Activities of Costas BOTOPOULOS
Plenary speeches (34)
Support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) - Economic Recovery Programme: energy projects - Amendment of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 (debate)
Parliament's new role and responsibilities in implementing the Lisbon Treaty - Institutional balance of the European Union - Relations between the European Parliament and national parliaments under the Treaty of Lisbon - Financial aspects of the Lisbon Treaty - Implementation of the citizens' initiative (debate)
General revision of the Rules of Procedure (debate)
The petitions process (amendment of Title VIII of the Rules of Procedure) (debate)
2007 discharge: EU general budget - Council (debate)
Budget discharges 2007, (Vote will be held on Thursday) (debate)
The ABB-ABM method as a management tool for allocating budgetary resources - Mid-term Review of the 2007-2013 Financial Framework (debate)
Preparation of the European Council (19-20 March 2008) - European Economic Recovery Plan - Guidelines for the Member States’ employment policies - Cohesion Policy: investing in the real economy (debate)
Public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents (debate)
2010 budget - Section III, Commission: 'Guidelines for Budget 2010' - Guidelines for the 2010 budget procedure - Sections I, II, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX (debate)
European Authentic Act - E-Justice - Cross-border implications of the legal protection of adults (debate)
Draft general budget 2009 as modified by the Council (all sections) (debate)
Publication and translation obligations of certain types of companies (debate)
Draft general budget 2009 (Section III) - Draft general budget 2009 (Sections I, II, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX) (debate)
Question Time (Commission)
Challenges to collective agreements in the EU (debate)
Use by Parliament of the symbols of the Union (new Rule 202a) (debate)
Enforcement of the ECJ judgment on the 'Turco' case (debate)
Proceedings before the Court of Justice (Amendment of Rule 121) (debate)
Proceedings before the Court of Justice (Amendment of Rule 121) (debate)
Hedge funds and private equity - Transparency of institutional investors (debate)
2009 budget: First reflections on the 2009 PDB and mandate for the conciliation (debate)
The work of the Plenary and initiative reports (amendment of the Rules of Procedure) (debate)
Preparation of the European Council following the Irish referendum (debate)
Framework for the activities of lobbyists in the EU institutions (debate)
White Paper on Sport (debate)
2006 discharge (debate)
Commission: budgetary framework and priorities for 2009 (debate)
Statute of the European Ombudsman (debate)
Amending budget No 1/2008 - Solidarity Fund - Mobilisation of the European Union's Solidarity Fund (debate)
Treaty of Lisbon (debate)
Combating the rise of extremism in Europe (debate)
Regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding (debate)
Verbatim Reports (amendment of Rule 173) (debate)
Reports (2)
REPORT Report on the draft Council decision amending the Rules of Procedure of the Court of First Instance of the European Communities as regards the language arrangements applicable to appeals against decisions of the European Union Civil Service Tribunal PDF (124 KB) DOC (56 KB)
REPORT Report on amendment of Rule 121 of Parliament's Rules of Procedure on proceedings before the Court of Justice PDF (161 KB) DOC (168 KB)
Opinions (2)
OPINION Draft opinion on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2009
OPINION TREATY OF LISBON
Written declarations (1)
Amendments (122)
Amendment 4 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2007-2013 sets out a challenging amount of budgetary resources for 2010, namely(in current prices) an overall ceiling of EUR 139 4896 211 000 000 in commitments, which represents 1.025% of EU GNI, and EUR 1323 505858 000 000 in payments, which constitutes 0.975% of EU GNI;
Amendment 8 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. States that, compared to the numerous aims of vital importance of the European Union, Community programmes are still underfinanced; emphasises that Parliament will use all the means provided by the IIA of 17 May 2006 including, inter alia, the use of the legislative flexibility of 5% (point 37 of the IIA of 17 May 2006) over the MFF period 2007-2013 in order to see its political priorities carried through; awaits, in that respect, with great expectation, the report that the European Commission is supposed to publish, under point 7 and Declaration 1 of the IIA of 17 May 2006, on the functioning of the IIA; asks the European Commission to publish this report as soon as possible and in any case before the first reading of the budget 2010 in the European Parliament;
Amendment 15 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Disagrees with the intentions ofTakes note that the Commission has once again made a proposal on the basis of point 23 of the IIA of 17 May 2006, to shifting appropriations between headings in the eventbecause of shortfalls under one heading, and favours instead 1A, which demonstrates the inability of the current MFF to cope with unforeseen events such as the economic crisis; supports the principle of the revision of the MFF, but strongly pleads for finding long-term solutions; and considers it more appropriate to address directly the insufficient category of expenditure in order to avoid hindering otherthat the mid-term review of the MFF should also address the chronic underfunding of certain categories of expenditure areas;
Amendment 21 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 24 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recalls that enormous challenges should be metaddressed in the EU budget 2010; points out that the key objective is to give more safety and security to European citizens, which requires special attention to be given to challenges such as: the given the recent financial and economic crisis and its impact on growth and competitiveness, jobs and cohesion and its social dimension; in the question of energy and transport security, in terms of energy supply safety or transport safety; the issue of internal security, meaning particularly immigration, demographic challenges, the fight against terrorism and promoting food safety and also the matter of climate changewhole EU territory; recalls, moreover, the long- standing challenges that the EU must face in terms of energy supply, climate change and environmental protection, social cohesion, security of its citizens, as well as the role of the EU in the world;
Amendment 29 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines that, in a time of a global financial and economic crisis, Member States have been obliged to responded with their individual aid measures, mobilising more than EUR 2 000 000 000 000but without comprehensive coordination at EU level; strongly believes that the Union has to complement and support them with accompanying actioncoordinated actions that would have both short-term effects, particularly in terms of job creation, and medium- to long-term effects;
