931 Amendments of Ramona Nicole MĂNESCU
Amendment 27 #
2018/2116(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
b. to ensure that EUSRs are only appointed if there is a clear added value in using this instrument, i.e. if their tasks cannot be fulfilled by existing structures within the EEAS, including by EU Delegations, or within the Commission; also to ensure that EUSRs are primarily used to step up EU efforts in conflict prevention and resolution orin accordance with the international law principles such as the principles of independence and territorial integrity of states, the inviolability of internationally recognized borders as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes which constitute key elements of the European security order, as emphasized in the EU Global Strategy; to advance EU policy objectives in specific thematic fields within the remit of external relations; and to avoid a proliferation of EUSRs and fragmentation of their mandates; to ensure that the mandates of the EUSRs on strengthening regional security and on conflict prevention and resolution, are guided by the principles of respect to territorial integrity, inviolability of borders, sovereignty and other crucial norms of the international law;
Amendment 46 #
2018/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph c
Paragraph c
c) to support the growing number of state institutions, think tanks, NGOs but also grassroots cyber activities dealing with propaganda and disinformation, and ensure that EU strategic communication becomes a matter of highest priority on the European agenda; calls on the VP/HR and the Commission to become more closely involved in this area;
Amendment 57 #
2018/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph d
Paragraph d
d) to remind the Member States that continue to deny the existence of strategic propaganda to recognise it and take proactive measures in order to counteract and debunk it; to urge Member States to take proactive measures and make relevant investments in their own capacity countering strategic communication of hostile third parties;
Amendment 63 #
2018/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph d a (new)
Paragraph d a (new)
da) to encourage the Member States to ensure an effective exchange of information between all their relevant authorities for tackling propaganda, manipulation and disinformation, including the cyber and information warfare;
Amendment 75 #
2018/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph e a (new)
Paragraph e a (new)
ea) to encourage the Member States to establish permanent structures, with enough capacity to identify, prevent and counteract disinformation and other hostile activities;
Amendment 89 #
2018/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph f
Paragraph f
f) to focus on the continuously growing sophistication of the tools used to spread fake news, including the new ways of spreading propaganda by using multiple obscure low-level websites, news portals and TV stations to disseminate the main narratives; is concerned about Russia’s activities in this context and regarding its hostile subversive operations against EU countries, influencing elections or policies and supporting extremist movements;
Amendment 103 #
2018/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph g
Paragraph g
g) to pay special attention to social media which, in spite of their efforts to the contrary, are considered the most common tool for spreading late and not always wholehearted disinformation and hostile propaganda;
Amendment 119 #
2018/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph i
Paragraph i
i) to urge social media companies to cooperate closely with state authorities in all investigations into the alleged use of their platforms for hostile purposes, and to perform transparent audits of entities which have been found to spread disinformation and propaganda; to urge social media companies to react in real time when suspicious content of a political nature is disseminated, particularly if it incites to hate or crime;
Amendment 151 #
2018/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph m
Paragraph m
m) to involve the civil society and expert community into grassroots cyber activists further enhancement of measures aimed at fact-checking and exposure of disinformation, deepening of research and analysis of information manipulation;
Amendment 178 #
2018/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph o
Paragraph o
o) to urgently turn the East StratCom Task Force into a fully-fledged unit, or even a bigger structure within EEAS and to provide adequate financial and personnel resources, which are still required, which will significantly increase its potential, effectiveness and quality of work;
Amendment 191 #
2018/2115(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph q a (new)
Paragraph q a (new)
qa) to acknowledge the importance and necessity of a better coordination of the EU Government and an active support of the EU bodies such as East StrasCom Task Force;
Amendment 7 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
Citation 13 a (new)
- having regard to the impact on human rights, both at domestic and regional level, of the sanctions put in place by Saudi Arabia and other countries against Qatar in June 2017 and the report on the impact of the Gulf Crisis on human rights published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in December 2017,
Amendment 347 #
2018/2098(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Urges the governments of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, to stop the discriminatory measures taken since June 2017 against Qatari nationals, in particular those affecting mixed families, students, property owners, and pilgrims banned from travelling to Mecca for Hajj; praises the efforts made by the Qatari National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) in supporting the victims of these violations; calls on the European Union to encourage all diplomatic efforts in resolving the situation;
Amendment 107 #
2018/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Regrets the fact that the Member States all too often prioritise their national interests, regardless of the possible consequences at a European level, thereby undermining the EU’s credibility as a global player; calls for a greater division of responsibilities and enhanced coordination between the EU and its Member States; believes that good cooperation among the Member States is essential to safeguard our democracy, our freedom, and our social and environmental standards; underlines the need to extend cooperation between the Member States, partner countries and international organisations and highlights the importance and necessity of an increased exchange of information and coordination of preventive actions; calls for effective intelligence sharing between Member States and effective coordination between the EU, Member States and NATO;
Amendment 204 #
2018/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Acknowledges that a large number of forcibly displaced persons and refugees are in need of greater international assistance for allowing them a dignified life; calls for further humanitarian aid and assistance to conflict-affected population;
Amendment 260 #
2018/2097(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16d. Reiterates its commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries within their internationally recognized borders;
Amendment 154 #
2018/0256M(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Emphasises that a key criterion for Parliament is to ensure that there will be a mechanism in place to technically trace products from Western Sahara so that Member States customs authorities have a clear indication of their origincollect information on exportations from Western Sahara; calls on the EU and Morocco to swiftly present a viable solution to this end; expects the corrective measures laid down in the agreement to be used in that regard;
Amendment 159 #
2017/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the need for working together on prevention, analysis and early warning by means of effective information and intelligence sharing aimed at countering emerging threats with common actions, including enhanced EU-NATO military training and exercises on counter-terrorism; considers that an efficient EU-NATO transfer of know-how on counter terrorism measures is necessary;
Amendment 252 #
2017/2276(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Considers it important to ensure the complementarity of maritime capacity- building efforts in order to safeguard maritime security more efficiently; welcomes increased EU-NATO operational cooperation and coordination in the Mediterranean theatre, including the sharing of maritime information and situational awareness; considers also that increased EU-NATO cooperation on mobility and flexibility in aviation is needed;
Amendment 6 #
2017/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 c (new)
Citation 5 c (new)
- having regard to the European Parliament Annual report on the implementation of CFSP of 13 December 2017,
Amendment 47 #
2017/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes that the Agreement is also in keeping with the spirit and principles expressed in the European Parliament recommendation of 15 November 2017 as regards making the ratification of a new agreement with Armenia or Azerbaijan conditional upon meaningful commitments to and substantial progress towards solving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in order to enable hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons to execute their basic rights such as return to their home; urges both sides to increase the pace and output of their negotiations following the 2018 elections in both countries in order to make history by ending a conflict which has claimed too many lives, especially those of civilians, and which has prevented the establishment of peace and hampered socio-economic development in the region for almost three decades;
Amendment 78 #
2017/2269(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Regrets that violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity continue to remain as serious concerns in the country;
Amendment 1 #
2017/2190(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that 10 % of the EIB’s overall lending activity is dedicated to operations outside the Union; stresses, for this reason, the importance of the annual reporting by the EIB on its operations outside of the Union with regard to compliance with the general principles guiding the external action of the Union; calls on the EIB to ensure that all financed projects are in accordance with the general principles guiding the Union's external action in its capacity of financial arm of the EU; underlines that the EIB should properly take in consideration the EU trade strategy, including the existing and future trade agreements in supporting the EU businesses abroad, prioritising the countries having trade agreements with the EU or currently negotiating such agreements.
Amendment 11 #
2017/2190(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights that access to finance is one of the main hurdles SMEs face; believes that more must be done by the EIB to ensure that SME finance is geared at ensuring that these firms canunderlines that the SMEs represents the backbone of the European economy; believes that more must be done by the EIB to ensure an easier and effective access of the SMEs to funding, in order for these firms to be able to integrate into global supply chains; notes that the EIB must support EU enterprises who want to do business abroad, including via the Trade Finance Facility;
Amendment 15 #
2017/2190(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that there has been a lack of foreign direct investment (FDI) support operations towards Asia in the last few years; stresses that EU investors, with a particular focus on SMEs, should have a greater presence on the Chinese market and benefit from a level playing field; calls on the EIB to provide direct financing to EU companies in support of outward investment, including through the external lending mandate (ELM);
Amendment 18 #
2017/2190(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the role of the EIB in local private sector development and its support for microfinance, and recognises that its activities offer new economic and trade opportunities; underlines the necessity for a proper and efficient adaptation of EIB activities to current international challenges; in this respect, calls for an expansion of the EIB ELM, with a view to increasing its role in achieving sustainable development and providing a strategic response to address the root causes of migration, and for it to take a more active part in the new private sector strategy;including the strengthening of humanitarian action and providing support for economic growth, the construction of infrastructure and job creation and for it to take a more active part in the new private sector strategy; reiterates that the EIB must align its activities with the UN's 2030 Sustainable Developments Goals.
Amendment 23 #
2017/2190(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Underlines the importance and necessity of the EIB's financing activity in areas of infrastructure, transport and digitalization, as these areas have a positive impact over the EU's trade potential and foster the internalisation of SMEs.
Amendment 24 #
2017/2190(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Calls on the EIB to foster the financing of projects in alignment with its climate strategy, in order to strengthen the EU’s position as a leader in the climate field and achieve a more competitive, secure and sustainable energy system in line with the 2030 Energy Strategy;
Amendment 160 #
2017/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point r
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point r
(r) to call for an immediate end to military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan which unnecessarily claim the lives of civilians and soldiers whilst hampering socioeconomic development; to reaffirm support to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries as well as to the OSCE Minsk Group co-Chairs’ efforts to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and to their 2009 Basic Principles; to call on Armenia and Azerbaijan to re-launch negotiations in good faith with a view to implementing these principles to solve the conflict; to make the ratification of new agreements between the EU and each of the parties conditional on meaningful commitments to solving the conflict through maintaining the ceasefire and supporting the impleprogress in negotiations, in particular ending the status quo on the ground, and solving the conflict based on all above-mentation of the 2009 Basic Ped principles;
Amendment 160 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the adoption of the EU Gender Action Plan 2016-2020 which sets out a comprehensive list of measures to improve the situation of women in terms of equal rights and empowerment; emphasises the importance of ensuring its effective implementation; welcomes, in addition, the adoption of the Strategic Engagement for Gender Equality 2016-2019, which promotes gender equality between men and women and women’s rights worldwide; requests that the Commission, the EEAS and the VP/HR step up their fulfilment of the obligations and commitments in the area of women’s rights under the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); believes that the EU should continue mainstreaming support for women within common security and defence policy (CSDP) operations, conflict prevention and post- conflict reconstruction; recalls that the 2016 Sakharov Prize was awarded to Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar, survivors of sexual enslavement perpetrated by ISIS/Daesh; strongly condemns all forms of abuse and violence against women and girls in this connection; emphasizes States' international commitment to protect pregnant women and pregnancy, and to reduce the number of abortions, including forced abortions, and to combat reproductive exploitation of women; condemns pressuring women to have an abortion and forced abortions as forms of violence against women and girls; strongly reiterates its call to fight sex- selective abortions which result in a gendercide;
Amendment 180 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Reaffirms the urgent need for the universal ratification and effective implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols, providing children with legal protection before and after birth; requests that the EU systematically consult relevant local and international child rights organisations, and raise, in its political and human rights dialogues with third countries, States Parties’ obligations to implement the Convention; welcomes the Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2016-2021); requests that the EU continue to promote the EU-UNICEF Child Rights Toolkit for integrating child rights in development cooperation through its external delegations, and to train the EU delegation staff adequately in this field; reiterates its request for the Commission to propose a comprehensive children’s rights strategy and action plan for the next five years, in order to prioritise children’s rights within EU external policies; welcomes the fact that under the 2016 Development Cooperation Instrument, resources were allocated to support UN agencies in carrying out measures targeted to children’s rights;
Amendment 206 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; reiterates the importance of its efficient implementation by both the Member States and the EU institutions; stresses, in particular, the need to mainstream credibly the principle of universal accessibility and the rights of persons with disabilities in all relevant EU policies, including in the area of development cooperation, and underlines the prescriptive and horizontal nature of this issue; emphasises that disabilities are not depriving a person of human dignity, which entails a State duty to protect them from premature death; condemns policies which encourage prenatal screening in order to interrupt pregnancies of children with potential disabilities or non-life threatening chromosomal arrangement; emphasises that such polices have a chilling redox of eugenicist ideology, as they send out the message to people already born with such and other conditions requiring special needs that their lives are not worth living; calls for the EU to incorporate the fight against discrimination on grounds of disability in its external action and development aid policies;
Amendment 290 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Considers that the EU should continue its efforts to enhance respect for the rights of LGBTI people, in line with the EU Guidelines on the topic; recommends that the Guidelines be implemented, including through the training of EU staff in third countries; regrets that 72 countries still criminalise homosexuality, 13 of which have the death penalty, and believes that practices and acts of violence against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation should not go unpunished;
Amendment 346 #
2017/2122(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)
Paragraph 44 a (new)
44a. Calls on the EU to play a larger and more active role in protecting and assisting the large number of internally- displaced persons worldwide as well as in Eastern Partnership countries to enable in voluntary, dignified and safe return, resettlement or local integration, including help in recovering lost property and possessions;
Amendment 1 #
2017/2121(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
– having regard to the key principles enshrined in the Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy, particularly those pertaining to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders of states are equally respected by all participating states;
Amendment 1 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
– having regard to United Nations Security Council resolutions 882, 853, 874 and 884,
Amendment 4 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 b (new)
Citation 1 b (new)
– having regard to the key principles enshrined in The Global Strategy for the EU’s Foreign and Security Policy of June 2016, particularly those pertaining to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders of states are equally respected by all participating states,
Amendment 6 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 c (new)
Citation 1 c (new)
– having regard to Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership between EU and Azerbaijan in the field of energy of 7 November 2006,
Amendment 8 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 d (new)
Citation 1 d (new)
– having regard to the Joint Declaration of the Eastern Partnership Summit (Brussels, 24 November 2017) where European Union and Member States confirm their commitment to support to the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of all their partners,
Amendment 13 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 23 October 2013 on European Neighbourhood Policy as well as resolution of 9 July 2015 on the review of the European Neighbourhood Policy,
Amendment 15 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 b (new)
Citation 5 b (new)
– having regard to its Annual report on the implementation of CFSP of 13 December 2017,
Amendment 48 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to remind the Azerbaijani authorities about the European Parliament’s position as expressed in its resolution of 15 November 2017 on the Eastern Partnership, which unambiguously states that no comprehensive agreement will be ratified with a country that does not respect EU valuethat call for overall compliance of the country with its international commitments, in particular with regard to the non-implementation of decisions by the European Court of Human Rights and the, end of harassment, intimidation and persecution of human rights defenders, NGOs and journalists; to ensure that significant steps are taken as regards the release of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Azerbaijan before any new EU-Azerbaijan agreement; to ensure a dedicated suspension mechanism related to human rights and fundamental freedoms is included in the neware key requirements / incentives for swift ratification of any new EU-Azerbaijan agreement;
Amendment 57 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) to remind the Azerbaijani authorities about the European Parliament position expressed in the sameprevious resolutions according to which the ratification of new agreements between the EU and each of the parties to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict must be made conditional on meaningful commitments to and substantial progress towards solving the conflict, such as maintaining the ceasefire and supporting the implementation of the OSCE 2009 Basic Principles andmeaningful commitments by both sides to and substantial progress towards settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict through the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co- Chairs;
Amendment 101 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k
Paragraph 1 – point k
(k) to ensure that high priority is given to dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia and to an enhanced EU participation in peacefully solving the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in line with the OSCE 2009 Basic Principles and notably with the support of the OSCE Minsk Group Co- Chairs, promoting all initiatives conducive to peace-building such as high- level talks, genuine confidence-building measures and exchanges between Armenian and Azerbaijani civil society;
Amendment 108 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
(ka) to call for the withdrawal of Armenian forces from occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh and their return to Azerbaijani control;
Amendment 109 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k b (new)
(kb) recalls EP position expressed in the review of the European Neighbourhood Policy of 9 July 2015 that the occupation of territory of a partner country violates the fundamental principles and objectives of the ENP;
Amendment 110 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k c (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k c (new)
(kc) to call for immediate withdrawal of Armenian forces from all occupied territories of Azerbaijan to restore its territorial integrity, and to end the on- going conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan which unnecessarily claim the lives of civilians and soldiers whilst depriving hundreds of thousands IDPs of the right to return to their homelands, and hampering socioeconomic development;
Amendment 111 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k d (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k d (new)
(kd) recalls its position that the occupation by one country of the Eastern Partnership of the territory of another violates the fundamental principles and objectives of the Eastern Partnership and that the resolution of the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict should comply with UN Security Council resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884 of 1993 and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group Basic Principles;
Amendment 112 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k e (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k e (new)
(ke) to underline that the on-going occupation of the Azerbaijani territories is a violation of international law and is contrary to the founding principles of the European Neighbourhood Policy, thereby jeopardising the whole Eastern Partnership project;
Amendment 113 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k f (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k f (new)
(kf) to reiterate deep concerns on illegal activities exercised by Armenian troops on the occupied Azerbaijani territories, namely regular military manoeuvres, renewal of military hardware and personnel and the deepening of defensive echelons;
Amendment 115 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k g (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k g (new)
(kg) to call for the withdrawal of Armenian forces from occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh and their return to Azerbaijani control;
Amendment 116 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k h (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k h (new)
(kh) recalls its position that the occupation by one country of the Eastern Partnership of the territory of another violates the fundamental principles and objectives of the Eastern Partnership and that the resolution of the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict should comply with UN Security Council resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884 of 1993 and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group Basic Principles;
Amendment 118 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k i (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k i (new)
(ki) recalls the EP position expressed in the review of the European Neighbourhood Policy of 9 July 2015 that the occupation of territory of a partner country violates the fundamental principles and objectives of the ENP;
Amendment 124 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point k n (new)
Paragraph 1 – point k n (new)
(kn) to reaffirm the EU’s commitment to support Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within internationally recognised borders;
Amendment 136 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l
Paragraph 1 – point l
(l) to put in place specific provisions to support the authorities’ important efforts in aiding the large number of refugees and internally displaced persons resulting from the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenian forces, as recognized by relevant UNSC resolutions as well as UNGA resolution of 2008 and to support civilians living in conflict areas within Azerbaijan’s internationally recognised borders; to contribute in particular to upholding their right to return to their homes and property and to be awarded compensation in line with the rulings of the ECHR;
Amendment 137 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
(la) to assist Azerbaijan in dealing with problems that the country has been facing as a result of massive forced internal displacement from Nagorno-Karabakh conflict area, and to act resolutely for the protection and restoration of the rights of displaced people, including their rights to return, property rights and the right to personal security;
Amendment 139 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point l b (new)
(lb) to express concerns that hundreds of thousands of refugees and IDPs who fled their homes during or in connection with the Nagorno-Karabakh war remain displaced and denied their rights, including the right to return, property rights and the right to personal security; calls on all parties to unambiguously and unconditionally recognize these rights, the need for their prompt realisation and for a prompt solution to this problem that respects the principles of international law; demands, in this regard, the withdrawal of Armenian forces from all occupied territories of Azerbaijan, accompanied by deployment of international forces to be organised with respect of the UN Charter in order to provide the necessary security guarantees in a period of transition, which will ensure the security of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh and allow the displaced persons to return to their homes and further conflicts caused by homelessness to be prevented; calls on the Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities and leaders of relevant communities to demonstrate their commitment to the creation of peaceful inter-ethnic relations through practical preparations for the return of displaced persons; considers that the situation of the IDPs and refugees should be dealt with according to international standards, including with regard to the recent PACE Recommendation 1877(2009), ‘Europe’s forgotten people: protecting the human rights of long-term displaced persons;
Amendment 142 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point l c (new)
Paragraph 1 – point l c (new)
(lc) to reiterate its serious concern that hundreds of thousands of IDPs and refugees who fled their native lands in connection with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remain displaced and to reaffirm the right of all IDPs and refugees to return to their places of origin in safety and dignity;
Amendment 194 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point r
Paragraph 1 – point r
(r) to ensure, before the conclusion of the negotiations, that Azerbaijan takes significant steps as regards the release of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience which, in 2017, exceeded 150 persons, including, among the most emblematic cases, Ilgar Mammadov, Afgan Mukhtarli, Mehman Huseynov, Ilkin Rustamzada, Seymur Hazi, Rashad Ramazanov, Elchin Ismayilli, Giyas Ibrahimov, Beyram Mammadov, Asif Yusifli, Fuad Gahramanli and Aziz Orujov, the lifting of their travel bans once released, including those of Khadija Ismayilova and Intigam Aliyev; to secure the release and improvement of the situation of these individuals via the judiciary and the application of the rule of law;
Amendment 261 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ab a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point ab a (new)
(aba) to take also appropriate steps towards opening a visa dialogue with Azerbaijan in line with the progress made in the implementation of Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements;
Amendment 263 #
2017/2056(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point ab b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point ab b (new)
(abb) to seek possibilities to initiate Visa Liberalisation Dialogue between EU and Azerbaijan as stated in the Joint Declaration of the Eastern Partnership Summit of 2017;
Amendment 152 #
2017/0293(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 4 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 4 – point a
(a) for the average emissions of the new passenger car fleet, an EU fleet-wide target equal to a 150% reduction of the average of the specific emissions targets in 2021 determined in accordance with point 6.1.1 of Part A of Annex I;
Amendment 153 #
2017/0293(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 4 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 4 – point b
(b) for the average emissions of the new light commercial vehicles fleet, an EU fleet-wide target equal to a 17.5% reduction of the average of the specific emissions targets in 2021 determined in accordance with point 6.1.1 of Part B of Annex I;
Amendment 310 #
2017/0293(COD)
x is 150% in the years 2025 to 2029 and 320% in 2030 onwards.
Amendment 338 #
2017/0293(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – part B – point 6 – point 6.3 – point 6.3.1 – paragraph 2
Annex I – part B – point 6 – point 6.3 – point 6.3.1 – paragraph 2
The specific emissions target = (specific emissions reference target – (øtargets – EU fleet-wide target2025)) · ZLEV factor
Amendment 343 #
2017/0293(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – part B – point 6 – point 6.3 – point 6.3.1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Annex I – part B – point 6 – point 6.3 – point 6.3.1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 359 #
2017/0293(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – part B – point 6 – point 6.3 – point 6.3.2 – paragraph 2
Annex I – part B – point 6 – point 6.3 – point 6.3.2 – paragraph 2
The specific emissions target = (specific emissions reference target – (øtargets – EU fleet-wide target2030)) · ZLEV factor
Amendment 364 #
2017/0293(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – part B – point 6 – point 6.3 – point 6.3.2 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Annex I – part B – point 6 – point 6.3 – point 6.3.2 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 375 #
2017/0293(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – part B – point 6 – point 6.3 – point 6.3.2 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 3
Annex I – part B – point 6 – point 6.3 – point 6.3.2 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 3
x is 3015%
Amendment 61 #
2017/0125(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The Programme should be implemented in full compliance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council6 . Funding may take in particular the form of grants. Financial instruments or public procurement may be used where appropriat and public procurement for the provision of studies. Financial instruments could also be used in the future based on the experience of this Programme, notably for the post 2020 European Defence Fund capability window. The Commission will start the preparatory work, assessment and relevant proposals as soon as possible. _________________ 6 Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1).
Amendment 131 #
2017/0125(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) The financial assistance of the Union under the Programme should not exceed 230% of the total eligible cost of the action, including part of the indirect cost of the action, within the meaning of Article 126 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No. 966/2012, when it relates to system prototyping which is often the most costly action in the development phase. The totality of the eligible costs should however be covered for other actions in the development phase.
Amendment 174 #
2017/0125(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to support and leverage the cooperation between undertakings, including small and medium-sized enterprisesMember States and cross-border cooperation between undertakings throughout the Union, including small and medium-sized enterprises and Middle Capitalisation Companies (Mid-caps), in the development of technologies or products in line with defence capability priorities commonly agreed by Member States within the Union, while improving the agility of supply chains;
Amendment 267 #
2017/0125(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Each applicantmember of a consortium wishing to participate in an action shall declare, by written statement, that it is fully aware of and compliant with applicable national and Union legislation and regulations relating to activities in the domain of defence.
Amendment 278 #
2017/0125(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) excellencecontribution to excellence in particular by showing significant advantages of the proposed work over existing technologies or products;
Amendment 308 #
2017/0125(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
1. The financial assistance of the Union provided under the Programme may not exceed 230% of the total cost of the action where it relates to prototyping. In all the other cases, the assistance may cover up to the total cost of the action.
Amendment 315 #
2017/0125(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. If a consortium is developing an action as defined in Article 5(1) and commits to allocate at least 5% of the eligible cost of the action to SMEs which are established in the EU, it may benefit from a funding rate increased by percentage points equivalent to the percentage of the cost of the action allocated to SMEs, but not exceeding 10 percentage points.
Amendment 319 #
2017/0125(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 b (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. If a consortium is developing an action as defined in Article 5(1) and commits to allocate at least 5% of the eligible cost of the action to Mid-caps which are established in the EU, it may benefit from a funding rate increased by percentage points equivalent to the percentage of the cost of the action allocated to Mid-caps, but not exceeding 10 percentage point.This funding rate can only be applied once the Commission establishes a working definition for a "Mid-cap" in the work programme.
Amendment 332 #
2017/0125(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 3
Article 13 – paragraph 3
3. The work programme shall ensure that a credible proportiont least 10% of the overall budget will benefit actions enabling the cross-border participation of SMEs and/or Mid-caps; in addition, a specific category of projects dedicated to SMEs and/or Mid-caps shall be established by the work programme.
Amendment 348 #
2017/0125(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. The European Defence Agency shall be invited as observer to provide its views and recommendations.
Amendment 16 #
2017/0007(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The Union's macro-financial assistance should aim to support the restoration of a sustainable external financing situation for Moldova thereby supporting its economic and social development, especially in areas related to economic governance and to the independence of the judiciary.
Amendment 20 #
2017/0007(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) The Union's macro-financial assistance should support Moldova's commitment to values shared with the Union, including democracy, the rule of law, good governance, respect for human rights, including freedom of the media, sustainable development and poverty reduction, as well as its commitment to the principles of open, rules-based and fair trade.
Amendment 27 #
2017/0007(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) A pre-condition for granting the Union's macro-financial assistance and releasing each instalment of the assistance should be that Moldova respects effective democratic mechanisms – including a multi-party parliamentary system – and the rule of law, andthe independence of the judiciary, guarantees respect for human rights and for the independence and freedom of media. In addition, the specific objectives of the Union's macro-financial assistance should strengthen the efficiency, transparency and accountability of the public finance management systems, the governance and supervision of the financial sector in Moldova and promote effective and efficient structural reforms aimed at supporting sustainable and inclusive growth, employment creation and fiscal consolidation. The release of macro- financial assistance should also be conditional upon tangible progress in the fight against corruption, money laundering and in the strengthening of the independence of the judiciary. In order to ensure that those conditions are properly assessed, such progress should be defined in a stringent and measurable manner. Both the fulfilment of the preconditions and the achievement of those objectives should be regularly monitored by the Commission and the European External Action Service.
Amendment 28 #
2017/0007(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) In order to ensure that the Union’s financial interests linked to the Union’s macro-financial assistance are protected efficiently, Moldova should take appropriate measures relating to the prevention of, and fight against, fraud, corruption and any other irregularities linked to the assistance. Moldova should regularly inform the Commission about the implementation of the macro- financial assistance, ensuring full disclosure and strict compliance with Union financial rules. In addition, provision should be made for the Commission to carry out checks and for the Court of Auditors to carry out audits.
