209 Amendments of Markus PIEPER related to 2011/0276(COD)
Amendment 17 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) The objectives of the CSF Funds should be pursued in the framework of sustainable development and the Union's promotion of the aim of protecting and improving the environment as set out in Article 11 and 19 of the Treaty, taking into account the polluter pays principle. The Member States should provide information on the support for climate change objectives in line with the ambition to devote at least 20% of the Union budget to this end, using a methodology adopted by the Commission by implementing act.
Amendment 18 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) A performance framework should be defined for each programme with a view to monitoring progress towards the objectives and targets set for each programme over the course of the programming period. The Commission should undertake a performance review in cooperation with the Member States in 2017 and 2019. A performance reserve should be foreseen and allocated in 2019 where milestones set in the performance framework have been attained. Due to their diversity and multi- country character, there should be no performance reserve for 'European Territorial Cooperation' programmes. In cases where the shortfall in the achievement of milestones or targets is significant, the Commission should be able to suspend payments to the programme or, at the end of the programming period, apply financial corrections, in order to ensure that the Union budget is not used in a wasteful or inefficient way. If these suspensions or corrections pertain to a Member State which is experiencing or threatened with serious difficulties with respect to its financial stability, these funds may be made available to the Member State in a separate growth programme administered by the Commission. This should be done on the basis of the programmes concerned but taking the priorities into account which ensure the maximum economic efficiency. The purpose of this arrangement is to avoid further aggravating the economic difficulties.
Amendment 19 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) Establishing a closer link between cohesion policy and the economic governance of the Union will ensure that the effectiveness of expenditure under the CSF Funds is underpinned by sound economic policies and that the CSF Funds can, if necessary, be redirected to addressing the economic problems a country is facing. This process has to be gradual, starting with amendments to the Partnership Contract and to the programmes in support of Council recommendations to address macroeconomic imbalances and social and economic difficulties. Where, despite the enhanced use of CSF Funds, a Member State fails to take effective action in the context of the economic governance process, the Commission should have the right to suspend all or part of the payments and commitments. Decisions on suspensions should be proportionate and effective, taking into account the impact of the individual programmes for addressing the economic and social situation in the relevant Member State and previous amendments to the Partnership Contract. When deciding on suspensions, the Commission should also respect equality of treatment between Member States, taking into account in particular the impact of the suspension on the economy of the Member State concerned. The suspensions should be lifted and funds be made available again to the Member State concerned as soon as the Member State takes the necessary action. If a Member State has failed to take adequate measures for more than three months, the Commission may make the suspended funds available in a controlled manner in a programme administered by itself. This should be based on priorities of maximum support for growth, for example for economic infrastructure, in order to prevent greater damage to the regional economy and the social situation.
Amendment 20 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19a) At the request of the Member State concerned, the Commission should adopt an ad hoc decision to set the terms and conditions applicable to this programme, on the basis of appropriations derived from the corrections and suspensions from the Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund.
Amendment 21 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) It is necessary to lay down specific rules regarding the amounts to be accepted as eligible expenditure at closure, to ensure that the amounts, including the management costs and fees, paid from the CSF Funds to financial instruments are effectively used for investments and payments to final recipients. It is also necessary to lay down specific rules regarding the reuse of resources attributable to the support from the CSF Funds, including the use of legacy resources after the closure of the programmes. These CSF-attributed resources and legacy resources should be made available to Member States experiencing substantial difficulties with regard to their financial stability jointly with other available funds, for example from financial corrections, under the administration of the Commission and taking into account the priorities which most promote growth.
Amendment 21 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) The objectives of the CSF Funds should be pursued in the framework of sustainable development and the Union's promotion of the aim of protecting and improving the environment as set out in Article 11 and 19 of the Treaty, taking into account the polluter pays principle. The Member States should provide information on the support for climate change objectives in line with the ambition to devote at least 20% of the Union budget to this end, using a methodology adopted by the Commission by implementing act.
Amendment 22 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41
Recital 41
(41) To ensure the effectiveness, fairness and sustainable impact of the intervention of the CSF Funds, there should be provisions guaranteeing that investments in businesses and infrastructures are long- lasting and prevent the CSF Funds from being used to undue advantage. Experience has shown that a period of fiveten years is an appropriate minimum period to be applied, except where State aid rules foresee a different period. It is appropriate to exclude actions supported by the ESF and those not entailing productive investment or investment in infrastructure from the general requirement of durability, unless such requirements are derived from applicable State aid rules, and to exclude contributions to or from financial instruments.
Amendment 23 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41 a (new)
Recital 41 a (new)
(41a) When appraising major projects, the Commission should have all necessary information to consider whether the financial contribution from the Funds would not result in a substantial loss of jobs at existing locations within the European Union, in order to ensure that Community funding does not support relocation within the Union.
Amendment 24 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41 b (new)
Recital 41 b (new)
(41b) In connection with direct subsidies to undertakings, it should be borne in mind that cohesion policy funding, rather than influencing decisions by companies – and particularly larger companies – to open a plant in a given location, tends to be pocketed by companies which have already taken such decisions (deadweight effect); grant support for large, private undertakings should therefore focus more than hitherto on investment in research and development or should be provided, more often than is currently the case, indirectly through infrastructure financing.
Amendment 25 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41 c (new)
Recital 41 c (new)
Amendment 26 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 51
Recital 51
(51) In order to encourage financial discipline, it is appropriate to define the arrangements for decommitment of any part of the budget commitment in a programme, in particular where an amount may be excluded from decommitment, notably when delays in implementation result from circumstances which are independent of the party concerned, abnormal or unforeseeable and whose consequences cannot be avoided despite the diligence shown. In the case of a Member State which is experiencing financial difficulties, the Commission should, at the request of the Member State, take over the administration of the funds and draw up a specific programme which in particular promotes economic growth in the Member State concerned.
Amendment 27 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 60
Recital 60
(60) In order to ensure a genuine economic impact, support from the Funds should not replace public expenditure or equivalent structural expenditure by Member States under the terms of this Regulation. In addition, so that the support from the Funds takes into account a broader economic context, the level of public expenditure should be determined with reference to the general macroeconomic conditions in which the financing takes place based on the indicators provided in the Stability and Convergence Programmes submitted annually by Member States in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1466/1997 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies. Verification by the Commission of the principle of additionality should concentrate on the Member States in which less developed and transition regions cover at least 15% of the population because of the scale of the financial resources allocated to themapply to all regions.
Amendment 27 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) A performance framework should be defined for each programme with a view to monitoring progress towards the objectives and targets set for each programme over the course of the programming period. The Commission should undertake a performance review in cooperation with the Member States in 2017 and 2019. A performance reserve should be foreseen and allocated in 2019 where milestones set in the performance framework have been attained. Due to their diversity and multi- country character, there should be no performance reserve for 'European Territorial Cooperation' programmes. In cases where the shortfall in the achievement of milestones or targets is significant, the Commission should be able to suspend payments to the programme or, at the end of the programming period, apply financial corrections, in order to ensure that the Union budget is not used in a wasteful or inefficient way. If these corrections or suspensions apply to a Member State which is facing, or in danger of being faced with, serious difficulties in relation to its financial stability, these appropriations may be made available to the Member State in a separate growth programme administered by the Commission. This should be done on the basis of the programmes concerned but while taking the priorities into account which ensure the maximum economic efficiency. The purpose of this arrangement is to avoid further aggravating the economic difficulties.
Amendment 28 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 86 a (new)
Recital 86 a (new)
(86a) In the case of Member States which are experiencing or threatened with a difficult financial situation and which are already in receipt of support measures pursuant to Article 22(1), the Commission should, upon request, make available to the Member State corrected and/or recovered funds and/or interest gains or other returns under central administration in accordance with [Article 55(1)(a)] of the Financial Regulation in a special programme which places the emphasis on investment for growth, particularly economic infrastructure projects.
Amendment 29 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 86 b (new)
Recital 86 b (new)
(86b) In order not to further aggravate the financial position of Member States which are already experiencing or threatened with a difficult financial situation, the Commission should, at the request of the Member States concerned and under its own administration, as soon as possible, make the recovered or suspended funds available by means of a special programme to promote growth in practical ways, for example by developing economic infrastructure.
Amendment 30 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 87
Recital 87
(87) The frequency of audits on operations should be proportionate to the extent of the Union's support from the Funds. In particular, the number of audits s carried out should be reduced where the total eligible expenditure for an operation does not exceed EUR 100 000. For projects exceeding EUR 10 million the Commission should be required to carry out a mandatory audit. Nevertheless, it should be possible to carry out audits at any time where there is evidence of an irregularity, relocation or fraud, or, following closure of a completed operation, as part of an audit sample. In order that the level of auditing by the Commission is proportionate to the risk, the Commission should be able to reduce its audit work in relation to operational programmes where there are no significant deficiencies or where the audit authority has, over the previous funding period, shown that it can be relied on.