Amendment 34 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes the intention of the Commission to respond to the economic crisis and is readyreiterates its willingness to negotiate on finding a solution as soon as possible;
Amendment 36 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Is surprised that while the EC is proposing to foster EIB instruments for SMEs, the Commission does not foresee any financial boost for the CIP/entrepreneurship programme in 2010; calls on the Commission to provide further explanation on how it intends to implement the objectives set out in its communication of 26 November 2008, ‘European Economic recovery plan’ (COM(2008)0800), regarding SMEs;
Amendment 37 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Is concerned that the current margin under heading 1a, estimated at EUR 123 879 00011 599 000, does not allow the effects of the economic crisis to be addressed to an appropriate extentppropriately addressed;
Amendment 48 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Points out that the recent gas crisis and the volatility of oil prices have shown again the vulnerability of the European energy supply system; underlines that the lack of alternative (renewable) energy sources, alternative energy transport routes, energy source storage capacity and energy transport interconnections among Member States are all symptoms that demonstrate that the Union is not prepared for times of energy shortagis detrimental to the energy independency of Europe and the well- being of its people;
Amendment 50 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
Amendment 55 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Points out that climate change has a widely recognised impact on Europe’s environment, economy and society; in this context, reiterates its conviction that measures to mitigate climate change are still not satisfactorily included in the EU budget and will support all efforts to increase and concentrate adequate financial resources to mitigate the consequences of climate change; reminds the Commission that the budget authority voted in 2009 in favour of extra funding for rural development in order to boost the fight against climate change; calls on the Commission to implement this increase, since the new EARDF regulation explicitly enables it to do so; calls on the Commission to take this into account when establishing its PDB 2010;
Amendment 59 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Recalls the responsibility towards future generations to take cost-effective steps to maintain environmental protection; reiterates that EU action needs to be taken in a global context, therefore regrets the fact that European actions are not followed by actions of other actors, which has serious effects on the competitiveness of the Union; recognises that the current European Globalisation Adjustment Fund will be unable to prevent the consequences of relocations, decreasing production and job losses;
Amendment 63 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Recallgrets that, according to the financial programming of January 2009 the funding for issues such as border protection, integration of immigrants and refugees, civil protection, the fight against terrorism, and promoting food safety are to be maintained and should be reinforced in 2010, because these tools directly address the fears ofolicies fostering citizenship are increased moderately in 2010 compared to the 2009 budget, although they address essential European citizens’ concerns;
Amendment 64 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Considers that special attention should be given toTakes note that the Commission intends to increase the 2010 funding for border protection in connection with the problem of illegal immigration andby more than 10 % compared to the 2009 budget and recalls that the efforts of Member States should be supported by the Union; regrets that the Commission does not intend to propose the same path for other programmes under heading 3a;
Amendment 65 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Recalls that a constant preoccupation of Parliament is that heading 4 of the MFF suffers from serious underfunding;
Amendment 67 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Insists that improving implementation and the quality of spending should constitute a guiding principle for achieving the best outcomes of the EU budget; calls on the Commission and the Member States to gear itstheir efforts in this direction and monitor closely the implementation of policies, and particularly of heading 1B on structural policies;
Amendment 70 #
2009/2005(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Underlines that pilot projects and preparatory actions provide Parliament with the possibility of paving the way for new policies and activities that enrich the Union’s actions; stresses that even though the limited margins jeopardise the full use of this tool as provided for in the IIA of 17 May 2006, it intends to use the full amounts set aside for pilot projects and preparatory actions, in Annex II, Part D, of the IIA of 17 May 2006, should the proposals so require; ; believes that it is essential to emphasise support for those projects already successfully underway; aims to submit to the Commission a preliminary and indicative list of proposals regarding pilot projects and preparatory actions before the European elections;
Amendment 3 #
2008/2334(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph - 1 a (new)
Paragraph - 1 a (new)
- 1a. Stresses that some elements proposed in the Recovery Plan are too vaguely formulated; asks the Commission to supply the two branches of the budgetary authority without delay with all the detailed information they need to take a decision; also stresses that several elements included in the Recovery Plan require a modification of the existing multi-annual programmes; recalls in this regard that these changes must be made in full compliance with the powers of the European Parliament;
Amendment 4 #
2008/2334(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph - 1 b (new)
Paragraph - 1 b (new)
- 1b. Stresses that as a result there is a risk that the implementation of the Recovery Plan as proposed by the Commission will take a considerable time and urges all the institutions concerned to adopt the necessary decisions as quickly as possible, given the very difficult economic situation the European Union is currently in;
Amendment 5 #
2008/2334(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph - 1 c (new)
Paragraph - 1 c (new)
- 1c. Stresses that most of the Community measures proposed by the Commission are based on a budgetary redeployment of allocations already programmed and not on the mobilisation of new budget resources; calls on the Commission to draw all the necessary conclusions from the very bad economic forecast it published in January 2009 and to reassess it budget proposals in the light of these new forecasts;
Amendment 13 #