Amendment 32 #
2017/0007(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) The Union's macro-financial assistance should be subject to economic policy conditions, to be laid down in a Memorandum of Understandingwith a particular focus on Moldovan economy and the economic governance system, with specific regard to the judiciary and to the banking sectors, to be laid down in a Memorandum of Understanding, including well-defined timelines for the fulfillment of such conditions. The lack of tangible progress in fulfilling those conditions should lead to the temporary suspension or withdrawal of the decision to disburse the Union's macro-financial assistance. In order to ensure uniform conditions of implementation and for reasons of efficiency, the Commission should be empowered to negotiate such conditions with the Moldovan authorities under the supervision of the committee of representatives of the Member States in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. Under that Regulation, the advisory procedure should, as a general rule, apply in all cases other than as provided for in that Regulation. Considering the potentially important impact of assistance of more than EUR 90 million, it is appropriate that the examination procedure be used for operations above that threshold. Considering the amount of the Union's macro-financial assistance to Moldova, the examination procedure should apply to the adoption of the Memorandum of Understanding, and to any reduction, suspension or cancellation of the assistance,
Amendment 7 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12
Citation 12
— having regard to the Presidency conclusions of 13 December 2016 on the enlargement and stabilisation and association processes,
Amendment 10 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15
Citation 15
— having regard to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999), to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion of 22 July 2010 on the accordance with international law of the unilateral declaration of independence in respect of Kosovo, and to UN General Assembly Resolution 64/298 of 9 September 2010, which acknowledged the content of the ICJ opinion and welcomed the EU’s readiness to facilitate dialogue between Serbia and KosovoBelgrade and Pristina,
Amendment 26 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the EU has placed the rule of law at the core of its enlargement policy and Stabilisation and Association Process;
Amendment 45 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the entry into force of the EU-Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) on 1 April 2016 as the first contractual relationship and an essential step for the integration of Kosovo into the EU; welcomes the launch of the European Reform Agenda on 11 November 2016 as a platform to facilitate implementation of the SAA and calls on Kosovo to show clear political will and determination to implement the agreed roadmap including the setting up of the coordination mechanism for the implementation of the SAA, and to seize the positive momentum created by the SAAis Agreement;
Amendment 66 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges the leaders of the Kosovo- Serbian community to take full ownership of their place and role in theKosovo institutions of the country, acting independently from Belgrade and constructively for the benefit of all the people of Kosovo;
Amendment 80 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes with concern that the post of Minister of European Integration still remains vacant and that this undermines the coherence and effectiveness of SAA implementation policies; underlines that the path towards EU integrationframework of relations with the EU requires a strategic long-term vision and sustained commitment in the adoption and implementation of the necessary reforms;
Amendment 91 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Encourages the remainingTakes note that five Member States to proceed with thehave not recognition ofzed Kosovo; stresses that recognition would be beneficial to the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristinain this regards, takes positive note of the constructive approach of all EU Member States in facilitating and strengthening the relations between EU and Kosovo with the aim of socio/economic development, rule of law consolidation and for the benefit of the people of Kosovo; encourages a posiconstructive approach with regard to Kosovo’s participation in international organisations;
Amendment 109 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the proposal by the Commission to grant visa liberalisation, which would be a very positive step for Kosovo on the path to European integrationfurther step in the framework of relations between EU and Kosovo; is concerned by the stalemate in the Assembly with regard to the ratification of the demarcation agreement with Montenegro, and stresses that visa liberalisation can only be granted once Kosovo has fulfilled all criteria, including with regard to building up a track record of high-level convictions for corruption and organised crime;
Amendment 122 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the progress made in implementing the various agreements signendorsed since August 2016 in the normalisation process with Serbia, after months of little to no progress; calls on both Kosovo and Serbia to show more engagement and sustained political will as regards the normalisation of relations and recalls that this is a condition for accession toe process of normalisation of relations with Belgrade is an essential principle of the EUSAA; takes note of some progress on other technical issues such as cadastre, university diplomas and licence plates and on the implementation of the agreement on the Mitrovica Bridge; welcomes the allocation of an independent international telephone code to Kosovo; reiterates its call on the European External Action Service to carry out an evaluation of the performance of the sides in fulfilling their obligations;
Amendment 136 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes that the Association of Serbian Municipalities has not yet been set up and that the Statute still has to be drafted, and urges Kosovo to establish the association in line with the agreement reached under the EU-facilitated dialogue and with the ruling of the Kosovo Constitutional Court; expresses concern at the continued presence of Serbia’s parallel structures and calls for their dismantlement; encourages all stakeholders to find an acceptable and mutually agreeable long-term solution for the status of the Trepca mining complex;
Amendment 179 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Expresses serious concerns at the lack of progress with regard to the protection of freedom of expression and media freedom, and at the increased political interference and pressure and intimidation exerted on the media; urges the Kosovo authorities in Pristina to fully recognise and protect freedom of expression in line with EU standards and to end impunity for attacks against journalists;
Amendment 184 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the agreement signed by Kosovo and SerbiaPristina and Belgrade on 30 November 2016 on the final steps for the implementation of the Justice Agreement, reached within the Dialogue of 9 February 2015, which will enable the judicial institutions of the country to become operational in the entire territory ofthroughout Kosovo;
Amendment 196 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Reiterates its concern about the very slow progress in the fight against corruption and organised crime and calls for renewed efforts and a clear political will to tackle these issues; regrets that corruption and organised crime go unpunished in certain areas of Kosovo, notably in the north; is concerned that the track record of investigations, prosecutions, final convictions and confiscation and sequestration of criminal assets remains low; calls for directeffective and effectiveicient cooperation between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as between all the countries in the region, in the fight against organised crime; stresses that Kosovo’s membership of Interpol and cooperation with Europol win the fight against organized crime through existing channels, both with Serbia and with the countries in the region, as well as with Interpol and Europol structures which should facilitate these efforts;
Amendment 219 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Kosovo authorities to address gender mainstreaming as a priority and to ensure that governing bodies and authorities lead by example; is concerned about the structural challenges hampering the implementation of the law on gender equality, and remains concerned about the under-representation of women in decision-making positions; is concerned that no progress has been made on combating domestic and gender-based violence; urges the authorities to encourage publicly and put in place protection mechanisms and shelter measures for women who break the silence and denounce domestic violence, and welcomes in this respect the NGO ‘Be a Man’ founded by men in Pristina;
Amendment 253 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Regrets the slow pace of Kosovo’s efforts to build an adequate and efficient administrative capacity, which is preventing ithe country from fully implementing the laws adopted and using EU funds effectively; regrets the political interference and politicisation of staff in public administration at all levels;
Amendment 256 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the extension of the mandate of EULEX Kosovo and urges Kosovo to continue to cooperate actively to the full and unhindered execution by EULEX of its mandate; calls for continued EU efforts in further strengthening independent justice, police and customs systems beyond 2018 with a view to Kosovo’s full ownership of these functions; calls for an efficient and smooth transition of judicial cases dealt with by EULEX prosecutors to national prosecthe competent rule of law authorsities in Kosovo;
Amendment 280 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Warmly welcomes the Council of Europe’s decision to grant Kosovo observer status in its Parliamentary Assembly as of January 2017 in respect of Kosovo-related sessions; supports Kosovo’s efforts to integrate into the international community; calls, in this connection, for the participeffective cooperation of Kosovo win all the relevant regional and international organisations and urges Serbia to stop interfering in this process;
Amendment 286 #
2016/2314(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Urges the Kosovo authorities to adopt a credible long-term energy strategy based on energy efficiency, the diversification of energy sources and the development of renewables; calls on the government to respect the agreement to close down Kosovo A power plant and make use of the EUR 60 million allocated for this purpose by the EU within the framework of IPA funds; calls for a hydropower strategy for the Western Balkans as a whole;
Amendment 30 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas Serbia and Russia held joint military exercises on Serbian territory close to the Croatian border in August 2016;
Amendment 31 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
C b. whereas the implementation of the legal framework on the protection of minorities needs to be fully ensured, notably in the areas of education, use of language, access to media and religious services in minority language, and adequate political representation of national minorities at local, regional and national levels;
Amendment 32 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
C c. whereas the application of Article 2 and Article 3 of the Law on Organization and Competences of State Authorities in War Crimes Proceedings of Republic of Serbia represents violation of commonly accepted principles of international criminal law;
Amendment 100 #
2016/2311(INI)
6. Calls on Serbia to align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including its policy on Russia; stresses that the alignment of foreign and security policy is the precondition to join the EU and regrets the continued refusal of Serbian authorities to align its policy towards Russia with the pro-European orientation of the country; welcomes Serbia’'s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;
Amendment 105 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. CReiterates its calls on Serbia to progressively align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU, including on restrictive measures and on its policy on Russia; welcomes Serbia’s important contribution to and continued participation in international peacekeeping operations;
Amendment 159 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Notes that the application of the Law on Organization and Competences of State Authorities in War Crimes Proceedings violates the generally accepted principles of criminal and international law - the principle of legal certainty and the principle of non- intervention in the internal affairs of other states, and hinders the process of reconciliation in South Eastern Europe; calls on the Serbian authorities to immediately repeal the relevant articles and abandon a concept of quasi-universal jurisdiction for war crimes in neighbouring countries; in this regards, calls on the European Commission and Member States to invest additional efforts in addressing this issue in the process of EU-Serbia negotiations, particularly within the scope of Chapter 23;
Amendment 210 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines that the legislative and institutional framework for observance of international human rights law is in place; stresses that consistent implementation across the whole country is needed; notes that further sustained efforts are needed to improve the situation of persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, and persons with HIV/AIDS and LGBTI persons;
Amendment 237 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the adoption of an action plan for the realisation of the rights of national minorities, and the adoption of a decree establishing a fund for national minorities; calls for the full implementation of the action plan; reiterates its call on Serbia to ensure consistent implementation of legislation on protection of minorities across the entire territory, including in relation to education, use of languages, representation in public administration and access to media and religious services in minority languages;
Amendment 255 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Stresses that the progress in the field of ensuring rights of national minorities is not satisfactory and reiterates that the promotion and protection of human rights, including rights of national minorities is the basic precondition for joining the EU;
Amendment 273 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Welcomes the fact that Serbia remains constructively committed to bilateral relations with other enlargement countries and neighbouring EU Member States; has taken positive note of the fact that Serbia has shown an increasingly constructive engagement in regional cooperation initiatives such as the South- East Europe Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Brdo process, the Western Balkan Six initiative and its connectivity agenda and the Berlin process; calls on Serbia to implement the connectivity reform measures associated with the connectivity agenda; underlines that outstanding bilateral disputes should not have a detrimental effect on the accession process; welcomes the adoption of a national strategy for the investigation and prosecution of war crimes; notes that the mandate of the former War Crimes Prosecutor expired in December 2015; stresses that the appointment of his successor is a matter of serious concern; calls for the implementation of this strategy and the adoption of an operational prosecutorial strategy; calls for fulldeeply regrets the lack of cooperation of Serbia with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and reminds that this is Serbia's basic obligation within the process of accession negotiations; urges the authorities to continue working on the issue of the fate of missing persons;
Amendment 310 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. calls on Serbia to intensify efforts in implementing all bilateral agreements with neighbouring countries, including the Agreement on Normalization of Relations between the then-Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, consisting of Serbia and Montenegro, and the Republic of Croatia, signed in 1996;
Amendment 314 #
2016/2311(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22 b. Strongly condemns the act of sending a Serbian nationalist train from Belgrade to Northern Kosovo; interprets this as an act of provocation and a step back in Serbia-Kosovo relations; calls on Serbian authorities to refrain from using the rhetorics resembling that of Milošević which includes using minorities in sovereign states as a tool for manipulation;
Amendment 62 #
2016/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges the Contracting Parties to the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 1948 and to other relevant international agreements, including the EU Member States, to take all necessary action to prevent atrocity crimes within their territory as they have committed to doing; calls on all states that have not yet ratified these Conventions to do so;
Amendment 68 #
2016/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the urgent need for the international community to step up its efforts in monitoring and effectively responding to any conflict or potential conflict that might lead to any act that could be considered an atrocity crime;
Amendment 73 #
2016/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for the EU to step up its efforts to develop a coherent and efficient approach to identifying and responding to crisis or conflict situations that might lead to an atrocity crime being committed; underlines, in particular, the importance ofand necessity of effectively exchanging information and coordinating preventive actions between EU institutions, including EU delegations, common security and defence policy (CSDP) missions and operations and Member States, together with their competent national agencies and diplomatic representations;
Amendment 96 #
2016/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes with regret the recent announcements of withdrawals from the Rome Statute, which represent a challenge in terms of victims’ access to justice; calls on the countries concerned to reconsider their decision; welcomes the fact that onetwo of these hasve already retracted itstheir withdrawal notification; considers that the EU should, during its negotiations on various issues with non-signatories or third countries having withdrawn from the Rome Statute, include a conditionality clause regarding their adherence to the Rome Statute;
Amendment 126 #
2016/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls for the EU and its Member States to analyse, initiate and support the establishment of an International Criminal Tribunal for Iraq and Syria to investigate the atrocity crimes committed in Iraq and Syria and prosecute the related individuals or groups.
Amendment 180 #
2016/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Emphasises that the EU and its Member States should support the prosecution of ‘ISIS/Daesh’ by the ICC by seeking a consensus within the UN Security Council; calls on the EU Member States to investigate and prosecute nationals of theirs who have committed atrocity crimes in Iraq and Syria, or to refer them to the ICC; underlines that, alternatively, the EU should explorpropose and support by all means at international level all options to prosecute ‘ISIS/Daesh’ crimes, including by means of the establishment of an International Criminal Tribunal for Iraq and Syria;
Amendment 190 #
2016/2239(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Welcomes the EUʼs efforts to support the work of the Commission for International Justice and Accountability; calls for the EU to give direct support to Iraqi and Syrian civil society in gathering, preserving and protecting evidence of all crimes committed in relation to the conflict in Iraq and Syria, including those committed by ‘ISIS/Daesh’; supports the United KingdomBritish and Belgian initiative at UN level to gather evidence of the crimes committed by ‘ISIS/Daesh’ in Syria and Iraq in order to facilitate its prosecution internationally; considers that the Member States should support this initiative by all available means, including by similar initiatives and actions.
Amendment 900 #
2016/2114(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 15 – paragraph 1
Rule 15 – paragraph 1
The President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors shall be elected by secret ballot, in accordance with Rule 182. Nominations shall be with consent. They may only be made by a political group or by at least 40 Members. However, if the number of nominations does not exceed the number of seats to be filled, the candidates may be elected by acclamation. Members shall be permitted to serve a maximum of two terms in the office of President pursuant to Rule 19(1), regardless of whether they are served consecutively or not.
Amendment 19 #
2016/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas in recent years the security situation in and around Europe has significantly worsened and has created arduous and unprecedented challenges that no single country or organisation is able to face alone; whereas solidarity and resilience requires the EU to stand and to act together, and to do so in concert with our allies; whereas the fight against terrorism is a priority for the EU and should be engaged within as well as outside the EU’s borders;
Amendment 131 #
2016/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that the Member States which are willing to make more binding commitments to one another should establish permanent structured cooperation within the Union framework; encourages those Member States to establish multinational forces within the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and make these forces available to the common security and defence policy; underlines the importance and necessity of all Member States implication in a permanent and efficient structured cooperation; believes that the Council should normally entrust the implementation of a peace-keeping, conflict prevention and strengthening international security task to those multinational forces; is convinced that the EU battle group system should be further developed to that end; underlines that PESCO is open to all Member States;
Amendment 194 #
2016/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the joint declaration by the presidents of the European Council and the Commission, and the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization of 8 July 2016; emphasises the need for stronger cooperation between the EU and NATO in the area of security and defence; is convinced that EU-NATO cooperation should involve building resilience together in the east and the south as well as defence investment; considers that cooperation on capabilities offers the prospect of improving compatibility and synergy between both frameworks; is convinced that this would also strengthen NATO’s role in security and defence policy, and in collective defence; underlines that cooperation between EU and NATO for facilitating a stronger and efficient defence industry and defence research, represents a strategic priority and its speedy implementation is crucial; is convinced that the common working on prevention, analysis and early detection by efficient information and intelligence sharing will increase the EU capacity to counter threats, including the hybrid threats;
Amendment 236 #
2016/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Is convinced that the EU security and defence white book should be the result of coherent intergovernmental and interparliamentary processes, which should be underpinned by international coordination with our partners and allies, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and comprehensive interinstitutional support;
Amendment 248 #
2016/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Takes the view that the white book should take the form of an interinstitutional agreement of a binding nature which would set out all Union initiatives, investments, measures and programmes over the respective multiannual political and financial framework of the EU; is convinced that the Member States, partners and allies canshould take this interinstitutional agreement into account in their own security and defence planning, with a view to being mutually consistent;
Amendment 303 #
2016/2052(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 – indent 10
Paragraph 16 – indent 10
- initial EU-NATO projects on countering hybrid threats, on cooperation on strategic communications and response, on operational cooperation including at sea, and on migration, on coordination on cyber security and defence, on defence capabilities, on strengthening the defence technological, research and industrial base, on exercises, and on building the defence and security capacity of our partners in the East and South;
Amendment 151 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Underlines the need to have access to the proved false information sent by Russia for manipulation and disinformation;
Amendment 290 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Underlines the necessity and importance of a permanent communication strategy regarding the hidden realities from Russia;
Amendment 292 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Underlines that it is necessary to periodically review and identify the persons working in the EU institutions and media and acting as instruments of the Russian anti-European propaganda;
Amendment 293 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10c. Requests to the competent EU institutions and authorities to efficiently follow the financing sources of the anti- European propaganda;
Amendment 294 #
2016/2030(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 d (new)
Paragraph 10 d (new)
10d. Requests to the competent EU institutions to implement a better coordination on communication strategy among them, being also aware of the excellent coordination of those involved in the anti-European propaganda;
Amendment 19 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) In order to ensure full respect for the principle of family unity and for the best interests of the child, the existence of a relationship of dependency between an applicant and his or her child, sibling or parent on account of the applicant’s pregnancy or maternity, state of health or old age, should become a binding responsibility criterion. When the applicant is an unaccompanied minor, the presence of a family member or relative on the territory of another Member State who can take care of him or her should also become a binding responsibility criterion. Separated children, which are also legally considered as unaccompanied minors, is a distinct category that should require specific attention. In order to discourage secondary movements of unaccompanied minors, which are not in their best interests, in the absence of a family member or a relative, the Member State responsible should be that where the unaccompanied minor first has lodged his or her application for international protectionis present, unless it is demonstrated that this would not be in the best interests of the child. Before transferring an unaccompanied minor to another Member State, the transferring Member State should make sure that that Member State will take all necessary and appropriate measures to ensure the adequate protection of the child, and in particular the prompt appointment of a representative or representatives tasked with safeguarding respect for all the rights to which they are entitled. In order to avoid an excessive pressure on the social system of single Member States and ensure a fair sharing of responsibility, the corrective allocation mechanism should include specific provisions for unaccompanied minors. Any decision to transfer an unaccompanied minor should be preceded by an assessment of his/her best interests by staff with the necessary qualifications and expertise.
Amendment 27 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) Any person subject to this regulation should have the rights to an effective remedy, in the form of an appeal or review, pursuant to the applicable legislation. In order to guarantee effective protection of the rights of the persons concerned, legal safeguards and the right to an effective remedy in respect of decisions regarding transfers to the Member State responsible should be established, in accordance, in particular, with Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. An effective remedy should also be provided in situations when no transfer decision is taken but the applicant claims that another Member State is responsible on the basis that he has a family member or, for unaccompanied minors, a relative in another Member State. In order to ensure that international law isand the relevant case-law are respected, an effective remedy against such decisions should cover both the examination of the application of this Regulation and of the legal and factual situation in the Member State to which the applicant is transferred. The or returned. The main scope of the effective remedy should be limited to an assessment of whether applicants' fundamental rights to respect of family life, the rights of the child, or the prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment risk to be infringed upon.
Amendment 34 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
Recital 32
(32) A key based on the size of the population and of the economy of the Member States should be applied as a point of reference in the operation of the corrective allocation mechanism in conjunction with a threshold, so as to enable the mechanism to function as a means of assisting Member States under disproportionate pressure. The application of the corrective allocation for the benefit of a Member State should be triggered automatically where the number of applications for international protection for which a Member State is responsible exceeds 150% of the figure identified in the reference key, but taking in consideration the applicant preference motivated by familiar reunification. In order to comprehensively reflect the efforts of each Member State, the number of persons effectively resettled to that Member State should be added to the number of applications for international protection for the purposes of this calculation. The unaccompanied minors represent a distinct category, and should therefore require specific attention and a distinct key to be applied.
Amendment 44 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
Recital 35
Amendment 62 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point j
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point j
(j) ‘unaccompanied minor’ means a minor who arrives on the territory of the Member States unaccompanied by an adult responsible for him or her, whether by law or by the practice of the Member State concerned, and for as long as he or she is not effectively taken into the care of such an adult; it includes a minor who is left unaccompanied after he or she has entered the territory of Member States, as well as minors who have been separated from both parents or from their previous legal or customary primary care-giver;
Amendment 71 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point a
Amendment 73 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point b – point i
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point b – point i
Amendment 77 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5
Article 3 – paragraph 5
5. The Member State which has examined an application for international protection, including in the cases referred to in paragraph 3, shall be responsible for examining any further representations or a subsequent application of that applicant in accordance with Article 40, 41 and 42 of Directive 2013/32/EU, irrespective of whether the applicant has left or was removed from the territories of the Member States.
Amendment 79 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. Where a person who intends to make an application for international protection has entered irregularly into the territory of the Member States, the application shall be made in the Member State of that first where he or she is presentry. Where a person who intends to make an application for international protection is legally present in a Member State, the application shall be made in that Member State.
Amendment 86 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. The Member State in which the applicant is obliged to be present shall continue the procedures for determining the Member State responsible even when the applicant leaves the territory of that Member State without authorisation or is otherwise not available for the competent authorities of that Member State.
Amendment 92 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) that the right to apply for international protection does not encompass any choice of the applicant which Member State shall be responsible for examining the application for international protection, except when he or she is eligible for family reunification;
Amendment 102 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. The best interests of the child shall be athe primary consideration for Member States with respect to all procedures provided for in this Regulation.
Amendment 106 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Each Member State where an unaccompanied minor is obliged to be present shall ensure that a representative represents and/or assists the unaccompanied minor with respect to the relevant procedures provided for in this Regulation. The representative shall have the qualifications and expertise to ensure that the best interests of the minor are taken into consideration during the procedures carried out under this Regulation. Such representative shall have access to the content of the relevant documents in the applicant’s file including the specific leaflet for unaccompanied minors.
Amendment 108 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
This paragraph shall be without prejudice to the relevant provisions in Article 25 of Directive 2013/32/EU. Due to the vulnerability of this group of applicants, unaccompanied minors should not be transferred to another Member State except if it is in their best interest.
Amendment 115 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 4
Article 8 – paragraph 4
4. Before transferring an unaccompanied minor to the Member State responsible or, where applicable, to the Member State of allocation, the transferring Member State shall make sure that the Member State responsible or the Member State of allocation takes the measures referred to in Articles 14 and 24 of Directive 2013/33/EU and Article 25 of Directive 2013/32/EU without delay. Any decision to transfer an unaccompanied minor shall be preceded by an assessment of his/her best interests, through a prioritized procedure pursuant to Directive 2013/32/EU. The assessment shall be based on the factors listed in paragraph 3. The assessment shall be done swiftly by staff with the qualifications and expertise to ensure that the best interests of the minor are taken into consideration.
Amendment 121 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. The criteria for determining the Member State responsible shall be applied only once, in the order in which they are set out in this Chapter.
Amendment 125 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 5
Article 10 – paragraph 5
5. In the absence of a family member or a relative as referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3, the Member State responsible shall be that where the unaccompanied minor first has lodged his or her application for international protectionis present, unless it is demonstrated that this is not in the best interests of the minor.
Amendment 133 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Where it is established, on the basis of proof or circumstantial evidence as described in the two lists mentioned in Article 25(4) of this Regulation, including the data referred to in Regulation [Proposal for a Regulation recasting Regulation (EU) No 603/2013], that an applicant has irregularly crossed the border into a Member State by land, sea or air having come from a third country, the Member State thus entered shall be responsible for examining the application for international protection. That responsibility shall cease 12 months after the date on which the irregular border crossing took place.
Amendment 138 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The Member State in which an application for international protection is made and which is carrying out the process of determining the Member State responsible may, at any time before a Member State responsible has been determined, request another Member State to take charge of an applicant in order to bring together any family relations or on the basis of family, cultural or social ties or language skills which would facilitate his or her integration into that other Member State, even where that other Member State is not responsible under the criteria laid down in Articles 10 to 13 and 18. The persons concerned must express their consent in writing.
Amendment 146 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1
Article 29 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall not hold a person in detention for the sole reason that he or she is subject to the procedure established by this Regulation. Detention shall always remain a measure of last resort and alternatives to detention shall always be a priority. Children shall not to be detained as detention can never be in the child's best interests.
Amendment 159 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37
Article 37
Amendment 167 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 47 – paragraph 1
Article 47 – paragraph 1
1. Each Member State shall notify the Commission without delay of the specific authorities responsible for fulfilling the obligations arising under this Regulation, and any amendments thereto. The Member States shall ensure that those authorities have the necessary resources for carrying out their tasks and in particular for replying within the prescribed time limits to requests for information, requests to take charge, take back notifications and, if applicable, complying with their obligations under the allocation mechanism . Any Member State may send requests to the Commission and other Member States detailing the necessary assistance, including the necessity of experts and interprets, needed in order to fulfil the obligations arising under this Regulation.
Amendment 168 #
2016/0133(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 47 – paragraph 2
Article 47 – paragraph 2
Amendment 123 #
2016/0131(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point l
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point l
(l) monitor and assess the implementation of the CEAS as well as the asylum and reception systems of Member States; in accordance with the applicable EU primary law;
Amendment 192 #
2016/0131(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The Agency, in close cooperation with the Commission and in accordance with the applicable EU primary law, shall establish a mechanism to:
Amendment 196 #
2016/0131(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) support the monitor theing of implementation and assessment of all aspects of the CEAS in Member States, in particular the Dublin system, reception conditions, asylum procedures, the application of criteria determining protection needs and the nature and quality of protection afforded to persons in need of international protection by Member States, including as regards the respect of fundamental rights, child protection safeguards and the needs of vulnerable persons;
Amendment 200 #
2016/0131(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) monitorsupport the monitoring of the compliance by Member States with operational standards, indicators guidelines and best practices on asylum;
Amendment 202 #
2016/0131(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point c
Amendment 214 #
2016/0131(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 5
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 5
The Agency may initiate a monitoring exercise for the assessment of the asylum or reception systems of a Member State on its own initiative or at the request of the Commission whenever there are serious concerns regarding the functioning of any aspect of that Member State's asylum or reception systems.
Amendment 237 #
2016/0131(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 3
Article 18 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall contribute to the asylum intervention pool through a national expert pool on the basis of the various defined profiles and by nominating experts corresponding to the required profiles. The duration of deployment shall be determined by the home Member State, according with the longer term nomination needed to ensure adequate presence on the ground, but it shall not be less than 30 days.
Amendment 268 #
2016/0131(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1
Article 29 – paragraph 1
1. The Agency may take all necessary measures to facilitate the exchange of information relevant to its tasks with the Commission and the Member States and, where appropriate, the relevant Union agencies, including Europol for facilitating the exchange of fingerprints.
Amendment 348 #
2016/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – part 2 – PFC 1(A) – paragraph 2 – indent 1
Annex I – part 2 – PFC 1(A) – paragraph 2 – indent 1
- Cadmium (Cd) 1,580 mg/kg dry matter,P2O5
Amendment 392 #
2016/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – part 2 – PFC 1(B) – paragraph 3 – point a – point 2 – indent 1
Annex I – part 2 – PFC 1(B) – paragraph 3 – point a – point 2 – indent 1
- As of [Publications office, please insert the date of application of this Regulation]: 680 mg/kg phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5),
Amendment 404 #
2016/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – part 2 – PFC 1(B) – paragraph 3 – point a – point 2 – indent 2
Annex I – part 2 – PFC 1(B) – paragraph 3 – point a – point 2 – indent 2
Amendment 417 #
2016/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – part 2 – PFC 1(B) – paragraph 3 – point a – point 2 – indent 3
Annex I – part 2 – PFC 1(B) – paragraph 3 – point a – point 2 – indent 3
Amendment 478 #
2016/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – part 2 – PFC 1(C)(I) – paragraph 2 – point a – point 2 – indent 1
Annex I – part 2 – PFC 1(C)(I) – paragraph 2 – point a – point 2 – indent 1
- As of [Publications office, please insert the date of application of this Regulation]: 680 mg/kg phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5),
Amendment 489 #
2016/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – part 2 – PFC 1(C)(I) – paragraph 2 – point a – point 2 – indent 2
Annex I – part 2 – PFC 1(C)(I) – paragraph 2 – point a – point 2 – indent 2
Amendment 502 #
2016/0084(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – part 2 – PFC 1(C)(I) – paragraph 2 – point a – point 2 – indent 3
Annex I – part 2 – PFC 1(C)(I) – paragraph 2 – point a – point 2 – indent 3
Amendment 70 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8 a) When calculating the duration of posting, same postings within the same contract concluded by the undertaking referred to in Article 1 (1) should be taken into account.
Amendment 71 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8 b (new)
Recital 8 b (new)
(8 b) When assessing working place for the purpose of calculating the duration of posting in the context of replacement, the working place should be understood as the very same working place where the worker is posted to the same working position to perform the same tasks.
Amendment 72 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8 c (new)
Recital 8 c (new)
(8 c) For the calculation of the remuneration within the meaning of this Directive, minimum rates of pay and other mandatory elements, laid down by law or universally applicable collective agreements or arbitration awards, are to be taken into account, provided that these elements do not alter the relationship between the service provided by a workers and the consideration which the worker receives in return. The mandatory elements are the elements which apply to all workers and that are not optional or dependent on certain events or factors. Member States should specify in a transparent way the different elements of remuneration applicable on their territory. Posted worker should be entitled to the gross amount of remuneration which does not have to comply with the all mandatory elements but to the amount required.
Amendment 121 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 14
Recital 14
Amendment 132 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) When calculating the duration of posting, only postings within the same contract concluded by the undertaking referred to in Article 1 (1) should be taken into account.
Amendment 133 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8 b (new)
Recital 8 b (new)
(8b) When assessing working place for the purpose of calculating the duration of posting in the context of replacement, the working place should be understood as the very same working place where the worker is posted to the same working position to perform the same tasks.
Amendment 134 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8 c (new)
Recital 8 c (new)
(8c) For the calculation of the remuneration within the meaning of this Directive, minimum rates of pay and other mandatory elements, laid down by law or universally applicable collective agreements or arbitration awards, are to be taken into account, provided that these elements do not alter the relationship between the service provided by a workers and the consideration which the worker receives in return. The mandatory elements are the elements which apply to all workers and that are not optional or dependent on certain events or factors. Member States should specify in a transparent way the different elements of remuneration applicable on their territory. Posted worker should be entitled to the gross amount of remuneration which does not have to comply with the all mandatory elements but to the amount required.
Amendment 139 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point -1 (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point -1 (new)
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 1 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 2 a (new)
(-1) in Article 1, the following paragraph is added: “2a. This Directive shall not apply to transport undertakings.”
Amendment 146 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Amendment 155 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Because of the highly mobile nature of work in international road transport, the implementation of th it would be pmosting of workers directive raises particular legal questions and difficulties (especially where the link with the concerned Member State is insufficient). It would be most suited for these challenges to be addressed suited to address this topic through sector-specific legislation together with other EU initiatives aimed at improving the functioning of the internal road transport market.
Amendment 178 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 2 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 2 – point c
(c) remuneration, including overtime ratesminimum rates of pay, including overtime rates, unless the Member State fails to publish in the single official national website referred to in Article 5 of Directive 2014/67/EU the constituent elements of minimum rates of pay, their geographic and personal scope and the method of calculation; this point does not apply to supplementary occupational retirement pension schemes;
Amendment 193 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
For the purposes of this Directive, remuneration means all the elements of remuneration rendered mandatory by national law, regulation or administrative provision, collective agreements or arbitration awards which have been declared universally applicable and/or, in the absence of a system for declaring collective agreements or arbitration awards to be of universal application, other collective agreements or arbitthe concept of minimum rates of pay referred to in paragraph 1 (c) is defined by the national law and/or praction awards within the meaning of paragraph 8 second subparagraph, ince of the Member State to whose territory the worker is posted.
Amendment 200 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Member States shall publish in the single official national website referred to in Article 5 of Directive 2014/67/EU the constituent elements of remuneration in accordance with point (c)minimum rates of pay, their geographic and personal scope and the method of calculation in accordance with point (c). If the payment received by the posted worker is at least equal to the minimum rates of pay, it shall be deemed that this posted worker has received the minimum rates of pay provided for in this Directive.
Amendment 201 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Member States shall publish in the single official national website referred to in Article 5 of Directive 2014/67/EU the constituent elements of remuneration in accordance with point (c)., their geographic and personal scope and the method of calculation in accordance with point (d). If the payment received by the posted worker is at least equal to the amount of constituent elements of remuneration, it shall be deemed that this posted worker has received the remuneration provided for in this Directive."
Amendment 210 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a
Amendment 214 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b a (new)
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a a (new)
Amendment 229 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 14
Recital 14
Amendment 260 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point -1 (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point -1 (new)
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 1 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 2 a (new)
(–1) In Article 1, the following paragraph 2a is inserted : 2a. This Directive shall not apply to transport undertakings.
Amendment 279 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 2a
Article 2a
Amendment 366 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 3 – pragraph 1 – indent 2 – point c
Article 3 – pragraph 1 – indent 2 – point c
(c) remuneration, including overtime ratesminimum rates of pay, including overtime rates, unless the Member State fails to publish in the single official national website referred to in Article 5 of Directive 2014/67/EU the constituent elements of minimum rates of pay, their geographic and personal scope and the method of calculation; this point does not apply to supplementary occupational retirement pension schemes;
Amendment 400 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
For the purposes of this Directive, remuneration means all the elements of remuneration rendered mandatory by national law, regulation or administrative provision, collective agreements or arbitration awards which have been declared universally applicable and/or, in the absence of a system for declaring collective agreements or arbitration awards to be of universal application, other collective agreements or arbitthe concept of minimum rates of pay referred to in paragraph 1 (c) is defined by the national law and/or praction awards within the meaning of paragraph 8 second subparagraph, ince of the Member State to whose territory the worker is posted.
Amendment 428 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Member States shall publish in the single official national website referred to in Article 5 of Directive 2014/67/EU the constituent elements of remunerminimum rates of pay, their geographic and personal scope and the method of calculation in accordance with point (c).
Amendment 438 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3 a (new)
If the payment received by the posted worker is at least equal to the minimum rates of pay, it shall be deemed that this posted worker has received the minimum rates of pay provided for in this Directive.
Amendment 452 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 3 – pragraph 1 a
Article 3 – pragraph 1 a
Amendment 469 #
2016/0070(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b a (new)
Directive 96/71/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a b (new)
(ba) The following paragraph is added: 1ab. Member States shall publish in the single official national website referred to in Article 5 of Directive 2014/67/EU the constituent elements of remuneration, their geographic and personal scope and the method of calculation in accordance with point (d). If the payment received by the posted worker is at least equal to the amount of constituent elements of remuneration, it shall be deemed that this posted worker has received the remuneration provided for in this Directive.
Amendment 174 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that EU development cooperation should continue to address the root causes of forced displacement, namely the poverty, armed conflict, lack of economic opportunities, bad governance, climate change and mistaken trade policies, by promoting peace, democracy and security, reducing poverty and inequality, strengthening basic services, addressing state fragility and promoting human rights and good governance, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 16 in the new 2030 Agenda;
Amendment 238 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting to Address Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants of 19 September 2016 and the hosting of the Leaders’ Summit by the USA, as migration flows are a global responsibility which demand an effective global response and enhanced cooperation between all stakeholders for a sustainable solution; welcomes the outcome of these summits as the expression of a political commitment of unprecedented force, initiating the path towards a truly international sharing of responsibilities for refugees and large migration movements; regrets however the lack of specific pledges or legally binding commitments in terms of aid or reform, which are needed to close the current gap between rhetoric and reality; calls on all the parties involved to ensure continued political engagement, funding and concrete acts of solidarity in support of host countries; calls for the EU and its Member States to take the lead in international efforts, particularly as regards ensuring that the agreements –including the future compacts on refugees and on safe, orderly and regular migration – are swiftly put into practice, establishing follow-up mechanisms as needed;
Amendment 268 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines that the resettlement of forcibly displaced persons is a responsibility of the international community; considers it crucial to implement as a matter of urgency a coordinated and sustainable response in third countries to grant asylum for people in need of international protection, instead of leaving the burden on the front-line states or countries neighbouring conflict zones; highlights the fact that financial support is outpaced by the scope and scale of displacement, compounded by the lack of solutions to address the root causes of this forced displacement;
Amendment 329 #
2015/2342(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that EU external action should be forward-looking instead of mainly reactive with changing objectives in response to new crises; recalls that the migration phenomenon stems from a complex set of causes such as a growing population, poverty, insufficient job creation, armed conflict, political instability and climate change;
Amendment 64 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that the CSDP should be viewed as part of the broader CFSP framework and of EU external action as a whole; strongly believes that coherence and complementarity should be ensured between the various instruments to achieve economies of scale and maximise the impact of EU spending; is convinced that the EU has more tools and leverage potential than any other supranational institution, given that its security and defence policy can be reinforced by a comprehensive approach with other types of EU instruments and financing mechanisms; believes, therefore, that CFSP resources should be used in a smarter way by tying CSDP in with the different programmes managed by the Commission; believes that in the context of the deteriorating security situation in the east and south of the EU and after-effects of the financial crisis on the defence capabilities of the Member States, the EU institutions need to pinpoint ways of supporting Member States in their attempts to ensure security and defence, bearing in mind the obligations incumbent on some Member States owing to their membership of NATO;
Amendment 82 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Welcomes the Commission proposals aimed at improving the implementation of Directive 2009/81/EC (on public procurement contracts) and Directive 2009/43/EC (on transfers of defence-related products on the internal market); calls on the Commission to bear in mind that European undertakings operating in the field of defence need special judicial and financial arrangements to enable them to be competitive and to support national efforts to bolster defence capabilities;
Amendment 126 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Takes the view that the next European Council on defence should not waste an opportunity to have a deep discussion and produce concrete proposals on reforming the financial arrangements for CSDP missions and operations; urges the Member States to deliver on the commitments undertaken at the European Council of December 2013; considers it necessary for the next European Defence Council to take concrete steps to improve the EU’s defence capabilities in a manner complementing NATO, to maintain and consolidate the European Defence Agency and to provide support for a common industrial and technological base;
Amendment 129 #
2015/2258(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Calls on the Commission to support the efforts made by the Member States to put into effect the decisions adopted by the European Council on bolstering defence capabilities, bearing in mind the budgetary constraints facing some Member States.