Amendment 30 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) Establishing a closer link between cohesion policy and the economic governance of the Union will ensure that the effectiveness of expenditure under the CSF Funds is underpinned by sound economic policies and that the CSF Funds can, if necessary, be redirected to addressing the economic problems a country is facing. This process has to be gradual, starting with amendments to the Partnership Contract and to the programmes in support of Council recommendations to address macroeconomic imbalances and social and economic difficulties. Where, despite the enhanced use of CSF Funds, a Member State fails to take effective action in the context of the economic governance process, the Commission should have the right to suspend all or part of the payments and commitments. Decisions on suspensions should be proportionate and effective, taking into account the impact of the individual programmes for addressing the economic and social situation in the relevant Member State and previous amendments to the Partnership Contract. When deciding on suspensions, the Commission should also respect equality of treatment between Member States, taking into account in particular the impact of the suspension on the economy of the Member State concerned. The suspensions should be lifted and funds be made available again to the Member State concerned as soon as the Member State takes the necessary action. If a Member State has failed to take adequate measures for more than three months, the Commission may make the suspended funds available in a controlled manner in a programme administered by itself. This should be based on priorities of maximum support for growth, for example of economic infrastructure, in order to prevent greater damage to the regional economy and the social situation.
Amendment 31 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 90
Recital 90
(90) The Commission should be empowered to adopt, by means of implementing acts, as regards all CSF Funds, decisions approving the Partnership Contracts, decisions on the allocation of the performance reserve, decisions suspending payments linked to Member States' economic policies, and, in the case of decommitment, decisions to amend decisions adopting programmes; and as regards the Funds, decisions identifying the regions and Member States fulfilling the Investment for growth and jobs criteria, decisions setting out the annual breakdown of commitment appropriations to the Member States, decisions setting out the amount to be transferred from each Member State's CF allocation to the Connecting Europe Facility, decisions setting out the amount to be transferred from each Member State's Structural Funds allocation for food for deprived people, decisions adopting and amending operational programmes, decisions on major projects, decisions on joint action plans, decisions suspending payments and, decisions on financial corrections and decisions on special programmes for Member States in financial difficulties.
Amendment 31 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19a) At the request of the Member State concerned, the Commission should adopt an ad hoc decision to set the terms and conditions applicable to this programme, on the basis of appropriations derived from the corrections and suspensions from the Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund.
Amendment 32 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – Article 2 – subparagraph 2 – point 19
Part 1 – Article 2 – subparagraph 2 – point 19
(19) 'category of regions' means the categorisation of regions as 'less developed regions', 'transition regions' or 'more developed regions' according to Article 82(2);
Amendment 33 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 4 – paragraph 7
Part 2 – Article 4 – paragraph 7
7. The part of the Union budget allocated to the CSF Funds shall be implemented within the framework of shared management between the Member States and the Commission, in accordance with Article 53(b) of the Financial Regulation, with the exception of the amount of the CF transferred to the Connecting Europe Facility referred to in Article 84(4) and innovative actions at the initiative of the Commission under Article 9 of the ERDF Regulation, and technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission, as well as the programmes of assistance for Member States in financial difficulties referred to in Article 22(2a).
Amendment 33 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) It is necessary to lay down specific rules regarding the amounts to be accepted as eligible expenditure at closure, to ensure that the amounts, including the management costs and fees, paid from the CSF Funds to financial instruments are effectively used for investments and payments to final recipients. It is also necessary to lay down specific rules regarding the reuse of resources attributable to the support from the CSF Funds, including the use of legacy resources after the closure of the programmes. These CSF-attributed resources and legacy resources should be made available to Member States experiencing substantial difficulties with regard to their financial stability jointly with other available funds, for example from financial corrections, under the administration of the Commission and taking into account the priorities which most promote growth.
Amendment 34 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 14 – point d – point ii
Part 2 – Article 14 – point d – point ii
ii) a summary of the assessment of the fulfilment of ex ante conditionalities and of the actions to be taken at European, national and regional level, and the timetable for their implementation, where ex ante conditionalities are not fulfilled;
Amendment 34 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41
Recital 41
(41) To ensure the effectiveness, fairness and sustainable impact of the intervention of the CSF Funds, there should be provisions guaranteeing that investments in businesses and infrastructures are long- lasting and prevent the CSF Funds from being used to undue advantage. Experience has shown that a period of fiveten years is an appropriate minimum period to be applied, except where State aid rules foresee a different period. It is appropriate to exclude actions supported by the ESF and those not entailing productive investment or investment in infrastructure from the general requirement of durability, unless such requirements are derived from applicable State aid rules, and to exclude contributions to or from financial instruments.
Amendment 35 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 17 – paragraph 5
Part 2 – Article 17 – paragraph 5
5. The Commission shall assess the information provided on the fulfilment of ex ante conditionalities in the framework of its assessment of the Partnership Contract and programmes. It may decide, when adopting a programme, to suspend all or part of interim payments to the programme pending the satisfactory completion of actions to fulfil an ex ante conditionality. The failure to complete actions to fulfil an ex ante conditionality by the deadline set out in the programme shall constitute a basis for suspending payments by the Commission. Regarding Member States experiencing or threatened with financial difficulties, Article 22(2a) (application for a special programme administered by the Commission) shall apply.
Amendment 35 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41 a (new)
Recital 41 a (new)
(41a) When appraising major projects, the Commission should have all necessary information to consider whether the financial contribution from the Funds would not result in a substantial loss of jobs in existing locations within the European Union, in order to ensure that Community funding does not support relocation within the European Union.
Amendment 36 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41 b (new)
Recital 41 b (new)
(41b) Calls, in connection with direct subsidies to undertakings, for it to be recognised that cohesion policy funding, rather than influencing decisions by companies – and particularly larger companies – to open a plant in a given location, tends to be pocketed by companies which have already taken such decisions (deadweight effect), and calls, therefore, for grant support for large, private undertakings to focus on investment in research and development or for it to be provided, more often than is currently the case, indirectly through infrastructure financing;
Amendment 37 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 21 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Part 2 – Article 21 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. In the case of Member States receiving financial assistance pursuant to paragraph 1(d), the Commission may, at the request of the Member State concerned and by means of an implementing act, institute a special programme as referred to in [Article 55(1)(a)] of the Financial Regulation (direct management) which uses the suspended payments for the purposes of paragraph 4 of the present article (maximisation of the growth and competitiveness impact of the available funds).
Amendment 37 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41 c (new)
Recital 41 c (new)
(41c) Also calls for clear provisions to be included in the general regulation governing the Structural Funds ruling out the provision of any EU funding for the relocation of undertakings within the Union, lowering the threshold for review of relocation investments to 10 million, excluding large enterprises from direct subsidies, and placing a 10-year limit on the duration of operations;
Amendment 38 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 22 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Part 2 – Article 22 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Member States fulfilling the conditions set out in paragraph 1(a), (b) or (c) may, in order to stabilise their economic situation and avert devastating financial losses, call on the Commission to launch a special programme by means of an implementing act, as referred to in [Article 55(1)(a)] of the Financial Regulation (direct management), ensuring that payments to the Member State in question that have been discontinued and/or withdrawn are used as soon as possible to achieve the objectives set out in Article 21(4) of this Regulation (maximising the growth and competitiveness impact of the available funds).
Amendment 38 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 51
Recital 51
(51) In order to encourage financial discipline, it is appropriate to define the arrangements for decommitment of any part of the budget commitment in a programme, in particular where an amount may be excluded from decommitment, notably when delays in implementation result from circumstances which are independent of the party concerned, abnormal or unforeseeable and whose consequences cannot be avoided despite the diligence shown. If a Member State finds itself in a difficult financial position, the Commission should, at the request of the Member State, take over the administration of the funds and draw up a specific programme which in particular promotes economic growth in the Member State concerned.
Amendment 42 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 60
Recital 60
(60) In order to ensure a genuine economic impact, support from the Funds should not replace public expenditure or equivalent structural expenditure by Member States under the terms of this Regulation. In addition, so that the support from the Funds takes into account a broader economic context, the level of public expenditure should be determined with reference to the general macroeconomic conditions in which the financing takes place based on the indicators provided in the Stability and Convergence Programmes submitted annually by Member States in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1466/1997 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies13. Verification by the Commission of the principle of additionality should concentrate on the Member States in which less developed and transition regions cover at least 15% of the population because of the scale of the financial resources allocated to themapply to all regions.
Amendment 43 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 86 a (new)
Recital 86 a (new)
(86a) In the case of Member States which are facing, or in danger of being faced with, a difficult financial situation and which are already in receipt of support measures pursuant to Article 22(1), the Commission may, upon request, make available to the Member State corrected and/or recovered funds and/or interest gains or other returns under central administration in accordance with Article 53a of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 in a separate programme which places the emphasis on investment for growth, particularly economic infrastructure projects.