2008/2334(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Notes that the Commission proposes to give the EIB new financial instruments so as to support initiatives such as the green cars initiative, the factories of the future initiative, the energy-efficient buildings initiative or its participation in the 2020 fund for energy, climate change and infrastructure; asks the Commission to indicate to the two branches of the budgetary authority the extent to which these new instruments will require intervention from the EU budget; further notes that the increase in the tasks conferred on the EIB and the EBRD poses significant questions with regard to the democratic scrutiny of the projects being financed, when funds from the EU budget are at stake;
Amendment 24 #
2008/2334(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Asks the Commission, however, to take into account the budgetary and regulatory difficulties in the implementation of actions such as JASMINE, JASPERS and JEREMIE and to find solutions to them; recalls that the implementation of these programmes follows on from pilot projects and preparatory actions adopted by the European Parliament in the framework of the annual budgetary procedure and that Parliament gives them particular importance; stresses that their contribution to the recovery of economic activity in the European regions could be decisive;
Amendment 1 #
2008/2269(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is not satisfied with the Agency's reply that in some cases appropriations carried over were calculated with some degree of approximation; calls on the Agency toacknowledges that the Agency has, nevertheless, complyied with the Financial Regulation with regard to carry overs;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2269(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes the Agency's explanation that due to the limited number of items the administrative inventory is managed on spreadsheets and fixed assets are managed in the accounting software; notes that the Agency intends to apply ABAC Assets1 in 2009; 1 Accrual Based Accounting.or an equivalent system in 2009; Or. en
Amendment 1 #
2008/2256(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Underlines its high regard for the results achieved by the Agency and congratulates the Director and its staff for the work done in a very difficult environment, improving considerably the image of the EU and its visibility;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2256(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Has seen ample evidence that the Agency had not only the systems (logistics, IT systems, and others) to swiftly implement large amounts of support in post-conflict situations, but that it also had the proven expertise and know-how to design and deliver high quality assistance that had real impact;
Amendment 3 #
2008/2256(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Regrets that the Commission did not respect discharge resolutions for the financial years 2005 and 2006 asking to prolong the Agency’s activities which ended in 2008, and is concerned about the consequential risk that the EU may lose much of the expertise the Agency had acquired over the last eight years;
Amendment 4 #
2008/2256(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 d (new)
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2d. Is therefore convinced that the Agency should have been transformed into an Agency for the implementation of certain EU external actions, in particular the management of EU assistance in post- conflict situations;
Amendment 5 #
2008/2256(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 e (new)
Paragraph 2 e (new)
Amendment 6 #
2008/2256(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 f (new)
Paragraph 2 f (new)
2f. Considers that this new Agency should play a crucial role in delivering EU assistance in situations in which traditional development assistance cannot be implemented by the Commission’s services in Brussels or its Delegations;
Amendment 7 #
2008/2256(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 g (new)
Paragraph 2 g (new)
2g. Believes that this new Agency would not only provide an efficient means of delivering well targeted assistance in these situations, but would also greatly increase the EU’s visibility and credibility;
Amendment 8 #
2008/2256(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 4 #
2008/2234(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Takes the view that the 2009 European elections should be seen as an opportunity for the preparation and application of a pan-European action plan designed to develop the awarenessEuropean identity of European citizens as tond familiarise them with their rights; regrets, therefore, the absence of any relevant reference to this in the fifth report;
Amendment 6 #
2008/2234(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the recently adopted political declaration on "communicating Europe in partnership", and considers that an information campaign on citizenship of the Union and the specific rights deriving therefrom should become a topbasic priority;
Amendment 1 #
2008/2231(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls for the experience gained in connection with the Barcelona Process to be used in order to inject new energy and vitality into relations between the European Union and its Mediterranean partners, without disrupting those relations;
Amendment 3 #
2008/2231(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Supports the principle of co-presidency, on a basis of parity, equality and joint governance, and, on the assumption that the Treaty of Lisbon will enter into force, considers that it should be consistent with the resulting institutional framework regarding the external representation of the European Union;
Amendment 9 #
2008/2231(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 – introductory part
Paragraph 7 – introductory part
7. Considers it essential for the EMPA to be estrengthenablished as the parliamentary dimension of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean; considers
Amendment 16 #
2008/2231(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 – indent 5 a (new)
Paragraph 7 – indent 5 a (new)
– that parliamentary representatives of countries which are not part of the Barcelona Process should be invited to participate;
Amendment 17 #
2008/2231(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal for the establishment of a Joint Permanent Committee, composed of permanent representatives from all EU Member States and Mediterranean partner countries, which should lead to a reinforced and more balanced governance;
Amendment 18 #
2008/2231(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Considers that the secretariat of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean should be composed of officials seconded from the countries participating in the process and should be integrated into the departments of the Commission and that; its seat must be selected by reference to the Barcelona Process acquis, to criteria based on operational effectiveness and to the host country’s compliance with democratic values and financial capacity;