Amendment 67 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the Review of the EU-Central Asia strategy conducted by the EEAS, the Commission and the Council in 2015; takes the view, nevertheless, that the priorities, objectives and targets should be better defined and accompanied by benchmarks and indicators in a credible timeframe, in order to identify and correct eventual shortfallstaking into account the differences between and uniqueness of the countries in the region;
Amendment 254 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Supports the Commission's plans to use all EU's foreign policy instruments for establishing a strategic energy partnership with Turkmenistan and emphasises its potential for the EU's energy security; points to the reliability and stability of the EU and its companies as potential investment partners in the vast reserves of natural gas and oil Turkmenistan possesses;
Amendment 377 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Stresses that the main international indexes give Turkmenistan a very low ranking as regards respect for human rights and fundamental freedomsTurkmenistan is a party to most major international agreements and therefore under the obligation to respect and protect human rights under all circumstances; expresses its readiness to increase EU support in the field of democratic principles and human rights, in particular by making full use of the European Instrument of Democracy and Human Rights and other means to support the reform process in the country; in this context, calls on the VP/HR to honour the agreement reached with her predecessor regarding a monitoring mechanism, allowing Parliament to be properly informed by the EEAS about the implementation of the PCA, once it enters into force;
Amendment 380 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Welcomes the recently strengthened engagement of Turkmenistan with the EU in areas of mutual concerns; took note of the country's presence at the 2015 OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting and the high-level presence on the Turkmen side at the 15th annual Joint Committee meeting under the Interim Trade Agreement in October 2015;
Amendment 387 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Urges the VP/HR and the Commission to makengage wit clear toh the Turkmen authorities that EU engagement is conditional onin terms of EU approach requiring concrete steps aimed at improving the human rights situation and the rule of law, and firmly to as stipulated in Article 21 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU); further calls to continue raiseing human rights concerns at all levels in addition to the on-going human rights dialogue; points out, in this regard, the importance of setting up an EU Delegation in Turkmenistan, in particular forregrets that Turkmenistan remains the only country in Central Asia where the European Union does not have a full-fledged European Delegation; in this regard reiterates its call on the EEAS to upgrade the Liaison Office in Ashgabat into a full – fledged EU Delegation in Turkmenistan as quickly as possible to, inter-alia, interaction with civil society and monitoring of the human rights situation;
Amendment 389 #
2015/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Recognises that the entry into force of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Turkmenistan would help to develop the full potential of established relationship;
Amendment 9 #
2015/2095(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights the need for a holistic EU approach to migration which ensures coherence between its internal and external policies; underlines the necessity of an integrated and comprehensive policy approach, as well as a join efforts of the EU institutions, NATO and the countries of the Arab League, to restrict the unparalleled flow of persons into Europe;
Amendment 33 #
2015/2095(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the persistent instability and conflicts in the EU's neighbourhood have a serious impact on the mass influx of migrants; believes that a genuine response to the migration crisis in the Mediterranean will come only from tackling the root causes, namely poverty, instability, wars, persecution, violations of human rights and natural disasters; stresses the urgency for the EU to initiate concerted diplomatic efforts together with the US and other international partners to convince the countries in the region, including Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia, of the urgent need for a common strategy towards this global challenge without precedent;
Amendment 122 #
2015/2095(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the launch of the EUNAVFOR Med operation against smugglers and traffickers in the Mediterranean and supports the reinforcement of the management of the Union's external borders; underlines the necessity of rapid action and long-term comprehensive and concrete action plan, applied in cooperation with third country for an effective approach of the organised criminal networks of the migrants smugglers; insists, however, on the need for sustained, coordinated search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean to save lives and for an EU policy on asylum, subsidiary protection and temporary protection which fully comply with binding obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and respect the non- refoulement principle;
Amendment 2 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A (new)
Recital A (new)
A. whereas upon its entry into force, the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) will replace the Interim Trade Agreement between the EU and Turkmenistan concluded in 2009, currently governing relations between the European Communities and the Republic of Turkmenistan (hereinafter referred to as Turkmenistan);
Amendment 3 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A (new)
Recital A (new)
A. whereas the PCA contains a clause legally binding on both sides to respect human rights and democracy (Article 2) and providing for the possibility of taking appropriate measures in case of failure to attain these principles (Article 94, (2));
Amendment 4 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A (new)
Recital A (new)
A. whereas fourteen out of the fifteen Member States that have signed it have also ratified the PCA; whereas Turkmenistan itself ratified the PCA in 2004;
Amendment 5 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B (new)
Recital B (new)
B. whereas strategic, political and economic developments and the continuing trans-regional security challenges in Central Asia have effects on the interests of the European Union itself, and whereas recent developments in Ukraine, Russia and Afghanistan amplify these challenges;
Amendment 6 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B (new)
Recital B (new)
B. whereas the PCA, once fully ratified, will be concluded for an initial period of 10 years, then renewed annually;
Amendment 7 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B (new)
Recital B (new)
B. whereas economic and trade relations are of vital importance in improving the democratic, social and economic situation of citizens of Turkmenistan;
Amendment 8 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C (new)
Recital C (new)
C. whereas Turkmenistan plays an important role in the region as an exporter of gas, with the potential to become a significant importer into the EU;
Amendment 9 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D (new)
Recital D (new)
D. whereas Turkmenistan has been undergoing a process of cautious reforms since 2006;
Amendment 10 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E (new)
Recital E (new)
E. whereas Turkmenistan adopted in 2015 a National Action Plan on Human Rights for 2016-2020 (NAPHR), prepared with the assistance of the UNDP in 2013;
Amendment 17 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recommends that the EU’s approach to Turkmenistan strike a balance between the promotion of human rights and democracy and the pursuit of EU’s strategic interests; underlines that the ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) will contribute to the achievement of EU objectives in these areas;
Amendment 38 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the reinstatement of the position of EU Special Representative for Central Asia, non-existent since early 2014; welcomes the active engagement expressed by the HR/VP regarding the EU involvement in region and Turkmenistan;
Amendment 40 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Council and the Vice- President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR), to proceed towards the setting up of a full- fledged EU Delegation in Ashgabat, as announced by her predecessor, thus replacing the current EU Liaison Office run from the EU Delegation to Turkey, accredited also to Turkmenistan; emphasises that the new Delegation could monitor the situation and enable diplomacy on the ground, as well as manage projects under the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) and the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) in a better way;
Amendment 49 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recognises the timid legal, political, social and economic reforms introduced by the current government since 2012 as an encouraging sign of a renewed climate of openness, most notably with regard to prison reform, laws on internet, public assembly and public association; notes that the state of democracy, the rule of law and the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms remain weak in Turkmenistan; notes that implementation of laws remains meagre; in this regard, encourages the Turkmenistan authorities to launch its human rights projects provided by the NAPHR, including those dedicated to the internet access;
Amendment 52 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Welcomes, as a positive sign of cooperation facilitating Parliament's consent to the PCA, the last year adoption of the NAPHR for 2016-2020 , prepared with the assistance of the UNDP in 2013, which contains the recommendations made during Turkmenistan's appearance before the Universal Periodic Review process at the UN Human Rights Council in 2013 and having as main objective protecting, promoting and ensuring human rights by defining them in public policy, developing specific programmes, allocating sufficient resources for the implementation of these programmes and further involvement of all relevant government bodies and civil society;
Amendment 54 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Notes that the NAPHR contains detailed tasks and activities, the list of institutions responsible for their fulfilment, specific implementation period, as well as indicators to be used for evaluating the results of each task; notes that the NAPHR covers three main areas: economic, social and cultural rights, civil and political rights and legal system, including the judicial system, law enforcement agencies and lawyers' association;
Amendment 56 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Welcomes that the NAPHR provides the creation of a Monitoring Group and evaluation mechanism in order to track the achievement of expected results and developing an Annual Work plan; points out that this Annual Work Plan will allow appropriate changes and additions to the NAPHR;
Amendment 62 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Takes note of the constitutional reform announced for this year2016, possibly including a strengthening of the separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judiciary branches, and reinforcing the role of Mejlis, and the creation of an office with the function of Ombudsman; welcomes that one of the tasks provided by the NAPHR is the adoption of Law on the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) in accordance with the Paris Principles and recommendation of the UN treaty bodies, having the implementation term in 2016-2017;
Amendment 68 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Points out that the NAPHR plan contains two main objective regarding the political and civil rights: to carry out a legal analysis of national legislation for compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights through implementation of recommendations, and to incorporate the UN recommendations related to civil and political rights into the national legislation, programmes and action strategies; welcomes that the NAPHR contains improvements of legislation, including from a human rights perspective, in the following fields: education, anti-corruption, National Bar Association, combating human trafficking, criminalising of domestic violence, employment and prevention of diseases;
Amendment 71 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Turkmen authorities to address the recommendations made by the OSCE/ODIHR5 , following the parliamentary elections in December 2013; , which took place in a controlled political environment; notes the existence of a third official party, the Agrarian Party, since 2014; __________________ 5 Election Assessment Mission Final Report of 4 March 2014 by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), TURKMENISTAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS of 15 December 2013; http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/11601 1?download=true.
Amendment 74 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that Turkmenistan is party to most major international agreements and therefore under the obligation to respect and protect human rights under all circumstances; expresses its readiness to increase EU support in the field of democratic principles and human rights, in particular by making full use of the European Instrument of Democracy and Human Rights and other means to support the reform process in the country;
Amendment 75 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the ratification by Turkmenistan of a number of international treaties on human rights, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; notes that Turkmenistan is a party to over 130 international conventions and treaties that form the country´s basis for international and legal participation in enhancing human rights and freedoms; calls on Turkmenistan to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families;
Amendment 79 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Encourages Turkmenistan to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court;
Amendment 83 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Underlines the need for the European Parliament to closely follow and monitor developments in Turkmenistan and the implementation of the PCA in coming years; calls, in this context, on the VP/HR to honour the agreement reached with her predecessor regarding a on the VP/HR to implement a PCA monitoring mechanism, for allowing Parliament to be properly informed by the EEAS about the implementation of the PCA, once it enters into force, and, in particular, of its objectives and of compliance with its Article 2;
Amendment 85 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Welcomes the commitment made by the VP-HR in her letter to the Committee on Foreign Affairs on 16 December 2016, containing the following elements: - ensuring that the Parliament is properly informed about the implementation of the human rights and democratisation provisions of the PCA, including access to relevant information on the evolution of the situation of human rights, democracy and the rule of law and is briefed upon request ahead and following meetings of the Cooperation Council, subject to applicable confidentiality rules; - closer interaction with the EP and the civil society in the preparation of and debriefings on annual Human Rights Dialogues; - Parliament's consultation in preparation of updates of the EU Human Rights Country strategy for Turkmenistan;
Amendment 87 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Highlights the importance and necessity of a suspension mechanism of the PCA in the event of a documented and proven serious breach of any human rights;
Amendment 91 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that the EU has held seven rounds of Human Rights Dialogue with Turkmenistan since 2008, and that while the last round in SeptemberJune 20145 was held in a constructive and open atmosphere, it has, disappointingly, so far had very scant results; recommends for the 2016 dialogue to address the tasks and activities on human rights progress provided by the NAPHR, including those regarding the political prisoners, the monitoring and visits of detention facilities and the improvements in civil liberties for persons and NGOs; encourages the Turkmen authorities to actively cooperate with the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC);
Amendment 96 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Notes that the NAPHR contains provisions regarding improvement of work on handling appeals and petitions of citizens as well as organisation of training seminars on electronic systems for appeals and register citizens' applications;
Amendment 101 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the invitation to Turkmenistan of a UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion in 2008, the first UN special rapporteur to visit the country; calls, at the same time, on the Turkmen authorities to allow entry to the remaining nine rapporteurs, all of whom have asked to visit the country; as indicated in the NAPHR for 2016-2020; welcomes that the NAPHR includes permission for the Special Rapporteur procedures on the situation of human rights defenders and the independence of judges and lawyers;
Amendment 104 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Takes note of the slightly improved cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UN on the treatment of prisoners, but remains concerned about the unknown number ofremaining political prisoners in the country, and about the dozens of cases of enforced disappearances in prisons6 ; urges the government to apply the recommendation of the UN Committee against Torture of June 2015 to investigate all cases of torture, ill-treatment and deaths in custody; welcomes that the NAPHR contains detailed related activities to be fulfilled, namely the establishment of an independent, effective and regular system for monitoring and inspection of all detention facilities without prior notice and the publishing of conducted investigations results; __________________ 6 Prove They Are Alive ! Campaign; http://provetheyarealive.org/.
Amendment 106 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Welcomes the accession of Turkmenistan in May 2009 to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the more active support given by it to the UNDP programme for 'gender mainstreaming and policy making in Turkmenistan'; calls for effective implementation of the CEDAW; underlines the importance of fighting human trafficking; notes that the NAPHR provides tasks regarding the improving of women's knowledge about their rights through legal education and the creation of a working group aimed at combating trafficking persons;
Amendment 107 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Supports introduction of a facilitated visa regime, ensuring mutual transparency and people-to-people contacts;
Amendment 116 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Takes note of some limited improvements regarding freedom of the media, including a new law adopted in 2013; nevertheless, it is concerned about the situation of repressive media environment; calls on the Turkmen authorities to fully guarantee freedom of speech, to lift any state controls on print and electronic media and to allow foreign media outlets access to the country and to information;
Amendment 119 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Points out that the NAPHR contains three main tasks regarding the media: carrying out an analysis of situation concerning the rights of journalists, development of a module on freedom of expression for the faculties of journalism and conducting training sessions for judicial officers, lawyers, media professionals on the rights and obligations of journalists; calls on the Turkmen Government to allow journalists to freely operate in the country; calls on Turkmen authorities to grant access to international journalists to the country;
Amendment 121 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Notes the recent lowering of the membership threshold for registration of religious communities and groups from 2004, as well as the overall changes aimed at protecting the rights of minorities;
Amendment 122 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Welcomes that the NAPHR contains the ensuring of equal participation of representatives of national minorities in decision-making process, creation of favourable conditions for children of ethnic minorities to learn their mother tongue and obtain knowledge about their history and culture of their people, joint activities dedicated to national holidays of national and ethnic minorities and the creation of a mechanism of consultation with representatives of national minorities;
Amendment 126 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Notes the modest improvements introduced in the new law on public associations adopted in 2014; calls on the Turkmen authorities to remove restrictions on civil society organisations and to permit the development of a genuinely independent civil society; free from harassment and persecution; nevertheless, it is concerned that unregistered public associations are still banned and that international NGOs are not allowed to operate in the country; welcomes that the NAPHR for 2016-2020 incudes the creation of favourable conditions for registration, operation and development of non-governmental organisations and the carrying out of an analysis of existing legal and regulatory acts on non- governmental organisations and their improvements;
Amendment 130 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. UrgWelcomes, in this context, the Turkmen Government – as a positive sign of cooperation facilitating Parliament’s consent to the PCA – to adopt the draft National Action Plan on Human Rights, prepared with the assistance of the UNDP in 2013, which contains the recommendations made during Turkmenistan’s appearance before the Universal Periodic Review process at the UN Human Rights Council in 2013; recommends that a constructive resolution of the issue of forced disappearances be included in the Plan, the adoption of the NAPHR for 2016-2020 by the Turkmen Government;
Amendment 137 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Notes the mixed results of EU assistance for the period 2011-2013, amounting to EUR 39 million; notes that for the period 2014-2017, the EU allocated EUR 37 million, with a primary focus on the development of human capital; notes that the bilateral development assistance might be phased out as of 2018 when the country could reach the upper income status according to the OECD, despite remarkable difference in living conditions between the urban areas (and notably the capital Ashgabat) and the countryside where poverty is widespread;
Amendment 140 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the Turkmen authorities urgently to address the problem of rampant corruption; welcomes the provisions of NAPHR regarding the improvement of anti-corruption legislation; calls on the European Commission to give full assistance to the Turkmen authorities in the implementation of their action plan against corruption;
Amendment 141 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Welcomes the reinstatement of the ninth year of compulsory education and calls on the Turkmen Government to make the modernisation of the education sector one of its top priorities; in this regard, welcomes EU's assistance in this sector; notes that the NAPHR includes the implementation of the "State Programme on Development of the Educational System in Turkmenistan for the period 2012-2016", the improving of school curriculum, applying of international educational standards, free internet access in educational establishment and secondary vocational schools covered by educational programmes on human rights; welcomes that education is one of the main priorities defined in the EU - Central Asia strategy;
Amendment 144 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on the Turkmen authorities to properly implement the laws banning child labour in a better way, as well as to strengthen the legal framework for the protection of minors from exploitation;
Amendment 148 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Recommends the Turkmen authorities to continue with their reform of the healthcare system; calls on the EU to provide expertise in this sector;
Amendment 149 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Stresses the importance of sustainable development in rural areas, including food security and water distribution;
Amendment 150 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Notes that a major component of the PCA is the further development of trade relations and considers that the Turkmenistan - EU trading relation could be enhanced, taking in account the location of Turkmenistan as an East- West/North-South crossroads;
Amendment 154 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Notes that the EU was Turkmenistan's third trade partner in 2013, after China and Turkey, and that currently the trade with the EU remains relatively negligible at 0.1 % of the EU's overall foreign trade;
Amendment 155 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Encourages Turkmenistan to significantly improve its investment environment in line with the PCA provisions; underlines that foreign investment is vital to the country's economy and its modernisation;
Amendment 165 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Underlines the importance of diversification of Turkmenistan economy, in order to enhance its competitiveness;
Amendment 168 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Notes that the Turkmen Government has adopted a National Development Programme for the period 2011-30 aimed at a gradual modernisation of the economy and calls on Turkmenistan to promote rural development, local ownership and investment;
Amendment 172 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Is deeply concerned about the possible negative regional spill-over effect of the current uncertain security situation in Afghanistan and beyond, including Turkmenistan’s porous border with, andcombined with the increasing presence of the Islamic State in, that country Afghanistan as well as drug trafficking, extremism and terrorism, border security and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risks; therefore, recognises Turkmenistan natural interest in achieving peace in Afghanistan and supports the Turkmenistan's participation in "Heart of Asia" process;
Amendment 175 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Supports Turkmenistan's continued participation in the BOMCA (Border Management in Central Asia) programme which finances also the Central Asia Border Security Initiative (CABSI) Initiative contributing to a sustainable integrated regional border management, and CADAP (Central Asia Drug Action Programme) programme;
Amendment 176 #
2015/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 b (new)
Paragraph 32 b (new)
32b. Highlights the role of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) based in Ashgabat since 2007, as well as of the OSCE, in conflict prevention in the region;
Amendment 45 #
2015/2051(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Draws attention to the fact that displacement due to conflicts, natural disasters or environmental degradation leaves certain populations particularly vulnerable; stresses that refugees, internally displaced persons, victims of trafficking and other migrants caught in crisis must be afforded the same protection of their human rights as all other affected groups; expresses its deep concern regarding the unprecedentedly high number of refugees in the world today, and calls on the global community to use the World Humanitarian Summit to mobilise the necessary financial and operational resources to meet this challenge; calls on the EU and its Member States to prioritise the global refugee crisis in its policies and positions regarding the Summit; underlines the necessity and importance of rapid action together with a long-term concrete and comprehensive action plan to be applied in cooperation with third countries, local, national and regional actors, for an effective and efficient approach of the organised criminal networks of the migrants smugglers.
Amendment 51 #
2015/2051(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Urges the EU to show leadership in the World Humanitarian Summit by calling for more flexible methods for delivering humanitarian aid, as well as for proactive tools to prevent crises; urges the EU to urgently identify and apply a common integrated strategy containing concrete proactive measures and tools in order to effectively prevent the crisis; urges the EU and other donors to stay true to their financial commitments and to develop ways to reduce the time it takes to convert financial commitments into actions on the ground; points out, in addition, the importance of human rights reporting as an early warning mechanism for crises, and encourages the World Humanitarian Summit to take this into account when moving from a culture of reaction to a culture of prevention;
Amendment 63 #
2015/2051(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Encourages all the EU institutions, and in particular the Commission’s DG ECHO, as well as the Member States, to study the experience acquired in integrating human rights concerns into the core of humanitarian aid efforts within the UN system, and calls on the EU to take on a stronger role in advancing and improving this process; stresses the importance of ensuring policy coherence and coordination between EU humanitarian aid and development aid, in the new situation in which the EU has adopted a rights-based approach to development cooperation; deeply regrets, in this sense, that the Commission’s toolkit for a rights-based approach to development cooperation explicitly excludes EU humanitarian action; calls on the Commission, therefore, to commit to developing and adopting, as part of its engagement with the World Humanitarian Summit, a rights-based approach to EU humanitarian action.; underlines the need for cooperation on humanitarian development using new methods, including joint multi-hazard risk analysis, multiannual programming and financing and exit strategies for humanitarian actors;
Amendment 63 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the EU, NATO and the US have condemned the ‘treaty’ signed in November 2014 between Russia and the separatist authorities in Abkhazia and the "alliance and integration treaty" signed in March 2015 between Russia and South Ossetia and have reaffirmed their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia;
Amendment 86 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes with concern that the illegal annexation of Crimea has precipitated a significant change in the strategic landscape of the Black Sea Basin and the adjacent area; considers that the aggressive actions of Russia represent its return to a hostile block-to-block type approach; warns that by occupying the entire peninsula, Russia has gained a very important launching pad facing both west (Transnistria and the Danube Mouths), the Balkans and south (the Eastern Mediterranean), where it has established a permanent naval task force, and that the illegal annexation of Crimea offers Russia a ‘southern Kaliningrad’, another outpost directly bordering on NATO, this time at sea;
Amendment 99 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that the change in the strategic landscape, and the evolving military situation in the Black Sea Basin, are indicative of broader, systemic challenges to European security; believes that the EU and the Member States must have a security response to these challenges; is concerned about the intensified Russian pressure over the EU Eastern border, including over Romania and Poland, two countries having a major role in the Eastern flank security defence; this pressure and the increased Russian military actions and capabilities on the EU Eastern flank represents a major risk; believes that the EU and the Member States must have a security response to these challenges and consequently apply an updated common and complex security strategy, including the adapting of the EU Strategy for Black Sea by applying the provisions of the EU Maritime Security Strategy;
Amendment 152 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 165 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Expresses hope that the Minsk ceasefire agreement reached on 12 February 2015 will hold and thereby provide the time for a negotiated political solutia proper implementation package for the Minsk agreement will be efficiently applied soon;
Amendment 174 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that, in the event that Russia does not honour the Minsk ceasefire agreement, and continues the destabilisation of eastern Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Crimea, the sanction regime should be continued and even strengthened; considers that EU must demonstrate unity, solidarity and commitment in sanctioning the Russian actions against the applicable international law rules; underlines that the current international legal framework must be fully respected and the dialog between EU and Russia must be maintained only simultaneous with the applicable sanctions provided by the Minsk agreement;
Amendment 185 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the implementation of the EU energy policy aimed at promoting energy security for all Member States; urges the Member States to take the steps needed to ensure the security of oil and gas exploitation and transportation activities in the Black Sea region; calls the EU to sustain initiatives for diversification of the Black Sea energy resources, as part of an energy independence strategy;
Amendment 222 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines that the Black Sea region should have real priority for the EU; urges the Commission to support the Member States in their efforts to identify solutions for increasing their defence budget to the optimal level of 2%; urges the Commission to sustain Romania to identify solutions for improving its military capacities, having in view the Russian threat in the Black Sea area; considers that the current Black Sea Synergy (BSS) format is outdatneeds to be updated, reorganized and strengthened; calls again on the Commission and the EEAS to draw up a comprehensive EU Strategy for the Black Sea region; stresses that the provisions of the EU Security Maritime Strategy should be applied also in case of the Black Sea related provisions;
Amendment 228 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that, in spite of the fact that the BSS is practically on hold, effective cooperation with the states in the Black Sea Basin should continue; welcomes the ongoing CSDP missions – the EU Advisory Mission, the EU Monitoring Mission and the EU Border Assistance Mission – as important components of the EU approach to resolving the protracted conflicts in the region; considers that EU needs a bold and performant approach, especially regarding the economic, defence and security areas, in order to internally strength the EU, to update and improve the existing instruments and to amplify its reaction capacity to the neighbouring evolution that affect the European security;
Amendment 236 #
2015/2036(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Stresses the critical importance of coordinating with NATO and the United States as the Black Sea Basin is a key component of Euro-Atlantic security; welcomes the commitment of NATO to support regional efforts of Black Sea littoral states aimed at ensuring security and stability; calls on the OSCE to enlarge the scope of its efforts related to Black Sea security; underlines the necessity of EU and NATO support for maintaining the Black Sea as opened economic area; considers that a consolidation of transatlantic relationship with OSCE is necessary; calls on the OSCE to enlarge the scope of its efforts related to Black Sea security; stresses the necessity for an innovative EU approach to identify solutions against the new challenges represented by the informatics war and cybernetic attacks; welcomes the Council decision dated 19-20 March regarding the launching of the project for fight against the Russian propagandas, including by financing several Russian language TV channels;
Amendment 101 #
2015/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that a European sustainable mobility policy needs to build on a broad range of policy tools to shift towards the least polluting and most energy-efficient modes of transport; points out that shifting the balance between modes of transport is not an end in itself, but is onecessary to disconnect mobility from its of the tools that may be used to reduce adverse effects of transport such as congestion, air pollution, noise, accidents and climate change;
Amendment 135 #
2015/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to submit a proposal to set distance-based infrastructure pricing to become the norm across all surface transport and provide for the internalisation of the external costs of all modes of freight and passenger transport, applying common principles and taking into account the specificity of each mode; calls for concrete measures to ensure a wider application of the ‘user pays’ and ‘polluter pays’ principles, and a level playing field between transport modes;
Amendment 152 #
2015/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that the completion of the Trans-European Transport Network remains one of the preconditions for a more sustainable and efficient transport system and a more balanced distribution of freight and passengers among transport modes; stresses that the selection of projects eligible for EU funding must focus on the completion of missing links, the upgrading of existing infrastructure and the development of multimodal terminals, putting greater emphasis on European added value; considers that EU funding in the next financing period must reflect the real investment needs for building up the core network until 2030 and that the Connecting Europe Facility instrument and other means of financing should stimulate investment in rail and inland waterways as a priority; emphasises that co-funded projects should reflect the need for infrastructure that minimises the impact on the environment, that is resilient to the possible impact of climate change and that improves the safety of users; stresses also the need for proper maintenance of the existing infrastructure;
Amendment 183 #
2015/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) proposed by the Commission as part of the Juncker Investment Plan for Europe should give priority to transport infrastructure projects that deliver high societal and economic value, and target projects that promote job creation, long-term growth and competitiveness; stresses that investments in the most energy efficient and sustainable transport modes should have priority in this context as they are the key instrument to achieve the goals set out in the White Paper; stresses that if any funds are taken from the transport envelope of the CEF and transferred to the EFSI, these funds should be ring-fenced for transport infrastructure investment;
Amendment 338 #
2015/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Urges the Commission to ensure that proposals on the opening-up of services in all transport markets do not lead to social dumping, poorer- quality services, to the creation of monopolies or oligopolies or to a race to the bottom in respect to the social protection of transport workers;
Amendment 356 #
2015/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Insists that bureaucratic hurdles should be reduced for all forms of transport and calls, therefore, for greater simplification and harmonisation of transport and logistics documents; calls on the Commission to submit a proposal for establishing an electronic framework foradministrative procedures, including customs procedures, which should be practical, efficient and workable for all parties along the logistic chain; calls on the Commission to support the move towards a smooth multimodal transport of goods (e-Freight), achieving paperless, seamless information flows along the whole transport logistics chain, taking into account existing and proven tools and global developments;
Amendment 523 #
2015/2005(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 – indent 1
Paragraph 27 – indent 1
– thea well-balanced opening-up of the domestic rail passenger market, while ensuring quality of services and public service obligationstaking into account the subsidiarity principle and ensuring high level of quality and efficiency of services and public service obligations as well as safeguarding their economic equilibrium,
Amendment 19 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the neighbourhood is currently in a state of flux and is less stable and, less secure and is facing a more profound economic crisis than when the ENP was launched;
Amendment 29 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the EU is being challenged by the competition of other international actors in its immediate neighbourhood;
Amendment 51 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas insecurity, instability and unfavourable socio-economic conditions in the neighbourhood countries can have negative impacts and reverse past democratic trends;
Amendment 107 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the importance and timeliness of the review of the ENP; emphasises that the revised ENP should be able to provide a quick and adequate response to the situation on the ground, while also putting forward a long-term strategic vision for developing relations with the neighbouring countries;
Amendment 127 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes in the continued value of its initially stated objective of creating an area of prosperity, good governance and good neighbourliness, based on the founding values and principles of the Union, through a deep structural transformationreforms in the neighbouring countries which will allow for reinforced engagement with the EU; stresses therefore the need to go back to basics and bring this objective back to the top of the agenda;
Amendment 155 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that respect for the universal fundamental values of human rights, rule of law and democracy on which the EU is founded must remain at the core of the revised policy; reiterates that EU has a serious concern regarding the huge number of refugees and IDPs who fled their homes during or in connection with the current conflicts in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and remained displaced and denied their rights to return, to personal security or property rights; reaffirms the rights of displaced persons from the areas of conflict to return to their homes safely and with dignity;
Amendment 165 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the renewed policy must be more strategic, with a real political vision, and politically driven; insists therefore on the need to develop a set of proposals to ensure coherence of the ENP with the security and foreign policy dimensions of EU external action; calls for special envoyEU representatives to be appointed for the East and the South, with the task of politically coordinating the revised policy;
Amendment 206 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that local ownership and inclusiveness should be key aspects of the new approach so as to ensure that the benefits of the ENP reach all levels of society throughout the country; underlines that ENP partners ownership and involvement in the review process itself is also essential for increasing the effectiveness of the revised policy framework;
Amendment 240 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. CUnderlines that the EU should match the ambitions of reinforced engagement in its neighbourhood with sufficient financing; considers that the mid-term review of the external financial instruments should take into account the review of the revised policysed policy, including the fact that it should be more strategic and more policy driven, and that the ENI should therefore reflect the ambition of making the ENP more flexible;
Amendment 269 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that the ENP should deploy its own methodology and tools, which should correspond to the level of ambition and goals that the different ENP countries aspire to in their relations with the EU; stresses that countries seeking an advanced level of engagement with the EU, which translates in proven commitment to reforms, should receive special attention;
Amendment 341 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses the importance of developing a thriving and active civil society in the processes of transformation and democratisation, which includes social partners and the business community; calls for a more engaged dialogue between EU´s and the neighbouring countries civil society actors in the framework of the ENP; underlines the importance of European companies and their role in the promotion and dissemination of international standards for business;
Amendment 363 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for the ENP to be developed into a more tailor-made and flexible policy framework able to adapt to the diversity that exists; underlines that differentiation should take place not only between Eastern and Southern partners but also among the ENP countries themselves with due regard to the fact that the policy covers both European and non-European neighbours;
Amendment 371 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses the need to implement conditionality in relation to reform processes; emphasises that the EU cannot compromise its fundamental values and should avoid creating double standards; stresses that countries that are making progress in implementing reforms and following European policyseeking a deeper political engagement with the EU should be granted more substantial support;
Amendment 467 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Stresses the need to actively promote and assist in the peaceful settlement of conflicts in the region, using different tools and instruments, on the basis of the added value they may provide – such measures include its EU Special Representatives, confidence-building programmes and CSDP missions; underlines that the current ENP review should also seek to achieve closer coordination with CFSP/CSDP activities in a comprehensive manner;
Amendment 470 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Stresses the need to actively promote and assist in the peaceful settlement of conflicts in the region, using different tools and instruments, on the basis of the added value they may provide – such measures include its EU Special Representatives, confidence-building programmes and CSDP missions; underlines that the occupation, by a partner country, of the territories of another partner country represents a major violation of international law;
Amendment 502 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for the revised policy to strengthen the existing platforms for cooperation, namely the Union for the Mediterranean and the Eastern Partnership, to further support regional integration when the priorities identified by the partners are similar for a specific policy field, to address specific sub-regional issues such as mobility, energy or security and to bring partners closer together in terms of economic standards and legislation;
Amendment 544 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Calls on the EU to take advantage of the expertise of the regional organisations to which the neighbours belong, such as the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the African Union and the League of Arab States, which are important fora in which to engage partners in carrying out reforms, to address concerns on human rights and to foster democratisation; underlines that, if needed, the EU should also explore the possibility of establishing other types of informal dialogue including the EU, the partners in the neighbourhood and their neighbours, as well as other regional and international stakeholders;
Amendment 647 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Considers that the visibility of EU assistance should be enhanced in order to make clear to the populations of the partner countries and the EU Member States the benefits of EU support; underlines the importance and necessity of a mechanism able to assure the transparency in relation to the financial assistance granted by EU;
Amendment 653 #
2015/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. CStresses the need for strategic communication efforts on EU's engagement in its neighbourhood, including on its values and objectives; calls on the EU to strengthen its capacity to counter misinformation and propaganda campaigns against the EU and its Member States;
Amendment 252 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines that EU-Russia relations must henceforth be based on the rule of law and on preconditioned dialogue, whereby the EU would be ready to relaunch cooperation with the authorities in Moscow on the condition that Russia unambiguously and without pretence takes its share of responsibility and fully implements the Minsk Agreements; stresses that in order to ensure that such a dialogue – if renewed (for which the return of Crimea to Ukraine would be a prerequisite) – is not conducted at the expense of European values, standards and international commitments, it would be necessary to specify very clearly the EU’s expectations of Russia, along with the retaliatory measures it would take should Russia not keep to its commitments; considers that the EU must demonstrate unity, solidarity and commitment in sustaining the sanctions regime against the Russian actions in Ukraine which are in the breach of international law; underlines that the implementation of the Minsk agreement and Ukraine regaining full control of its internationally recognised territory is prerequisite for any dialogue with Russia; .
Amendment 278 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Commends the solidarity and the unity demonstrated by the Member States in the context of Russia’s undeclared war against Ukraine, allowing the adoption and further extension of responsive measures; calls on the Member States to consider as an absolute priority the preservation of this unity; reiterates that unity and solidarity amongst the Member States, as well as between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries, is essential for ensuring the effectiveness of the EU’s policies and its ability to withstand external challenges and pressures; underlines the need to sustain the Eastern Partnership countries in their efforts regarding internal reforms, in relation to all relevant domains (economic, minorities, democratic governance), in order for such countries to have sovereignty and be able to decide for themselves, based on their national interests, including regarding their options for foreign affairs policy or integration into international organisations;
Amendment 315 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Firmly supports the swift creation of a robust European Energy Union, specifically the interconnection of national energy networks in order to reduce considerably the dependence of individual Member States on external energy suppliers; is of the firm conviction that the challenges to and vulnerability of European solidarity, and the exposure of individual Member States, to the illegitimate use of energy as a political and diplomatic bargain chip can only be combatted efficiently through the full implementation of the Third Energy package and the completion of a transparent, integrated, synchronised and resilient European internal energy market; condemns the Russian actions of economic and politic restrictions, applied against Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, Georgia and also against all Member states; underlines also the major importance and necessity of the alternative energy transport routes; calls the EU to sustain initiatives for diversification of the Black Sea energy resources, as part of an energy independence strategy.