Amendment 44 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 86 b (new)
Recital 86 b (new)
(86b) In order not to further aggravate the financial position of Member States which are already facing, or in danger of being faced with, a difficult financial situation, the Commission should, at the request of the Member States concerned and under its own administration, as soon as possible, make the recovered or suspended funds available by means of a separate programme to promote growth in practical ways, for example by developing economic infrastructure.
Amendment 45 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 87
Recital 87
(87) The frequency of audits on operations should be proportionate to the extent of the Union's support from the Funds. In particular, the number of audits s carried out should be reduced where the total eligible expenditure for an operation does not exceed EUR 100 000. For projects exceeding EUR 10 million the Commission is required to carry out a mandatory audit. Nevertheless, it should be possible to carry out audits at any time where there is evidence of an irregularity, relocation or fraud, or, following closure of a completed operation, as part of an audit sample. In order that the level of auditing by the Commission is proportionate to the risk, the Commission should be able to reduce its audit work in relation to operational programmes where there are no significant deficiencies or where the audit authority has, over the previous funding period, shown that it can be relied on.
Amendment 48 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 37 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Part 2 – Article 37 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Member States which are in a difficult financial situation and fulfil the conditions set out in Article 22(1) may, with the support of the Commission if necessary, invest interest or other gains with a view to increasing growth and competitiveness as much as possible, and in particular in infrastructure projects which benefit the economy.
Amendment 48 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 90
Recital 90
(90) The Commission should be empowered to adopt, by means of implementing acts, as regards all CSF Funds, decisions approving the Partnership Contracts, decisions on the allocation of the performance reserve, decisions suspending payments linked to Member States' economic policies, and, in the case of decommitment, decisions to amend decisions adopting programmes; and as regards the Funds, decisions identifying the regions and Member States fulfilling the Investment for growth and jobs criteria, decisions setting out the annual breakdown of commitment appropriations to the Member States, decisions setting out the amount to be transferred from each Member State's CF allocation to the Connecting Europe Facility, decisions setting out the amount to be transferred from each Member State's Structural Funds allocation for food for deprived people, decisions adopting and amending operational programmes, decisions on major projects, decisions on joint action plans, decisions suspending payments and decisions on financial corrections and decisions on special programmes for Member States in financial difficulties.
Amendment 49 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 38 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Part 2 – Article 38 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(ca) infrastructure projects.
Amendment 49 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point 19
Part 1 – Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point 19
(19) „'category of regions' means the categorisation of regions as 'less developed regions', 'transition regions' or 'more developed regions' according to Article 82(2);
Amendment 50 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 38 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Part 2 – Article 38 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Member States which are in a difficult financial situation and fulfil the conditions set out in Article 22(1) may, with the support of the Commission if necessary, invest the funds referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 with a view to maximising growth and competitiveness, in particular in infrastructure projects which benefit the economy.
Amendment 52 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 39 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Part 2 – Article 39 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Member States which are in a difficult financial situation and fulfil the conditions set out in Article 22(1) may, with the support of the Commission if necessary, invest the funds referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 with a view to maximising growth and competitiveness, in particular in infrastructure projects which benefit the economy.
Amendment 55 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 4 – paragraph 7
Part 2 – Article 4 – paragraph 7
7. The part of the Union budget allocated to the CSF Funds shall be implemented within the framework of shared management between the Member States and the Commission, in accordance with Article 53(b) of the Financial Regulation, with the exception of the amount of the CF transferred to the Connecting Europe Facility referred to in Article 84(4) and innovative actions at the initiative of the Commission under Article 9 of the ERDF Regulation, and technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission, as well as the programme of assistance for Member States in financial difficulties referred to in Article 22(2a).
Amendment 56 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 61 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Part 2 – Article 61 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
An operation comprising investment in infrastructure or productive investment shall repay the contribution from the CSF Funds if within fiveten years from the final payment to the beneficiary or within the period of time set out in the State aid rules, where applicable, it is subject to:
Amendment 59 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 77 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Part 2 – Article 77 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Where a Member State which is in a difficult financial situation fulfils the conditions specified in Article 22(1) the Commission shall, if so requested, and by means of an implementing act, launch a special programme under direct management in accordance with [Article 55(1)(a)] of the Financial Regulation, for the purpose of consolidating funds that have been suspended and/or recovered and the interest earnings or unused funds of the Member State concerned and using them to promote growth and economic performance as effectively as possible, particularly by means of infrastructure projects that benefit the economy;
Amendment 60 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 80 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Part 2 – Article 80 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Where Member States which are in financial difficulties fall under Article 22(1), the cancelled funding shall be invested, under a programme set up by means of an implementing act and implemented by the Commission in accordance with [Article 55(1)(a)] of the Financial Regulation, in such a way as to prioritise the promotion of growth and economic development to the greatest possible extent and, in particular, in infrastructure projects that benefit the economy, with a view to preventing any further economic damage from being inflicted on the regions.
Amendment 61 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
2. Resources for the Investment for growth and jobs goal shall be allocated among the following threewo categories of NUTS level 2 regions:
Amendment 62 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Amendment 63 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
The threewo categories of regions are determined on the basis of how their GDP per capita, measured in purchasing power parities and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2006 to 2008, relates to the average GDP of the EU-27 for the same reference period.
Amendment 64 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Less developed regions which have received support under this category for longer than two funding periods but, despite having received the maximum level of assistance, have failed to achieve any significant improvements in their economic, social and environmental situation, shall be assigned to a category that requires a higher level of national co- financing in the next period.
Amendment 65 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 4
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 4
4. Immediately following the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission shall adopt a decision by implementing act setting out the list of regions fulfilling the criteria of the threewo categories of regions referred to in paragraph 2 and of Member States fulfilling the criteria of paragraph 3. This list shall be valid from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020.
Amendment 66 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) 5062,134 % (i.e., a total of EUR 162 589 839 384) for less developed regions;
Amendment 67 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Amendment 68 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) 16,39 % (i.e., a total of EUR 53 142 922 017) for more developed regions;
Amendment 69 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) 21,19 % (i.e., a total of EUR 68 710 486 782) for Member States supported by the Cohesion Fund;
Amendment 70 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e
(e) 0,29 % (i.e., a total of EUR 925 680 000) as additional funding for the outermost regions identified in Article 349 of the Treaty and the NUTS level 2 regions fulfilling the criteria laid down in Article 2 of Protocol No 6 to the Treaty of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden.
Amendment 71 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 2 – point a
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) eligible population, regional prosperity, national prosperity and unemployment rate for less developed regions and transition regions;
Amendment 72 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 3
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 3
3. At least 215 % of the Structural Funds resources for less developed regions, 40% for transition regions and 525 % for more developed regions in each Member State shall be allocated to the ESF. For the purposes of this provision, the support to a Member State through the [Food for deprived people instrument] shall be considered as part of the share of Structural Funds allocated to the ESF.
Amendment 73 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 8
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 8
8. Resources for the European territorial cooperation goal shall amount to 3,487 % of the global resources available for budgetary commitment from the Funds for the period 2014 to 2020 (i.e., a total of EUR 11 700 000 004).
Amendment 74 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 85 – paragraph 1
Part 3 – Article 85 – paragraph 1
1. The total appropriations allocated to each Member State in respect of less developed regions, transition regions and more developed regions shall not be transferable between each of those categories of regions.
Amendment 75 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 86 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Part 3 – Article 86 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 76 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 90
Part 3 – Article 90
As part of an operational programme or operational programmes, the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund may support an operation comprising a series of works, activities or services intended in itself to accomplish an indivisible task of a precise economic or technical nature which has clearly identified goals and whose total cost exceeds EUR 510 000 000 (a 'major project'). Financial instruments shall not be considered major projects.
Amendment 77 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 92 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Part 3 – Article 92 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. When appraising major projects the Commission shall ascertain whether the financial contribution made by the Funds would lead to significant job losses at existing establishments in the European Union, with a view to ensuring that Community funding does not support the relocation of companies inside the Union.
Amendment 81 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 127 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Part 3 – Article 127 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Where a Member State which is in a difficult financial situation fulfils the conditions specified in Article 22(1) the Commission shall, if so requested, and by means of an implementing act, launch a special programme under direct management in accordance with [Article 55(1)(a)] of the Financial Regulation for the purpose of consolidating funds that have been suspended and/or recovered and the interest earnings or unused funds of the Member State concerned and using them to promote growth as effectively as possible, particularly by means of infrastructure projects that benefit the economy;
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 135 – paragraph 3
Part 3 – Article 135 – paragraph 3
3. The contribution from the Funds cancelled in accordance with paragraph 2 may be reused by the Member State within the operational programme concerned once only, subject to paragraph 4.