Amendment 20 #
2008/2231(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Considers that the secretariat of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean should be integrated into the departments of the Commission and that its seat must be selected by reference to the Barcelona Process acquis,according to criteria based on operational effectiveness and to the host country’s compliance with democratic values and financial capacity;
Amendment 21 #
2008/2231(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that the secretariat of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean must be tasked to draw up and manage projects as well as to coordinate the processoverall process; it shall report to the Euro-Mediterranean Committee and to the EMPA;
Amendment 24 #
2008/2231(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Stresses the need to establish a Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Development Bank capable of attracting direct foreign investment for the realisation of projects responding to the needs of the citizens in the region;
Amendment 23 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Fails to understand why the assets received by the European Communities in connection with the Galileo programme were not entered in the annual accounts, given that, according to the ECA's report, the agreements were signed in late 2007 between the European Space Agency, the Galileo Joint Undertaking and the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) Supervisory Authority, which was set up in 2004 and given responsibility for taking over the activities of the former Galileo Joint Undertaking on 1 January 2007; accordingly, calls on the Commission to put forward a proposal concerning the major European projects (Galileo or TENs) which require funding which goes beyond the scope of the multiannual financial framework and which it cannot therefore control;
Amendment 73 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
Paragraph 54
54. Regards as unacceptableDeplores the existence of problems, detected once again by the ECA, in implementing the Integrated Administration and Control System in Greece and supports the Commission's intention, as stated to the parliamentary committee responsible, to apply current legislation on suspension of payments rigorously if the Greek Government does not remedy the existing problems within the stated time limits; calls for payments to be suspended if the Greek authorities are unable to prove that the problems have been resolved by the date on which this resolution is adopted;
Amendment 86 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
Paragraph 61
61. Notes that the Commission does not seriously dispute that rate of 11%;
Amendment 89 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62 a (new)
Paragraph 62 a (new)
62a. Welcomes the intensive efforts made by the Commission to bring about an improvement in the situation, in particular by way of the above-mentioned action plan to strengthen its supervisory role under shared management of structural actions and appreciates the detailed reports given to Parliament on the action plan's implementation, particularly the report of 3 February 2009 (COM(2009)0042) and the further information presented during the discharge procedure, which have provided evidence of the effectiveness of the work being undertaken to tackle the problems;
Amendment 90 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63
Paragraph 63
63. RWhile appreciating the improvements in the overall assessment of the supervisory and control system in the ECA's Annual Report, regrets that, in spite of the Commission's unremitting efforts, management and control systems both at Member State level and at supervisory level at the Commission are not yet sufficiently effective to limit risks of error, and calls on the Commission to report to Parliament in early 2010 on the further actions carried out in 2009 and on the initial impact of the actions under the above-mentioned action plan;
Amendment 93 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64
Paragraph 64
64. Also reminds the Commission of the ECA's recommendation to make as much use of possible, without undermining the effectiveness of spending, of the scope for simplification provided for by the spending rules, and calls on it to launch a discussion exercise on new simplification measures that might be adopted, including computerisation of the system;
Amendment 95 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66
Paragraph 66
66. Notes with concern that, under the European Regional Development Fund from 2000 to 2006, 95.47%Appreciates the quarterly regular reports the Commission has provided throughout 2008 ofn financial corrections were accounted for by Spain (59.07%), Italy (31.97%) and the United Kingdom (4.43%); notes that 24 Member States are responsible for 4.53% of financial corrections; calls on the Commission to bring its control requirements into lineresulting from its own or the ECA's audit work; asks the Commission to apply financial corrections in conformity with the frequency and seriousness of errors in the Member States most affected; calls also on the Commission to inform Parliament about its response to these high rates of error in the three Member States concernedgulation in force and to implement strict closure procedures for the period 2000-2006; asks the Commission furthermore to continue to give Parliament detailed information about the application of financial corrections and, as soon as the closure procedure has started, to give an estimated rate of residual error in the closed programmes;
Amendment 98 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
Paragraph 67
Amendment 100 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68
Paragraph 68
Amendment 5 #
2008/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
Ε. whereas that right entitles citizens to require the Union’s institutions and the Member States to refrain from any measures that are likely to end, impede or discourage participation in a citizen’s initiative, and to create a procedure for the effective exercise of that right,
Amendment 14 #
2008/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas, howemoreover, it would seem to make sense to fix a uniform minimum age for participation in a citizens’ initiative,
Amendment 15 #
2008/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital P
Recital P
P. whereas, however, any restriction of the right to democratic participation and any unequal treatment on the grounds of age must satisfy the principle of proportionality,· on the basis of the broadest possible participation;
Amendment 28 #
2008/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital X
Recital X
X. whereas it is debatable whether, according to the prevalent interpretation, Article 11(4) EUTnw does not includes initiatives that address treaty amendments (constitutional citizens’ initiatives),