Amendment 343 #
2015/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses the relevance of the suspension of cooperation with Russia in the defence sector, and calls on the Member States to refrain from taking any decisions that could jeopardise this united position; is therefore of the view that, notwithstanding their undisputable bilateral nature, agreements in the field of defence cooperation between some Member States and Russia should be assessed carefully at EU level, with a view to defining an appropriate and consistent approach; calls for the EU’s cooperation with NATO to be consolidated further; considers that the EU needs a bold and performant approach, especially regarding the economic, defence and security areas, in order to internally strengthen the EU, to update and improve the existing instruments and to amplify its reaction capacity to the neighbouring evolution that affect the European security;
Amendment 78 #
2014/2816(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Georgian authorities to continue the fight against corruption at all levels and in all spheres of life, and to develop a fully independent judiciary, inter alia, to increase public trust in the judiciary, in order to assure a successful implementation of a real reform of the judiciary system;
Amendment 84 #
2014/2816(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Highlights the importance of anti- discrimination legislation to ensure equality rights and protection for all minorities; welcomes the adoption of the anti- discrimination law by the Georgian Parliament, and calls for its full observing and implementation in the letter and spirit of EU legislation and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union; notes that this is an important step in the visa liberalisation process; encourages the Georgian authorities to conduct information campaigns on the subject;
Amendment 91 #
2014/2816(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Georgian Government to promote free media, the freedom of expression and media pluralism, and to allow the media to report independently and objectively without political or economic pressure; calls on the Georgian Government to propose and implement proper legislation, able to ensure the legal framework for the functioning of a free media;
Amendment 93 #
2014/2816(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Notes positively the adoption of the new labour code, and stresses the need to implement it and to continue improving labour standards and social dialogue by relevant necessary enactments and practices, in order to comply with the labour rights and standards set out by the International Labour Organization;
Amendment 125 #
2014/2816(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that Russia’s concerns as regards the association process of the EU’s Eastern neighbours must be adequately addressed and explained, so as to ease fears of new geopolitical dividing lines on the European continent; points out that each country has every right to make its own political choices, but that the EU’s engagement with the Eastern partners aims to spread prosperity and increase political and social stability, from which all countries in the region will gain;
Amendment 9 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)
Citation 20 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 12 March 2015 on recent attacks and abductions by ISIS/Da'esh in the Middle East, notably of Assyrians8 a , __________________ 8a P8_TA(2015)0071
Amendment 78 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the action taken by the Member States against ISIS in Iraq; notes that this type of operation should be carried out under the auspices of the European Union; to this end, calls on the EU to develop sufficient operational capacity to achieve CSDP targets; stresses however that a response must be found at political and regional level to the challenge presented by ISIS, Al Nusrah Front and other terrorist groups; calls on the EU to facilitate regional dialogue involving all stakeholders, in particular Saudi Arabia and, Iran and Turkey;
Amendment 89 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the European Union will only gain real influence on the international scene if it is able to speak with one voice; calls on the VP/HR accordingly to appoint representatives at the highest level, i.e. EU foreign ministers or very senior political figures acting on her instructions and together with h work closely with EU foreign ministers, to ensure a constant dialogue with the countries of the region;
Amendment 93 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses the importance and necessity of effective implementation of the following initiatives in the course of 2015: supporting capacity building projects and activities with MENA countries, countering radicalisation and violent extremism, promoting international cooperation, addressing underlying factors and ongoing crises and strengthening partnership with key countries, including strengthening political dialogue with the League of Arab States, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, The African Union and other relevant regional coordination structures, such as G5 Sahel;
Amendment 100 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that the emergence of ISIS is a symptom of theISIS is a terrorist organisation aiming for regional influence and that its emergence represents an opportunistic ambition of power and wealth at a time of economic, political, social and cultural crisis afflicting the region; calls on the EU, together with the Arab world, to assess the root causes and adopt a global approach through an approach based on security, political, economic, social and cultural considerations;
Amendment 131 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the involvement of the countries of the Arab Peninsula in the international coalition against ISIS; urges their governments to redouble their efforts to prevent the financing of international terrorism, for example through including increased surveillance of waqfs and private donors; stresses the urgent need to introduce an efficient system of penalties coordinated with the LAS so as to put an end to ISIS financing by the Arab worldall entities in the region; stresses also the urgent need for a decryption system to deal with clandestine oil sales by ISIS;
Amendment 137 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the importance of long-term strategic dialogue with the LAS; welcomes in this regard the declaration adopted in Athens on 11 June 2014 and the memorandum of understanding of January 2015 and calls for their full implementation; stresses the crucial importance of the regular organisation of summits between the EU and LAS; stresses the central role to be played by the LAS in terms of crisis resolution; is convinced that these crises highlight the need for the LAS to be transformed by its members into a fully-fledged executive body genuinely capable of taking binding decisions;
Amendment 145 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses also the importance of regional dialogue with Turkey and Iran; stresses the need to reintegrate Iran into the international community once it has provided definitive assurances and cast- iron guarantees of its intention to develop nuclear energy for civilian purposes only; in this regard, calls on the VP/HR to pursue this endeavour after all outstanding issues pertaining to the nuclear file are addressed as part of the ongoing E3+3 – Iran negotiations and the subsequent implementation phase until confirmation by the relevant international bodies, including IAEA;
Amendment 181 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Expresses full support for a new coordinated common security and defence policy (CSDP) to promote stability and security in the MENA countries; points out that the EU could play a major role in providing specific training in border surveillance, anti-terrorism and the prevention of arms’ trafficking and, in overhauling security and also in addressing radicalization;
Amendment 207 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses the urgent need for a political solution to the conflict in Syria, taking due account of the moderate opposition existing alongside the Syrian National Council and strengthening the moderate Sunni components; points out that no democratic solution in line with the fundamental principles of the Union can be negotiated with Bachar Al-Assad, following the massacres perpetrated by him; reiterates that a lasting solution urgently requires a Syrian-led inclusive political process leading to a transition, based on the Geneva communiqué of 30 June 2012 and in line with relevant UNSC Resolutions in order to maintain the country's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity;
Amendment 217 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls for any initiative to end the fighting in Syria to take into account the requirements of international humanitarian law; calls on the European Union to step up its efforts to channel humanitarian aid towards the areas controlled by the moderate oppositionwelcomes the pledges made during the Kuwait III conference and calls on the EU and other international donors to fulfil their financial commitments in response to the Syria crisis;
Amendment 249 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Expresses its deep concern at the situation in Libya; stresses the need to maintain its territorial integrity and national unity; stresses that the Libyan crisis can only be resolved by means of dialogue that is as inclusive as possible; stresses the importance and necessity of fighting terrorism in Libya.
Amendment 266 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Subheading 2
Stepping up the global strategy for democracy and human rights
Amendment 274 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the EEAS and the Commission to continue to encourage democratic reforms within the EU neighbouring countries; stresses the importance of maintaining the ‘two- thirds/one third' principle for the allocation of ENP funding; calls on the Commission, the EEAS, the Council and the Member States to develop a political and strategic ENP dimension; welcomes the launch by the HR/VP and the Commission of broad consultation on ENP renewal;
Amendment 324 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Expresses deep concern about the human rights violations, especially against vulnerable groups in the MENA countries facing conflicts; considers children to be one of the most vulnerable groups and therefore reiterates the need to step up efforts to implement the revised implementation strategy for the EU Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict; encourages the EU to further deepen its cooperation with the UN Special Representative for Children affected by Armed Conflicts, supporting the associated action plans and monitoring and reporting mechanisms;
Amendment 325 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Condemns the continued violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief in the region and reiterates the importance which EU places on this issue; restates once again that freedom of thought, conscience and religion is a fundamental human right; stresses therefore the need to effectively combat all forms of discrimination against religious minorities, in particular Christians who are being persecuted and facing the danger of extinction in their motherlands;
Amendment 326 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20c. Welcomes the adoption during the 2013 reporting year of the EU Guidelines on the Promotion and Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief, and calls on the EU institutions and the Member States to pay particular attention to the implementation of these guidelines, both in international and regional forums and in bilateral relations with third countries; commends the new VP/HR for stating that freedom of religion or belief is one of the human rights priorities; encourages the VP/HR and the EEAS to engage in a permanent dialogue with NGOs, religious or belief groups and religious leaders;
Amendment 327 #
2014/2229(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 d (new)
Paragraph 20 d (new)
20d. Stresses the importance of new prodemocracy tools enhancing long term stability in MENA region such as European Endowment for Democracy (EED); calls on the Member States, in a spirit of solidarity and commitment, to provide the Endowment's budget with sufficient funding to ensure the most flexible and effective support for local actors of democratic change in the region;
Amendment 13 #
2014/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers the European Union and neighbourhood security environment to be increasingly unstable and volatile; regards the war in Ukraine, the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, with the rise of the terrorist organisation ISIS, the Libyan crisis and the terrorist threat in the Sahel as direct serious threats to the Union’s security; considers, too, that the US ‘pivot to Asia’ and the impact of the financial crisis on Member States’ budgets and capabilities only highlight how necessary it is for the Union to shoulder more responsibility for its own security and defence; on the current international context, characterized by inter-groups and interreligious conflicts, especially in the Middle East area, and terrorist actions performed including inside European states territory and apparently motivated by religious reasons, we urgently need to constructively cooperate between the Member States and also with external partners against any target implied in terrorist actions;
Amendment 19 #
2014/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that the current level of instability on the borders of the EU and in its immediate neighbourhood is unprecedented in the period since the late 1990s when the ESDP/CSDP was established; is concerned that the Union may not be able to be key player in addressing each of these threats and that it may too often be reduced to relying on initiatives by one or a few Member States, or on ad hoc alliances in which it has only a peripheral or reserve role to play; a greater coordination on analysing and disseminate EU intelligence and information will improve our capacity to prevent and react to crisis with more efficient results;
Amendment 28 #
2014/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that the Union and its Member States must, as a matter of the utmost urgency, adapt to the new security challenges, in particular by making effective use of the existing CSDP tools, by coordinating national action more closely and, where appropriate, by introducing in a pragmatic and flexible way new arrangements for the expression of European solidarity, in order to create and apply a common pro-active strategy regarding security and defence in Europe; it is of outmost importance for an enhanced cooperation and coordination among EU Member States and between Member States and partner countries on regard with security and defence matters, on counter-terrorism and on fight against organised crime;
Amendment 375 #
2014/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Takes the view that the criminal activities and barbaric violence by terrorist jihadists engaged in and associated with the so-called Islamic State (IS) represent a major threat to the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and potentially to global peace and stability; supports the global coalition against IS and its efforts to combat IS militarily, and welcomes the contributions of EU Member States in this context; in this view, insists on close and efficient global cooperation, including proper exchange of relevant information, for preventing any potential terrorist initiative; urges the stepping-up of resolute global regulatory pressure to deprive jihadists of oil revenues and to apply strict global sanctions against financial transactions in their favour; points to the urgent need to systematically disable jihadists from using the internet for propaganda; insist on the need to step up international cooperation focused on preventing extremists from traveling to Syria and Iraq to join the jihadist fight;
Amendment 2 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
- Having regard to the European Quality Charter of Internships and Apprenticeships developed by the European Youth Forum together with social partners and other stakeholders
Amendment 48 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. Whereas the International Labour Organization recommended a budget of €21 billion, equating to 0.5% of Eurozone spending, to fully implement a youth guarantee in the EU;
Amendment 66 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. Whereas young people have the right to quality-employment according to their skills and that quality-employment is fundamental to the dignity and autonomy of Europe's youth;
Amendment 79 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas productive and sustainable investments in areas such as education and training and research and development, are key for a sustainable exit for the crisis but also to consolidate the EU economy in a path of competitiveness, productivity and sustainability; whereas deficit targets should exclude investments in these areas;
Amendment 84 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
Recital G b (new)
Gb. whereas young people in the EU are being forced to migrate to find a job opportunity: phenomenon that, if not properly guided, risks to lead to brain drain and to increased regional disparities;
Amendment 88 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. whereas youth employment measures needs to be integrated in a consistent and future and investment oriented macroeconomic strategy that create the condition for the creation of sustainable and 21st century jobs as well as an effective transition from education to employment
Amendment 101 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the policy measures implemented by Member States need to be diversified and should tackle all potential obstacles in young people's pathway to sustainable and decent employment, paying particular attention to vulnerable groups that are more likely to suffer from multiple disadvantages;
Amendment 126 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the involvement of all relevant stakeholders, including training and education providers, individual employers, public and private employment services, social partners, third-sector organisations, including youth organizations, and health and other authorities, is essential for the successful implementation and monitoring of a variety of measures fostering youth employment and employability in an integrated fashion; emphasises that measures must be flexible so as to meet the continuously evolving needs on the labour market;
Amendment 142 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises the particularly difficult situation in certain regions where the level of unemployment among young people is above 25 %; welcomes the fact that EU support for youth employment will be further boosted through the proposed EU Youth Employment Initiative, with a budget of EUR 6 billio and the potential of the proposed EU Youth Employment Initiative to boost youth employment in Europe; Consequentially considers insufficient the EUR 6 billion currently foreseen over the seven- year period 2014- 2020; and calls the Council of the EU to significantly increase the financial dotation of the initiative, also following the figures recommended by the ILO;
Amendment 163 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the decision of the EPSCO Council on 28 February 2013 to agree on a Council recommendation on implementing a Youth Guarantee; recommends extending eligibility to graduates aged underp to 30; stresses that the success of this measure will be highly dependent on other factors, e.g. the infrastructure and capacity of public and strengthened private employment services, the availability of student places, the provision of training and, apprentic, including quality apprenticeships and traineeships, and the transferability and implementation of successful experiences from other Member States; stresses that the Youth Guarantee must be integrated within the broader framework of active labour market policies while ensuring high quality standards;
Amendment 175 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Encourages the Member States to develop clear quality standards and indicators regarding the development of youth guarantee schemes as well as to boost their support for enterprises, cooperatives and third-sector organisations wishing to participate in Youth Guarantee schemes in close cooperation with public and private employment services, including through tax incentives, subsidies for fixed employment costs, and the possibility of accessing funding for on-site training, which will support enterprises in providing high-quality sustainable employment and training offers, and will represent an investment in young people's potential in an effective and targeted way;
Amendment 228 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Member States to support self-employment among young people by creating facilities and preferential conditions for starting up their own businesses, through, e.g., cutting red tape and introducing favourable tax policies as well as easing access to financial credit and efficient counselling and mentoring facilities;
Amendment 260 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Member States to ensure high-quality frameworks for traineeships with clear mentions of rights and responsibilities for the interns, backed up by financial support and mandatory monitoring, as well as a common quality standard for traineeships and work placements; stresses that active promotion and awareness-raising in respect of such programmes is needed among entrepreneurs; ; It also calls on Member States to ensure that traineeships are properly remunerated according to collective agreements and minimum wage legislations;
Amendment 268 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls on the European Commission to develop by the end of 2013 a clear proposal for a quality framework for traineeships with precise quality criteria as indicated in the EC proposal setting a Second-stage consultation of the social partners at European level concerning a Quality Framework on Traineeships (COM(2012)0728)
Amendment 287 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Encourages the Member States to fosterensure the mobility of young workers by means of further progress towards the mutual recognition of qualifications and skills and enhanced coordination of national social security systems, especially as regards pension systemportability of pension rights and unemployment benefits, as well as by continuing to invest substantially in language learning;
Amendment 292 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses the need to introduce reforms to EURES with the aim of proactively matching jobseekers and job-changers to existing vacancies, and where necessary, to reform public employment services so as to better target their activities and approaches on young people; stresses thatCalls on Member States to continue in the process of reform and development of effective public employment services so as to better target their activities and approaches on young people as a fundamental component of any youth guarantee strategy; stresses also the need to introduce reforms to EURES with the aim of proactively matching jobseekers and job-changers to existing vacancies as well as raising of awareness of EURES is needed so as to increase its visibility and availability, as a career advice system that supports students in becoming more aware of their aspirations and capabilities, as well as of existing job opportunities;
Amendment 298 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. In the absence of specific figures on youth migration flows, calls on Member States to create mechanisms of research, monitoring and evaluation of such mobility that can be transferred to EURES to better address such phenomena;
Amendment 299 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Stresses also the importance of sensibilizing more young people on the use of the counselling offered in the framework of the Public employment services, strengthen partnerships with schools and universities as well as to work towards a better integration with the EURES network;
Amendment 325 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Stresses the need to invest in the creation of stable and quality greens jobs as the way to allow young people to have a decent life; furthermore it asks the Commission and the Member States to mobilise all available funds to stimulate investments particularly in green jobs with a view to combating the unacceptably high rate of youth unemployment
Amendment 329 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Calls on the Commission to consider social parameters in equal footing to economic ones in the context of the European Semester. This is particularly important in the case of youth unemployment which require close monitoring and coordinated actions in all the Member States and at EU level
Amendment 330 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Calls on the Commission to exclude investments in areas such as education, training and research and development from deficit targets, since they are key for a sustainable exit for the crisis but also to consolidate the EU economy in a path of competitiveness and sustainable productivity;
Amendment 331 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 d (new)
Paragraph 18 d (new)
18d. Requests the European Commission, in cooperation with Member States, to investigate the costs of the introduction of youth guarantee schemes at national and regional level. Furthermore requests the European commission to support regions and member states wishing to introduce such framework
Amendment 1 #
2013/2006(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Maintains that the industrial sector remains a key driver for growth, innovation and sustainability and stresses thatStresses that even though thise industrial sector has suffered greatly from the consequences of the continuing economic crisis, remains a key driver for achieving EU 2020 objectives for growth, jobs, innovation, research, development, sustainability and competitivity; points out that overall production is 10 % lower than it was before the crisis and that more than 3 million industrial jobs have been lost;
Amendment 10 #
2013/2006(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the future cohesion policy will be one of the main EU policies fostering industrial innovation through smart specialisation in order to respond to the challenges associated with sustainable energy, climate change and resource efficiency; takes the view, therefore, that support from the future cohesion policy and the European Structural and Investment Funds is pivotal to the reindustrialisation of the EU and its regions through a genuinely modern industrial policy;
Amendment 16 #
2013/2006(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the need to set out clear industrial competitiveness policy strategies at EU level as well as within the National Reform Programmes, through a more focused and strategic approach which includes the setting of priorities in relation to: facilitating access to finance;, support for R&D, education and eduvocation;al training, administrative simplification;, the reduction of labour taxation;, improvement of infrastructure;, greater involvement of all stakeholders at regional and local levellocal and regional authorities as well as of all stakeholders and strong support for SMEs and entrepreneurs; believes that a more coordinated approach between different levels of government and stakeholders will be achieved by including the proposed territorial pacts in the partnership agreements;
Amendment 35 #
2013/2006(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is of the opinion that, together with grants, there is a need for loans, venture capital, guarantees and other forms of financial engineering like the new financial instruments for competitivity to play a stronger role; calls for the proper use of financial instruments through combining the various forms of financial support, both direct and indirect, especially those available to SMEs, in order to offer more tailor-made access to finances;
Amendment 12 #
2012/2099(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the European Commission earmarked 20% of EU funds to mitigating climate change;
Amendment 15 #
2012/2099(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas the revised Energy Efficiency directive failed to set binding targets for Members States;
Amendment 17 #
2012/2099(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas the achievement of targets set in the Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC are lacking behind in several Members States;
Amendment 18 #
2012/2099(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)
Recital C d (new)
Cd. whereas the Member States decreased their support for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency due to the economic slowdown;
Amendment 19 #
2012/2099(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C e (new)
Recital C e (new)
Ce. whereas the Energy Roadmap 2050 identifies Renewable Energy as playing a major share in the future Energy policy;
Amendment 28 #
2012/2099(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises, in view of the crisis' negative effect of increasing local and regional disparitifferences in Europe, the need for a strong EU support for cohesion; believes that European energy projects could contribute to regional development through investments in decentralised energy sourcesrenewable energy, energy efficiency and other measures which support growth and jobsplaces of employment;
Amendment 29 #
2012/2099(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 42 #
2012/2099(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that the regions of Europe should be able tomainly focus on thosrenewable energy sources which are best suited to the local and regional conditions and that the EU should start measuring European energy objectives on an EU-wide scale;
Amendment 45 #
2012/2099(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 64 #
Amendment 86 #
2012/2099(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that, while Member States are changing their energy mixes in accordance with the EU's climate goals, many regions are dependent on fossil fuels; believes, therefore, that not only low-carbon, but all low-emission sources of energy, such as shale gas, ought to be accepted, including those of a transitional nature;
Amendment 110 #
2012/2099(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. AgreStrongly believes that energy efficiency and renewable energy is vital to the EU's energy and climate goals and should be promoted above all within the thematic concentration structure; believes that EU measures should support energy efficiency in both energy consumption and production and Operational Programmes;
Amendment 18 #
2012/2078(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Underlines the need to sustain the development of SMEs, further to the fact that such development will create new sustainable jobs and will reduce the unemployment rate;
Amendment 1 #
2012/2042(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that by strengthening economic growth and social and territorial cohesion, Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) will have a crucial role to play in the efforts to reach the EU 2020 objectives; not by strengthening economic growth, social and territorial cohesion; underlines that the economic and fiscal crisis has had a dramatic impact on the position and perspectives of many SMEs, and thaterefore there is an urgent need for simplifying the rules at national and European level in order to facilitate better access to financing;
Amendment 3 #
2012/2042(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that SMEs employ around 75 million people and that 85 % of all new jobs in the EU between 2002 and 2012 were created by SMEs, in particular by new firms;
Amendment 5 #
2012/2042(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Notes that SMEs are of crucial importance to the European economy as employers and sources of innovation;
Amendment 9 #
2012/2042(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the European Council to preserve the cohesion policy budget for the next programming period, as the Structural and Cohesion Funds are among the EU's most effective instruments for creating growth and jobs, increasing competitiveness of the European economy and supporting SMEs; calls on the Member States to encourage the development and the competitiveness of the different types of SMEs and address their particular needs through specific measures that are best suited;
Amendment 19 #
2012/2042(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Underlines that the potential of the financial engineering instruments should be further developed so to allow respectively the development of qualitative strategic projects and the participation of private actors, especially SMEs, and capitals into European projects. Their current under-utilisation due to their excessive complexity makes the debate on their governance very urgent;
Amendment 24 #
2012/2042(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that the Structural Funds should continue to provide financing to SMEs by means of equity, guarantees and loans, and underlines that complex administrative procedures, especially at national level, as well as significant differences between the provisions applied respectively by managing authorities and intermediate bodies, should be avoided;
Amendment 30 #
2012/2042(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses that is necessary to implement and apply extensive simplification measures, including simplified reimbursement methods, to help SMEs take part in EU funded programmes;
Amendment 36 #
2012/2042(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on Member States and on regional and local authorities to apply, on their respective levels, the instruments promoted by the Commission, such as competitiveness proofing, fitness checks and SME tests, in order to guarantee the policies’ overall effectiveness.; underlines that higher investments both in financial assistance and training should be ensured towards national and regional administrations to increase the capacities and knowledge of rules by authorities in charge of Programmes;
Amendment 37 #
2012/2042(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses the need to promote and support SMEs economic activities in foreign markets both inside and outside the EU, in order to create new sustainable jobs;
Amendment 47 #
2012/2042(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that costs associated with compliance have a disproportionate effect on SMEs, especially on micro-enterprises and on their capacity to employ and retain staff;
Amendment 14 #
2012/2016(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the decisionCalls the Members States to target unallocated European SociStructural Fund aids at reducing youth unemployment and promoting SMEsby supporting SMEs to create new jobs and to develop programmes for vocational training; calls for the increased and redirected ESF programming to be taken into account in the 2013 budget in view of the end of the current multiannual financial framework;
Amendment 16 #
2012/2016(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Members States to target unallocated Structural Funds for improving the existing conditions for new entrepreneurs, in order to better exploit their high potential for creating new, sustainable jobs;
Amendment 92 #
2012/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that activities by volunteers constitute an important contribution to welfare organisations and solidarity, and give many people a meaning in life; asks, therefore, for financial and regulatory support on local, national and European level;
Amendment 128 #
2012/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Welcomes the Commission's intention to propose a European regulatory framework for social investment funds to facilitate access to the financial markets for social enterprises;
Amendment 215 #
2012/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Stresses the importance of improving analysis, promotion and development of the legal and institutional environment for micro-credits;
Amendment 243 #
2012/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Supports the Commission's proposal to set up a multilingual online platform for social enterprises that should, inter alia, enable the exchange of best practices, facilitate information-sharing about access to funding and serve as a network for cross-border cooperation; such online platform should be easily accesible and user-friendly;
Amendment 274 #
2012/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30 a. Calls the Member States, local and regional authorities to integrate the social enterprises in pacts for employment and social inclusion initiatives;
Amendment 4 #
2012/0309(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Exemption from the visa requirement for nationals of Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, the United Arab Emirates and Vanuatu should not come into force until bilateral agreements on visa waiver between the Union and the countries concerned have been concluded in order to ensure full reciprocity.
Amendment 6 #
2012/0309(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 1 – point a
Article 1 – point 1 – point a
(a) in point 1, the references to Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, the United Arab Emirates and Vanuatu are deleted and a reference to South-Sudan is inserted;
Amendment 7 #
2012/0309(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 2 – point a – two last references
Article 1 – point 2 – point a – two last references
"Tuvalu*", "United Arab Emirates*" and "Vanuatu*"
Amendment 6 #
2011/2312(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that athe territorial approach canshould be an effective mechanism for promoting development, employment, education and poverty reduction, which are core objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy;
Amendment 8 #
2011/2312(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Considers that the territorial approach should be an effective mechanism for supporting SMEs to create new sustainable jobs and to initiate or develop programmes for vocational training;
Amendment 43 #
2011/2312(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Calls on the Member States to improve the existing conditions for new entrepreneurs in order to better exploit their high potential for creating new sustainable jobs;
Amendment 2 #
2011/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission Communication on Biodiversity 2020 and notes that climate change, biodiversity loss, threats from invasive species and overconsumption of natural resources are transnational and transregional challenges which affect every EU citizen, whether living in an urban or a rural area, and that urgent action is needed at every level of government: local, regional and national, to mitigate these effects;
Amendment 10 #
2011/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises that the ‘green economy’ is a way of generating skills and employment and calls for it to be supported with funding which will help build capacity at a local level and build on local and traditional knowledge in the fight to protect biodiversity; highlights the fact that approximately 30 % of the total allocations for Cohesion Policy for 2007-2013 are available for activities with a particular impact on sustainable growth; encourages Member States and regions,especially local and regional authorities in the context of halting the loss of biodiversity, to be more active and step up efforts to invest in natural capital and to use Regional Policy funding for natural risk prevention as an element in preservation of natural resources and adaptation to climate change;
Amendment 17 #
2011/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recognises the need to promote green infrastructure and eco-innovation in order to create a greener economy; urges the Commission, the Member States, and local and regional authorities to take the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) study recommendations into account, as this study is intended as a useful advisory tool for local and regional policymakers, administrators and managers; underlines the need to train beneficiaries of the Structural and Cohesion Funds and local and regional governments in dealing with the complex European and national legislation that seeks to protect nature and increase awareness of the importance of biodiversity loss; invites the Commission to put in place technical assistance mechanisms to promote knowledge at regional and local level on implementation-related problems;
Amendment 20 #
2011/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to provide support and guidance on biodiversity partnerships in order to increase awareness and determine more possible partners to engage on biodiversity issues through positive action;
Amendment 10 #
2011/2288(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that in most European countries, large firms generate a substantive part of the business sector value added, and ibringing knowledge transfer within the EU and its regions; Reminds that through their supply chains and the labour mobility created and also due to the fact that they introduce best practices in innovation management, large enterprises have a positive effect on the EU's competitiveness; Insists that for geographically targeted support, the size of the enterprise should not matter as the only criterion should be the quality and required sustainability of the project;
Amendment 20 #
2011/2288(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2a (new)
Paragraph 2a (new)
2a. Underlines that a discriminatory approach towards large enterprises could impede innovation and reduce the competitiveness of other EU companies, SMEs in particular, cutting them from vital global partnerships in collaborative innovation and reducing their access to advanced technology.
Amendment 21 #
2011/2288(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2b (new)
Paragraph 2b (new)
2b. Calls on the Commission and Member States to come up with specific measures in order to support all businesses which create jobs in line with EU 2020, national and regional development strategies and also to ensure that decisions for funding are based on quality of the project and its value for EU, national, regional and local strategies.
Amendment 7 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the non-compliance with both public procurement rules and eligibility rules accounts for a high proportion of the estimated error rate (31 % and 43 %, respectively); notes in this context the recommendation of the Court of Auditors to identify areas for further simplification; underlines the need for the Commission to simplify the rules in order to ensure more user-friendly procedures and not to discourage potential beneficiaries from participating in projects; calls on the Member States to simplify their national provisions, which very often add an administrative burden not required by the Union rules;
Amendment 10 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Regrets the deficiencies in the financial engineering instruments' implementation, namely in respect of the lack of compliance with regulatory requirements in making the contribution from the operational programmes to the funds implementing such instruments, as well as deficient reporting and verification requirements in force; notes that the potential of the financial engineering instruments should be further developed so to allow the development of qualitative strategic projects and the participation of private actors, especially SMEs, and capital into European projects; calls on the Commission to simplify these instruments' rules, as their current complexity limits their use;
Amendment 13 #
2011/2201(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that in a great number of transactions affected by error Member States' authorities had sufficient information to detect and apply corrective measures prior to certification.; calls on the Commission to reinforce its assistance to Managing Authorities (MAs), given that the majority of errors occur at the first level control, through targeted workshops, guidance notes, circulation of best practices and training of officials responsible for management; notes that a constant monitoring of the actual transfer of training measures targeted at the MAs should be established in order to check that knowledge is actually being passed on, giving special attention to the local level;
Amendment 148 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. AdvocatesCalls for a greater involvement of the regional and local authorities of the ORs in preparing and implementing European programmes and policies, within a multi- level and partnership-based form of governance, and greater visibility of these regions in the EU institutionin partnership with the private sector, in order to ensure that their specific needs are taken into acount at all levels of the decision making process;
Amendment 157 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Points to the role of the ORs as EU borders EU with the rest of the world and advocates for the need to use an approach that recognises their closeness toits neighbourly relations with third party countries and to the countries with which they have specialwith culturally and historical linkly privileged related countries; draws the attention to their integration problems in their respective geographical areas, the impact of the international trade agreements and the impactconsequences of the external aspects of some EUuropean policies;
Amendment 171 #
2011/2195(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Points out that other EU regions can choose to become ORs, opting for whichever status is most appropriate to their situation, and draws the attention ofs to the current ORs to the decisive role they can play in promoting and consolidatstrengthening their status;
Amendment 7 #
2011/2194(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. believes that it is particularly important to improve cooperation between national, local and regional authorities and to encourage public-private partnerships for better application of the body of EU law on waste management; calls on the Member States to strengthen the role of regional and local authorities in programme management and implementation; recommends the adoption of the local development methodology based on local partnerships, in particular for projects related to urban, rural and cross-border issues; stresses the need for close collaboration with universities and researchers for the rapid design of innovative technologies that make waste recycling possible;
Amendment 12 #
2011/2194(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. recommends that an equitable balance is found between the need to combat climate change and the Seventh Environment Action Programme, so the European Union can achieve its targets and in order towhile avoiding additional costs; also emphasises the need to launch information, awareness and other campaigns to allow best practices to be exchanged at all levels; underlines the need for a better use of technical assistance at the national and regional level in order to increase the administrative capacity, especially in the new Member States;
Amendment 20 #
2011/2194(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. recognises that the integration of environmental policies must be guaranteed in all sectoral policies, an important role incumbent on local and regional authorities; underlines the importance of ensuring the involvement of territorial authorities, on an equal footing with the national representatives, in both the conception and decision-making process for the design and implementation of policies, in order to achieve the EU objectives, while always respecting the different national constitutional assets; stresses the importance of the correlation between specific features at local and regional levels and the strategies required to implement these policies;
Amendment 114 #
2011/2088(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to create and develop policies that would allow for an early identification of those that are most likely to be affected by early school leaving;
Amendment 132 #
2011/2088(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Notes that students must be made aware of the range of career options open to them and suggests that schools forge partnerships with local companies and organisations, enabling students to meet professionals from different fields and also to learn more about entrepreneurship;
Amendment 149 #
2011/2088(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Stresses the importance of varied educational pathways for students, combining academic and vocational skills training, and calls on schools, where possible, to match educational programmes with labour market demand and to focus on giving students the opportunity to acquire entrepreneurial skills from an early stage;
Amendment 155 #
2011/2088(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls on Member States to take steps to raise the status of vocational qualifications, while also strengthening the cooperation between vocational institutions and businesses, so that they are seen as a viable option for students of all abilities;
Amendment 13 #
2011/2067(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that the measures proposed in the Commission communication will require strong policy coordination; therefore urges Member States, and particularly their relevant ministries, to become more closely involved in the process of early identification of skills needs; strongly believes that when education and training programmes are being designed effective communication and cooperation between employers and education institutions, using specific mechanisms, in order to identify the needs of the labour market, is essential;
Amendment 27 #
2011/2067(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that universities can play a key role in the regional economies of Member States and that universities are unique places where innovation, education and research come together and can lead to job creation; points out that a strong cooperation between universities, regions, governments and businesses is fundamental and must be enhanced;
Amendment 54 #
2011/2067(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Acknowledges that higher education systems have the potential to prepare people for the world of work: for instance, SMEs with no R&D facilities can benefit from university research resources and expertise, and SMEs can offer students internships and employment opportunities; calls, therefore, for closer cooperation between higher education institutions and SMEs, while also focusing on entrepreneurship and on offering students the opportunity to acquire entrepreneurial skills.