Amendment 85 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 137 – paragraph 6 a (new)
Part 3 – Article 137 – paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Where a Member State which is in a difficult financial situation fulfils the conditions specified in Article 22(1) the Commission shall, if so requested, and by means of an implementing act, launch a special programme under direct management in accordance with [Article 55(1)(a)] of the Financial Regulation, for the purpose of consolidating funds that have been suspended and/or recovered and the interest earnings or unused funds of the Member State concerned and using them to promote growth as effectively as possible, particularly by means of infrastructure projects that benefit the economy;
Amendment 93 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Part 2 – Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) an integrated regional infrastructure development strategy, in particular the integrated use of CSF funds, the "Connecting Europe" facility and the TEN funds, focusing particularly on cross-border links and regional connections to transnational transport axes;
Amendment 95 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
Part 2 – Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
ii) a summary of the assessment of the fulfilment of ex ante conditionalities and of the actions to be taken at European, national and regional level, and the timetable for their implementation, where ex ante conditionalities are not fulfilled;
Amendment 101 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 17 – paragraph 5
Part 2 – Article 17 – paragraph 5
5. The Commission shall assess the information provided on the fulfilment of ex ante conditionalities in the framework of its assessment of the Partnership Contract and programmes. It may decide, when adopting a programme, to suspend all or part of interim payments to the programme pending the satisfactory completion of actions to fulfil an ex ante conditionality. The failure to complete actions to fulfil an ex ante conditionality by the deadline set out in the programme shall constitute a basis for suspending payments by the Commission. Regarding Member States in danger of or affected by financial difficulties, Article 22(2a) (application for special programme administered by the Commission) shall apply.
Amendment 118 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 21 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Part 2 – Article 21 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Amendment 121 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 22 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Part 2 – Article 22 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 143 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 37 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Part 2 – Article 37 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Member States which are in a difficult financial situation and fulfil one of the conditions set out in Article 22(1) shall, with the support of the Commission if necessary, invest interest or other gains with a view to increasing growth and competitiveness as much as possible, and in particular in infrastructure projects which benefit the economy.
Amendment 144 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 38 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Part 2 – Article 38 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(ca) infrastructure projects.
Amendment 145 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 38 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Part 2 – Article 38 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Member States which are in a difficult financial situation and fulfil one of the conditions set out in Article 22(1) shall, with the support of the Commission if necessary, use the resources specified in the first two paragraphs of the present article with a view to increasing growth and competitiveness as much as possible, and in particular for infrastructure projects which benefit the economy.
Amendment 146 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 39 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Part 2 – Article 39 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Member States which are in a difficult financial situation and fulfil the conditions set out in Article 22(1) should, with the support of the Commission if necessary, invest the resources specified in the first two paragraphs of the present article with a view to increasing growth and competitiveness as much as possible, and in particular in infrastructure projects which benefit the economy.
Amendment 159 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 61 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Part 2 – Article 61 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
An operation comprising investment in infrastructure or productive investment shall repay the contribution from the CSF Funds if within fiveten years from the final payment to the beneficiary or within the period of time set out in the State aid rules, where applicable, it is subject to:
Amendment 164 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 77 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Part 2 – Article 77 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Where a Member State which is in a difficult financial situation fulfils one of the conditions specified in Article 22(1) the Commission should, if so requested, and by means of an implementing act, set up a separate programme, to be implemented on a centralised basis in accordance with Article 53a of Council Regulation No 1605/2002, for the purpose of consolidating funds that have been suspended and/or recovered and the interest earnings or unused funds of the Member State concerned and using them to promote growth and economic performance as effectively as possible, particularly by means of infrastructure projects that benefit the economy;
Amendment 165 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – Article 80 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Part 2 – Article 80 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Where Member States which are in financial difficulties fulfil one of the conditions set out in Article 22(1), the cancelled funding shall be invested, under a programme set up by means of an implementing act and implemented by the Commission in accordance with Article 53a of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002, in such a way as to prioritise the promotion of growth and economic development to the greatest possible extent and, in particular, in infrastructure projects that benefit the economy, with a view to preventing any further economic damage from being inflicted on the regions;
Amendment 168 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Resources for the Investment for growth and jobs goal shall be allocated amongbetween the following threewo categories of NUTS level 2 regions:
Amendment 170 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Amendment 172 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Less developed regions which have received support under this category for longer than two funding periods but, despite having received the maximum level of assistance, have failed to achieve any significant improvements in their economic, social and environmental situation, shall be assigned to a category that requires a higher level of national co- financing in the next period;
Amendment 173 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
The threewo categories of regions are determined on the basis of how their GDP per capita, measured in purchasing power parities and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2006 to 2008, relates to the average GDP of the EU-27 for the same reference period.
Amendment 174 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 4
Part 3 – Article 82 – paragraph 4
4. Immediately following the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission shall adopt a decision by implementing act setting out the list of regions fulfilling the criteria of the threewo categories of regions referred to in paragraph 2 and of Member States fulfilling the criteria of paragraph 3. This list shall be valid from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020.
Amendment 176 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) 50.13 % (i.e., a total of EUR 162 589 839 384) 62.14 %for less developed regions;
Amendment 177 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Amendment 178 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) 16.39 % (i.e., a total of EUR 53 142 922 017) for more developed regions;
Amendment 179 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) 21.19 % (i.e., a total of EUR 68 710 486 782) for Member States supported by the Cohesion Fund;
Amendment 180 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e
(e) 0.29 % (i.e., a total of EUR 925 680 000) as additional funding for the outermost regions identified in Article 349 of the Treaty and the NUTS level 2 regions fulfilling the criteria laid down in Article 2 of Protocol No 6 to the Treaty of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden.
Amendment 185 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 2 – point a
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) eligible population, regional prosperity, national prosperity and unemployment rate for less developed regions and transition regions;
Amendment 188 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 3
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 3
3. At least 25 15% of the Structural Funds resources for less developed regions, 40% for transition regions and 525% for more developed regions in each Member State shall be allocated to the ESF. For the purposes of this provision, the support to a Member State through the [Food for deprived people instrument] shall be considered as part of the share of Structural Funds allocated to the ESF.
Amendment 191 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
The Member States and the Commission shall ensure that partnership contracts and operational programmes provide an effective and efficient means of linking Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund resources together, and with the Connecting Europe Facility and the TEN regulations;
Amendment 199 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) The objectives of the CSF Funds should be pursued in the framework of sustainable development and the Union's promotion of the aim of protecting and improving the environment as set out in Article 11 and 19 of the Treaty, taking into account the polluter pays principle. The Member States should provide informationon on the support for climate change objectives in line with the ambition to devote at least 20% of the Union budget to this end, using a methodology adopted by the Commission by implementing act.
Amendment 202 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 8
Part 3 – Article 84 – paragraph 8
8. Resources for the European territorial cooperation goal shall amount to 3.487 % of the global resources available for budgetary commitment from the Funds for the period 2014 to 2020 (i.e., a total of EUR 11 700 000 004).
Amendment 203 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 85 – paragraph 1
Part 3 – Article 85 – paragraph 1
1. The total appropriations allocated to each Member State in respect of less developed regions, transition regions and more developed regions shall not be transferable between each of those categories of regions.
Amendment 206 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 86 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Part 3 – Article 86 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 209 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 87 – paragraph 2 – point c – point i
Part 3 – Article 87 – paragraph 2 – point c – point i
i) the mechanisms that ensure coordination between the Funds, the EAFRD, the EMFF, the Connecting Europe Facility and other Union and national funding instruments, and with the EIB;
Amendment 212 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 87 – paragraph 2 – point c – point vi a (new)
Part 3 – Article 87 – paragraph 2 – point c – point vi a (new)
(vi a) the identification of areas in which cross-border infrastructure links and/or regional connections will be supported;
Amendment 213 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 87 – paragraph 2 – point g – point ii a (new)
Part 3 – Article 87 – paragraph 2 – point g – point ii a (new)
Amendment 215 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 87 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point i a (new)
Part 3 – Article 87 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point i a (new)
(i a) a description of its contribution to infrastructure development;
Amendment 226 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 92 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Part 3 – Article 92 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. When appraising major projects the Commission shall ascertain whether the financial contribution made by the Funds would lead to significant job losses at existing establishments in the European Union, with a view to ensuring that Community funding does not support the relocation of companies inside the Union.