Amendment 42 #
2008/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Annex - paragraph 1
Annex - paragraph 1
1. The minimum number of Member States from which the citizens taking part in the initiative must come is foursix.
Amendment 92 #
2008/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Annex - paragraph 7 - point (b) - bullet point 2
Annex - paragraph 7 - point (b) - bullet point 2
• who are nationals of at least foursix Member States,
Amendment 106 #
2008/2169(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Annex - paragraph 8- point (e)
Annex - paragraph 8- point (e)
(e) If the Commission decides not to take such a decisionany decision on the request submitted by the citizens' initiative, this is subject to the judicial scrutiny of the Court of Justice of the European Union and of the European Ombudsman in accordance with the relevant provisions of Union law.
Amendment 9 #
2008/2120(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the new rights accorded to national parliaments under the Treaty of Lisbon, notably with regard to the principle of subsidiarity, encourage them to get actively involved at an early stage in the process of policy formulation at the level of the Union,
Amendment 10 #
2008/2120(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the primary task and function of the European Parliament and the national parliaments is to take part in legislative decision-making and to scrutinise political choices at, respectively, the national and the European level; whereas this does not renders close cooperation for the common good superfluousEuropean public interest indispensable, especially as regards the correct transposition of the law of the Union into national law,
Amendment 12 #
2008/2120(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – introductory part
Paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Notes with satisfaction that its relations with the national parliaments have developed fairly positively in recent years, but not yet to a sufficient extent, notably through the following forms of joint activities:
Amendment 19 #
2008/2120(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Observes that meetings of the chairs of specialised committees of the European Parliament and of the national parliaments, such as the meetings of the chairs of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs and of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, are, because of the limited number of participants, also a tool for sharing information and exchanging views;
Amendment 20 #
2008/2120(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Would welcome in this context innovations at the level of national parliaments, such as giving Memberthe Chairs of the specialised committees of the European Parliament the right to be invited once a year to speak before the equivalent committees of the national parliaments and giving Members of the European Parliament the right to be invited to speak in plenary sittings of national parliaments, to participate in meetings of European affairs committees on a consultative basis, to take part in meetings of specialised committees whenever they discuss relevant pieces of European Union legislation, or to take part in meetings of the respective political groups on a consultative basis;
Amendment 24 #
2008/2120(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. States that national parliaments are for the first time being given a definformalised role in European Union matters which is distinct from that of their national governments and which, contributes to stronger democratic control and brings the Union closer to the citizen;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas, although the aim of the new Treaty is to simplify and enhance the coherence of the Presidency of the European Council and of the Council, the coexistence of a separate Presidency of the European Council and of the Foreign Affairs Council (and of the Eurogroup), together with the continuation of a rotating system for the presidencies of the other configurations of the Council, may reduc are, at least initially, likely to complicate the Union's functionalityoperations,
Amendment 5 #
2008/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the current seven-year financial programming could means that, from time to time, the European Parliament and the Commission, during a full legislature, will have no fundamental political financial decisions to take during their mandate, finding themselves locked into a framework adopted by their predecessors that will last until the end of their mandate, something which might, however, be resolved by making use of the possibility offered by the Treaty of Lisbon for five- year financial programming, which could coincide with the mandate of Parliament and the Commission,
Amendment 22 #
2008/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the creation of a fixed long- term Presidency of the European Council, which will help to ensure greater continuity, effectiveness and coherence of the work of that institution and thus of the action of the Union;
Amendment 28 #
2008/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Recognises the risks of a breakdowngreat difficulties of coordination between the different configurations of the Council due to the new system of Presidencies, and stresses, with a view to avoiding those risks, the importance of the "‘new"’ fixed 18-month "‘troikas"’ (groups of three Presidencies), which will share the Presidencies of the different configurations of the Council (apart from the Foreign Affairs Council and the Eurogroup), and of COREPER in order to ensure the coherence, consistency and continuity of the work of the Council as a whole and to ensure the interinstitutional cooperation needed for the smooth running of the legislative and budgetary procedures in joint decision with the European Parliament;
Amendment 36 #
2008/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Stresses that the election of the President of the Commission by the European Parliament on a proposal by the European Council will change thegive a pronounced political nature tof his/her designation;
Amendment 39 #
2008/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Considers in that context that, ideally, the nominations process should occur following the elections to the European Parliament, in order to take account of the electoral results, which will play an primportantdial role in the choice of President of the Commission; points out that only after his/her election will it be possible to ensure the requisite balance;
Amendment 46 #
2008/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Considers that moving to this system of quinquennial financial and political programming will require a prolongation of the current financial framework contained in the Interinstitutional Agreement on budgetary discipline and sound financial management1 until the end of 20156, with the 1 Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1). Agreement next one entering into force by the beginning of 201671;
Amendment 50 #
2008/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
Paragraph 52
