks the Agencies' Network to conduct the subsequent comparison and make the conclusions as well as the underlying data freely available in an easily accessible format (e.g. Excel files and/or CSV files);
Amendment 47 #
2012/2214(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 d (new)
Paragraph 15 d (new)
15 d. calls on all Agencies to inform the discharge authority of the number of days of leave authorised to each grade under the flexitime and compensatory leave schemes annually annexed to their annual activity reports;
Amendment 79 #
2012/2214(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Believes that common elements between the European Police College (CEPOL) and the European Police Office (EUROPOL) should be further explored and a swift decision should be taken to prevent adverse effects on staff and recruitment procedures; taking into account the fact that in 2014, CEPOL is to leave its current premises; requests that the Commission explore a possible relocation of CEPOL to the premises of EUROPOL and duly present those proposals to Parliament and the Council taking into account the results of the study issued by CEPOL 2011 (contract CEPOL/CT/2010/002) and the Study on the amendment of the Council Decision 2005/681/JHA setting up CEPOL activity from 2012;
Amendment 84 #
2012/2214(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Expects closer coordination between agencies, in particular on decisions impacting on the remit of another agency; proposes that the agencies concerned reach agreement among themselves, with the involvement of the relevant stakeholders, in order to avoid competing legislation; calls on the agencies, in such cases, to inform the Parliament committees responsible at all times;
Amendment 10 #
2012/2199(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that common elements between the College and the European Police Office should be explored further; reiterates its call on the Commission to prepare a comprehensive impact assessment regarding a potential merger of those two Agencies settingthat will take into account and update the results of the study issued by CEPOL 2011 (contract CEPOL/CT/2010/002) and the study on the amendment of Council Decision 2005/681/JHA setting up CEPOL activity from 2012; suggests that such an impact assessment should set out the cost and benefits, considering the complementarities between the College and European Police Office and the potential synergies, and to evaluate whether the merger could lead to economies of scale and optimisation of the performance in cross-border cooperation in the fight against crime; emphasises that a swift decision on the location of CEPOL would diminish the uncertainty that might pose adverse effects on staff and recruitment procedures;
Amendment 21 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Urges more transparency as to the competences of the EEAS's administrative structure and the reduction of dual competences; requests the publication of the schedule of responsibilities; takes the view that the inefficiency of the current situation risks seriously impairing the reputation of the EEAS;
Amendment 40 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Notes that 39,5% of Union ambassadors come from the Member States; recalls the agreement that one-third of posts should be filled by staff from Member States; urges thatcalls on the High Representative to end this ‘cherry picking’ and implement the agreement, which means middle and senior posts are to be included in that quota;
Amendment 48 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Insists on a review of the 36 delegations comprising only an ambassador, with a view either to closing them or to increasing their staff;
Amendment 49 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Draws attention to the cost-intensiveflating procedure of the annual salary adjustment method for local staff in Union delegations; believes that that methodology can be more efficient and cost-effective; asks the EEAS to use an alternative calculation method by means of an independent and objective selection of reference organisations, which would be simpler and cheaper, instead of a selection made by the employee him or herself; suggests that the United Nations be added as a fixed component; suggests that a locally operating United Nations agency be added as a fixed component and that two Member State embassies and two local employers be included - with, in each case, one to be determined by the employee and one by the employer - in order to obtain and a senior ministry official be includedppropriate average; urges that a mechanism be established to relieve the Union ambassador of his responsibility for tariff negotiations with local staff and for the reference organisations to be chosen for a period of five years;
Amendment 52 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Calls on the EEAS to ensure that, should there be deflation in a country with an EU delegation, the pay of local staff to be recruited can be adjusted accordingly;
Amendment 53 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Calls on the EEAS to outsource the settlement of work-related disputes involving local staff in third countries so as to help relieve the pressure on posted staff;
Amendment 54 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Urges that the EEAS reduce the high absence rate in delegations and provide Parliament with figures of absenteeism on an annual basis; urges in that context that the delegation staff combine their periods of professional training in Brussels with their rest of their leave;
Amendment 55 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Urges that the EEAS reduce the high absence rate in delegations and provide Parliament with figures of absenteeism on an annual basis; urges in that context that the delegation staff combine their periods of professional training in Brussels with the rest of their leave and that, by revising Annex X to the Staff Regulations (third countries), the number of days of leave and other non-working days locally be brought into line with what is applicable to Member States’ diplomatic representations there;
Amendment 58 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. is worried about the administrative shortcomings in the Union delegations in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Guyana, Solomon Islands and Zambia; asks for a report on the state of play about these shortcomings including security contracts; expects also a report on the situation about internal control standards in Liberia and Iraq; asks for a state of play about compliance rates of Egypt and Malawi and for an update on security contracts in the Union delegations in the West Bank, Haiti, Saudi-Arabia, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka, Libya and Lebanon;
Amendment 61 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Believes that the forthcoming review of the EEAS is the forum where a detailed analysis can be made of the compatibility between the resources available and the functions to be carried out by the EEAS and any changes required to ensure the highest level of efficiency in its operations; believes that an evaluation of property in use by the EEAS should involve comparisons with other diplomatic missions in the same location rather than between EEAS facilities in very different countries; calls for a five-year plan to be submitted for EU buildings and staff safety and building security in all third countries with EU representations;
Amendment 63 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Notes a high volume of travel activities of Union delegation staff to headquarters with various purposes at the European taxpayer’s expense; regrets that ithere is not possible to have an independent inspection authority to evaluate inspection office independent of immediate superiors which verifies the necessity of those official journeys; asks for this proposal to be taken into consideration by the High Representative, in order to limit delegation staff absences from work, and to report to Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control on that matter;
Amendment 65 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Strongly urges the EEAS, in regard to the travel arrangements of its delegations to its headquarters, to adopt practices similar to those applied by Member States in comparable circumstances; insists that, with regard to flights, the EEAS bring itself into line with Member State practices;
Amendment 68 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Calls on the EEAS to forward its staff screening report to Parliament;
Amendment 72 #
2012/2176(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Insists on an explanation for the recall of the EU ambassador in Libya;
Amendment 3 #
2012/2171(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the Court of Auditors to provide, in each of its special reports, a timeline providing information on the individual stages of a report (from initial groundwork to publication;
Amendment 6 #
2012/2171(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Points to the considerable geographical imbalance as regards director posts: four British nationals, one French national, one Spanish national, one Belgian national, one Danish national, one Greek national, one Irish national and one Italian, but no German or Polish nationals or nationals of other central and eastern European Member States;
Amendment 7 #
2012/2171(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls for information as to why the Court’s new 'Assist’ IT system has not been implemented and what problems there have been; calls for a breakdown of the costs which have arisen to date, and of likely costs in the future, and for information as to when the programme is likely to be introduced;
Amendment 12 #
2012/2171(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls for preventive measures to safeguard against workplace harassment and for details of all measures taken in respect of staff in the private offices of Members of the Court of Auditors;
Amendment 20 #
2012/2168(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Amendment 46 #
2012/2168(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Notes the Secretary-General’s reply indicating that European Parliament allowances covered 1 599 accredited assistants’ contracts and 2 868 local assistants’ contracts in 2011; is surprised that almost twice as many local assistants were employed as accredited assistants, even though the bulk of an MEP’s legislative work is done in Strasbourg and Brussels;
Amendment 61 #
2012/2168(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Welcomes the faNotes that the Parliament expects that the internalisation of the security services will reduce costs in Brussels and Strasbourg by EUR 16 000 000 in the period up to 2015 and by EUR 6 000 000 for each year thereafter; demands a yearly report with detailed information on the development of the costs of the security service, including the accrued costs for pensions of staff employed on the matter, and the measures taken to ensure the scope and quality of the service;
Amendment 66 #
2012/2168(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)
Paragraph 42 a (new)
42a. Notes the Secretary-General’s reply indicating that the cost of delegations, which can be as much as EUR 5 300 per MEP per day, is largely made up of transport costs; emphasises that the work associated with parliamentary activity is essentially done in Strasbourg and Brussels; suggests that the cost of delegations’ travel to third countries be made subject to an annual ceiling per Member;
Amendment 68 #
2012/2168(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)
Paragraph 42 a (new)
42a. Notes that more than a 1500 staff have their children enrolled in the European Schools, and is therefore surprised to learn that the Parliament does not play any role what so ever in the Governance of the European School system;
Amendment 69 #
2012/2168(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 b (new)
Paragraph 42 b (new)
42b. Calls on the Secretary-General to investigate which role the Parliament could play in the governance of the European School system, given the high number of staff who rely on them for educating their children, and report back to the competent committee before the end of the year;
Amendment 100 #
2012/2168(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Recalls that the amount of EUR 85,9 million repaid by Belgium to the Parliament at the beginning of 2010 and earmarked for building projects is to be considered as external assigned revenue under Article 21 of the Financial Regulation;
Amendment 107 #
2012/2168(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69 a (new)
Paragraph 69 a (new)
69a. Welcomes the new procedure enabling the recovery of overpayments following payments for hosting visitor groups; considers it a pity that the option of payment by bank transfer should be available only for transfers to personal accounts, with no provision for transfers to the accounts of organisations; is concerned about the significant security risk entailed in making cash payments to visitor groups, the sums in question being as much as EUR 30 000 plus, with Parliament distributing up to EUR 388 000 in a day; points out that Directive 2005/60/EC on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering and terrorist financing requires particular care to be taken with transactions involving sums of more than EUR 15 000, an amount that is regular exceeded in Parliament’s payments to visitors;
Amendment 19 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) The Commission shall assist Member States and give guidelines to standardise the language, form and information given in the annual Summaries concerning the implementation of operational programmes under shared management concerning the field of cohesion policy;
Amendment 20 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point c b (new)
(cb) The Commission shall report how it intends to improve as soon as possible its provision to introduce a pro-active management of potential conflict of interests and 'revolving doors';
Amendment 21 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c c (new)
Paragraph 1 – point c c (new)
(cc) The Commission shall report how it has implemented Article 5(3) of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and how it intends to improve and clarify existing rules;
Amendment 22 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c d (new)
Paragraph 1 – point c d (new)
(cd) The Commission should provide Parliament as soon as possible with an overview about all (public and non- public) documents and all persons involved in the negotiations of the four cooperation agreements with the tobacco industry;
Amendment 95 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Welcomes the fact that the Commission transmits to Parliament the annual summaries submitted by the Member States with an analysis of their content, and calls on the Commission to address to the Member States the necessary recommendations in order to improve the reporting instruments; furthermore, calls on the Commission to provide guidelines to the Member States concerning the form and minimal informational content of the reports in order to enable easy comparability; is of the opinion that the language of the reports should be one of the working languages of the Union;
Amendment 135 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
Paragraph 67
67. WelcomNotes the entry into force of the European Stability Mechanism but reiterates its warning against the setting-up of that Mechanism outside the Union's institutional framework as this precludes any actual democratic and budgetary control by the institutions of the Union;
Amendment 167 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 98 a (new)
Paragraph 98 a (new)
98a. Takes note of the current practice in the management of Sapard funds, namely, that funds are only exceptionally recovered in full if the fraudulent behaviour for a part of the project has artificially created the conditions without which the beneficiary would not have obtained support for the project at all; is worried about the current practice, recommended by the Commission to the Sapard agency, that a project of which a part has been affected by fraudulent behaviour can be deemed eligible for funding if the project is not deemed to be of an artificial nature, i.e. the percentage of the costs of all the affected elements does not exceed 50 % of the total costs of the entire project; is especially concerned about the lack of deterrence from fraudulent behaviour this practice exhibits;
Amendment 217 #
Amendment 218 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 152 a (new)
Paragraph 152 a (new)
152a. Notes with concern the interim Commission's report on the progress made by Romania under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, especially in the light of Rumania's capability to protect the financial interest of the Union; notes with concern the report's statement about the Romanian government and Parliament not fully respecting the principle of integrity; welcomes, therefore, the report's suggestion that constitutional requirements such as the suspension from Ministerial office on indictment should be applied; is concerned by the report's assessment that only limited progress has been achieved in the prevention and sanctioning of corruption related to public procurement; stresses, the importance of the reports suggestion that the Government materializes the appointment of a new leadership for the prosecution and the National Anti-corruption Agency (DNA); is concerned to find out that current national legislation does not foresee a possibility of a cancellation on the grounds of conflict of interest of projects that have already been executed; takes note of the report's view, in this respect, that comprehensive statistics with exact amounts of confiscated assets stemming from fight against corruption should be published; deplores the findings highlighted by the report that the decisions of the National Integrity Agency (ANI) still remain under frequent question, that its personnel have been subject to frequent political and media attacks, and that Parliament failed to enforce a ANI's report despite final backing up by Court decisions; calls on the Commission steadfastly and determinedly to insist vis-à-vis the Romanian Government that the Commissions' recommendations are complied with and clarified; expects, finally, a series of measures from the Commission, in cooperation with the Romanian government, aimed at improving the integrity of the Romanian legal system;
Amendment 219 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 152 c (new)
Paragraph 152 c (new)
152c. Notes with concern the Commission's interim report on the progress made by Bulgaria under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism especially in the light of Bulgaria's capability to protect the financial interest of the Union ; notes with concern the Report's statement that the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has not used the new powers given to it accordingly, aimed at effectively managing and leading the judiciary through a comprehensive reform process; welcomes the efforts by the Bulgarian government to renew the SJC with a mandate able of implementing fundamental reform; acknowledges the fact that the new specialised structures put in place illustrate a commitment to adapting the current structures to tackle organised crime more effectively; takes note, however that the Report suggests that these new instruments have not yet delivered the expected results regarding important cases; deplores the poor results pointed out in the Report about uncovering contract killings, since of 33 contract killings monitored by the Commission since 2006, only four court cases have started, even if a number of investigations are still under way; is alarmingly astonished to discover by the Report's findings that systemic failures in law enforcement have been recently demonstrated after two prominent convicts escaped enforcement of their prison sentence; notes with great concern that investigations into alleged corruption and abuse of office by magistrates have received a particular weak response from the judiciary; notes with great concern that, as the report suggests, there are clear cases of serious violations of Union procurement rules; regrets with great concern, furthermore, the fact that a weak implementation of Public Procurement legislation could translate into an important source of corruption as well as a poor delivery of public goods with an European added value and waste of Union public money; calls on the Commission steadfastly and determinedly to insist vis-à-vis the Bulgarian Government that the Commissions' recommendations are complied with and clearer; expects, finally, a series of measures from the Commission, in cooperation with the Bulgarian government, to improve the integrity of the Bulgarian legal system;
Amendment 220 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading after paragraph 152 c (new)
Subheading after paragraph 152 c (new)
Control of Structural Funds in the Czech Republic
Amendment 221 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 152 d (new)
Paragraph 152 d (new)
152d. Takes note that the Action plan has been fulfilled by the Czech government in 2012; takes note with concern of the centralization of the audit activities under the main audit authority in the Czech Ministry of Finance since the Court of Auditors reported this audit authority has been ineffective; is also worried since the Action Plan did not ask any changes in staff in the management of the main audit authority;
Amendment 222 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 152 e (new)
Paragraph 152 e (new)
152e. Takes also note that the Commission has not applied any corrections due to the failure of the audit system in the Czech Republic, however, the Commission applied corrections for shortcomings in the public procurement and the selection of operations; notes that the corrections applied can be allocated to other projects; is worried about information reported by the Court of Auditors that suggest that the Czech Ministry of Finance used its role as an audit authority and certification authority to influence the final error rate; requests the Commission to report back to Parliament in detail on the matter; calls on the Commission to elaborate in cooperation with the Czech Government an Action plan that tackles the shortcomings in the Audit system at the core;
Amendment 226 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 156 a (new)
Paragraph 156 a (new)
156a. Calls for a detailed summary of the allocation of funding in Libya; also calls for clarification of whether the subdelegation of the EU ambassador in Libya has been revoked;
Amendment 229 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 156 b (new)
Paragraph 156 b (new)
156b. Calls on the Commission to use a ‘traffic light’ system in the progress reports, for ease of reference, in order to show what has improved or deteriorated from one year to the next;
Amendment 241 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 159 a (new)
Paragraph 159 a (new)
159a. Notes that the EBRD commissioned expert reports from the Swedish Approval Authority (SKB), among others, which confirmed that GNS fuel elements are safe; notes with concern that this documentation for the fuel element containers, which has long been available, was not forwarded to the Lithuanian Approval Authority; notes that, as long as the fuel elements are not stored in the containers, the Ignalina power station must be administered as if it were in operation, which means that the 2 000 or so employees must continue to be financed by the EU; calls on the Commission to accept no excuses from the Lithuanian Government which would cause the authorisation and the project to be further delayed; also asks that the Commission set down a rigid timetable and threaten to impose sanctions if it is not adhered to;
Amendment 258 #
Amendment 259 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 174 a (new)
Paragraph 174 a (new)
Amendment 260 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 174 b (new)
Paragraph 174 b (new)
174b. Is worried about several cases in 2011 for which the OLAF Director- General has denied the Supervisory Committee sufficient access to case files; emphasizes the importance of full information of the Supervisory Committee, since it endangers the fundamental rights of persons concerned by OLAF investigations and opens the possibility of indemnity claims; urges the Director-General to take the necessary measures to ensure the full and timely information of the Supervisory Committee, so that it can fulfil the role foreseen in the Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 to its full extent; welcomes the principal idea of a working arrangement between the Director-General and the OLAF Supervisory Committee; invites the Director-General and the supervisory board to explain the details of the working arrangement in a meeting of Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control;
Amendment 261 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 174 c (new)
Paragraph 174 c (new)
174c. Has noticed the signature of the memorandum of understanding between OLAF and the European Communities Trade Mark Association by the OLAF Director-General; is worried about a possible extension of OLAF's mandate beyond its core competences that might lead to a weakening of OLAF's investigational capacity;
Amendment 262 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 174 d (new)
Paragraph 174 d (new)
174d. Has taken note of several cases where the proper treatment of persons concerned by OLAF in respect to their fundamental rights has been successfully challenged in court; is of the opinion that the supervision of OLAF's investigational activities by the Supervisory Committee needs to be strengthened but a sufficient number staff, to be nominated by them, would be made available; underlines the need of a separate budget line and separate establishment plan;
Amendment 263 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 174 e (new)
Paragraph 174 e (new)
174e. Is worried about the functionality of OLAF's Supervisory Committee, since one of its Members has withdrawn temporarily from her position in the Committee, being subject to investigations in her home country; calls on the Supervisory Committee to remedy the situation, so that the Committee is again fully manned and functional as soon as possible and functional without delay;
Amendment 264 #
Amendment 265 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 174 g (new)
Paragraph 174 g (new)
174g. Recalls that the Secretary General assured the Budgetary Control Committee in her hearing in January 2013 that her work regarding the drafting of the tobacco directive considered only horizontal issues; takes note of the correspondence of the Secretary General with DG SANCO, which goes well beyond horizontal issues, referring to an agreement between the Secretary General and DG SANCO before inter-service consultation has been launched; calls on the Commission to inform Parliament in detail about the content of the agreement and the reasoning behind the intervention of the Secretary General in that matter;
Amendment 266 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 180 a (new)
Paragraph 180 a (new)
180a. Notes that the Union is a under signatory to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC); deems the implementation of Article 5(3) as a legally binding obligation to the Union; calls on the Commission to report on how the provisions of Article 5(3) have been implemented in the Union and its institutions, especially considering the following question: how far does implementation follow guidelines set by the WHO to Article 5(3); questions where and why the Commission has deviated from those guidelines?;
Amendment 267 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 180 b (new)
Paragraph 180 b (new)
180b. Draws the Commission's attention to the fact that the amount of EUR 85,9 million repaid by Belgium to Parliament at the beginning of 2010 and earmarked for building projects is to be considered as external assigned revenue under Article 21 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012;
Amendment 268 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 180 c (new)
Paragraph 180 c (new)
180c. Calls on the Commission to inform the Budgetary Authority on an annual bases about the development of accounts outside the Union budget including their cash-flow development as well as the purpose of each account;
Amendment 282 #
2012/2167(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
Amendment 1 #
2012/2166(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 1
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
- having regard to Commission's Communications of 21 April 2010 on "Tax and Development - Cooperating with Developing Countries on Promoting Good Governance in Tax Matters" and of 13 October 2011 on "The Future Approach to EU Budget Support to Third Countries";
Amendment 4 #
2012/2166(DEC)
Proposal for a decision 2
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
- having regard to Commission's Communications of 21 April 2010 on "Tax and Development - Cooperating with Developing Countries on Promoting Good Governance in Tax Matters" and of 13 October 2011 on "The Future Approach to EU Budget Support to Third Countries";
Amendment 8 #
2012/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
- having regard to Commission's Communications of 21 April 2010 on "Tax and Development - Cooperating with Developing Countries on Promoting Good Governance in Tax Matters" and of 13 October 2011 on "The Future Approach to EU Budget Support to Third Countries";
Amendment 16 #
2012/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas budget support, while being a useful tool for development,transparency and accountability in taxation have been re- emphasised in the abovementioned Commission's Communication on "Tax and Development - Cooperating with Developing Countries on Promoting Good Governance in Tax Matters"; whereas budget support carries a considerable fiduciary risk and, it should be given only if it provides sufficient transparency, accountability and effectiveness;
Amendment 17 #
2012/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas fostering transparency and fighting corruption and fraud are key for the success of EU budget support operations as highlighted in the abovementioned Commission's Communication on "The Future Approach to EU Budget Support to Third Countries",
Amendment 18 #
2012/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas global commitments, individual commitments and payments reached respectively EUR 3.279 billion, EUR 2.786 billion and EUR 2.941 billion for the financial year 2011;
Amendment 20 #
2012/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on the Commission to use a 'traffic light' system in its annual EDF report in order to show what has improved or deteriorated from one year to the next;
Amendment 21 #
2012/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Is concerned that human resources policy has continued to be a persistent concern due to the high staff turnover and the reorganisation that took place in mid- 2011 and that EuropeAid staff members were being used for tasks other than aid management, over and above the flexibility limits agreed with the European External Action Service (EEAS); expects that that situation will have been improved in 2012 and calls for Parliament to be informed about the situation;
Amendment 24 #
2012/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Takes note of the low number of reported cases of whistleblowing, despite the high error rate; calls on the Commission to reconsider its whistleblowing policy, including the implementation of that policy in the delegations, and to inform Parliament of any changes;
Amendment 27 #
2012/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Notes that tax evasion is facilitated by a global shadow financial system comprisingAsks the Commission to study possibilities to involve the recipient countries in the fight against tax havens, secrecy jurisdictions, disguised corporations, anonymous trusoidance through an incentives based programme, and to report baccounts, fake foundations, tradk to the mdispricing, and money laundering techniques; Integrity: http://www.gfintegrity.org/storage/gfip/documents/reports/gfi_africareport_web.pdf 1 2 OJ C 199 E, 7.7.2012, p. 37charge authority with its findings before the end of the year; Or. en Ibidem.
Amendment 43 #
2012/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39 a. Takes note that in 2011 EUR 207 million was committed for budget support which represents 6.3% of the overall amount of total commitments; (To be placed under subtitle "Budget support")
Amendment 46 #
2012/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Also urgesWelcomes the Commission's statement that the fight against fraud and corruption should receive greater prominence in budget support, particularly when assessing the Public Financial Management eligibility criterion in terms of budget support; urges therefore the Commission to take into account existing reporting on corruption and fraud levels before taking a decision on granting budget support; insists that an independent national audit body must be an ultimate condition for granting budget support;
Amendment 47 #
2012/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)
Paragraph 44 a (new)
44 a. Takes note that programmes related to good governance are financed in order to support developing countries in their fight against fraud, corruption and financial mismanagement; keeping in mind that a corruption-free judicial system is a condition sine qua non to ensure good governance and rule of law, calls on the Commission to put a strong emphasis on the judiciary reform programmes; acknowledges moreover that the Commission completed in 2011 a thematic evaluation on justice and security system reform; calls the Commission to make publicly available the results of the evaluation;
Amendment 49 #
2012/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. ADeplores the lack of sustainability of some projects and stresses that projects should principally aim at creating employment and sustainable growth which would allow the Haitian State to increase its own revenues in order to depend less on foreign assistance; asks the Commission to fulfil as soon as possible its promise and provide a list of Union funded projects in Haiti and an assessment of their sustainability in a five year perspective;
Amendment 50 #
2012/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 a (new)
Paragraph 52 a (new)
52 a. Urges the Commission to continue its efforts towards strengthening the Haitian government and administration; requests the Commission to report on the situation and on the actions taken;
Amendment 51 #
2012/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 b (new)
Paragraph 52 b (new)
52 b. Regrets the insufficient coordination between the Union delegation and the ECHO representation; supports a reinforced coordination between all Union actors in the country; urges therefore the Commission to ensure better coherence and complementarity between humanitarian aid and development aid both at a policy level and in practice;
Amendment 58 #
2012/2166(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64
Paragraph 64
64. Recalls that Parliament, the Council and the Commission agreed that those financial rules would be revised in order to include amendments made necessary by the outcome of the negotiations on the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014 to 2020, including on the issue of the possible inclusion of the EDF in the Union budget; underlines that budgetisation would reduce transaction costs and would simplify reporting and accounting requirements by having only one set of administrative rules and decision-making structures instead of two; repeats its call on the Council and Member States to agree to the full incorporation of the EDF into the Union's budget;
Amendment 1 #
2012/2127(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that any transfer from cohesion policy to those to-be-defined financial instruments, while not being subject to the prior approval by the budgetary authority as per Commission's proposal, should be duly justified and well controlled, as provided for by Regulation 423/2012;
Amendment 2 #
2012/2127(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Requires that prior to operating any such transfer as specified in paragraph 2 the Budgetary Authority be informed by the Commission;
Amendment 3 #
2012/2119(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. The Court of Auditors considers that grubbing-up did not always target the less competitive or less viable vineyards and that the scheme financed the grubbing-up of some vineyards that had already been restructured and were in principle competitive; regretfully notes the inconsistency of that policy which is not in line with the objectives of the reform;
Amendment 5 #
2012/2119(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Fully endorses that the grubbing-up of some modernised vineyards should have been avoided by clarifying existing provisions so that vast interpretation possibilities are avoided and establishing additional eligibility criteria linked to the vineyard itself and not only to the farmer;
Amendment 6 #
2012/2119(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Is of the opinion that the Commission should review the restructuring measures to reinforce their effectiveness in order to boost the sector competitiveness; expects the Commission to ensure that the Member States' national programs are in line with the objective of the reform and the restructuring and conversion measures especially concerning SPS; asks the Commission furthermore to ameliorate the current provisions to better adjust the winenable farmers to better adapt to market signals and better match the supply to the wineproducts demanded;
Amendment 9 #
2012/2119(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Considers that the Commission should establish an regularly updated estimate of the balance between supply and demand in the wine sector based on updated data; believes that on the basis of that estimate it should determine whether anyeconometrical analysis taking into account positive output effects of restructuring and conversion measures; believes that on the basis of that estimate it should determine the targeted area for the grubbing-up measure and whether the improvement of any other measures is necessary to address possible imbalances;
Amendment 10 #
2012/2119(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Insists on the need to realise an in depth impact study assessment of the planting rights liberalisation, according to the Court of Auditors' recommendation; asks the European Commission to evaluate the potential consequences of the elimination of this regime in order to adopt the most convenient decisions to guarantee the balance of the wine market; notes with regret the opinion of a majority of Members states against the decision to end up with that system;
Amendment 14 #
2012/2119(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. urges the Commission to take measures ensuring that Member States that use flat rates per hectare to calculate payments, install proper control mechanisms for paying agencies guaranteeing that farmers are not overcompensated, standardise the estimation of costs so that variations in estimated costs for comparable measures are reduced to a minimum and establish comparability and an acceptable level of standardisation for measures based on Article 103q of Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 (EC) No 1234/2007 of 22 October 2007 establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets and on specific provisions for certain agricultural products (Single CMO Regulation)1; _______________ 1 OJ L 299, 16.11.2007, p. 1.