Amendment 227 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) A performance framework should be defined for each programme with a view to monitoring progress towards the objectives and targets set for each programme over the course of the programming period. The Commission should undertake a performance review in cooperation with the Member States in 2017 and 2019. A performance reserve should be foreseen and allocated in 2019 where milestones set in the performance framework have been attained. Due to their diversity and multi- country character, there should be no performance reserve for 'European Territorial Cooperation' programmes. In cases where the shortfall in the achievement of milestones or targets is significant, the Commission should be able to suspend payments to the programme or, at the end of the programming period, apply financial corrections, in order to ensure that the Union budget is not used in a wasteful or inefficient way. Where these corrections or suspensions affect a Member State which is experiencing or is threatened with serious difficulties with regard to its financial stability, the Member State should be able to request that these funds are provided to it in a specific growth programme administered by the Commission. This should be carried out on the basis of the relevant programmes, having regard to priorities and with the maximum economic effectiveness. The purpose of this mechanism is to avoid further worsening of the economically constrained situation.
Amendment 233 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 99 – paragraph 1
Part 3 – Article 99 – paragraph 1
1. Where an urban development strategy, an infrastructure development strategy or another territorial strategy or pact as defined in Article 12(1) of Regulation…[ESF] requires an integrated approach involving investments under more than one priority axis of one or more operational programmes, the action shall be carried out as an integrated territorial investment (an 'ITI').
Amendment 238 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) Establishing a closer link between cohesion policy and the economic governance of the Union will ensure that the effectiveness of expenditure under the CSF Funds is underpinned by sound economic policies and that the CSF Funds can, if necessary, be redirected to addressing the economic problems a country is facing. This process has to be gradual, starting with amendments to the Partnership Contract and to the programmes in support of Council recommendations to address macroeconomic imbalances and social and economic difficulties. Where, despite the enhanced use of CSF Funds, a Member State fails to take effective action in the context of the economic governance process, the Commission should have the right to suspend all or part of the payments and commitments. Decisions on suspensions should be proportionate and effective, taking into account the impact of the individual programmes for addressing the economic and social situation in the relevant Member State and previous amendments to the Partnership Contract. When deciding on suspensions, the Commission should also respect equality of treatment between Member States, taking into account in particular the impact of the suspension on the economy of the Member State concerned. The suspensions should be lifted and funds be made available again to the Member State concerned as soon as the Member State takes the necessary action. If a Member State fails to take appropriate actions within a period greater than three months, the Commission should be able to place the suspended payments and commitments in a programme administered and supervised by the Commission. This programme should prioritise maximising growth, for example by providing grants for economy-related infrastructure, to avoid causing further damage to the regional economy and the social situation.
Amendment 244 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
19a. The Commission should, at the request of the relevant Member State, be able to make an ad hoc decision on the rules and conditions applicable to this programme, in particular on the basis of the funds released due to corrections and suspensions relating to the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund;
Amendment 253 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 127 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Part 3 – Article 127 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Where a Member State which is in a difficult financial situation fulfils one of the conditions specified in Article 22(1) the Commission shall, if so requested, and by means of an implementing act, set up a separate programme, to be implemented on a centralised basis in accordance with Article 53a of Council Regulation No 1605/2002, for the purpose of consolidating funds that have been suspended and/or recovered and the interest earnings or unused funds of the Member State concerned and using them to promote growth as effectively as possible, particularly by means of infrastructure projects that benefit the economy;
Amendment 258 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) It is necessary to lay down specific rules regarding the amounts to be accepted as eligible expenditure at closure, to ensure that the amounts, including the management costs and fees, paid from the CSF Funds to financial instruments are effectively used for investments and payments to final recipients. It is also necessary to lay down specific rules regarding the reuse of resources attributable to the support from the CSF Funds, including the use of legacy resources after the closure of the programmes. These attributable and legacy resources, together with other available resources, e.g. from financial corrections, should be made available to Member States experiencing serious difficulties with regard to their financial stability and managed by the Commission, prioritising the most effective measures to stimulate growth.
Amendment 261 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – Article 137 – paragraph 6 a (new)
Part 3 – Article 137 – paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Where a Member State which is in a difficult financial situation fulfils one of the conditions specified in Article 22(1) the Commission shall, if so requested, and by means of an implementing act, set up a separate programme, to be implemented on a centralised basis in accordance with Article 53a of Council Regulation No 1605/2002, for the purpose of consolidating funds that have been suspended and/or recovered and the interest earnings or unused funds of the Member State concerned and using them to promote growth as effectively as possible, particularly by means of infrastructure projects that benefit the economy;
Amendment 269 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41
Recital 41
(41) To ensure the effectiveness, fairness and sustainable impact of the intervention of the CSF Funds, there should be provisions guaranteeing that investments in businesses and infrastructures are long- lasting and prevent the CSF Funds from being used to undue advantage. Experience has shown that a period of five10 years is an appropriate minimum period to be applied, except where State aid rules foresee a different period. It is appropriate to exclude actions supported by the ESF and those not entailing productive investment or investment in infrastructure from the general requirement of durability, unless such requirements are derived from applicable State aid rules, and to exclude contributions to or from financial instruments.
Amendment 270 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41 a (new)
Recital 41 a (new)
Amendment 271 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41 b (new)
Recital 41 b (new)
(41b) In the case of direct subsidies to undertakings, it should be recognised that cohesion policy funding, rather than influencing decisions by companies, particularly bigger companies, to open a plant in a given location, tends to be pocketed by companies which have already taken such decisions (deadweight effect). Support for large private undertakings should therefore be focussed on investment in research and development or provided, in more cases, indirectly through infrastructure financing;
Amendment 272 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41 c (new)
Recital 41 c (new)
(41c) The Structural Funds Regulation should contain an explicit regulation excluding all EU financing for relocations within the Union and reducing the threshold for reviewing investments of this kind to EUR 25 million, thereby excluding large enterprises from receiving direct subsidies and limiting the duration of operation to 10 years;
Amendment 284 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 51
Recital 51
(51) In order to encourage financial discipline, it is appropriate to define the arrangements for decommitment of any part of the budget commitment in a programme, in particular where an amount may be excluded from decommitment, notably when delays in implementation result from circumstances which are independent of the party concerned, abnormal or unforeseeable and whose consequences cannot be avoided despite the diligence shown. If a Member State is in a difficult financial position, the Commission should, at the request of this Member State, be able to assume financial administration responsibility and set up a programme promoting economic growth in the relevant Member State.
Amendment 289 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 54
Recital 54
(54) In order to promote the Treaty objectives of economic, social and territorial cohesion, the 'Investment for growth and jobs' goal should support all regions. To provide balanced and gradual support and reflect the level of economic and social development, resources under that goal should be allocated from the ERDF and the ESF among the less developed regions, the transition regions and the more developed regions according to their gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in relation to the EU average. In order to ensure the long-term sustainability of investment from the Structural Funds, all regions which received support for the 2007–2013 period under the ‘Convergence’ goal, including regions which received support in this period, including ‘Phasing Out’ regions referred to in Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 of 11 July 2006 laying down general provisions on the European Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1260/19991, whose GDP per capita for the 2007-–2013 period was less than 75 % of the average of the EU-25 for the reference period but whose GDP per capita has grown to more than 75 % of the EU-27 average should receive at least two thirds of their 2007-–2013 allocation. Member States whose per capita gross national income (GNI) is less than 90 % of that of the Union average should benefit under the 'Investment for growth and jobs' goal from the CF. _________________ 1 OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 25.
Amendment 311 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 59
Recital 59
(59) As regards the Funds and with a view to ensuring an appropriate allocation to each category of regions, resources should not be transferred between less developed, transition and more developed regions except in duly justified circumstances linked to the delivery of one or more thematic objectives and for no more than 2 % of the total appropriation for that category of region.
Amendment 314 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 60
Recital 60
(60) In order to ensure a genuine economic impact, support from the Funds should not replace public expenditure or equivalent structural expenditure by Member States under the terms of this Regulation. In addition, so that the support from the Funds takes into account a broader economic context, the level of public expenditure should be determined with reference to the general macroeconomic conditions in which the financing takes place based on the indicators provided in the Stability and Convergence Programmes submitted annually by Member States in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1466/1997 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies. Verification by the Commission of the principle of additionality should concentrate on the Member States in which less developed and transition regions cover at least 15% of the population because of the scale of the financial resources allocated to themsider all regions.
Amendment 338 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 86 a (new)
Recital 86 a (new)
(86a) In the case of Member States experiencing or threatened by a difficult financial situation and already receiving support measures from the Union in the form of financial assistance, the Commission should be able to make available to the Member States corrected and/or recovered resources and/or interest earnings or other amounts recovered by the central funds management system, in accordance with Article 53a of the Financial Regulation, in a separate programme focussing on investments for growth, in particular grants for economy- related infrastructure works.
Amendment 339 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 86 b (new)
Recital 86 b (new)
(86b) In order to avoid exacerbating the financial situation of Member States already experiencing or threatened by a difficult financial situation, the Commission should, at the request of these Member States and under their management, be able to make available to these Member States recovered or suspended resources without delay and within the framework of a separate programme supporting specific growth stimulation measures (including grants for economy-related infrastructure works).