52. Stresses the importance of the new dimension that the Treaty of Lisbon brings to the external action of the Union as a whole, the CFSP included, which, together with the legal personality of the Union and the institutional innovations relevant to this area (notably the creation of the "doubled- hatted" High Representative and the European External Action Service (EEAS)), could be a decisive factor in the coherence and effectiveness of the action of the Union in this domain and significantly enhance its visibility as a global actor;
Amendment 53 #
2008/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
Paragraph 54
54. Regards the creation of the "‘double- hatted"’ High Representative/Vice- President as a fundamental step to ensure the coherence, effectiveness and visibility of the whole external action of the Union;
Amendment 56 #
2008/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58
Paragraph 58
58. Emphasises that accomplishment of the objectives that led to the creation of the post of High Representative/Vice-President will depend very much on a relationship of political trust between the President of the Commission and the High Representative/Vice-President, and on the capacity of the High Representative/Vice- President to cooperate fruitfully with the President of the European Council, with the rotating Presidency of the Council and with the other Commissioners charged, under his/her coordination, with the exercise of specific competences relating to the external actions of the Union; for this reason urges that, in selecting individuals to fill the posts of Commission President and High Representative/Vice-President particular account be taken of the criteria which must be met regarding their ability to work together and forge a bond of mutual trust on a personal and political level;
Amendment 6 #
2008/2025(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that the overall margin of EUR 2 638 million can be considered misleading in as much as by far the largest portion thereof, i.e. an amount of EUR 2 027 million, stems from the unused margin of market related expenditure and dirNotes that by far the largest portion of the overall margin of EUR 2 638 million in the preliminary draft budget, i.e. an amount of EUR 2 027 million, stems from the margin of market related expenditure and direct payments under heading 2 (first CAP pillar); deplores the fact that the 2007-2013 multiannual financial framework and the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 allow this margin under heading 2 (first CAP pillar) to be used only under extremely restrictive conditions and that the EU is therefore unable to respond to new political needs flexibly; stresses that this large margin should be usable to realise the Union's new priority objectives, as was the case in November 2007, following Council and Parliament agreement, for the Galileo project; payments under heading 2oints out that structurally, since 2007, real spending under heading 2 (first CAP pillar) is below the ceilings laid down by the 2007-2013 financial framework;
Amendment 14 #
2008/2025(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Is surprised at the extremely low level of payment appropriations (EUR 116.736 billion) proposed by the Commission in its 2009 preliminary draft budget; points out that commitment appropriations adopted under the 2007 and 2008 budgets totalled EUR 126.5 billion and EUR 129.1 billion respectively;
Amendment 26 #
2008/2025(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Considers the planned Small Business Act an important strategy to support Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises; nothopes that also a financial framework and legislative acts are required to support SMEs in the most appropriate waythe Commission will incorporate into it the positive results of the many pilot projects and preparatory actions which Parliament has been successfully putting forward for a number of years with regard to small and medium-sized enterprises; is eagerly awaiting precise proposals for funding this new strategic tool;
Amendment 37 #
2008/2025(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. RStresses the importance of pilot projects and preparatory actions as Parliament's tool to initiate legislative proposals; regrets that the small margin of EUR 22 million left under the heading leaves very limited room for manoeuvre for pilot projects and preparatory actions and reduces the scope for Parliament to propose new ones;
Amendment 38 #
2008/2025(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Draws attention to the need to increase the efficiency and improve the coordination of EU civil protection interventions, inter alia by developing common civil protection methodologies among the Member States, developing early warning and prevention systems, and upgrading the facility to transport civil protection assistance, in order to be better prepared to protect EU citizens;
Amendment 39 #
2008/2025(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Considers that the core business of communication and information policy is to inform EU citizens on the actions and programmes realised by the EU and the improvements generated over the last years, and involve them more in the political process;
Amendment 45 #
2008/2025(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46a. Notes that, while the network of Stabilisation and Association Agreements (SAA) with Western Balkan countries is being completed, it is essential to increase the funding of actions in order to reinforce the stability in the Western Balkans and strengthen their European perspective;
Amendment 67 #
2008/2025(BUD)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 a (new)
Paragraph 73 a (new)
73a. Strongly deplores the custom of the Council to make across-the-board cuts at its first reading of the Union budget without any precise reasons being provided; points out that establishing the Union budget is a fundamental political act which is more than a mere accounting exercise, and looks to the Council to make arrangements for genuine political dialogue with Parliament during this budgetary procedure;
Amendment 10 #
2008/0083(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) In order to allow for a cost effective publication that provides users with easy access to the information Member States should make mandatory the use of a central electronic platform. They should, furthermore, ensure that this publication and any additional publication duties they may impose on companies in this context,In line with the principle of subsidiarity, additional means of publication, such as the national gazette or other print media, may also continue to be used in order to ensure transparency and publicity, given that Internet services are not universally available in all Member States and almost half of the EU's citizens do not use the Internet. Member States should, furthermore, ensure that the mandatory use of a central electronic platform does not lead to any specific fees, in addition to those that may be charged for entries in the register. This should not, however, prejudice the freedom of Member States to require companies, under well-defined and objective conditions, to cover the cost of setting up and operating the central electronic platform, or using additional forms of publication.