Amendment 9 #
2011/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. AdvisesCalls on the Commission and the Member States to make a greater effort to reduce school drop-out rates, also for disabled people, in addition to promoting the integration of education and work;
Amendment 11 #
2011/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to set up the basis for the creation and development of policies that would allow for an early identification of those most likely to be affected by school drop-out;
Amendment 9 #
2011/2051(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Takes the view that Europe and its regions need a new, strong CAP that will boost development and improve competitiveness on the international market, will be more market-oriented and will take account of public goods including food security, biodiversity conservation, sound water and forest management and sustainable development based on education and knowledge, as well as driving cohesion; Stresses the need to establish a balance between the environment and rural development provisions;
Amendment 23 #
2011/2051(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the direct payments scheme should be retained in order to continue to ensure competitiveness, economic stability, decent farm incomes and the sustainable development of the EU farm sector, as well as EU food and environmental security, thus ensuring that other policies and strategies, including the Europe 2020 strategy, may be properly implemented; considers, in this connection, that objective and transparent criteria need to be drawn up to ensure the provision of an appropriate level of direct support throughout the EU and to move away from the criteria used to date for allocating funding under the direct payments scheme; Underlines the importance of adapting the system of funds allocations and criteria used for direct payments to the farmer’s needs;
Amendment 46 #
2011/2051(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to improve the assistance and counselling services for local and regional farmers in order to help them better identify their priorities and evaluate their own agricultural exploitations’ performances;
Amendment 68 #
2011/2051(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that the current rules for the allocation of second-pillar funding were agreed on the basis of the cohesion criterion, i.e. the agricultural and rural development disparities existing between individual Member States and regions; believes, in view of the fact that those disparities still exist, that the current criteria and funding arrangements for rural development should be retained, in particular in the context of expanding the second pillar to take account of the Europe 2020 strategy objectives; points out that this will require appropriatthe maintenance of the cohesion criteria and the improvement of the coordination and distribution of tasks between the CAP and cohesion policy.;
Amendment 5 #
2011/2048(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Considers that in order to harmonise the legal framework on public procurement, the Commission needs to propose to the Member States a single standardised model;
Amendment 35 #
2011/2048(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the Member States to give priority to electronic forms of public procurement, in order to ensure transparent procedures;
Amendment 47 #
2011/2048(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Believes that price should not be, as it has been until now, a criterion influencing the quality of the services procured.
Amendment 83 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Sees the achievement of European objectives in accordance with the principle of multi-level governance as one of the major advantages of cohesion policy and thus as a form of added value in itself; calls for this partnership principle to be further strengthened; the new regulation should allow local and regional authorities to take part at the decision-making implementation, monitoring and evaluation process;
Amendment 102 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recognises the special needs of regions particularly disadvantaged by virtue of their geographical situation or natural environment; reiterates its call to Member States for special forms of preference to continue to apply in respect of those types of region, mentioned in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which are particularly disadvantaged (outermost regions, northernmost regions with very low population density and island, mountain and cross-border regions);
Amendment 149 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. DoubtsIt is open to consider whether specific operational programmes for functional geographical entities such as groups of local authorities, metropolitan regions or sea or river basins will yield additional benefits; this particularly aware, in relation to such programmes, of the absence ofshould be an option in those programmes where, partnerships formed by political bodies (including democratically elected bodies) with a sufficiently wide- ranging remit to implement them; calls instead for closer coordination of macroregional or natural- environment strategies at inter- governmental levels;
Amendment 179 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. RejectsIt should consider the use of quotas in particular for national allocations under ESF/ERDF programmes, for local and urban development, for the countryside or otherwise according to categorisation on the basis of population density or territorial function; also regards as questionable the requirement to specify already at operational programme level which urban and other areas are to be eligible for support, and calls for the Member States and regions to be allowed to organise competitive selection procedures in this respect as well;
Amendment 345 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Calls, in the interests of efficiency, for the elimination or merger of funds relevant to both regional development and cohesion; recommends that the Globalisation Fund be abandoned as a stand-alone instrument and that appropriate provision for its functions be included in the Social Fund without overall impact in the cohesion heading within the EU budget; calls for consideration of whether a merger of the Cohesion Fund and the Regional Development Fund would be compatible with the European Treaties; points out that, as a rule, monies from the Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund are spent on the same types of project;
Amendment 364 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Calls for the mandatory involvement of federal Länder, the local and regionsal level in drawing up development partnerships and operational programmes; considers it essential to make appropriate provision for this in the regulations governing the Structural Funds;
Amendment 540 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56
Paragraph 56
Amendment 548 #
2011/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56 a (new)
Paragraph 56 a (new)
56a. Considers that the automatic decommitment rule should be adapted to the additional administrative burden required by the new provisions related to strategic programming, results based orientation and ex ante conditionality;
Amendment 95 #
2011/0439(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 54 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 4
Article 54 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 4
For all procurement, the subject of which is intended for use by persons, whether general public or staff of the contracting entity, those technical specifications shall, except in duly justified cases, be drawn up so as to take into account accessibility criteria for people with disabilities or design for all users other than, by way of exception, in duly justified cases, which shall be stated in the call for competition and the tender documents.
Amendment 86 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Public procurement plays a key role in the Europe 2020 strategy as one of the market-based instruments to be used to achieve a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth while ensuring the most efficient use of public funds. For that purpose, the current public procurement rules adopted pursuant to Directive 2004/17/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 coordinating the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors and Directive 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts have to be revised and modernised in order to increase the efficiency of public spending, facilitating in particular the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in public procurement and to enable procurers to make better use of public procurement in support of common societal goals, leading to creation of new sustainable jobs. There is also a need to clarify basic notions and concepts to ensure better legal certainty and to incorporate certain aspects of related well-established case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Amendment 92 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Other categories of services continue by their very nature to have a limited cross- border dimension, namely what are known as services to the person, such as certain social, health and educational services. These services are provided within a particular context that varies widely amongst Member States, due to different cultural traditions. AFor a better quality of these services in contracts, a specific regime should therefore be established for public contracts for these services, with a higher threshold of EUR 500 000. Services to the person with values below this threshold will typically not be of interest to providers from other Member States, unless there are concrete indications to the contrary, such as Union financing for transborder projects. Contracts for services to the person above this threshold should be subject to Union-wide transparency. Given the importance of the cultural context and the sensitivity of these services, Member States should be given wide discretion to organise the choice of the service providers in the way they consider most appropriate. The rules of this directive take account of that imperative, imposing only observance of basic principles of transparency and equal treatment and making sure that contracting authorities are able to apply specific quality criteria for the choice of service providers, such as the criteria set out in the voluntary European Quality Framework for Social Services of the European Union's Social Protection Committee. Member States and/or public authorities remain free to provide these services themselves or to organise social services in a way that does not entail the conclusion of public contracts, for example through the mere financing of such services or by granting licences or authorisations to all economic operators meeting the conditions established beforehand by the contracting authority, without any limits or quotas, provided such a system ensures sufficient advertising and complies with the principles of transparency and non-discrimination.
Amendment 96 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) Electronic means of information and communication can greatly simplify the publication of contracts and increase the efficiency and transparency of procurement processes. TIt is necessary that they should become the standard means of communication and information exchange in procurement procedures. The use of electronic means also leads to time savings. As a result, provision should be made for reducing the minimum periods where electronic means are used, subject, however, to the condition that they are compatible with the specific mode of transmission envisaged at Union level. Moreover, electronic means of information and communication including adequate functionalities can enable contracting authorities to prevent, detect and correct errors that occur during procurement procedures.
Amendment 98 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) The technical specifications drawn up by public purchasers need to allow public procurement to be opened up to competition. To that end, it must be possible to submit tenders that reflect the diversity of technical solutions so as to obtain a sufficient level of competition. Consequently, technical specifications should be drafted in such a wayand applied in conformity with the principles of transparency and non-discrimination, to avoid artificially narrowing down competition through requirements that favour a specific economic operator by mirroring key characteristics of the supplies, services or works habitually offered by that economic operator. Drawing up the technical specifications in terms of functional and performance requirements generally allows this objective to be achieved in the best way possible and favours innovation. Where reference is made to a European standard or, in the absence thereof, to a national standard, tenders based on equivalent arrangements must be considered by contracting authorities. To demonstrate equivalence, tenderers can be required to provide third-party verified evidence; however, other appropriate means of proof such as a technical dossier of the manufacturer should also be allowed where the economic operator concerned has no access to such certificates or test reports, or no possibility of obtaining them within the relevant time limits.
Amendment 99 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) Contracting authorities that wish to purchase works, supplies or services with specific environmental, social or other characteristics should be able to refer to particular labels, such as the European Eco-label, (multi-)national eco-labels or any other label provided that the requirements for the label are linked to the subject-matter of the contract, such as the description of the product and its presentation, including packaging requirements. It is furthermore essential that these requirements are drawn up and adopted on the basis of objectively verifiable criteria, using a procedure in which stakeholders, such as government bodies, consumers, manufacturers, distributors, social organisations and environmental organisations, can participate, and that the label is accessible and available to all interested parties.
Amendment 102 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) Public contracts should not be awarded to economic operators that have participated in a criminal organisation or have been found guilty of corruption, fraud to the detriment of the Union's financial interests or money laundering. Non- payment of taxes or social security contributions should also be sanctioned by mandatory exclusion at the level of the Union. Furthermore, contracting authorities should be given the possibility to exclude candidates or tenderers for violations of environmental or social obligations, including rules on accessibility for disabled persons, health and safety at work rules or other forms of grave professional misconduct, such as violations of competition rules or of intellectual property rights.
Amendment 107 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 38
Recital 38
(38) Where contracting authorities choose to award a contract to the most economically advantageous tender, they must determine the award criteria on the basis of which they will assess tenders in order to identify which one offers the best value for money, economic and social sustainability. The determination of these criteria depends on the subject-matter of the contract since they must allow the level of performance offered by each tender to be assessed in the light of the subject- matter of the contract, as defined in the technical specifications, and the value for money of each tender to be measured. Furthermore, the chosen award criteria should not confer an unrestricted freedom of choice on the contracting authority and they should ensure the possibility of effective competition and be accompanied by requirements that allow the information provided by the tenderers to be effectively verified.
Amendment 112 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 43
Recital 43
(43) Contract performance conditions are compatible with this Directive provided that they are not directly or indirectly discriminatory, are linked to the subject- matter of the contract and are indicated in the contract notice, the prior information notice used as a means of calling for competition or the procurement documents. They may, in particular, be intended to favour on-site vocational training, the employment of people experiencing particular difficulty in achieving integration, the fight against unemployment, protection of the environment or animal welfare. For instance, mention may be made, amongst other things, of the requirements - applicable during performance of the contract - to recruit long-term job-seekers, unemployed young persons, persons with disabilities, women or to implement training measures for the unemployed or young persons, to comply in substance with fundamental International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions, even where such Conventions have not been implemented in national law, and to recruit more disadvantaged persons than are required under national legislation.
Amendment 117 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 47
Recital 47
(47) In line with the principles of equal treatment, objectivity and transparency, the successful tenderer should not be replaced by another economic operator without reopening the contract to competition. However, the successful tenderer performing the contract may undergo certain structural changes during the performance of the contract, such as purely internal reorganisations, mergers and acquisitions or insolvency. Such structural changes should not automatically require new procurement procedures for all public contracts performed by that undertaking.
Amendment 119 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 51
Recital 51
(51) Not all contracting authorities may have the internal expertise to deal with economically or technically complex contracts. Against this background, appropriate professional support would be an effective complement to monitoring and control activities. On the one hand, this objective can be achieved by knowledge sharing tools (knowledge centres) offering technical assistance to contracting authorities; on the other hand, business, not leastespecially the SMEs, should benefit from administrative assistance, in particular when participating in procurement procedures on a cross-border basis.
Amendment 127 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 22
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 22
(22) ‘life cycle’ means all consecutive and/or interlinked stages, including production, transport, installation, use and maintenance, throughout the existence of a product or a works or the provision of a service, from raw material acquisition or generation of resources to disposal, clearance and finalisation;
Amendment 207 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 16 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 16 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
However, in the case of public service and public works contracts as well as public supply contracts covering in addition services or siting and installation operations, legal persons may be required to indicate, in the tender or the request to participate, the names and the relevant professional qualifications of the staff to be responsible for the performance of the contract in question.
Amendment 208 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Groups of economic operators may submit tenders or put themselves forward as candidates. Groups of economic operators, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, may take the form of a consortium of enterprises. Contracting authorities shall not establish specific conditions for participation of such groups in procurement procedures which are not imposed on individual candidates. In order to submit a tender or a request to participate, those groups shall not be required by the contracting authorities to assume a specific legal form.
Amendment 209 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Member States may reserve the right to participate in public procurement procedures to sheltered workshops and economic operators whose main aim is the social and professional integration of disabled and disadvantaged workers or provide for such contracts to be performed in the context of sheltered employment programmes, provided that more than 30% of the employees of those workshops, economic operators or programmes are disabled or disadvantaged workers.for:
Amendment 212 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point a (new)
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point a (new)
(a) sheltered workshops, or provide for such contracts to be performed in the context of sheltered employment programmes, provided that the majority of the employees concerned are disabled persons who, by reason of the nature or the seriousness of their disabilities, cannot carry on occupations under normal conditions or easily find employment on the ordinary market;
Amendment 213 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point b (new)
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point b (new)
(b) social enterprises programmes whose main aim is the social and professional integration of disadvantaged workers, provided that more than 30% of the employees of those economic operators or programmes are disabled or disadvantaged workers.
Amendment 214 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 17 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 17 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The protection of the intellectual property of the tenderers should be ensured.
Amendment 216 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 18 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The contracting entity shall not use in other competitive procedures the information forwarded to it by economic operators during a precedent competitive procedure.
Amendment 238 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 29 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
Article 29 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
Only those economic operators invited by the contracting authority following its assessment of the requested information may submit research and innovation projects aimed at meeting the needs identified by the contracting authority that cannot be met by existing solutions. The contract shall be awarded on the sole basis of the award criterion of the most economically advantageous tender in accordance with Article 66(1)(a) and Article 66(2).
Amendment 245 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 40 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 4
Article 40 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 4
For all procurement the subject of which is intended for use by persons, whether general public or staff of the contracting authority, those technical specifications shall, except in duly justified cases, be drawn up so as to take into account accessibility criteria for people with disabilities or design for all users other than, by way of exception, in duly justified cases, which shall be stated in the call for competition and the tender documents.
Amendment 258 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 41 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 41 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) the labels are established in an open and transparent procedure in which all stakeholders, including government bodies, consumers, manufacturers, distributors, social organisations and environmental organisations, may participate;,
Amendment 263 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 43 – paragraph 1
Article 43 – paragraph 1
1. Contracting authorities mayshall authorise tenderers to submit variants. They shall indicate in the contract notice or, where a prior information notice is used as a means of calling for competition, in the invitation to confirm interest whether or not they authorise variants. Variants shall not be authorised without such indicaContracting entities may indicate in the specifications that the variants are not authorized and the related specific reason for such prohibition.
Amendment 265 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 43 – paragraph 2
Article 43 – paragraph 2
2. Contracting authorities authorising variants shall state in the procurement documents the minimum requirements to be met by the variants and any specific requirements for their presentation. They shall also ensure that the chosen award criteria can be usefully applied to variants meeting those minimum requirements as well as to conforming tenders which are not variants.
Amendment 266 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 43 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Article 43 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
In procedures for awarding public supply or service contracts, contracting authorities that have authorised variants shall not reject a variant on the sole ground that it would, where successful, lead to either a service contract rather than a public supply contract or a supply contract rather than a public service contract.
Amendment 311 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 67 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 67 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Where contracting authorities assess the costs using a life-cycle costing approach, they shall indicate in the procurement documents the methodology used for the calculation of the life-cycle costs. The methodology used must be simplified in order to be accessible for SMEs and it must fulfil all of the following conditions:
Amendment 328 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 69 – paragraph 3 – point d
Article 69 – paragraph 3 – point d
(d) compliance, at least in an equivalent manner, with obligations established by Union and national legislation in the field of social and labour law or environmental law or of the international social and environmental law provisions listed in Annex XI or, where not applicable, with other provisions ensuring an equivalent level of protection;
Amendment 331 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 69 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 69 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
The contracting authority shall verify the information provided by consulting the tenderer. It may only reject the tender where the evidence does not justify the low level of price or costs charged, taking into account the elements referred to in paragraph 3, or when the received justification is not sufficient.
Amendment 333 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 69 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Article 69 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Contracting authorities shall reject the tender, where they have established that the tender is abnormally low because it does not comply with obligations established by Union and national legislation in the field of social and labour law or environmental law or by the international social and environmental law provisions listed in Annex XI.
Amendment 354 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 76 – paragraph 1
Article 76 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall put in place appropriate procedures for the award of contracts subject to this Chapter, ensuring full compliance with the principles of transparency, non-discrimination and equal treatment of economic operators and allowing contracting authorities to take into account the specificities of the services in question.
Amendment 355 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 76 – paragraph 2
Article 76 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall ensure that contracting authorities may take into account the need to ensure a high level of quality, continuity, accessibility, availability and comprehensiveness of the services, the specific needs of different categories of users, including disadvantages and vulnerable groups, the necessity to promote the participation of SMEs, the involvement and empowerment of users and innovation. Member States may also provide that the choice of the service provider shall not be made solely on the basis of the price for the provision of the service.
Amendment 362 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 84 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point f
Article 84 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point f
(f) examining complaints from citizens and businesses and from professional associations or similar bodies on the application of public procurement rules in specific cases and transmitting the analysis to the competent contracting authorities, which shall have the obligation to take it into account in their decisions or, where the analysis is not followed, to explain the reasons for disregarding it;
Amendment 363 #
2011/0438(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 84 – paragraph 8 a (new)
Article 84 – paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. The annual report should also include an annual comparison between the prices submitted and the actual cost of contracts that have already been performed and the potential influence over the number of staff employed by suppliers.
Amendment 17 #
2011/0437(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) The technical specifications drawn up by contracting authorities and contracting entities need to allow concession award to be opened up to competition. To that end, it must be possible to submit tenders that reflect the diversity of technical solutions so as to obtain a sufficient level of competition. Consequently, technical specifications should be drafted and applied in conformity with the principles of transparency and non-discrimination and in such a way to avoid artificially narrowing down competition through requirements that favour a specific economic operator by mirroring key characteristics of the supplies, services or works habitually offered by that economic operator. Drawing up the technical specifications in terms of functional and performance requirements generally allows this objective to be achieved in the best way possible and favours innovation. Where reference is made to a European standard or, in the absence thereof, to a national standard, tenders based on equivalent arrangements should be considered by contracting authorities or contracting entities. To demonstrate equivalence, tenderers can be required to provide third- party verified evidence; however, other appropriate means of proof such as a technical dossier of the manufacturer should also be allowed where the economic operator concerned has no access to such certificates or test reports, or no possibility of obtaining them within the relevant time limits.
Amendment 43 #
2011/0437(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 20 – paragraph 1
Article 20 – paragraph 1
Member States may reserve the right to participate in concession award procedures to sheltered workshops and economic operators whose main aim is the social and professional integration of disabled and disadvantaged workers or provide for such concessions to be performed in the context of sheltered employment programmes provided that more than 30% of the employees of those workshops, economic operators or programmes are disabled or disadvantaged workers.for:
Amendment 44 #
2011/0437(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 20 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 20 – paragraph 1 a (new)
(a) sheltered workshops, or provide for such contracts to be performed in the context of sheltered employment programmes, provided that the majority of the employees concerned are disabled persons who, by reason of the nature or the seriousness of their disabilities, cannot carry on occupations under normal conditions or easily find employment on the ordinary market;
Amendment 45 #
2011/0437(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 20 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Article 20 – paragraph 1 b (new)
(b) the enterprises and programmes whose main aim is social and professional integration of disadvantaged workers, provided that more than 30% of the employees of those economic operators or programmes are disabled or disadvantaged workers.
Amendment 46 #
2011/0437(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 2
Article 22 – paragraph 2
2. However, legal persons may be required to indicate in the tender or the application, the names and relevant professional qualifications of the staff to be responsible for the performance of the concession in question.
Amendment 47 #
2011/0437(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 3
Article 22 – paragraph 3
3. Groups of economic operators may submit tenders or put themselves forward as candidates. Groups of economic operators, particularly small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs), may take the form of a consortium of enterprises.
Amendment 73 #
2011/0437(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 40 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 40 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Where contracting authorities assess the costs using a life-cycle costing approach, they shall indicate in the concession award documents the methodology used for the calculation of the life-cycle costs. The methodology used must be simplified in order to be accessible for SMEs and it must fulfil all of the following conditions:
Amendment 96 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) In the context of its effort to increase economic, territorial and social cohesion, the Union should, at all stages of implementation of the CSF Funds, aim at eliminating inequalities and promoting equality between men and women, as well as combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation as set out in Article 2 of the Treaty on the European Union, Article 10 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article. 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Amendment 108 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) Member States should concentrate support to ensure a significant contribution to the achievement of Union objectives in line with their specific national and regional development needs. Ex ante conditionalities should be defined to ensure that the necessary framework conditions for the effective use of Union support are in place. The fulfilment of those ex ante conditionalities should be assessed by the Commission in the framework of its assessment of the Partnership Contract and programmes. In cases where there is a failure to fulfil an ex ante conditionality, the Commission should have the power to suspend payments to the programme, in accordance with the Fund-specific rules.
Amendment 125 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 58
Recital 58
Amendment 159 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 5 – paragraph 2
Part 2 – article 5 – paragraph 2
2. In accordance with the multi-level governance approach and with the Partnership Contract, as referred to in paragraph 1, the partners shall be involved by Member States in the preparation of Partnership Contracts and progress reports and in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes. The partners shall participate in the monitoring committees for programmes.
Amendment 172 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) Article 174 of the Treaty provides that, in order to strengthen its economic, social and territorial cohesion, the Union shall aim at reducing disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions or islands, particular. Among the regions concerned particular attention shall be paid to rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition, and regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps such as the northernmost regions with very low population density and island, cross- border and mountain regions. Article 175 of the Treaty requires that the Union would support the achievement of these objectives by action it takes through the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund, Guidance Section, the European Social Fund, the European Regional Development Fund, the European Investment Bank and other instruments.
Amendment 174 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 7 – paragraph 1
Part 2 – article 7 – paragraph 1
The Member States and the Commission shall ensure that equality between men and women and the integration of gender perspective is promoted in the preparation and implement, programming, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes.
Amendment 175 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) The structural funds must reflect in their design and implementation the priorities and principles of the Small Business Act for Euorpe, in particular the principle "Think small first";
Amendment 181 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 9 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Part 2 – article 9 – paragraph 1 – point 8
(8) promoting employment, supporting the SMEs in creating new sustainable and decent jobs and supporting labour mobility;
Amendment 186 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) For the Partnership Contract and each programme respectively, a Member State should organise a partnership with the representatives of competent regional, local, urban and other public authorities, economic and social partners, and bodies representing civil society, including environmental partners, non-governmental organisations, and bodies responsible for promoting equality and non-discrimination. based on its National Reform Programme.The purpose of such a partnership is to respect the principle of multi-level governance, ensure the ownership of planned interventions by stakeholders and build on the experience and know-how of relevant actors. The Commission should be empowered to adopt delegated acts providing for a code of conduct in order toMember States should ensure that partners are involved in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Partnership Contracts and programmes in a consistent manner.
Amendment 188 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 9 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Part 2 – article 9 – paragraph 1 – point 10
(10) investing in education, vocational training, skills and lifelong learning;
Amendment 217 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) On the basis of the Common Strategic Framework adopted by the Commission, each Member State should prepare, in cooperation with its partners and in dialogue with the Commission, a Partnership Contract based on its National Reform Programme. The Partnership Contract should translate the elements set out in the Common Strategic Framework into the national context and set out firm commitments to the achievement of Union objectives through the programming of the CSF Funds.
Amendment 237 #
2011/0276(COD)
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 shallmay constitute a basis for suspending payments by the Commission.
Amendment 241 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 18 – paragraph 1
Part 2 – article 18 – paragraph 1
Amendment 245 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 20 – paragraph 1
Part 2 – article 20 – paragraph 1
Amendment 260 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 22 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Part 2 – article 22 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
On the request of a Member State, interim payments and payments of the final balance may be increased by 105 percentage points above the co-financing rate applicable to each priority for the ERDF, ESF and CF or to each measure for the EAFRD and the EMFF. The increased rate, which may not exceed 100%, shall apply to requests for payment relating to the accounting period in which the Member State has submitted its request and in subsequent accounting periods during which the Member State meets one of the following conditions:
Amendment 265 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 23 – paragraph 2
Part 2 – article 23 – paragraph 2
2. Programmes shall be drawn up by Member States or any authority designated by them, in cooperation with the partners, as referred to in Article 5.
Amendment 266 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) An evaluation plan should be drawn up by the authority responsible for the preparation of the programme taking Project and Programme management concerns into full account. During the programming period managing authorities should carry out evaluations to assess the effectiveness and impact of a programme. The monitoring committee and the Commission should be informed about the results of evaluations to facilitate management decisions.
Amendment 273 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42
Recital 42
(42) Member States should adopt adequate measures to guarantee the proper set up and functioning of their management and control systems to give assurance on the legal and regular use of the CSF Funds. according to international standards of Project and Programme Management The obligations of Member States as regards the management and control systems of programmes, and in relation to the prevention, detection and correction of irregularities and infringements of Union law should therefore also be specified in the Article of the Regulation.
Amendment 279 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 45
Recital 45
(45) The powers and responsibilities of the Commission to verify the effective functioning of the management and control systems, including the evaluation of their Project and programme management capabilities and to require Member State action, should be laid down. The Commission should also have the power to carry out audits focused on issues relating to sound financial management in order to draw conclusions on the performance of Funds.
Amendment 280 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 28 – paragraph 1 – point a
Part 2 – article 28 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) focused on specific sub-regional territories defined by Member States in accordance with their specific territorial units after consultation with all the partners referred to in Article 5;
Amendment 296 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 55
Recital 55
(55) Objective criteria should be fixed for designating eligible regions and areas for support from the Funds. To this end, the identification of the regions and areas at Union level should be based on the common system of classification of the regions established by Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and the Council of 26 May 2003 on the establishment of a common classification of territorial units for statistics (NUTS) Special attention should be paid to regions which suffer from serious and permanent natural or demographic handicaps, such as regions with very low population density and island, cross- border and mountain regions, taking into account the fact that these territorial characteristics do not necessarily correspond to the breakdown currently proposed by the NUTS classification.
Amendment 302 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 58
Recital 58
Amendment 315 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 61
Recital 61
(61) It is necessary to lay down additional provisions concerning the programming, management, monitoring, reporting methodology, Project and Programme Management practices and control of operational programmes supported by the Funds. Operational programmes should set out priority axes corresponding to thematic objectives, elaborate a consistent intervention logic to tackle the development needs identified, and set out the framework for performance assessment. They should also contain other elements necessary to underpin the effective and efficient implementation of these Funds.
Amendment 318 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 64
Recital 64
(64) In order to give Member States the option of implementing part of an operational programme using a result- based approach, it is useful to provide for a joint action plan comprising a set of actions to be carried out by a beneficiary to contribute to the objectives of the operational programme. In order to simplify and reinforce the result orientation of the Funds the management of the joint action plan should be exclusively based on jointly agreed Project management milestones, outputs and results as defined in the Commission decision adopting the joint action plan. Control and audit of a joint action plan should also be limited to the achievement of these milestones, outputs and results. Consequently, it is necessary to lay down rules on its preparation, content, adoption, financial management and control of joint action plans.
Amendment 327 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 74
Recital 74
(74) It is necessary for Member States to designate a managing authority, a certifying authority and a functionally independent auditing authority for each operational programme. To provide flexibility for Member States in the set up of control systems, it is appropriate to provide the option for the functions of the certifying authority to be carried out by the managing authority. The Member State should also be allowed to designate intermediate bodies to carry out certain tasks of the managing authority or the certifying authority. under the condition that they are fully Project and Programme Management competent.The Member State should in that case lay down clearly their respective responsibilities and functions.
Amendment 329 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 75
Recital 75
(75) The managing authority bears the main responsibility for the effective and efficient implementation of the Funds and thus fulfils a substantial number of functions related to project and programme management and monitoring, financial management and controls as well as project selection. Its responsibilities and functions should be set out in the Articles f the Regulation.
Amendment 357 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Part 1 – article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 (new)
The rules in this regulation should reflect the priorities and principles of the SBA for Europe and allow his implementation applied at European, national and territorial level.
Amendment 366 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 1 – article 2 – paragraph 2 – point 16
Part 1 – article 2 – paragraph 2 – point 16
(16) ‘local development strategy’ means a coherent set of operations to meet local objectives and needs, which contributes to meeting the Union strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and which is implemented by a local authority in partnership at the appropriate level;
Amendment 378 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 6
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 6
Amendment 383 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 4 – paragraph 4
Part 2 – article 4 – paragraph 4
4 Member States and the bodies designated by them for that purpose shall be responsible for implementing programmes in partnership with economic and social partners and carrying out their tasks under this Regulation and the Fund-specific rules at the appropriate territorial level, in accordance with the institutional, legal and financial framework of the Member State and subject to compliance with this Regulation and the Fund-specific rules.
Amendment 390 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 4 – paragraph 6
Part 2 – article 4 – paragraph 6
6. In accordance with their respective responsibilities, the Commission and the Member States shall ensure coordination among the CSF Funds, and with other Union policies and instruments, including those in the framework of the Union's external action. Special attention shall be given and, where relevant, resources be allocated for areas in which other Union funds explicitly provide for an integrated approach, such as joint funding for integrated projects in the field of environment and climate.
Amendment 395 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 4 – paragraph 10 a (new)
Part 2 – article 4 – paragraph 10 a (new)
(1) The rules set out in the Regulation should reflect the priorities and principles of the SBA for Europe and it can be applied both at European, national and regional level;
Amendment 406 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 87 – paragraph 2 – point d
Part 3 – article 87 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) the contribution to the integrated approach set out in the Partnership Contract to address the regional demographic challenges and specific needs of geographical areas most affected by poverty or target groups at highest risk of discrimination or exclusion, with special regard to marginalised communities, and the indicative financial allocation;
Amendment 406 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
Part 2 – article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) competent regional, local, urban and other public authorities which shall also organise a partnership with partners mentioned at point (b) and (c);
Amendment 423 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 5 – paragraph 2
Part 2 – article 5 – paragraph 2
2. In accordance with the multi-level governance approach and with the Partnership Agreement, as referred to in paragraph 1, the partners shall be involved by Member States in the preparation of Partnership Contracts and progress reports and in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes. The partners shall participate in the monitoring committees for programmes.
Amendment 432 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 5 – paragraph 3
Part 2 – article 5 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 142 to provide for a European code of conduct that lays down specific objectives and criteria, making explicit reference to Programme and Project Management capabilities in order to support the implementation of partnership and to facilitate the sharing of information, experience, results and good practices among Member States.
Amendment 441 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 5 – paragraph 4
Part 2 – article 5 – paragraph 4
4. At least once a year, for each CSF Fund, the Commission shall consult the organisations which represent the partners at Union level on the implementation of support from the CSF Funds.To this end, the Commission undertakes beforehand an analysis of this implementation and the participation of stakeholders, particularly the economic and social partners;
Amendment 442 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 5 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Part 2 – article 5 – paragraph 4 a (new)
(1) Member States shall ensure that the partners are provided capacity building to participate in partnership and public consultation processes effectively;
Amendment 448 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 101 – paragraph 3 – point i
Part 3 – article 101 – paragraph 3 – point i
(i) progress in the implementation of measures to address the regional demographic challenges and the specific needs of geographical areas most affected by poverty or of target groups at highest risk of discrimination or exclusion, with special regard to marginalised communities including, where appropriate, the financial resources used;
Amendment 448 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 7 – paragraph 1
Part 2 – article 7 – paragraph 1
The Member States and the Commission shall ensure that equality between men and women and the integration of gender perspective is promoted in the preparation and implement, programming,implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes.
Amendment 467 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 9 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Part 2 – article 9 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Each CSF Fund shall support the following thematic objectives of the Union strategy in accordance with its mission in order to contribute to the Union strategyto achieve economic, social and territorial cohesion in accordance with Article 177 of TFEU, for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth:
Amendment 474 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 9 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Part 2 – article 9 – paragraph 1 – point 3
(3) enhancing the competitiveness of medium, small and medium-sizedicro-sized enterprises including social economy enterprises, the self employed, agricultural sector (for the EAFRD) and the fisheries and aquaculture sector (for the EMFF);
Amendment 493 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 9 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Part 2 – article 9 – paragraph 1 – point 8
(8) promoting employment, supporting the SMEs for creating new sustainable and decent jobs and supporting labour mobility;
Amendment 503 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 9 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Part 2 – article 9 – paragraph 1 – point 10
(10) investing in education, skillsvocational training, skills, initial and continuous training and lifelong learning;
Amendment 506 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – Thematic ex ante conditionalities – point 9 – sub-point 9.2 – column 3 – indent 1 – sub-indent 1 – sub-indent 2
Annex IV – Thematic ex ante conditionalities – point 9 – sub-point 9.2 – column 3 – indent 1 – sub-indent 1 – sub-indent 2
- increase higher education participation among low income groups and other under-represented groups, specially the groups that are most vulnerable.
Amendment 507 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 9 – paragraph 1 – point 11
Part 2 – article 9 – paragraph 1 – point 11
(11) enhancing institutional capacity and an efficient public administration for a balanced territorial development in accordance with the recommendations of the Territorial Agenda of the European Union 2020.
Amendment 514 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 9 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point i (new)
Part 2 – article 9 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point i (new)
i) Promotion of the social economy
Amendment 530 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – General ex-ante conditionalities – point 2 – column 2
Annex IV – General ex-ante conditionalities – point 2 – column 2
The existence of a strategy for the promotion of gender equality and a mechanism which ensures its effective implementation through gender mainstreaming specific actions.