Amendment 341 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 87
Recital 87
(87) The frequency of project audits should be proportionate to the support provided by the EU from the Funds. The number of audits should be limited particularly in cases where the total eligible costs of the project do not exceed EUR 100 000. The Commission should have an audit obligation for projects exceeding EUR 25 million. The option of auditing a project within the framework of sample audit should always be available if there is any suggestion of irregularity, relocation or fraud, or after a project has been completed. To ensure the extent of the audits performed by the Commission is proportionate to the risk, the Commission should reduce its audit work relating to operational programmes if there are no significant deficiencies or if the audit authority is reliablehas shown itself to be reliable in previous funding periods.
Amendment 349 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 90
Recital 90
(90) The Commission should be empowered to adopt, by means of implementing acts, as regards all CSF Funds, decisions approving the Partnership Contracts, decisions on the allocation of the performance reserve, decisions suspending payments linked to Member States' economic policies, and, in the case of decommitment, decisions to amend decisions adopting programmes; and as regards the Funds, decisions identifying the regions and Member States fulfilling the Investment for growth and jobs criteria, decisions setting out the annual breakdown of commitment appropriations to the Member States, decisions setting out the amount to be transferred from each Member State's CF allocation to the Connecting Europe Facility, decisions setting out the amount to be transferred from each Member State's Structural Funds allocation for food for deprived people, decisions adopting and amending operational programmes, decisions on major projects, decisions on joint action plans, decisions suspending payments and decisions on financial corrections and decisions on separate programmes for Member States in financial difficulties.
Amendment 364 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 2 – paragraph 2 – point 8
Part 1 – article 2 – paragraph 2 – point 8
(8) 'beneficiary' means a public or private body responsible for initiating or initiating and implementing operations; in the context of State aid, the term 'beneficiary' means the body which receives the aid; in the context of financial instruments, the term 'beneficiary' means the body that implements the financial instrument;
Amendment 374 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 2 – paragraph 2 – point 19
Part 1 – article 2 – paragraph 2 – point 19
(19) 'category of regions' means the categorisation of regions as 'less developed regions', 'transition regions' or 'more developed regions' according to Article 82(2);
Amendment 393 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 4 – paragraph 7
Part 2 – article 4 – paragraph 7
7. The part of the Union budget allocated to the CSF Funds shall be implemented within the framework of shared management between the Member States and the Commission, in accordance with Article 53(b) of the Financial Regulation, with the exception of the amount of the CF transferred to the Connecting Europe Facility referred to in Article 84(4) and innovative actions at the initiative of the Commission under Article 9 of the ERDF Regulation, and technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission and the support programmes for Member States in financial difficulties referred to in Article 22(2a).
Amendment 414 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
Part 2 – article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) relevant bodies representing civil society, including environmental partners, non- governmental organisations, and bodies responsible for promoting equality and non-discrimination.
Amendment 621 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) an integrated infrastructure development strategy for the regions, particularly with reference to the integrated use of the CPR Fund, the ‘Connecting Europe’ facility and the TEN Fund with particular consideration of cross-border connections and regional links to transnational transport axes;
Amendment 626 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
ii) a summary of the assessment of the fulfilment of ex ante conditionalities and of the actions to be taken at European, national and regional level, and the timetable for their implementation, where ex ante conditionalities are not fulfilled;
Amendment 627 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iii a (new)
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iii a (new)
(iiia) measures for the efficient allocation of resources, taking competition procedures into consideration;
Amendment 677 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 17 – paragraph 5
Part 2 – article 17 – paragraph 5
5. The Commission shall assess the information provided on the fulfilment of ex ante conditionalities in the framework of its assessment of the Partnership Contract and programmes. It may decide, when adopting a programme, to suspend all or part of interim payments to the programme pending the satisfactory completion of actions to fulfil an ex ante conditionality. The failure to complete actions to fulfil an ex ante conditionality by the deadline set out in the programme shall constitute a basis for suspending payments by the Commission. Article 22(2a) (Application for a special programme managed by the Commission) shall apply to Member States threatened or affected by financial difficulties.
Amendment 735 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 21 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Part 2 – article 21 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. In the case of Member States that receive financial assistance according to Paragraph 1, Letter d, the Commission can, at the request of the relevant Member State, use an implementing measure to establish a special programme according to Article 53a of the Financial Regulation (centralised management) that allocates suspended or withdrawn payments of the relevant Member State to the objectives of Article 21(4) (greatest possible increase in the effects of the available resources on growth and competitiveness);
Amendment 739 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 22 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Part 2 – article 22 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Member States that meet one of the conditions of Paragraph 1, Letters a, b, or c can, in order to stabilise their economic position and to avoid a disastrous loss of resources, request that the Commission should use an implementing measure to establish a special programme according to Article 53a of the Financial Regulation (centralised management) which ensures that suspended or withdrawn payments of the relevant Member State enable the objectives of Article 21(4) (greatest possible increase in the effects of the available resources on growth and competitiveness) to be achieved as quickly as possible;
Amendment 757 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 24 – paragraph 1
Part 2 – article 24 – paragraph 1
1. Each programme shall set out a strategy for the programme's contribution to the Union strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth consistent with the Common Strategic Framework and Partnership Contract. Each programme shall include the arrangements to ensure effective, efficient and coordinated implementation of the CSF Fund, also applying competition procedures and actions to achieve a reduction of administrative burden for beneficiaries.
Amendment 847 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 32 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Part 2 – article 32 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Financial instruments may be combined with grants, interest rate subsidies and guarantee fee subsidies. In this case, separate records must be maintained for each form of financing.
Amendment 850 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 32 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Part 2 – article 32 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 142 laying down detailed rules concerning the ex-ante assessment of financial instruments, the combination of support provided to final beneficiaries through grants, interest rate subsidies, guarantee fee subsidies and financial instruments, additional specific rules on eligibility of expenditure and rules specifying the types of activities which shall not be supported through financial instrumentslay down uniform conditions in implementing acts for the ex-ante assessment of financial instruments. These implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the verification procedure referred to in Article 143(3).
Amendment 852 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 32 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Part 2 – article 32 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Rules not covered by this Title shall only be applied to the project or beneficiary (the financial instrument).
Amendment 853 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 32 – paragraph 3
Part 2 – article 32 – paragraph 3
3. Contributions in kind are not eligible expenditure in respect of financial instruments, except for contributions of land or real estate in respect of investments with the objective of supporting urban development or urban regeneration, where the land or real estate forms part of the investment. Such contributions of land or real estate shall be eligible provided that the conditions in Article 59 are met regardless of the value limits established in Article 59(3)(b).
Amendment 856 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 33 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Part 2 – article 33 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 859 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 33 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Part 2 – article 33 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) invest in the capital of existing or newly created legal entities, including those financed from other CSF Funds, dedicated to implementing financial instruments consistent with the objectives of the respective CSF Funds, which will undertake implementations tasks; the support to such investments shall be limited to the amounts necessary to implement new financial instruments consistent with the objectives of this Regulation; or
Amendment 861 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 33 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Part 2 – article 33 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 864 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 33 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Part 2 – article 33 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
2a. The Commission shall adopt rules regarding financing agreements, the role and powers of bodies entrusted with implementation tasks and management costs and fees by means of implementing acts. These implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the verification procedure referred to in Article 143(3).
Amendment 865 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 33 – paragraph 5
Part 2 – article 33 – paragraph 5
5. The entities referred to in paragraph 4(b)(i) and (ii), when implementing financial instruments through funds of funds, may further entrust part of the implementation to financial intermediaries provided that these entities ensure under their responsibility that the financial intermediaries satisfy the criteria laid down in [Articles 57 and 131 (1), (1a) and (3)] of the Financial Regulation. Financial intermediaries shall be selected on the basis of open, transparent, proportionate and non- discriminatory procedures, avoiding conflicts of interests.
Amendment 866 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 33 – paragraph 6
Part 2 – article 33 – paragraph 6
6. The entities referred to in paragraph 4(b) to which implementation tasks have been entrusted shall open fiduciary accounts in their name and on behalf of the managing authority. The assets held on such fiduciary accounts shall be managed in accordance with the principle of sound financial management following appropriate prudential rules and shall have appropriate liquidity and define the financial instrument as a separate block of finance. In this case, the difference between the new funds invested in the financial instrument (including the contribution from operational programmes) and the original funds available from the financial institute shall be guaranteed by separate accounting arrangements.
Amendment 867 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 33 – paragraph 7
Part 2 – article 33 – paragraph 7
Amendment 872 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 34 – paragraph 1
Part 2 – article 34 – paragraph 1
1. The bodies accredited in accordance with Article 64 shall not carry out on-the- spot verifications of operations comprising financial instruments implemented under Article 33(14)(ab)(i) and (ii). They shall receive regular control reports from the bodies entrusted with the implementation of these financial instruments.