Amendment 16 #
2012/2119(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. urges the Commission to take adequate action to establish comparability and an acceptable level of standardisation for measures based on Article 103q of Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007;
Amendment 96 #
2012/2107(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Considers that a in a future revision of the current Aid Regulation, special attention should be paid to the development of the reunification question;
Amendment 100 #
2012/2107(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Emphasizes that the main objective of Regulation (EC) No 389/2006 is to facilitate the reunification of the island; recommends reviewing once again the distribution of the aid to the TCc and the objective obstacles related to the sustainability of the projects; suggests considering whether large scale bi- communal infrastructure programs should still be pursued or a focus on smaller scale bi-communal projects, confidence building measures, capacity building instruments addressed, managed and supported by the civil society in coordination with Member States and the EU, the support of the civil society, the missing persons' related activities, the youth mobility, the preservation of historical sites should be considered instead;
Amendment 3 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the European Court of auditors, as a professional audit institution must apply international audit standards applicable to public sector;
Amendment 4 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas public auditors, like the Court and the SAIs of the Member States, play an essential role in restoring confidence and trust in and improving EU public accountability, which is carried out in line with the goals of restoring economic growth and strengthening public finances; whereas it is therefore important to situate any discussion of possible reforms of the Court in the broader context of the challenge of improving EU public accountability;
Amendment 6 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas it is importantessential that the Court of Auditors beis composed of figuremembers who provide, to the highest degree, guarantees of professional competence and independence as required by the Treaty, while avoiding any risks to the reputation of the Court;
Amendment 8 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas Parliament's opinion falls subject to intense media interest; whereas should persons who had their candidacy previously been publicly and formally repudiatedturned down by Parliament take office as Members of the Court, trust in the institutions concerned would be weakened;
Amendment 9 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas amembers with professional auditing knowledge together with broader and more diverse functional background which ensures broaderdiverse perspectives and competences will improve the Court's effectiveness in judgement and operation; whereas the failure to find an appropriate gender balance is unacceptable nowadays;
Amendment 10 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas the Peer Review 2013 calls for shorter internal procedures in the Court, clarification of the role and mandate towards external stakeholders and underlines that the auditees influence the Court's findings and audit opinions too much;
Amendment 11 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L b (new)
Recital L b (new)
Lb. whereas Parliament focusses mainly on proposals that avoid the necessity of changes in the Treaty Changes;
Amendment 12 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L c (new)
Recital L c (new)
Lc. whereas the Council always respected the recommendation put forward by the Committee with the purpose to give an opinion on the suitability of candidates for the Advocate General European Court of Justice and the General Court, set up according to Article 255 TFEU, despite no clear obligation of the Treaty to do so;
Amendment 13 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3
Subheading 3
Amendment 14 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a (new)
Subheading 3 a (new)
Parliament's vision for the ECA: The future role of the Court
Amendment 15 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
Amendment 18 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. believes that the European Court of Auditors as an external auditor to the Union's institutions may provide the legislators not only with a statement of assurance as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions in a respective budgetary year, but also that the Court is in an eminent position to provide the legislator and the Budgetary Authority, especially Parliament's Budgetary Control Committee, with valuable opinions on results achieved by the Union's policies, in order to improve the performance and effectiveness of Union financed activities, identify economies of scale and scope as well as spill over effects among national policies of Member State and provide Parliament with external assessments to the Commission's evaluation of public finances in the Member States;
Amendment 19 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 22 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The traditional DAS (statement of assurance) model (new subheading)
Amendment 23 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that Parliament and its elected Members should be particularly rigorous when examining the implementation of the EU budget and that the Court should remain committed toIs of the opinion that independence, integrity, impartiality and professionalism of the Court are key for the credibility of the Court in assisting Parliament and the Council into overseeing and to contributinge to the improvement of EU financial management, and into protecting the financial interests of citizens from programming stages throughup to the closing of accounts;
Amendment 25 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. RegretNotes that the Court of Auditors was – for the eighteenth time in a row – unable to grant a positive statement of assurance (DAS4) regarding the legality and regularity of payments; regrets, furthermore, in this context that after such an enormous and repetitive cycle and following the many efforts made, there has not been any change in this regard; highlights the fact that an error rate as such does not provide a comprehensive overview of the effectiveness of Union policies; is bound by the Treaty (Article 287 I (2) (TFEU) ) to provide Parliament and the Council with a declaration of assurance (DAS4) regarding the legality and regularity of payments after having examined the regularity, legality and the results of the Union's Budget, moreover the ECA shall according to the Treaty provide Special Reports and Opinions; notes that a large part of the human resources of the Court are dedicated to the annual DAS exercise; __________________ 4 Abbreviation of the French term ‘Déclaration d'assurance’.
Amendment 30 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 32 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 36 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Points out that in addition to delivering an opinion onstead of delivering one statement of assurance as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions, the Court of Auditors must deliver three opinions on the legality and regularity of underlying operations; takes the view that this excessive number of opinionsed in 2012 four opinions: one on the reliability of the accounts and three on the legality and regularity of underlying operations (one on the revenue, one on the commitments and one on payments); takes the view that this writing choice makes it more difficult for Members ofthe European Parliament to assess the Commission's implementation of the budget;
Amendment 39 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that the DAS is an annual indicator of a multiannual spending scheme, which makes it difficult to capture the cyclical nature and effect of multiannual arrangements, and therefore the retotal impact and effectiveness of the management and control systems can only be partially measured at the end of the spending period; considers, therefore, that the Court should be able to present to the discharge authority a summary reportmidterm review and a summary report in addition to the annual DAS on the final performance of a programming period;
Amendment 42 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
Amendment 47 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 50 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. welcomes the fact that, since 2009, the Court has focused considerable efforts on developing its products and services as well as its annual report; believes, however, that greater effort should be made and more resources used to improve quality further, primarily with respect to the Court's performance audit work, which provides information on the EU budget results; considers that the Court should build upon the DAS model to determine whether results have been achieved and to explain how they have been achieved, so that lessons can be learned and applied in other contexts;
Amendment 51 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4
Subheading 4
The Court's new dimensions and challenges: from ex-post to ex-ante
Amendment 54 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Acknowledges the historic, constructive role of the DAS exercise to focuses on the concepts of legality and regularity as being useful indices of good financial practices on the part of the EUand management performance on all levels of Union spending; underlines, however, that at this point, and in the future, the Court should devote more resources to the examination of whether economy, effectiveness and efficiency have been achieved in the use of the public funds entrusted to the Commission;
Amendment 56 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 59 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 63 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
Amendment 66 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Recalls that the one of the best way to improve the control of the European Union accounts and to enhance both performance and effectiveness of EU spending is to have a discharge voted before the 31st of December of the year following the financial year controlled; underlines that that would force the Court to present its annual report the 30th of June;
Amendment 68 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 74 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 81 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
Amendment 85 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Believes that preparatory tripartite meetings betweenthe current form of meetings of the Court with Parliament, and the Council and the Court could form a basis upon which to establishprovide valuable advice to the drawing up of the Court's annual work programme; stresses that such structured preparatorythese dialogue coulds greatly assists in ensuring the effective and democratic accountability to citizens of the public funds put at stake to meet EU objectives; emphasizes that despite an increased advisory collaboration with Parliament and the Council, the Court should, independent of political or national influence, decide on its annual work program;
Amendment 89 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Notes that issues of major interests to external stakeholders, such as the European Parliament, and subsequent audit requests are neither collected in a structured way nor fully treated as preferential; considers this as detrimental to the relevance and impact of the Court's audit results; notes, furthermore, that the added value of the Court is directly linked to the use made of its work by Parliament and other stakeholders in the accountability process; insistvites, therefore, that the Court'e Court to take into consideration in its annual work programme be aligned with the political priorities of the legislators and presented, in this connection, to Parliament's speciaissues of major interest to the EU citizens communicated by the Parliament's Budgetary Control cCommittee as a channel of the EU citizens' concerns;
Amendment 91 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Cooperation with national Supreme Audit Institutions (New subheading)
Amendment 92 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Expects that closer cooperation between the ECA and Member State's SAI is established with concrete results concerning the share of the annual work of the ECA; expects furthermore concrete methodological steps and agreements on audit calendars; expects the Commission, on the basis of a legal study, to make proposals to integrate Member States SAI's audit work in the Court's audits on shared management in their respective Member State;
Amendment 95 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
Amendment 97 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. proposes examination of the possibility of national audit bodies, in their capacity as independent external auditors, and with due regard for international audit standards, issuing national audit certificates for the management of Union funds, which would be submitted to Member State governments with a view to being produced during the discharge process in accordance with an appropriate interinstitutional procedure to be introduced;
Amendment 100 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Notes that the regulations covering the main areas of expenditure for the period 2014-2020 have substantially changed the financial and legal frameworks governing the implementation of the EU budget; points out that these reforms imply significant changes that will alter the landscape of financial management risk by simplifying funding rules, increasing conditionality and leveraging the EU budget; insists, therefore, that the Court increase its focus on results providing adequate reporting on risks and performance of such new instrumentsSuggests to the Court to synchronize its multiannual work programme with the MFF and include a midterm review as well as a comprehensive review of the Commission's closure of accounts to the respective MFF;
Amendment 101 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. notes that Performance Audits often lack a clear analysis of causes of audit findings; furthermore, notes that there is no system in place to ensure that the auditors assigned to performing a specific audit possess the technical knowledge and methodological skills needed to conduct the audit without having to work from scratch on any audit matter; considers that these circumstances increase ineffectiveness and inefficiency of the Court's findings in Performance Audits;
Amendment 102 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. expects from the Court full transparency about the Court's time needs for its products and calls on the Court to publish within each respective Performance Audit the time schedule and the different phases the respective product underwent in its development, i.e. the time that was needed to go through each of the different phases in place, currently these phases are: - Preliminary Study - Issue Analysis - Audit Planning Memorandum - Statement(s) of Preliminary Findings - Drawing Conclusions - Draft Report - Contradictory Procedure;
Amendment 103 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. notes that Performance Audits including a preliminary study of the Court take two years which made in several cases the audit findings outdated and prevent the implementation of adequate measures; expects the Court to streamline the drawing up of its Performance Audits and cut down on redundant procedural steps ,
Amendment 104 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. expresses its wish that the Court should in the future not only publish the Commission's comments on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, but shall clearly express a final counter reply where appropriate;
Amendment 105 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 c (new)
Paragraph 23 c (new)
23c. is of the opinion that the Court should regularly communicate statistics on the presence of Members in its seat in Luxembourg to Parliament's Budgetary Control Committee; expects full transparency of the Court vis-à-vis Parliament in this regard; wishes to receive from the Commission an analysis on the feasibility of substituting a part of the remuneration of Court's Members with a Daily Allowance;
Amendment 106 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 c (new)
Paragraph 23 c (new)
23c. emphasis that despite the need to be fair and to refer to arguments of the auditee in the respective report, it is not necessary to reach consensus with the auditee;
Amendment 107 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 d (new)
Paragraph 23 d (new)
23d. notes that in some cases parliamentary deliberations about issues addressed by special reports were already concluded, therefore, it was not possible to put the results of the Court's audit to effective use; notes furthermore, that in some cases key recommendations of the Court had already been implemented by the Commission once a Court's report was presented; expects from the Court to bear all external time constraints and developments in mind when conducting its audits;
Amendment 108 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 e (new)
Paragraph 23 e (new)
23e. expects that the Court clearly communicate in its reports weaknesses and best practices of Member States authorities by consistently disclosing them;
Amendment 109 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 f (new)
Paragraph 23 f (new)
23f. is convinced that economies of scale and scope could be achieved by a thorough analysis of the resource needs of Court's Members; expects the Court to deplore such economies inter alia with respect to a common driver service for Members as well as shared cabinets and staff;
Amendment 110 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
Amendment 112 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. RegretNotes that even if the Court is to bnominate a permanent Member of the ESM audit board, the annual audit report of the board will be made available neither to Parliament nor to the general public; believes that broad reflec; calls on the Court to provide Parliament regularly with the annual audit report of the board and all other necessary information onf the EU's public accountability and the audit structure of the Union as a whole, which includes the instruments for financial assistance, is unavoidable; believes that the Court should play a central role in such discussionCourt's activities in that regard so that Parliament can scrutinize the work of the Court of Auditors during the discharge procedure;
Amendment 116 #
Amendment 119 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
Amendment 122 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Deplores the fact that some appointments have given rise to differences of opinion procedures have resulted in a conflict between Parliament and the Council; stresses that the Council's decision to appoint Members of the Court of Auditors despite Parliament having previously given an unfavourable opinion on candidates, despite the fact that the Treaty does not foresee such a conflict; underlines that it is, as stipulated in the Treaty, Parliament's duty to check the nominees; is of the opinion that Council should in the spirit of good cooperation among the European Institutions respect decisions taken by the Parliament subsequent to its unacceptablehearing;
Amendment 123 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Welcomes, in this respect, the fact that the Court adopted new rules of procedure in 2010 which enabled the Court to streamline its decision-making process so that audit reports and opinions are now adopted by Chambers of 5- 6 members rather than the full college of 28 members, this falling under the current legal framework;
Amendment 127 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Takes the view that the present geographic representation rule relating to high-level management, according to which there may be one member per Member State, has by far outlived its initial usefulness and credibility and that it could be replaced by a light management structure tailored to a broader accountability mandate, with proper provisions to guarantee independence in all of the Court's activities, and complemented by a governing board which could be based on Member State representation;
Amendment 130 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 – introductory part
Paragraph 32 – introductory part
32. Proposes, therefore, that the Court should be composed of the following bodies:have the same number of members as the Commission; members should have at least professional experience in auditing as well as in management; members of the Court should be especially qualified for their function and their independence must be assured beyond doubt;
Amendment 132 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Proposes to review the method of remuneration of the Court members and the resources directly and personally affected to each member to both conform it with national and international practices for similar functions and allowing the Court members to fulfil their responsibilities independently;
Amendment 133 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 – point 1
Paragraph 32 – point 1
Amendment 136 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 – point 2
Paragraph 32 – point 2
Amendment 139 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 – point 3
Paragraph 32 – point 3
Amendment 146 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 – point c
Paragraph 33 – point c
(c) in the Committee on Budgetary Control, hearings will be public and the discussions will be relayed via video. At public hearings, discussion will be kept to a minimum, so as to prevent candidates from being subjected to to personal criticism in public;
Amendment 153 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 – point a
Paragraph 34 – point a
(a) high-level professional experience acquired in public finance or in management or, auditing and in management auditing, as well as proper knowledge of the governance of the European institutions;
Amendment 156 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 – point b
Paragraph 34 – point b
Amendment 158 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 – point c
Paragraph 34 – point c
(c) an impeccable management record, in the case of those who have performed management duties in the public or private sectors good auditing record and evidence of very good knowledge of at least one of the working language of the European Union;
Amendment 159 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 – point c a (new)
Paragraph 34 – point c a (new)
(ca) where necessary, proof of prior discharge of applicants from management duties previously carried out;
Amendment 161 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 – point d a (new)
Paragraph 34 – point d a (new)
(da) recognised high standards of integrity and morality of the candidate;
Amendment 163 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 – point e
Paragraph 34 – point e
(e) in view of the nature of the work to be done, the age of candidates will also be taken into account, with it being deemed reasonable, for example, to stipulate that Members should not be over 65 years of age at the endtime of their first term of office or over 70 years of age at the end of their secondappointment;
Amendment 166 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 – point f
Paragraph 34 – point f
(f) it would be desirable for members shall not to serve for more than two terms of office;
Amendment 168 #
2012/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 – point g
Paragraph 34 – point g
(g) finally, further to its assessment of individual merit and good character, Parliament will ensure that a balance is maintained in the composition of the Court as a whole in tParliament will take the issue of gender balance among the Court's Memberms of gender representation among its Membervery serious;
Amendment 6 #
2012/2017(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on its Committee on Budgets and on the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy to take the findings of Parliament’s above-mentioned resolution and this report into consideration when negotiating the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) starting in 2014;
Amendment 49 #
2012/2017(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that the Commission should have benefitted from a complete evaluation prior to engaging in decommissioning; finds it regrettable that there are no annual reports from the Commission to the European Parliament on the use of the financial resources earmarked for the decommissioning of nuclear power plants; calls therefore on the Commission to monitor, and report annually to Parliament on, the improvements in use of the funds and on the likelihood that the accumulated funds for the irreversible shutdown of these specific units in the three NPPs will be absorbed over the next three years;
Amendment 125 #
2012/2017(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39a. Calls on the Commission to send Parliament an estimate of the funding required for the irreversible and complete dismantling of the three nuclear power plants;
Amendment 154 #
2012/2017(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Supports the idea that mitigation measures should no longer be financed under the decommissioning programmes; structural fund facilities could be used; calls on the Commission to explain why the mitigation measures have not already been financed under structural fund programmes;
Amendment 175 #
2012/2017(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Demands that in order to facilitate information exchange, especially with regard to the Ignalina Power Plant, as foreseen in the Framework Agreement, a joint EBRD-Lithuania Committee shall be set up; insists upon the transmission of the information and conclusions of these meetings to Parliament;
Amendment 186 #
2012/2017(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Notes with concern delays in building and completing interim facilities to store used fuel; unless such facilities are available, nuclear fuel rods cannot be removed; notes that as regards the Ignalina Power Plant, the removal and safe interim storage of nuclear rods from Unit 2 must be a priority;
Amendment 187 #
2012/2017(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Urges that disagreements on the interpretation of treaties and award of contracts be submitted to an arbitration procedure; notes that any resulting construction delays may lead to postponement of payments and reductions in appropriations; calls on the Commission to report annually to Parliament on the state of play;
Amendment 188 #
2012/2017(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Is of the firm opinion that the Union's financial assistance must expire at the end of next programming period, i.e. in 2017 and 2020 respectively; the three Member States concerned must therefore set-up the appropriate mechanisms to ensure additional funding; notes that any funding under the new Multiannual Financial Framework should be put in reserve until such times when the conditionality, as outlined in the proposed regulation, has been met, and the effective use of the money can be guaranteed;
Amendment 12 #
2012/2000(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that the European Union’s budget is one of the most important instruments ofwhere solidarity between Member States and between generations is being demonstrated, and that it provides a clear added value, given its extraordinary impact on the real economy and daily lives of European citizens; recalls that if the Union’s policies were to be financed solely by Member States, their costs would skyrocket and that, seen in this light, the European budget intrinsically represents a clear common saving for the wellbeing of all;
Amendment 39 #
2012/2000(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the fact that all the measures taken so far to combat the crisis should assist a return to the path of growth; stresses, in this regard, that the tailor-made austerity measures already taken need to be accompanied by targeted investments resulting in sustainable economic development; points out that the EU budget has a determining role to play in this context as a tool to ensure prompt and well coordinated action in all fields to mitigate the effects of the crisis on the real economy and to act as a catalyst to boost investment, growth and jobs in Europe;
Amendment 13 #
2012/0336(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 204b – paragraph 1
Article 204b – paragraph 1
1. Contributions shall only be used to reimburse a percentage of the operating costs of European political parties directly linked to objectives of those parties. Contributions shall not be used to grant directly or indirectly any personal advantage, in cash or in kind, to any individual member or staff of a European political partySuch reimbursable costs shall include administrative expenditure and expenditure linked to technical assistance, meetings, events, including joint events with political groups in the European Parliament, information, publications, campaigns conducted in the context of the elections to the European Parliament, and referendum campaigns at European level. Expenditure linked to campaigns conducted in the context of the elections to the European Parliament shall be reimbursed in accordance with the rules laid down in Article [17] of Regulation (EU) No [...] on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations*. Exceptionally, contributions may also be used to finance national, regional or local referendum campaigns, provided that the subject of the referendum in question is Union legislation, the functioning of a Union institution, or the ratification of changes to Union treaties. __________________ * OJ L ...
Amendment 15 #
2012/0336(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 204b – paragraph 2
Article 204b – paragraph 2
2. Contributions shall not be used to fundgrant directly or indirectly any personal advantage, in cash or in kind, to any individual member or staff of a European political party. Contributions shall not be used to fund directly or indirectly activities of third parties, in particular national political parties or political foundations at European or national level, whether in the form of grants, donations, loans or any other similar agreements. Contributions shall not be used to fund directly or indirectly national, regional or local elections, candidates or referendum campaigns, except as provided for in paragraph 1 for referendum campaigns relating to Union legislation, Union institutions, or changes to Union treaties.
Amendment 17 #
2012/0336(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 204c
Article 204c
Contributions shall be paid from the European Parliament section of the budget. The appropriations set aside for independent external audit bodies or experts referred to in Article [19] of Regulation (EU) No [...] on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations* shall be charged directly to the budget of the European Parliament. Such bodies or experts shall be selected, mandated and paid by the European Parliament, without prejudice to Article [19] of that Regulation. __________________ * OJ L ...
Amendment 18 #
2012/0336(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 204e – paragraph 5
Article 204e – paragraph 5
5. The authorising officer may be assisted by a committee to evaluate and establish the award decision. The authorising officer shall specify, with due regard to the principles of transparency and objectivity, the rules regarding the composition, appointment and functioning of such committee, and the rules to prevent any conflict of interests.
Amendment 20 #
2012/0336(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 204k – paragraph 3
Article 204k – paragraph 3
3. European political parties shall respect the maximum co-financing rate established in Regulation xx/xxxx. Remaining amounts of the previous two years' contributions may not be used to finance the part which European political parties must provide from their own resources. Contributions by third parties to joint events shall not be considered as part of the own resources of a European political party.
Amendment 24 #
2012/0336(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012
Article 204n – paragraph 2
Article 204n – paragraph 2
2. Administrative and financial penalties which are effective, proportionate and dissuasive may be imposed on applicants by the authorising officer, in accordance with Article 109 of this Regulation and with Article 22(3) of Regulation (EU) No [....] on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations*, without prejudice to Article 22(7) of Regulation (EU) No [….]. __________________ * OJ L ...
Amendment 20 #
2012/0295(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. The part of the Union budget allocated to the Fund shall be implemented within the framework of shared management between the Member States and the Commission, in accordance with Article 558(1)(b) of the Financial Regulation, with the exception of technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission, which shall be implemented in the framework of direct management in accordance with Article 558(1)(a) of the Financial Regulation.
Amendment 7 #
2012/0237(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) Membership of a European political party and participation in its political activities constitute a form of service to the community which, as a matter of principle, should be viewed not as payment in kind, but as voluntary dedication. The activities of election campaign volunteers should not, therefore, be treated as donations within the meaning of this Regulation.
Amendment 9 #
2012/0237(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
(7) ‘donation’ means cash offerings and other donations in kind (goods or services) that constitute an economic advantage for the European political party or the European political foundation concerned; this does not apply to the activities of election campaign volunteers.
Amendment 30 #
2012/0237(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 3
Article 18 – paragraph 3
3. The funding of European political parties and European political foundations from the general budget of the European Union or from any other source shall not be used to finance national, regional or local referendaum campaigns unless the matter at issue in such referendums is European Union legislation or a referendum relates directly to the functioning of a European Union institution.
Amendment 33 #
2012/0237(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 24 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. TAt the latest four weeks the communication date or after the European Parliament has adopted its decision, the Registry shall publish on a website created for the purpose the following:
Amendment 34 #
2012/0237(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 24 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the names and statutes of all registered European political parties and European political foundations, together with the documents submitted as part of the application for registration in accordance with Article 6(3), at the latest four weeks after the European Parliament has adopted its decision and, beyond this date, any amendments notified to the European Parliament pursuant to Article 6(6) and (7),
Amendment 35 #
2012/0237(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 24 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) a list of those applications that have not been approved, together with the documents submitted as part of the application for registration in accordance with Article 6(3) and the grounds for rejection, at the latest four weeks after the European Parliament has adopted its decision,
Amendment 39 #
2012/0237(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 3
Article 25 – paragraph 3
3. The European Parliament and the committee referred to in Article 7(2) shall ensure that personal data collected by them pursuant to this Regulation are not used for any purpose other than to ensure the legality, regularity and transparency of the funding of European political parties and European political foundations and the membership of European political parties. They shall destroy those personal data at the latest 2436 months after publication of the relevant parts in accordance with Article 24.
Amendment 4 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas there has been an unprecedented substantial increase in the number of Agencies over the last decade, from 3 in 2000 to 24 in 2010,
Amendment 26 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes that some Agencies have difficulties in spending their budgets in a timely manner and that funds are committed against projects unrelated to the financial year; is irritated by the fact that significant amounts of budget are allocated in the end of the financial year; considers this as a possible sign that Union funds are, in some cases, used unnecessarily; calls on the Court of Auditors and especially the Agencies themselves to provide additional information and justification in the cases of CEDEFOP, CPVO, EFSA, EMSA, ENISA, ERA, EUROJUST and FRA that have spent more than 25% of their budgets in the final two months of 2010, as well as on the cases of CEPOL, CPVO, FRONTEX and again EMSA that exhibit continuously high percentages of carry- forwards which have to be cancelled;
Amendment 27 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Is irritated by the fact that in the cases of ECHA, ENISA, ERA, EUROFOUND, FRA, CEPOL, EU-OSHA, EFSA, EUROJUST, ECDC, FRONTEX, OHIM the ratio of accruals versus carry- forwards in 2010 was lower than 50%; calls on additional information and justification of the Agencies mentioned above since this indicates that over half of their carry-forwards is related to activities undertaken in the next year and this would, if unjustified, breach the principle of annuality;
Amendment 29 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes once more a large volume of carryovers and cancellations of operational appropriations by several Agencies in the financial year 2010; regrets that the Court of Auditors failed to report the level of appropriations carried forward and/or cancelled by ECHA, EEA, EMSA and CEPOL in the Court of Auditors’ reports on annual accounts for the financial year 2010;
Amendment 39 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls on the Commission and all relevant parties involved in the budgetary procedure to implement as soon as possible the Court of Auditors’ recommendation for a zero-based budgeting approach for Agencies when drawing up Agencies’ budgets, meaning that the budget of each Agency is drawn up without reference to historical amounts and is determined by the stand- alone needs of each Agency;
Amendment 40 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 42 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Amendment 43 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Presses on Agencies to consider their own administrative costs compared to those of their peers when preparing future resource plans and to have regard to the table of comparative administrative staff gradings when making future appointments to such posts;
Amendment 52 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Urges in particular that the Agencies take action in order to ensure that their AWP is appropriately complete and contains all the information required (i.e. information on all activities carried out by the Agency and on the resources planned per activities) and additionally include detailed information and estimates for the appropriations carried over to the next year;
Amendment 56 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Urges the Agencies to standardise the structure of their AARs in accordance with the format used by the Commission’s Directorates-General (DGs) and, accordingly, to provide detailed and complete information on: the implementation of their AWP, budget and staff policy plan, indicators for the budgetary management such as year-end spending (i.e. the budget commitments made by the Agency in the final three months of the year), management and internal control systems, internal/external audit findings, the follow-up to the audit recommendations, the discharge recommendation, and the statement of assurance of the Executive Director; calls also on the Agencies to provide in their AAR information resulting from the Financial Statements and from the report on budgetary and financial management foreseen in the context of the discharge procedure, provided the time constraints of the preparation of the Union annual consolidated accounts are respected;
Amendment 85 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Repeats its callIs pleased by the intention onf the Court of Auditors to make a comprehensive analysis of the Agencies’ approach and concrete practice for the management of the situations of the conflicts of interest, in order to stop the existing conflicts and prevent future ones;
Amendment 98 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
New subheading after paragraph 59
New subheading after paragraph 59
Flexible working hours – leave
Amendment 99 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59 a (new)
Paragraph 59 a (new)
59a. Calls on all agencies to inform the relevant discharge authority of the number of days of leave authorised to each grade under the flexitime and compensatory leave schemes in 2010;
Amendment 104 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64
Paragraph 64
64. Notes that in reality both the IAS and to a large extent the Court of Auditors act as advisors to the Agencies and provide them with non-public recommendations to address their shortcomings; is seriously concerned that nonegive recommendations to the Agencies to address their shortcomings; welcomes the effort of bothe audit institutions performs a control of the Agencies to be reflected in a public document; wonders if both the IAS and the Court of Auditors internally support the Agencies to address their wrong, who is controlling them through public analyses and reports; callsto supply Agencies with useful advice so that they can correct their shortcomings; reminds the Agencies with emphasis to take the recommendations seriously and undertake the necessary measures to correct their shortcomings; demands the IAS to inform the budgetary authority about shortcomings in the reports compiled by Agencies’ directors corresponding to Article 78(5) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002 and to openly publish the refore for a clear separation of tasks betwcommendations given to the Agencies in order to guaranteen the IAS and the Court of Auditorpublic character and therewith the effectiveness of their auditing tasks;
Amendment 108 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65
Paragraph 65
65. UrEncourages the Court of Auditors, therefore, to seriously and impartially exercise its controlling andcontinue its auditing functions on the Agencies in an impartial manner and reflect its findings and recommendations through its public annual or special reports to enable Parliamentthe budgetary authority to fulfil its discharging function fully and for the public to know how the Agencies are managed and which the wrongs were identified;
Amendment 110 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66
Paragraph 66
Amendment 113 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 a (new)
Paragraph 66 a (new)
Amendment 114 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66 b (new)
Paragraph 66 b (new)
66b. Asks the Court of Auditors to compose an openly accessible and transparent ranking procedure for agencies by using important indicators in the fields of good financial and budgetary management, low governance costs as well as efficient operational effectiveness and provide the underlying data in an easily accessible format (e.g. Excel-files and/or CSV files);
Amendment 120 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68
Paragraph 68
Amendment 124 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69
Paragraph 69
Amendment 125 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69
Paragraph 69
Amendment 129 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70
Paragraph 70
70. Is seriously concerned that, despiteWelcomes the Court of Auditors’ inefformationts to provided in its Annual Work Programme and the persistent requests from Parliament, which is, after all, one of the European stakeholders, the two Special Reportsith additional information related to Agencies dealing with: a) cost bench-marking of Union Agencies and b) conflicts of interest with the management at the Agencies, are still not ready or made available; notes that the Special Report on cost benchmarking of the Agencies was initially planned by the Court of Auditors for October 2011 but has still not been issued, and that the Court of Auditors’ representative stated orally in Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control that it is still working on the 17th draft, but failed so far to send the final report or a draft to Parliament despite repeated requests; is concerned that in these circumstances the ‘urges the Court of Auditors to enhance its efforts to provide Parliament timely with thorough information regarding conflicts of interest with the management’ report will not be issued on time by the Court of Auditors and/or it will not reflect the real situation at the Agencies and further information on the subject of bench-marking;
Amendment 134 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71
Paragraph 71
Amendment 152 #
2011/2232(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80 a (new)
Paragraph 80 a (new)
80a. Calls on the Commission to elaborate options on how professional management for cash held by the Agencies could be organised and implemented;
Amendment 16 #
2011/2226(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 19 #
2011/2226(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
Amendment 23 #
2011/2226(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Notes moreover that the Court of Auditors have observed that the review process of the Declarations of Interests of the Members of the Management Board is insufficiently rigorous and detailed and puts at risk the completeness and transparency of this procedure;
Amendment 25 #
2011/2224(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that the Agency's staff members are commonly recruited from national aviation authorities and the aviation industry; understands that the staff members must have sufficient and up-to- date technical experience of working in the field of aviation to perform a technical verification of compliance demonstration documents; is concerned however that this situation could causes conflicts of interest if a staff member recruited from an aircraft manufacturer works and takes decisions at the Agency on the certification of the aircraft he/she used to work on while employed by the manufacturer; is seriously concerned that such cases have the potential to put aviation safety at risk in the cases concerned;
Amendment 17 #
2011/2220(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that by refusing a new payment system, the Management Board accepts and takes direct responsibility for very important risks, such as the non- compliance with legislative requirements, the potential financial impact of the current remuneration system, and reputation; isal risks; therefore not ready to accept this questionable attitude from the Agency's Governing Board and calls upon them to take immediate actionasks the Agency's Management Board to take action on this, and inform the discharge authority before the end onf thise year;
Amendment 17 #
2011/2217(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 23 #
2011/2217(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 36 #
2011/2217(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that, until very recentlyIs surprised to learn that, from March 2010 until April 2011, the Executive Director of the Agency was a Board Member of Earthwatch and a Member of the European Advisory Board of Worldwatch Europe, two environmental NGOs, alongside to her activities in the Agency;Earthwatch.