Amendment 536 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 11 – paragraph 1 – point f
Part 2 – article 11 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) mechanisms for ensuring the coherence and consistency of the programming of the CSF Funds with the country-specific recommendations under Article 121(2) of the Treaty and the relevant Council recommendations adopted under 148(4) of the Treaty including, from henceforth, the making of Project and Programme Management competency a mandatory condition of employment in the managing authorities and intermediate bodies.
Amendment 562 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 13 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Part 2 – article 13 – paragraph 3 a (new)
The Partnership Contract shall undergo public consultation prior to its submission to the Commission
Amendment 576 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
(ii) a summary analysis of the ex ante evaluations of the programmes justifying the selection of the thematic objectives and the indicative allocations of the CSF Funds; thematic objectives may vary from one region to another, therefore, when they are established, the identified needs of each individual region should be taken into account;
Amendment 585 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv a (new)
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv a (new)
(iv a) the potential amount of support foreseen for complementary activities with non CSF-funds that specifically provide for such cooperation, such as joint funding for integrated projects in the field of environment and climate; for Partnership Contracts that identify environment or climate as thematic objectives, the Member State shall ensure that priority is given to funding activities that complement integrated projects in those fields;
Amendment 595 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
(i) the mechanisms at national and regional level that ensure coordination between the CSF Funds and other Union and national funding instruments, especially where those provide for a structured cooperation such as the LIFE programme, and with the EIB;
Amendment 607 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
(ii) the arrangements to ensure an integrated approach at the pertinent territorial scale to the use of the CSF Funds for the territorial development of urban, rural, coastal and fisheries areas and areas with particular territorial features, in particular the implementation arrangements for Articles 28, 29 and 99 accompanied, where appropriate, by a list of the cities to participate in the urban development platform referred to in Article 8 of the ERDF Regulation like mountain ranges, islands or areas with a very low density of in particular the implementation arrangements for Articles 28, 29 and 99;
Amendment 631 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iv – point a (new)
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iv – point a (new)
a) the territorial analyse of the most efficient scale of functionnal area (mountain range, bassin, valey, intermunicipality, etc) to reach the aimed objectives even throw multiregional programmes;
Amendment 633 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iv a (new)
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iv a (new)
(iv a) The introduction of mandatory Project and Programme Management training for staff in both the managing authorities and intermediate bodies if an ex ante evaluation of their Project and Programme Management capabilities identifies shortcomings;
Amendment 642 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point e – point iii a (new)
Part 2 – article 14 – paragraph 1 – point e – point iii a (new)
(iii a) An ex-ante evaluation of the project and programme management capabilities of those staffing departments in national, regional and local government that will be co-signatories of the Partnership Contracts in order to ascertain whether or not they are fit for purpose in terms of administrative capacity.
Amendment 676 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 17 – paragraph 4
Part 2 – article 17 – paragraph 4
4. Member States shall set out the detailed actions relating to the fulfilment of ex ante conditionalities, including the timetable for their implementation, in the relevant programmes. With regards to the implementation of plans or strategies under the thematic objectives 4, 5 and 6, Member States shall consider integrated projects in the field of climate and environment as a potential model for an efficient, coherent and well coordinated implementation.
Amendment 685 #
2011/0276(COD)
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. In its decision making the Commission should pay close attention to the economic and social consequences of the suspending decision. The failure to complete actions to fulfil an ex ante conditionality by the deadline set out in the programme shallmay constitute a basis for suspending payments by the Commission.
Amendment 698 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 18 – paragraph 1
Part 2 – article 18 – paragraph 1
Amendment 714 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 20 – paragraph 1
Part 2 – article 20 – paragraph 1
Amendment 734 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 21 – paragraph 7
Part 2 – article 21 – paragraph 7
7. When deciding to suspend part or all of the payments or commitments in accordance with paragraphs 5 and 6 respectively, the Commission shall ensure that the suspension is proportionate and effective, taking into account the economic and social circumstances of the Member State concerned, and respects equality of treatment between Member States, in particular with regard to the impact of the suspension on the economy of the Member State concerned.The suspension should in no way prejudice the economic and financial interest of beneficiaries and proper implementation of projects in the Member States concerned;
Amendment 742 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 23 – paragraph 2
Part 2 – article 23 – paragraph 2
2. Programmes shall be drawn up by Member States or any authority designated by them, in cooperation with the partners.Member States shall ensure that the partners are represented in the drafting teams of programmes, as well as project selection teams. Partners shall be delegated to each of these teams through transparent processes respected by and independent from any governance entity of the Member States. The rules of operation, the list of members, including names of individuals, and the adopted minutes of team meetings shall be made public. The programmes shall undergo public consultation prior to their submission to the Commission;
Amendment 744 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 23 – paragraph 2
Part 2 – article 23 – paragraph 2
2. Programmes shall be drawn up by Member States or any authority designated by them, in cooperation with the partners as referred to in Article 5.
Amendment 796 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 28 – paragraph 1 – point a
Part 2 – article 28 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) focused on specific sub-regional territories defined by the Member States in accordance with their specific territorial units, after consultation with all the partners referred to Article 5;
Amendment 797 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 28 – paragraph 1 – point b
Part 2 – article 28 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) community-led, by local authorities in partnership with local actors, as local action groups composed of representatives of public and private local socio-economic interests, where at the decision-making level neither the public sector nor any single interest group shall represent more than 49 % of the voting rights;
Amendment 810 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 29 – paragraph 1 – point a
Part 2 – article 29 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the definition of the area and population covered by the strategy depending of the functionality of local territories and urban - rural links;
Amendment 821 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 29 – paragraph 3
Part 2 – article 29 – paragraph 3
3. Local development strategies shall be selected by a committee set up for this purpose by the relevant managing authorities of the programmes. while partners mentioned in article 5, in particular social partners, are members of this committee;
Amendment 831 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 30 – paragraph 2
Part 2 – article 30 – paragraph 2
2. The managing authority shall ensure that the local action groups either select one partnerlocal authority within the group as a lead partner in administrative and financial matters, or come together in a legally constituted common public structure. Whichever the case, measures should be taken by the managing authority to assess the Project and Programme Management competency of the designated lead partner or constituted common structure.
Amendment 834 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 30 – paragraph 3 – point a
Part 2 – article 30 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) building the capacity of local actors to develop and implement operations and actively foster the uptake of Project and Programme Management capabilities and skills among them;
Amendment 835 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 30 – paragraph 3 – point b
Part 2 – article 30 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) drawing up a non-discriminatory and transparent selection procedure and criteria for the selection of operations, which avoid conflicts of interest, that shall ensure that at least 50% of the votes in selection decisions are from the non-public sector partners (private and association), providing for the possibility of appeal against selection decisions and allowing selection by written procedure;
Amendment 923 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 40 – paragraph 1
Part 2 – article 40 – paragraph 1
1. The managing authority shall send to the Commission a specific report covering the operations comprising financial instruments as an annex to the annual implementation report in order to prevent duplication and additional administrative burden.
Amendment 933 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 41 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Part 2 – article 41 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
The rules of operation, the list of members, including names of individuals, the agenda of monitoring committee meetings and the adopted minutes of meetings shall be made public;
Amendment 936 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 42 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Part 2 – article 42 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The monitoring committee shall be composed of representatives of the managing authority and intermediate bodies and of representatives of the partners. Partners shall be delegated to each of these committees through transparent processes respected by and independent from any governance entity of the Member States. Each member of the monitoring committee shall have a voting right.
Amendment 950 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 43 – paragraph 4
Part 2 – article 43 – paragraph 4
4. The monitoring committee may issue recommendations to the managing authority regarding implementation of the programme and its evaluationways of reducing the administrative burden on beneficiaries. It shall monitor actions taken as a result of its recommendations and subsequently reassess if it is fit for purpose in Project and Programme Management terms according to internationally recognised criteria.
Amendment 952 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 43 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Part 2 – article 43 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 (new)
The monitoring committee shall approve the annual report on the implementation of the programmes.
Amendment 957 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 44 – paragraph 2
Part 2 – article 44 – paragraph 2
2. Annual implementation reports shall set out information on implementation of the programme and its priorities by reference to the financial data, common and programme-specific indicators and quantified target values, including changes in result indicators, and the milestones defined in the performance framework. The data transmitted shall relate to values for indicators for fully implemented operations and also for selected operations. They shall also set out actions taken to fulfil the ex-ante conditionalities, the simplification of the administrative procedures and any issues which affect the performance of the programme, and the corrective measures taken.
Amendment 968 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 44 – paragraph 7
Part 2 – article 44 – paragraph 7
7. The Commission may issue recommendations to address any issues which affect the implementation of the programme including its Programme and Project Management. Where such recommendations are made, the managing authority shall inform the Commission within three months of the corrective measures taken.
Amendment 972 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 44 – paragraph 8
Part 2 – article 44 – paragraph 8
8. A citizen's summary of the contents of the annual and the final implementation reports and the full reports themselves shall be made public.
Amendment 985 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 46 – paragraph 2 – point f
Part 2 – article 46 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) actions taken to reinforce the capacity of the Member State authorities and, where appropriate, beneficiaries to administer and use the CSF Funds, including the recommendation for the uptake of Programme and project Management training to international standards in order to improve administrative capacity;
Amendment 991 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 46 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Part 2 – article 46 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
The Project and Programme Management performance of the partners referred to in Article 5 in the implementation of the Partnership Contract;
Amendment 1004 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 47 – paragraph 3
Part 2 – article 47 – paragraph 3
3. Evaluations shall be carried out by experts that are functionally independent of the authorities responsible for programme implementation. Expert team carrying out the evaluations shall involve partners delegated through transparent processes respected by and independent from any governance entity of the member State. The Commission shall provide guidance on how to carry out evaluations.
Amendment 1018 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 48 – paragraph 3 – point i
Part 2 – article 48 – paragraph 3 – point i
(i) the adequacy of human resources and administrative capacity for management of the programme with an evaluation of their Project and programme Management competency;
Amendment 1026 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 48 – paragraph 3 – point m – point i (new)
Part 2 – article 48 – paragraph 3 – point m – point i (new)
i) Measures taken to involve partners referred to article 5, including economic and social partners, as well as measures aimed to simplify the administrative procedures;
Amendment 1028 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 48 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Part 2 – article 48 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 (new)
whether the programme is fit for purpose according to international standards of project and Programme Management assessment criteria;
Amendment 1040 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 51 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point i a (new)
Part 2 – article 51 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point i a (new)
(i a) setting up national and regional amicable dispute resolution system arising from different interpretations of texts, conflicts related to audits, checks and payment terms, in general, all measures arising from differences between the beneficiaries;
Amendment 1041 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 51 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point j – point i (new)
Part 2 – article 51 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point j – point i (new)
(i) Information as well as initial and continuous training of the partners and beneficiaries/project managers and administrators of projects mentioned in article 5;
Amendment 1042 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 51 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point j a (new)
Part 2 – article 51 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point j a (new)
(j a) The recommendation for and, provision thereof, of Project and Programme Management training to strengthen administrative capacity building;
Amendment 1046 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 52 – paragraph 1
Part 2 – article 52 – paragraph 1
1. At the initiative of a Member State, the CSF Funds may support actions for preparation, management, monitoring, evaluation, information and communication, networking, complaint resolution, and control and audit. The CSF Funds may be used by the Member State to support actions for the reduction of administrative burden for beneficiaries, including electronic data exchange systems, and actions to reinforce the capacity of Member State authorities, partners according to article 5 notably economic and social partners and beneficiaries to administer and use the CSF Funds. These actions may concern preceding and subsequent programming periods.
Amendment 1050 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 52 – paragraph 1
Part 2 – article 52 – paragraph 1
1. At the initiative of a Member State, the CSF Funds may support actions for preparation, management, monitoring, evaluation, information and communication, networking, complaint resolution, and control and audit. The CSF Funds may be used by the Member State to support actions for the reduction of administrative burden for beneficiaries, including electronic data exchange systems, and actions to reinforce the capacity of Member State authorities, partners and beneficiaries to administer and use the CSF Funds. These actions may concern preceding and subsequent programming periods.
Amendment 1056 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 54 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Part 2 – article 54 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Amendment 1059 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 54 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Part 2 – article 54 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Amendment 1065 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 55 – paragraph 1
Part 2 – article 55 – paragraph 1
1. The eligibility of expenditure shall be determined on the basis of national rules, except where specific rules are laid down in or on the basis of this Regulation or the Fund-specific rules. Rules on eligibility of expenditure guarantee an equality of treatment between PPP projects and projects under a public management contract.
Amendment 1072 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 55 – paragraph 8 – point 1 (new)
Part 2 – article 55 – paragraph 8 – point 1 (new)
(1) The support given through a region must be fully repaid in case of relocation of the beneficiary in another region, Member State or outside the EU;
Amendment 1074 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 57 – paragraph 1 – point c
Part 2 – article 57 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) lump sums not exceeding EUR 1200 000 of public contribution or a percentage of 7 to 10% in case of grouped projects or network actions;
Amendment 1107 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 61 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Part 2 – article 61 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) a change in ownership of an item of infrastructure which gives to a firm or a public body an undue advantage, except when the exploitation or the ownership of infrastructures co-financed with Structural Funds is transferred to an operator in the framework of a competitive bid complying with EU law; or
Amendment 1116 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 63 – paragraph 3
Part 2 – article 63 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall establish and implement a procedure forwith equal representation of both sides amongst the managing authority and the representative organization of the beneficiary, guaranteeing the independent examination and resolution of complaints concerning the selection, the execution, the controls and payments or implementation of operations co-financed by the CSF Funds. Member States shall report the results of such examinations to the Commission upon request.and the proposed solutions to the Commission with the aim of implementing a portal for information of the managing authorities, beneficiaries and partners aimed at in article 5. ;
Amendment 1135 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 65 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Part 2 – article 65 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Audits and controls are conducted in accordance with the principle of "Only one" of SBA and must be proportionate to the amount of state aid allocated to an operation and its degree of risk. It is up to the Coordinating Committee of the funds of article 143 to define the application rules;
Amendment 1141 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 66 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Part 2 – article 66 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Amendment 1144 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 67 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Part 2 – article 67 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The beneficiaries cannot be required to advance a part of public funds: Member States must provide the financing of the operation as well as interim payments before the launch of the initial phase and follow-up phases on time to avoid unwarranted interruption of the operation;
Amendment 1145 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 67 – paragraph 3 b (new)
Part 2 – article 67 – paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Late payments to beneficiaries due to non compliance with deadlines in the texts or delay in processing cases will be subject to payment of default interest under EU law relating to payment terms;
Amendment 1146 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 67 – paragraph 3 c (new)
Part 2 – article 67 – paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Recognised beneficiaries, the representative intermediary organisations that can provide non bank guarantees, those who have already taken action through public funding, are not required to provide bank guarantee.In any event, managing authorities should reduce the use of bank guarantees and preferre other forms of guarantee. The structures of dispite resolution under article 63.3 are empowered to handle complaints in this area.
Amendment 1152 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 72 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Part 2 – article 72 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The beneficiaries can choose to only commit the operation connected to the implementation of the program after reception of the pre-financing or any commitment of the managing authority setting an imperative deadline for the payment;
Amendment 1154 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 2 – article 74 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Part 2 – article 74 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The payment deadline for an interim payment claim may be interrupted by the authorising officer by delegation within the meaning of the Financial Regulation for a maximum period of ninesix months if:
Amendment 1208 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Part 3 – article 82 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. 6 In 2015, the Commission shall review the eligibility of Regions under the various categories referred to in point 2. Those regions where, due to the recession, the GDP per capita has fallen by at least 5% between the above reference period and the period 2010 to 2012 will benefit from supplementary funding corresponding to their new situation.
Amendment 1227 #
2011/0276(COD)
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)e) XXX€ 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 6for which the level of support should correspond to the Treaty of Accession of Austria, Finlanlities of OMR-related hand Swedenicaps.
Amendment 1231 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e a (new)
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e a (new)
(e a) f) XXX€ as additional funding for the NUTS level 2 regions fulfillingthe criteria laid down in Article 2 of Protocol No 6 to the Treaty of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden.
Amendment 1233 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e b (new)
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e b (new)
(e b) XXX€ as additional funding , to be allocated to areas beset bypermanent and severe geographic handicaps in the framework of Operational Programmes undertaken under article 10 of the ERDF Regulation; such areas being those defined by Article 111§4, excluding those already mentioned above under e) and f).
Amendment 1247 #
2011/0276(COD)
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, territorial criteria ( slope, altitude, climate) and unemployment rate for less developed regions and transition regions;
Amendment 1257 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 2 – point b
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) eligible population, regional prosperity, unemployment rate, employment rate, educational level, territorial criteria ( slope, altitude, climate) and population density for more developed regions;
Amendment 1267 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 2 – point c
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) population, national prosperity, territorail criteria (slope, altitude, climate) and surface area for the Cohesion Fund.
Amendment 1299 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 4
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 4
Support from the Cohesion Fund under the Connecting Europe Facility shall be implemented in accordance with Article [13] of Regulation (EU) […]/2012 on establishing the Connecting Europe Facility35 in respect of projects listed in Annex 1 to that Regulation, giving greatest possible priority to projects respecting the national allocations under the Cohesion Fund and ensuring fair competition between projects.
Amendment 1308 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 6
Part 3 – article 84 – paragraph 6
Amendment 1322 #
2011/0276(COD)
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. excepted for multiregional programms with a territorial dimension, joint action plans (Chap 3 of the present regulation), urban development strategies, other strategies or territorial pacts as defined in article 12 paragraph 1, of regulation;
Amendment 1365 #
2011/0276(COD)
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 and other Union and national funding instruments, especially where those provide for a structured cooperation such as the LIFE programme, and with the EIB;
Amendment 1368 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 87 – paragraph 2 – point c – point i a (new)
Part 3 – article 87 – paragraph 2 – point c – point i a (new)
(i a) the arrangement of cooperation on environmental and climate priorities between different sectoral administrations on national and regional level, leading to, first, the identification of areas in which activities that complement integrated projects in the environment and climate field could be envisaged and, second, the determination of funding areas where the use of solutions, methods and approaches validated under the LIFE programme can be beneficial;
Amendment 1388 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 87 – paragraph 2 – point d
Part 3 – article 87 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) the contribution to the integrated approach set out in the Partnership Contract to address the regional demographic challenges and the specific needs of geographical areas most affected by poverty or target groups at highest risk of discrimination or exclusion, with special regard to marginalised communities, and the indicative financial allocation;
Amendment 1396 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 87 – paragraph 2 – point f – point i
Part 3 – article 87 – paragraph 2 – point f – point i
(i) the planned use of technical assistance including actions to reinforce the administrative capacity of authorities, the partners and beneficiaries with the relevant information referred to in paragraph 2 (b) for the priority axis concerned;
Amendment 1443 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 91 – paragraph 1 – – subparagraph 1 – point a a (new)
Part 3 – article 91 – paragraph 1 – – subparagraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) the description of the way, extent and result of the involvement of partners in the preparation of the major projects;
Amendment 1444 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 91 – paragraph 1 – – subparagraph 1 – point b a (new)
Part 3 – article 91 – paragraph 1 – – subparagraph 1 – point b a (new)
(b a) a description of the public consultation process proposed for the development and implementation of the major project;
Amendment 1445 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 91 – paragraph 1 – – subparagraph 1 – point i a (new)
Part 3 – article 91 – paragraph 1 – – subparagraph 1 – point i a (new)
(i a) a description of the way, extend and result of the involvement of partners in the decision on the major project
Amendment 1448 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 91 – paragraph 1 – – subparagraph 1 – point i b (new)
Part 3 – article 91 – paragraph 1 – – subparagraph 1 – point i b (new)
(i b) a description of the public consultation process proposed for the development and implementation of the major projects
Amendment 1480 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 95 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point c a (new)
Part 3 – article 95 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point c a (new)
(c a) A state of play of measures taken to associate the partners in the setting up of the common action plan and their role in the implementation, follow-up and evaluation;
Amendment 1525 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 101 – paragraph 3 – point a
Part 3 – article 101 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) progress in implementation of the integrated approach to territorial development, including development of territories facing permanent or severe demographic and natural handicaps, sustainable urban development, and community-led local development under the operational programme;
Amendment 1535 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 101 – paragraph 3 – point i
Part 3 – article 101 – paragraph 3 – point i
(i) progress in the implementation of measures to address the regional demographic challenges and the specific needs of geographical areas most affected by permanent or severe demographic and natural handicaps, poverty or of target groups at highest risk of discrimination or exclusion, with special regard to marginalised communities including, where appropriate, the financial resources used;
Amendment 1542 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 101 – paragraph 3 – point j a (new)
Part 3 – article 101 – paragraph 3 – point j a (new)
(j a) Of the implementation of the priorities and the principles of the Small Business Act for Europe;
Amendment 1572 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 105 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Part 3 – article 105 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. informing the public about the timeline of programming and the expected timing and form of related public consultation processes from the start of the drafting of national reform strategies forming the basis of Partnership Contracts and for updating this timeline at least every two months.
Amendment 1575 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 105 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – indent 1 (new)
Part 3 – article 105 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – indent 1 (new)
- Member States shall, on the same website, publish programming documents for public consultation, as well as the observations and comments received from the public, including partners, and the feedback on the observations and comments, including a justification in the case of rejection.
Amendment 1584 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 107 – paragraph 1
Part 3 – article 107 – paragraph 1
1. Each Member State shall designate an information and communication officer to coordinate together with the partners at the relevant level information and communication actions in relation to one or several Funds and shall inform the Commission accordingly.
Amendment 1632 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 111 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point a
Part 3 – article 111 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point a
(a) Small island Member States eligible under the Cohesion Fund, and other islands except those on which the capital of a Member State is situated or which have a fixed link to the mainland;
Amendment 1633 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 111 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point c – indent 1 (new)
Part 3 – article 111 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point c – indent 1 (new)
- In such areas, the ceiling of co- financing rates set in Article 110.3 may be increased by 10% up to a maximum ceiling of 80%.
Amendment 1652 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 112 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3 a (new)
Part 3 – article 112 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3 a (new)
As a general rule, by virtue of the principle "Only once" od the SBA, the beneficiary can be asked to supply only once the necessary information, whatever is the technical support, the authorities of management at the regional, national and European level, whatever is the Fund of the concerned CSC. It is the task of the various management authorities to exchange information beetween them;
Amendment 1653 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 112 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3 b (new)
Part 3 – article 112 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3 b (new)
The Commission shall adopt, by means of implementing acts and after consultation of member states and European representatives of the partners art 5, the precise and not exhaustive list of the due technical, administrative and accounting parts for all the funds, as well as the specific parts for every fund.
Amendment 1654 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 112 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3 c (new)
Part 3 – article 112 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3 c (new)
A Member State or regional authority may, for reasons of national specificities, request additional pieces with authorisation of the Monitoring Committee. For the information of the recipient, the list of additional parts must be attached to the Agreement of National Partnership Contract and in some cases to the operational programmes concerned. This list is subject to an assessment by the Commission as part of the approval process of the Partnership Agreement and, where applicable, of the operational programmes.
Amendment 1658 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 113 – paragraph 1
Part 3 – article 113 – paragraph 1
1. The Member State shall designate, for each operational programme, a national, multi-regional, regional or local public authority or body as managing authority. The same public authority or body may be designated as a managing authority for more than one operational programme.
Amendment 1672 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 114 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Part 3 – article 114 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(e a) Take active measures to ensure that its own staff as well as those working inside the intermediate bodies are fully competent in Programme and Project Management terms and provide the necessary training according to international standards to correct and deficiency identified by the managing authority;
Amendment 1722 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 126 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Part 3 – article 126 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. The initial pre-financing and the intermediate payments have to reach the beneficiaries before the commitment of the program or the following phase, securing that the deadlines of payment cause no delay in the realization of the program and that the beneficiary does not have to make the advance of the public financing;
Amendment 1747 #
2011/0276(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Part 3 – article 133 – paragraph 2 – point 1 (new)
Part 3 – article 133 – paragraph 2 – point 1 (new)
(1) The beneficiary has to receive the entire final payment of the balance within the deadlines and on the conditions fixed by the European late payment Directive;
Amendment 104 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
By way of derogation from points (a) and (aa), all NUTS 2 regions and NUTS 3 regions consisting solely of one or more islands shall be considered less developed regions for the purposes of this article.
Amendment 116 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
The ERDF shall contribute to the financing of support which aims to reinforce economic, social and territorial cohesion by redressing the main regional imbalances through support for the development and structural adjustment of regional economies, including the conversion of declining industrial regions and regions lagging behind., regions lagging behind and regions facing demographic challenges and natural handicaps;
Amendment 120 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
The ERDF shall contribute to the financing of support which aims to reinforce economic, social and territorial cohesion by redressing the main regional imbalances through support for the development and structural adjustment of regional economies, including the conversion of declining industrial regions and regions lagging behind and also addressing the difficulties affecting territories suffering from serious and permanent natural or demographic handicaps.
Amendment 132 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
The ERDF shall support: the following activities in order to contribute to the investment priorities set out in Article 5
Amendment 133 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) productive investment, which contributes to creating and safeguarding sustainable jobs, through direct aid to investment in the areas that contribute to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, primarily in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and social economy enterprises;
Amendment 146 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) Productive investment contributing to the investment priorities set out in Article 5.1 and 5.4 irrespectively of the size of the enterprise
Amendment 148 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point i (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a – point i (new)
(i) SME's promotion but allowing Member States to support also larger entreprises when they create jobs consistent with EU 2020 national and regional development strategies;
Amendment 149 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) investments in infrastructure providing basic services to citizens in the areas of energy, environment, sustainable tourism and transport, and information and communication technologies (ICT);
Amendment 157 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) investments in business, accessible social, health and, housing, educational, cultural, sport and tourism infrastructure;
Amendment 173 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d – introductory part
(d) developinvestment ofin endogenous potential by supporting regional and local development and research and innovation. These measures shall include:through fixed investment in equipment and small-scale infrastructure services to enterprises, in particular SMEs, support to research and innovation bodies;
Amendment 174 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d – point i
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d – point i
Amendment 180 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d – point ii
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d – point ii
(ii) support for and services to enterprises, in particular SMEand assistance for, services and accompaniment to enterprises, in particular to the different categories of SMEs, including micro-enterprises and social economy enterprises;
Amendment 184 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d – point iii
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d – point iii
Amendment 192 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d – point iv
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d – point iv
(iv) networking, cooperation and, capacity building, studies and preparatory actions, exchange of experience between regions, towns,local, regional authorities and relevant social, economic and environmental actors, including NGOs;
Amendment 211 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 231 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) investment to achieve the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in installationfrom activities falling under Directive 2003/87/EC;
Amendment 311 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
By derogation from point (a) (i), in those regions whose GDP per capita for the 2007-13 period was less than 75% of the average GDP of the EU-25 for the reference period but which are eligible under the category of transition or more developed regions as defined in Article 82(2)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) No [ ]/2012 [CPR] in the 2014-2020 period, at least 60% of the total ERDF resources at national level shall be allocated to each of theup to 3 thematic objectives set in out in points 1, 3 and 4 offrom the list defined in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No […]/2012 [CPR].
Amendment 320 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The ERDF shall support the following investment priorities within the thematic objectives set out in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No […]/2012 [CPR] in accordance with regional needs and potentials described in the Partnership Contracts:
Amendment 327 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – introductory part
(1) strengthening research, technological development and environment-friendly innovation through:
Amendment 337 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b
(b) promoting business R&I investment, product and service development, technology transfer, social innovation in innovation and research and developing links and synergies between enterprises, R&D centres and higher education, in particular product and service development, technology transfer, eco- efficient innovation, social innovation, cultural, creative industries and public service applications, demand stimulation, networking, clusters and open innovation through smart specialisation;
Amendment 360 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point c – point i (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point c – point i (new)
i) Developing appropriate links and synergies with Horizon 2020
Amendment 361 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point c a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point c a (new)
Amendment 368 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – introductory part
(2) enhancing access to and use and quality of ICT through:
Amendment 370 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
(a) extending broadband deployment and the roll-out of high-speed networks and supporting the adoption of the future and emerging technologies and networks for the digital economy;
Amendment 373 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point c
(c) strengthening ICT applications for e- government, e-learning, e-inclusion e- culture and e- health;
Amendment 381 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point c a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point c a (new)
(c a) Strengthening ICT applications for energy system management and control;
Amendment 388 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – introductory part
(3) enhancing the competitiveness of SMEsand sustenability of entreprises and in particular SMEs through:
Amendment 398 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a
(a) promoting entrepreneurship, in particular by facilitating the economic exploitation of new ideas and fostering the creation of new firms and recovery of existing enterprises including through business incubators, also in areas confronted with major environmental, climatic or demographic challenges by developing synergies with the ESF;
Amendment 408 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
(b) developing and implementing new business models for SMEs, in particular support for strengthening the competitiveness of companies operating on nearby markets, and actions aimed at the SMEs participation in intra-european and international markets, including for the development of eco-businesses, developing local markets as well as for internationalisation;
Amendment 415 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b – point i (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b – point i (new)
i) Supporting the creation and extension of advanced capacities for product and service development;
Amendment 416 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b – point ii (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b – point ii (new)
ii) supporting the capacity of SMEs to engage in growth and innovation process;
Amendment 417 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b a (new)
(b a) promoting provisions for business support services including eco-innovation, resource efficiency and environmental performance management;
Amendment 428 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b b (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b b (new)
(b b) Support for information activities, training, mentoring and accompanigment by intermediary organisations acting in favour of SMEs, including micro enterprises in the priority areas of the EU 2020 Strategy and the Small Business Act
Amendment 432 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – introductory part
(4) supporting the shift towards a climate compatible, energy-saving, low- carbon economy in all sectors through:
Amendment 440 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point b
(b) promoting energy efficiency and, micro- generation, renewable energy use in SMEby Member States and their adaptation to the demands of sustainable development and low carbon economy, including the investment support, to information, training and mentoring as well as innovation of SMEs in the field of low- carbon technologies;
Amendment 453 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point c
(c) supporting energy efficiency and renewable energy use in public infrastructures and in the housing sector, including in public buildings and in the housing sector as a whole in order to support social and territorial cohesion;
Amendment 463 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point d
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point d
(d) developing and implementing smart distribution systems at low and medium voltage levels;
Amendment 467 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point e
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point e
(e) promoting low-carbon strategies for urban areas; all types of territories, in particular urban areas, including the promotion of sustainable urban mobility, clean public transport and mitigation relevant adaptation measures;
Amendment 479 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point e – point i (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point e – point i (new)
i) promotion of high-efficiency co- generation of heat and power also by promoting new and emerging technologies that contributes to a low carbon economy;
Amendment 493 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – introductory part
(5) promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and management through:
Amendment 501 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – introductory part
(6) preserving and protecting the environment, biodiversity, ecosystems and promoting resource efficiency including cultural and natural assets, through:
Amendment 510 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point b
(b) addressing the significant needs for investment in the water sector to meet the requirements of the environmental acquis, as well as an integrated and territorial water management;
Amendment 515 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point c
(c) protecting, promoting and developing cultural and natural heritage;
Amendment 522 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point d
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point d
(d) protecting and restoring biodiversity, soil protection and restoration and promoting ecosystem services including NATURA 200015 and green infrastructures;
Amendment 525 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point d a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point d a (new)
(d a) developing and supporting provision of environmental services promoting eco- innovation and improvement of environmental performance and public services;
Amendment 527 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point e
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point e
(e) action to improve the urban environment, including regeneration of brownfield sites and reduction of air pollution, rehabilitation of cultural infrastructure and reduction of air pollution, even in the areas located in the imediate neighbourhood of the urban areas;
Amendment 539 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point e – point i (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point e – point i (new)
i) promoting innovative technologies to improve environmental protection and resource efficency in the waste sector, water sector, soil protection and reduce air pollution;
Amendment 540 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point e – point ii (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point e – point ii (new)
ii) supporting endogenous growth potential of specific areas by enhancing accessability to and use of specific natural and cultural resources and developing sustainable regional and local tourism;
Amendment 545 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – introductory part
(7) promoting intermodal sustainable transport and mobility, while focusing on improving existing infrastructure, removing rail bottlenecks in key network infrastructures: and filling in missing trans-border links, through:
Amendment 550 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – introductory part
(7) promoting sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures, especially in peripheral and island regions:
Amendment 561 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point b – point i (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point b – point i (new)
i) investments in national and local roads not included in TEN-T network;
Amendment 565 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point c
(c) developing and improving environment-friendly and low- carbon, safe, low-noise and renewable-energy based transport systems and promoting sustainable urban, local and regional mobility;
Amendment 584 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point d a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point d a (new)
(d a) Promoting sustainable waterborne transport;
Amendment 589 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point d a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point d a (new)
(d a) (e) developing sustainable maritime or air transport systems that are likely to help islands optimise their accessibility for passengers and freight alike.
Amendment 595 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point d b (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point d b (new)
Amendment 600 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – introductory part
(8) promoting quality employment and supporting labour mobility through:
Amendment 602 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – point a
(a) supporting the development of business incubators and investment support for self- employment, micro-entreprises and business creation;
Amendment 612 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – point a – point i (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – point a – point i (new)
i) supporting employment friendly growth trough the development of local potential as part of a territorial strategy for specific areas, by enhancing accessability to the development of specific natural and cultural resources;
Amendment 617 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – point c
(c) investing in infrastructure for public employment services, including professional learning centers and career counselling services;
Amendment 622 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – introductory part
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – introductory part
(9) promoting social inclusion and combating poverty through:
Amendment 632 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point a
(a) investing in health and social infrastructure which contribute to national, regional and local development, reducing inequalities in terms of health status, and transition from institutional to community- based services, in particular for permanent handicap regions;
Amendment 640 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point b
(b) support for physical and, economic and social regeneration of deprived urban and rural communities and areas;
Amendment 650 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point b a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point b a (new)
(b a) Support for the addaptation of housing to meet the requirements of elderly people, and for in-home services delivered to them;
Amendment 654 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point b b (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point b b (new)
(b b) promoting an accessible physical environment for disabled persons;
Amendment 660 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 10
(10) investing in affordable quality childcare, education, skills and lifelong learning by developing education and, training and cultural infrastructure, including initial and continuous and dual training;
Amendment 668 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 11
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 11
(11) enhancing institutional capacity and an efficient public administration by strengthening of institutional capacity and, the efficiency of public administrations and public services, public services and partners reffered to in Article 5 of regulation (EU), including local and regional authorities and civil society organisations, related to implementation of the ERDF, and in support of actions in institutional capacity and in the efficiency of public administration supported by the ESF.