Amendment 874 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 34 – paragraph 2
Part 2 – article 34 – paragraph 2
2. The bodies responsible for the audit of programmes shall not carry out audits of operations comprising financial instruments implemented under Article 33(1)(a4)(b)(i) and (ii) and of management and control systems relating to these instruments. They shall receive regular control reports from the auditors designated in the agreements setting up of these financial instruments.
Amendment 876 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 34 – paragraph 3
Part 2 – article 34 – paragraph 3
Amendment 879 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 34 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Part 2 – article 34 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The Commission shall adopt rules making arrangements for the management and control of financial instruments implemented under Article 33(1)(a) and Article 33(4)(b)(i), (ii) and (iii) by means of implementing acts. These implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the verification procedure referred to in Article 143(3).
Amendment 880 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 35 – title
Part 2 – article 35 – title
Requests for payment includingrelating to expenditure for financial instruments
Amendment 881 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 35 – paragraph 1
Part 2 – article 35 – paragraph 1
Amendment 882 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 35 – paragraph 2
Part 2 – article 35 – paragraph 2
Amendment 887 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 35 – paragraph 3
Part 2 – article 35 – paragraph 3
Amendment 889 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 35 – paragraph 5
Part 2 – article 35 – paragraph 5
Amendment 892 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 35 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Part 2 – article 35 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. The Commission shall adopt, by means of implementing acts, rules regarding payments, the withdrawal of payments to financial instruments and possible consequences in respect of requests for payment. These implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the verification procedure referred to in Article 143(3).
Amendment 893 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 35 a (new)
Part 2 – article 35 a (new)
Amendment 896 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 36 – paragraph 1 – point c
Part 2 – article 36 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) capitalised interest rate subsidies or guarantee fee subsidies, due to be paid for a period not exceeding 10 years after the eligibility period laid down in Article 55(2), used in combination with financial instruments, paid into an escrow account specifically set up for that purpose or disclosed separately, for effective disbursement after the eligibility period laid down in Article 55(2), but in respect of loans or other risk- bearing instruments disbursed for investments in final recipients within the eligibility period laid down in Article 55(2);
Amendment 897 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 36 – paragraph 2
Part 2 – article 36 – paragraph 2
2. In the case of equity-based instruments and micro-credit, cCapitalised management costs or fees due to be paid for a period not exceeding 5 years after the eligibility period laid down in Article 55(2), in respect of investments in final recipients which occurred within that eligibility period and which cannot be covered by Articles 37 and 38, may be considered as eligible expenditure when paid into an escrow account specifically set up for that purpose or disclosed separately.
Amendment 899 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 36 – paragraph 4
Part 2 – article 36 – paragraph 4
Amendment 902 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 36 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Part 2 – article 36 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The Commission shall adopt rules for establishing a system to capitalise annual instalments for interest rate subsidies and guarantee fee subsidies. These implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the verification procedure referred to in Article 143(3).
Amendment 903 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 37 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Part 2 – article 37 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Member States in a difficult financial situation which fulfil the criteria set out in Article 22(1) shall invest interest income or other profits in economy-related infrastructure projects, where appropriate with the support of the Commission and with a view to maximising growth and competitiveness.
Amendment 908 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 38 – paragraph 2 – point a
Part 2 – article 38 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) reimbursement of management costs incurred and payment of management fees of the financial instruments and additionally reimbursement of refinancing costs of the national cofinancing element where this is provided by a financial institution within the meaning of Article 33(4)(b)(i) and (ii).
Amendment 914 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 38 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Part 2 – article 38 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(ca) infrastructure projects
Amendment 915 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 38 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Part 2 – article 38 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Member States in a difficult financial situation which fulfil the criteria set out in Article 22(1) shall make use of the resources referred to in paragraph 1 and 2, where appropriate with the support of the Commission and with regard to maximising growth and competitiveness, in particular grants for economy-related infrastructure projects.
Amendment 917 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 39 – paragraph 1
Part 2 – article 39 – paragraph 1
Member States shall adopt the necessary measures to ensure that the capital resources and gains and other earnings or yields attributable to the support from the CSF Funds covered by the CPR to financial instruments are used in accordance with the aims of the programme for a period of at least 10 years after the closure of the programme. This shall include targeted management costs.
Amendment 922 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 39 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Part 2 – article 39 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Amendment 955 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 44 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Part 2 – article 44 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
For programmes where the resource allocation from the Funds does not exceed EUR 75 million, the Member State is exempted from submitting annual implementation reports and can submit implementation reports in 2017 and 2019.
Amendment 976 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 45 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Part 2 – article 45 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Review meetings shall be convened in 2017 and 2019 for programmes where the resource allocation from the Funds does not exceed EUR 75 million, notwithstanding Article 45(1).
Amendment 1104 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 61 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Part 2 – article 61 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
An operation comprising investment in infrastructure or productive investment shall repay the contribution from the CSF Funds if within five10 years from the final payment to the beneficiary or within the period of time set out in the State aid rules, where applicable, it is subject to:
Amendment 1108 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 61 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Part 2 – article 61 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. When assessing projects valued in excess of EUR 25 million, the Commission should have all the necessary information to enable it to estimate whether the level of funding would lead to significant job losses at existing locations in the European Union, so as to ensure that Community funding is not used to support changes of location within the Union.
Amendment 1123 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 64 – paragraph 1
Part 2 – article 64 – paragraph 1
1. In accordance with [Article 56(3)] of the Financial Regulation, each body responsible for the management and control of expenditure under the CSF Funds shall be accredited by formal decision of an accrediting authority at ministerial level., provided that the Commission has been able to gain sufficient confidence in the administrative structures of the Member State in the last funding periods;
Amendment 1124 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 64 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Part 2 – article 64 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. If uncertainties exist in relation to the administrative capacity of a Member State, the Commission shall assume the functions of an accreditation authority;
Amendment 1127 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 64 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Part 2 – article 64 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. The Commsssion should publish an annual report on the steps taken by the Commission and Member States as a contribution to simplification (Art. 4.10); the principle of proportionality (Art. 4.5) should also be considered;
Amendment 1177 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 77 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Part 2 – article 77 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. If a Member State in a difficult financial position meets the conditions of Article 22(1), the Commission should, on request, use an implementing measure to establish a separate programme under centralised management according to Article 54a Regulation No 1605/2002; the aim should be to pool suspended and/or withdrawn funding and interest income or funds that the relevant Member State has not yet drawn down and to use these to promote growth and economic performance as effectively as possible, particularly with regard to economy- related infrastructural projects;
Amendment 1186 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 80 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Part 2 – article 80 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. In the case of Member States in financial difficulties that come under Article 22(1), the reduced funding will be invested within a programme established by means of an implementing measure administered by the COM according to Article 54a Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 prioritising maximum support for growth and economic development, in particular economy- related infrastructural projects, in order to prevent further economic damage to the regions;
Amendment 1191 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Resources for the Investment for growth and jobs goal shall be allocated among the following threewo categories of NUTS level 2 regions:
Amendment 1193 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Amendment 1194 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) more developed regions, whose GDP per capita is above 9075 % of the average GDP of the EU-27.
Amendment 1195 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
The threewo categories of regions are determined on the basis of how their GDP per capita, measured in purchasing power parities and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2006 to 2008, relates to the average GDP of the EU-27 for the same reference period.
Amendment 1200 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Less developed regions that have been between 70 and 75 % of the EU average GDP for more than two programming periods but that have been unable to achieve an appreciable improvement in their economic situation will be assigned to a category with a higher national co- financing level in the next period;
Amendment 1207 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 4
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 4
4. Immediately following the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission shall adopt a decision by implementing act setting out the list of regions fulfilling the criteria of the threewo categories of regions referred to in paragraph 2 and of Member States fulfilling the criteria of paragraph 3. This list shall be valid from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020.
Amendment 1214 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) [50.13 % (i.e., a total of EUR 162 589 839 384) for less developed regions;] 1 (xxx) for less developed regions; __________________ 1 The percentage must be adjusted in accordance with the MFF negotiations
Amendment 1216 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Amendment 1219 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) 16,39 % (i.e., a total of EUR 53 142 922 017) for more developed regions; [28.40 %]1 (xxx) for more developed regions; __________________ 1 The percentage must be adjusted in accordance with the MFF negotiations
Amendment 1221 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) [21,.19 % (i.e., a total of EUR 68 710 486 782]1(xxx) for Member States supported by the Cohesion Fund; __________________ 1 The percentage must be adjusted in accordance with the MFF negotiations
Amendment 1224 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e
(e) 0,.29 % (i.e., a total of EUR 925 680 000xxx) as additional funding for the outermost regions identified in Article 349 of the Treaty and the NUTS level 2 regions fulfilling the criteria laid down in Article 2 of Protocol No 6 to the Treaty of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden.