Amendment 49 #
2011/2217(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
Amendment 55 #
2011/2217(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 – introductory part
Paragraph 22 – introductory part
22. Is nevertheless concerned by the very large number of reports and papers or other related outputs prepared by the Agency; believes that this can be interpreted as a lack of substantial and innovative work from the Agency and that, as a consequence, the financial contribution of the Union to the Agency would be ill-used; calls therefore on the Agency to immediately informcalls on the Agency to inform, in detail, the budget authority, in particular the Budget Control Authority, of:
Amendment 57 #
2011/2217(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 – indent 1 a (new)
Paragraph 22 – indent 1 a (new)
- the number of reports, and other products, delivered in 2010;
Amendment 63 #
2011/2212(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)
Paragraph 48 a (new)
48a. Recalls the earthquake in Haiti and its disastrous consequences; deplores the difficulties noted in combining humanitarian aid and development aid (linking relief, rehabilitation and development); considers that the Commission should limit its humanitarian aid and direct its efforts and funding to rehabilitation and development;
Amendment 64 #
2011/2212(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 b (new)
Paragraph 48 b (new)
Amendment 65 #
2011/2212(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 c (new)
Paragraph 48 c (new)
48c. Deplores lack of sustainability of projects and stresses that projects should principally aim at creating employment and sustainable growth which would allow the Haitian State to increase its own revenues in order to depend less on foreign assistance; requests therefore the Commission to provide Parliament with a list of projects which have been carried out during the last 15 years in Haiti with a detailed assessment of their current situation in order to see how sustainable they are since;
Amendment 66 #
2011/2212(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 c (new)
Paragraph 48 c (new)
48 c. Points to the lack of visibility of the Union aid in Haiti; takes the view that in order to enhance visibility not only the flag, but also the name of the European Union should appear in PR documents rather than only that of the Commission or of DG ECHO, which are much less identifiable to average Haitian citizens;
Amendment 11 #
2011/2206(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Is surprised at the high number of flights invoiced by members of the EESC in 2010, and at their long/medium distance (average: 2 000 km); asks the EESC to provide a detailed list of all flights invoiced in 2010, indicating the departure airport, stops en route, destination, length of flight and cost incurred by the European taxpayer;
Amendment 16 #
2011/2206(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Reconfirms its position that, in the interests of transparency, declarations of financial interests of members of all institutions should be accessible on the Internet; in that context, nNotes with satisfaction the decision by the EESC Bureau providing for publication of the declarations of financial interests of its members; is pleased to note that this decision has already been implemented;
Amendment 31 #
2011/2206(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 38 #
2011/2206(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 – indent 3
Paragraph 17 – indent 3
Amendment 27 #
2011/2203(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 32 #
2011/2203(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
Amendment 45 #
2011/2202(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Recalls Parliament’s decision to grant discharge in respect of Parliament’s budget for the financial year 2008, and in particular paragraph 138 of its resolution of 5 May 20101 on granting discharge, in which it calls for cash payments to be completely discontinued; notes in the light of Directive 2005/60/EC on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering and terrorist financing, and with regard to the audit report of the Internal Auditor, that the payment of large amounts in cash entails a very high risk of money laundering and terrorist financing; calls on Parliament’s administration in future to refrain entirely from making cash payments to visitors’ groups in accordance with Article 18 of the Bureau decision on the rules governing the reception of groups of visitors and the Euroscola and Euromed-Scola Programmes; 1 OJ L 252, 25.9.2010, p. 3.
Amendment 70 #
2011/2202(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Calls in future, where travel is undertaken by delegations, for a detailed statement of costs for all those travelling and the publication of their names; notes that, at the ACP-EU JPA in Kinshasa in November 2010, 46 Members and 25 parliamentary assistants were present, and that the cost to the taxpayer of the assistants participating in the trip totalled EUR 72 250;
Amendment 87 #
2011/2202(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Urges Parliament’s administration to report to Parliament on experience in general with the amended rules governing the size of official visitors’ groups, and in particular on the effects of these rules on organisation and capacity utilisation;
Amendment 88 #
2011/2202(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 b (new)
Paragraph 43 b (new)
43b. Calls on Parliament’s administration to examine whether it makes sense, on organisational or capacity utilisation grounds, to increase the size of groups, and, if so, instructs Parliament’s administration to set the minimum group size itself, stating reasons and with due consideration of all interests involved;
Amendment 128 #
2011/2202(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64 d (new)
Paragraph 64 d (new)
64d. Demands in this connection a detailed financial statement of the costs already incurred, and those projected for the next 20 years, in respect of the KAD building in Luxembourg, and insists that the expected total costs of construction, estimated operating costs and other expenditure arising in connection with the construction and operation of this building, be published in detail;
Amendment 75 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Regrets that despite the considerable budgetary means foreseen for the European schools, the latter continue to fail fulfilling their main task which is to provide for sufficient places in the required languages and in the vicinity of officials' places of work and residence but instead have enlarged their activities to other fields of education
Amendment 76 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 b (new)
Paragraph 34 b (new)
34b. Recognises that an essential problem lies within the decision-making and financing structures of the Convention on the European Schools; demands therefore the Commission to explore with the Member States until 1 October 2012 a revision of this Convention; in the meantime, calls on the Commission to push for more efforts to achieve the aforementioned targets, by way of more appropriate use of the budgetary means provided;
Amendment 77 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Calls on the Commission to clarify its relocation plans, the costs this will entail, how much office space will become available and how much will be added, and the number of staff in each Directorate-General who will be affected.
Amendment 78 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 b (new)
Paragraph 34 b (new)
34b. Points out that in 2010, during the procedure to approve flexitime and compensatory leave as a voluntary benefit, the Commission approved around 90 000 additional days of leave for its staff, which is the equivalent of some 445 posts – even though Article 56 of the Staff Regulations states that overtime worked by AD5/AST5 staff shall not be compensated; asks for clarification of the total cost to the taxpayer of compensatory leave.
Amendment 89 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41a. Notes with great concern the Commission’s interim report on the progress made by Bulgaria under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism; is concerned at the continuing parlous state of the Bulgarian legal system; notes that 27 criminal proceedings are under way against 28 judges; asks for clarification regarding a series of cases of alleged fraud in connection with EU funds in Bulgaria in which the public prosecutor’s office suspended the investigations, even though the investigations into similar cases based on the same facts continued in another Member State; is astonished that, in all cases of fraud involving EU funds which were brought before the courts, criminal prosecution was replaced by administrative fines, and that an important case of fraud involving EU funds has been delayed in appeal in court for over 18 months; deplores, furthermore, the disregard of the Commission’s recommendation in not authorising the National Commission for the Identification and Forfeiture of Criminal Assets (CEPACA) to undertake pro-active asset verification of senior officials and politicians; is concerned that the unified, prompt, systematic publication of substantiated judgments is not the norm in Bulgaria; calls on the Commission to put pressure on the Bulgarian government to increase its efforts to reform and to implement the Commission’s recommendations as soon as possible; calls on the Commission in this context to disclose how much funding has been allocated to supporting Bulgaria’s efforts to reform and to assess the extent to which the payments have achieved the promised results; expects to see serious improvements over the coming year, with the establishment of a task force and a series of measures drawn up by the Commission in cooperation with the Bulgarian government for re- establishing the integrity of Bulgaria’s legal system;
Amendment 90 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 b (new)
Paragraph 41 b (new)
41b. Notes with concern the Commission’s interim report on the progress made by Romania under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism; is, however, pleased to note the positive upward trend in the record of the National Integrity Agency (ANI) in pursuing cases of unjust enrichment and identifying conflicts of interest; notes that the ANI’s funding was increased with EU money; is, however, concerned that there is no uniform follow-up to ANI cases and that the follow-up is often delayed; is also concerned at the results of an analysis of court judgments in cases of high-level corruption, which shows that 60% of sentences are suspended and the sentences are often the minimum provided by law; is surprised at the unsatisfactory practice in relation to the prompt publication of substantiated judgments, which encourages the risk of statute- barring in some cases of high-level corruption as a result of protracted substantiation caused by the long-delayed possibility of redress; calls for a thorough, detailed analysis by the Commission, in cooperation with the Romanian government, of the legitimate use of European funding in Romania; calls on the Commission to disclose how much funding has been allocated to supporting Romania’s efforts to achieve judicial reform and to assess the extent to which the payments have achieved the promised results; expects to see further improvements within the coming year; calls on the Commission to increase pressure on the Romanian government to implement the Commission’s recommendations; expects the Commission to call on the Romanian government, without fail, to ensure that the Romanian government’s efforts to develop a consistent jurisprudence in public procurement trials are increased; calls on the Commission steadfastly and determinedly to insist vis-à-vis the Romanian government that the Commission’s recommendations are complied with and a clearer, more comprehensive implementation plan to prepare for implementation of the provisions of the Penal Code and the Code of Penal Procedure is drawn up; expects increased efforts with regard to the confiscation of assets resulting from criminal activities in Romania; also expects a series of measures from the Commission, in cooperation with the Romanian government, for improving the integrity of the Romanian legal system;
Amendment 183 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 106 a (new)
Paragraph 106 a (new)
106a. Calls for a detailed report from the Commission on the total cost of advertising for EU enlargement (spots in cinemas, on television, the Internet and other media), a breakdown of costs by the individual media and the countries in which the spots appeared, and detailed information on the implementing companies, from production to broadcasting; also expects a report on all other advertising activities of the Commission concerned with enlargement, together with a correspondingly detailed report and breakdown of costs;
Amendment 186 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 106 a (new)
Paragraph 106 a (new)
106a. Recalls the earthquake in Haiti and its disastrous consequences; deplores the difficulties noted in combining humanitarian aid and development aid (linking relief, rehabilitation and development); considers that the Commission should limit its humanitarian aid and direct its efforts and funding to rehabilitation and development;
Amendment 187 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 106 b (new)
Paragraph 106 b (new)
106b. Deplores the insufficient coordination between the Union Delegation and the ECHO representation; supports a reinforced coordination between all Union actors; urges therefore the Commission to ensure better coherence and complementarity between humanitarian aid and development aid both at a policy level and in practice;
Amendment 188 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 106 c (new)
Paragraph 106 c (new)
106c Deplores the lack of sustainability of projects and stresses that projects should principally aim at creating employment and sustainable growth which would allow the Haitian State to increase its own revenues in order to depend less on foreign assistance; requests therefore the Commission to provide Parliament with a list of projects which have been carried out during the last 15 years in Haiti with a detailed assessment of their current situation in order to see how sustainable they are since;
Amendment 189 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 106 d (new)
Paragraph 106 d (new)
106d. Points to the lack of visibility of the Union aid in Haiti; takes the view that in order to enhance visibility not only the flag, but also the name of the European Union should appear in PR documents rather than only that of the Commission or of DG ECHO, which are much less identifiable to average Haitian citizens;
Amendment 4 #
2011/2191(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Expresses concern regarding the persisting problems with staff involved in aid policies; the high staff turnover in DG Development and Cooperation – EuropeAid and the lack of staff with appropriate qualifications in the delegations should be addressed without delay; further takes the view that, where necessary, the Commission should cooperate with the EEAS with a view to ensuring appropriate human resource capacity for aid management in the delegationswelcomes the agreement between the Commission and the EEAS (Ares(2011)1392088) of 20 December 2011 on cooperation in the delegations with a view to ensuring appropriate aid management; expects the EEAS to keep Parliament informed of progress on the measures in question and their outcome;
Amendment 7 #
2011/2191(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Notes the Court of Auditors’ criticism (see ECA Special Report No 1/2011, Figure 1) of the working arrangements between the Commission’s headquarters and its delegations for the management of external aid; calls for an examination of the processes in question and for simplification with a view to reducing internal bureaucracy, with a report to Parliament; calls on the EEAS and the Commission to tailor human resources in the delegations to political priorities and to the delegations’ political importance;
Amendment 8 #
2011/2191(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Points out that Croatia has not yet recovered from the economic recession affecting the country; notes that despite the 2010 economic stimulus programme unemployment, and in particular youth unemployment, continued to rise; calls on the Commission to press for a Croatian labour-market solution;
Amendment 10 #
2011/2191(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the growing effectiveness of the fight against corruption, including actions taken against a number of former leading politicians and officials; notes, however, that corruption is still regarded by the Commission asCroatia is in 62nd place on Transparency International's corruption index; endorses the Commission's statement that corruption is still prevalent in some areas and that there is further progress to be made in the fight against corruption; supports all the necessary commitments and legal, administrative and auditing measures that the Croatian authorities will take to that end, including in the protection of the EU’s financial interests and control of EU funding; calls on the Commission to incorporate a traffic-light system into its progress reports in order to guarantee the clarity of those reports and give its critical remarks greater weight, so that improvements and, where appropriate, setbacks are highlighted;
Amendment 12 #
2011/2191(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls for improvements in the quality of internal auditing in the area of public financial control and further progress in combating the forging of euro banknotes, with a view to achieving the objective of the systematic detection and notification of cases of fraud;
Amendment 524 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54 a (new)
Paragraph 54 a (new)
54a. Calls on the Commission to maintain an annual public 'failure scoreboard' of inadequate and/or late execution of reporting and disclosure requirements and of irregularities, abuse and fraud in the use of monies from the cohesion fund; calls for this information to be broken down by Member State and Fund;
Amendment 527 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54 b (new)
Paragraph 54 b (new)
Amendment 528 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54 c (new)
Paragraph 54 c (new)
54c. Calls for annual clearance of accounts procedures to be established for the new programming period that also cover multiannual programmes;
Amendment 529 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54 d (new)
Paragraph 54 d (new)
54d. Considers more efficient e- government solutions (harmonised forms) to be necessary for the entire implementation and monitoring system; calls for exchange of experience between the Member States coordinated by the Commission and for coordinated implementation through groupings of administrative authorities and auditing bodies;
Amendment 49 #
2011/2018(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Highlights the need for constant and even-distributed information of the European citizens and asks its administration to constantly monitor existing and potential locations for its information offices, in particular where accommodation is offered free of charge;
Amendment 10 #
2011/0460(NLE)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) For the period after 2013 the Commission in its communication ‘A Budget for Europe 2020’13 proposed to fund the ITER project outside the MFF. Therefore a Supplementary Research Programme for the ITER project should be established for the period of 2014 to 2018. On the basis of the overall cost to be agreed, the funding should be ring fenced in commitment appropriations in the MFF regulation in order to guarantee the funding for ITER without jeopardising other EU priorities like Horizon 2020 or the Erasmus Programme.
Amendment 11 #
2011/0460(NLE)
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
2. The Commission or its representatives and the Court of Auditors shall have the power of audit, on the basis of documents and on-the-spot checks and inspections, over all grant beneficiaries, contractors, subcontractors and other third parties who have received Union funds under this Decision. Considers that the magnitude and the past severe shortcomings of the ITER project calls for close scrutiny from the European Parliament in its capacity of budget authority and discharge authority. The Commission shall inform the European Parliament on the development of the programme in particular in terms of cost and schedule on a regular basis.
Amendment 19 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 8 a (new)
Article 1 – point 8 a (new)
Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities
Article 28 – point c a (new)
Article 28 – point c a (new)
8a. The following point shall be added to Article 28: ‘(ca) gives a declaration on his honour that he has not in the past worked for the intelligence services of totalitarian regimes;’
Amendment 21 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 14 a (new)
Article 1 – point 14 a (new)
Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities
Article 44 – paragraph 1
Article 44 – paragraph 1
14a. Article 44(1) shall be replaced by the following: ‘An official who has been at one step in his grade for three years shall automatically advance to the next step in that grade. As from grade AD 12, this automatic advancement shall apply only to officials to whom the provisions of the second paragraph apply.’
Amendment 23 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 21 – point d
Article 1 – point 21 – point d
Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities
Article 55 – paragraph 4
Article 55 – paragraph 4
4. The appointing authority of each institution may introduce flexible working- time arrangements. The allocation of compensatory leave when overtime has been worked shall be made in hours and must not exceed eight hours per calendar month. Overtime must be approved by the directorate-general concerned and by the directorate-general responsible for personnel before it is worked. Applications for such approval must state the reasons for this exceptional situation, the circumstances which justify the compensation, the number of staff involved and the estimated amount of overtime to be worked. Officials to whom the provisions of the second paragraph of Article 44 apply and officials in grades AD/AST 9 and above shall manage their working-time without resorting to such arrangements.’
Amendment 25 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 27
Article 1 – point 27
Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities
Article 61
Article 61
27. In Article 61, t shall be amended as follows: (a) The word '‘institutions'’ shall be replaced by '‘appointing authorities of the institutions';’. (b) The following paragraph shall be added: ‘The total number of public holidays and office closing days shall not exceed 14.’
Amendment 28 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 52 – point -a (new)
Article 1 – point 52 – point -a (new)
Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities
Annex X – Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Annex X – Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
(-a) The following paragraph shall be added to Article 8: ‘Officials who take part in professional training courses in Brussels pursuant to Article 24a of the Staff Regulations and who have been granted rest leave pursuant to the first paragraph of this article shall as a rule combine their periods of professional training in Brussels with their rest leave.’
Amendment 29 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 52 – point -a a (new)
Article 1 – point 52 – point -a a (new)
Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities
Annex X – Article 9 – paragraphs 1 and 2
Annex X – Article 9 – paragraphs 1 and 2
(-a a) Article 9 shall be replaced by the following: ‘1. Annual leave may be taken all at once or in several periods, according to what the official desires and taking account of the requirements of the service. It must, however, include at least one period of 14 working days. Annual leave cannot exceed 37 days. However, travelling time shall be added to it pursuant to Annex V, Article 7, of the Staff Regulations. 2. The rest leave provided for in Article 8 may not exceed 15 working days, including travelling days, per year.’
Amendment 30 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 52 – point b a (new)
Article 1 – point 52 – point b a (new)
Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities
Annex X – Article 20 – paragraphs 1 and 2
Annex X – Article 20 – paragraphs 1 and 2
(ba) Article 20 shall be replaced by the following: Where travel by train is impossible or impracticable, reimbursement shall be by special decision on production of the air tickets, whatever the distance. In the case of flights with a duration of less than eight hours, only the cost of an economy- class ticket shall be reimbursed.’
Amendment 36 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 5 a (new)
Article 1 – point 5 a (new)
Staff Regulations
Article 16
Article 16
Amendment 40 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5a (new)
Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union
Article 16
Article 16
Amendment 46 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 6 a (new)
Article 1 – point 6 a (new)
Staff Regulations
Article 24 – paragraph 2
Article 24 – paragraph 2
6a. Article 24(2) shall be replaced by the following: ‘They shall jointly and severally compensate the official for damage suffered in such cases, in so far as the official did not either intentionally or through grave negligence cause the damage and has been unable to obtain compensation from the person who did. This shall not apply to costs incurred by the official in connection with investigations by the European Anti- Fraud Office.’
Amendment 48 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 8
Article 1 – point 8
Staff Regulations
Article 27 – paragraph 1
Article 27 – paragraph 1
Recruitment shall be directed to securing for the institution the services of officials of the highest standard of ability, efficiency and integrity, recruited on the broadest possible geographical basis from among nationals of Member States of the European Union. No posts shall be indirectly or directly reserved for nationals of any specific Member State.
Amendment 52 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 8
Article 1 – point 8
Staff Regulations
Article 27 – paragraph 2
Article 27 – paragraph 2
The principle of the equality of Union's citizens shall allow each institution to adopt corrective measures following the observation of a long lasting and significant imbalance between nationalities or gender among officials which is not justified by objective criteria. These corrective measures shall never result in recruitment criteria other than those based on merit. Before such corrective measures are adopted, the appointing authority of the institution concerned shall adopt general provisions for giving effect to this paragraph in accordance with Article 110.
Amendment 54 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 8 a (new)
Article 1 – point 8 a (new)
Staff Regulations
Article 28 – point c a (new)
Article 28 – point c a (new)
8a. The following point shall be added to Article 28: ‘ca) gives a declaration on his honour that he has not in the past worked for intelligence services;’
Amendment 56 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union
Article 27 - paragraph 1
Article 27 - paragraph 1
Recruitment shall be directed to securing for the institution the services of officials of the highest standard of ability, efficiency and integrity, recruited on the broadest possible geographical basis from among nationals of Member States of the European Union. No posts shall be indirectly or directly reserved for nationals of any specific Member State.
Amendment 57 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 9
Article 1 – point 9
Staff Regulations
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
While maintaining the principle that the vast majority of officials shall be recruited on the basis of open competitions, the appointing authority may decide, by way of derogation from point (b), to hold a competition internal to the institution which shall also be open to contract staff as defined in Articles 3a and 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union. Contract staff shall be eligible only if they have a sound knowledge of a Union language and a good knowledge of two further Union languages, as required for the post which is the subject of the internal competition.
Amendment 61 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union
Article 27 – paragraph 2
Article 27 – paragraph 2
The principle of the equality of Union's citizens shall allow each institution to adopt corrective measures following the observation of a long lasting and significant imbalance between nationalities or gender among officials which is not justified by objective criteria. These corrective measures shall never result in recruitment criteria other than those based on merit. Before such corrective measures are adopted, the appointing authority of the institution concerned shall adopt general provisions for giving effect to this paragraph in accordance with Article 110.
Amendment 68 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 14 – point a a (new)
Article 1 – point 14 – point a a (new)
Staff Regulations
Article 43 – paragraph 1
Article 43 – paragraph 1
(aa) The following sentence shall be added after the first sentence of paragraph 1: ‘This report shall be based on a transparent, readily understandable system for the assessment of officials’ performance, established by the institutions.’
Amendment 70 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 21 – point d
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 21 – point d
Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union
Article 55 - paragraph 4 (new)
Article 55 - paragraph 4 (new)
4. The appointing authority of each institution may introduce flexible working- time arrangements. Compensation for overtime shall take the form of hours credited to the official’s working time account and may not exceed eight hours per calendar month. Overtime must be approved in advance by the directorate- general concerned and by the Directorate- General for Human Resources. Applications for overtime shall specify the reasons for the exceptional situation, the circumstances justifying compensation, the number of workers involved and the estimated amount of overtime to be worked. Officials to whom the provisions of the second paragraph of Article 44 apply and officials in grades AD/AST 9 or above shall manage their working-time without resorting to such arrangements.
Amendment 71 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 14 a (new)
Article 1 – point 14 a (new)
Staff Regulations
Article 44 – paragraph 1
Article 44 – paragraph 1
14a. Article 44(1) shall be replaced by the following: ‘An official who has been at one step in his grade for three years shall automatically advance to the next step in that grade. As from grade AD 12, this automatic advancement shall apply only to officials to whom the provisions of the second paragraph apply.’
Amendment 80 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 39a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 39a
Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union
Article 86
Article 86
39a. In Article 86, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following: "2. Where the Appointing Authority or the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) becomes aware of evidence of failure within the meaning of paragraph 1, they may launch administrative investigations to establish whether such failure has occurred. If the administrative investigation has not been completed five years after the date on which evidence was brought to the attention of the Appointing Authority or OLAF, limitation shall take effect. If, as a result of an administrative investigation, an official is suspended for a period of more than 6 months, the Appointing Authority shall have the power to take disciplinary action.’
Amendment 88 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 21 – point d
Article 1 – point 21 – point d
4. The appointing authority of each institution may introduce flexible working- time arrangements. Compensatory leave for overtime worked shall be granted in hours and may not exceed eight hours per calendar month. Overtime must be approved by the directorate-general concerned and by the Directorate-General for Personnel before it is worked. Applications for such approval must state the reasons for this exceptional situation, the circumstances which justify the compensatory leave, the number of staff involved and the estimated amount of overtime to be worked. Officials to whom the provisions of the second paragraph of Article 44 apply and officials in grades AD/AST 9 and above shall manage their working-time without resorting to such arrangements.’
Amendment 92 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 51 – point (ba) (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 51 – point (ba) (new)
Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union
Annex IX - Article 25
Annex IX - Article 25
(ba) Article 25 shall be replaced by the following: "Where the official is prosecuted for those same acts, a final decision shall be taken only after a final judgment has been handed down by the court hearing the case. Where appropriate and possible the appointing authority shall be given the power to enforce disciplinary measures against the official under investigation before the final judgment by the court hearing is given."
Amendment 94 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 52 (-a) (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 52 (-a) (new)
Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union
Annex X - Article 9
Annex X - Article 9
(-a) Article 9 shall be replaced by the following: ‘1. Annual leave may be taken all at once or in several periods, according to what the official desires and taking account of the requirements of the service. It must, however, include at least one period of 14 working days. Annual leave may not exceed 37 days, to which travel days under Annex V, Article 7 should be added. 2. The rest leave provided for in Article 8 may not exceed 15 working days, including travelling days, per year.’
Amendment 95 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 52 point (ba) (new)Staff Regulations of Officials of the
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 52 point (ba) (new)Staff Regulations of Officials of the
European Union
Annex X - Article 20
Annex X - Article 20
(ba) Article 20 shall be replaced by the following: ‘An official shall be entitled to travel expenses for rest leave from his place of employment to the authorised place of leave for himself and, if he is entitled to the household allowance, for his spouse and dependents if they live with him. Where travel by train is impossible or impracticable, reimbursement shall be by special decision on production of the air tickets, whatever the distance. In the case of flights with a duration of less than eight hours, only the cost of an economy- class ticket shall be reimbursed.’
Amendment 99 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 27
Article 1 – point 27
Staff Regulations
Article 61
Article 61
27. In Article 61, t shall be amended as follows: (a) The word '‘institutions'’ shall be replaced by '‘appointing authorities of the institutions';’. (b) The following paragraph shall be added: ‘The total number of public holidays and office closing days shall not exceed 14.’
Amendment 105 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 39 a (new)
Article 1 – point 39 a (new)
Staff Regulations
Article 86 – paragraph 2
Article 86 – paragraph 2
(39a) Article 86(2) shall be replaced by the following: ‘2. Where the Appointing Authority or OLAF becomes aware of evidence of failure within the meaning of paragraph 1, they may launch an administrative investigation to verify whether such failure has occurred. If the administrative investigation has not been completed five years after the date on which evidence was brought to the attention of the Appointing Authority or OLAF, limitation shall take effect. If, as a result of an administrative investigation, an official is suspended for a period of more than 6 months, the Appointing Authority shall have the power to take disciplinary action.’;
Amendment 128 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 47
Article 1 – point 47
Staff Regulations
Annex V – Article 7 – paragraph 1 – first indent
Annex V – Article 7 – paragraph 1 – first indent
– 250 to 61000 km: one day of home travelling time,
Amendment 131 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 47
Article 1 – point 47
Staff Regulations
Annex V – Article 7 – paragraph 1 – second indent
Annex V – Article 7 – paragraph 1 – second indent
Amendment 132 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 47
Article 1 – point 47
Staff Regulations
Annex V – Article 7 – paragraph 1 – third indent
Annex V – Article 7 – paragraph 1 – third indent
Amendment 142 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 49 – point d a (new)
Article 1 – point 49 – point d a (new)
Staff Regulations
Annex VII – Article 12 – paragraph 2
Annex VII – Article 12 – paragraph 2
(da) Article 12(2) shall be replaced by the following: ‘2. Travel by air Officials shall be authorised to travel by air if the outward and return journeys by rail would total at least 800 kilometres. In the case of flights with a duration of less than eight hours, only the cost of an economy-class ticket shall be reimbursed.’
Amendment 150 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 51 – point -a (new)
Article 1 – point 51 – point -a (new)
Staff Regulations
Annex IX – Article 1 – paragraph 2
Annex IX – Article 1 – paragraph 2
(-a) Article 1(2) shall be replaced by the following: "2. In cases that demand absolute secrecy for the purposes of the investigation or that require the use of investigative procedures falling within the remit of a national judicial authority, compliance with the obligation to invite the official to comment may, once the Appointing Authority has been informed, be deferred. In such cases, no disciplinary proceedings may be opened before the official has been given a chance to comment."
Amendment 151 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 51 – point b a (new)
Article 1 – point 51 – point b a (new)
Staff Regulations
Annex IX – Article 25
Annex IX – Article 25
(ba) Article 25 shall be replaced by the following: 'Article 25 Where the official is prosecuted for those same acts, a final decision shall be taken only after a final judgment has been handed down by the court hearing the case. Where appropriate and possible the appointing authority shall be given the power to enforce disciplinary measures against the official under investigation before the final judgment by the court hearing the case is given.';
Amendment 153 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 52 – point -a (new)
Article 1 – point 52 – point -a (new)
Staff Regulations
Annex X – Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Annex X – Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
(-a) The following paragraph shall be added to Article 8: ‘Officials who take part in professional training courses in Brussels pursuant to Article 24a of the Staff Regulations and who have been granted rest leave pursuant to the first paragraph of this article shall as a rule combine their periods of professional training in Brussels with their rest leave.’