Amendment 676 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. The ERDF shall support, within operational programmes, sustainable urban development through strategies setting out integrated actions to tackle the economic, environmental, climate and social challenges affecting urban areas. in particular in small and medium size towns;
Amendment 690 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 697 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a (new)
(a) Where appropriate, mechanisms for strengthening existing and promoting new urban-rural linkages should be supported in order to enhance interconnection factors which influence development of each region while assuring the complementarity of the CSF Funds;
Amendment 701 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
At least 5% of the ERDF resources allocated at national level shall be allocated to integrated actions for sustainable urban development delegated to cities for management through Integrated Territorial Investments referred to in Article 99 of Regulation (EU) No […]/2012 [CPR].
Amendment 733 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point b a (new)
(b a) c) the provisions set out in point a) should not prevent the selection of cities situated in peripheral or island regions where the size of their population is significantly lower than those of the Member State's big metropolitan areas.
Amendment 740 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. At the initiative of the Commission, the ERDF may support innovative actions in the field of sustainable urban development, subject to a ceiling of 0,2% of the total annual ERDF allocation. They shall include studies and pilot projects to identify or test new solutions to issues relating to sustainable urban development which are of relevance at Union level.The Commission shall ensure the close involvement of urban, rural, periurban, local, regional and civil society partners into all stages of the preparation and implementation of the actions;
Amendment 748 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Operational programmes co-financed by the ERDF covering areas with severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps referred to in Article 111(4) of Regulation (EU) No […]/2012 [CPR] shall pay particular attention to addressing the specific difficulties of those areas. The specific additional allocation for areas beset by permanent and severe geographic handicaps shall be used to enable these territories to alleviate such constraints, to improve their attractiveness for people and for industries, and to exploit their assets. It will support actions in the following fields: (a) all thematic objectives set out in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No [...]/2012[CPR]; (b) start-up aid for transport services; (c) cooperation actions not covered by Regulation (EU) N° [...]/2012 on specific provisions for support from the European Regional Development Fund towards the European territorial cooperation goal.
Amendment 783 #
2011/0275(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point c – point 1 (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point c – point 1 (new)
1) All enterprises established in the outermost regions may benefit from the specific additional allocation and, notwithstanding Article 3.(1)(a), also from any productive investments financed under the ERDF;
Amendment 19 #
2011/0274(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) Support from the Cohesion Fund under the Connecting Europe Facility shall be implemented in accordance with Article [13] of Regulation (EU) […]/2012 on establishing the Connecting Europe Facility35 respecting the national allocations under the Cohesion Fund and ensuring proper competition between projects;
Amendment 24 #
2011/0274(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) A common set of qualitative result oriented indicators to assess progress of programme implementation should be set out before the Member States draft their operational programmes. These indicators should be complemented by programme- specific indicatorand environment indicators in order to implement the sustainable development principle and to asses the results and efficiency of the programmes.
Amendment 32 #
2011/0274(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) technical assistance.information activities, technical assistance as well as initial and continuous training of beneficiaries, project managers and partners;
Amendment 118 #
2011/0273(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
For cross-border cooperation, the regions to be supported shall be the NUTS level 3 regions of the Union along all internal and external land borders other than those covered by programmes under the external financial instruments of the Union, and all NUTS level 3 regions of the Union along maritime borders separated by a maximum of 150 km, without prejudice to potential adjustments needed to ensure the coherence and continuity of cooperation programme areas established for the 2007- 2013 programming period. The above- mentioned maximum limit of 150 km shall not apply to island regions within the limits of their sea basin area, so as to promote cooperation actions based on a common strategy within their functional area.
Amendment 268 #
2011/0273(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point c – point ii
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point c – point ii
(ii) where appropriate, a planned integrated approach to the territorial development of urban, rural, coastal areas and areas with particular territorial features such as those suffering from geographic, demographic or natural handicaps, in particular the implementation arrangements for Articles 28 and 29 of Regulation (EU) No./2012 [CPR];
Amendment 251 #
2011/0270(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Support those social enterprises which provide vocational education for young people in order to get professional qualifications requested on the labour market.
Amendment 252 #
2011/0270(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 b (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. To set up coordinated actions between education, labour market and social protection system both at national and cross-border level.
Amendment 303 #
2011/0270(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)
4a. Actions to support the access to specialized professional qualification courses, in order to better help specific groups of workers or unemployed people.
Amendment 308 #
2011/0270(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new)
5a. Support the micro-enterprises and social enterprises, through the financial instruments, to provide vocational training for young and/or unemployed people.
Amendment 47 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In addition to these priorities, in the less developedall regions and Member States, and with a view to increasing economic growth and employment opportunities, the efficiency of public administration should be improved and the institutional capacity of stakeholders delivering employment, education and social policies should be strengthened.
Amendment 53 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) At the same time, it is crucial to support the development and competitiveness of Europeandifferent types of enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises and to ensure that people can adapt, through acquiring appropriate skills and through lifelong learning opportunities, to new challenges such as the shift to a knowledge-based economy, the digital agenda, and the transition to a low-carbon and more energy-efficient economy. By pursuing its primary thematic objectives, the ESF should contribute to addressing these challenges. In this context, the ESF should support the labour force transition towards greener skills and jobs, in particular in the energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable transport sectors, taking into account the Union's intention to increase the proportion of the EU budget that is related to climate mainstreaming to at least 20%, with contributions from different policy fields.
Amendment 63 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Efficient and effective implementation of actions supported by the ESF depends on good governance and partnership between all relevant territorial and socio- economic actors, in particular the social partners, business organisations and non- governmental organisations. It is therefore necessary that Member States encourage the participation of social partners and non- governmental organisations in the implementation of the ESF.
Amendment 106 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii
(iii) Self-employment, entrepreneurship and business creation, sustainable development and business transfer in particular for SMEs;
Amendment 113 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point v
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point v
(v) Adaptation of the workers, enterprises and entrepreneurs, particularly SMEs and micro entreprises, to change;
Amendment 158 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
(ii) Capacity building for stakeholders including partners delivering employment, education and initial and continuous vocational training, social policies and sectoral and territorial pacts to mobilise for reform at national, regional and local level.;
Amendment 170 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) Enhancing the competitiveness ofand sustainable development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, through promoting the adaptability of enterprises and, workers and managers and through increased investment in human capital., including young people education, training and apprenticeship;
Amendment 187 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) For more developed regions, Member States shall concentrate 80 % of the ESF allocation to each operational programme on up to four of the investment priorities set out in Article 3(1)chosen in consultation with the economic and social partners.
Amendment 192 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) For transition regions, Member States shall concentrate 70 % of the ESF allocation to each operational programme on up to four of the investment priorities set out in Article 3(1).chosen in consultation with the economic and social partners;
Amendment 200 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point c
(c) For less developed regions, Member States shall concentrate 60 % of the ESF allocation to each operational programme on up to four of the investment priorities set out in Article 3(1).chosen in consultation with the economic and social partners;
Amendment 223 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Article 6 – paragraph 3
3. To encourage adequate participation of and access by non-governmental organisations to actions supported by the ESF, notably in the fields of social inclusion, gender equality and equal opportunities, the managing authorities of an operational programme in a region as defined in Article 82(2)(a) and (b) of Regulation (EU) No […] or in Member States eligible for Cohesion Fund support shall ensure that an appropriate amount of ESF resources is allocated to capacity- building for non-governmental organisations.
Amendment 255 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. By way of derogation from Article 110(3) of Regulation (EU) No […], the maximum co-financing rate for a priority axis shall be increased by ten percentage points, but not exceeding 100%, where the whole of a priority axis is dedicated to social innovation or to transnational cooperation, or a combination of both. in the case of programmes managed by non- governmental organisations or social partners;
Amendment 276 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 3
Article 14 – paragraph 3
3. Grants reimbursed on the basis of the eligible cost of operations, determined in the way of flat-rate financing, standard scales of unit costs and lump sums as referred to in Article 57(1) of Regulation (EU) No […] may be calculated on a case- by-case basis by reference to a draft budget agreed ex ante by the Managing Authority, where the public supportEU co-financing does not exceed EUR 100 000.
Amendment 277 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 4
Article 14 – paragraph 4
4. Grants for which the public supportEU co-financing does not exceed EUR 50 000 shall take the form of lump sums or standard scales of unit costs in accordance with paragraph 1 or Article 57 of Regulation (EU) No […], except for operations receiving support within the framework of a state aid scheme.
Amendment 284 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Delegated Acts are established in cooperation with the European representatives of the partners referred to in Article 5 of the Regulation on the common provision, in consultation with the ESF Committee;
Amendment 303 #
2011/0268(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex 1 – point 1 a (new)
Annex 1 – point 1 a (new)
(1 a) Holders of vocational education and training qualifications
Amendment 7 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises that the objective of all initiatives must be to educatenable all young people for the Europe of the future, which meansto participate fully in society and prepare them for the Europe of the future, which means giving them the opportunities to engage in social activities and to help shaping the society and making it possible for all young people to enjoy schooling, vocational training and higher education that lays stress on meeting the technological requirements of a modern and sustainable society;
Amendment 18 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Underlines that youth policies must be seen in relation with policies on education, employment, social inclusion and macroeconomics; regrets that Youth on the Move is mostly focused on the labour market; points out that austerity measures with i.e. cut backs in the educational system and job creation will not help young people and have the potential of damaging the society and the economy in the longer term;
Amendment 26 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that youth unemployment -– the causes of which the ILO does not consider to lie in income and non-wage labour cost levels, participatory rights and social protection standards – is a problem that must be overcome andmajor challenge across the EU and must be overcome; stresses that unemployment at young age puts the individual at a very high risk of poverty in the long term; stresses that all employment contracts must provide for unrestricted social rights from the first day on; rejects any proposal to deviate from this principle;
Amendment 35 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Reminds that getting a job does not mean escaping poverty, and that young people are especially susceptible to fall into the category of working poor; therefore underlines that the efforts to offer quality jobs, and the efforts toward youth employment should be intertwined; points to the need of underpinning employment policies with sound social policies that allow for a life in dignity in case of unemployment;
Amendment 37 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Underlines that Youth on the Move will not alone tackle or solve the alarming youth unemployment all over Europe; calls for all Member States to set up a national strategy to tackle youth unemployment and secure young peoples access to quality employment, education and training, while encouraging and supporting youth entrepreneurship;
Amendment 44 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises that the success of the YoM initiative depends mostly on the implementation of its key actions by the Member States; therefore asks the European Commission to closely monitor and analyse crucial elements during implementation with a view to helping and ensuring a better coordination between Member States in the process;
Amendment 45 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Takes the view that voluntaryHighlights that transnational mobility infor the framework of schacquisition of new skills is a strong tool ing and vocational training and for the purposes of employment order to improve skills and competences, personal development and active citizenship of young people; takes the view that voluntary mobility should be promoted for all young people, irrespective of their financial, social or geographical situation, with each individual being able to determine the degree of his or her own mobility; welcomes therefore the initiative of the Commission to set up a dedicated Youth on the Move website for information on EU learning and mobility opportunities; stresses the need for an active communication around this website towards young people, multipliers and other relevant stakeholders;
Amendment 47 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to report regularly to the European Parliament on the effectiveness of the YoM key actions and the progress registered by Member States;
Amendment 51 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to continue investing and improving the mobility and youth programmes such as Lifelong Learning (Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci, Comenius, Grundtvig), Marie Curie, Erasmus Mundus and Youth in Action;
Amendment 56 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the Commission to maintain a separate Youth in Action Program for the upcoming Multi-Financial Framework;
Amendment 61 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Welcomes the Commission's aims to extend learning mobility to all young people in Europe by 2020; regrets however that "Youth on the Move" is too much centred on student mobility; invites the Commission to give specific and ambitious target figures for each mobility program; including vocational training mobility; underlines that mobility has been recognized as an added-value for those in vocational training, as it strengthens their employability; therefore calls for an increase of the budget dedicated to Leonardo Program;
Amendment 63 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Is convinced that mobility of young people, which contributes to prosperity and to a fair development of our modern societies, should become the rule rather than the exception; stresses that attraction for mobility should be enhanced and that financial support should be wide and sufficient, and be oriented towards the most disadvantaged;
Amendment 65 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Emphasises that an ambitious funding is necessary to comply with the objective to give everyone the opportunity to undertake part of their education and training abroad; takes the view that education and training have to be a priority for the European Union and that this objective should be reflected in the next financial perspectives;
Amendment 67 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)
Paragraph 4 d (new)
4d. Recognizes the role of the local and regional authorities in the field of training and mobility; takes the view that their competences and experience should be seen as complementary of the EU action; emphasizes that in order to achieve its goals the EU should develop a partnership approach, in particular with the local and regional authorities;
Amendment 67 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recommends that the European institutions strengthen the structured dialogue with youth organisations and other stakeholders to debate priorities and actions for young people, thus giving youth more opportunities to participate in the decision-making on issues that affect them;
Amendment 74 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Emphasises the importance of youth to be included not only in the labour market and the economy, but also in the shaping and governing of the future of Europe; asks the Commission to come up with a Green Paper on Youth Participation;
Amendment 77 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Emphasises that the transition from school, vocational training or higher education to employment must be better prepared and must follow on directly from education or training, and welcomes the ‘European Youth Guarantee’ initiative; believes that social partnertherefore underlines the major importance to effectively implement and welcomes the ‘European Youth Guarantee’ initiative and make it an instrument of active integration on the labour market; stresses that Member States have so far not made any convincing commitment to implement the European Youth Guarantee and calls on them to do speedily; believes that social partners, local and regional authorities and youth organisations should be involved in the development of a sustainable strategy to reduce youth unemployment, in which there must be formal recognition of qualifications obtained;
Amendment 82 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Emphasises that early school leaving, as a known risk for future exclusion from both employment and society, has to be dramatically reduced; stresses that this phenomenon has to be addressed in a multifaceted way, linked with social measures to enhance education and training in the disadvantaged areas;
Amendment 85 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Asks forCalls on the Commission and the Member States to also pay special attention and support for those who are most at risk, for youth categories with fewer opportunities and for those seeking a ‘second chance’ to get back into education after leaving;
Amendment 86 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Strongly supports the proposal for a Council Recommendation on a European Youth Guarantee and urges the Council to adopt it as soon as possible;
Amendment 89 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Commission to collect data at national and regional levels on the practical barriers to mobility, and to take all necessary steps to remove them in order to ensure high- quality mobility that is accessible to all, throughout the entire path of education, including VET;
Amendment 91 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Strongly supports the proposal for a Council Recommendation on a European Youth Guarantee and urges the Council to adopt it as soon as possible;
Amendment 93 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls on the Commission to increase and widen participation in mobility programmes and to improve its visibility, notably those targeting Young people, for instance by using a single name to denote all mobility programmes while preserving the specificities of each of them;
Amendment 94 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Emphasises that early school leaving, as a known risk for future exclusion from both employment and society, has to be dramatically reduced; stresses that this phenomenon has to be addressed in a multifaceted way, linked with social measures to enhance education and training in the disadvantaged areas;
Amendment 97 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Points outStresses the importance of taking measures to ensure that students throughout the different education stages are mobile and have an effective social and health security system and full portability of grants when they are abroad;
Amendment 98 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Takes the view that measures must be taken to reinforce the role of thesupport familyies and social environment of young people and of their school in guiding them in their career choices and towards finding an occupation;
Amendment 100 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Emphasises that an ambitious funding is necessary to comply with the objective to give everyone the opportunity to undertake part of their education and training abroad; takes the view that education and training have to be a priority for the European Union and that this objective should be reflected in the next financial perspectives;
Amendment 101 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Recognizes the role of the local and regional authorities in the field of training and mobility; takes the view that their competences and experience should be seen as complementary of the EU action; emphasizes that in order to achieve its goals the EU should develop a partnership approach, in particular with the local and regional authorities;
Amendment 107 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines the importance of informal and non- formal education, such as intercultural learning, in developing important skills and competences that will ensure the entry on and adaptability to the needs of the labour market;
Amendment 112 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Takes the view that occupational choices must be less strongly influenced by gender,are still strongly gender-based and that this is a component adding to gender inequality; stresses that this has an impact both on female unemployment and poverty; stresses that measures must be taken to present a comprehensive overview of possible career choices and that the attempt must be made from an early age to interest and support girls, in particular, in mathematical and technical professions;
Amendment 124 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Emphasises that an actinclusive labour market policy, includingmeasures such as, publicly funded work programmes for young people, and the creation of new, sustainable and good jobs are essential preconditions for successfully tackling youth unemployment, and that the existing funds, such as the European Social Fund, must be targeted more specifically at these obje, the recognition of the voluntary work as professional experience as well as the promotion of entrepreneurship are essential elements for successfully tackling youth unemployment; emphasises that a mix of EU funding is available for young people from instruments such as the European Social Fund, the Mobility Programs (Erasmus, Socrates, Leonardo) and the YOUTH program but that the diversity of funding makes it difficult for youth organisations to access funding that answers their needs; stresses the need for funding for young people that is easy accessible, can be managed by volunteers and small organisations where applicable, and allows for funding overarching measures that integrate several dimensions such as employment, mobility, social integration and cultural activities;
Amendment 139 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Emphasises that young people whose chances of getting started in life are poorer must be supported individually to increase their employability andwith respect for their individual needs and with a focus to increase their integration into the labour market and their access to quality jobs; considers that publicly funded training places are ancan be one effective instrument for integrating particularly disadvantaged young people; stresses however that integration into the first labour market is essential and that any integration measures should aim to access the regular labour market from an early stage on and need to be accommodated by support measures focussing on the need of individuals; stresses the specific difficulties of poor young people to enjoy an experience abroad because of financial and linguistic constraints, and in some case spatial discrimination; is convinced that financial support must address especially the needs of the most disadvantaged;
Amendment 146 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Points out the need to find a balance between higher education systems on one hand and the needs of the economy and society in general on the other and also interlink them through adequate curricula for future skills and jobs;
Amendment 151 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on national, regional, and local authorities to remove existing barriers, support and enhance cooperation between universities and business and facilitate partnerships between the two;
Amendment 159 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Encourages universities to bring their programmes and structures closer to the specific needs of the labour market and to explor, to consider the needs of the businesses when developing the curricula and to pursue new methods of cooperation with private and public companies, while encouraging and supporting youth entrepreneurship;
Amendment 173 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. InvitesCalls on the Member States to modernise and increase the attractiveness and quality of vocational education and training (VET) to react toso that it can be better adapted to the current and future needs of the changing labour market, which by 2020 will require new knowledge and skills based on diplomas that should be mutually recognised in all Member States;
Amendment 179 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Stresses the importance of supporting and further enhancing mobility in the field of VET, including apprenticeships, by providing VET students and apprentices with information, counselling, guidance and hosting structures when they are abroad;
Amendment 180 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Emphasises the importance of non- formal and informal learning and education for the development of young people as well as the voluntary work; stresses that the gained competencies do not only offer opportunities for their entry into the world of work, but also enable young people to be actively involved in the society and to take responsibility of their lives, while also stimulating their entrepreneurial skills;
Amendment 182 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Emphasises the importance of youth to be included not only in the labour market and the economy, but also in the shaping and governing of the future of Europe; asks the Commission to come up with a Green Paper on Youth Participation;
Amendment 184 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Calls on the Commission to maintain a separate Youth in Action Program for the upcoming Multi-Financial Framework;
Amendment 186 #
2010/2307(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 d (new)
Paragraph 11 d (new)
11d. Calls on the Commission to increase and widen participation in mobility programmes and to improve its visibility, notably those targeting Young people, for instance by using a single name to denote all mobility programmes while preserving the specificities of each of them.
Amendment 191 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Strongly stresses that the smooth entrance of young people into the labour market depends mainly on the modernisation of VET institutions and universities to ensure that their study programmes match the needs of the labour market, as well as on a strong cooperation between these and the business environment;
Amendment 209 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Invites tertiary education institutions to introduce a period of high-quality traineeship into all study programmes in order to enable young people to meet, in advance, the real and practical demands of the working environment and acquire the necessary skills for the entrance to the labour market;
Amendment 216 #
2010/2307(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Calls on the Commission to promote at European level initiatives to recognize the period of internship as a professional period in the branches of Social Security, such as some Members States are already doing;
Amendment 91 #
2010/2278(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Commission to increase and widen participation in mobility programmes and to improve its visibility, notably those targeting Young people, for instance by using a single name to denote all mobility programmes while preserving the specificities of each one of them;
Amendment 7 #
2010/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that in a globalised world the single market has to ensure the best possible business environment for enterprises, and to take the specific nature of SMEs into account in order to foster job creation, innovation and entrepreneurship in all EU regions, including rural areas; welcomes, therefore, the planned assessment of the ‘Small Business Act’ and the reinforcement of the ‘Think Small First’ principle; Calls on Commission and Member States to make EU funds more easily accessible, especially to SMEs as they are the most flexible component of Europe's economy;
Amendment 19 #
2010/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that single market accessibility for all EU regions is a prerequisite for the free movement of people, goods, capital and services, and thus for a strong and dynamic single market; points out, in this connection, the essential role played by the Union's regional and local policy in terms of developing infrastructure, particularly in the less developed and outermost regions; calls for the development of innovative sources of funding (such as public-private partnerships, project bonds and user charges); calls on the Commission and the Member States jointly to address the complexity of the rules governing revenue- generating projects;
Amendment 27 #
2010/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines that regional policy implementation is crucial for the success of the Europe 2020 strategy and the deepening of the single market; points out that EU structural funding should be allocated in a flexible, dynamic, forward- looking manner, i.e. so as to cushion further the possible adverse effects on regions of international trade agreements and to prepare EU regions for socioeconomic change; calls for a more user-friendly regional policy, but also for stricter rules against ‘fund-shopping’, by means of which some enterprises may misuse the Union's financial instruments; Underlines the need for deeper harmonisation and integration of the Structural Funds rules, avoiding the breakdown of a project into different parts to apply to different funds; Recommends that the focus be put not just on the regularity of expenditure but on quality of interventions and that resources be concentrated in potentiating assistance on the management side;
Amendment 50 #
2010/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Takes the view that territorial cooperation (including European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTCs) and macro-regional strategies) makes a decisive contribution to removing visible and invisible internal borders within the single market; calls, in this connection, for the post-2013 budget for territorial cooperation to be increased in order to promote multilevel cooperation across national frontiers and better exploit the potential of territorial cooperation;
Amendment 60 #
2010/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Appreciates the Commission's multilevel governance approach, which is necessary in order to ensure genuine participation by regional and local political and economic actors. Stresses that the multi-level approach should be applied not only vertically but also horizontally, among actors of the same level, in all shared-competence Union policies including the cohesion policy;
Amendment 11 #
2010/2245(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Insists on the need to transform Europe into an area of academic excellence with greater mobility, diversity and investment for research purposes, such as that offered by the Marie Curie fellowships, with the goal of achieving a European Research Area and maximising the synergies offered by Europe'’s innovation potential;
Amendment 21 #
2010/2245(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Member States to support the development of stronger partnerships between universities and the business world, while also considering the needs of businesses when developing the curricula;
Amendment 33 #
2010/2234(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Considers that an education for entrepreneurship should form an important part of VET in order to increase its attractiveness to all students and insure the enhancement of entrepreneurship in accordance with the provisions of the EU 2020 Strategy;
Amendment 39 #
2010/2234(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Considers that the role of regional and local authorities in supporting VET providers and developing a friendly environment for successful cooperation between the labour market and VET students is essential;
Amendment 2 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that education-related travel is becoming increasingly popular, therefore calls on the Member States, local and regional authorities to bsupport such forms of tourism by being more flexible and adapting to new types of consumers due to demographic change and in order to take into account new forms of tourism;
Amendment 11 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the importance of enhancing the quality of education in the field of tourism through the use of programmes such as Leonardo da Vinci mobility actions and Erasmus for entrepreneurs;
Amendment 16 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines the need to boost European and international exchanges of students from vocational schools in the field of tourism so that they can learn fromand exchange best practice andwhile improveing their language skills;
Amendment 19 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out the merits of a ‘dual’ education system and the importance of combining learning in a business with learning at a vocational school, thereby enhancing both theoretical and practical skills;
Amendment 36 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates that the development of sustainable forms of tourism would provide local and regional economies with a lasting source of income and a means of promoting stable employment, while at the same time making it possible to safeguard and enhance the landscape and the cultural, historical and social heritage of every region;
Amendment 45 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the Commission proposal to group actions promoting tourism under four priorities; considers, however, that the development of a new political framework for tourism in Europe requires an integrated approach and efficient coordination of Community, national, regional and local policies with a direct or indirect impact on tourism, in keeping with the principle of subsidiarity; urges the Member States to involve relevant regional and local authorities from the very early stages of negotiations;
Amendment 55 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission, the Member States and the local and regional authorities to encourage and support the development of networks and the creation of partnerships for the exchange of good practice; hopes thatunderlines the need for concrete initiatives willto be undertaken in support of innovation and the development of new information technologies, and that access will besimplification of rules in order to facilitated for stakeholders in the tourist industry, and particularly small– and medium–sized enterprises, toaccess the relevant financial instruments;
Amendment 76 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for greater emphasis to be placed on quality of employment in the tourism sector, with a focus on training with a high language and technology content, on support for entrepreneurship among women and young people, on labour force mobility thanks to various Community programmes and on combating undeclared work; encourages the Member States, regional and local authorities to make use of the vocational training tools offered by the European Social Fund and by other Community and national instruments;
Amendment 81 #
2010/2206(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Member States to simplify the rules and reduce administrative burden in order to make optimum use of the European financial instruments available for the current financial programming period, in order to and develop the competitiveness of the tourism sector and of tourist destinations; hopes that, as part of the cohesion policy review, the role of tourism as a means of redressing the social, economic and territorial balance will be upgraded; hopes that every form of funding the EU provides for tourism will be tied to the provision of services of excellent standard and quality.
Amendment 25 #
2010/2160(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls on the Commission to enhance both technical assistance and training towards national, regional and local administrations in order to increase the capacities and knowledge of rules on implementation related problems.
Amendment 33 #
2010/2160(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Calls on the Member States to give priority to the investment on institutional capacity and to simplify their national provisions in order to reduce the administrative burden and increase their absorption capacity;
Amendment 4 #
2010/2156(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the fact that culture and creative industries (CCIs) are recognised throughout the Green Paper as a tool for local and regional development, and points out that local and regional authorities in most Member States are responsible for sectors mentioned in the context of CCIs, especially culture, research, education, tourism and employment; Urges the Member States to involve relevant regional and local authorities from the very early stages of negotiations on legislation and on programmes benefiting from the Structural Funds so as to allow a timely dialogue between the different layers of government;
Amendment 14 #
2010/2156(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that cultural and creative infrastructures and facilities play an important role in the development of the physical environment of towns and cities and, in particular, the rehabilitation of old industrial districts, and that cultural heritage is at the same time considered significant in the development of rural areas, especially through its contribution to rural tourism; believes therefore that cultural and creative strategies should be included in national, regional and local development strategies, in a partnership between public authorities representing different policy areas, SMEs and relevant civil society representatives;
Amendment 23 #
2010/2156(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers culture and creative-based projects capable not only of improving the structural conditions of lagging regions, but also of contributing directly to competitiveness and employment creation in all regions; hence calls on the Commission, Member States, regions and local authorities to use, and make the most of, existing EU support programmes such as the Cohesion and Structural Policy, rural development within the Common Agricultural Policy, the Research Framework Programme, CIP, etc. to foster culture and creativity; invites the Commission and Member States to use existing technical assistance mechanisms to promote knowledge at regional and local level on implementation-related problems;
Amendment 37 #
2010/2156(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recommends that the Commission evaluate the relevance of the Structural Funds and existing and future programmes in the field of culture, research, tourism, audiovisual media, youth and education, drawing lessons from existing projects and studies in order to design a post-2013 cohesion policy that would help release the full potential of the cultural sphere, and particularly that of the creative industries; underlines the need for a simpler architecture for the Funds, as a general principle of the future cohesion policy, in order to avoid discouraging potential partners from taking part in projects;
Amendment 45 #
2010/2156(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for a more important future role for SMEs and private capital in the implementation of projects and measures in the cultural and creative sector, particularly through PPPs and through maximisation of the use of EIB and EIF financial instruments; calls on the Commission to simplify the functioning rules of these instruments, whose current complexity limits their use; invites Member States to further exploit them as a means to increase the quality of the projects and the participation of private actors, especially SMEs, in European projects;
Amendment 52 #
2010/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Acknowledges the impact, competitiveness and future potential of cultural and creative industries as an important engine for sustainable growth in Europe that can play a decisive role in the EU's economic recovery;
Amendment 55 #
2010/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. UnderlinStresses the need to analyse cultural and creative industries and the impact of their activities on the European economy, identifying, defining and describing them each in turn;
Amendment 70 #
2010/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Encourages the Member States and the Commission to promote artistic and cultural education among all age groups, from primary to higher and/or vocational education, including in the context of lifelong learning;
Amendment 74 #
2010/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the need to pass on techniques and know-how and the value of reinforcing learning and setting up professional training programmes focused on the cultural and creative sector, better harnessing the use of existing programmes and curricula, providing multidisciplinary education and promoting cooperation and partnerships between schooleducational institutions, students, professionals from the cultural and creative sector, enterprises of all sizes, including private and public sector, craftspeople and financial institutions;
Amendment 79 #
2010/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the need to create optimum conditions for employing university- educated and professional young people from this sector and to train them, together with all other students in this field, in the specific economic, taxation, financial and technological aspects of the cultural and creative world and in communication and marketing;
Amendment 85 #
2010/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on local and regional authorities to establish meeting places and set the basis for the creation of local networks in order to raise awareness in cultural and creative industries among people working in the sector, through the sharing of expertise and training in new technologies, and among the general public;
Amendment 110 #
2010/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Urges the Member States and the Commission to establish a European digital single market, technical and financial support mechanisms in cultural and creative industries with the aim of digitising cultural heritage and to introduce common European standards;
Amendment 112 #
2010/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls on the European Commission to encourage the growth of the cultural and creative industries, especially online, by taking relevant steps to ensure that all stakeholders share the responsibility for equally protecting products and services in the digital environment in order to build greater consumer trust online;
Amendment 127 #
2010/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to set up the basis for the creation of a European mechanism to guarantee and ensure the protection of intellectual property rights, online and offline, of all actors involved in the cultural and creative industries sectors;
Amendment 12 #
2010/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Reminds that multi-level governance is a precondition for achieving territorial cohesion in Europe and calls for this principle to be made compulsory for Member States in order to ensure balanced territorial development in line with the subsidiarity principle;
Amendment 34 #
2010/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines the crucial role of territorial co-operation in delivering the EU2020 objectives; Calls for forward thinking to ascertain the strategic needs of each border region in connection with the Europe 2020is strategy, and, subsequently, for European territorial cooperation to be integrated in, and tailored to, all levels of strategic planning: European, national, and regional;
Amendment 57 #
2010/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Reiterates that involving sub- national actors in the achievement of the EU objectives is a precondition to effectively implement territorial cohesion.
Amendment 61 #
2010/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that greater complementarity between the ‘territorial cooperation’ objective, on the one hand, and the ‘convergence’ and ‘competitiveness and employment’ objectives, on the other, is needed; suggests that regional operational programmes should participate in the cross-border and transnational projects that concern them by earmarking funding by territory for priority projects identified in advance and agreed with their partners in the programmes, in accordance with the principles of multi-level governance and the partnership which will allow better exploitation of the potential of territorial cooperation thanks to the relations developed among private and public actors across borders;
Amendment 89 #
2010/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Reminds that a White Paper on territorial cohesion as a follow up to the Green Paper would represent a timely instrument to clarify how to implement territorial cohesion through multi-level governance in the future regional policy and feed in the debate on the next legislative package.
Amendment 91 #
2010/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Considers that EGTCs represent a unique, highly valuable territorial governance instrument which meets a need for structured cooperation with reference to financing, the legal status of projects and multi-level governance; Recalls that the instrument of EGTC must be promoted as a tool to set up of systems of cross-border governance, ensuring the ownership of the different policies at regional and local level.
Amendment 121 #
2010/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Calls on the Member States to simplify their national provisions, which very often add up administrative burden not required by the Community rules.