Amendment 1243 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 1281 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 3
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 3
3. At least 215 % of the Structural Funds resources for less developed regions, 40% for transition regions and 525 % for more developed regions in each Member State shall be allocated to the ESF. For the purposes of this provision, the support to a Member State through the [Food for deprived people instrument] shall be considered as part of the share of Structural Funds allocated to the ESF.
Amendment 1301 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Amendment 1314 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 8
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 8
8. Resources for the European territorial cooperation goal shall amount to 3,487 % of the global resources available for budgetary commitment from the Funds for the period 2014 to 2020 (i.e. a total of EUR 11 700 000 004xxx).
Amendment 1320 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 85 – paragraph 1
Part 3 – article 85 – paragraph 1
1. The total appropriations allocated to each Member State in respect of less developed regions, transition regions and more developed regions shall not be transferable between each of those categories of regions.
Amendment 1329 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 85 – paragraph 2
Part 3 – article 85 – paragraph 2
2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the Commission may accept, in duly justified circumstances which are linked to the implementation of one or more thematic objectives, a proposal by a Member State in its first submission of the Partnership Contract to transfer up to 210% of the total appropriation for a category of regions to other categories of regions.
Amendment 1332 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 86 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Part 3 – article 86 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 1334 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 86 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Part 3 – article 86 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
In those Member States in which less developed and transition regions cover at least 70 % of the population, the verification shall take place at national level.
Amendment 1335 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 86 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 3
Part 3 – article 86 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 3
In those Member States in which less developed and transition regions cover more than 15 % and less than 70 % of the population, the verification shall take place at national and regional level. For that purpose, those Member States shall provide to the Commission information about the expenditure in the less developed and transition regions at each stage of the verification process.
Amendment 1364 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 87 – paragraph 2 – point c – point i
Part 3 – article 87 – paragraph 2 – point c – point i
i) the mechanisms that ensure coordination between the Funds, the EAFRD, the EMFF, the CEF and other Union and national funding instruments, and with the EIB;
Amendment 1384 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 87 – paragraph 2 – point c – point vi a (new)
Part 3 – article 87 – paragraph 2 – point c – point vi a (new)
vi a) the determination of areas in which cross-border infrastructural links and/or regional links are promoted;
Amendment 1404 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 87 – paragraph 2 – point g – point ii a (new)
Part 3 – article 87 – paragraph 2 – point g – point ii a (new)
ii a) the planned linking of Structural Fund and Cohesion Fund resources with other financial instruments, in particular the CEF;
Amendment 1408 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 87 – paragraph 2 – point h – point i a (new)
Part 3 – article 87 – paragraph 2 – point h – point i a (new)
i a) determination of the procedure for allotting funds also using competitive procedures;
Amendment 1417 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 87 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point ii a (new)
Part 3 – article 87 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point ii a (new)
ii a) a description of its contribution to subsidising infrastructure;
Amendment 1437 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 90 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Part 3 – article 90 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Large projects in highly developed regions are eligible if they feature an infrastructural focus according to Article 9(7);
Amendment 1455 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 92 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Part 3 – article 92 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Amendment 1494 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 99 – paragraph 1
Part 3 – article 99 – paragraph 1
1. Where an urban development strategy, an infrastructural strategy, or other territorial strategy or pact as defined in Article 12(1) of Regulation…[ESF] requires an integrated approach involving investments under more than one priority axis of one or more operational programmes, the action shall be carried out as an integrated territorial investment (an ‘ITI’).
Amendment 1602 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 110 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Part 3 – article 110 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) 75 % for the less developed regions of Member States other than those referred to in points (b) and (c), and for all regions whose GDP per capita for the 2007-–2013 period was less than 75 % of the average of the EU-25 for the reference period but whose GDP per capita is above 75 % of the GDP average of the EU-27 and for the regions funded as so-called Phasing Out Regions under the convergence objective in the period 2007–2013;
Amendment 1606 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 110 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Part 3 – article 110 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Amendment 1624 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 110 – paragraph 7
Part 3 – article 110 – paragraph 7
7. A separate priority axis with a co- financing rate of up to 100 % may be established within an operational programme to support operations implemented through financial instruments set up at Union level and managed directly or indirectly by the Commission or the bodies mentioned in Article 33(4)(b)(ii). Where a separate priority is established for this purpose, the support under this axis may not be implemented by any other means.
Amendment 1644 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 112 – paragraph 1
Part 3 – article 112 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that management and control systems for operational programmes are set up in accordance with Articles 62 and 63. The Member States should ensure that the general principles of proportionality (Article 4.5) and reducing administrative costs (Article 4.10) are observed.
Amendment 1726 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 127 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Part 3 – article 127 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
If a Member State in a difficult financial position meets the conditions of Article 22(1), the Commission should, on request, use an implementing measure to establish a separate programme under centralised management according to Article 54a Regulation No 1605/2002; the aim should be to pool suspended and/or withdrawn funding and interest income or funds that the relevant Member State has not yet drawn down and to use these to promote growth and economic performance as effectively as possible, particularly with regard to economy- related infrastructural projects;
Amendment 1790 #
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 137 – paragraph 6 a (new)
Part 3 – article 137 – paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Where a Member State which is in a difficult financial situation fulfils the conditions laid down in Article 22(1) the Commission shall, if so requested, and by means of an implementing act, set up a separate programme, to be implemented on a centralised basis in accordance with Article 53a of Council Regulation No 1605/2002, for the purpose of consolidating funds that have been suspended and/or recovered and the interest earnings or unused funds of the Member State concerned and using them to promote growth as effectively as possible, particularly by means of infrastructure projects that benefit the economy;
Amendment 1906 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex -I (new) – Part 1 – Section 1.2 – Paragraph 1.2.5
Annex -I (new) – Part 1 – Section 1.2 – Paragraph 1.2.5
1.2.5 Pursuing sustainable development must not be a technical exercise. In order to ensure that this goal is mainstreamed in the operation of the Funds covered by the CPR on the ground, managing authorities must have due and consistent regard to this goal throughout the programme lifecycle, and must take a more active approach in reducing environmentally harmful effects of interventions by, inter alia, taking the following actions: a) directing investments towards the most resource-efficient options, b) carefully weighing the need for investments where those investments have a significant negative environmental impact, c) taking a long-term perspective when 'life-cycle' costs of alternative methods of investment are compared, (Takes over paragraph 1.2.5 of the Annex proposed in the Rapporteurs' amendment on the CSF; deleting point d) (increasing use of green public procurement))
Amendment 1936 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex -I (new) – Part 1 – Section 1.6 – Paragraph 1.6.3
Annex -I (new) – Part 1 – Section 1.6 – Paragraph 1.6.3
1.6.3 When developing their strategies and programmes with a view to identifying the most appropriate interventions, Member States and regions must pay particular attention to predominant territorial, structural and institutional features, such as connectivity of the region in question, employment patterns and labour mobility; cross-border interconnections; rural-urban linkages; the local interdependencies between different sectors; cultural heritage; ageing and demographic shifts; etc. (Takes over paragraph 1.6.3 of the Annex proposed in the Rapporteurs' amendment on the CSF; adding cross border interconnection)
Amendment 1969 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex -I (new) – Part 2 – Section 2.3 – Paragraph 2.3.5
Annex -I (new) – Part 2 – Section 2.3 – Paragraph 2.3.5
2.3.5 Member States and regions shall promote green infrastructure, eco- innovation and the adoption of innovative technologies in order to create a greener economy. (Takes over paragraph 2.3.5 of the Annex proposed in the Rapporteurs' amendment on the CSF; safeguards that Member States shall promote green infrastructure, but can not be forced to do so when other pressing issues are at stake.)
Amendment 1998 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex -I (new) – Part 2 – Section 2.5 – Paragraph 2.5.8
Annex -I (new) – Part 2 – Section 2.5 – Paragraph 2.5.8
2.5.8 Cohesion and Structural Funds will deliver the local and regional infrastructures and their linkages to the priority Union networks in the energy and telecommunication areas also; with a special emphasis on border regions; (Takes over paragraph 2.58 of the Annex proposed in the Rapporteurs' amendment on the CSF, emphasizing the border regions)
Amendment 2015 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex -I (new) – Part 4 – Paragraph 4.7a (new)
Annex -I (new) – Part 4 – Paragraph 4.7a (new)
4.7a Member State and Commission must ensure that territorial cooperation programs provide for an effective, workable connection between the funds covered by the CPR as well as with the Connecting Europe Facility and the TEN Regulations; (This is to be placed behind the text of the co-authors on 4.7, adding a thorough planning on infrastructure links from the various funds especially in border regions.)