Amendment 154 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 52 – point -a a (new)
Article 1 – point 52 – point -a a (new)
Staff Regulations
Annex X – Article 9
Annex X – Article 9
(-aa) Article 9 shall be replaced by the following: ‘1. Annual leave may be taken all at once or in several periods, according to what the official desires and taking account of the requirements of the service. It must, however, include at least one period of 14 working days. Annual leave may not exceed 37 days. It shall however be extended by the addition of travelling time calculated in accordance with Article 7 of Annex V to the Staff Regulations. 2. The rest leave provided for in Article 8 may not exceed 15 working days, including travelling time calculated in accordance with Article 7 of Annex V, per year.’
Amendment 155 #
2011/0455(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 52 – point b a (new)
Article 1 – point 52 – point b a (new)
Staff Regulations
Annex X – Article 20 – paragraph 2
Annex X – Article 20 – paragraph 2
(b a) Article 20 (2) shall be replaced by the following: ‘Where travel by train is impossible or impracticable, reimbursement shall be by special decision on production of the air tickets, whatever the distance. In the case of flights with a duration of less than eight hours, only the cost of an economy- class ticket shall be reimbursed.’
Amendment 15 #
2011/0454(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
This objective shall be measured, inter alia, through the amount of recoveries following fraud cases detected by joint actions and cross border operations, the increased percentage of successful joint operations, and the increased number of cases accepted by the criminal investigative authorities, and the increased exchange of information on the results achieved with the technical material purchased under the Programme.
Amendment 17 #
2011/0454(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a – indent 7
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a – indent 7
– increasing data exchange, including between the Member States and the Commission, developing and providing IT tools for investigations, and monitoring intelligence work.
Amendment 18 #
2011/0454(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 2
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 2
– exchanging experience between the relevant authorities in the Member States, and third countries as referred to in Article 6(2), including specialised law enforcement services, as well as representatives of international public organisations as mentioned in Article 6 (3), including specialised law enforcement services;
Amendment 19 #
2011/0454(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 5
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 5
– developing high-profile research activities, including comparative-law studies;
Amendment 22 #
2011/0454(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a
a) grants, including relating to the maintenance of technical material purchased under the Programme;
Amendment 25 #
2011/0454(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4
Article 9 – paragraph 4
4. The co-financing rate for grants awarded under the pProgramme shall not be less than 50% and not exceed 80 % of the eligible costs. In exceptional and duly justified cases, when the beneficiary is a research and educational institute and non-profit making entity, as defined in the annual work programme referred to in article 10, the co-financing rate shall not exceed 90 % of the eligible costs. The co-financing rate for grants awarded under the Programme shall not exceed 30% of the eligible costs when it concerns the funding of the maintenance of technical material purchases under the Programme. In case of funding of maintenance, the award decision shall be subject to the submission by the national authorities to the Commission of a report detailing output, results and added value of the implementation of the technical equipment purchased under the Programme.
Amendment 27 #
2011/0454(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
In order to implement the Programme the Commission shall adopt annual work programmes. They shall set out the objectives pursued, the expected results, the method of implementation and their total amount. The annual work programmes shall also specify the criteria for being awarded a grant covering the maintenance of the technical equipment purchased under the Programme. They shall also contain a description of the actions to be financed, an indication of the amount allocated to each action and an indicative implementation timetable. They shall include for grants the priorities, the essential evaluation criteria and the maximum rate of co-financing.
Amendment 46 #
2011/0454(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 2
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 2
– exchanging experience between the relevant authorities in the Member States, and third countries as referred to in Article 6(2), including specialised law enforcement services, as well as representatives of international organisations as mentioned in Article 6 (3), including specialised law enforcement services;
Amendment 50 #
2011/0454(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4
Article 9 – paragraph 4
4. The co-financing rate for grants awarded under the programme shall not be less than 50% and not exceed 80 % of the eligible costs. In exceptional and duly justified cases, when the beneficiary is a research and educational institute and a non-profit taking entity, as defined in the annual work programme referred to in article 10, the co-financing rate shall not exceed 90 % of the eligible costs. The co-financing rate for grants awarded under the programme shall not exceed 30% of the eligible costs when it concerncs the funding of the maintenance of technical material purchases under the Programme. In case of funding of maintenance, the award decision shall be subject to the submission by the national authorities to the Commission of a report detailing output, results and added value of the implementation of the technical equipment purchased under the Programme.
Amendment 22 #
2011/0369(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11
Article 11
1. The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, shall ensure overall consistency, complementarity and synergies with other Union instruments, inter alia, with the Rights and Citizenship Programme, the Instrument for financial support for police cooperation, crime prevention and the fight against cross- border, serious and organised crime, the Health for Growth Programme, the Erasmus for all Programme, the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme and the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance. The Commission shall also ensure overall consistency, complementarity and synergies with the EU agencies whose mandates cover the same domains as the programme.
Amendment 36 #
2011/0363(NLE)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
The allocation may also cover preparatory work for the construction of a final repository. Measures to deal with the consequences of closure and decommissioning may not be covered.
Amendment 38 #
2011/0363(NLE)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Disagreements on the interpretation of treaties and award of contracts must be submitted to an arbitration procedure. Resultant delays in construction may lead to postponement of payment and reductions in the financial allocation. An annual report on this issue shall be submitted by the Commission to the European Parliament.
Amendment 116 #
2011/0363(NLE)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
The financial allocation for the Kozloduy, Ignalina and Bohunice Programmes may also cover expenses pertaining to preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities which are required for the management of the programme and the achievement of its objectives; in particular, studies, meetings of experts, information and communication actions, including corporate communication of the political priorities of the European Union as far as they are related to the general objectives of this Regulation, expenses linked to IT networks focusing on information processing and exchange, together with all other technical and administrative assistance expenses incurred by the Commission for the management of the programme. The allocation may also cover preparatory work for the construction of a final repository. Measures to deal with the consequences of closure and decommissioning may not be covered.
Amendment 119 #
2011/0363(NLE)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Disagreements on the interpretation of treaties and award of contracts must be submitted to an arbitration procedure. Resultant delays in construction may lead to postponement of payment and reductions in the financial allocation. An annual report on this issue shall be submitted to the European Parliament.
Amendment 33 #
2011/0344(COD)
1. The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, shall ensure overall consistency and complementarity and synergies with other Union instruments, inter alia, with the Justice programme, the Europe for Citizens programme and with programmes in the areas of home affairs; employment and social affairs; health and consumer protection; education, training, youth and sport; information society; enlargement, in particular the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance and the funds operating under the Common Strategic Framework (CSF funds).The Commission shall also ensure overall consistency, complementarity and synergies with the EU agencies whose mandates cover the same domains as the programme.
Amendment 78 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 116 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Part 3 – Article 116 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The audit authority shall ensure that audits are carried out on the proper functioning of the management and control systems, of the operational programmes and on an appropriate sample of operations and on the annual accountson the basis of the expenditure declared to the Commission. Appropriate sampling methods are all statistical methods. Where, due to the limited number of operations, these are not possible, a formal non-statistical method may be used, ensuring a representative sample of declared expenditure and allowing the audit authority to draw valid conclusions on the effective functioning of the system.
Amendment 79 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 116 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Part 3 – Article 116 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 142 to set out the conditions which those audits shall fulfil, laying down the modalities of appropriate statistical or non-statistical sampling methods.
Amendment 7 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Financial audit shall exclusively aim at verifying that the conditions for reimbursements by the Commission on the basis of standard scales of unit costs and lump sums have been fulfilled.
Amendment 10 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex – point 1 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Annex – point 1 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Common indicators concerning the administration of ESF resources in the Member States: - number of staff deployed for administering, authorising and verifying ESF resources in the respective Member States. These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports. All data are to be broken down by gender and, as far as possible, by NUTS level.
Amendment 12 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex – point 1 – paragraph 3
Annex – point 1 – paragraph 3
These data on participants entering an ESF supported operation are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All data are to be broken down by gender and by NUTS level.
Amendment 14 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex – point 2 – paragraph 2
Annex – point 2 – paragraph 2
These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […]. The data are to be broken down by NUTS level.
Amendment 15 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex – point 3 – paragraph 2
Annex – point 3 – paragraph 2
These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All data are to be broken down by gender and by NUTS level.
Amendment 17 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex – point 4 – paragraph 2
Annex – point 4 – paragraph 2
These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(4) of Regulation (EU) No […]. They are to be collected based on a representative sample of participants within each priority axis. Internal validity of the sample should be ensured in such a way that the data can be generalised at the level of priority axis. All data are to be broken down by gender and by NUTS level.
Amendment 2 #
2010/2248(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that the time has come for strategic long-term investment in Europe to be substantially increased; in this respect asks for: -more transparency of the bank's activities towards the European Parliament -clear accountability towards the European Parliament by the EIB -targeted use of financial instruments;
Amendment 12 #
2010/2248(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that the EU-Budget guarantees in the end of 2009, have reached an amount of 19.2 Billion EUR for loans granted by the EIB; underlines that this amount for the EU-Budget non- neglectable and expects a detailed explanation on the risk involved; takes the view that the EIB should also explain the appropriation of the interest in loan resulting from this high amount of guarantees;
Amendment 13 #
2010/2248(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Asks to explain the detailed administration fee, the EIB received from the EU-Budget;
Amendment 2 #
2010/2186(DEC)
Proposal for a decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the Euratom Supply Agency for the financial year 2009
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. ....Grants the Director-General of the Euratom Supply Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2009;
Amendment 24 #
2010/2143(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new) (under subheading "Security")
Paragraph 8 a (new) (under subheading "Security")
8a. Condemns the third consecutive robbery inside what should be Parliament's secure premises; strongly disapproves of the evident deficiencies in Parliament's security; calls on its administration to re-deploy the responsible manager to new tasks;
Amendment 68 #
2010/2143(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Finds that the possibility of posing written questions to the other institutions should be improved by providing appropriate forms for each of the institutions as well as adapting Parliament's Rules of Procedure;
Amendment 86 #
2010/2143(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)
Paragraph 48 a (new)
48a. Welcomes the fact that the calculation of the carry forward was made in the same manner as for the election year 2004, when the 50 % rule was applied for the aggregated figures for the two six-month periods;
Amendment 87 #
2010/2143(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 b (new)
Paragraph 48 b (new)
48b. Notes that all political groups have chosen to remunerate their secretaries general at AD 16; asks whether the differences in size of the respective groups- ranging from 265 to 30 Members- should not be reflected in a difference in grade for the respective secretaries general.
Amendment 97 #
2010/2143(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63 a (new)
Paragraph 63 a (new)
63a. Questions whether the DG needs a 'Performance and Strategic Management Unit', as well as both a 'Policy Unit' and 'Resources Unit'; requests the Secretary General to review these structures and to consider whether the creation of such a unit could be seen as the start of a process of establishing large and unnecessary 'cabinets' for Directors General;
Amendment 98 #
2010/2143(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63 b (new)
Paragraph 63 b (new)
63b. Notes that most heads of Parliament's information offices have written a joint letter questioning aspects of the budgetary management of the DG and asks the Secretary General to investigate the situation and to ascertain whether the creation of central units in the DG such as the 'Performance and Strategic Management' and 'Policy' Units are removing staff from frontline activities such as budgetary management with a cost in terms of the effectiveness of the DG;
Amendment 99 #
2010/2143(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63 c (new)
Paragraph 63 c (new)
63c. Insists that budget line 3242 should not be used to hide costs related to specific activities such as the prizes and that all the associated costs (such as publicity materials, events, expenses related to journalists' visits, etc.) be clearly identified;
Amendment 129 #
2010/2143(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 74 a (new)
Paragraph 74 a (new)
Amendment 132 #
2010/2143(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77 a (new)
Paragraph 77 a (new)
77a. Calls on its Bureau to review the rules for the users of dedicated service cars, so as to end the current practice in which these cars are shuttled empty over long distances for the mere purpose of serving for short distance missions (from airports to final destinations in the city and back again); highlights the cost incurred by such practices; urges its Bureau to find less costly alternatives in order to provide the taxpayer with the best value for money;
Amendment 26 #
2010/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Barroso I Commission had a strategic objective to obtain an unqualifiedstrive for a positive statement of assurance from the Court of Auditors by 2009, and whereas this objective which was not achieved has been reconfirmed for the current mandate,
Amendment 39 #
2010/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas the role of the Court of Auditors is to check information, not to produce it, and whereas the Court of Auditors' ability to carry out its responsibilities effectively under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should in no way be constrained,
Amendment 68 #
2010/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recalls its repeated invitations to the Commission to present a proposal for measures leading to the introduction of mandatory national management declarations (NMDs) issued and signed at ministerial level and duly audited by an independent auditor so as far as such declarations are a necessary and indispensable first step to improve the efficiency of national systems and to enhance national accountability for the use of Union money;
Amendment 94 #
2010/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Notes that under the present system, which does not include fines, the Member States seem to have limited interest in developing efficient control systems that could result in a reduction of their share of Union spending; therefore calls on the Commission to develop a system which will punish underperformers, and reward those who perform well, by reducing their administrative burden;
Amendment 96 #
2010/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Calls on the Commission to provide Parliament with an analysis of the paying agencies' capacity to deliver reliable data (based, in addition, on ex-ante declarations and on-the-spot checks and comparing those declarations and those checks with the information given by the Court of Auditors) and check the veracity of information provided by these bodies in the last four years;
Amendment 107 #
2010/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Invites the Commission to publish in the Synthesis Report an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of individual Member States' management and control systems on the basis of the audit work it already performs as well as other relevant available information and; further invites the Commission to include a progress report on the improvements in the discharge information; calls on the Commission to establish a ‘scoreboard’ on the quality of controls per Member State and policy area according to the following model:
Amendment 132 #
2010/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Regrets that the Commission uses the notion ‘tolerable risk of error’ exclusively as a basis to decide what level of irregular use of funds should be considered as acceptable ex-post; takes the view that a forward-looking approach to a possible introduction of a ‘tolerable risk of error’ would include in the Financial Regulation a requirement for the Commission to match spending proposals with an assessment of the irregularity risks; therefore, invites the Commission to modify its proposal in such a way as to make the notion 'tolerable risk of error' a management tool for assessing the cost of administrative and control systems as well as the level of risk of non compliance per funds and per Member State, thus delivering better quality information for the discharge authority;
Amendment 165 #
2010/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Notes that, since the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, the Ordinary Legislative Procedure applies to the Staff Regulations; invites the Commission to modernise the Staff Regulations and to adapt the working conditions for the institutions' staff in such a way that Union's institutions will continue to be attthe reputation of the Union is strongly influenced by the public perception of its civil service; notes that the last reform of the Staff Regulations did not adapt its provisions to a changed working environment nor lead to a remuneractive places to work and pursue a career in; is worried that the number of candidates from certain Member States has already decreased dramatically and believes that possibilities for personal and professional development shall play a major role on policy that provides for equal pay for equal work; notes that it contains out-dated perks and benefits; calls on the Commission to present proposals for a comprehensive modernisation of the Staff Regulations including this modernisation procese end of out-dated perks and benefits;
Amendment 170 #
2010/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 a (new)
Paragraph 50 a (new)
50a. Recalls Article 56 of the Staff Regulations which does not envisage overtime compensation or remuneration for officials in function groups AD or AST 5 to 11; welcomes flexible solutions in the context of a good work-life balance; however, calls on the Commission to respect the provisions of the Staff Regulations in the implementation of the 'flexitime scheme';
Amendment 171 #
2010/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 b (new)
Paragraph 50 b (new)
50b. Urges the Commission to remove out-dated provisions like a distance- related travel allowance and additional travel-days, which do not reflect the modern travel infrastructures both in duration and price, and also to adapt the Union civil service to changes in the Member States' civil services;
Amendment 172 #
2010/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 c (new)
Paragraph 50 c (new)
50c. Considers the demographic challenge a key factor for the future staff and budgetary evolution; invites the Commission to assess moderating factors, such as a rise of the weekly working time and pensions qualification age; sees the need to review the payment schemes for junior staff at AD 5 entry level for specialised vocations to ensure the competitiveness of the Union as an employer;
Amendment 173 #
2010/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 d (new)
Paragraph 50 d (new)
50d. Is concerned that newly recruited Union officials might have worked in the past for intelligence services of totalitarian regimes; calls on the Commission to ensure, by means of a declaration on oath of new staff in all institutions and bodies, that they have not been and are not linked to such services;
Amendment 184 #
2010/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62 – indent 4
Paragraph 62 – indent 4
– to review and improve the guidelines as regards the work to be performed by certification bodies, in particular the work related to the validation of the Member States' control and inspection statistics, to provide Parliament with the number and an assessment of the soundness of the existing paying agencies,
Amendment 214 #
2010/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 80 a (new)
Paragraph 80 a (new)
80a. Calls on the Commission to provide Parliament with the number and an assessment of the soundness of the existing managing authorities;
Amendment 236 #
2010/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 95
Paragraph 95
95. Invites the successor of DG RELEX to complete its ex- post control methodology and promptly address related recommendations made by the internal auditor;
Amendment 246 #
2010/2142(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 106 a (new)
Paragraph 106 a (new)
106a. Recalls that the Parliament resolutions on discharge for the financial years 2007 and 2008 both call on the Commission to allow beneficiaries to use average personnel costs per cost centre and to refrain from requesting individual costs of persons actively involved in a specific research project; welcomes, in this regard, the Commission decision C(2011)0174 of 24 January 2011 on the three measures simplifying the implementation of Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Decision No 970/2006/Euratom;
Amendment 3 #
2010/2094(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that the EEAS will have its own internal audit service; stresses that the EEAS and the Commission's auditors should cooperate in order to ensure the consistency of audit policy, with particular reference to the Commission's responsibility for operational expenditureConsiders it both practical and, in the interest of sound financial management, essential that the Commission's internal auditor also have overall responsibility for the EEAS.
Amendment 21 #
2010/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission to contribute to the present reform of the Financial Regulation which pursues the following aims: increase of coherence in the present legal framework; reduction of provisions; clarity and unambiguousness and manageability. To this end, calls for the incorporation of the Rules for Participation into the body of the Financial Regulation;
Amendment 22 #
2010/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights that any simplification process should be carefully deployed within the current FP7 to maintain stability, consistency and legal certainty for the participants; in that regard stresses that, whereas uniform interpretation of existing rules should be pursued as a matter of urgency, for running contracts the application of post-conclusion 'guidelines' should be avoided;
Amendment 24 #
2010/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Expresses its concern that the current system and the practice of FP7 management are excessively control- oriented, thus leading to waste of resources, lower participation and less attractive research landscapes; notes with concern that the current management system of ‘zero risk tolerance’ seems to avoid rather than to manage risks; calls therefore for the revision and/or extended interpretation of the EU Staff Regulation on the issue of personal liability, as well as for the presentation of concrete proposals in the ongoing reform of the Financial Regulation (e.g. insurance or risk-pooling system);
Amendment 25 #
2010/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Considers that EU monitoring and financial control should be primarily aimed at safeguarding public funds and combating fraud, whilst distinguishing clearly between fraud and errors; in that regard considers it necessary to establish a clearer definition of 'errors' including the mechanisms for the establishment of errors vs. differing interpretations; calls, therefore, for a thorough analysis of errors and respective remedial actions;
Amendment 28 #
2010/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Believes that the management of European research funding should be more trust-based and risk- tolerant towards participants at all stages, with flexible EU rules that can be applied in accordance with national regulations ando align better, where possible and existing, with different national regulations and internationally recognised accounting practices;
Amendment 38 #
2010/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Urges the Commission to actively pursue Parliament's requests as raised in its discharge decisions for the years 2007 and 2008, in particular to make concrete proposals for simplifying the calculation of average personnel cost and to apply these proposals;
Amendment 62 #
2010/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Requests further clarification on the definition of eligible costs (such as taxes and charges in personnel costs), as well as on the question whether VAT can be covered under eligible costs; calls on the Commission to examine the possibility of exempting purchases financed by Union funds from VAT in the Member States; requests further clarification on procedures related to exchange rates for partners using different currencies;
Amendment 96 #
2010/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Recommends improvement in the stability provided to stakeholders by having, as far as possible, one single Commission project officer, delivering personalised support throughout the lifetime of a project with consistent implementation of rules; as well as a 'one face to the customer' approach, in which advice on multiple programmes can be received from just one contact point;
Amendment 50 #
2010/2072(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 56 #
2010/2072(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
Amendment 15 #
2010/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Notes that many agencies record permanently high cash holdings; calls on the Commission and the agencies to work on ways of bringing the cash holdings down to an acceptable level; asks the Commission against this background also to examine alternative common plans for efficient management of cash holdings and to draw up proposals with a view to changing the structural framework conditions in order to achieve more efficient management of cash holdings;
Amendment 19 #
2010/2007(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the Community contributions to the decentralised agencies - excluding the closed European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR) - increased between 2000 and 2010 by about 610% from EUR 94 700 000 to EUR 578 874 000 and staff numbers by about 271% from 1219 to 4794,
Amendment 20 #
2010/2003(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recalls that wider cost implications should always be assessed in relation to new measures introduced such as, for example, when deciding on staff and assistants schemes in both 2010 and 2011; underlines especially that if additional assistants were to be recruited in Brussels, and/or Strasbourg this would have an impact on the situation regarding office space, which is already stretched; considers that the March presentation of the medium-term buildings strategy for its three places of work is crucial; suggests that the aspects reviewed should include, in particular, hand hygiene (paper towel dispensers);
Amendment 28 #
2010/2003(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Considers that follow-up and analysis are important on a number of fronts with clear budgetary links such as, inter alia, the restructuring of Directorates-General, the pursuit of a more effective and professional staff policy, non-discrimination action, EMAS, public procurement and action taken following budget discharge recommendations; emphasises the need for continuous follow-up and analysis of Parliament's budget implementation in general; recalls, in this context, the negative media coverage that resulted from subsidies being given to relatives of Parliament staff members and calls for the Secretariat to scrutinise in advance any subsidising of event-type activities and to bring it to the attention of the committee responsible;
Amendment 23 #
2010/2002(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13a new
Paragraph 13a new
13a. Regards overcoming the euro crisis as a central component of cooperation between the institutions in the years to come; points to the problems resulting from seriously deteriorating budgetary situations in the Member States; points to the additional burdens on the Community budget as a result of greater provision of Union funds and credit guarantees; insists, with a view to avoiding crises in future, on an efficient monitoring system involving direct mandatory reporting to the European Parliament; calls on the Commission to inform it immediately about prospective measures in connection with a possible EU crisis mechanism;
Amendment 124 #
2010/2002(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Takes note of the substantial increase in appropriations (13.2%) to cover the enlargement process, in which further progress is expected in 2011 (ongoing and potential negotiations with Croatia, Iceland, FYROM, Turkey and Western Balkans); expects that the Commission reinforces its activities in these countries to fight corruption and to encourage the implementation of projects strengthening the independence of the judiciary and the development of professional law enforcement;
Amendment 136 #
2010/2002(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Welcomes the increase in appropriations for the CFSP to EUR 327.4 million (CA), as provided for in the financial programming and in line with the ever more ambitious role the EU wishes to play in zones undergoing a stabilisation process or affected by conflicts; asks for more detailed information about the increase of the appropriations; takes note of the emptying of the budget line for EU Special Representatives, as provided for in connection with the setting up of the EEAS, and recalls that the specific provisions regarding the CFSP in the IIA will have to be substantially rethought in the framework of the negotiations on a revised IIA and of the adoption of a proposal on the EEAS;
Amendment 5 #
2010/2001(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the CommissionSees the need to put part of the budget relating to the Commissioners's cabinets in reserve until the revised Code of Conduct for Commissioners is adopted;
Amendment 102 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision – amending act
Article 3 – paragraph 4
Article 3 – paragraph 4
4. The EEAS shall extend appropriate support and cooperation to the other institutions and bodies of the Union, in particular to the European Parliament. The EEAS may also benefit from the support and cooperation of these institutions and bodies, including agencies as appropriate. In addition, the EEAS shall cooperate with the European Office for the Fight against Fraud (OLAF) in accordance with Regulation (EC) N° 1073/1999. It shall in particular swiftly adopt the decision required by this Regulation on terms and conditions for internal investigations. As provided in this Regulation, Member States, in accordance with national provisions, and institutions shall give the necessary support to enable the OLAF’s agents to fulfil their task.
Amendment 105 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision – amending act
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – indent 1 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – indent 1 a (new)
- an Ethics office reporting directly to the Secretary-General;
Amendment 112 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision – amending act
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. The decision to open or close a delegation shall be adopted by the High Representative, after consultingin agreement with the Council and the Commission. The decision to close a delegation shall be adopted by the High Representative, in agreement with the Council and the Commission after consulting the European Parliament.
Amendment 129 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 3 b (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 3 b (new)
Amendment 135 #
2010/0816(NLE)
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 4
Article 8 – paragraph 4
4. With regard to the European Development Fund and the Development Cooperation Instrument, any proposals, including those for changes in the basic regulations and the programming documents in paragraph 3 above, shall be prepared jointly by the relevant services in the EEAS and in the Commission uander the direct supervision and guidance after consulting the European Parliament under the responsibility of the Commissioner responsible for Development Policy and then jointly submitted with the High Representative for decision by the Commission. Thematic programmes, except the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, as well as the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation, shall be prepared by the appropriate Commission Service under the guidance of the Commissioner responsible for Development and presented to the College in agreement with the High Representative and other relevant Commissioners.
Amendment 21 #
2010/0816(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 4
Article 3 – paragraph 4
4. The EEAS shall extend appropriate support and cooperation to the other institutions and bodies of the Union, in particular to the European Parliament. The EEAS may also benefit from the support and cooperation of those institutions and bodies, including agencies as appropriate. In addition, the EEAS shall cooperate with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)1. It shall in particular swiftly adopt the decision required by that Regulation on terms and conditions for internal investigations. As provided for in that Regulation, Member States, in accordance with national provisions, and institutions shall give the necessary support to enable the OLAF’s agents to fulfil their task. ___________________ 1 OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1.
Amendment 23 #
2010/0816(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. The decision to open or close a delegation shall be adopted by the High Representative, after consultingin agreement with the Council and the Commission. The decision to close a delegation shall be adopted by the High Representative, in agreement with the Council and the Commission after consulting the European Parliament.
Amendment 28 #
2010/0816(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 2 c (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. In order to ensure budgetary transparency in the area of external action of the Union, the Commission shall transmit to the budgetary authority, together with the draft EU budget, a working document presenting, in a comprehensive way, all expenditure related to external action of the Union. This document shall in particular contain: – the establishment plans of the Union's delegations displayed by grade and by category including contractual and local agents, –- a line-by-line presentation of the expenditure related to external action of the Union per country and per mission.
Amendment 29 #
2010/0816(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 4
Article 8 – paragraph 4
4. With regard to the European Development Fund and the Development Cooperation Instrument, any proposals, including those for changes in the basic regulations and the programming documents in paragraph 3 above, shall be prepared jointly by the relevant services in the EEAS and in the Commission uander the direct supervision and guidance after consulting the European Parliament under the responsibility of the Commissioner responsible for Development Policy and then jointly submitted with the High Representative for decision by the Commission. Thematic programmes, except the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, as well as the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation, shall be prepared by the appropriate Commission service under the guidance of the Commissioner responsible for Development and presented to the College in agreement with the High Representative and other relevant Commissioners.
Amendment 29 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 55 – paragraph 1
Article 55 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall implement the budget in the following ways: (a) by its departments, by Union Delegations in accordance with the second paragraph of Article 53, or through executive agencies referred to in Article 59; (b) indirectly, in shared management with Member States or by entrusting, subject to a specific provision in the basic act which also sets out, other than in the cases referred to in points (i) and (iv), the type of implementing partners and types of operations, by entrusting certain specified budget implementation tasks to: (i) third countries or the bodies they have designated; (ii) international organisations and their agencies; (iii) financial institutions entrusted with the implementation of Financial Instruments pursuant to Title VIII; (iv) the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund or any other subsidiary of the Bank; (v) bodies referred to in Articles 200 and 201; (vi) public law bodies or bodies governed by private law with a public service mission as far as these latter provide adequate financial guarantees; (viii) bodies governed by private law of a Member State, entrusted with the implementation of a public and private partnership and providing adequate financial guarantees; (viii) persons entrusted with the implementation of specific actions pursuant to Title V of the Treaty on the European Union, and idpersons entrusted with the implementation of specific actions in the CFSP pursuant to Title V of the Treaty on the European Union, and identified in the relevant basic act within the meaning of Article 51 of this Regulation. The Commission shall remain responsible for the implementation of the budget pursuant to Article 317 TFEU and shall inform the European Parliament on the operations carried out by the entiftied in the relevant basic act within the meaning ofs listed under points (i) to (viii). The financial statement referred to in Article 5127 of this Regulation shall provide a full statement of reasons for the choice of a particular entity listed under points (i) to (viii).
Amendment 30 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 55 – paragraph 2
Article 55 – paragraph 2
2. Member States and entities and persons listed under point (b) of paragraph 1 shall not have the status of authorising officer by delegationThe financing decision to be annexed to the annual activity report referred to in Article 63(9) shall specify the objective pursued, the expected results, the methods of implementation and the total amount of the financing plan. It shall also contain a description of the actions to be financed and an indication of the amount allocated to each action, and an indicative implementation timetable. In the case of indirect management, it shall also specify the implementing partner chosen, the criteria used and the tasks entrusted to it.
Amendment 39 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 178 – paragraph 2
Article 178 – paragraph 2
The contributions of the Union and the donors shall be entered into a specific bank account. These contributions are not integrated in the budget and are managed by the Commission under the responsibility of the authorising officer by delegation. The entities and persons referred to in point (b) of Article 55(13) may be entrusted with budget implementation tasks in accordance with the relevant rules for indirect managementshall apply.