Amendment 14 #
2008/0083(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1
Article 1
Directive 68/151/EEC
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
4. Disclosure of the documents and particulars referred to in Article 2 shall be effected by publication through a central electronic platform that allows access to the information disclosed in chronological order. Member States may also require the additional forms of publication to be used.
Amendment 17 #
2008/0083(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1
Article 1
Directive 68/151/EEC
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Member States shall ensure that companies are not charged a specific fee in respect of the publication obligation through a central electronic platform or any additional publication obligation imposed by Member States relating to those documents and particulars. This shall be without prejudice to the freedom of Member States to require companies, under well- defined and objective conditions, to cover the cost of setting up and operating the central electronic platform, or using additional forms of publication.
Amendment 5 #
2007/2266(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 121 - paragraph 3 a (new)
Rule 121 - paragraph 3 a (new)
Amendment 8 #
2007/2128(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Annex XVI b (new)
Annex XVI b (new)
Amendment 89 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 24 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Rule 24 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The Conference of Presidents shall be the authority responsible for holding structured consultation with European civil society on the major topics on the European political agenda. The Bureau shall name a Vice-President who shall be entrusted with the implementation of such consultation. He or she shall report back regularly to the Conference of Presidents on his or her activities in this regard.
Amendment 94 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 34 (*)
Rule 34 (*)
Amendment 102 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 45 – paragraph 2
Rule 45 – paragraph 2
2. Motions for resolutions contained in own-initiative reports shall be examined by Parliament pursuant to the short presentation procedure set out in Rule 131a. Amendments to such motions for resolutions shall notonly be admissible for consideration in plenary unlessif tabled by the rapporteur to take account of new information, but or by at least two political groups or at least one tenth of the Members of Parliament. Groups which do not table amendments may table alternative motions for resolutions may be tabled in accordance with Rule 151(4). This paragraph shall not apply where the subject of the report qualifies for a key debate in plenary, where the report is drawn up pursuant to the right of initiative referred to in Rule 38a or 39, or where the report can be considered a strategic report according to the criteria set out by the Conference of Presidents.
Amendment 110 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 53 a (new) (*)
Rule 53 a (new) (*)
Rule 53a (*) Proposals for legal acts presented by a group of Member States If a legal act has been proposed by a group of Member States, representatives of those States may be invited to participate in the discussions at committee level and in the plenary sitting. Rules 52 and 53 shall apply mutatis mutandis.
Amendment 121 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 68 a (new) (*) (to be introduced in Chapter 6 a (new)
Rule 68 a (new) (*) (to be introduced in Chapter 6 a (new)
Amendment 129 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 75 – paragraph 1 (*)
Rule 75 – paragraph 1 (*)
1. Where Parliament is requested to give its asconsent to a proposed act, it shall take a decision on the basis of a recommendation from the committee responsible to approve or reject the act. Parliament shall take a decision on the act requiring its asconsent under the ECTreaty on European Union or EUthe Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union by means of a single vote, and no amendments may be tabled. The majority required for the adoption of the asconsent shall be the majority indicated in the article of the EC Treaty on European Union or of the EU Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union that constitutes the legal basis for the proposed act. The committee responsible may decide to draw up an accompanying resolution.
Amendment 137 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 97 a (new)
Rule 97 a (new)
Article 97a Citizen participation Following a decision by the Conference of Presidents pursuant to Rule 24(4a), Parliament may hold public debates, open to participation by interested citizens, on subjects of general European interest.
Amendment 139 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 98 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Rule 98 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
1. When the Council has agreed on a nomination for President of the Commission, the President shall request the nominee to make a statement andParliament shall elect the President of the Commission by secret vote by a majority of its component Members, upon a proposal made by the European Council, after he or she has presented his or her political guidelines to Parliament. The statementis shall be followed by a debate.
Amendment 141 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 98 – paragraph 2
Rule 98 – paragraph 2
2. Parliament shall approve or reject the nomination by aIf the candidate fails to obtain the necessary majority of, the votes cast. The vote shall be taken by secret ballotPresident shall request the European Council to nominate within one month a new candidate for election under the same procedure.
Amendment 149 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 131 a
Rule 131 a
At the request of the rapporteur orand on a proposal of the Conference of Presidents, Parliament may also decide that an item not needing a full debate be dealt with by means of a short presentation in plenary by the rapporteur. In that event, the Commission shall have the opportunity to intervene and any, followed by interventions by Members according to the 'catch the eye' procedure. Members shall also have the right to react by handing in an additional written statement pursuant to Rule 142(7).