Amendment 128 #
2010/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Deplores the low profile of territorial cooperation, in the eyes of both national and local authorities and the general public; asks the Commission to promote exchange of information between the EGTCs already created and those in the process of being set up and to come up with ways to raise the profile of EGTCs with territorial cooperation stakeholders and the general public;
Amendment 40 #
2010/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the fact that effective selection and implementation of projects in some areas is hampered by missing relevant preconditions, such as the lack ofsimpler application procedures at national level, clear national priorities for certain areas of intervention, belated transposition of EU laws and lack ofconsolidated institutional and administrative capacity, simpler rules for the financial engineering instruments;
Amendment 44 #
2010/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls with regret that the substantial delay in policy implementation results mainly from the following factors: late conclusion of the negotiations on the multiannual financial framework and the legislative package of the policy, resulting in belated completion of the national strategies and operational programmes, changes in the rules on financial control and evaluation criteria imposed at national level, overlap with the closure of the period 2000-2006 and scarce public resources available for cofinancing in Member States;
Amendment 50 #
2010/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the publication of the Commission Staff Working Paper ‘Cohesion Policy: Responding to the economic crisis’, a review of the implementation of cohesion policy measures adopted in support of the European Economic Recovery Plan; highlights that this review draws primarily on the information provided in national strategic reports; calls for the Commission to take the necessary measures in order to ensure that the information provided by the member states are according to the reality at the national level;
Amendment 53 #
2010/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that the current framework of cohesion policy has proven to allow a flexible and appropriate response to the rapidly deteriorating socioeconomic environment; underlines that Member States appreciated that the crisis measures could be tailored to their specific needs; Deplore the fact that due to the complexity of the rules imposed at national level, some of the member states most hit by the economic crises did not succeed to use these funds according to their real needs;
Amendment 70 #
2010/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes thatUnderlines that technical assistance, monitoring and evaluation should stimulates policy learning and, together with an efficient financial control, should will constitute an incentive to improve the quality of performance;
Amendment 73 #
2010/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Underlines the need for the Commission to ensure efficient and constant monitoring and control systems in order to improve governance and effectiveness of the delivery system of the Structural Funds; Calls on the Commission to enhance the coherence and quality of monitoring of the progress made by Member States by making obligatory the use of a minimum set of core indicators in national strategic reports in the next programming period to facilitate comparison and by providing more detailed guidance;
Amendment 84 #
2010/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Strongly believes that good governance at European, national, regional and local level is fundamental to ensuring the quality of the decision-making process, strategic planning and the successful and efficient implementation of cohesion policy; encourages the Commission and the Member States to strengthen multi-level governance in accordance with the Treaty and the partnership principle; Calls for the Commission and the Member States to involve the sub-national authorities in the conception of policies from an early stage of the decision making process;
Amendment 93 #
2010/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. EncouragesCalls for the Member States to enhance capacity-building and reduce administrative burden, in particular, to ensure the cofinancing of projects by national contributions and with financial engineering support, in order to increase the absorption of the funds and to avoid further major delays in investing;
Amendment 104 #
2010/2139(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls for the Commission to ensure that the future cohesion policy will benefit from adequate financial resources, the same rules applicable to all member states and will be based on multi-level governance in order to improve the absorption capacity of Structural and Cohesion Funds.
Amendment 57 #
2010/2089(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the Commission forecasts that unemployment is likely to reach 10.3% by the end of 2010, and whereas there is widespread concern that the present economic crisis, particularly its effect on unemployment and especially youth unemployment, will adversely affect population health,
Amendment 64 #
2010/2089(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas the combination of poverty with other vulnerabilities, such as childhood or old age, disability or minority background, further increases health risks and vice-versa, ill health can lead to poverty and/or social exclusion,
Amendment 67 #
2010/2089(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas early years have lifelong effects on many aspects of health and well-being – from obesity, heart disease and mental health, to education, professional achievement, economic status and quality of life,
Amendment 68 #
2010/2089(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K b (new)
Recital K b (new)
Kb. whereas health inequalities have significant economic implications for the EU and for Member States; Health inequalities related losses have been estimated to cost around 1.4% of GDP,
Amendment 81 #
2010/2089(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that attention must focus on the whole social gradient, with particular attention to be given to the needs of people in poverty, disadvantaged migrant and ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, elderly people and children living in poverchildren, youth and elderly people living in poverty based on the universal EU values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity;
Amendment 92 #
2010/2089(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines that the economic and financial crisis, in particular on the supply side, may lead to a reduction in the level of funding for public health and health promotion, disease prevention and long- term care services as a result of budget cuts and lower tax revenues, while the demand for health and long-term care services may increase as a result of a combination of factors that contribute to the deterioration of the health status among the general population;
Amendment 121 #
2010/2089(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Member States to promote policies aiming at ensuring healthy life conditions for all children and adolescents, including actions to support pregnant women and parents (starting in pregnancy and continuing through the transition of the child); thereby recognizing the importance of investing in early child development as well as life course approaches;
Amendment 141 #
2010/2089(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points to the importance of raising the average level of healthcare and decreasing the inequalities between different social groups, and underlines that these objectives could be achieved through the optimisation of public spending for healthcare, health promotion and disease prevention;
Amendment 145 #
2010/2089(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Underlines that, in addition to national governments, regional authorities in many countries have an important role in public health, health promotion, disease prevention and health services and thus need to be actively involved; points out that local governments, workplaces, and other stakeholders also have a vital contribution to make;
Amendment 167 #
2010/2089(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the reduction of health inequalities is fully addressed in the future initiative onand integrated into future initiatives related to early child development, youth polices focusing on education, training and employment and initiatives related to healthy ageing;
Amendment 177 #
2010/2089(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Commission to assist Member States in making better use of EU cohesion policy and structural funds in order to support projects to address factors contributing tohat contribute to addressing the social determinants of health and reducing health inequalities; calls also on the Commission to support activities financed under the PROGRESS programme;
Amendment 185 #
2010/2089(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on the Council to promote the tackling of health inequalities as a policy priority in all Member States, taking into account the social determinants of health, by means of actions in policy areas such as the environment, agriculture and food policy, education, living and working conditions;
Amendment 198 #
2010/2089(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls on the Member States to support and implement a joined up approach to policy making at local, regional and national level, thereby striving towards a Health in All Policies Approach (HiAP);
Amendment 199 #
2010/2089(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Calls on the Commission to pursue a Health in All Policies Approach (HiAP) to EU level policy making and ensure the implementation of effective impact assessments that take health equity outcomes into account;
Amendment 202 #
2010/2089(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 e (new)
Paragraph 18 e (new)
18e. Calls on the Commission and Member States to work together to develop and implement complementary public health prevention actions at all levels of governance to combat existing and future health threats that can exacerbate existing health inequalities and place additional strains on health systems, particularly the increasing prevalence of non – communicable diseases (e.g. obesity, diabetes, cardio- vascular diseases, cancer);
Amendment 58 #
2010/2028(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reaffirms its attachment to the dual broadcasting system, where private and public media play their respective roles, and access to information mustshould be ensured irrespective of consumers’ ability to pay;
Amendment 63 #
2010/2028(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines in particular the fundamental role of the European dual system in promoting democracy, social cohesion and integration, as well as iwith an emphasis on preserving and promoting both media pluralism, media literacy and cultural and linguistic diversity;
Amendment 76 #
2010/2028(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights against this background the specific mission of public service broadcasting in the digital era to bring media content to as many European citizens as possible and to maintain a public sphere with the aim of overcoming audience fragmentation; reiterates the importance for broadcasters to use available funds in order to ensure promotion of European activities, so that citizens can better understand the decision making process in the European Union;
Amendment 96 #
2010/2028(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls the body of Council of Europe recommendations and declarations, which have been agreed upon by all the EU Member States and which lay down European standards with regard to freedom of expression and, media pluralism, ands well as regarding the independence, organisation, remit and funding of public service media, particularly in the information society;
Amendment 135 #
2010/2028(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Encourages the various stakeholders to cooperate and exchange best practices in order to ensure the sustainability of their respective business models and, in particular, encourages public and private broadcasters to cooperate with publishers on content sharing and to engage in partnerships;
Amendment 76 #
2010/2013(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls for an encompassing strategy for key competence acquisition from school curriculum adaptation to support of the professional development of teachers and trainers; incentives should be provided for teachers in order for them to improve their teaching and to focus on professional development;
Amendment 84 #
2010/2013(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 2 #
2010/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. considers that EU cohesion policy plays a crucial role in developing the job potential of a sustainable economy, as it helps eliminate regional differences and create a society with full employment; stresses that the European Structural Funds can encourage themust be used by regions to take initiatives to create new, sustainable jobs; stresses the importance of Member States using the European Social Fund to invest in skills, employment, training and re-training activities with a view to creating more and better jobs through national, regional and local projects;
Amendment 19 #
2010/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. recognises the important role of local and regional authorities in the education and training of young people, which formincluding school leavers with no qualifications, as the basis for the acquisition of further skills; points out that the general conditions governing education and further training in many countries are the responsibility of the regional and local authorities; therefore encourages the regions to use the Structural Funds to create sustainable jobs in the fields of local transport, urban mobility and education;
Amendment 26 #
2010/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. encourages the private sector to use the European Social Fund as a means of promoting entrepreneurial attitudes and skills amongst young people, as well as providing career guidance for people facing unemployment;
Amendment 31 #
2010/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. stresses the importance of the geographical mobility of workers in accordance with the Treaties; recognises that an improvement in mobility through good local transport increases access to job opportunities; therefore encourages the regions to use resources from the Structural Funds for infrastructure measures while using the European Social Fund to create better educational and employment opportunities for rural young people;
Amendment 49 #
2010/2010(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. reiterates its support forcalls on the Commission to ensure the continuation of the pilot project ‘Erasmus for elected local and regional representatives’, which couldmust help local and regional authorities to exchange best- practice models and could alsin order to have a multiplier effect in the area of labour market policy;
Amendment 6 #
2010/2001(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls on the Commission to allocate more funding for the professional training of youth in order to facilitate their reorientation towards those areas of the economy that are functional and more viable in these times of economic crisis;
Amendment 19 #
2009/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas, as the outcome of the discussions on cohesion policy strategies and programmes for the programming period 2007 – 2013 has shown, programme quality and stakeholder involvement have increased at every level of government, thereby contributing more effectivelyrepresenting a step forward towards achieving the Lisbon objectives of economic competitiveness and employment,
Amendment 22 #
2009/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the economic competitiveness of regions that are lagging behind is being bolstered also by the development of infrastructure of all types, among other factors, enabling access to education, research and innovation,
Amendment 26 #
2009/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomReiterates the added value provided by the European Union’s cohesion policy and its role as an EU instrument in eliminating the disparities between regions, therefore increasing their competitiveness of the regions,and in carrying out structural reforms and enhancing the ability of the regions to adapt to the global economic climate;
Amendment 30 #
2009/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses the key role played by the public and private sector, throughin the implementation of cohesion policy, at local and regional level, and in rebuilding confidence and solidarity in times of recession and thereafter by making public investment, especially in infrastructure, and and facilitating access to funding and loan-based instruments for SMEs (Jeremie&Jasper), therefore ensuring sustainable development of the regions;
Amendment 40 #
2009/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that, through the synergies generated with research and development and innovation policies, cohesion policy canshould provide a means of meeting the EU 2020 challenges by bolstering and harnessing specific local potentials and ensuring social, economic and territorial cohesion;
Amendment 54 #
2009/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that Multi-Level Governance involves devolved responsabilities for programs, allowing better exploitation of the potential of territorial cooperation; therefore, in order for European Union to be able to pursue common objectives using coherent and result oriented measures while establishing specific regional and local priorities, the principles of MLG should be implemented;
Amendment 57 #
2009/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the results of the URBAN and LEADER initiatives and believes that cohesion policy can create the framework for balancintegrated rural-urban development, depending on the necessities of each region; calls on the Commission to examine and propose working methodologies that promote urban-rural partnerships and stimulate sustainable development;
Amendment 59 #
2009/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Views partnership as a key principle in the determination of cohesion policy content, with the ‘bottom-up’ approach enhancing administrative capacities and the quality of the programming process; believes that all levels of government need to play a cohesive, complementary and productive role in boosting the economic competitiveness of the EU; calls on the Commission to consider the possibility of trilateral Commission – Member State – region agreements to ensure that partnership obligations are fulfilledgive a clearer definition of the partnership principle in order to ensure the setting up of real partnerships with regional and local authorities and facilitate the exchanges of the best practices between regions;
Amendment 79 #
2009/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Highlights the need to promote entrepreneurship and support Small and Medium Enterprises in order to facilitate the creation of new businesses and therefore enhancing job creation;
Amendment 86 #
2009/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Stresses the need for an integrated approach to the application of Structural Funds as it is an important instrument in helping regions to achieve sustainable growth, employment and prosperity;
Amendment 88 #
2009/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
Amendment 96 #
2009/2233(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Reminds that an efficient implementation of cohesion policy depends strongly on how it is conceived and therefore the involvement of local and regional authorities, at an early stage, as well as their partnership with CoR in shaping and implementing the future cohesion policy, is crucial;
Amendment 1 #
2009/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation X a (new)
Citation X a (new)
- having regard on the Commission proposal for the revision of the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Union of 28 May 2010 (COM(2010)260)
Amendment 38 #
2009/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission to create a training and mobility scheme for local and regional actors involved in running cohesion policy programmes;, together with the partners specialised in implementing the concepts of integrated approach and multilevel governance.
Amendment 43 #
2009/2231(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Calls for the Commission to take the necessary measures in order to ensure the continuation of the Erasmus programme for local and regional representatives - technical staff responsible for managing and implementing European programmes -, by allocating adequate funding within the next negotiations on the budget and by reinforcing the networking with regional and local authorities also through the Committee of the Regions;
Amendment 12 #
2009/2221(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the importance of promoting entrepreneurship and helping young people in starting their own business, and; therefore it recommends an EU information campaign, in education institutes, covering entrepreneurship, start- up capital, taxation on start-up business, training support;
Amendment 28 #
2009/2221(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Supports the provision of traineeships to complementas an integral part of the school curriculum, giving pupils the opportunity to acquire skills and gain work experience, thus facilitating their future labour market insertion;
Amendment 35 #
2009/2221(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers the development of internships with a strong link to study curricula extremely important as they are an opportunity to consolidate their skills and start working with only some previous experience and training; considers that internships are a usefulnecessary means to combine education and work, as certain schemes show a job insertion rate of 70% following a successful internship;
Amendment 50 #
2009/2221(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that the new EU 2020 strategy has a crucial role to play in improving citizens' employability; young people being a key factor in achieving its objectives and one of the most affected groups, considers it essential that they be provided with better education and training and encouraged to pursue it;
Amendment 10 #
2009/2068(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Welcomes the Court's decision to include in the 2010 Annual Work Programme the audits on the ESF and the ERDF in the field of tourism, vocational training for women and public drinking water supply, which are of particular importance for the development of local communities.
Amendment 11 #
2009/2068(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Invites the Court to undertake more performance audits in order to assess the sound financial management and in particular the efficiency and effectiveness of the Structural and Cohesion Funds programmes; considers, therefore, that the Court should focus in particular on the 12 new Member States and the Member States most affected by the financial crisis.
Amendment 12 #
2009/2068(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 c (new)
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10c. Invites the Court to assess how the external evaluations in respect of the Structural and Cohesion Funds are performed by the managing authorities, and to pay particular attention to the independence of the evaluation when it is paid for by the evaluation beneficiary.
Amendment 13 #
2009/2068(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 d (new)
Paragraph 10 d (new)
10d. Invites the Court to assess, in terms of human resources, the capacity of Member States' audit authorities to perform audits and their independence when carrying out the compliance assessment of the management control system.
Amendment 24 #
2008/2334(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that measures, such as flexibility and acceleration of payments, the use of lump sum payments and flat rates will stimulate the implementation of projects especially in infrastructure and the, energy and environmental sectors; in this regard, the Commission should provide Member States with clear guidance especially on the flat rate reimbursement systems;
Amendment 28 #
2008/2334(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines the importance of employment and business support measures for a successful economic recovery; calls on Member States to make wide use of Structural Funds to promote professional training, job creation, small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2237(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. recalls that the ‘sense of initiative and entrepreneurship’ is a key competence, calls on the Member States to include this in their Lifelong Learning strategies; supports the Commission's intention to extend the scope of the Leonardo da Vinci programme; 1 Recommendation 2006/962/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 on key competences for lifelong learning (OJ L 394, 30.12.2006, p. 10). and to encourage the important role of entrepreneurial abilities and skills starting with an early stage; supports the Commission's intention to extend the scope of the Leonardo da Vinci programme; Or. en
Amendment 1 #
2008/2236(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the inclusion of cross-border cooperation within the scope of the ENPI Regulation as a strategic tool for developing common projects and strengthening relations between ENP countries and Member States; insists, however, on the need forto create specific instruments in order to ensure regular, punctual monitoring of the management andof and process of implementation of joint operational programmes on both sides of EU borders;.
Amendment 4 #
2008/2236(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to prepare a detailed overview of all joint operational programmes approved for the period 2007- 20132, together with an assessment of the degree to which the principles of transparency, efficiency and partnership have been respected in the implementation of projects have been respected; encourages the Commission to prepare an inventory of the most frequent problems faced by the managing authorities both in the EU border regions and in the ENP countries, in order to identify more appropriate responses to themsolutions for the next programming period;.
Amendment 6 #
2008/2236(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Laments the limited application of the subsidiarity principle indicated in the first reports on programme implementation; calls, therefore, on the Commission, to promote greater involvement onf the part of regional and local bodies, under a more decentralised approach both in programme management and in project implementation;.
Amendment 7 #
2008/2236(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Regrets the lack of coordination between ENPI and ERDF funding and that has been ascertained and calls for more rigorous implementation of the exthe simplification of procedures and the harmonisating instrumenton of rules in order to harmonise rules, simplify procedureachieve better implementation of the existing instruments and avoid overlapping; awaits, in this context, information from the Commission about the controls put in place in order to avoid double funding;
Amendment 1 #
2008/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
Amendment 6 #
2008/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Urges the Commission to extend its dialogue to new target groups by designing communication plans that can involve people living in smaller towns and villages, the wby adapting its message to different target groups accorkding class and retired people in EU affairto their social backgrounds; therefore proposes a two-phase approach to enhance the dialogue between the European Union and its citizens by first providing information and then facilitating debate with and among informed citizens;
Amendment 8 #
2008/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the importance of swiftlyneed to completinge the ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty, which will further increase the transparency of the EU and the involvement of citizens in decision-making processes;
Amendment 11 #
2008/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recommends the extension of the Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci, Grundtvig and Comenius programmes to less affluent citizens to facilitate their mobility within the EU; draws attention to the fact that less affluent citizens currently cannot afford to participate in these programmesCalls on the Commission to find the modalities for co-financing especially Erasmus programme in order to make it more affordable for less-opportunities students all over Europe;
Amendment 17 #
2008/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 22 #
2008/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 23 #
2008/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
Amendment 27 #
2008/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the idea of EU Tube, as with almost 1,7 million viewers, it is a unique tool with which to communicate EU policies to youngamong the internet users; also calls on the Commission to prepare guidelines on efficient internet campaigns and share them with other EU institutions;
Amendment 30 #
2008/2224(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 8 #
2008/2214(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses the relationship between energy and territorial cohesion, as pointed out by the Green Paper on territorial cohesion in terms of both the positive contribution of energy efficiency measures to sustainable development and the possible long-term solutions for isolated regions; calls on the Commission to take the utmost account of these areas, especially mountainous regions and, the outermost regions and the regions of the new Member States, and to present urgently concrete measures suited to their specific characteristics and constraints aiming at ensuring greater energy efficiency;
Amendment 12 #
2008/2214(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Observes that in most Member States the funding allocated to energy -related projects is still insufficient; encourages Member States and regions to make greater use of Structural funds for this purpose and to organise thematic calls for proposals on energy related priorities-related priorities; stresses that the private sector, supported by national measures, should play a more prominent role in investing in and developing new, sustainable energy technologies, while also taking innovative actions to adopt a mindset more focussed on energy efficiency; believes that this can only bring about a win-win situation for both the public and the private sector;
Amendment 16 #
2008/2214(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Encourages in particular Member States and the regions to use Structural and Cohesion Funds to set up on their territories thematic networks in the framework of the Concerted Action provided for by the 2008 Intelligent Energy Europe Work Programme in order to be informed about the good practices of other EU regions as regards the efficient use of energy and to exchange know-how and experience in this domain; calls on the Commission, in the context of European regional policy, to encourage the deployment of national and regional programmes to promote more intense investment in the improvement of energy efficiency in all areas, including in the multi-family and social housing sectors;
Amendment 22 #
2008/2214(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the strategic role of EU public authorities, in particular at regional and local level, in ensuring the necessary institutional support for energy-efficiency initiatives; recommends the launch of capillary information and education campaigns, for example through the use of easily understandable energy efficiency labels, and of energy-related pilot initiatives and training on the territories of those regional and local authorities aiming at raising citizens' awareness and changing behaviour;
Amendment 186 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Considers that takinghe adoption of an integrated approach will have a greater chance of success if thedepend on regional and local authorities, as well as stakeholders who can provide an overall view and understanding of the needs and specificities of a given territory aron the involvedment from the beginning of stakeholders in the designing and implementation of the development strategies of each territory;, something which should ensure a coherence of actions at all levels.
Amendment 8 #
2008/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas on the 17 February 2008 the Kosovo Assembly adopted a resolution which declared Kosovo to be independent and that Member States would decide, in accordance with national practice and international law, on their relations with Kosovo; whereas overall EU assistance to Kosovo is estimated at over EUR 1 000 000 000 for the period 2007-2010 covering support to Kosovo’'s political and economic development and financing the EU contribution to the international presence in Kosovo,
Amendment 29 #
2008/2149(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Commission to duly submit in good time for approval to the Pparliament any new proposals aiming to provide exceptional budgetary assistance to the Wwestern Balkan countries; stresses that further financial assistance to the Western Balkans (and notably Kosovo) should be conditional on the establishment, with the support of international financial institutions, of a comprehensive and realistic long-term economic development plan;
Amendment 15 #
2008/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas integrated solutions to real problems can only be found and implemented at local and regional level by the public authorities working in cooperation with the private sector and both keeping in view both environmental and community interests,
Amendment 16 #
2008/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the creation of specific instruments will help contribute to more integrated and sustainable development strategies, improving economic competitiveness by preserving natural and cultural resources, meeting social needs and promoting models of ethical tourism,
Amendment 34 #
2008/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Member states to ensure the full participation of the regional and local authorities responsible for tourism and regional development in coastal zones in all permanent structures set up under these policies; recommends the establishment of strong, well-structured institutionally- based management that has resources for action, autonomy and responsibility and the support of the public authorities, the private sector and local communities;
Amendment 62 #
2008/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes that diversification can help extend the tourism season, creating more growth and employment and reducing the environmental, economic and social negative effects; recommends, therefore, the diversification of tourism products and services in order to ensure long-term competitiveness, viability and prosperity and the quality of local communities;
Amendment 71 #
2008/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Commission, the Member States and the regions to draw up jointly an exhaustive catalogue, to be made available on Internet, of projects funded in the coastal zones, thussetting out the level of investments, the beneficiaries and the impact of the supported initiatives upon the various regions, thus providing a comprehensive picture of existing projects, enabling the regions to learn others' experience and permitting academia, the coastal communities and other interested parties to identify, publicise and maximise the transfer of best practices to the local communities;
Amendment 76 #
2008/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission to ensure that ongoing compilation by Eurostat of a socio-economic database for the EU's coastal regions includes data on tourism that are reliable, uniform and up-to-date, since this is essential in order to facilitate decision-making in the public sector and enable comparison between regions and sectors); recommends that the coastal Member States, as a matter of urgency, act to implement the Tourist Satellite Account in their territory;
Amendment 77 #
2008/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Recommends that certain partners carry out a detailed SWOT analysis of the situation of tourism in relation to the main market trends, its potential, the limits on its sustainable development and its positive impact and constraints;
Amendment 82 #
2008/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that there is a close link between the environment and coastal tourism and notes that policies to develop tourism should include practical measures, in line with a general policy of environmental protection and management; recommends, therefore, introducing, after 2013, environmental sustainability as a basic principle of Structural Fund intervention in the coastal zones, not only for the competitiveness and employment objective but also for the convergence objective regions;
Amendment 101 #
2008/2132(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Urges the coastal regional and local authorities, similarly, to encourage integrated territorial marketing schemes alongside their partners in the context of sea-and-land based neighbourhood relations, and to promote equity in tourism development and travel with a view to boosting competitiveness in the tourist sector without prejudice to overall competitiveness;
Amendment 4 #
2008/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. Whereas all types of media, audiovisual and printed, traditional and digital media, are blending together and the different forms of media are converging, both technically and in terms of content,
Amendment 15 #
2008/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas adults represent a heterogeneous but predominant group, and media literacy should help strengthen their behaviour as active citizens and their awareness of both rights and duties,
Amendment 29 #
2008/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recommends that the Commission also use the Media Literacy Expert Group to discuss media education matters and that the group meet more regularly and consult, on regular basis, the representatives of the Member States and, on the basis of the results, create the framework needed in order to identify and share the good practice which exists not only at national level but also at local and regional levels;
Amendment 34 #
2008/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Maintains that media education activities have to encompass all citizens - children, young people, adults, older people, and people with disabilities. without leaving out adults who, by age and education, are considered fully capable of selecting the relevant information from different types of media;
Amendment 36 #
2008/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses the need for media literacy to act as a tool in order to better integrate migrants and minorities, especially the Roma;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. Whereas progress has been made in increasing the autonomy and the accountability of universities and whereas there is a need to strengthen the support offered to them within this process,
Amendment 3 #
2008/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas curricula should contribute to students' personal development and shouldby includeing the teaching of human rights and European values,
Amendment 10 #
2008/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that the transitionStresses the need for a complementary approach between different education and training systems and between formal, non- formal and informal learning mustthat should be facilitated;
Amendment 21 #
2008/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Considers that curricula, and their content, must be continually updated in order to remain relevant, enhancing the important role of entrepreneurial skills and volunteering in order to support personal development;
Amendment 28 #
2008/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Points out that VET ought to be better linked and more coherently integrated into both European and national economies in order to tailor better the educational process to the labour market;
Amendment 34 #
2008/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Calls on Member States to strengthen their support towards the management of universities in order to handle better their process towards greater autonomy and accountability;
Amendment 43 #
2008/2102(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Believes that volunteer services should be integrated into tand also acknowledged when implementation ofing the Education and Training 2010 work programme;
Amendment 49 #
2008/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers, in view tof the major differences between rural areas in the various Member States, that a suitably targeted and integrated approach promoting economic dynamism and accounting for specific needs and in terms of funding, should be taken to the development of such areas, which account for up to 80% of thisEU territory;
Amendment 51 #
2008/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that proper implementation of rural development policy requires due account to be taken of each area’s natural resources and specific features, as well as of their economic development capacities and existing links with urban areas;
Amendment 56 #
2008/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on Member States and regional authorities to formulate, in cooperation with the Commission, a transparent, long- term rural development strategy at national and regional level, in order to be able to identify clearly rural development priorities and objectives and adapt to them the various sources of funding availablensure coherence of action by means of consistency in the use of the various funds and minimising the possibility of financing the same action twice;
Amendment 85 #
2008/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Considers that including rural development policy within cohesion and regional development policy is only possible on the condition that rural development receives adequate funding, that this funding is used in line with the priorities set out for rural areas, avoiding double financing and gaps in future interventions, and that rural development measures do not drain resources intended for direct payments to farmers;.
Amendment 108 #
2008/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Draws attention to the role played by small and medium-sized enterprises in rural development and the contribution that they make to convergence at regional and local level; calls on the Commission, the Member States and regional and local authorities to foster entrepreneurship in rural areas, in particular by removing administrative and legal barriers, and also to offer more support to non-agricultural activities while promoting economic diversification in these areas;
Amendment 115 #
2008/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that the difficulties in implementing rural development policy stem from the fact that sectoral policies and territorial cohesion policy cut across each other, as do the economic and social aspects of both types of policy, and from the wide variety of responsibility allocation and policy coordination systems used in the Member States; therefore, calls on Member States to ensure coherence in the implementation of local development strategies and to encourage dialogue between managing authorities;
Amendment 126 #
2008/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to apply the open method of coordination to rural development policy at Union level in order to achieve a coordinated and complementary approach that supports the restructuring and diversification of the economy in Europe’s rural areas;
Amendment 3 #
2008/2066(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1a (new)
Paragraph 1a (new)
1a. Points out that mountain regions suffer handicaps which make it less easy for agriculture to adapt to competitive conditions and entail extra costs so that it cannot produce very competitive products at low prices;
Amendment 11 #
2008/2066(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3a (new)
Paragraph 3a (new)
3a. Encourages the Member States to incorporate mountainous regions consistently into national strategic reference frameworks;
Amendment 13 #
2008/2066(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that these regions can provide quality agricultural produce and more diversity of agricultural products in the European market, preserve certain animal and vegetable species, uphold traditions and foster industrial and tourist activities and can combat climate change by protecting biodiversity and capturing CO2 through permanent grassland and forests;
Amendment 21 #
2008/2066(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the significance of an integrated sustainable development strategy based on the endogenous potential of mountains and, to that end, encourages local, decentralised initiatives and inter-massif cooperation; also stresses the role of the network of mountain regions in exchanging experience between local authorities, supporting entrepreneurs, making best use of mountain resources and increasing the quality of products;
Amendment 29 #
2008/2066(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses the importance of ensuring a high level of services of general economic interest, of improving accessibility and interconnection and of providing the necessary infrastructure to facilitate connections with upland markets and urban areas, particularly through promoting public-private partnerships;
Amendment 19 #
2008/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Fa (new)
Recital Fa (new)
Fa. Whereas partnership can bring benefits and added value to the implementation of cohesion policy through enhanced legitimacy, greater co- ordination, guaranteed transparency and better absorption of funds;
Amendment 44 #
2008/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on regional and local authorities to step up their use of the integrated approach through national and European associations during the current programming period;
Amendment 57 #
2008/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission and the Member States, working together with regional and local authorities, to examine immediately the issue of the simplification of the procedures for implementing cohesion policy with a view to reducing the bureaucratic burden on the individuals and bodies involved; recommends greater flexibility in Community legislation in the way that rules are implemented on the ground
Amendment 62 #
2008/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the European Commission to draw up an assessment of the implementation of the partnership principle by the Member States in the context of the drafting of the National Strategic Reference Frameworks (NSRFs) and the Operational Programmes, identifying the factors behind successful and unsuccessful governance; notes that the involvement of partners contributes to the development of institutional capacity at sector and territorial levels and also creates opportunities for reinforcing innovation and learning across organisational boundaries
Amendment 69 #
2008/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7a (new)
Paragraph 7a (new)
7a. Recalls that partnership can contribute to effectiveness, efficiency, legitimacy and transparency in the operation of Structural Funds and to the commitment to, and ownership of, programme outputs
Amendment 72 #
2008/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Nnotes that the partnership process can work only with partners which have the necessary capabilities and resources, and calls on the managing authorities to contribute to the strengthening of those capabilities, which can improve the programme´s effectiveness by increasing the efficiency of project selection;
Amendment 79 #
2008/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Draws attention to the requirement to hold public consultations on the issue of programming and stresses that the participation of regional and local authorities and of civil society helps to legitimise the decision-making process by counterbalancing any specific political influence; notes that the efforts to involve the public in the preparations for the operational programmes for the period 2007-2013 were not entirely successful; calls on the Commission, therefore, to identify good practices with a view to improving public involvement ahead of the next programming period;
Amendment 89 #
2008/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Member States and managing authorities to involve the partners more closely in all the phases of Structural Fund programming, including assessment and at meetings of the monitoring committees for the Operational Programmes; recalls the positive impact that partnership has had on the improvement of planning and implementation procedures of public administrations responsible for Structural Funds, having created a new institutional framework based on a series of co- operative networks or relations with various social and economic partners; notes that through the involvement of a broad group of participants, a wider range of expertise is available for use during the programming cycle of Structural Funds programmes which can contribute to improved effectiveness of programme development, monitoring and evaluation
Amendment 94 #
2008/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10a (new)
Paragraph 10a (new)
10a .Notes that new Member States did not fully comply with the partnership principle and therefore its introduction could gradually be reinforced as a result of both supranational and sub-national pressure.
Amendment 2 #
2008/2007(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Amendment 7 #
2008/2007(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that the EU’s main ports are generally well equipped and efficient; considers, however, that the technological changes needed to enable intermediate ports to meet the challenges of an increased volume of traffic will have major financial implications for the regions concerned; therefore urges these regions to make use of the possibilities of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund to finance the acquisition of advanced technological facilities, to create jobs in innovative fields and to rehabilitate urban areas freed up by the transfer of port business to out-of-town areas; welcomes the Commission proposal to establish, at Community level, a series of common requirements as regards professional training for port workers with a view to enhancing their mobility by means of the mutual recognition of their qualifications and the harmonious development of ports; at the same time, advocates encouraging the use of European territorial cooperation programmes under the cohesion policy and cooperation programmes under the EU neighbourhood and enlargement policy;
Amendment 12 #
2008/2007(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the regional authorities concerned to implement a multimodal transport policy to give ports effective hinterland connections, in particular through the use of railways and inland waterways; stresses, accordingly, the desirability of connecting port areas with the trans-European transport networks; notes that the significant increase in container traffic to be expected by 2010 will engender a parallel increase in the use of intermediate ports that are closer to the end user, thus reducing road traffic, which is a real source of conflict with local authorities;
Amendment 17 #
2008/2007(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines the need to involve port and local authorities in drawing up plans to manage the water quality of river basins and maritime ports in accordance with the Water Framework Directive 2006/60/EC; draws attention to the need for regional authorities to ensure, by laying down air quality management plans, that ships and other modes of transport on land reduce their CO2 emissions into the air, in accordance with the Marpol Convention and the Air Quality Framework Directive 96/62/EC; considers that these plans should include measures to redefine a town's port area and/or the transfer of port industry and associated inland waterway traffic to out-of-town areas.
Amendment 9 #
2008/0069(COD)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recommendation 4 – indent 3 a (new)
Recommendation 4 – indent 3 a (new)
- support self-evaluation as a complementary and effective means of quality assurance which allows the measurement of success and the identification of areas for improvement in respect of the implementation of the European Network's Work Programme.
Amendment 47 #
1998/0031R(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls onWelcomes the Cannouncil andement of the VP/HR to proceed wiregarding the setting up of a fully- fledged EU Delegation in Ashgabat, as announced by the VP/HR’s predecessor, and thus upgrade the existing EU Liaison Office run from the EU Delegation to Turkey, which is also accredited to Turkmenistan; emphasises that the new Delegation should develop a mutually beneficial cooperation strategy tailored to Turkmenistan’s development conditions and requirements, should monitor the situation in the country, including human rights violations and individual cases of concern, should enable diplomacy on the ground, and should improve the management and oversight of projects funded by the EU external financing instruments;