Amendment 222 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities10 has been substantially amended several times. Since further amendments are to be made, including changes to take account of amendments introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon, the Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 should be replaced by this Regulation, according to the Treaty of Lisbon adopted jointly by the European Parliament and the Council according to the ordinary legislative procedure, in the interests of clarity.
Amendment 224 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 was confined to stating the broad principles and basic rules governing the whole budgetary sector covered by the Treaties, while the implementing provisions were laid down in Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 23 December 2002 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities11 in order to produce a better hierarchy of rules and make Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 easier to read. Under Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (hereinafter the ‘'TFEU’') the Commission may receive delegation to adopt acts of general applicationa legislative act may delegate to the Commission the power to adopt non-legislative acts only to supplement or amendment certain non-essential elements of the legislative acts. As a consequence, some provisions laid down in Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002, should be incorporated into this Regulation. The detailed rules for the application of this Regulation adopted by the Commission should be confined to technical details and implementing modalities.
Amendment 225 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The rules governing interest generated by pre-financing should be simplified as they generate excessive administrative burden on both recipients of Union funds and Commission services and create misunderstandings between the Commission services and operators and partners. For reasons of simplification, in particular in respect of grant beneficiaries, and in line with the principle of sound financial management, there should no longer be an obligation to generate interest on pre-financing and to recover such interest. [However, itrules should be possible to include such obligation in a delegation agreementforeseen in cases in which interest actually accrues, in order to allow the re- use of interests generated by pre-financing for the programmes managed by some delegates, or its recovery.
Amendment 226 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The Treaty requires thatAs according to the Treaty the multiannual financial framework will in future be laid down in the form of a regulation. It is therefore necessary to incorporate certain provisions from the multiannual financial framework for 2007-2013 and the interinstitutional agreement on budgetary discipline and sound financial management has to be amended accordingly it is logical to incorporate certain provisions from the interinstitutional agreement into this Regulation. In particular, in order to ensure budgetary discipline, it is necessary to establish a link between the multiannual financial framework and the annual budgetary procedure. It is also necessary to include provisions on commitment of the European Parliament and of the Council to respect the allocations of commitment appropriations laid down in the basic acts for structural operations, rural development and the European Fisheries Fund.
Amendment 229 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Concerning provisions on proportionality, the notion of tolerable risk of error should be introduced as part of the risk assessment made by the Authorising Officer. The institutions should be able to move away from the general 2% materiality threshold used by the Court of Auditors to conclude on the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions. Tolerable risk levels constitute more appropriate basis for the Discharge Authority to judge the quality of the management of risk by the Commission. The European Parliament and the Council should therefore determIn order to assess the risk of error, and react accordingly, a management tool, presentineg the level of tolerable risk of error per policy area, taking into account the costs and benefits of controlsrisk of error should be applied.
Amendment 230 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) The experience with Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) institutionalised as Union bodies under Article 185 of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 demonstrates that further alternatives should be added in order to increase the choice of instruments to include bodies whose rules are more flexible and accessible to the private partners than those applicable to the Union institutions. Such alternatives should operate under indirect management. An alternative should be a body established by a basic act and endowed with financial rules which should take into account the principles necessary to ensure sound financial management of Union funds. These principles should be adopted in a delegated regulation on which the European Court of Auditors should be consulted and should be based on those with which third entities entrusted with budget implementation tasks have to comply. Another alternative should be the implementation of PPPs by bodies governed by private law of a Member State.
Amendment 231 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) Basic control and audit obligations of Member States where they implement the budget indirectly in shared management, which currently exist only in sector- specific Regulations, should be, for the purposes of Articles 317 and 290 of the TFEU, introduced in this Regulation. Therefore it is necessary to include provisions, setting out a coherent framework for all policy areas concerned, on a harmonised administrative structure at national level, which does not create any additional control structures but allows the Member States to accredit bodies entrusted with the implementation of Union funds. The Member States should have the competence to determine the entity or organisation carrying out the functions of the accrediting authority, which may be at the same administrative level as the accredited body or already be responsible for the supervision of other authorities at present; this should not preclude the choice of any other structure on the part of the Member States as long as this is in line with the provisions of this Regulation. Further, common management and control obligations for those structures, annual management declaration of assurance with independent audit opinion thereon and an annual declaration by Member States by which they assume the responsibility for the management of Union funds they are entrusted with, financial clearance, suspension and correction mechanisms operated by the Commission should be contained in this Regulation in order to create a coherent legislative framework which also improves the overall legal certainty and the efficiency of controls and remedial actions as well as the protection of the Union's financial interests. Detailed provisions should remain in sector-specific Regulations.
Amendment 232 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33 a (new)
Recital 33 a (new)
(33a) All draft proposals submitted to the legislative authority should be suitable for application of user friendly information technologies ('e-government') and the interoperability of data processed in the management of the budget should be ensured which should improve efficiency. Uniform data transmission standards for data available in electronic format should be foreseen. A transitional period of two years from the entry in force of this Regulation should be granted for the attainment of these targets.
Amendment 233 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) The rules for exclusion should be improved in order to strengthen the protection of financial interests of the Union. The reference to money laundering should be added, as provided for in the Directive 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts14 . Moreover, situations of exclusion concerning candidates or tenderers convicted by a judgment having the force of res judicata for an offence concerning their professional conduct, or for fraud, corruption, involvement in a criminal organisation, money laundering or similar criminal infringements detrimental to the financial interests of the Union, should be extended to persons having powers of representation, decision making or control over these candidates and tenderers. However, for reasons of proportionality, exclusion should not apply to candidates and tenderers who can demonstrate that they have taken adequate measures against the concerned persons having powers of representation. Finally, in order to ensure the continuity of service of the institution, derogation from the obligation of exclusion based on the grounds of bankruptcy or analogous situations, grave professional misconduct and non compliance with social obligations should be introduced in case of negotiated procedures where, for technical or artistic reasons or for reasons connected with the protection of exclusive rights, the contract can be awarded only to a particular economic operator.
Amendment 234 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 43 a (new)
Recital 43 a (new)
(43a) In order to allow its auditees sufficient time to address findings of the Court of Auditors that could have an impact on the auditees’ final accounts or the legality and/or regularity of their underlying transactions, the Court of Auditors shall ensure that all such findings are transmitted to the institution or body concerned in good time.
Amendment 237 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 55
Recital 55
Amendment 238 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 56
Recital 56
(56) In order to ensure continuity in the implementation of the current programmes, the provisions concerning control and audit obligations of Member States when they implement the budget indirectly under shared management should apply only to the next generation of sector-specific regulaas of 1st January 2014, except where the Member States voluntarily submit national declarations at an earlier stage which shall be taken into account in particular in the establishment of the Commission's audit and control strategies as well as the assessment of the amount of any subsequent financial corrections,.
Amendment 248 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 9 – paragraph 4
Part 1 – article 9 – paragraph 4
4. Non-differentiated appropriations corresponding to obligations duly contracted at the close of the financial year shall be carried over automatically to the following financial year only.The same shall apply to de-committed and unused appropriations (commitments and payments) not covered by paragraphs 2 and 3 as well as available, unspent margins below the overall ceiling of the Multiannual Financial Framework for each heading, which shall constitute a 'global MFF margin' and be attributed to the different headings in the following financial year according to their needs.
Amendment 249 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 9 a (new)
Part 1 – article 9 a (new)
Article 9a Carry over of Unused appropriations Unused appropriations both in commitments and payments as well as decommitted appropriations of year N may be carried over into N+1 budget, or in one of the future budgets in the framework of the annual budgetary procedure, by a decision of the budgetary authority. The Commission shall present before 1 October of the year N to the budgetary authority its forecast for unused and decommitted appropriations of year N, both in commitments and payments. Each arm of the budgetary authority shall eventually indicate how to allocate unused appropriations either in the N+1 budget or even on subsequent years. The decision will be taken jointly by the two arms of the budgetary authority following the procedure in accordance with Article 314 TFEU. The unused and decommitted appropriations shall be entered into one of the budgets and beyond the ceilings of the Multiannual Financial Framework. Unused and decommitted appropriations may be allocated either to a specific programme, or entered into a provisional chapter. In this case resources from the Member States will be called only after the decision of the budgetary authority on the specific destination. Carry over of margin of the multiannual financial framework In case after the adoption of the annual budget a margins are left under the each ceiling of the financial framework, the budgetary authority may decide, before the end of the exercise, to carry over the unused margins in any ceiling of one of the subsequent years of the multiannual financial framework. The total amount of the Multiannual financial framework will remain unchanged.
Amendment 257 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 18 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Part 1 – article 18 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(ea) fines and amounts receivable as a result of out-of-court settlements, understandings, or any other similar agreements concluded with or off payments paid by any non-state third parties insofar as these are not general revenue; (If adopted replaces the original amendment 15.)
Amendment 275 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 27 – paragraph 2
Part 1 – article 27 – paragraph 2
2. In order to reduce the risk of fraud and irregularities, the financial statement referred to in paragraph 1 shall provide information on the internal control system set up, an estimate of the costs and benefits of controls implied by such systems and an assessment of the risk involved, as well as existing and planned fraud prevention and protection measures.
Amendment 297 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 41 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Part 1 – article 41 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Wherever possible and appropriate, articles and items shall correspond to individual operations carried out in the framework of a certain individual activity. The delegated regulations shall lay down guidelines for the classification of articles and items aiming at maximum transparency and conciseness of the budget.
Amendment 300 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 46 – paragraph 1 – point c – subpoint i
Part 1 – article 46 – paragraph 1 – point c – subpoint i
(i) for each section of the budget, an establishment plan providing a comprehensive presentation of the entire human resources and setting the number of posts for each grade in each category and in each service and the number of permanent and temporary posts authorised within the limits of the budget appropriations; , accompanied by a document presenting the full time equivalents of contract agents as well as local agents; (The amendment is compatible with the original amendment 57 and replaces only one part.)
Amendment 303 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 49
Part 1 – article 49
Article 49 Article 49 Where by implementation of an act of the Union the appropriations available in the budget or the allocations available in the multiannual financial framework would be exceeded, such act may be implemented in financial terms only after the budget has been amended and, if necessary, the financial framework has been appropriately revised. For the purposes of this Article, and notwithstanding Article 4 (2), an act of the Union shall be deemed to exist where borrowing or lending operations affect the global MFF margin (Article 9(4)) of any present or future years to which the multiannual financial framework applies.
Amendment 304 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 55 – paragraph 1 – point b
Part 1 – article 55 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) indirectly, in shared management with Member States or by entrusting, subject to a specific provision in the basic act which shall also set out, other than in the cases of (i) and (iv), the type of implementing partners and types of operations, by entrusting certain specified budget implementation tasks to: (i) third countries or the bodies they have designated; (ii) international organisations and their agencies; (iii) financial institutions entrusted with the implementation of Financial Instruments pursuant to Title VIII; (iv) the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund or any other subsidiary of the Bank; (v) bodies referred to in Articles 200196b and 201196c; (vi) public law bodies or bodies governed by private law with a public service mission as far as these latter provide adequate financial guarantees; (viii) bodies governed by private law of a Member State, entrusted with the implementation of a public and private partnership and providing adequate financial guarantees; (viii) persons entrusted with the implementation of specific actions pursuant to Title V of the Treaty on the European Union, and identified in the relevant basic act within the meaning of Article 51 of this Regulation. persons entrusted with the implementation of specific actions in the Common Foreign and Security Policy pursuant to Title V of the Treaty on the European Union, and identified in the relevant basic act within the meaning of Article 51 of this Regulation. The Commission remains responsible for the implementation of the budget (Article 317 TFEU) and shall inform the European Parliament on the operations carried out by the entities under points (i) to (viii). The financial statement (Article 27) shall provide a full justification for the choice of a particular entity under points (i) to (viii). (If adopted it replaces original amendment 68.)
Amendment 306 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 55 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Part 1 – article 55 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The financing decision which shall be annexed to the annual activity report (Article 63(9)) shall specify the objective pursued, the expected results, the method of implementation and the total amount of the financing plan. It shall also contain a description of the actions to be financed and an indication of the amount allocated to each action, and an indicative implementation timetable. In case of indirect management, it shall also specify the implementing partner chosen, the criteria used and the tasks entrusted to it.
Amendment 309 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 1
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 1
1. Responsibilities for budget implementation in shared management Where the Commission implements the budget by shared management, implementation tasks shall be delegated to Member States. These shall respect the principles of sound financial management, transparency and non-discrimination, and ensure the visibility of Union action when they manage Union funds. To this end, the Commission and the Member States shall fulfil their respective control and audit obligations, and assume the resulting responsibilities laid down in this Regulation. Complementary provisions may be laid down in sector-specific rules. (If adopted it replaces the original amendment 79.)
Amendment 313 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 2
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 2
Amendment 318 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 3
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 3
Amendment 325 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 4
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 4
4. BRole and competences of the accredited body Member States at the appropriate level, by means of bodies accredited pursuant to paragraph 3 of this Article shall: (a) conduct checks and set up and ensure the functioning of an effective and efficient internal control system; (b) use an annual accounting system providing accurate, complete and reliable information in a timely manner; (c) be subject to an independent external audit, performed in accordance with internationally accepted auditing standards by an audit service functionally independent of the accredited body; (d) ensure, in conformity with Article 31(2), annual ex post publication of recipients of Union funds; (f) ensure a protectionprovide the prerequisite data and information in accordance with paragraph 5; (d) ensure ex post publication of recipients of Union funds in accordance with Article 31(2). Any processing of personal data whicshall comply with snatisfies the principles laid down onal provisions implementing Directive 95/46/EC. (If adopted replaces original amendments 74 and 82)
Amendment 336 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 5
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 5
Amendment 344 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 6
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 6
Amendment 350 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 6 a (new)
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Specific provision for European Territorial Cooperation Sector-specific rules shall take account of the needs of European Territorial Cooperation programmes as regards in particular the content of the annual management declaration, the accreditation process and the audit function. (If adopted it replaces the original amendment 77.)
Amendment 354 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 6 b (new)
Part 1 – article 56 – paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. National declarations of assurance Member States may provide a national declaration on the expenditure made under the system of shared management. If such a declaration is provided, it shall be signed at ministerial level, and be based on the information to be provided under paragraph 5(c), and shall at least cover the effective functioning of the internal control systems in place and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions. It shall be subject to the opinion of an independent audit body and be provided to the Commission by 15 March of the year following the budgetary year concerned. A board of audit institutions composed of 6 representatives of supreme audit institutions of the Member States based on a two year rota and the European Court of Auditors shall be consulted on the guidelines for the establishment such national declarations. Where a Member State has provided a national declaration in accordance with the above provisions, this shall be taken into account in the establishment of the Commission’s audit and control strategies and the establishment of risk at Member States’ level in accordance with Article 29 it shall be forwarded to the budgetary authority in mutatis mutandis application of Article 63(9). (If adopted it replaces the original amendments 78 and 85)
Amendment 359 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 57 – paragraph 7
Part 1 – article 57 – paragraph 7
7. Paragraphs 5 and 6 of this Article shall not apply to Union entities and persons which are subject to a separate procedure of discharge from the budgetary authoritydischarge procedure when these entities implement the Union budget.
Amendment 362 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 63 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2
Part 1 – article 63 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2
The ex ante controls shall be carried by the members of staff other than those responsible for the ex post controls. The members of staff responsible for the ex post controls shall not be subordinate to the members of staff responsible for the ex ante controls, and vice versa.
Amendment 371 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 76 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Part 1 – article 76 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
The debit note corresponding to the recovery order shall be served upon the debtor and shall be binding on the Commission in its content at the time of service.
Amendment 373 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 81 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Part 1 – article 81 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The financing decision shall specify the objective pursued, the expected results, the method of implementation and the total amount of the financing plan. It shall also contain a description of the actions to be financed and an indication of the amount allocated to each action, and an indicative implementaiton timetable. In case of indirect management, it shall also specify the implementing partner chosen, the criteria used and the tasks entrusted to it.
Amendment 374 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 83 – paragraph 1
Part 1 – article 83 – paragraph 1
1. INotwithstanding Article 82(3), in respect of any measure which may give rise to expenditure chargeable to the budget, the authorising officer responsible must first make a budgetary commitment before entering into a legal obligation with third parties or transferring funds to a trust fund on the basis of Article 178.
Amendment 375 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 83 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Part 1 – article 83 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
However, in case of humanitarian aid operations, civil protection operations and crisis management aid, provided that it is indispensable for the efficient delivery of the Union's intervention to enter into a legal commitment with third parties immediately without being possible to make a prior booking of the individual budgetary commitment, the latter may be booked without delay after entering into a legal obligation with third parties.
Amendment 376 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 87 – paragraph 4
Part 1 – article 87 – paragraph 4
4. Pre-financing shall be limited to two uncleared payments. It shall be cleared regularly by the responsible authorising officer, following the economic substance and timing of the underlying project. The authorising officer by delegation shall carry out annual eligibility checks. To this effect appropriate provisions shall be included in the contracts, grant decisions and agreements as well as the delegation agreements entrusting implementation tasks to the entities and persons referred to in point (b) of Article 55(1).
Amendment 377 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 89
Part 1 – article 89
Amendment 380 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 91 a (new)
Part 1 – article 91 a (new)
Article 91a Electronic Government (e-government) All draft proposals submitted to the legislative authority shall be suitable for application of user-friendly information technologies at all levels, in particular the level of final recipients of funds. Where funds are managed in shared management in accordance with Article 56, Commission and Member States shall ensure the interoperability of data gathered or otherwise received and transmitted in the management of the budget. Where data is available in an electronic format, possibilities for its transmission in such format must be foreseen. Where this is necessary, the Member States and the Commission shall agree on uniform data transmission standards. The Commission, in cooperation with other Institutions, executive agencies as well as entities referred to in Article 200, shall establish uniform standards for electronic information supplied to third parties in the process of procurements and grants procedures. It shall, to the greatest possible extent, design and apply uniform standards for the submission, storage and processing of data submitted in grants and procurement procedures, and to this end, shall designate a single ‘electronic data interchange area’ for potential beneficiaries, beneficiaries or candidates and tenderers. The established standards shall be applied by all Institutions and the referred above agencies and bodies. The Commission shall report to Parliament and Council on the progress of the implementation of this provision within two years after the entry of application of this Regulation and regularly thereafter. (If adopted it replaces the original amendment 118.)
Amendment 387 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 105 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Part 1 – article 105 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The Commission shall ensure by appropriate means and in application of Article 91a that tenderers may enter the contents of the tenders and any supporting evidence in an electronic format (e-procurement) if they so wish and shall, with the consent of the tenderer, store such supporting evidence for the purpose of conducting future e- procurement procedures, in a central database common to all institutions and entities to which this Regulation applies. The data shall be erased after a six month period unless the tenderer applies for ongoing storage. It shall be the tenderer’s responsibility to maintain and update the stored data. The Commission shall report to Parliament and Council on the progress of the implementation of this provision within two years after the entry into force of this Regulation and regularly afterwards. (If adopted it replaces the original amendment 116.)
Amendment 391 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 115 a (new)
Part 1 – article 115 a (new)
Article 115a Beneficiaries 1. For the purposes of this Title, the term 'beneficiary' shall mean one or several entities to which the grant is awarded. 2. Where the action is implemented by one or several legal entities represented by or affiliated to a coordinating legal entity, the grant agreement may be signed by the coordinating legal entity on behalf of its affiliated members who shall be regarded as co-beneficiaries. 3. Where the grant is awarded to several (co-)beneficiaries, the grant agreement shall identify these beneficiaries and specify the rights and obligations between them and the Commission. It shall stipulate in particular but not exclusively: (a) the applicable law and legal venue, (b) the financial responsibility of the coordinating legal entity and its affiliated members towards the Commission for the implementation of the whole action, (c) the possibility to modify, following a majority decision of the co-beneficiaries, the rights and obligations between them; any modification in the number or identity of participating beneficiaries shall be subject to the approval of the competent authorising officer, which shall be granted unless there is a danger of that modification frustrating the purpose of the grant or adversely and materially affecting the Commission’s legal rights under the grant agreement. (If adopted it replaces the original amendment 135.)
Amendment 393 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 116 – paragraph 1 – point a
Part 1 – article 116 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) reimbursement of a specified proportion of the eligible part of the total costs actually incurred; (Amendments 393, 394 and 397 belong together and together replace the original amendment 136.)
Amendment 394 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 116 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Part 1 – article 116 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) reimbursement of a specified proportion of standard scale of unit costs; (Amendments 393, 394 and 397 belong together and together replace the original amendment 136.)
Amendment 397 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 116 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Part 1 – article 116 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
When determining the appropriate form of a grant, the potential beneficiaries’ interests and accounting methods shall be taken into account to the greatest possible extent, if they correspond to international standards. For the purposes of this Regulation, ‘very low value grants’ shall be grants not exceeding EUR 5 000 and ‘low value grants’ shall be grants not exceeding EUR 60 000. (Amendments 393, 394 and 397 belong together and together replace the original amendment 136.)
Amendment 400 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 117 – paragraph 4
Part 1 – article 117 – paragraph 4
4. Grants may not have the purpose or effect of producing a profit within the framework of the action or the work programme of the beneficiary. The first subparagraph shall not apply to: (a) actions the objective of which is the reinforcement of the financial capacity of a beneficiary or the generation of an income; (b) study, research or training scholarships paid to natural persons; actions which generate an income to ensure their sustainability after the period of Union financing provided for in the grant decision or agreement; (b) study, research or training scholarships paid to natural persons and other direct support paid to natural persons in most need, such as refugees and unemployed persons; (ba) grants based on flat rates and/or lump sums and/or unit costs where these comply with with the conditions set out in Article 116a(2); (bb) low value grants. Where a profit is made, the Commission shall be entitled to recover the percentage of the profit corresponding to the Union contribution to the eligible costs actually incurred by the beneficiary to carry out the action or work programme.
Amendment 402 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 117 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Part 1 – article 117 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. For the purpose of this Title, profit shall be defined as follows: (a) in the case of a grant for an action, profit means a surplus of earmarked receipts over the eligible costs incurred by the beneficiary, when the request is made for final payment. Earmarked receipts may consist in income generated by the action and financial transfers from third parties assigned to the eligible costs of the action; (b) in the case of an operating grant, profit means a surplus balance on the eligible operating budget of the beneficiary. (If adopted it replaces the original amendment 140.)
Amendment 409 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 122 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Part 1 – article 122 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The maximum time limit for processing applications shall be six months, or, where a panel decision is prerequisite, nine months, from the expiry of the deadline set for the submission of the application. This time limit may exceptionally be exceeded where the specific nature and subject-matter of the grant so require. Where this is the case, the provisional time limit shall be announced in the respective call for proposals. Where the time limit cannot be met due to other reasons, the authorising officer by delegation shall include this into his annual activity report together with the reasons and proposals for remedial action. He shall report in the following annual activity report on the success of the remedial action. (If adopted it replaces the original amendment 149.)
Amendment 411 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 122 – paragraph 3
Part 1 – article 122 – paragraph 3
3. Articles 100 to 103 shall also apply to grant applicants. Applicants must certify that they are not in one of the situations referred to in Articles 100 to 103. However, the authorising officer may refrain fromshall not requiringe such certification, as specified in the delegated Regulation referred to in Article 199, for any of the following: (a) very low valued grants; (b) when such certification has recently been provided in another award procedure; (c) when there is a material impossibility to provide such certification.If adopted it replaces the original amendment 150.)
Amendment 413 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 125
Part 1 – article 125
Article 125 Article 125 The authorising officer responsible may, if he deems it appropriate and proportionate on a case-by-case basis and subject to risk analysis, require the beneficiary to lodge a guarantee in advance in order to limit the financial risks connected with the payment of pre- financing. Guarantees shall not be required in the case of low value grants.
Amendment 419 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 126 a (new)
Part 1 – article 126 a (new)
Amendment 468 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 175 a (new)
Part 2 – article 175 a (new)
Amendment 469 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 178 – paragraph 2
Part 2 – article 178 – paragraph 2
The contributions of the Union and the donors shall be entered into a specific bank account. These contributions are not integrated in the budget and are managed by the Commission under the responsibility of the authorising officer by delegation. The entities and persons referred to in point (b) of Article 55(13) may be entrusted with budget implementation tasks in accordance with the relevant rules for indirect management.applies. (If adopted it replaces the original amendment 197.)
Amendment 471 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 195 – paragraph 3
Part 2 – article 195 – paragraph 3
3. The institutions and bodies within the meaning of Article 196b shall inform the budgetary authority as soon as possible of any building project likely to have significant financial implications for the budget. If either branch of the budgetary authority intends to issue an opinion, it shall withinn particular, they shall inform the budgetary authority in connection with: (a) construction and renovation projects, before invitations two weeks after receipt of the information on the building project notify the institution concerned of its intentender are issued, about the specific planning arrangements and, once detailed cost plans have been drawn up but before contracts are concluded, about all aspects with a bearing on decision-taking and about project financing, as well as, after completion of the works, about the extent to which the works were carried out as planned and on budget; (b) other building contracts, before invitations to issue such an opinion. Failing a reply, the institution concerned may proceed with the planned operation under its administrative autonomy, subject to Article 335 of the TFEU and Article 185 of the Euratom Treaty with regard to Union representationtender are issued or any prospecting of the local market takes place, about the specific building surface area required and, before contracts are concluded, about all aspects with a bearing on decision-taking and about project financing, as well as, after completion of projects, about budget compliance and project implementation. The approval of the budgetary authority shall be obtained before contracts are concluded. That opinion shall be forwarded to the institute budgetary authority shall take a decision concerned giving approval within twoeight weeks of such notification. The institutions shall request the approval of the budgetary authority for the acquisition of real state assets or any oafter receipt of the application and of all information with a bearing on decision-taking. In the remarks on expenditure as classified in accordance with Article 41, reference shall be made to each building project within the meaning of this article, together with the respective amounts entered in ther building project, finandget. (If adopted it replaceds through a loan.e original amendment 200.)
Amendment 474 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 196 b (new)
Part 2 – article 196 b (new)
Amendment 475 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 196 c (new)
Part 2 – article 196 c (new)
Amendment 476 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 199
Part 3 – article 199
Article 199 Article 199 The Commission shall be empowered to adopt a delegated Rregulation on detailed rules for the application of this Regulation in accordance with Articles 202, 203 and 204in accordance with Articles 202, 203 and 204 concerning detailed rules to supplement or amend certain non-essential elements of the following Articles: 5, 8, 9, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, 34, 38, 41, 46, 50, 51, 55, 56, 57, 58, 61, 63, 65, 66, 67, 69, 70, 71, 72, 75, 76, 77, 77b, 78, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 89, 90, 92, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 117a, 118, 119, 120, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 126a, 126c, 127, 133, 135, 136, 137, 139, 142, 145, 147, 148, 173, 175, 176, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 187, 188, 191, 193, 195, 196, 197. An annex to this Regulation lists the objectives, content and scope of the delegation with reference to the aforementioned Articles. The delegated Rregulation shall also include rules on the implementation of administrative expenditure relating to the appropriations provided in the budget for the Euratom Supply Agency. (If adopted it replaces the original amendment 207.)
Amendment 477 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 200
Part 3 – article 200
Amendment 478 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 201
Part 3 – article 201
Amendment 480 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 204 – paragraph 3
Part 3 – article 204 – paragraph 3
3. If either the European Parliament or the Council objects to a delegated act, it shall not enter into force. The institution which objects shall state the reasons for objecting to the delegated actr both institutions have proposed modifications to a delegated regulation or parts of it, the Commission shall take note of the modifications and submit a revised proposal. The European Parliament or the Council may object to this revised proposal within a term of three months from the date of notification, in which case it does not enter into force.