Amendment 153 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 142 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Rule 142 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The remaining part of the time for a debate shall not be specifically allocated in advance. Instead, the President shall call on Members to speak, as a general rule, for no more than one minute. The President shall ensure – as far as possible – that speakers holding different political views and from different Member States are heard in turn. The order in which requests for speaking time are made shall be taken into consideration.
Amendment 155 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 142 – paragraph 3 c (new)
Rule 142 – paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. The President, while ensuring the smooth conduct of proceedings, may give the floor to Members who request it by raising blue cards. Permission to speak shall be given after the current speaker has finished. Speaking time shall not exceed half a minute.
Amendment 171 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 182 a (new)
Rule 182 a (new)
Amendment 5 #
2007/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
Β. whereas interest representatives play an essential role in the open and pluralistic dialogue on which a democratic system rests, and form an important source of information for Members in carrying out their mandate,
Amendment 6 #
2007/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Βa. whereas lobby groups do not only lobby Members but also attempt to influence Parliament's decisions by lobbying secretariat officials of the parliamentary committees, political group staff and Members' assistants,
Amendment 12 #
2007/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 a (new)
Paragraph -1 a (new)
-1a. Recognises the influence of lobby groups on EU decision-making and, therefore, the need to adopt a clearly- defined regulatory framework governing their activities;
Amendment 14 #
2007/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Considers it essential that Members of Parliament should know the identity of the organisations represented by lobby groups;
Amendment 27 #
2007/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for clarity on Intergroups, i.e. apublication on Parliament's website of the list of registered and non-registered Intergroups on Parliament's website, including declarations of the financial interest of their respective chairs, information concerning their members and meetings, the lobby groups which they support and the type of assistance which they provide for those groups;
Amendment 39 #
2007/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Emphasises that, in spite of the fundamental difference between public and private interest representatives, all actors falling within that definition should be considered as lobbyists and treated in the same way: professional lobbyists, companies' in-house lobbyists, NGOs, think-tanks, trade associations, trade unions and employers' organisations, profit-making and non-profit organisations and lawyers when their purpose is to influence policy rather than case-law;
Amendment 59 #
2007/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Is aware of the arguments in favour of both voluntary and compulsory registration of lobbyists; notes the Commission's decision to start with a voluntary register and evaluate the system after one year; given that the legal basis for a mandatory register is provided by the Treaty of Lisbon, considers that a mandatory register is the most appropriate means of increasing transparency; recalls that Parliament's current register is already de facto mandatory, because registering is a prerequisite for gaining access to Parliament;
Amendment 63 #
2007/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes the Commission's draft Code of Conduct for Interest Representatives; reminds the Commission that Parliament has already had such a Code for over 10 years and asks the Commission to negotiate with Parliament for the establishment of a common Code which also contains an enforcement and sanctions mechanism; considers that lobbyists who wish to be included on the new register should be required to endorse the code, in accordance with Parliament's example;
Amendment 72 #
2007/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Emphasises the need for the register to be user-friendly and easily accessible on the Internet; the public must be able to easily find and make searches of the register; ·
Amendment 73 #
2007/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Stresses that the register should contain separate categories in which lobbyists should be registered according to the type of interests they represent (e.g. professional associations, company representatives, trade unions, employers' organisations, lawyers' offices, NGOs, etc.);
Amendment 77 #
2007/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 – Introductory part
Paragraph 16 – Introductory part
16. NotEndorses the Commission's decision to ask for financial disclosure by interest representatives joining the register to apply to the following:
Amendment 3 #
2007/2046(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
Amendment 5 #
2007/2046(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
Amendment 7 #
2007/2046(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
Amendment 9 #
2007/2046(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Recital V
Recital V
Amendment 57 #
2007/2046(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 62
Paragraph 62
Amendment 59 #
2007/2046(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63
Paragraph 63
Amendment 61 #
2007/2046(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 64
Paragraph 64
Amendment 9 #
2006/2223(INI)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
2. The Community institutions and bodies shall be obliged to supply the Ombudsman with any information he has requested of them and give him access to the files concerned. They may refuse only on duly substantiated grounds of secrecyIf the information requested is confidential, or the file contains confidential documents or information, the institution or body concerned shall inform the Ombudsman, who shall be obliged not to divulge the information or documents concerned. In the case of a document that is sensitive as defined by Article 9 (1) of Regulation (EC) No. 1049/2001, the Ombudsman shall ensure that it is handled only by persons in his service who have been duly authorised to do so.
Amendment 11 #
2006/2223(INI)
Proposal for a decision
Article 5
Article 5
Insofar as it may help to make his enquiries more efficient and better safeguard the rights and interests of persons who make complaints to him, the Ombudsman may cooperate with authorities of the same type in certain Member States provided he complies with the national law applicable. The Ombudsman may not by this means demand to see documents to which he would not have access under Article 3. Under the same conditions, the Ombudsman may cooperate with other institutions for the promotion and protection of fundamental rights.