Amendment 481 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 208 – paragraph 3
Part 3 – article 208 – paragraph 3
Article 56 shall only apply only to commitments made as of 1 January 2014 of funds referred to in Article 167. as of 1 January 2014 until which time Article 53b of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 remains in force. However, Member States may already apply Article 56 paragraph 2 as of 1 January 2012. Where Member States provide a national declaration in the meaning of Article 56 paragraph 6b also the final subparagraph of Article 56 paragraph 6b shall apply as of 1 January 2012. As of 1st January 2014, the first sentence of Article 56 paragraph 6b is replaced by the following: "Member States provide a national declaration on the expenditure made under the system of shared management." The functions of existing bodies under Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/20062 shall remain unaffected by the accreditation of such bodies. From 1 January 2014, the accredited bodies shall be competent for performing their functions. 4. Article 5 paragraph 4 shall have immediate effect as from the publication of this Regulation. Where beneficiaries have applied Article 5 paragraph 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1605/2002 without having made use of an interest-bearing bank account, this shall not be considered as an error and/or irregularity. (If adopted it replaces para 3 in the original amendment 221)
Amendment 482 #
2010/0395(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex (new)
Annex (new)
Amendment 2 #
2009/2188(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Amendment 1 #
2009/2187(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes that the Joint Undertaking reported EUR 216 304.89 in income from interest in 2008; concludes from the financial statements and from the level of the interest payments that the Joint Undertaking has a permanently high level of cash holdings; notes that on 31 December 2008 the Joint Undertaking's cash holdings amounted to EUR 58 980 569.87; asks the Commission to examine what scope there is for introducing needs-orientated management of cash holdings at the Joint Undertaking, and what changes of approach are necessary in order to keep the Joint Undertaking's cash holdings permanently as low as possible;
Amendment 1 #
2009/2131(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes that the Agency’s accounts for the financial year 2008 show income from interest in the amount of EUR 643 007.40; concludes from the annual closure of accounts and the amount of interest payments that the Agency maintains enormously high cash reserves over long periods; notes that as of 31 December 2008 the Agency’s cash reserves amounted to EUR 18 747 210.75; calls on the Commission to examine ways of ensuring that the principle of needs- based cash management, as laid down in Article 15(5) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002, is implemented to the full and what changes in approach are needed to ensure that the Agency’s cash reserves are kept as low as possible on a long-term basis;
Amendment 1 #
2009/2128(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Notes that the Agency reported EUR 474 116.65 in income from interest in 2008; concludes from the financial statements and from the level of the interest payments that the Agency has a permanently high level of cash holdings; notes that on 31 December 2008 the Agency's cash holdings amounted to EUR 28 604 623.67; asks the Commission to examine what scope there is for helping to ensure that the cash holdings are managed entirely on a needs-orientated basis, in accordance with Article 15(5) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002, and what changes of approach are necessary in order to keep the Agency's cash holdings permanently as low as possible;
Amendment 1 #
2009/2125(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes that the Agency’s accounts for the financial year 2008 show income from interest in the amount of EUR 143 818; concludes from the annual closure of accounts and the amount of interest payments that the Agency maintains enormously high cash reserves over long periods; notes that as of 31 December 2008 the Agency’s cash reserves amounted to EUR 2 436 694; calls on the Commission to examine ways of ensuring that the principle of needs-based cash management, as laid down in Article 15(5) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002, is implemented to the full and what changes in approach are needed to ensure that the Agency’s cash reserves are kept as low as possible on a long-term basis;
Amendment 1 #
2009/2124(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Notes that the Centre’s accounts for the financial year 2008 show income from interest in the amount of EUR 313 000 and that, in accordance with the Financial Regulation, a sum of EUR 307 000 had to be paid back to the Commission; concludes from the annual closure of accounts and the amount of interest payments that the Centre maintains enormously high cash reserves over long periods; notes that as of 31 December 2008 the Centre’s cash reserves amounted to EUR 16 705 090.95; calls on the Commission to examine ways of ensuring that the principle of needs-based cash management, as laid down in Article 15(5) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002, is implemented to the full and what changes in approach are needed to ensure that the Centre’s cash reserves are kept as low as possible on a long-term basis;
Amendment 1 #
2009/2123(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes that the Authority’s accounts for the financial year 2008 show income from interest in the amount of EUR 485 651.33; concludes from the annual closure of accounts and the amount of interest payments that the Authority maintains enormously high cash reserves over long periods; notes that as of 31 December 2008 the Authority’s cash reserves amounted to EUR 19 990 492.26; calls on the Commission to examine ways of ensuring that the principle of needs-based cash management, as laid down in Article 15(5) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002, is implemented to the full and what changes in approach are needed to ensure that the Authority’s cash reserves are kept as low as possible on a long-term basis;
Amendment 1 #
2009/2122(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes that the Agency's accounts for the financial year 2008 show income from interest in the amount of EUR 1 988 000; concludes from the annual closure of accounts and the amount of interest payments that the Agency maintains enormously high cash reserves over long periods; notes that as of 31 December 2008 the Agency's cash reserves amounted to EUR 57 245 000; calls on the Commission to examine ways of ensuring that the principle of needs-based cash management, as laid down in Article 15(5) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002, is implemented to the full and what changes in approach are needed to ensure that the Agency's cash reserves are kept as low as possible on a long-term basis;
Amendment 1 #
2009/2121(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes that the Agency's accounts for the financial year 2008 show income from interest in the amount of EUR 519 598.10, of which EUR 472 251.18 has already been paid back to the Directorate-General for Energy and Transport, with the remaining EUR 47 346.92 entered in the accounts as an accrued expense; concludes from the annual closure of accounts and the amount of interest payments that the Agency maintains enormously high cash reserves over long periods; welcomes the fact that as at 31 December 2008 the Agency's cash reserves had been reduced to EUR 3 610 677.41; calls on the Commission to examine ways of ensuring that the principle of needs-based cash management, as laid down in Article 15(5) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002, is implemented to the full and what changes in approach are needed to ensure that the Agency's cash reserves are kept as low as possible on a long-term basis;
Amendment 2 #
2009/2120(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is concerned about the findings of the ECA as regards the lack of transparency in recruitment procedures and about the involvement of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF); considers this a serious matter and requests a full and complete explanation of this situation and a detailed Commission report on the stage reached in the investigations into OLAF cases ETF/REC/08/08 and ETF/IAJM/09/01; draws attention to the sensitivities of the matter at hand and the damage it can do to the European Union’s reputation and also, on grounds of equal opportunities, draws attention to the fact that the same rules must always apply in recruitment procedures; wonders how long these problems have existed in a Foundation employing 124 persons; calls on the Commission to take appropriate supervisory measures to remedy once and for all the shortcomings in ETF's information policy;
Amendment 5 #
2009/2120(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. In view of the fact that somWelcomes the areas of interest are shared, seeks closnewal of the cooperation and synergiesgreement between the ETF and CEDEFOP and calls for information to be provided regularly in the Director’sin 2009; calls on both agencies to provide a detailed follow-up report on the cooperation agreement in their activity reports of both agenciesfor 2009.
Amendment 1 #
2009/2119(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Notes that Eurojust reported EUR 191 390.56 in income from interest in 2008; concludes from the financial statements and from the level of the interest payments that Eurojust has a permanently high level of cash holdings; notes that on 31 December 2008 Eurojust's cash holdings amounted to EUR 4 612 878.47; asks the Commission to examine what scope there is for helping to ensure that the cash holdings are managed entirely on a needs-orientated basis, in accordance with Article 15(5) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002, and what changes of approach are necessary in order to keep Eurojust's cash holdings permanently as low as possible;
Amendment 1 #
2009/2118(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. notes that the Agency reported EUR 2 046 000 in income from interest in 2008; concludes from the financial statements and from the level of the interest payments that the Agency has a permanently extremely high level of cash holdings; notes that on 31 December 2008 the Agency’s cash holdings amounted to EUR 41 887 000; asks the Commission to examine what scope there is for helping to ensure that the cash holdings are managed entirely on a needs-orientated basis, in accordance with Article 15(5) of Regulation (EG, Euratom) No 2343/2002, and what changes of approach are necessary in order to keep the Agency’s cash holdings permanently as low as possible;
Amendment 1 #
2009/2117(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Notes that the Centre reported EUR 1 580 984.34 in income from interest in 2008; concludes from the financial statements and from the level of the interest payments that the Centre has a permanently extremely high level of cash holdings; notes that on 31 December 2008 the Centre's cash holdings amounted to EUR 48 405 006.88; asks the Commission to examine what scope there is for helping to ensure that the cash holdings are managed entirely on a needs-orientated basis, in accordance with Article 15(5) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002, and what changes of approach are necessary in order to keep the Centre's cash holdings permanently as low as possible; calls on the Centre to offer its clients cost-covering services in future;
Amendment 1 #
2009/2114(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Notes that the Centre's accounts for the financial year 2008 show income from interest in the amount of EUR 107 591.31; concludes from the annual closure of accounts and the amount of interest payments that the Centre maintains high cash reserves over long periods; notes that as of 31 December 2008 the Centre's cash reserves amounted to EUR 1 635 537.86 and that appropriations totalling EUR 354 051.31, which, as result of a bank bookkeeping error, had been included in the Centre's accounts as an amount receivable, were credited to the Centre's bank account early in 2009; calls on the Commission to examine ways of ensuring that the principle of needs-based cash management, as laid down in Article 15(5) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002, is implemented to the full and what changes in approach are needed to ensure that the Centre's cash reserves are kept as low as possible on a long-term basis;
Amendment 1 #
2009/2112(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls, now that the Agency’s work has finished, for an evaluation of the funding allocated in Kosovo to determine whether the allocation of funding there resulted in the establishment of functional, sustainable justice and administration structures;
Amendment 2 #
2009/2112(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Deplores the fact that the efficiently functioning Agency has been wound up and the management of the funding has been transferred to the delegations; demands that the Commission submit a report detailing how many staff the delegations have taken on to cope with the Agency’s tasks; calls on the Commission to supply comprehensive and complete information on whether budget support has been provided from the funds transferred from the Agency to the delegations;
Amendment 6 #
2009/2111(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes the findings of the ECA that EUR 4.9 million (55%) of operational expenditure was carried forward without sufficient justificatwhat Parliament regards as sufficient justification; notes that reserves of cash and cash equivalents have doubled to EUR 6.3 million since 2006; points out that a high level of capital tie-up is not consistent with the objectives of the Foundation or, by extension, those of the European Union; calls therefore for programming and budget forecasts to be adjusted to reflect the actual annual needs, with the aim of reducing the Foundation's cash holdings;
Amendment 12 #
2009/2111(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Foundation to enter staff numbers, including contract staff (87 persons), in the activitynnual report in a transparent manner.
Amendment 3 #
2009/2110(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. In view of the fact that somWelcomes the areas of interest are shared, requires closnewal of the cooperation and synergiesgreement between CEDEFOP and the ETF and calls for information to be provided regularly in the Director’sin 2009; calls on both agencies to include a detailed follow- up report on the cooperation agreement in their activities report of both agenciess for 2009.
Amendment 17 #
2009/2070(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Amendment 3 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 8 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that Parliament is a complex organisation in which the boundary between political and administrative decisions is not always clear due to the multilayered character of the institution's governance structure and the fact that high-level administrative decision-makers are not always appointed on the basis of their managerial capabilities alone;
Amendment 10 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that complex governance structures and management procedures need more sophisticated internal control and risk management systems than less complex governance structures in order to ensure accountability and protect the political leadership and the administrative managers from financial and non-financial risks;
Amendment 12 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Invites the competent services, therefore, to review and, if necessary, reinforce the minimum internal control standards in order to include lessons learned and to keep in line with developments in risk management and corporate governance; recalls that authorising departments are under an obligation to respect the standards in developing their internal control systems and implementing measures; invites the competent services to seek the opinion of its Committee on Budgetary Control before the revised minimum internal control standards is sent to the Bureau for review and approval;
Amendment 14 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses that the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty has increased Parliament's powers and the workload for its Members and their auxiliary staff; opines that the working conditions in all places of work should adequately reflect the increased need for labour and material; calls on its Secretary-General to submit plans for providing adequate office-space in particular in its Strasbourg offices, where the hygiene cubicles in the offices should be removed and a visitors' reception office should be created;
Amendment 15 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. In that regard recalls its findings concerning the asbestos rehabilitation works, and asks its Secretary-General to report on the operational and financial results of the works and possible future needs for consequential remedial measures;
Amendment 20 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading before paragraph 8
Heading before paragraph 8
The discharge process - an occasion for learning and critical scrutiny
Amendment 21 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recognises that it is unusual for a public institution to discharge itself; sStresses that the added value of the parliamentary and public procedure leading up to Parliament's discharge of itself is the additional possibility for exercising, in public, a critical scrutiny of the institution's financial management and thereby facilitating European citizens' understanding of Parliament's particular set-up, governance structure and working methods;
Amendment 23 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
Amendment 26 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that critical scrutiny is necessary to ensure that Parliament's financial manageactors are held fully accountable, because only full transparency offers European citizens an insight into Parliament's financial management and its use of taxpayers' money;
Amendment 27 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
Amendment 30 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading (before paragraph 12)
Heading (before paragraph 12)
Amendment 31 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 33 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 35 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
Amendment 37 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 39 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 41 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading before paragraph 17
Heading before paragraph 17
Amendment 42 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Notes the tradition according to which the Committee on Budgetary Control requests the administration to provide information on various topics in its discharge reports; recommends that those reports be sent directly from DG Finance to the Chair of the Committee on Budgetary Control and published - for the information of the members of the Committee as well as the European citizens - on that Committee's homepage as soon as they have been received by its Chair;
Amendment 43 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
Amendment 44 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
Amendment 45 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Notes that the Belgian government will reimburse EUR 85 896 389 to Parliament at the beginning of 2010; invites the Secretary-General to inform in due timebefore taking any irreversible measures the Ccommittee on Budgetary Controlpetent Committees on how that money will be used;
Amendment 50 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 - introductory part
Paragraph 27 - introductory part
27. Draws attention to the fact that as interface between the public and the private sector, public procurement is a high-risk area and that Parliament must devote even morconsiderable efforts to ensure:
Amendment 53 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Recalls that at each stage of the procurement process - initial assessment of needs, preparing the call for tender, drawing up the calls for tender and the specifications, contacts with tenderers, opening of tenders, evaluation of tenders, award decision, conclusion of contracts - there are significant risks to the achievement of the abovementioned objectives and that action needs to be taken by the authorising officers by delegation, with the assistance of Parliament's central services, to reduce exposure to risks a result of a complex legal environment and factual necessities;
Amendment 62 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading before paragraph 29
Heading before paragraph 29
Amendment 63 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Invites the Secretary- General to take urgent action in regard to the following areas: (a) Training: Recognises that progress has been made in the provision of training courses on procurement; considers the drafting of full, clear and precise technical specifications and particularly of adequate exclusion, selection and award criteria a priority; (b) Specialist function: Takes the view that procurement needs to be recognised as a 'specialist function' in Parliament's register of professional skills because full expertise is needed to deal with all the complex requirement of procurement procedures; stresses that 'full expertise' cannot be expected by staff whose main concern is their core operational tasks; recommends the creation of 'specialist procurement officers'; (c) Sensitive posts: Recommends that posts entailing significant decision- making powers in the procurement area should be considered as 'sensitive posts' and should therefore be made subject to appropriate rotation and/or to additional internal control measures; (d) External staff - Code of Conduct: Recommends - on the basis of Article 57 of the Financial Regulation - that staff from external service providers should, as a general rule, be excluded from performing tasks linked to management of the procurement process; notes that the former Secretary-General issued "Guidelines on relations with external staff" on 2 July 2008; invites the Secretary-General to clarify the status and enforceability of those 'guidelines' and to make them mandatory in all procurement procedures by having them adopted by the Bureau; (e) Procurement compliance function: Believes that adequate 'checkpoints' must be built into the procurement process at all critical stages and finds that the performance of this function could be entrusted to a 'procurement compliance function', which should be understood as a set of control activities to be carried out during the procurement process and not as an additional post; (f) Organisation of procurement: Stresses that Parliament's strategic challenge is to determine how the benefits of decentralisation can be maintained while maximising 'cross-departmental' efficiency and effectiveness in the interest of fair and open procurement; recommends a strategic shift aiming at creating a central Parliament support unit that would act as a service provider to the contracting departments; takes the firm view that there is scope for combining a degree of centralisation of expertise with the maintenance of departmental control over the subject of the tender, specifications, evaluation and awardan active part in the upcoming tri-annual revision of the Financial Regulation by giving administrative advice on areas in need of reform;
Amendment 65 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading before paragraph 35
Heading before paragraph 35
Article 54 of the Implementing Rules1 - "reverse that trend"
Amendment 68 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading before paragraph 43
Heading before paragraph 43
Amendment 69 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
Amendment 71 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
Amendment 73 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading before paragraph 45
Heading before paragraph 45
Amendment 74 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
Amendment 75 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
Amendment 78 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
Paragraph 47
Amendment 82 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Further notes - and strongly regrets - that only some Directors-General "indicated the risks associated with their operations or reported on the working of their internal control systems" (reply to Question 4.2.1) while the Financial Regulation in the second paragraph of Article 60(7) clearly states that Authorising Officers shall indicate in the annual activity report "the efficiency and effectiveness of the internal control system";
Amendment 84 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading before paragraph 51
Heading before paragraph 51
Amendment 85 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
Paragraph 51
Amendment 88 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
Amendment 89 #
Amendment 90 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
Paragraph 53
Amendment 93 #
Amendment 94 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
Paragraph 54
54. Invites the Secretary-General, therefore, to inform the discharge authority as soon as possible and no later than 1 July 2010 about the precise measures - and deadline for implementation - he has taken or will take in view of reinforcing the internal control system and in particular as regards: - obtaining a second opinion at random on management representations, - reinforcing the Central Financial Unit allowing it fully to shoulder its central responsibility for the systemic adequacy of the internal control system on behalf of the Principal Authorising Officer by Delegation, - ensuring full compliance with Article 60(7) of the Financial Regulation by all Authorising Officers, - strengthening the counterweight function, - achievingby means of clearer, shorter, more precise, more relevant, more professional annual activity reports aiming at providing the discharge authority with relevant information on the institution's use of public money, - adopting any other measure necessary for the Secretary-General to issue a meaningful declaration of assurance;
Amendment 100 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading before paragraph 55
Heading before paragraph 55
Amendment 101 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
Paragraph 55
Amendment 102 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57
Paragraph 57
57. Recalls that the financial resources of Parliament comprise taxpayers' money and that any institution using public funds has an obligation to explain how those funds have been used and to give comprehensive, objective and relevant information on the degree to which the funds have been used for the intended purposes and in accordance with the principles of sound financial management (economy, efficiency, effectiveness) and transparency;
Amendment 103 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57 a (new)
Paragraph 57 a (new)
57a. Recalls that all grants are subject to the principle of transparency and equal treatment, in particular, Article 109 (1) and Article 110 (2) of the Financial Regulation and Article 169 of Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 (the implementing rules); stresses that this applies to all beneficiaries of Union funds, including Parliament staff and their relatives receiving subsidies for private excursions (skiing or other); asks the administration to follow up on the examination of such payments;
Amendment 104 #
Amendment 105 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58
Paragraph 58
Amendment 106 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
Paragraph 59
Amendment 109 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
61. Notes thatWelcomes the creation of the post of risk manager is in the administrative work programme 2009 -on 24 February 20110 and stresses that the post should be created as soon as possible and no later than 1 May 2010 due to the size of Parliament's budget and the well-known, high reputational risk involved in the activities of Parliamentasks the newly appointed risk manager to inform the competent committees at the earliest possible convenience of the concept for a risk approach and strategy to be taken in the future;
Amendment 114 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
Paragraph 67
67. Expects that its principal decision- makers in this area - the Bureau, the Secretary-General and the Director- General for Personnel - take, as soon as possible after the return of a decision, the necessary measures to ensure that Parliament's internal rules and procedures as regards missions fully and consistently comply with the principle of sound financial management and the Staff Regulations;
Amendment 117 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70
Paragraph 70
Amendment 119 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71
Paragraph 71
Amendment 120 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73
Paragraph 73
Amendment 129 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading before paragraph 81
Heading before paragraph 81
Amendment 130 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81
Paragraph 81
Amendment 131 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82
Paragraph 82
Amendment 132 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 83
Paragraph 83
Amendment 133 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading before paragraph 84
Heading before paragraph 84
Amendment 134 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 84
Paragraph 84
84. Stresses that the only way to reduce this reputational risk is to providee need of full transparency concerning decisions to be taken by its governing bodies, namely, the President, the Bureau, the Quaestors and the Conference of Presidents;
Amendment 136 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 85
Paragraph 85
85. Invites the Vice-President responsible for budgetary affairs together with the competent service to consider in which way he/she can improve the information on decisions with major budgetary consequences to the discharge authority; takes the view that oral information as given to the Committee at present is not adequate and does not satisfy European taxpayers' need for comprehensive and relevant information;
Amendment 139 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 86
Paragraph 86
86. Takes the view that the Bureau as the body competent within Parliament for financial and administrative decisions affecting Members and the running of the institution, has a particular responsibility to foster democratic accountability and recommends, therefore, that the Vice- Presidents of its Committee on Budgetary Control be appointed permanent observer of the Bureau with a speaking right but no voting right;
Amendment 143 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 90
Paragraph 90
90. Stresses that its former position within the organisation did not prevent the Internal Audit Service from performing its functions in accordance with professional and regulatory requirements; expects thatwelcomes its new position and expects that it will improve the flow of essential information on risk issues from the Secretary-General and thereby facilitate the Internal Auditor's role of advising the institution on dealing with risks;
Amendment 145 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 95
Paragraph 95
95. Welcomes the improvements in the DG's' management and internal control systems but questions the high number of uncompleted actions showing an overall completion rate of only 80,53% over a relatively long time period which should have given the responsible services sufficient time to undertake corrective action;
Amendment 156 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading before paragraph 105
Heading before paragraph 105
Amendment 157 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 105
Paragraph 105
Amendment 158 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 106
Paragraph 106
Amendment 159 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 107
Paragraph 107
Amendment 165 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading before paragraph 114
Heading before paragraph 114
Amendment 166 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 115
Paragraph 115
115. Stresses that "maximum transparency" cannot be achieved without (i) a thorough implementation of all the Internal Auditor's recommendations and in particular the introduction of a model structure for the description of programme activities and for the final activity reports and (ii) a sufficient number of ex-post on- the-spot checks of those grants by the authorising officer;
Amendment 168 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 117
Paragraph 117
Amendment 177 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 128
Paragraph 128
Amendment 179 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 129
Paragraph 129
Amendment 190 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Heading before paragraph 140
Heading before paragraph 140
Amendment 191 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 140
Paragraph 140
Amendment 201 #
2009/2069(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas, in accordance with the usual procedure, a questionnaire was sent to the Parliament administration and replies were received and discussed by the Committee on Budgetary Control, in the presence of the Vice-President responsible for the Budget and the Secretary-General,
Amendment 68 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Expects the Commission to present a proposal for the next regular revision of the Financial Regulation, including real proposals for simplification; expects the Commission to put pressure on the Council to develop and improve the working conditions in OLAF’s fight against fraud with regard to the proposals made by Parliament in connection with Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999;
Amendment 69 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Requests the Commission via its responsible services, including OLAF, to support Bulgaria and Romania in their efforts with respect to the verification and cooperation mechanism and the management of EU funds; calls on the Commission to follow closely the developments in Kosovo and the Balkan states with regard to the implementation and proper management of EU funds and to establish a successor organisation for the ITF to follow up the fight against fraud and irregularity;
Amendment 6 #
2009/2002(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Proposes thatCalls on the Commission should be granted the funds needed to conduct a study on the feasibility of harmonising and simplifying rules for beneficiaries in the European research sector and on the appropriateness of repayment rules based on flat-rate payment proceduresto take all measures necessary to implement the 7th Framework Programme in a swift and user-focused way;
Amendment 15 #
2009/2002(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Recalls its resolution on the transitional measures applicable to the budgetary procedure after the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty; stresses that those should not depart from the budgetary principles established for the annual budgetary procedure; proposes to treat all changes to Financial Regulation jointly in its 2010 tri-annual revision;
Amendment 18 #
2009/2002(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for full use of the appropriations available to activities and policies under sub-heading 1a which foster sustainable growth and job creation and deliver solutions to European citizens namely by providing greater energy security, increasing support for research and innovation, particularly on clean energy technologies, promoting small and medium-sized enterprises and reinforcing life-long learning; recalls the importance of optimising the implementation of framework programmes and calls on the Commission to take into accountact on the Parliament's position as adopted in the discharge procedure for Commission 2007 (P6_TA(2009)0289) Nos. 113 through 123 on those implementation problems, in particular by simplifying recovery procedures through the use of appropriate flat-rate procedures and taking into account the good faith and legitimate expectations of beneficiaries;
Amendment 20 #
2009/2002(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Expresses its concern about the 7th Framework Programme rules, which deviate from the common nationally and internationally acknowledged and certified accounting and calculation methods, thus being incompatible with general business practices, and asks the Commission to remedy this state of affairs by adopting practices that allow for calculation and charging of average hourly rates per cost centre;
Amendment 21 #
2009/2002(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Urges the Commission to establish and to apply the necessary comprehensive and comprehensible criteria for approving certificates using a methodology which calculates both personnel and indirect costs;
Amendment 22 #
2009/2002(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 14 c (new)
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14c. Calls on the Commission to refrain, for the sake of legal certainty, from re- calculating the financial statements of projects under the 6th Framework Programme that it has already approved and settled, thus observing the rule of law;
Amendment 31 #
2009/2002(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Welcomes the creation of the European external action service, which, as a matter of urgency, must be subject to parliamentary scrutiny; and control in both budget and budgetary control matters; in that regard, stresses its demand for an all- encompassing and rapid communication of an overall strategy for the implementation of the external action service, including plans for future cooperation with Parliament and the Presidency of the Council as well as estimates on staff and administrative costs and other requirements and the possible savings with regard to synergies stemming from the joint use of facilities and personnel;
Amendment 26 #
2009/0089(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The Agency shall be under the supervision of the Commission.
Amendment 28 #
2009/0089(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. Each Member State, each country associated with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis and the EURODAC related measures as well as the CommissionAdvisory Group shall have 10 members. The Commission shall appoint one member of each Group. Nine members of each Advisory Group shall be appoint one member to each of the Advisory Groupsed by the Council. All members shall be appointed for a three- year term, which may be renewed.
Amendment 29 #
2009/0089(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 17 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. If the Commission establishes that there have been repeated infringements of the Staff Regulations or the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants and that the Agency's Management Board is not fulfilling the monitoring role assigned to it in this area, the Commission may demand, within the context of its supervisory role, to take action itself in the area of personnel management in place of the Agency.
Amendment 3 #
2008/2277(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that Parliament has carried out its duty to guarantee maximum possible transparency and accountability concerning the use of EU taxpayers' money;
Amendment 4 #
2008/2277(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Council to continue in future to further improve cooperation with its competent committees on the basis of its recent practice;
Amendment 6 #
2008/2277(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 11 #
2008/2277(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that despite these important results, several elements of the Council's budget execution still need to be clarified; calls therefore on its competent committee, in the context of the next Council discharge procedure, to verify progress on the following matters: • whether, in accordance with the recommendations of its internal auditor, the Council has found solutions to close all its extra-budgetary accounts; • whether the Council has followed its internal auditor's recommendation to improve the verification of invoices; • whether the Council has ensured thatWith regard to Council's budget execution points out that: • in accordance with the recommendations of its internal auditor, all extra-budgetary accounts will be closed • the verification of invoices will be improved; • all administrative decisions arwill be made public when they are used as the legal base for budget items; • whether the Council, in accordance with the practice now adopted by all other EU institutions, has agreed to forward to Parliament and its competent committee its annual activity report, required to be drawn up by Article 60(7) of the Financial Regulation; • whether the Council has fully explained, will be forwarded to Parliament and its competent committees; • the need to transfer money from one item to another within its budget; • whether the Council directly and without unnecessary delay gives will be explained; • written answers to relevant questions asked by itParliament's competent committee and its rapporteur; • whether the Council is ready to meet with its competent committee in order to answer questions from its Members; • whether the Council is ready to participate in meetings in Parliament where the discharge to the Council's budget is discussed will be given; • it will account to Parliament's competent committees.
Amendment 9 #
2008/2276(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
Amendment 17 #
2008/2276(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82
Paragraph 82
82. Invites the Bureau to look into possibility of givingguarantee that equal access to Parliament’s buildings in the three working places will be given to local assistants;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Deplores the delay in adopting the proposal for a regulation on mutual administrative assistance for the protection of the financial interests of the European Community against fraud and any other illegal activities (COM(2006)0473) and the proposal for a regulation amending Regulation No 1798/2003 to combat tax evasion connected with intra-Community transactions (COM(2008)0147)2, which causes serious damage to the efficiency of 1 2008/0059(CNS). 2 2008/0059(CNS). the fight against VAT fraudthe fight against VAT fraud, and therefore invites the Council to promptly adopt the regulations;
Amendment 6 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Is shocked by the lack of reporting discipline of the Member States after a number of years; finds it unacceptable that six Member States1 still do not use electronic reporting, 142 failed to comply with the reporting deadlines and some3 did not classify any of their reported cases of irregularities; urges the Commission to find effective solutions, besides infringement proceedings, to address the situation, and invites the Commission to seriously consider establishing an effective financial sanctions system to be integrated in the future regulations, and to implement it systematically;
Amendment 8 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Requests the Commission to pay attention to the problem of double financing of projects; in particular, requests the Commission, when concluding or amending agreements on the management and implementation of projects by international organisations, to send systematically all their internal and external audits on the use of Community funds to the ECA and to the Internal Auditor of the Commission;
Amendment 9 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Points out that OLAF is the only authority to exercise all the powers of investigation to fight against and to prevent fraud, corruption and any other illegal activity detrimental to the general budget of the EU; therefore stresses that especially in relation to Structural Funds and External Aid with the highest irregularities reported, OLAF’s investigative function should be further strengthened;
Amendment 10 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Stresses the need for streamlining legal instruments, since the definitions of fraud, suspectedicions of fraud and other irregularityies are scattered across a number of different legal instruments, in spite of repeated calls by Parliament for a single set ofrecast of the anti-fraud rules;
Amendment 12 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Advocates the need for clearer provisions on procedures and binding time limits for competent authorities in providing the assistance required and generally more binding provisions for cooperation identifying the national authority competent to provide assistance; insists, with a view to solving this problem, on the usefulness of its legislative resolution of 20 November 2008 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)1;
Amendment 13 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
Paragraph 47
47. Notes that since extensive judicial follow-up of cases has been observed but admissibility of evidence collected by OLAF by the national courts is very limited, the aim is to improve the judicial support for the investigative function of OLAF; considers moreover that Eurojust should be informed whenever information or filenal case reports are transmitted to the judicial authorities; 1 Text Adopted, P6_TA-PROV(2008)0553. if they concern serious forms of transnational crime and two or more Member States are involved; Or. en
Amendment 15 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Deplores the inadequate notification by Member States of action taken on fileinformation or final case reports transmitted by OLAF; requests the Member States to ensure that their competent authorities forward a report to OLAF on progress made in acting on the reportinformation or recommendations forwarded to them by OLAF;
Amendment 12 #
2008/2206(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Expects the Commission to report every year to Parliament and its responsible Committee on Budgetary Control on payments and implementation of IPA funds, as well as on the remaining funds from ISPA, IPARD and SAPARD, giving details for every recipient country and examples of best practice, and reporting on all problems or irregularities encountered;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Paragraph 1
1. .........Grants the Commission discharge in respect of the implementation of the European Union general budget for the financial year 2008;
Amendment 14 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 g (new)
Paragraph -1 g (new)
-1g. Continues to worry about the lack of EU capacity in crisis management; considers that the EU is losing in political guidance, visibility and accountability when using international trust funds which could have been managed by the Commission if it had respected discharge reports 2005 and 2006 and built up an own post-crisis instrument; is highly preoccupied by the lack of control of EU funds implemented by certain UN agencies and the unwillingness by UN agencies to follow up on fraud cases where EU funds are involved;
Amendment 16 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Paragraph 1
1. .........Approves the closure of the accounts of the European Union general budget for the financial year 2008;
Amendment 49 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls on the Commission to provide Parliament with an overview of budgetary support granted, by country and by fund, for the years 2005 to 2009;
Amendment 54 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
Amendment 58 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
Amendment 58 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46a (new)
Paragraph 46a (new)
46a. is surprised about the fact that the Commission has offered a EUR 1,5 million contribution to the Parliament's fitness centre from the Commission's ex- Economat off budget bank accounts (COM(2008)0692); disagrees with this way of seeking the agreement of the Parliament to use non-budgetised money violating the budgetary prerogatives of the budgetary authority and calls on the Commission to enter the money from the ex-Economat off budget bank accounts into the regular budget before making proposals for its use;
Amendment 66 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 d (new)
Paragraph 50 d (new)
50d. Is greatly concerned at the fact that only 6.7% of OLAF's ‘judicial follow-up’ recommendations gave rise to actual judicial proceedings; is aware that in 2007 60% of all OLAF investigations gave rise to ‘judicial follow-up’ recommendations; regards this state of affairs, which undermines the rule of law and citizens' confidence and from which only presumed fraudsters can benefit, as unacceptable; therefore strongly urges the Commission to use all the powers available to it under the Treaties to bring about effective cooperation among national authorities in the fight against Community fraud;
Amendment 67 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 e (new)
Paragraph 50 e (new)
50e. Notes with concern that between 2006 and 2008 only 37 out of 222 internal investigations gave rise to disciplinary proceedings and that, of these 37 investigations, only two produced genuine consequences, three were halted for lack of evidence and the other 32 – i.e. 87% – have yet to produce results; calls on the Commission to undertake to pursue internal investigations just as vigorously as external investigations and to ensure that those investigations which have not yet given rise to effective disciplinary follow-up produce results;
Amendment 68 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50 f (new)
Paragraph 50 f (new)
50f. Calls once again on the Commission to establish a mechanism for exchanges of information between OLAF and the Member States concerning the follow-up to Community anti-fraud investigations; in particular, calls on the Commission to ensure that national judicial authorities keep OLAF regularly informed, by means of progress reports, on the outcome of the judicial action taken in the fight against Community fraud, following the forwarding of OLAF files;
Amendment 73 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Proposes that national audit bodies, in their capacity as independent external auditors, and with due regard for international audit standards, issue national audit certificates for the management of EU funds, which would be the basis of national management declarations; calls on the Commission to examine the possibility of modifying and adapting the discharge timetable in order to allow for timely audits of these national management declarations by the (national) external auditors;
Amendment 80 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
Amendment 86 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. WelcomesTakes note of the above-mentioned Commission communication of 16 December 2008 on a common understanding of the concept of tolerable risk of error as a sound methodological basis for an economic analysis of acceptable levels of risk; recalls its doubts concerning the figures provided by the Member States on control costs and calls on the Commission to update and complete the figures used in the communication;
Amendment 89 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
Paragraph 51
Amendment 92 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
Paragraph 55
Amendment 106 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70
Paragraph 70
70. Notes the small decrease (from 31,8 % in 2007 to 30,9 % in 2009) in staff allocated to ‘administrative support and coordination functions’, which forms only part of the overall overhead; recalls its previous demands for measures aimed at attaining a proportion of 20 % in this area (paragraph 217 of its above-mentioned resolution of 23 April 2009); deplores the Commission’s failure to achieve any visible progress;
Amendment 106 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 74 a (new)
Paragraph 74 a (new)
74a. Is concerned about as yet unapproved certificates on the methodology (CoM and CoMAv) and urges the Commission to establish the necessary comprehensible criteria for approving certificates on the methodology for both personnel and indirect costs; believes that beneficiaries should be allowed to use average personnel costs and to apply an established methodology for calculating the indirect cost; calls for a timely start of approving (or rejecting) the certificates to make sure that the funds foreseen for research can be used;
Amendment 107 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71 a (new)
Paragraph 71 a (new)
71a. Calls on the Commission, in the run- up to review of the Staff Regulations and Conditions of Employment, to devise and submit alternative methods for the adjustment of the pay of officials and other servants on a proper legal and actuarial basis; considers that this should bring about a broader basis of calculation for the annual adjustment and a prompter pay adjustment and thus more appropriately reflect general economic developments in the Member States;
Amendment 107 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 74 b (new)
Paragraph 74 b (new)
74b. With a view to simplifying the administrative procedures and the application for grants, recalls its request for one single contact point for beneficiaries regarding the research framework related issues with the competence to decide on these issues;
Amendment 108 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71 b (new)
Paragraph 71 b (new)
71b. Calls on the Commission to assess the value of placing candidates in entry pay grades solely in the light of their suitability and to put forward proposals for placing qualified staff in higher pay grades; expects also, as part of the assessment, a report on the practical use of cabinet members after they leave office and in relation to the entry conditions they were expected to fulfil;
Amendment 108 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 74 c (new)
Paragraph 74 c (new)
74c. As a requirement for legal certainty, requests the Commission to refrain from re-calculating the financial statements of projects under the 6th Framework Programme, that have been already approved and settled by the Commission, by applying new interpretations to the eligibility criteria for costs established in the General Conditions (Annex II) of the FP6 model contract;
Amendment 109 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71 c (new)
Paragraph 71 c (new)
71c. Calls on the Commission to state its position on the extent to which the savings targeted in the 2004 Staff Regulations reform have actually been achieved, especially with regard to the increase in contributions by officials and other servants in the areas of health care and pensions;
Amendment 110 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71 d (new)
Paragraph 71 d (new)
71d. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to report to Parliament annually on the extent to which the consolidation of pension payments targeted in the 2004 Staff Regulations reform has so far been achieved and is at all achievable going forward;
Amendment 111 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 75
Paragraph 75
75. Welcomes the undertakings of 15 January 2010 by the new Commission to unblock discussions in the Council about the reform of OLAF and to come forward, as a matter of urgencyt the latest by mid-2010, with the promised and long-awaited overdue Commission’s ‘reflection paper’ as a basis for negotiations in the Council;
Amendment 114 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 76
Paragraph 76
76. Reiterates the importance of taking into account Parliament’s first-reading position of 20 November 2008 on a proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), and wishes to re- emphasise that, for the future strength of OLAF, it should remain within the Commission whilst retaining its independence; recalls that Article 317 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union places an enhanced responsibility on the Member States and thus supports Parliament’s continuous call for improved cooperation by the Member States with OLAF;
Amendment 119 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78 a (new)
Paragraph 78 a (new)
78a. Reaffirms its opinion that the procedure for the appointment of the interim Director General of OLAF must follow mutatis mutandis the rules contained in the act providing for OLAF’s legal basis, namely Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)1; contests the Commission’s general application of the Staff Regulations; is concerned that the Commission’s position makes OLAF’s investigations during the interim period legally challengeable; calls on the Commission to rapidly remedy this situation;
Amendment 121 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79 a (new)
Paragraph 79 a (new)
79a. Takes note, with deep concern, of the Commission’s report on Greek government deficit and debt statistics (COM(2010)0001), which raises serious doubts concerning the reliability of the data delivered by the Greek authorities; calls on the Commission to establish by its own investigations the validity of the data made available in 2008 and to confirm the regularity and legality of the calculation and contribution of the own resources made available;
Amendment 121 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 102
Paragraph 102
102. Notes that between 2004 and 2007 EUR 650 000 000 in Phare funding, EUR 445226 000 000 in Sapard funding and EUR 440 500 000 in ISPA funding were made available to Bulgaria, while some EUR 1 346 500 000 in Phare funding, EUR 526 300 000 in Sapard funding and EUR 1 027 900 000 in ISPA funding were made available to Romania over the same period;
Amendment 122 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79 b (new)
Paragraph 79 b (new)
79b. Calls on the Commission to inform Parliament about the steps taken as a result of the statement of the Greek Prime Minister with regard to widespread corruption in the Greek public sector; asks the Commission to present its plans on the future handling of operations with the Greek administration; stresses that staff involved in the management of European funds must be excepted from cost-cutting measures in order to ensure the maintenance and integrity of the management structures;
Amendment 125 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 83
Paragraph 83
83. Notes with concern the wide variation inextreme spread of on-the-spot error -rates by Member State in the implementation of area aid schemess (France 0.20 %, United Kingdom 0.24 %, Germany 0.3 %, Greece 3.70 %, Romania 12.57 %, Bulgaria approximately 6 %) and insists that the overall credibility of the system must not be jeopardised; calls for well-directed, immediate measures resulting both in administrative relief for outperforming Member States and effective countermeasures;
Amendment 132 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 97
Paragraph 97
97. Is concerned that errors in the area of Cohesion funding indicate that at least 11 % of the total amount reimbursed should not have been paid out, with no improvement on 2007, and that, as in former years, the complexity of the system and the effects of shared management are cle; regrets that financial corrections and recoveries are only partly functional; notes that the following financial corrections have been made for the 2000-2006 programming period: Spain EUR 1 535,07 million; Greece EUR 881,24 million; Italy EUR 693,90 million; France EUR 248,48 million; United Kingdom EUR 155,94 million; Portugal EUR 128,24 million; Poland EUR 88,99 million; Hungarly indicated as major problemsEUR 40,62 million; Slovak Republic EUR 39,16 million; Ireland EUR 25,55 million; Germany EUR 19,33 million; Sweden EUR 11,30 million;
Amendment 133 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 112
Paragraph 112
112. Agrees with the Commission that all actions and measures recently taken by Bulgaria need to be followed up by credible, structural corrective actions and a fundamental reform of all structures involved in the management of EU funds, ensuring the correct and timely absorption of funds and a high level of transparency; calls in this context on the Commission to closely monitor the implementation of the various action plans submitted to it by Bulgaria, and to keep Parliament informed thereof; requests from the Commission that it receive a special report on the state of play of the management and control of all EU funds in Bulgaria covering the period until 15 July 2009;
Amendment 134 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 112 a (new)
Paragraph 112 a (new)
112a. In the light of the last progress report and the setbacks with regard to the fight against corruption, requests from the Commission to receive a special report on the state of play of the management and control of all EU funds in Romania and on the measures taken and the progress made in the fight against corruption covering the period until 15 July 2009;
Amendment 135 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 97 a (new)
Paragraph 97 a (new)
97a. Deplores the fact that the Member State returning the highest error rate and receiving the largest share of structural funds received EUR 59 billion between 2000 and 2006 and only had to repay EUR 1.5 billion to the EU; notes that this is less than 3 %; is concerned that the cost of maintaining proper control systems manifestly exceeds this amount, so that this is a negative incentive;
Amendment 136 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 114
Paragraph 114
114. Calls on the Commission to play a more active role in connection with the expenditure control systems existing in Turkey, Croatia, Serbia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the other Western Balkan countries during the pre-accession stage, and requests it to provide Parliament, in its report on the progress of those countries, with more detailed information on this issue, to include a detailed analysis of the reasons for any failings; calls on the Commission to introduce in the progress reports a system of traffic lights (green, amber and red lights) to denote the progress made towards achieving the various key objectives;
Amendment 138 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 99
Paragraph 99
99. Notes that the Action Plan to strengthen the Commission’s supervisory role under shared management of structural actions, presented in 2008, was not fully implemented in 2008 and would not have remedied the main problem, namely that of over-complex rules combined with implementation requirements which differ from one Member State to another and sometimes even between different regions; asks the Commission to provide for translation in due course of the guidelines for public authorities in the Member States; stresses moreover that its impact cannot be assessed as errors committed in previous years are still affecting the expenditure reimbursed by the Commission, as the Court has rightly pointed out in its Annual Report (point 6.34);
Amendment 140 #
Amendment 141 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 119 a (new)
Paragraph 119 a (new)
119a. Expects the Commission to ensure that the Belgian and United Kingdom governments commit to meeting their obligations under the existing inter- governmental agreements - for Belgium the earliest possible availability of a forth or even a fifth European school, for the UK the sufficient secondment of teachers - and expects that the current enrolment policy regarding the Berkendael/Laeken schools is revised in order to avoid long and unacceptable travelling times for children;
Amendment 143 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 110
Paragraph 110
110. Notes that the number of irregularities reported by the Member States to the OLAF for the year 2008 varies widely, and is concerned that this may result in a less: Italy 802, Spain 488, United Kingdom 483, Portugal 403, Germany 372, Poland 329, the Netherlands 262, Sweden 146, France 98, Greece 96, Czech Republic 80, Slovak Republic 62, Hungary 39, Austria 37, Belgium 35, Estonia 28, Finland 28, Lithuania 26, Latvia 22, Slovenia 13, Cyprus 4, Bulgaria 4, Ireland 2, Malta 1, Romania 0; is concerned that this does not point towards a coherent reporting system;
Amendment 143 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 121
Paragraph 121
121. Voices its disappointment at the incorrectadequate information givenforwarded by the Commission in 2005 and 2006 in this area, which is extremely important from a budgetary point of view; acknowledges the efforts made in the meantime as regards transparency on the Commission web site and the annual staff screening report;
Amendment 144 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 111
Paragraph 111
111. Asks the Commission to constantly monitor the plausibility of the reported numbers and to verify on the basis of its own investigations the efficiency of reporting systems where the reported number of irregularities appears to be excessively low;
Amendment 145 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 111 a (new)
Paragraph 111 a (new)
111a. Calls on the Commission to provide detailed information on the implementation figures and distribution schemes for payments made out of the European Union Solidarity Fund by the Greek authorities following the devastating forest fires; calls on the Commission to provide information on the ex-post controls carried out and the results thereof;
Amendment 149 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 119
Paragraph 119
119. Recalls at the same time its demands raised in its above-mentioned resolution of 23 April 2009 (paragraph 117 et al), in particular its request for abstention from any retroactive changes, and for beneficiaries’ legitimate expectations to be honoured, as well as speeding up the acceptance of certificates concerning the methodology applied in relation to average personnel costs, where no visible progress has been achieved; calls on the Commission, for the purposes of good law- making, to submit realistic proposals in terms of both targets and procedures in the future;
Amendment 150 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 119 a (new)
Paragraph 119 a (new)
119a. In that regard, notes with deep concern that only one certificate concerning the methodology applied in relation to average personnel costs has been approved;
Amendment 160 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 147 a (new)
Paragraph 147 a (new)
147a. Notes that decommissioning work at the Kozloduy nuclear power station is to be completed by 19 October 2035; notes a lack of transparency in the origin of the funds from various Directorates-General at the Commission; requests the Court of Auditors to scrutinise the funds used there;
Amendment 162 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 150
Paragraph 150
150. Supports the suspension by the Commission of payments in Bulgaria under the three pre-accession programmes, Phare/Transition Facility, ISPA and SAPARD, made in 2008 in order to protect the financial interests of the EU in view of weaknesses and irregularities identified by its services in the management of these funds; welcomes the positive reaction from Bulgaria to all recommendations, which allowenabled the Commission to withdraw its payment suspensions in 2009; asks the Commission to provide information concerning the investigations carried out by the Bulgarian police against staff of the Bulgarian paying agency which resulted in a search of its premises and arrests in January 2010, and to state what amount of EU funds were affected by this in 2008; emphasises that Parliament recognises the efforts made by Bulgaria to achieve proper functioning of administrative systems and to combat corruption; considers it important that measures taken are sustainable and that European funds granted contribute in reality to stable economic and social conditions and result in the proper functioning of administration;
Amendment 163 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 150
Paragraph 150
150. Supports the suspension by the Commission of payments in Bulgaria under the three pre-accession programmes, Phare/Transition Facility, ISPA and SAPARD, made in 2008 in order to protect the financial interests of the EU in view of weaknesses and irregularities identified by its services in the management of these funds; welcomnotes the positive reaction from Bulgaria to all recommendations, which allowenabled the Commission to withdraw its payment suspensions in 2009; asks the Commission to provide information concerning the investigations carried out by the Bulgarian police against staff of the Bulgarian paying agency which resulted in a search of its premises and arrests in January 2010, and to state what amount of EU funds were affected by this in 2008;
Amendment 164 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 151
Paragraph 151
151. Nevertheless, regrets the weaknesses, in particular the failure to identify irregular support applications and adequately to follow up the irregularities, and urges Bulgaria to adopt a detailed action plan in close cooperation with the Commission and under close supervision by an independent auditor; stresses that this action plan must attain specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timed targets, such as the creation of transparent procurement rules which meet international standards and do not restrict competition from international bidders by placing huge internal administrative burdens on them; further considers that these targets must focus on the establishment and maintenance of fully operational judicial and administrative structures; calls on the Commission to make cash-flow operations contingent on the attainment of such targets;
Amendment 166 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 152
Paragraph 152
152. Welcomes the updated information from the Commission on the status of implementation of EU funds in Bulgaria and Romania; however, notes the continuous existence of inconsistencies and irregularities in the progress reports submitted; finds its efforts to evaluate progress in the judicial and administrative system frustrated by the existing designs of the progress reports; requests the Commission to continue to closely monitor those Member States’ systems and the implementation of the agreed action plans, and suggests that OLAF also should maintain the support given by it to those Member States in fulfilling their obligations concerning the protection of the financial interests of the Union;
Amendment 168 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 152 a (new)
Paragraph 152 a (new)
152a. Demands that the reports give clear indications as to progress in the key areas of the fight against fraud and corruption; recalls its demand for a traffic-light system (red, amber and green), based on specific indicators (quantity and quality of legal and administrative measures taken to prevent, deter and punish fraud and corruption), so as to give a clear picture of the evolution of existing systems in those countries; is astonished that the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) was not always consulted in the compilation of the reports; asks the Commission to include OLAF’s comments in the upcoming progress reports;
Amendment 169 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 153
Paragraph 153
153. WelcomNotes the steps taken by the Commission to improve the overall performance of pre-accession assistance in Croatia in close cooperation with the national authorities and to closely monitor the conditions for the full decentralisation of IPA funds; stresses that lessons learned from problems concerning the implementation of pre-accession funds in Bulgaria and Romania should help the Croatian authorities, with the Commission’s assistance, to avoid similar difficulties when implementing the pre- accession funds in respect of their country; deplores the fact that the Commission failed to act on Parliament’s request for a traffic-light system (green, amber and red) to be introduced into the progress reports, showing developments in areas of high importance for the fight against fraud such as the establishment and maintenance of stable and efficient structures for the judiciary and the administration;
Amendment 170 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 154
Paragraph 154
154. Encourages the Commission to support the Turkish authorities in their goal to remedy two mainIs disappointed by the fact that key weaknesses (lack of programming readiness and uneven performance across sectors), which have resulted in a ‘moderately unsatisfactory’ overall performance as regards pre- accession assistance in Turkey, continue to prevail;
Amendment 171 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 155
Paragraph 155
155. SupportNotes the steps taken by the Commission in the candidate countries and other countries in the Western Balkans to fight corruption, and encourages the implementation of projects strengthening the independence of the judiciary, the development of professional law enforcement and support for the fight against corruption, within the framework of the regional and national assistance; recalls that under the Thessaloniki Agenda for the Western Balkans the EU undertook to work closely with the western Balkan countries to further consolidate peace and to promote stability, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human and minority rights; stresses that this also applies to the fight against organised crime and corruption as well as to the enhancement of regional cooperation;
Amendment 172 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 155 a (new)
Paragraph 155 a (new)
155a. Recalls that the Court of Auditors found no clear Commission methodology by which the Commission measures progress in those areas; in particular, asks the Commission’s Secretariat- General to provide Parliament with a report on the implementation of the Thessaloniki Agenda which could be the basis for an external evaluation of its progress; calls on the Commission to establish a clear connection between the payment of pre-accession funds and evidenced and visible achievements in the fields of the Thessaloniki Agenda;
Amendment 173 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 155 b (new)
Paragraph 155 b (new)
155b. Recalls that the 2009 progress report for Croatia shows deficiencies in the fields of the judiciary due to shortcomings in the transparency and the application of uniform, objective criteria in the selection of judges and prosecutors; doubts therefore that the funds spent on Chapter 23 were spent efficiently and effectively;
Amendment 174 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 155 c (new)
Paragraph 155 c (new)
155c. Notes that the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) has been active for more than a year; asks the Commission to provide information with a view to strengthening regional cooperation under the decentralised implementation system and to present to the budget authority its strategic considerations in that area;
Amendment 175 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 155 d (new)
Paragraph 155 d (new)
155d. Recalls the need for the candidate countries to ensure effective implementation of new and reformed legal provisions by means of an ambitious, transparent, accountable, effective and efficient public service; notes with concern that both in Croatia and in Macedonia corruption is still widespread and constitutes a very serious problem; deplores the fact that in cases of high-level corruption only limited investigation was carried out and that, overall, only a small number of investigations led to criminal charges; stresses that this indicates serious shortcomings in the judicial system; asks the Commission to continuously monitor and report to the budgetary authority on the backlog and number of new criminal charges and verdicts and the backlog and number of new court cases brought on charges of infringement of public procurement laws;
Amendment 176 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 155 e (new)
Paragraph 155 e (new)
155e. Concludes that the need for constant, objective and transparent progress monitoring remains; in that regard, calls on the Commission in the event of accession proceedings to establish a starting-point in key areas relevant for accession and to use that starting-point as a reference and benchmark throughout the accession process; considers that the sustainability of progress in the accession process and affirmation of the aims achieved during such process are of paramount importance for the successful continuation of the Union; consequently, asks for a regular post-accession follow- up;
Amendment 188 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Part XVIa. Special Report No 16/2009 on the European Commission’s management of pre-accession assistance to Turkey
Amendment 190 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution – Conclusions concerning the special reports issued by the Court of Auditors
Part XVI a – Paragraph 260 a (new)
Part XVI a – Paragraph 260 a (new)
260a. Welcomes the Court’s sound assessment regarding the administration by the Commission of pre-accession assistance to Turkey;
Amendment 192 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution – Conclusions concerning the special reports issued by the Court of Auditors
Part XVI a – Paragraph 260b (new)
Part XVI a – Paragraph 260b (new)
260b. Considers it worrying that the strategic planning of pre-accession assistance for Turkey in 2002-2006 as well as the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA 2007-2013) did not include strategic and measurable goals or any consideration of the indicators, level and measures required concerning progress towards accession;
Amendment 194 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution – Conclusions concerning the special reports issued by the Court of Auditors
Part XVI a – Paragraph 260 c (new)
Part XVI a – Paragraph 260 c (new)
Amendment 196 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution – Conclusions concerning the special reports issued by the Court of Auditors
Part XVI a – Paragraph 260 d (new)
Part XVI a – Paragraph 260 d (new)
260d. Given the inability to measure progress towards accession goals, regards the enhancement of resources for Turkey in the period 2007-2013 as inadequate and considers a yearly continuation of the financial level of accession assistance from 2006 as adequate until such time as measurable priorities are unambiguously defined and implemented in the respective regulations;
Amendment 198 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution – Conclusions concerning the special reports issued by the Court of Auditors
Part XVI a – Paragraph 260 e (new)
Part XVI a – Paragraph 260 e (new)
260e. Calls on the Commission to amend the objectives of the Instrument for Pre- Accession Assistance, which has to be accessible not only by virtue of EU membership but also by virtue of an intensified relationship with the EU, for example by means of special neighbourhood instruments or special forms of membership, in the event that inadequate political reforms and deficient implementation of the Instrument for Pre- Accession by the candidate for accession require such action;
Amendment 1 #
2008/2064(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Regrets the fact that the implementing provisions for the projects were once again adopted very late and calls on the responsible management authorities, and payment and control agencies to provide for and implement rules designed to simplify administration (e.g. by making more use of flat-rate payments);
Amendment 43 #
2008/2054(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Regards it as vital that the institutions should reach a political agreement on these matters before the end of 2008in due time so that, once the Lisbon Treaty has entered into force, the requisite changes to the Financial Regulation can quickly be made using the new procedure and, if needed, provide for provisional agreements to allow the smooth continuation of the budgetary procedure;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Considers it of utmost importance that, as the Executive responsible for implementation, the Commission has enough means and room for manoeuvre, but that it should report very clearly on the objectives achieved and the use of allocated financial and human resources; considers less important - from the point of view of a budgetary authority - exactly how the goals were achiethat the Commission should establish clear quantitative and qualitative indicators to measure the achievement of policy and administrative objectiveds and show the Commission worked internally; therefore advocates a correspondingly greater degree of freedom in that regarduld make them comparable over time and clearly indicate for every DG the number of staff employed for policy activities; considers it important - from the point of view of a budgetary authority - to link staff to policy activities; calls on the Commission to analyse the current ABB/SPP cycle in order to ensure that it is consistent in this regard and to present any relevant proposals for change;
Amendment 3 #
2008/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Considers that the practical presentation and synthesis of results and allocated resources used in Annual Activity Reports (AAR) is still lagging behind when compared to the time spent on administrative tasks presenting the goals and requested resources in the preparatory stages, i.e. APS, Annual Management Plans and Activity Statements; in this respect, considers that further development, is necessary in which the Commission's collective services take "ownership" of this process in a positive way and set clear qualitative criteria for the reports;
Amendment 6 #
2008/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Is thus still not convinced that the SPP/ABM process sufficiently takes into account 'lessons learned' and previous results and how these are fed back into the system for the coming years; points out that this is also linked to how the vast array of studies and evaluations carried out by the Commission are taken into account and influence, as they rightly should, the resource allocation process; proposes therefore to more clearly demand a link to programme reviews and the budgetary process in the terms of reference of the evaluations; proposes further to include in the AAR a chapter on the lessons learned;
Amendment 8 #
2008/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Considers that the long-term objectives and plans, i.e. the MFF and the five-year strategic objectives as well as APS also need to be better explained and linked to the work of individual DGs and services as an important part of motivating these staff and making them feel part of, and contributors to, the overriding objectives of the organisation as a whole; asks the DGs, therefore, to link more clearly the positive and negative priorities in their Annual Management Plans and Annual Activity Reports to multiannual and strategic objectives of the Commission as a whole;
Amendment 9 #
2008/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Requests the Commission to better integrate and streamline the SPP-ABM cycle so that the actual results of the implementation of policies and activities can be taken into due consideration when allocating human and financial resources; emphasises that this should also result in the identification of possible "negative priorities"; stresses the need to consider and include in the yearly planning not only financial risks but also risks that might affect the achievement of policy objectives;
Amendment 13 #
2008/2026(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Underlines the vital importance of effective budget implementation and of reducing unpaid commitments in light of this very modest overall level of payments; calls on the Commission and on Member States to do their utmost to implement, in particular, lines in heading 1b of the MFF, because this sub-heading not only finances numerous important policies and activities aimed at tackling climate change but also supports growth for jobs initiatives contributing to economic growth; stresses that improvement and simplification measures are needed in order to accelerate the implementation of structural and cohesion funds and invites the Commission, within the existing legal framework, to proceed rapidly with its compliance assessments of the Member States' management and control systems in order to facilitate the start of major projects; notes with great concern that the Commission has, on the basis of evidence, seen fit to cut EUR 220 million of funding for Bulgaria; asks the Commission to support both Bulgaria and Romania in their reforms and to report every three months to the Parliament on problems or irregularities in implementing EU funds;
Amendment 14 #
2008/2026(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Underlines the vital importance of effective budget implementation and of reducing unpaid commitments in light of this very modest overall level of payments; calls on the Commission and on Member States to do their utmost to implement, in particular, lines in heading 1b of the MFF, because this sub-heading not only finances numerous important policies and activities aimed at tackling climate change but also supports growth for jobs initiatives contributing to economic growth; stresses that improvement and simplification measures are needed in order to accelerate the implementation of structural and cohesion funds and invites the Commission, within the existing legal framework, to proceed rapidly with its compliance assessments of the Member States' management and control systems in order to facilitate the start of major projects; notes with great concern that the Commission has, on the basis of evidence, seen fit to cut EUR 220 million of funding for Bulgaria; asks the Commission to support both Bulgaria and Romania in their reforms and to report every three months to the Parliament on problems or irregularities in implementing EU funds;
Amendment 27 #
2008/2026(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Notes that appropriations for assistance to Kosovo will only just suffice to keep pace with reforms and investment; recalls its various commitments to EU assistance in Kosovo that is; at the same time stresses the need for a functioning public administration and a take-over of public duties by the Kosovo government as well as for properly managedment and implementedation of these commitments; insists on a proper follow-up of the conclusions of the final report from the ITF (Investigation Task Force, which closed down its operation at the end of August 2008), as well as on the creation of a successor organisation for combating fraud and financial irregularities;
Amendment 29 #
2008/2026(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Takes note of the increasing amount of EU funds being channelled through international organisations; repeats its call for the Commission to make every effort to obtain as much information as possible on external and internal audits of institutions and programmes receiving EU funds;
Amendment 15 #
2008/2025(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Requests the Commission to continue its screening exercise started in 2007 and to set out clearly further information regarding human resources policy (including national experts, who receive part of their salary from the Union's budget) and redeployment strategy for 2009; takes note of the Commission's 2008 follow-up report on "Planning and optimising Commission human resources to serve EU priorities" whereby the Commission confirms its commitment not to request any new posts up to 2013, beyond the last tranche of enlargement- related posts in 2009;
Amendment 16 #
2008/2025(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Requests the Commission to continue its screening exercise started in 2007 and to set out clearly further information regarding human resources policy, andpplication of redeployment strategy for 2009and the degree of externalisation of tasks for 2009; asks for a follow-up report by 30 April 2009 including the conclusions the Commission will draw with regard to their internal organisation; takes note of the Commission's 2008 follow-up report on "Planning and optimising Commission human resources to serve EU priorities" whereby the Commission confirms its commitment not to request any new posts up to 2013, beyond the last tranche of enlargement-related posts in 2009;
Amendment 18 #
2008/2025(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Is worried about the increasing number of external investigations of OLAF opened in the external aid sector; invites, therefore, the Commission to adopt the necessary measures to ensure proper protection of EU funds; asks the Member States to improve the quality of their cooperation with the Commission in the fight against EU fraud, including the assistance given to OLAF when conducting investigations on their territories; calls for the strengthening of the information exchange, from the Member States to the Commission, on irregularities and frauds, notably in the field of structural funds; asks the Member States to ensure a proper follow-up of the anti-fraud investigations, including the recovery procedure; invites the Commission to focus efforts also on the prevention aspects of the anti-fraud and anti-corruption policies;
Amendment 49 #
2008/2025(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
Paragraph 53
53. Is concerned about the fact that, in general, the Commission's outsourcing tendencies, together with the latest changes in the Staff Regulations, have led to a situation where an increasing number of staff employed by the EU is neither visible in the institutions' establishment plans as adopted by the budgetary authority nor paid under heading 5 of the MFF; deeply regrets this lack of transparency which concerns also the employment of national experts; calls for a public and comprehensive discussion amongst all stakeholders on the future of European governance;
Amendment 1 #
2008/0232(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 2 a (new)
Article 1 – point 2 a (new)
Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006
Article 11 – paragraph 3
Article 11 – paragraph 3
(2a)The following subparagraph 4a shall be added: "Directives 2004/17/EC and 2004/18/EC shall not apply in respect of projects that are cofinanced by the EU at a rate of 45% or less ."
Amendment 2 #
2008/0232(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 2 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 2 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
By the end of 2011, the Commission shall present to the European Parliament and to the Council a report on the results of the changes introduced by this Regulation for the management of the ESF.
Amendment 3 #
2008/0232(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 2 a (new)
Article 1 – point 2 a (new)
Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006
Article 11 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 4 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 4 a (new)
(2a) The following subparagraph 4a shall be added: "Directives 2004/17/EC and 2004/18/EC do not apply in respect of projects that are co-financed by the EU at a rate of 45% or less."
Amendment 4 #
2008/0232(COD)
Proposal for a regulation - amending act
Article 2 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 a (new)
The Commission shall present to the Parliament and to the Council no later than the end of 2011 a report on the results of the changes introduced by this Regulation for the management of the funds.
Amendment 44 #
2007/2055(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
Amendment 44 #
2007/2054(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
Amendment 47 #
2007/2053(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
Amendment 48 #
2007/2053(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62
Paragraph 62
Amendment 49 #
2007/2053(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63
Paragraph 63
Amendment 50 #
2007/2053(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64
Paragraph 64
Amendment 51 #
2007/2053(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65
Paragraph 65
Amendment 52 #
2007/2053(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66
Paragraph 66
Amendment 47 #
2007/2052(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
Amendment 48 #
2007/2052(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62
Paragraph 62
Amendment 49 #
2007/2052(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63
Paragraph 63
Amendment 50 #
2007/2052(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64
Paragraph 64
Amendment 51 #
2007/2052(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65
Paragraph 65
Amendment 52 #
2007/2052(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66
Paragraph 66
Amendment 53 #
2007/2052(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
Paragraph 67
Amendment 54 #
2007/2052(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68
Paragraph 68
Amendment 44 #
2007/2048(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 a (new)
Paragraph 60 a (new)
60a. Congratulates the Director and his staff for the work done in a very difficult environment, which has considerably improved the image of the EU and its visibility;
Amendment 45 #
2007/2048(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 b (new)
Paragraph 60 b (new)
60b. Considers that the Agency has not only the systems (logistics, IT systems, and others) to implement swiftly large amounts of support in post-conflict areas, but that it has especially also proven high levels of expertise and know-how in post- war reconstruction;
Amendment 46 #
2007/2048(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 c (new)
Paragraph 60 c (new)
60c. Is convinced that, at the point where the Commission takes over the management of the new Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance in view of the acquis-related tasks related to the Balkans, it should finally present to the Council a new mandate for the Agency, which should, as decided, finish its work in the Balkans by the end of 2008 and be converted into a truly European Agency for external actions;
Amendment 47 #
2007/2048(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 d (new)
Paragraph 60 d (new)
60d. Considers that a new mandate for this successful agency would be the most efficient way to carry out the new tasks in external actions, which cannot be carried out by Commission services in Brussels or by Commission delegations;
Amendment 48 #
2007/2048(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 e (new)
Paragraph 60 e (new)
60e. Considers that, with this new mandate, the Agency could play a most efficient role in areas where traditional development assistance cannot be implemented; considers also that this would significantly increase the EU's visibility;
Amendment 3 #
2007/2043(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
Amendment 41 #
2007/2038(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
After paragraph 64, heading 'Voluntary pension arrangements'
After paragraph 64, heading 'Voluntary pension arrangements'
Voluntary pension arrangementsfund
Amendment 42 #
2007/2038(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65 a (new)
Paragraph 65 a (new)
65a. Draws attention to the points regarding transparency and sources of income raised in its afore-mentioned resolution of 24 April 2007;
Amendment 43 #
2007/2038(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66
Paragraph 66
Amendment 45 #
2007/2038(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
Paragraph 67
Amendment 46 #
2007/2038(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68
Paragraph 68
Amendment 48 #
2007/2038(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69
Paragraph 69
Amendment 63 #
2007/2038(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 86 a (new)
Paragraph 86 a (new)
86a. Notes the Internal Auditor's (confidential) report on the PAA, which looks into the internal control arrangements in this area and puts forward possible improvements; stresses that Parliament's Administration cooperated fully and openly with the rapporteur at all stages in the production of the draft report; stresses, furthermore, that the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the Court of Auditors have been invited to examine the internal audit report and to take appropriate action on their conclusions; regrets the infringement of the confidentiality provisions set out in Parliament's Rules of Procedure and the publication of personal and political interpretations of confidential information; considers those interpretations to give a false impression of the objectives and conclusions of the report;
Amendment 4 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Paragraph 1
1. .....Grants the Commission discharge in respect of the implementation of the European Union general budget for the financial year 2006;
Amendment 6 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Union general budget for the financial year 2006, Section III – Commission
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Sets out its observations and conditions in the resolution below;
Amendment 7 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Paragraph 1
1. .......Grants the director of the Education, Audiovisual and CultureIntelligent Energy Executive Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Executive Agency's budget for the financial year 2006;
Amendment 8 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Paragraph 1
1. ......Grants the director of the Intelligent EnergyEducation, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Executive Agency's budget for the financial year 2006;
Amendment 9 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Paragraph 1
1. ......Approves the closure of the accounts of the European Union general budget for the financial year 2006;
Amendment 16 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. In the field of Structural funds: This part will be filled after the hearing in 25/02/2008Reminds the Commission of the commitments given at the extraordinary committee hearing held on 25 February 2008: a) concerning the implementation of the new Action Plan to strengthen the Commission’s supervisory role for structural actions (COM(2008)0097) to improve the audits, decide and apply the necessary suspension and correction procedures and improve recoveries, and awaits the quarterly reports on its implementation; b) expects the Commission to develop in close cooperation with the ECA of Auditors a new reporting scheme on recoveries and financial corrections and expects it to present a detailed timetable for the development and application of this new reporting scheme; c) expects the Commission to present an action plan with detailed measures on how to prevent high errors from happening;
Amendment 43 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. In the field of external actions: This part will be filled after the evaluation of the information received and/or expected from the Commissiona) expects the Commission to provide the Parliament with regular information on EU financing of multi-donor trust funds, both on its own initiative and at Parliament's request; b) requests the Commission to present measures on how to improve the visibility of the EU funds when implementing external aid via other organisations; c) requests of the Commission measures to allow better access for EU auditors (ECA, EC or private audit firms) to carry out audits for projects under joint management, especially with the UN;
Amendment 99 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Notes that the first annual summaries are due by 15 February 2008 andsent by most Member States and asks the Commission to start infringement procedures against those Member States which did not fulfil their obligations; asks the Commission before the first reading of the 2009 budget to draw up a document analysing the strengths and weaknesses of each Member State's national system for the administration and control of Community funds and the results of the audits conducted, and to forward that document to Parliament and to the Council; invites also the Commission to report on the quality of the annual summaries and to promote value added to the process, such as through identification of common problems, possible solutions and best practices;
Amendment 101 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19a (new)
Paragraph 19a (new)
19a. Notes, however, the ECA's critical statement on national audit work to the effect that "the external auditor wishing to rely on, or use, the opinion or work of others must obtain direct evidence of the sound basis of that work."; finds therefore the work of the Contact Committee Working Group responsible for 'developing common auditing standards and comparable audit criteria tailored for the EU area' essential and calls for the Commission to encourage all Member States to participate in this work;
Amendment 106 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Welcomes the second half-yearly scoreboards on the implementation of the above action plan, submitted on March 20071 to the Parliament pursuant to Parliament's request in its 2004 discharge resolution; expects the Commission to present its newest report before discharge can be given; __________ 1 SEC(2007)0311 and COM(2007)0086, adopted on 7 March 2007.;
Amendment 113 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38a (new)
Paragraph 38a (new)
38a. Asks the Commission to improve the Annual Activity Reports through the establishment of common criteria for the making of reservations, stronger formalisation of the Annual Activity Reports to allow better comparability between Annual Activity Reports of different Directorate-Generals and over time; asks the Commission to take account of the observations made by the ECA on the Annual Activity Reports and to make the improvements in close consultation with the ECA;
Amendment 114 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Regrets deeply the Commission's decision not to make the register for lobbyists mandatory and repeatsIs aware of the arguments in favour of both voluntary and compulsory registration of lobbyists; notes the Commission's decision to start with a voluntary register and evaluate the system after one year; its belief that a compulsory system is necessary to bring about sufficient transparency and level the playing field among the various interests aware of the legal base for a mandatory register provided by the Treaty of Lisbon; recalls that Parliament's current register is already mandatory and a possible common register would be de facto mandatory, because registering is, in both cases, a prepresentativesquisite for gaining access to Parliament;
Amendment 115 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 a (new)
Paragraph 40 a (new)
40 a. Recalls the need for a new code of conduct for Members of the Commission to improve and define more clearly their individual and collective political responsibility and accountability for their political decisions as well as the policy implementation by their services;
Amendment 117 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57a (new)
Paragraph 57a (new)
57a. Recalls also that the cost of financial corrections is borne by the Member States, usually by the taxpayer, rather than by the beneficiaries of the aid irregularly paid;
Amendment 118 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58a (new)
Paragraph 58a (new)
58a. Regrets that the level of irregular payments financed by the CAP is not yet known or estimated by the Commission in a way considered appropriate by the ECA; notes that the ECA found that corrections for irregular payments with an estimated maximum amount of EUR 100 million could not be made as they were discovered after the two year time limit; invites the Commission to allocate adequate resources for conformity audits in order to execute corrections for irregular payments within the time limit;
Amendment 119 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63a (new)
Paragraph 63a (new)
Amendment 120 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63b (new)
Paragraph 63b (new)
63b. Considers it unacceptable that, according to the ECA’s findings, first level control systems in Member States are generally ineffective or only moderately effective and that a number of national and regional authorities do not manage EU funds with sufficient attention; in the 2006 ECA's audit sample (19 first level control systems) none of the systems was effective, only 6 moderately effective and 13 ineffective, and thus no progress has been made in the field of Structural Funds compared to 2005; is very concerned by the inability of the Council to clearly recognise its responsibility for this situation which arises largely from inadequate controls by Member States;
Amendment 121 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63c (new)
Paragraph 63c (new)
Amendment 122 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63d (new)
Paragraph 63d (new)
63d. Insists on auditable reporting on corrections and recoveries by the Commission (withdrawals, recoveries by member states, recoveries by the Commission, net corrections, suspension of payments) for all unduly made payments for all funds with precise definitions of all these different categories of financial corrections and that underlying evidence should be fully accessible to the ECA; expects the Commission to establish a clear link of recoveries to the year where the irregularity happened; expects the Commission to develop these reporting schemes in cooperation with the ECA;
Amendment 123 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63e (new)
Paragraph 63e (new)
63e. Recalls Action 11N1, that should have been implemented by 31 December 2007; expects the Commission to act accordingly "To determine whether recovery and offsetting systems are working effectively, by identifying amounts recovered in 2005 and 2006 and their coherence with errors identified during controls the Commission will, in direct management, develop a typology of errors and the relationship with recoveries, financial corrections and adjustments to payments and for share management it will examine the reliability of national monitoring and reporting systems."; ___________ 1 Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Court of Auditors on the progress of the Commission Action Plan towards an Integrated Internal Control Framework (COM(2007)0086).
Amendment 124 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63f (new)
Paragraph 63f (new)
Amendment 125 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63g (new)
Paragraph 63g (new)
63g. Insists that the Commission should start suspension procedures against Member States where first level control systems are inadequate, and that it must speed up the sanctions system;
Amendment 126 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63h (new)
Paragraph 63h (new)
63h. Expects a report by the Commission on the results of the "Contract of Confidence "arrangements including the fundamental question of whether these are considered as being 'satisfactory';
Amendment 127 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63i (new)
Paragraph 63i (new)
63i. For the discharge in respect of the financial year 2007, requests the Commission to present both cash and accrual based figures, a clear indication whether the figures are annual or multiannual, a clear explanation of the nature of financial corrections: flat rate corrections (in the case of system weaknesses), recoveries at the level of final beneficiaries, respective improvements in the ABAC system and expects that the information provided for the discharge concerns exactly the same definitions of financial corrections as asked for the other reports on financial corrections published over the year;
Amendment 128 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 75a (new)
Paragraph 75a (new)
75a. Notes with great concern that for the E-Learning program the average administrative costs per successful application is EUR 22 million while the average amount per grant for this program is only EUR 4 931; asks the Commission to explain the large imbalance between these two figures and to take the necessary countermeasures to decrease this large difference;
Amendment 129 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78a (new)
Paragraph 78a (new)
78a. Recalls that funds spend for External Actions in 2006 totalled EUR 5,867 billion and in payments EUR 5,186 billion; notes with concern the ECA's 2006 Annual Report according to which: - a high incidence of error is detected in the sample tested at the level of project- implementing organisations, - there continued to be weaknesses in the supervisory and control systems designed to ensure the legality and regularity at the level of project-implementing organisations, - again the highest risk areas are the contracting procedures, the eligibility of expenditure at project level and insufficient supporting documentation;
Amendment 130 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78b (new)
Paragraph 78b (new)
78b. Invites the Commission to report to Parliament on controls undertaken under the Financial and Administrative Framework Agreement between the European Community and the United Nations (FAFA);
Amendment 131 #
2007/2037(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78c (new)
Paragraph 78c (new)
78c. Expects annual reporting for the Parliament on budget implementation contracts, annual list of projects and their location and lists of final beneficiaries; considers that the rapporteur for the discharge should have access to information declared confidential for security reasons; welcomes the Commission's commitment to re-negotiate relevant agreements on trust funds with the UN in order to achieve joint reporting guidelines and disclosure of final beneficiaries; welcomes also the Commission's commitment to organise annual meetings between the European Parliament and senior UN staff responsible for the management of multi- donor trust funds and considers that this would provide a framework for the UN to provide additional information on EU funds;
Amendment 1 #
2007/2036(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Notes that, over the period 2003 to 2006, commitment appropriations have firmly increased from EUR 4 438 653 to EUR 7 682 538 (+73%) and posts from 31 to 57 units (+84%), and complaints have increased from 2436 to 3830 (+57%) and new inquiries opened from 253 to 258 (+2%);
Amendment 22 #
2007/0901(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 - point 5 - point a
Article 1 - point 5 - point a
Regulation 1653/2004
Article 20 - paragraph 2
Article 20 - paragraph 2
The budget and amending budgets, as finally adopted, shall be transmitted for information to the budgetary authority, the Court of Auditors and the Commission and published on the website of the agency concerned. A summary of the budgets and amending budgets shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union within three months of their adoption. This summary shall contain the following items: revenue and expenditure, stating changes in relation to the previous year; the five main expenditure budget lines for the administrative and operational budgets; the five main revenue budget lines; and the establishment plan including officials and temporary staff, as well as an overview of contract staff and national experts, and stating changes in relation to the previous year.
Amendment 23 #
2007/0901(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 - point 21a (new)
Article 1 - point 21a (new)
Regulation 1653/2004
Article 66 - paragraph 1
Article 66 - paragraph 1
Amendment 23 #
2007/0151(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 9 – point (a)
Article 1 – point 9 – point (a)
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002
Article 26 – paragraph 2
Article 26 – paragraph 2
2. A summary of the budget and amending budgets, as finally adopted, shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union within three months of their adoption. This summary shall indicate revenue and expenditure, the changes in relation to the year before, the five main expenditure budget lines for the administrative and the operational budget, the five main revenue budget lines, the establishment plan with permanent and temporary staff, as well as an overview of the number of contract staff and the national experts and the changes in relation to the previous year.
Amendment 24 #
2007/0151(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 –point 9 – point (b)
Article 1 –point 9 – point (b)
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002
Article 3 – paragraph 3
Article 3 – paragraph 3
3. The budget and amending budgets, as finally adopted including the establishment plan (with permanent and temporary staff), as finally adopted, as well as an overview of the number of contract staff and national experts, shall be transmitted for information to the budgetary authority, the Court of Auditors and the Commission, and shall be published on the website of the Community body concerned within two months of their adoption.
Amendment 25 #
2007/0151(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 9 a (new)
Article 1 – point 9 a (new)
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002
Article 27 – paragraph 3 – point (e)
Article 27 – paragraph 3 – point (e)
(9a) In Article 27(3), the following point (e) is added: "(e) an estimate of the balance of the outturn account within the meaning of Article 81 from the year N-1."
Amendment 26 #
2007/0151(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 9 b (new)
Article 1 – point 9 b (new)
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002
Article 27 - paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 27 - paragraph 3 a (new)
(9b) In Article 27, the following paragraph 3a is inserted: "3a. The Community body shall also send to the Commission and the budgetary authority by 31 March each year at the latest: (a) its draft work programme, (b) its updated multiannual staff policy plan, established in line with the guidelines set by the Commission, (c) information on the number of officials, temporary and contract staff and national experts for the year N-1 and N as well as an estimate for the year N+1, (d) information on contributions in kind granted by the host Member State to the Community body."
Amendment 27 #
2007/0151(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 19
Article 1 – point 19
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002
Article 47 – paragraph 4
Article 47 – paragraph 4
4. The specialised financial irregularities panel set up by the Commission in accordance with Article 66(4) of the general Financial Regulation, shall exercise the same powers in respect of the Community body as it does in respect of Commission departments, unless the management board de. For cases concerning agencides to set up a functionally independent panel, or to participate in a joint panel established by several Community bodhe panel shall foresee one seat for a representative of the agencies. On the basis of the opinion of this panel, the Director shall decide whether to initiate disciplinary proceedings or proceedings for the payment of compensation. If the panel detects systemic problems, it shall send a report with recommendations to the authorising officer and to the Commission's internal auditor. If the opinion implicates the Director, the panel shall send it to the management board and the Commission's internal auditor. The Director's indications on these cases and the explanation of his follow-up decisions shall be included in the annual activity report of the Director.
Amendment 28 #
2007/0151(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 30
Article 1 – point 30
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002
Article 82
Article 82
The accounting officer shall send to the Commission's accounting officer and the Court of Auditors by no later than 1 March of the following year its provisional accounts, together with the report on budgetary and financial management during the year, referred to in Article 76 of this regulation, so that the Commission's accounting officer can consolidate the accounts as provided for in Article 128 of the Financial Regulation. The latter shall provide the budgetary authority with a report on the consolidation of accounts of all agencies.
Amendment 29 #
2007/0151(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 –point 30 a (new)
Article 1 –point 30 a (new)
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002
Article 94 – paragraph 1
Article 94 – paragraph 1
Amendment 86 #
2006/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital -1 (new)
Recital -1 (new)
(-1) While drawing attention to the responsibility of every department of the Commission and the other institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the European Union to protect the Community’s financial interests, and recognising the importance of prevention aspects when defining European policy in this field, including the fight against fraud and corruption, there is a need to widen the task of the European Anti- Fraud Office (hereinafter “the Office”) to include those aspects. The design of legislative and administrative measures at European level needs to be based on the Office’s operational practice in this field.
Amendment 87 #
2006/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
Amendment 89 #
2006/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 5 b (new)
Recital 5 b (new)
(5b) To ensure that the Office’s operational activities are as transparent as possible, particularly the principles governing investigation procedure, the legitimate rights of the persons concerned and procedural safeguards, data protection provisions, the policy for providing information on certain aspects of the Office’s operational activities, reviewing the legality of investigation activities and appeals procedures for the persons concerned, there is a need to provide a legal basis for adoption of a code of procedure for Office investigations. The code should be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Amendment 91 #
2006/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9a) The fundamental rights of the persons concerned by investigations should be respected at all times, particularly when providing information. There is a need to clarify the basic principles of the Office’s information policy. Information on Office investigations supplied to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the Court of Auditors, whether bilaterally or as part of the consultation procedure, should be provided while respecting the confidentiality of investigations, the legitimate rights of the persons concerned and, where applicable, the national provisions governing judicial proceedings. There is a need to introduce a legal basis enabling the Office to conclude agreements with the institutions concerned on the provision of information. The Director General should ensure that any information supplied to the public complies with the principles of neutrality and impartiality. The code of procedure for investigations should spell out the consequences of unauthorised dissemination of information.
Amendment 92 #
2006/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) It is appropriate to strengthenclarify the role of the Supervisory Committee’s powers of review in relation, in particular, to compliance with the provisions governing information exchanges between the Office and the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, and to developments in the application of procedural guarantees and duration and to revise the criteria and procedure for appointing its members. At the time of their selection candidates should be performing senior judicial ofr investigations. It is also necessary to establish cooperation between the Supervisory Committee and the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, by enabling the Suve duties. Their mandate should be for six years and non- renewable. To retain expervtisory Committee, without affecting the independence of its members, to meet representatives of those institutions in the context of a structured dialogue on the committee two of the five members should be appointed at a different time.
Amendment 93 #
2006/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 10 a
Recital 10 a
(10a) It is appropriate to widen and strengthen the tasks of the Supervisory Committee arising from its mandate, to safeguard the Office’s independence in its investigative function. The Committee should monitor trends concerning procedural safeguards and the length of investigations. It should be informed of investigations lasting more than 12 months, deliver opinions to the Director General and, if need be, to the institutions on investigations that are not completed within 24 months. It should be made clear that the Supervisory Committee does not interfere in the conduct of current investigations.
Amendment 94 #
2006/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 10 b (new)
Recital 10 b (new)
(10b) There is a need to assess the judicial, institutional and operational context for the fight against fraud, corruption and any other activity detrimental to the Community’s financial interests. To this end the institutions should be asked to coordinate their action and encouraged to consider the major aspects of European anti-fraud strategy. A consultation procedure needs setting up between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. This consultation should cover certain areas of cooperation in this field between the Office and the Member States and the European institutions, and also relations with third countries and the international organisations, the Office’s investigative policy and reports and assessments by the Supervisory Committee. The Office’s Director General and the Chair of the Supervisory Committee should participate in the consultation, which should take place at least once a year.
Amendment 95 #
2006/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 13 a (new)
Recital 13 a (new)
(13a) After a period of four years the implementation of this Regulation should be assessed. The Commission should present a report to the European Parliament and the Council, together with an opinion by the Supervisory Committee. Following that assessment the Regulation should be revisable. In any event, the Regulation should be revised after the creation of a European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Amendment 96 #
2006/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point -1 (new)
Article 1 – point -1 (new)
Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
-1. Article 1(1) is replaced by the following: “1. In order to step up the fight against fraud, corruption and any other illegal activity affecting the financial interests of the European Community, the European Anti-Fraud Office established by Commission Decision 1999/352/EC, ECSC, Euratom (hereinafter “the Office”) shall exercise the powers of investigation conferred on the Commission by the Community rules and Regulations and agreements in force in those areas and, in accordance with the cooperation agreements in force, in third countries. Fraud, corruption and any other illegal activity detrimental to the Community’s financial interests, including irregularity, are defined in Community regulations and the provisions of agreements in force in this field.”
Amendment 97 #
2006/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 1
Article 1 – point 1
Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999
Article 3 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. When the Office decides not to open an investigation it shall inform Eurojust that it has forwarded to the competent authorities in the Member States elements of information giving grounds for suspecting the existence of fraud, an act of corruption or any other illegal activity referred to in Article 1, in the form of serious crime involving two or more Member States. Eurojust shall also be notified by the Office as soon as an Office investigation comes within its competence, in accordance with the procedures laid down in the cooperation agreements concluded between them.
Amendment 99 #
2006/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 4 – subpoint a a (new)
Article 1 – point 4 – subpoint a a (new)
Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999
Article 6 – paragraph 4
Article 6 – paragraph 4
Amendment 100 #
2006/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 4 b
Article 1 – point 4 b
Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999
Article 6 – paragraph 5a – subparagraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 5a – subparagraph 2
The institution, body, office or agency shall decide whether any precautionary or administrative measures are appropriate, with due account being taken of the importance of guaranteeing the effectiveness of the conduct of the investigation and of the specific confidentiality measures recommended by the Office.” The institution, body, office or agency shall inform the Office as soon as possible of the decision to take any measures under this Article or, where appropriate, of the need to initiate an additional disciplinary procedure on matters for which there is appropriate competence under the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities. An additional disciplinary procedure may be initiated after consulting the Office.
Amendment 101 #
2006/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 5
Article 1 – point 5
Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999
Article 7a – paragraph 2
Article 7a – paragraph 2
2. As soon as an investigation reveals that a member, manager, official or other servant or a person serving an institution, body, office or agency or an economic operator may be implicated in a matter, the person concerned shall be informed, provided that this does not prejudice the conduct of the investigation. In any event, before the investigation’s final report is drawn up no conclusions referring by name to a natural or legal person may be drawn on completion of an investigation unless the person thus personally implicated has been given the opportunity to make his views known, in writing or at an interview with employees designated by the Office, on all matters concerning him. Thate person concerned must be given a summary of such matters in the invitation to comment. H and shall submit his comments within the time- limits indicated by the Office. In an interview he is entitled to be assisted by a person of his choice. Any person implicated personally is entitled to use the official Community language of his choice; however, officials or other servants of the Communities may be asked to use an official Community language of which they have a thorough knowledge. A person implicated personally shall be entitled to avoid self incrimination. In cases requiring absolute secrecy to be maintained for the sake of the investigation andor entailing use of investigative proceedings falling under the jurisdiction of a national judicial authority or, in the case of an external investigation, that of a competent national authority, the Director General of the Office may decide to defer fulfilment of the obligation to ask the person implicated to make his views known. He shall first notify the Review Adviser, who shall give an opinion in accordance with, while complying with the provisions on reviewing legality laid down in Article 14(3). In the case of an internal investigation, the Director General of the Office shall take his decision in agreement with the institution, body, office or agency to which the person concerned belongs. The institution, body, office or agency shall where necessary decide on the expediency of any precautionary or administrative measures, taking due account of the interest of securing the effectiveness of the investigation’s conduct and of any particular confidentiality measures that the Office has recommended. The institution, body, office or agency shall inform the Office as soon as possible of the decision to take any measures under this Article or, where appropriate, of the need to initiate an additional disciplinary procedure on matters for which there is appropriate competence under the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities.
Amendment 103 #
2006/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 8 – subpoint c a (new)
Article 1 – point 8 – subpoint c a (new)
Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999
Article 9 – paragraph 4
Article 9 – paragraph 4
(ca) Article 9(4) is replaced by the following: “4. Reports drawn up following an internal investigation and any useful related documents shall be sent to the institution, body, office or agency concerned. The institution, body, office or agency shall take such action, in particular disciplinary or legal, on the internal investigations, as the results of those investigations warrant, and shall report thereon to the Director of the Office [...]. To that end they shall send the Director General of the Office, every six months or, where appropriate, within the time-limits that the Director General has set, a report on the progress made.”
Amendment 107 #
2006/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 10 – subpoint a a (new)
Article 1 – point 10 – subpoint a a (new)
Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999
Article 11 – paragraph 3
Article 11 – paragraph 3
(aa) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following: “3. The term of office of members shall be six years and shall not be renewable. Some members shall be appointed at a staggered interval to preserve the Committee’s expertise.”
Amendment 112 #
2006/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 12 – subpoint b
Article 1 – point 12 – subpoint b
Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999
Article 12 – paragraph 2
Article 12 – paragraph 2
(b) paragraph 2 is deleted; replaced by the following: “2. The European Parliament and the Council shall by common accord designate the Director General from a list of six candidates put forward by the Commission. A call for applications shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.”
Amendment 120 #
2006/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 15
Article 1 – point 15
Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999
Article 15
Article 15
(15) Article 15 is deleted.replaced by the following: “During the fourth year following the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission shall transmit to the European Parliament and the Council a […] report on the application of this Regulation, together with an opinion by the Supervisory Committee […]. The report shall state whether there is a need to amend this Regulation. In any event, this Regulation shall be amended after the creation of a European Public Prosecutor’s Office.”